This Is How My Type 1 Diabetes Story Began

My type 1 diabetes story is a perfect fit for any kid or teenager who has diabetes. Furthermore, it is a perfect fit for many parents who try to understand their loved ones who have diabetes.

When most teenagers are diagnosed with diabetes, they inevitably ask that universal question: “Why me?” When the doctors diagnosed me with type 1 diabetes, I was asking myself the same question. Although I was only 6 years old, I remember that moment as if it was yesterday.

The symptoms

I had the following symptoms: increased thirst, frequent urination, increased appetite, and weight loss. Although I have never been fun of sweets and cakes, during that period, I was eating “Milka” chocolate from 100 grams at a time, and I was still losing weight. My teachers from kindergarten noticed that I was losing weight. They told my parents that something was wrong and suggested they take me to the hospital.

The moment when my type 1 diabetes story began

The very next day, we went to the hospital. The doctors took a series of tests. Unfortunately, they diagnosed me with type 1 diabetes. The blood glucose target range for diabetics should be 5.0–7.2 mmol/l. Unfortunately, my blood glucose level was 12 mmol/l.

This number did not mean anything to me, but for my parents was a shock. They knew that that was the beginning of my type 1 diabetes story.

A few hours after the diagnosis, the doctors explained to my parents everything about diabetes. The next difficult step was to explain this situation to their 6-year-old girl. At first, it was difficult for me to understand them. Together with my mother, we stayed for one week in the hospital. The doctors carried out more analyses in order to determine what type of insulin I should use. Then for the first time, I asked myself – why was this happening to me?

However, my parents and my sister knew that they have to help me to keep my blood glucose levels under control. Every day they talked to me and taught me how to behave in order to keep me healthy and live a normal life.

I remember that I was asking my parents if they had diabetes like me. I was even asking them if we can replace – if they can have diabetes instead of me.

After a week, they let me go home. I was very happy. However, I was not aware of the challenges I will be facing. And I didn’t know that one part of my life will change forever.