Hi Mackenzie! Thank you SO MUCH for your comment! I LOVE MY DAD! My Grandma (his Mom) was indeed a very amazing woman and she did take a very special care or him! He's also very lucky in that he has my Mom (his wife) who takes supreme care of him too! I think with diabetics, your support network is integral to high quality care on an emotional and physical level. Love truly is the best medicine. And the love of yourself too - my Dad truly is an inspiration to me, and the care he continues to take of himself, and management of his diabetes is awesome. I do feel very lucky to have this example in my life, and I thank you for letting me share this with you on this channel and for watching. Wishing you the most wonderful day! :-)

Wow - I'm sure you're going through a lot of overwhelming feelings at the moment! Luckily the online community of Type 1's are pretty darn amazing and supportive of one another. Thank you so much for your kind words and your comments. I will continue to work to make content that is helpful! If you have any suggestions or requests please feel free to say!! Sending you strength!!!

​@@ShesDiabetic yep, its pretty nice how the internet can concentrate all of us t1d's making it feel like diabetes is a normal part of life. if you could do a video of how you manage the stress/anxiety of the THOUGHT of going low. like i dont think i could go walk nature trails alone . i would have a panic attack. because im scared ill pass out and die and nobody will find me. : D

Hi! Thank you so much for this suggestion! I'm so sorry to hear that this gives you such anxiety, but I really understand where you're coming from. Have you considered a CGM with alarm functions in order to have a sort of back up buddy of information? I will definitely put this topic suggestion on the list of videos I need to make!

@@0i1f I was diagnosed at 27, 3 and a half years ago. It's still a daily struggle to keep it up. I find I go through phases of excellent control and then a get a little complacent. Not hugely, but just a little slippery. If you worry about going low, just make sure you have a tastless sugar drink with you. Something that isn't appealing to drink. I find having jelly babies at all times etc. just tempts you, or reminds you that you can't have the thing that you can taste nice. This may not be the best advice but if I'm travelling long distance and I don't have the capacity to monitor effectively, I prefer to run a little higher. Swimming for instance.

Hello same here

Thanks for your comment Roy! Wow - you've lived with t1d for a LONG time too! It's quite crazy to think and hear about how things used to be - I find it fascinating and also I'm extremely grateful for the advancements in insulin delivery and technology - especially the CGMS! Wishing you health and happiness! Thank you so so much for watching :-)

Hi David! Thank you so much for your comment! I'm so sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis, this must be a very tricky time for you. Oh - and welcome to the 'club' lol! I know it's not the most desirable club but it is FULL of incredible people that are willing to share their experience and help one another. Truly it is one of the most supportive and joy-filled communities in and amongst some really tough stuff! I'm so glad this had been helpful to you and I'm sure you will continue from strength to strength! And as for the channel - DO IT!!! You won't regret it!! I think it would be especially interesting to have a channel out there that documents things from a very early point of diagnosis. That would be very unique and hugely interesting. I just straight up encourage you to do it!!!

😭🥰

Oh my goodness Terry thank you so so much for sharing your experience with me and all of us here!! I'm so sorry to hear that you had such a rocky start with diagnosis and then several traumatic events to follow - but right you are - this just goes to show that even with stuff like this happening, we can live long and well!!! It's not always easy but it's definitely worth it, especially with such a beautiful family as yours it sounds like! I'm so happy for you and thank you so much for sharing all of this here and being vulnerable with myself and the entire community here. Sending you so much joy, happiness, health, and safety! :) All the very very best to you Terry!!

Wow!! Well done to you for living with T1D for 42 years Brian! That is such an achievement and super awesome!! And what a significant date for your first insulin shot! Wishing you the best and continued success with your T1D and thank you so so much for you kind words - from both myself and my Dad!! ♥️

You are a source of hope for all of us. Have you had any complications from T1D? What a1c has kept you healthy?

@@babytigtig3795 Hello, apologies for the delay in replying. From the beginning I have had protein in my urine and because of that I took part in many study programs at Guys Hospital in London throughout the 80's. Diabetic neuropathy has always been an issue for me. In 2014 I narrowly missed a heart attack and had a stent put in a coronary artery, my endocrinologist said it had been a long time coming and had nothing to do with lifestyle and everything to do with injected insulin. Life is good, I am happy and I accept my body and its quirks.

