When I was a freshman in college in New York City, I was diagnosed with Type 1
diabetes. It was Christmas Eve and I had a seizure in my face and neck. I was
so confused and scared. My sister took me to the hospital where I was diagnosed
with a blood glucose (sugar) level of 1,020. At the time I didn't know how bad
that was, but now I realize that I should have been dead. Just a few days
before, I drank an entire bottle of apple juice on my own. I just didn't know
the symptoms and I didn't know how sick I was.
I was at the hospital for 4 days. I still wasn't sure
what it meant to have diabetes. The nurses came in so many times during the day
to poke me with needles and give me insulin. I was so confused. My mother flew
in from Seattle,
which is where I am from, as soon as she heard that I was in the hospital. My
sisters, who were both living in New
York at the time, came to see me every day. Friends
called my room all day and came to visit and I was surrounded with dolls and
balloons. I still have the dolls and when I look at them, I smile knowing what
they mean to me.
Being surrounded with friends and family was so important
to me, especially with the white hospital walls all around me. When I finally
left the hospital, it was mother who got me through what I was feeling. I was
confused about the disease but grateful that it was me who had it and not
someone else I loved. We flew back to Seattle
and met with doctors and nutritionists. My community came together to help me
understand what was going on inside of me. They taught me about food intake, exercise,
and that having the support from loved ones is what gets you through the hard
times.
Six years later, I still need the support from my friends
and family when I am down. Every day is a new day for me, teaching myself what
foods I can eat, which exercises work best, and when my body is telling me that
my glucose is low. There are always new struggles. As a newlywed (I have been
married almost 9 months), having my husband around has been so important for me
as well, especially when I can't figure out why my blood glucose is high or why
I have to take so much insulin to get below 100. When I get frustrated, I have
him there to give me a hug and tell me that everything will be okay.
There will always be struggles with diabetes, but having
my husband, family and friends to support me makes each day just a little bit
easier.
Melinda S, 24
Forest Hills, NY
132557