30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know.
1. The illness I live with is: Type 1 diabetes
2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: 1975
3. But I had symptoms since: I actually didn't have symptoms. I went in to the doctor for my first grade check up and they did a random whiz quiz. I had some sugar in my urine, so I was sent to Children's Hospital for a blood test. I didn't start taking insulin until about 2 months after my diagnosis.
4. The biggest adjustment I've had to make is: My entire life had been a series of adjustments.
5. Most people assume: that I am mostly healthy. Which is true.
6. The hardest part about mornings are: Waking up and getting out of bed. I hate mornings.
7. My favorite medical TV show is: House. I used to be a big ER fan.
8. A gadget I couldn't live without is: My blood testing meter.
9. The hardest part about nights are: Getting organized for work the next morning.
10. Each day I take 2 pills & some vitamins: I've been figuring out how much vitamin D to take, because my levels are constantly low.
11. Regarding alternative treatments: I don't use alternative treatments to treat my Type 1, but use a variety of alternative treatments for other reasons.
12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: Neither. Both choices suck.
13. Regarding working and career: I work. I need health insurance to pay for my diabetes.
14. People would be surprised to know: That I hate injections and have a very low pain tolerance.
15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: I was diagnosed when I was 6 years old. This is my reality. I don't remember any other way of life. I can say that it's a heck of a lot easier having diabetes with the technology/information that's available now versus when I was a kid.
16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: I've never believed that I couldn't do something because of my diabetes.
17. The commercials about my illness: are few and far between, and are usually targeted to people with Type 2 diabetes.
18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: Yeah, again, I don't remember anything pre diabetes. I miss not having flexibility in my life. I wish I could be more spontaneous.
19. It was really hard to have to give up: Um.... candy at Halloween as a child.
20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: So this question seems to be geared to people who were diagnosed a whole lot later in life. I have taken up blogging in the last couple years.
21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: Have a day of unplanned freedom. I would take off without spare supplies, a meter, etc.
22. My illness has taught me: To persevere.
23. One thing people say that gets under my skin is: "Oh, you have a service dog? Your diabetes must be brittle."
24. But I love it when people: Recognize the time, effort, and energy I put into my diabetes management.
25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: Giddy up.
26. When someone is diagnosed I'd like to tell them: That they can live a good life with diabetes. Diabetes doesn't have to define them.
27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: How resilient I am. I've also learned and experienced the ability dogs have to help manage diabetes.
28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn't feeling well was: cover for me so that I could go home and crash.
29. I'm involved with Invisible Illness Week because: I have diabetes and I've been telling people about the significance of this week.
30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: Super. Thanks for asking. :-)