@@brianrobinson1234 Thanks for your story. I was diagnosed last year at age 46. I am still trying to figure this out. I am starting to get used to this new life. It is really wearing me down so far but I keep telling myself just hang in there it will get better. I hope you continue to have good health.

Man that sounds crazy being diagnosed at age 5, I was 14 when diagnosed with t1d I'm 30 now, I have always wondered if I had been diagram at an earlier age if I would have accepted it better. If you don't mind me asking, how long did it take you to become fairly good at taking good care of it? Also do you know about how low you were the couple of times you passed out? The lowest I have seen mine was 13 but luckily I have never passed out.

OMG it is SUCH a special bond! Completely agree! I know it comes out of something very difficult but truly I feel so lucky to have that connection with my Dad and point of understanding through him. Lucky Lucky we are! Agreed!!!

THIS! IS! FABULOUS!!!! I'm so happy to hear this - thank you or sharing this with me and all of us here!!! Shows it can be done, absolutely and utterly!!

Absolutely inspirational. Such a powerful story to share. Keep doing it.

I’m so sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis. No doubt you’re going through a lot right now. But I’m so glad to hear that this video helped you and has given you hope! This is wonderful! I too take a lot of inspiration from my Dad and am so glad I could share this and his perspective with the community here! Thank you once again and sending you strength in this time of getting to grips with your new diagnosis, and indeed always! ❣️

Thank you so much for your super kind and loving words here. You have a diabuddy Dad too - oh they are the best, aren't they? My Dad gave me (and continues to give me) so much even though he's not physically here with me anymore. It's a special bond we all share when we walk this earth together - plus add a thing like diabetes to that mix and it's even more profound. Thank you so much for listening and watching and being so supportive and sharing your kindness. I wish you and your Dad just all the best and most wonderful things!! 💙💙💙

Hi Lena! I’m so sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis and that you’ve been within such a battle and feeling of your world falling apart. I really hope you feel this when I say - this SUCKS and I’m so sorry, but also I PROMISE YOU this is completely normal, and will pass and you will get used to this and find more space for yourself and your feelings with this disease. I PROMISE YOU THIS. I also applaud you for taking to the internet to research and make connections! This is the single most important thing I think - that you know you are not alone ❤️. I really thank you for your kind words and will share them with my Dad. He will be so pleased to hear them - I’m sure of it!! Thank you once again and sending you strength and joy!!! 🌟

@@ShesDiabetic Omg thank you for answering and your kind words:) I really appreciate it! 💞 Everything has been so great the past weeks:) I met some other T1s in person and it totally changed my perspective about it! It is always so inspiring to know that you are not alone and have such a supportive community! And even If it is not always easy T1D has already taught me so much about myself and my body. I have learned much about nutrition and fitness and what I want to do in my life. 😋 #youcandoanythingwithT1D

@@lenaelisaaa I am 30 and was diagnosed t1d at age 14 and I was totally an immature/rebellious doofus for sure and I was really mad for a long time about it but I eventually got over it and realized upholding the utmost attention to my glucose levels and developing the best method for me to stay within a good A1C is really the most important thing in my life. One thing that allows me to keep optimistic is thinking about how much worse the situation can be and how others overcome much more difficult adversities, not to downplay our disease lol. I know it's hard to really listen to all the people that give you advise especially random strangers but I had seriously the worst attitude and was the absolute worst kind of person to take on all this responsibility. You can do it. It actually made me a better person I think. Good luck to you!

I'm gonna try to get more content over Thanksgiving and Christmas with good old Pops!! :) I'll be all like "Hey Dad, we just had a Thanksgiving feast - what's your BG!" Bahahahah!!!

Wow, so incredible!!! Well done to you for being such a warrior for so long!! You are AMAZING!!!

Totally agree - though life is not perfect with all this tech, it's certainly more doable and for that I'm so so SO grateful!! 🙏🏻

Thank you Audrey! I hope the same to you and your family! ❣️

You're so welcome! Thank you for your kind words - and I'm so so glad that this provided you with a little relief within these trying, stressful times!! Stay safe and healthy!!

