From being sick to getting diagnosed, I can remember everything like it was yesterday. November 2005 was when I started getting the symptoms. I lost weight and started eating everything in my sight. I remember having blurry vision, fatigue, the shakes, muscle cramps, and excessive urination. If you put sugar in front of my face I would eat it. It was uncontrollable. By late February, I was a little less than 100lbs… I just thought it was from working out, plus I’m only 5’0 ft so to me it looked okay.
On March 21, 2006, I went into the nurses’ office, because my stomach was really starting to hurt. In all honesty I thought I would just get some Tums and walk out a happy person. Little did I know what was in store for me. They took my blood sugar and it kept reading HIGH… it just wouldn’t read. Immediately they called the hospital to set aside a room for me in the ER, and called my mom. She picked me up from school; we entered AI DuPont hospital, and waited.
They hooked me all up, took a billion blood tests, and in entered my dad. We waited together in the ER for about six or seven hours. Every time a doctor would enter I’d ask them for something to eat, but every answer was the same: “We can’t.” After a grueling 7 ½ hours, the doctor came in with the results. We all held hands and hoped for the best. He told me “From this day forward, you are now Type 1 diabetic. You’ll spend a few days with us learning more about this… I’m so sorry.” My parents broke down and I just laid there wondering what life had in store for me next. As I let some tears go I said “At least they didn’t tell me I was going to die, or I have cancer.” And from that day forward, I’ve had that attitude… someone always has it worse.
Well, I spent a week in the hospital and learned so much. I told myself that I’m going to control this disease… I’m not going to let it control me. The first few months were hard. I think the worst part was gathering the strength I needed to overcome the agony. Even in the worst conditions I had to suck up the tears, hold my breath, and do my medicine. The lifestyle changes weren’t that fun either, but it's either I make them or I’m not seeing another day.
I am a free-spirited, carefree person, and have always had a positive outlook on life. When I was diagnosed with diabetes, I suddenly was faced with a whole new list of things to worry about, like making sure I don’t walk out the door without my medicine. I have to be more conscientious of everything now. I take five to six shots a day and prick my finger about every three to four hours and before every meal. While none of these changes have been easy, I am determined to find a way to overcome the challenges and still be myself.
A few weeks ago, when I went in for a check-up at AI DuPont, things started to get better. When discussing my treatment regimen, my nurse told me about the I-Port™. She explained that instead of feeling more than twelve shots in three days I would only feel one with the I-Port™. Immediately I was in. I told my parents that “Anything that would make doing medicine less painful… I’m doing it.” And you know something, I don’t think I’ve been this happy in a while. I actually look forward to eating now. I’m not dreading having to eat, find a bathroom, and do my medicine. I can just ‘pop’ it in without a tear in sight. It leaves no bruising and is so easy to apply to yourself. I was shown how to use it once, and since then it’s been a breeze. I highly recommend that diabetics get them!!!
It’s been over a year now since I was diagnosed, and I’m smiling. My motto is live life to the fullest because you only get one; and the I-Port™ has helped me to make sure that my diabetes does not get in the way of anything. I’m going on dancing and now entering my fourteenth year. I swim, play with my family, have a social life, and enjoy being a kid. Right now I’m organizing fundraisers for JDRF at my school, and in my community. I’ve gotten my boyfriend of two years, my family, and a few of my friends to get involved too.
I want other people to try the I-Port™, and hopefully it will bring them the same happiness it brought me. My name is Erin; I’m sixteen years old, and a happy type 1 diabetic.
Erin
Wilmington, Delaware
