I Shoot Up: Diabetes Awareness

January 15th, 2015

I Shoot Up: Diabetes Awareness

I love Starbucks skinny lattes. Peppermint mocha is my absolute favorite, so during the holiday season it is not uncommon to see me with a Starbucks in hand more so than usual as the peppermint flavor is not always available. Recently, I was shopping in Pittsburgh and decided to partake. As I placed my order for a skinny latte, I made sure to mention to the barista, as I always do, that I wanted the sugar-free syrup in the drink. She seemed rather annoyed and proceeded to tell me that I didn't need to specify and ordering a skinny latte with the desired flavor will suffice...that "skinny" means sugar-free syrup will be used. Ok, fine. But for me, it never hurts to be sure.

The Starbucks experience reminded me of a time when I was dining out and ordered a diet soda. When I took the first sip, I knew immediately that it was regular pop. I reminded the server that I'd ordered diet and requested that the drink be replaced. She happily did so, but made the comment that I "didn't look like I needed a diet drink" since I am not overweight. True. I am not overweight. However, I am a Type 1 diabetic and have been for 26 years, hence the concern about sugar content in food and drink.

Type 1 diabetes is a disease in which the body's immune system attacks the cells that make insulin, the hormone that controls blood sugar. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), diabetes causes more deaths per year than breast cancer and AIDS combined. Uncontrolled blood sugars can lead to complications such as blindness, neuropathy and kidney failure. Diabetics are also at a higher risk for cardiovascular issues. Those complications are incredibly scary to me. I cannot imagine how such health issues would impact my quality of life and life is too short to not live it to the fullest!

While there's never a break from managing diabetes, I am very blessed in that my condition is under control and I do and always have led a very normal life. I watch what I eat and I exercise (and I've discovered there's nothing that burns sugar faster than washing the car and swimming). I'm thankful for supportive family and friends, and my doctors who are providing good guidance and care.

I was diagnosed at age 16 after having a blood test during a routine physical. When the doctor said he suspected I was a diabetic, I was certain there was a mistake. I felt fine and showed no symptoms of the disease. I was immediately admitted to the hospital where I underwent further testing. A fasting blood sugar reading of 201 and a glucose tolerance test confirmed the diagnosis. I was fortunate because the disease was discovered before I became ill, but it would only have been a matter of time. I then spent the coming weeks learning about glucometers, high and low blood sugars and what each would do to my body, injections, types of insulin, how to handle illness, carb counting and what types of foods were good and bad. A whole new way of life was unfolding before my eyes...a lot for a teenager to take in I suppose, but I realized there was nothing I could do to change it, so best learn how to deal with it. The very first insulin injection I received I gave to myself.

After being released from the hospital, I now had a new normal. Every day before lunch, I'd go to the school restroom to test my sugar before eating. This prompted a lot of questions from my classmates, but I didn't mind answering them and sharing information about my condition. I still don't. (Obviously!) I look at it as raising awareness.

After all these years, taking care of my diabetes is second nature. I just do it. In fact, I'm not sure I remember what my life was like BD - before diabetes. Finger sticks several times a day and two injections are just part of my routine. I no longer need to measure my food. I can eyeball a portion and know how much is enough and I'm always prepared with a carby snack or some glucose tablets in my purse. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's always easy. There are still those days that I try to figure out why a reading was higher or lower than usual. Did I eat too many carbs? Did I exercise too much? Am I getting sick? Sometimes I can figure it out. Sometimes I can't and just correct as needed. What I am saying is the disease is manageable. Did you know that Actress Halle Berry, Singer Nick Jonas, NFL Football Player Jay Cutler and Rocker Brett Michaels are all Type 1 diabetics?

To those recently diagnosed or to the parents of a newly diagnosed child, I would say that diabetes is not a death sentence. With proper care and attention, you or your youngster can lead a normal, healthy life and while it probably doesn't seem like it right now, it will be ok. I'm proof of that!

And to the food service employees, when I ask about sugar content in food or drink, I'm really not trying to be a pain. I just need to be cognizant of what I put into my body. To one person, extra sugar may mean a pound or two. To me, it means good health.

Organizations like the ADA and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) are working hard to fund research to cure diabetes. Both organizations have chapters in Pittsburgh that conduct fundraising events on a regular basis. Research updates can be seen on their respective websites. The ADA and the JDRF also provide information and support to individuals and family members dealing with the disease.

While I do live a normal life with diabetes and I believe I am a stronger person because of it, I am looking forward to the day when injections and finger sticks are a thing of the past and I can finally say, "Pass the cheesecake!"