My Diabetes Journey: Part 3

By: Lindsay Dawson, Choosy Kids Social Media Account Manager

Earlier this year, I began to tell my story about living with Type 1 Diabetes. I talked about my diagnosis, my victories, my struggles, and the means by which I overcome those struggles. I assure you, not much has changed between then and now.

The last few months have been difficult. My body trends are changing, and with that comes the very delicate guessing game of which settings on my insulin pump to change, which to keep the same, and which ones are no longer necessary at all. I think (fingers crossed) I’m beginning to see the light now, but after nearly 2 months of consistently low blood sugars, even a little progress is something I celebrate. 

Diabetes is a full time job. It doesn’t take a break while you’re sleeping; it doesn’t pause while you’re at the gym; it doesn’t rest while you’re at work or stop when you’re playing with your puppy. Anniversaries, holidays, vacations, errands, cleaning, getting sick: Diabetes will play a role in the most tame and the most exciting moments of every day life. Diabetics must constantly be prepared to deal with a variety of side effects of the disease. More so, Diabetics must also be prepared to deal with the temptation to give up.

For me, that temptation arises more than I’d like to admit. However, in spite of the ups and downs of the disease, I have something incredibly special that gets me through.  

I have the most incredible circle of support.  Last December, I had to go to the ER because my blood sugar was dangerously high. In those foggy moments of fear, I looked to my best friend for support and encouragement. She was comforting me, making me laugh, and telling me that everything would be all right. I don’t think she realized, though, that the most outstanding part of it all was her presence. She was there for me, sitting by my side at midnight in the ER, knowing that she had to be at work early the next day but caring more about my situation than her own.

She is the reason that I don’t give up. She and the hundreds of others in my life – family, friends, loved ones, acquaintances, fellow Diabetics – humble me with their support, cheers, and encouragement. The day after I got home from the ER, I wrote the following Facebook post that summed up everything my heart had been feeling:

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, a time when Diabetics come together to celebrate their successes, find courage to overcome obstacles, and encourage overall awareness about this chronic disease.  I think all Diabetics would agree with me that having a strong circle of support is one of the most beneficial therapies for the disease. I couldn’t do this without those I love.  

This November, I challenge you to learn a bit more about Diabetes. The statistics surrounding this disease are astronomical. In 2014, 387 million people were reported as having Diabetes; by 2035, this will rise to 592 million (International Diabetes Federation, 2015). In 2013, “more than 79,000 children developed type 1 diabetes” (International Diabetes Federation, 2015). I can only imagine how that will grow in the next report. In the meantime, Type 1 Diabetics are celebrating the month of November by showing others what the disease looks like to them in a campaign called #T1DLooksLikeMe.

Finally, World Diabetes Day is November 14th. On this day, Diabetics raise their voices and encourage everyone to wear blue as a symbol of hope and a call to action for a cure. With more awareness, more research, and more education, we believe that this disease can finally make Diabetes a thing of the past. 

Choosy wants us to be the healthiest and happiest versions of ourselves, and that’s where your part in my story comes in! This month, I encourage you to show support for those in your life. Whether you know someone with Diabetes or not, I’m sure each one of you has something you struggle with. Thank the people who help you make it through, and lend a shoulder to those who need your support as well. Choosy has been an incredible role model and Health Hero in my circle of support. Who would you say has been your biggest encourager?

References: International Diabetes Federation. Key Findings 2014, 2015. Web. 29 October 2015.

About the Author: Lindsay Dawson earned her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Studies and a minor in vocal performance from West Virginia University in 2012. In May of 2014, she graduated from WVU with a Master’s of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications. She has enjoyed working for several non-profits, and in addition to her position with Choosy Kids, Lindsay is currently employed as the Outreach Coordinator for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Morgantown, WV. Her ultimate career ambitions inspire her to combine her love of the arts with her passion for marketing, leadership, and civic engagement.

