Type One Trivia

Now, for a new approach . . . 

I know my blog reaches out to a wide variety of readers. If anyone would like to find out more about Type 1, you can go down to "Comments" and post your question. 

I thought it might be interesting to try and answer some questions you might have through this blog.

This way, you don’t have to do the research, but rather get an answer that is not answered "technically," but "personally". 

 Straight from the horse's mouth. :)

Also, if you have any questions for Hannah or Daniel, include that in your post and I will have them reply to your questions.

Until I get specific questions from you…

Here are some popular questions.

How long will someone have Type 1 diabetes? Can you outgrow it?

For me, this was the hardest part to. Type 1 is life-long. You can’t outgrow it; you can’t escape it: it’s always part of me.

A lot of people hear about Type 2 Diabetes and confuse it with Type 1. Diet or pills can control Type 2. A Type 1 Diabetic is insulin-dependent. Without insulin, it is impossible for a Type One to live.

What is a "good" blood sugar number?

From what I am told, 80 - 120 is a "good" range for blood glucose numbers.

What does it feel like to be low?

Very shaky and weak. It makes me very easily agitated.

What does it feel like to be high?

Sick. For some reason when I am 200-250, I feel worse than when I am 400. Beats me.

Is Type One contagious?

No, it is not contagious. Don’t worry, you're safe.  :)

Can you to eat normal foods?

Technically, a good diet helps. For Type 2, diet is essential.

Realistically, as long as you cover the number of carbs with units of insulin, you’re fine.

For me, if I have to get a shot, I’ll eat whatever I like. :)

What does it feel like to get a shot?

Depends.

Sometimes it hurts for an hour; sometimes it only hurts for a few seconds. I think it depends on where you give it. Due to the fact I give most of my shots, my stomach is the main injection site.

Many times the shot will bleed and you loose insulin from the bleeding.

Very annoying  . . . it means another shot is coming. :(

What does it feel like to prick for blood?

In the beginning it hurts a lot. But after a while, your fingers callous from all the pricks.

What does it mean to bolus? (with a pump)

That is the term for giving insulin by the pump. You have to bolus the amount of insulin needed for your carb ratio.

…

-DISCLAIMER-

On a serious note, I am not a professional. This is NOT medical advice. I am a type one, not a doctor. I am telling you about my own feelings, not advising you to anything I have said. This is a disclaimer. :)

~Thank you~

Cost of Living :)

Sorry it has been a little while since I last posted. 

I have been enjoying spring break and haven't been able to get around to my computer.

I find it interesting how expensive Type One is . . .

Just to give some idea of the cost I did some research.

4 vials of Humolog (fast-acting insulin) = $346

4 vials of Lantus (long-acting insulin) = $150

1 box of test strips (400 test strips) = $356 

400 syringes = $68

Multiply that, by three and you have about half a month's supplies.

Since Hannah and Daniel are on pumps, they don't have to use syringes. 

For Hannah and Daniel, their supplies are the same except they get ports instead of shots. 

I just got my order from the pharmacy so I knew how much I was being charged -  I find it amazing at how quickly diabetic supplies add up. 

All of the supplies go so fast, I had never taken the time to see how much it cost.

Overall, the cost for three of us type ones to live is about $6,474 per month. 

This is not perfect, but from what I could find, it is definitely close.

I am thankful that the Lord has given our type one trio the opportunity to have all these necessities to live.

The Lord has also blessed us with insurance that helps cover these expenses. 

For some people in other countries, these supplies are not available. 

For them, type one can be a death sentence.

That helps me put my hardship in perspective!

Insulin Pump (Hannah and Daniel) 

Vial of Insulin (Me)

Senior Pictures

As you can see, I had a pretty good photographer. Thanks to a member of the Type one Trio, Daniel, I was able to get some pics for my graduation party coming up in May! 

Trumpet is the only instrument I have truly loved. I have an amazing teacher, Mr. B, who has taught me the past four years.