Hi Charles! Thank you for watching and for your extremely lovely comment! I will definitely pass along your kind word to my Dad. I'm very grateful for his positive, even keeled outlook and I think it has and continues to served him very well in his life. I take inspiration from him and therefore wanted to share this with our community here!! Thank you again!!! :-)

Oh wow - you are a WARRIOR! 44 Years! You should be so proud of yourself. Thank you for sharing! 💙

I’m with you Bob. I was 6 in ‘74. TD1 for 47 years & remember all that.

Oh thank you so so much for your kind words Jennifer! I've passed them onto my Dad too, I know he will really appreciate them! It's so true and I take so much inspiration from my Dad and how he's able to keep a healthy mind and spirit with it all - laughing all the way! I really really hope you're able to get the Dexcom G6 - it's so much smaller than the G4 and just an incredible upgrade in so many different ways. I think you'll love it - truly! Mine has changed my life!! PS - I love Jen Grieves - she's the best!!!! I'm glad you've found her channel too!! Big love and strength diabuddy!!! :)

Thank you so much Alonso! :)

Oh thank you so much for your kind words. I'm so so sorry to hear about your Grandparents. It is quite amazing how far the technology has come, and heartbreaking to think of those that we've lost who were unable to make use of it. It sounds like you're doing all the right things - so good for you!! And thank you for tuning it - it's great to have you here! Take good care! :)

Thank you so so much, me too 😍😍😍💙💙💙

Thank you - I agree whole heartedly, my Dad is simply the best. Thank you for your kind words and for watching! 💙

You are so welcome! Thank you for watching! This is one of the videos I'm most proud of! 🥰

Thank you so so much Paulo!! Thank you for watching! :-)

Thank you 💙 and Me too 💙

Hi Lala! Thank you for your kind words regarding the video! I totally know what you mean about a lot of other long term diabetics having quite scary or grim outlooks and realities. Though I know this is the case for a lot of people - I think it's really important to highlight the alternative outlooks and realities too! Also there's a lot of fear mongering created by the health corporations, highlighting the big bad complications, and though I think it's important to be conscious of those and strive for better, there are also people living full, long, happy and healthy lives with this disease too!! Anyway I'm so glad you enjoyed the video - thank you so much for watching! Wishing you a wonderful happy, healthy day!!

Thank you!! I couldn't agree more!! He is the best (in my perfectly unbiased opinion 😋)!

Wow! 25! That must have been quite scary! I'm sorry to hear of this incident, but am glad you're okay and have learned from it! :)

Thank you Pokie!! I definitely want to make some more videos with Dad - ASAP! If you have any suggestions for topics you'd like to hear him talk about please don't hesitate to let me know! I want to make the most helpful content possible! I'll see what he knows about Banting, but may not be much...! We could talk about that though! :-)

@@ShesDiabetic Thanks Andrea!! You both have a great chemistry chatting together! It's interesting to me, how he was probably the most helpful to you, when you were first diagnosed, with regards to taking shots, and using the equipment. I'd be interested to know, how much influence and help you now have on him, with regards to taking advantage of the latest technologies? There are other questions too! :-) I like how the conversation really fed of both of you, and not just you "interviewing" him. :-) It was really cool to see some of those old saved syringes too! My dentist's father was a dentist too, and he DID sharpen the reusable syringes in his day!!! Yikes, talk about turkey basters!! Regarding Banting, I was referring more to down the road when you do documentary projects; perhaps that could be one. :-) Do a trip to Canada and tour the museum, and then follow the evolution of insulin, meters, and where current research trends are taking us, etc.. Maybe not a big enough mass market to pursue such a project, but it would be cool! :-) Thanks again Andrea!! :-) Hope you're enjoying your weekend!

Thank you my friend, he was the best, and I think about him and miss him every single day 💙

Hi Marty - oh my goodness I'm so sorry to hear of your struggles with hypoglycaemia unawareness. That must be incredibly scary for you - and I can see CGM being incredibly helpful for your specific situation. Hopefully with CGM you are able to avoid these type of scenarios and live a more full, and relaxed life!! Thank you so much for sharing and I just applaud you so much - you're a T1D Warrior - I'm in awe!!! BRAVO!!!