My Diabetes Journey: Part 2

By: Lindsay Dawson, Choosy Kids Social Media Account Manager

In the first part of my journey with Type 1 Diabetes, “Did You Know: Only 5% of People with this Disease Have it in This Form,” I discussed a lot of personal components to my story. I shared with each of you the fear I felt on the day I was diagnosed; I confessed the frustrations I endure now and again; and I expressed how imperative it is to channel negative energy into positive energy.

And this is what I’d like to discuss today. My life with Diabetes will always have victories and struggles - peaks and valleys. And learning (and actively choosing!) to see the positive side of struggle has helped me overcome nearly every valley that I have experienced. This is not just a practice I use with Diabetes; I try to do this every day of my life.

I certainly do not have as much to complain about as some, for I always say that my situation could be far worse than it is. Still, I am only human, and I get stressed out, anxious, frustrated, and discouraged like everyone else. When I have bad days – especially bad Diabetes days – it is so easy to slip into a negative mindset and stay there. Wallow. Exhaust myself in the frustration. But I have learned to take those moments for what they are, and allow them to motivate me into an even greater sense of positivity. How many people actually enjoy feeling discouraged? Not many! But how many people would feel a huge wave of accomplishment in overcoming discouragement? A lot!

Obviously, this is easier said than done. There are many times when I struggle with chaotic blood sugar readings - fluctuating for no reason at all, cutting a workout short at the gym, limiting my ability to enjoy a meal, exhausting my energy, and stealing my joy.  Since my diagnosis in 2001, I have made 4 trips to the ER for high blood sugar. The longevity of my diagnosis (despite my consistently diligent care) has left me with nerve damage within my digestive system, known as Gastroparesis. The anxiety that I deal with also causes unexpected spikes in my blood sugar.  When you’ve been a Type 1 Diabetic for 13 years, the negatives add up. And that is EXACTLY why I have to focus on the positive!  There are a lot of little things that could bog me down. But that would be silly!

There is so much in life to love. And I tackle my difficult times by doing the things that I love! As long as my blood sugar allows, I will go for a run or walk outside, hike at a local park, bike, or even go outside and take photos. I love being outdoors, and find my greatest reassurance from a pretty sunset or a good run. I also love to cook and try new healthy foods or recipes! I have a mental list of all the foods I want to explore. These include raw artichokes, raw beets, and poaching an egg.  Finally, I spend time with the wonderful people in my life (Diabetes is not something I could ever deal with on my own!), sing, listen to new music, play a new instrument, and blog!

So, thank you to each of you for letting me do something I love, and helping me cope with my Diabetes in the process!

I know many of you are parents and overcome obstacles every day! Whether big or small, we all have to take a deep breath and move forward. What do you do to overcome the obstacles in your life? Do you or someone in your family have a health issue that you’ve made better with a positive attitude? I’d love to hear your stories! Share with us your blog if you have one!

About the Author: Lindsay Dawson earned her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Studies and a minor in vocal performance from West Virginia University in 2012. In May of 2014, she graduated from WVU with a Master’s of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications. She has enjoyed working for several non-profits, and in addition to her position with Choosy Kids, Lindsay is currently employed as the Outreach Coordinator for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Morgantown, WV. Her ultimate career ambitions inspire her to combine her love of the arts with her passion for marketing, leadership, and civic engagement.

Did You Know: Only 5% of People with this Disease Have it in this Form

By: Lindsay Dawson, Choosy Kids Social Media Account Manager

I will never forget the afternoon of December 6, 2001. Little 11-year-old me had been sick for nearly a month. I was constantly thirsty; my complexion was muted; I had no energy; and despite my consistent hunger, I’d lost about 15 pounds in two weeks. My mom had been so concerned that I wasn’t eating, or that something very serious was happening to me. And on December 6th, she picked me up from school, took me to my doctor, and stood by my side as my life changed forever.

