Featured Blogger of the Week: Oct. 25-29, Post #1

Featured Blogger of the Week: Oct. 25-29
Elizabeth Edelmen, Diabetes Daily
Post #1

I have had type 1 diabetes since February 2005. When I first found out, I had absolutely no idea that diabetes was even something I could get. I figured since I was 23 at the time, I was too old to get "juvenile" diabetes. I didn't even go to the doctor thinking something was wrong. I felt fine. I went to my gynecologist for my regular annual visit and found out I was diabetic.

Right before my diagnosis I was on top of the world. I was 23, single, finishing college, had a lot of great friends, and was thinner than I had been since high school. I attributed my weight loss to stress. I had broken up with an ex-boyfriend , and I was a few months from graduating college. I was living in Denver, Colorado at the time and I thought that my extreme thirst was due to the altitude. Which in hindsight made no sense as I lived there for six years. My friends all thought I had an eating disorder because I weighed around 85lbs. I realized I was skinny, but I never weighed myself until I went to the doctor and found out I was diabetic.

I had a gynecologist appointment a few weeks before my graduation. I was finishing up my graduate project and as usual, was running out of time. I was going to cancel my appointment, but I figured I would just go and get it out of the way. When I got there, I gave her all my information. She took my blood, weighed me, and took a urine sample. She came back and asked me if I was on the Atkins diet. I was answered no. In fact, I had been eating whatever I wanted and was losing weight! She told me I was spilling ketones in my urine and was concerned. My doctor starting asking me all sorts of questions. "Have you lost a dramatic amount of weight lately" Yes. "Have you been thirsty lately?" Yes. "Have you been unusually tired lately" Yes. Finally she asked if I had a family history of diabetes in my family. I said yes. (My aunt has type 1, too.) She said "I hate to be the one to tell you this, but you probably have diabetes. I am going to take some blood and I will get back to you with the results." I was in shock. Who goes to the gynecologist and gets diagnosed with diabetes?

I went home in shock. My best friend, Candice, was at my house when I got home. I just broke down and started crying. If she wasn't there, I would have fallen apart. We just stood there hugging and crying together. She told me that I had to call my mom. My mom, like me, was in shock. She handled it pretty well. I tried to not think about it. I just kept telling myself to wait until we got the blood work back. That was one of the most difficult nights I have ever had.

The next day, I woke up feeling great. I didn't have diabetes. Not me. I was healthy. I went out and ran errands. I got a venti white chocolate mocha at Starbucks. I came home and had tiramisu for breakfast. Then my doctor called. She told me that I had to go to the ER. My blood sugar was over 600. I asked what the normal range was. "Between 70 and 120." I got scared. I was all by myself. My roomate was babysitting and wouldn't be home for a week. Candice was at work. I called my mom. She booked the next flight out. My mom called my aunt who is a nurse. She called me and told me what usually happens for people when they have severly elevated blood sugar. She told me that I was at a risk for falling into a coma. Funny thing is, I felt fine. She told me to expect to be admitted into the hospital. Pack a bag. Find someone to feed your cat. Expect to be gone for a few days at least. My friend Ashlee came and got me. For the first time in my life I was going to the Emergency Room.

Once I got to the Emergency Room I sat for what felt like an eternity and finally was admitted. They gave me a bag of fluids, with insulin, and sent me home after several hours. Along with a prescription for Metformin and a note saying to not eat sugar. They also recommended I follow up with the Barbara Davis Center in Denver, which is the best thing I could have done.

Once my mom arrived, we made an appointment there. They got me right in and started me on insulin immediately. I worked with my team of endocrinologists, nurses and a very intelligent dietician who got me on the right track.

After graduation, I moved back to Ohio where I met David. We started Diabetes Daily to share what I was learning as a new diabetic. It was one of the best things I've ever did as I have met some of the most wonderful people who know what life is like when you live with diabetes. Never in a million years did I think that this is how my life would turn out. But you know, it was one of the best things to happen to me.