Oh, yeah! Many many episodes involving high and low bg especially since we never measured food at all. We were on 1 and then, 2 shots of Lente and later switched to NPH. We never were taught MDI or carb counting. I didn't even find out about glucagon kits until 1997! We learned about insta-glucose a bit before that (about 1994, I think).

Thank you so much! 💙

Agreed!! I honestly wasn't even aware of how far diabetes tech had come until I sat down and really talked through it with my Dad. Even the thought that there were no BG monitors when my Dad was first diagnosed really blew my mind! Hope indeed!!! :-)

I have been type 1 for 50 years and remember the glass syringes which had to be boiled regularly. It’s sad that even today it’s a struggle just to get Freestyle Libre sensors. At the moment I am in a battle to get Dexcom G6 and the Tandem X2 pump , I must say the Libre has made a vast difference instead of finger pricking, hopefully the G6 and Tandam will see an end to the biggest problems I have. All the best to all out there who have struggled on for decades and still struggle to get the latest innovations. Peter

@@ShesDiabetic Very poor training as well! And misdiagnosis! My dh was diagnosed as a t2d and treated as such for 23 years until 2002 when we went from stone age endocrinology to an insulin pump in about 3 months.

Hi Katherine! Thank you so much for your comment! :)The master with many horns - ha! Yep that sounds about right!!! Well done to you for living so long with this disease! I'm so so sorry to hear that you are on dialysis, but I also know that for many people dialysis is one of the best things that has ever happened to them because they feel so much better after having been put on it. But I also know there's a time commitment and potential fatigue that comes from it too. All I can say is that you sound strong and awesome and positive and I'm really inspired by that! Thank you for watching and commenting! :) :) :)

I can confirm...Yes...my Dad is...the absolute best - thank you for being so kind 💙💙💙

💙💙💙🥰Then your Dad must be remarkable!🥰💙💙💙

@@ShesDiabetic He really is

Thank you for sharing Peter! That's so so interesting about the animal based insulins releasing at unpredictable moments - I never knew that! I'm so grateful to be alive in this time because of all the amazing technology we have access too - truly what a time to be alive!!

Hi Dee! Wow since 1964 - congratulations for living with T1D since then! You're a fighter and an inspiration! Thank you so much for watching! :-)

My absolute pleasure!!

Ah! Thanks so much for sharing! 50 years is an absolutely incredible achievement and I think you should be so so SO proud of yourself!!! And I'm so glad you too have the Dexcom and pump combo that can allow you to live a more relaxed and full life (and hopefully get some good sleep too!!!)

Thank you so so much for your kind words and for sharing your insights! 53 years is AMAZING and something you should be SO PROUD OF!! YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION!!!

Thank you so much for sharing your story Brian! It just goes to show you that everyone is different and their needs are completely individual. I’m so glad you’ve been able to achieve such excellent control and have found what works for you!! This makes me very happy indeed!! Wishing you all the very best!

@@ShesDiabetic Thanks as you know it's not easy living with diabetes type 1, I completely eliminated wheat and grains from my diet 3 years ago hence the need for less insulin, I believe type 2 diabetics should do the same, its the only way to lose weight.

Thank you for your kind words Robin! I am SO SORRY to hear the your Dexcom is no longer covered...oh my goodness I’m so sorry! That absolutely and utterly sucks! Will the cover any other CGM’s? I’m just really sorry to hear this and completely know what you mean about the Dex making you feel normal - I’m the exact same way and don’t know what I would do without my Dexcom...I hope you find something else that works for you..Sending you strength! You are AWESOME!!! ♥️

Thank you so much for what you've written above Neil!! I completely understand that not all of those recollections are fond, oh I'm sure!...and probably quite painful...Living with T1D for 40 years is an incredible achievement, especially from such a young age of diagnosis!!! Thank you for your kind comments and for being here and watching the videos and taking part - I really thank you for this! Wishing you a wonderful day and great health to you and yours too! :)

@@ShesDiabetic No problem at all, your videos are all very enjoyable to watch, and I hope your audience expands continuously so that many more may enjoy them as well! I actually want to thank you for your comment about my achievement with reaching this point in life living with T1D, as I don't really ever hear that nor bother to realize it myself. Your kind words certainly help put things into a better perspective, and for that I am grateful!

Oh my goodness Neil - it's my pleasure, but also it's so true! Such an achievement and something to be so proud of! Keep on keeping on and being amazing - because you are!!