That afternoon, I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes – a chronic autoimmune disease in which the child’s pancreas stops producing insulin, either due to hereditary disposition or a virus that initiates the attack on the pancreas. Only 5% of people with diabetes have this form, Type 1 – formally known as juvenile diabetes. Without a functioning pancreas, Insulin cannot be produced. Insulin is one of the 8 hormones produced in the body that regulates blood sugar. This disease is not life threatening if treated properly, though there is currently no cure. The day I was diagnosed, I was sent to the hospital for a week of training and education.

I never ate poorly as a child, thanks to my mom’s love for home-cooking and her studies of being a nutritionist in college, I learned that I could never eat the same way. The sweet tooth I inherited from my dad had to be controlled (I loved popsicles and ice cream!), birthday parties and school lunches would be very different. Not only was food affected by my diagnosis; I’d no long be able to exercise the same way, travel, attend school, or even sleep as I had for the previous 11 years. Everything had to change, and I had to adapt to my new lifestyle very quickly.

As I mentioned, this form of Diabetes is either hereditary or caused by a bad virus, like Chicken Pox. I’m still not sure which caused mine: Type 2 runs in my family, and I had a viral rash for about 6 months earlier in the year I was diagnosed. Whatever the case, Diabetes treatment is very complex, particularly for a Type 1. You have to keep your blood sugar within a normal range, doing so by controlling your food intake and treating with the proper amount of insulin. Other factors such as stress/anxiety, exercise, illness, quality of food, and even the environment can affect your levels as well.

Until a few years ago, I was taking at least 4 insulin injections a day, testing my blood sugar 6 to 8 times a day, and monitoring my carbohydrate intake at every meal. My senior year of college, I decided to try the “insulin pump”, a mechanical pancreas, so to speak, that uses ratios, sensitivity levels, and trends specific to my body to deliver continuous doses of insulin. I also use my pump to give myself “boluses”, or injections, on top of my continuous stream of insulin. I wear the pump 24/7; it is always attached to me, except for the few moments when I change the site everything three days. It makes managing my Diabetes much easier! And it’s pink, which is a very good thing, in my opinion!

Healthy habits truly begin at a young age, and I feel very fortunate to have been diagnosed with a disease that taught me such lessons. At 11 years old, I learned the value of feeding my body in a healthy way – I used to snack on Clementine’s constantly - exercising and staying active, and doing the things I loved. Though Diabetes can be difficult and unpredictable, I have always felt that my circumstances could have been far worse. The benefits I have gained from my juvenile diagnosis enabled me to develop my independence and establish a strong sense of responsibility at a critically impressionable age. Consequently, I have spent the last several years cultivating my love and passion for healthy (and adventurous!) cooking, running, lifting weights, swimming, and biking, and embracing my Diabetes for all that it is.

I am now 24 and I recently celebrated my 13th anniversary in December 2014; I’ve lived with Diabetes longer than I lived without it, which is a pretty wild thought to me. This disease has and will continue to be part of every moment of my life. However, this fact does not leave me discouraged. Diabetes, despite the difficulties and frustrations, has taught me so much, and has instilled a remarkably strong sense of healthy living.

With childhood obesity trends as they are, our culture is seeing more and more young children develop Type 2 Diabetes, the adult counterpart that is more influenced by lifestyle choices than biology. Seeing these trends has inspired me to communicate my story of health and my journey with Diabetes to others. I hope to inspire more movement and excitement about nutrition – ideas I try to exude every day, and something I think Choosy would be proud of!

Since March is National Nutrition Month, now is a great time to commit to healthy eating – for yourself and for your family. Do you know someone effected by Diabetes? How can you help them, or help yourself, to get more active and find more joy nutritious cooking?

About the Author: Lindsay Dawson earned her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Studies and a minor in vocal performance from West Virginia University in 2012. In May of 2014, she graduated from WVU with a Master’s of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications. She has enjoyed working for several non-profits, and in addition to her position with Choosy Kids, Lindsay is currently employed as the Outreach Coordinator for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Morgantown, WV. Her ultimate career ambitions inspire her to combine her love of the arts with her passion for marketing, leadership, and civic engagement.