The trumpet is a Bach Stradivarius, if that means anything! :)

New Normal

Well, I for sure have to pull in my reins. 

Trying to finish my senior year of high school and this last quarter kicked off with a "D". 

I was doing really well until I hit my first test.

Yeah.

Very bad for morale. :)

For all the trouble that Type One causes, I wish I could blame all my problems on it.

Sadly, life doesn't work for me in that way.

I think it should.

You know when you have those days where everything is going wrong. 

Where you find it easier to write a list of everything that is going wrong, compared to what is going right.

That's what I've felt like the past week . . . give or take a little. :)

Although I consider myself an optimist . . . optimism is presently weak. 

Mom told me about people who go through hard trials like loosing a family member, getting cancer, or getting type one. They often go through stages of grief.

First comes the initial shock.

Followed by denial . . . 

Then anger. 

Grief.

Yet finally, and most importantly . . . 

Acceptance. 

I would say I am closer to the end of "Step: Anger". 

Now when I say anger, it can mean different types of anger for certain types of people.

People become bitter, something that can harden them for their entire life.

Some may become angry at what they must live with for the rest of their life.

They become angry because of what they have lost. What they can't enjoy anymore.

This past week has been the hardest for me. 

I have felt edgy and vulnerable.

I  have found myself hurting others because I was hurting.

All this to say I would consider myself in the "anger" stage.

I am not angry at God: I look forward to seeing how He uses Type One in my life.

More or less, I think I was more angry because I don't feel like me.

When I am around others, I don't feel like myself.

I don't feel normal.

Others don't really know what to say . . . or how to help.

And even when some do, it's not like there is anything I want.

I won't ever be able to feel like myself. Part of me has been lost.

Now, I am in the process of creating the "New Normal". 

I know it will come in time . . . but T1 just makes life rather hard right now.

Even when it is hard like this, I know God never gives what He knows I can't handle!

I just have to keep plodding.

Don't look to far ahead . . . 

And keep on going! 

My Mom's favorite writer, Amy Carmichael, said, "In acceptance lieth peace."

So that's the synopsis of where I am. 

I hope this isn't discouraging, but I think it will help you understand Type One if I can express where I am in this whole journey . . .  

Step by step in my life with Type One Diabetes! :)

Saturday = Skeet Shooting

Spent some time today enjoying my gun rights. 

Can't say I'm exactly great at skeet shooting, but regardless I still had fun!

This is my brother Samuel with his 12 gauge and 10-22.

Then, when you have a couple of guys itching for trouble, a wrestling match broke out. Nothing mean, but fun! 

Daniel took the pictures. He enjoys getting cool shots.

We were wrestling with our friend, Ben.

It was all fun and games until we got in trouble. 

Overall it was a fun day off! 

Type one Diagnosis Pictures

I thought it might be fun to show pictures of each of the type ones at the initial diagnosis.

Here is Hannah, age 9, Diagnosed February 25, 2010

This is Daniel, age 12, October 9, 2010

And me, age 17, January 31, 2013

My 1st Month as a Pincushion!

So thankful to have my older brother back from choir tour! 

Life at home just isn't normal without Ben. 

It has been a month . . .

Seems much more like a few years... 

In one month, I have had a needle break my skin 778 times.

I have given myself 248 shots. Pricked my fingers 526 times.

It's hard to explain type one.

When I'm high, my vision blurs and I feel really crabby.

When I'm low, my body gets shaky and weak.

When I'm low, I get sugar. :)

When I'm high, I get a shot. :(

When I'm perfect, I get surprised! :)

One thing for sure, this one month has been a success. 

Although my numbers have been everywhere.  

I am starting a new habit of thanking the Lord for every shot. 

Each shot is an injection of life!

I know for those it is harder to understand what living with type one is like.

To describe one month of supplies, I thought it would be neat to show a picture of the supplies.

As they say, "A picture is worth a thousand words."

Technically, this is only a 100 shots. :) Double what you kinda see, and you've got a months worth! :)

Happy 1 Month Anniversary!