I’m Allie. I’m a wife, daughter, sister, auntie and Type 1 Diabetic.
My journey with diabetes began on December 5, 2007. Just barely 18 years old and living on my own during my first semester of college (two states away from family), at a time when you’re young, free and learning new things, my focus was on one thing, my unquenchable thirst.
Why was I always thirsty? I’m not sure the word “always” does it justice. Think dry desert, hot sun beating on you, completely dehydrated thirst…now multiple that x 10.
That is the thirst you experience when your blood sugar (or glucose) is high for an extended period of time. I know it sounds extreme, but it’s the truth.
I have memories of going to the grocery store and stocking up on gallons and gallons of water, because I JUST couldn’t get enough.
Not only was I experiencing immense thirst, but quickly losing weight, suffering from blurred vision and constantly urinating to the point of being extremely weak.
I felt my body shutting down and by the night of December 4, 2007, I knew my body was giving up. Afraid to sleep, I stayed up all night eating otter pops and watching Golden Girls (no shame there), waiting for morning so I could visit the local urgent care.
As I looked in the mirror that morning, I didn’t recognize myself. I saw a gaunt, pale and sick person staring back. My drive to urgent care, the check-in and wait all seem like a blur now.
My first memory from that visit is having my blood sugar checked and seeing the numbers 647 staring back at me. I will always remember those numbers.
The doctor and nurse quickly explained what those numbers meant. I had Type 1 Diabetes and would be admitted immediately.
After getting over the initial shock and with tears in my eyes, my first thought was, I want my mom.
I will always remember the phone call with my parents, when I revealed just how sick I really was. It was then, that I heard my dad cry for the first time.
Diabetes does not run in my family, so everyone was confused and trying to understand how this could happen.
For me, I FINALLY had my answer.
Since the diagnosis –
After being discharged, I quickly returned home to California and decided to transfer to a University closer to home.
Over the next seven years I graduated college, married my high school sweetheart and found my way into the workforce with a job in Marketing.
What’s not included in that list is my daily battle to keep my blood sugar within the perfect range.
My Path –
While it might seem that this diagnosis is all doom and gloom, I don’t look at it that way.
Being diagnosed brought me back home to numerous opportunities and the love of my life.
I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and while life may be unpredictable, it is also exciting and filled with different opportunities or paths for us to take.
I couldn’t be happier with the paths I’ve chosen.
xo – Allie
Subscribe