Adjusting to Life with Type 1 Diabetes

This is what breakfast looked like . . .until I discovered rice milk causes my blood sugar to spike.

I left the hospital with slightly more information on the topic of diabetes than I had before my diagnosis. I understood that I was on a carb-controlled diet with insulin injections. However, I had no idea what foods did or did not have carbs. I didn't know what a ratio was or a correction dose. The next few days involved many frustrated tears as I adjusted to the unknown. 

In the hospital I learned how to take my blood sugar with a lancet (finger-pricker). However, I had no idea what was high or what was low. Well, I knew 700 mg/dl was too high and I was spending most of my time around 200 mg/dl. Pricking my finger proved challenging at first. I would reflexively pull my finger away from the lancet. On top of that difficulty, I experience Raynaud's syndrome in my fingers and toes. My capillaries decide to pinch off when I'm cold or stressed. It makes it much harder to produce enough blood to test my sugars! By reading my discharge papers, I discovered that I was on a 1:12 ratio, meaning I inject one unit of insulin for every 12 grams of carbs I eat. Baby steps!

Above you can see my rapid-acting insulin: Novolog. I inject this insulin with every meal. This is referred to as my bosal. My basal insulin is Basaglar, slow-acting insulin which I inject every night before bed. It didn't take me long to discover several benefits of diabetes. I have been a picky eater, but diabetes has pushed me to try new foods that I would otherwise avoid. My new understanding of carbs, protein, fat, and fiber encourages me to create more diverse meals than before. As my diabetic educator said, "There is no diabetic diet. There is just a healthy diet - and everyone should be on it!"

I invested in a little bag designed to hold insulin pens and supplies as well as a journal designed to keep record of sugars and insulin, exercise and hydration, sleep and stress. Thanks to my endocrinologist, I switched from daily finger pricks to my favorite device ever!

Meet Dexy: my bionic bit. The Dexcom G6 is a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) that stays inserted in my arm for 10 days. It automatically takes my blood sugar every five minutes, sending the data to a handheld receiver. It comes with the option to use a cell phone instead of the receiver, but my current phone isn't compatible with the app (Hey Dexcom, add Motorolas to your list of compatible devices please!). 

The sensor comes in an applicator that uses a needle to insert a tiny strip of metal (I think it's metal . . . that's what it looks like) into my body. The needle then retracts into the applicator. It's a relatively painless procedure, no worse than a finger prick. Once inserted, I can't feel the sensor strip at all. Below is a picture of my first Dexcom sensor after I removed it. 

Dex gives me peace of mind at work and in Oregon, because I can check my blood sugar by glancing down. I don't have to try and feel my highs/lows or finger poke in the middle of a task. One of the features of the Dexcom are high and low alerts. I can set alarms to go off before I'm dangerously high or low. Below is a photo of my Dex during a dangerous low at work. 

Dexy also allows me to see patterns and trends in the data. Below is a photo containing several hours of readings. I have the option of uploading all the data onto my computer to analyze and share with my team of doctors. 

Right now I'm slowly working through the process of learning and adjusting. I've learned so much in the last two months, but I have a lot left to learn. The pancreas is beautifully and wonderfully made. I am not yet good at being my own pancreas (I ate almost four hours ago and I'm still at 210 mg/dl). Insulin is a hormone, so the way each individual's body interacts with it is truly unique. Many people find hot temperatures lower blood sugar, but after spending a few days in Oregon, I'm finding that time in the sun seems to raise my blood sugar. For the next year, I'll be educating myself and developing an understanding of my body. It's a lifelong journey, but I hear that the first year is the most difficult.