Happy Dia-Anniversary To Me (And Bonfire Night To Everyone Else!)

Today is my diabetic anniversary. It’s been three years exactly since I was told to go to the outpatients department in Frimley Park Hospital the Saturday morning after going to my GP to have bloods taken. I will never forget that day, it was a whirlwind of emotions and of unsettling contrasts. Crushing boredom as I lay on a hospital bed getting regularly tested, having insulin administered and being told to go and piss in a pot but all underlined with a mounting feeling of dread and apprehension.

Am I going to be ok? What does this mean for me? What is the rest of my life going to be like? Why do they keep testing me? Am I getting better or worse?

Me

All running around in my head at a million miles a minute while I try to keep a brave face throughout it all. A lot has changed in those three years, and I’ve learnt a lot as well. 

The biggest change for me has been the fact I am now on top of my health once again. Looking back, the weight loss that I experienced in the run-up to my diagnosis was substantial and actually quite frightening. I am now back to a very healthy weight, and have an increased awareness of the importance of my overall health. 

Outside of this, I actually feel like the impact diabetes has had on my health has been quite negligible. Of course I battle high and low blood sugars and all the associated difficulties and complications. But for the most part I take these things on the chin and try to turn them all into positive learning experiences. This means that, excluding a few months after my initial diagnosis, my HbA1c has been in range. 

Of course, I am frequently told by my consultant and my diabetic nurse that I am in the honeymoon period. And that I can expect this period to end suddenly at any time (my check-ups are always very cheery affairs!) I have no doubt that, from that moment onwards, my diabetes will become more challenging than ever.

But I am still hopeful, hopeful that I will continue to master this monkey on my shoulder with the help of the people I love, self-motivation and with the desire to live a long, happy and healthy life. Here’s to the next three years, and more; testing, lows, highs and ultimately learning how to truly master my diabetes.

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