On Christmas eve 31 years ago, my life changed forever. And my family’s. Instead of celebrating Christmas with family and gifts like planned, I was brought to the hospital by my parents for a type 1 diabetes diagnosis. To this day, I am grateful that my parents recognized the symptoms of insatiable thirst and never ending trips to the bathroom as soon as they did. They saved me from becoming seriously ill.
I dislike having to live with diabetes. There are days or moments when I absolutely hate it. I’m not going to hide it. But as I am reading “Breakthrough: Elizabeth Hughes, the Discovery of Insulin, and the Making of a Medical Miracle“, I cannot help but feel extremely thankful that I live in a time where there are treatment options. Back in the early 1900’s, the prognosis of being diagnosed with diabetes was a death sentence. And a short one. In my first years of being a person with diabetes, we relied on urine testing and only 1-2 daily injections of insulin to manage blood sugar. But it was still better than nothing at all. And today, 31 years later, even though I have some mild complications, I am still overall a healthy person.
So happy birthday, Diabetes. I’m sorry to be stuck with you but in a way I hope we get to celebrate many more together.
The Girl with the Portable Pancreas 
I will never forget that Christmas. But I am truly thankful we have celebrated 31 more together and hope & pray we will celebrate another 31++. Love you girlie!
Congratulations on 31 years! What a lousy thing to have to deal with around Christmas. But I’m guessing that every Christmas since then has meant so much more. Happy Holidays
Happy (belated) diaversary and that 31 years, Stacey!! Hope it was a great one! That book is a great read and one that I’m now interested in taking a look at again… Merry Christmas!!
31 years is a big deal. Thank you for being who you are and for telling your story! Congratulations on another year well lived!
Happy Belated Diaversary, my friend. I hate that we are stuck with diabetes, but I’m so glad it gave me you as a friend!! We’ll have to celebrate in real life soon!
31?! You rock!
Kinda sucky to share the memory with Christmas though 😦
I read blogs, but I read them late. I’m so sorry I missed this day. But today, in January, weeks after your diaversary, allow me to tell you how amazing you are and how much you rock! Thanks for blogging and for sharing your life with us! I’m inspired by you, Stacey!