The diagnosis

Like I said, I was seven years old, being bribed to go to the doctor. I went, only for my biggest fear to be realised - I was going to have to 'prick' myself for my ENTIRE LIFE! SHOCK AND HORROR!!! My blood sugar was in the 30 range and I was rushed off to hospital. My parents didn't have medical aid at the time, so I was admitted to Somerset hospital in Green Point, Cape Town. Actually at the time my parents needed to be educated about my condition - Google didn't exist yet lol Even though my great grand mother had it, the knowledge about her condition wasn't passed on, it seems.

 

 Source: blood-glucose-monitor.org

 

I was put on a drip and put in a ward with younger children, none of whom had diabetes. Even though it was 28 years ago (I'm giving my age away here lol), I still remember a little boy offering me his mini licourice all sorts (kind of sweet) and I said 'No' because I was told that I couldn't have unless my blood sugar was low. Sr Starke, from Red Cross Childrens Hospital, came late in the evening to bring me books about diabetes. I got to colour the characters in and learnt about taking insulin and not eating sweets (generally). Sr Starke still works today helping many other kids with type 1 diabetes. That's pretty amazing!

I think that my mom took the news worse than I did and she still freaks out about lows and highs all the time, even though I'm an adult already. Apparently it's because I don't know what it's like to see me in a hypoglaecemic coma and having convulsions on the bathroom floor.

For me, pricking my finger for testing and taking injections were the worst part! Not to mention the fact that I had to learn to inject myself. The one nurse though was kind enough to inject herself, through her pantihose, to show me that it wasn't so bad. I also got to practice on oranges and apples and made my fruit taste differently by injecting orange juice into my apple lol. Oh, and how could I forget that I wasn't going to be able to eat like I did before!! My life and my family's life was going to change from this day forward. 

(as it's Sunday and my masters thesis has been submitted, I now have time to blog twice in a day woohoooo :)