@@ShesDiabetic *gush* ❤ thanks again

Thank you so much for this suggestion! I've actually bought a new camera that accepts external audio (my current camera does not) so hopefully I'll be able to improve the audio moving forward!!

@@ShesDiabetic Good to hear. I've found your videos amazing and energy and sunny disposition inspirational. I'm so sorry to hear about your father - I watched your vids with him and your mother and then learned later as I was skipping around of his death. My daughter was just diagnosed at 18.5years with type 1 and I am so angry and bitter that I needed a channel like yours to help. Have you ever considered what causes type 1? The idea that our body destroys itself never made sense to me. I am certain that some sort of chemical poisoning from our chemical/medical industry is to blame - and that a cure will never be "found".

Hi Jonas! Thank you so so much for your kind words and for watching! Major congratulations to you for not only living with but totally thriving with T1D for so many years. This is an awesome achievement, and obviously a testament to your hard work and dedication to taking care of yourself and managing the disease, no doubt! I totally hear you on the Medtronic Enlite sensor inaccuracies. I tried that system for a while, but couldn't achieve accuracy with it, and thus I abandoned the Elite system altogether, but still use the Medtronic 640g pump. As I'm sure you can tell, my Dad and I are both huge fans of the Dexcom system, just wish it worked in combination with the Medtronic pumps!! Thanks again for watching and wishing you a wonderful, happy, healthy day!! :-)

Great video idea - thank you so much for suggesting it! I will work on this - especially for the next time I can get home and interview my amazing parents!! Thanks Paul! :-)

Thank you so much for sharing all of this Tom. I'm so sorry to hear of your battles with cancer and the knock on effect that's had on your insulin resistance. It sounds like you are balancing a lot, but it also sounds like you are doing it with a wonderful spirit of hope and determination. Your choice to go on the pump probably wasn't an easy one (it rarely is for people, I've found) so just making that choice and being brave enough to make a massive change when you've been used to another way for so long it to be commended in a HUGE way. I hope (and have a great feeling) that it all goes well for you, and you experience a new way of life that is significantly improved! I also thank you for your kind words on my video. My Dad is indeed a wonderful man, support and resource to my Brother and I (both Type 1 Diabetic). Sending you so much strength and positivity, and wonderful wishes for a smooth transition onto the pump!!

Wow, that's so amazing about your Nona! 💙 And also - you're so right, about what it used to be and what is it now, very much changed by the technology we have access to! Now I just hope we can get ore people access to this amazing technology!!! 🙏🏻

@@ShesDiabetic I am very excited about stem cell therapy because it no longer requires aborted fetuses. Can't wait to take my last needle.

Hi Joseph! Welcome to the family!! Thank you so so much for watching and for your kind words and comments. I’m so sorry to hear that the pump didn’t work out for you, I completely understand the difficultly with lack of good quality insertion sites and am sorry you’ve had to deal with this. I also hope you find a way to deal with the G6 itchiness. I think the Dexcom is the single most valuable piece of machinery in my t1d wheelhouse. This is just my opinion, of course, but yeah, I just adore it and not having to fingerprick! I’m so glad you’re here and have found this helpful. I’m completely delighted to have you here and thank you once again for watching!!!

Ps- I’ve never had a doctor tell me I won’t live as long, or to just make the most of my life, but I do totally understand the sentiment. However, I completely and utterly believe that we can live long and healthy lives by taking care of ourselves and eliminating as much stress from this disease as we can :-)

@@ShesDiabetic I completely agree. I think life is extra stressful with type I but having a community to interact with and express what we go through makes a huge difference. Doctors are changing, the sentiment used to be to tell type I's this so that they understand, now doctors focus on the positive aspects of control and care. I am trying to focus on that too and live the best way I can but the risk for autoimmunity is elevated and it seems like my body is trying to kill itself lol. Other than that I am happy and doing well, finding your channel was really incredible for me and please tell your dad how inspiring he is for diabetics. Your whole family is amazing and I appreciate what you are doing, personally thank you so much.

It is a long time! 16 years is awesome - you're a warrior! But also - I know what you mean!

