Wednesday, March 13, 2013

FOUR YEARS!

Four years ago today I headed to the doctor's office to find out that I was just diagnosed with type one diabetes. Four years later I had a perfectly normal day.

This morning I thought about it for a second, I don't distinctly remember what it was like not to be diabetic. Although I lived almost nineteen years of my life diabetes-free I can't really recall that feeling of never having to carb count or take insulin.  When people ask me how I felt about my first diagnosis I honestly can say that it was the best thing to happen to me. I say this because pre-diabetes I was living my life on auto-pilot - I really didn't have too many ambitions or goals and felt like I wasn't unique.

Diabetes gave me a sense of identity and trust me, I wish that it wasn't diabetes that gave me this message because it a life lesson that will be with me until there is a cure. However, when thinking of my life previous I will take the needles and finger pricks because the life I live now makes me happy and that is what matters.

I am very grateful for the friendships that I have gained in the past four years.  It's amazing the people you meet and when I think that these people existed pre-diabetes and were doing amazing things - I wish I was diagnosed sooner! I love the inspirational environment that surrounds me now and I am forever thankful for opportunities and experiences I have been given.

Tonight I will celebrate with those that mean the most to me (and will be thinking about those that couldn't attend that mean the most to me!)  I will think about how far I have come along, how much life has changed in a positive direction and think of how lucky I am for the discovery of insulin - had it not been discovered I wouldn't be writing this here today likely.

Kayla

6 comments:

  1. When I was growing up, my mom would bake a cake and frost it- back then juvenile onsets were told by their doctors they couldn't eat sugar, but I had a doctor who said it was alright as long as I deleted something else from my diet. Anyway, on the date I was diagnosed, every year, I got a cake. Instead of candles my mom would put in the small candle holders you use for birthday cakes and put in my used needle hubs, they did have covers- back then I used a reusable glass needle. Most people thought that was strange and/or mean. I thought it was the neat.

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  2. Congratulations on four great years and hurray for having such a positive attitude!! :)

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  3. It's funny how a person with diabetes has seen and deal with things that are, in some ways, real blessings that would not have otherwise been there. I'm proud of and truly happy for you, Kayla. :) You're really an inspiration to so many.

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  4. Thank you Karen & Emily.

    LMR! That's such an interesting story...I feel like what your mother did was a good way of making you feel just like every other kid - with a twist of creativity! :)

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  5. I think every diabetic should celebrate the date they were diagnosed. It just makes it more positive, especially if it was a terrible experience for a child. When I got my 25 year certificate from the Joslin center, I was dancing around the house I was so excited. I mean how many times does a diabetic get excited about being one! I don't know what I'll be like in 2015 when I get my 50 year medal.

    All juvenile onset or type 1 diabetics can apply to get a 25 year certificate and then a 50 and 75 year medal at http://www.joslin.org/joslin_medalist_program.html It's only for juvenile onsets (type 1). They keep your information on file, so once you've applied for the certificate you don't have to worry about the medals.

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  6. I have heard about the awards! I know they give them out here in London! It will be a long ways before I get my 25 year one... but I look forward to celebrating being ALIVE with diabetes! :)

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