Around Thanksgiving of 2000, I had been lethargic, fatigued, & had an uncontrollable craving for orange juice. I didn't know what was wrong, but had attributed it to the fact I was going through puberty. I had eaten more than my fair share of food on Thanksgiving Day and the day after, I was in pain. I slept all day and my mom had a friend who noticed I was severely dehydrated. She urged my mother to take me to the hospital.
I arrived at the hospital, they ran a few tests, and doctors discover I was in the throws of DKA and was formally diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes on November 25th, 2000. I spent 2 days in ICU, learning how to count carbs, test my blood sugar, giving myself insulin and learning how to eat on a schedule. I had lost 15 pounds in 2 weeks, so eating 6 meals a day was a major adjustment. Learning how to make better food choices was also something I had a hard time doing.
I found myself depressed for a number of days until I spoke to my doctor. He told me that I have to care about my body and there was no room for error. If I didn't care about myself, I would end up right back in the hospital. From then on, I looked at my diabetes as a daily challenge. Something that forced me to grow, improve, and tackle head on to get to where I want and need to be: in optimal control of this condition.
I've had naysayers tell things that I couldn't do as a diabetic, with being muscular and athletic being among things people swore I could never be. However, it's my faith in Christ and my determination to prove them wrong that has allowed me to have my lowest a1c of 6.9 and to be 227lbs and just 10% body fat. Diabetes is just a hurdle that can be and must be jumped daily. It can only keep you bound if you allow it to.
Cincinnati, OH