But wouldn't finding a cure be even more profitable though ? :/

Supramate But then it would be a one off treatment rather than something that would need to be paid for over an entire lifetime. I know it sounds cynical and hopefully I’m wrong about this.

Thank you for your comment Sarah! I totally hear you, I do worry that the treatment of diabetes is so so so deliciously profitable for companies that there may not be a huge push, from a financial standpoint to cure it. But I also believe, perhaps foolishly, but nevertheless in the power of people and hope and determination to find a cure. I'm sure it will happen one day, I really am. I too am very excited to see the continued developments in the meantime, of smart insulins, smart insulin pens, smaller insulin pumps, perhaps implantable ones - all that stuff!! Really I think now is a very exciting time to be alive in regards to the rapid development of new products and competition amongst CGM/pump/pen providers to accelerate this! :)

Indeed! I’m so sorry you had to endure that, but so so glad the technology has improved 🙏🏻 You’re a warrior!!!

You for sure will!!! There are advancements coming every day and I think it's a really exciting time to be alive in a lot of ways as a result of it!! Of course the ultimate dream is a cure- but until then, these neat gadgets give us so much more freedom than those who have come before and I'm just so grateful for that!!! :) Sending you love!!!

WHAT A COMMENT. Thank you so so very much 💙 You've got this - we all do! We can do this and THRIVE!!!! YOU ARE AMAZING!!! 💙💙💙

Thank you! That's such a kind thing to say!

I hear you...I don't get excited when I hear research because I just feel like it's just always a bit of a let down and I don't want to waste my energy getting excited if that makes sense? 😢

You know what, I never noticed that - but you're right...what on earth do you think is going on there???!!! Do you know about this sort of stuff???

@@ShesDiabetic you are so cool for actually reading your viewers comments and replying to them, thanks. I noticed it was happening throughout the video, but I would say I have a relatively high experience with paranormal stuff; it could be a "spirit" of a prior resident of the home, since you are in mary old England and there have been lots of generations. I think tho if you haven't had any sort of negative feeling from whatever it is, then it's nothing to be concerned about. When I lived with my parents we would see on the security cameras a huge stream like vortex thing of orbs that circled the house consisting of thousands and thousands of individual orbs and the stream would change direction randomly it was really weird, one of the times I saw on the cameras it was happening I took a ladder to one of the cameras to try to figure out if it was water droplets or insects or some kind of smoke or mist but I could not feel any difference at all when I climbed the ladder up to the camera. Thanks for taking time from your day. Cheers!

@@MeatMachine69 thank YOU for taking the time to respond to me about this! Actually this took place in my family home in Michigan- but I love the idea of what your written above! I love the unexplainable! Thank you again and I wish you a most wonderful week ahead my friend! 🪄

Wow - YOU ARE A TRUE WARRIOR!!! Thank you so so much for sharing! And also what a pain indeed I am sure! Thank goodness for advances in technology and actual insulin!! Keep being amazing my friend - you inspire me!!!

I don't think there were any changes, no, but I do know that his control became far tighter when he went on the pump, and thus the A1C's decreased naturally. Hope this helps! :)

Hello lovely, I'm so sorry to hear that you're battling highs, they can be so frustrating! Every single person is different, so I couldn't possibly give you the answer to help you specifically, but I would urge you to speak to your doctor and discuss this with him. I do have a few videos on my channel talking about high blood sugar that may help as well. I truly hope you're able to find the answers you're looking for! I'm sending you all the very best!!!!

They are completely safe I've found and have read up a lot about this! They've been a game changer for me and everyone in my family, I must say!!

That’s interesting! I always say whatever works best for you! ♥️

I'm so sorry to hear this!! Please keep the faith - you will find someone who will love you for who you are!! I truly believe this!!

My I heart Michigan cup?!

