Diagnosed 30 years ago at Almost 1900 Blood Sugar Reading

by JD
(Raleigh, NC)

I was diagnosed at 13 after being sick for more than 30 days. I was repeatedly mis-diagnosed with the flu. I had lost 40 pounds and was either pasty white or jaundice depending on the day. I looked like the teen-aged walking dead. Typical of the undiagnosed diabetic I was frequently going to the bathroom, throwing up ever time I ate any food, and completely miserable.

I really suffered for that period of time and I was desperate for any way out of how I was feeling. When I was finally sent to the hospital for testing my blood glucose was measured just shy of 1900. I was the talk of the ICU because the staff had never seen anyone that high who was still conscious. No matter how bad the Type I diagnosis was I didn't really care. I didn't care about what they were telling me about the future. The future of injecting pork or cow insulins, a limited diet (I would really have to avoid sweets!??! That death option wasn't sounding so bad...), and the frequent urine and blood tests. I didn't care because I knew that it meant I'd be feeling better. That was all that mattered.

Since the diagnosis I have worked hard to maintain good control to stay healthy and living well.