There are moments in life that split time in two—before and after. For me, one of those moments came the day I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. I didn’t know it then, but that diagnosis would challenge, reshape, and ultimately deepen my relationship with my body, my mind, and the way I live every single day.
The Diagnosis:
A Sudden DetourBefore my diagnosis, I was tired all the time, drinking gallons of water, and making more bathroom trips than seemed normal. I brushed it off. Life was busy, and I told myself I was probably just stressed or dehydrated. But deep down, something didn’t feel right.Eventually, I ended up in a doctor’s office, then quickly in the hospital, where I heard the words: “You have Type 1 diabetes.” I didn’t even fully understand what that meant at the time—only that my life had changed in an instant.Type 1 diabetes isn’t caused by diet or lifestyle. It’s an autoimmune condition where the body attacks its own insulin-producing cells. There was no going back. No cure. Just a new reality I had to learn to navigate.
The First Days: Grief, Guilt, and Information Overload
Those early days were a whirlwind. There were needles, blood glucose meters, insulin pens, carb counting, and a seemingly endless stream of new vocabulary. I was overwhelmed. I cried. I got angry. I grieved for the version of my life that no longer existed.I also felt guilty. Guilty for not recognizing the signs sooner, guilty for the burden I felt I placed on my loved ones. But as I began to understand the condition better, I realized none of it was my fault. My body wasn’t broken—it was just doing what it thought it had to.
Learning to Live with It: Routine Meets Resilience
Over time, what once felt like chaos slowly became routine. I learned how to read nutrition labels, how to estimate carbs, how to dose insulin based on my blood sugar, meals, and activity. I learned to listen to my body in ways I never had before.Living with Type 1 diabetes is like being your own pancreas, 24/7. It doesn’t take vacations. There’s no clocking out. Every meal, every workout, every illness or stressor—it all impacts my blood sugar. But I’ve also learned that I can do this. I am doing this.
The Emotional Weight:
The hardest part isn’t always physical. It’s the mental toll—the constant calculations, the fear of lows, the frustration when you “do everything right” and your numbers still swing wildly. It’s the burnout, the weariness, the longing for just one day of freedom.But it’s also the pride. The quiet triumph of getting through a tough day. The deep empathy I’ve developed for others with invisible illnesses. The way I’ve learned to advocate for myself and educate those around me.
Building a New Normal:
Today, I wear a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) that helps track my blood sugar in real time. I’ve had days where I feel completely in control, and days where I feel like I’m back at square one. That’s the reality of Type 1—it’s unpredictable, but manageable.I’ve found community with others who live with this condition, and that’s been life-changing. Knowing you’re not alone is powerful. Sharing tips, stories, frustrations, and laughs has turned something isolating into something connecting.
Final Thoughts: More Than a Diagnosis
Type 1 diabetes is part of my life—but it isn’t all of me. I still travel, work, laugh, dream, mess up, and grow. It’s taught me resilience, patience, and how to show up for myself. Yes, it’s hard. But it’s also made me stronger than I ever knew I could be.To anyone newly diagnosed: It’s okay to be scared. It’s okay to grieve. But know this—there is life after diagnosis. A full, rich, meaningful life. And you don’t have to walk this path alone.
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