Joe G., sounds like you really have had your tough battles with your Type 1 Diabetes. I am sorry to hear you had a stroke, but am glad you survived, even though it must make life even harder to deal with. Like Andrea likes to tell it so well on her site, this disease is a 24/7 one to deal with. I have honestly thought that Big Pharma will never let the doctor’s find a cure and/or get it approved and taken to market as it is a major money maker, in the Billions, yes with a B. So I have just made peace with my own Type 1 Brittle Diabetes and I do the best I can each day. Not so easy some days. When my sugars are wonky, I can be ill tempered and simply in a bad mood. Some days I can even feel my own rage boiling. I was diagnosed with my diabetes at the age of 43, one year after a nearly fatal car accident. Well, the trauma to my body and lack of proper follow up led to me becoming diabetic. Each month I had to see my pain specialist, and I would show her my loss of muscle tone, as well as tell her that I felt we were “missing” something. So if you or any of your friends or loved ones are on pain meds for whatever reason encourage them to ask for a simple blood test and urine analysis. The saddest thing, since I did NOT get my blood or urine checked I ended up in the ER with a body that had turned yellow so I thought, oh thank God, finally my liver and gall bladder are giving a shout out for some “HELP, PLEASE”!! The doctors thought I simply had NOT been taking care of my diabetes. I explained I don’t have that as no one in our family has is. Are you sure you are in the right room? Then they told me they were not sure what to do with me until further testing. Finally, one doctor explained that everyone is a bit on edge and not sure of what IS going on due to my blood sugars being so high they were confused as to why I was still alive and/or NOT in a diabetic coma. I was too sick to be alarmed. Besides, there were all of the diabetes commercials that made it look like a “walk in the park”. Little did I know they were only targeting Type 2 diabetes, and Type 1 was a completely different ballgame. So anyway, the trauma to my body at the time of the accident did not help with my recovery as I could hardly get out of bed due to all of my injuries. Well, it is now 15 years later and I have yet been able to find the best choice for control. I have watched Andrea’s videos and she gives hope for all of us diabetics and I am so happy to have found her. Now, seeing her dad and the previous video with her mother I can see how and why she is so well adjusted, happy, takes great care of herself and most importantly she shares her knowledge. I do want to let you know that in the early 1900’s is when they were first seeing signs of diabetes and not having a clue as to what it was or what to do. In the rest homes when patients died in the night they would be covered with ants by morning. I can be outside with my non-diabetic boyfriend in the evenings and I am being swarmed by mosquitos 🦟 big time. Basically, I would just go inside. He would tell me it was because I was extra sweet, and my response always is YUP, I am full of good ole BS!! But moving on, I just want all diabetics to know this is such a bizarre disease as it can take you on a roller coaster for life. I have been doing my best, yet still no control. Also, if ever you get sick to your stomach for hours and you have high blood sugars, just go to the ER as you may be slipping into DiabeticKetoacidosis (DKA). Big news as I had never been warned by my doctors about it. So do what you can to stay in control, or as they told my boyfriend, had he not brought me in I could easily have been found dead in bed by morning. That was a HUGE wake up call. Also, I was in the ICU for 6 nights before they could let me go home. I have now been told an infection, mental or physical trauma, poor sugar control and missing just one shot of insulin can bring on another episode of DKA. Sure enough I have been to the ER and taken to the ICU so many times they call me a “frequent flyer”. But moving forward I am trying the Dexcom6 and so far the first two sensors have been off by 50-60 points, just like my Medtronics CGM and pump, which I finally gave back as it was causing more stress. So time to move on and be as positive as possible, watch what I eat, and deal with the grief of four deaths in family in the last 2 months. 2 were shockers, 2 we knew what to expect. All of this along with 2 surgeries and living in an evacuation zone due to fires that were about 3 miles from our home. So far, no DKA. I guess I just wanted you and others who live with Type 1, that it is tough, but doable. Watch all of Andrea’s videos should you care to as she truly is a shining star 🌟 in our community. I can just see what a rock her father is, plus her mom is so positive in all that she shared. It is obvious where Andrea inherited so many wonderful traits!! Just think how happy our world could be if all children were so well loved and supported to grow up to become independent, healthy and able to take great care of themselves. Diabetes or no diabetes, these are some great parents!! I am so happy to have found them. Okay Joseph - keep up the good fight and find what works for you as we all find many different ways of coping!! Sending ☮️ n❤️ from 🌞 sunny Arizona, 🌴🌵 May you enJOY your day!!

Gastro Gal , Thnx for the kind words. I am sick of this disease as you are.. As most are.. This is a tough disease to cure, n my opinion requires a new part but I was hoping in all this time and monies spent looking for a cure they would have found something by now.. One hallava balancing act is what it is.. drink your water and eat veggies and good lean protein.