Where to start...I have been on my insulin pump for 9 months so far and I haven't got a regret in the world. It was by far the best thing I have ever done. I still have lots of hard work to do but I am in a far better position than I was 9 months ago.
I recently had a new Hba1c done and it was one I had been nervous about, due to the fact I'd been on the pump a substantial amount of time. To my surprise the hard work had paid off. My result was 7.9% in old terms, which is the best Hba1c since my honeymoon period when diagnosed!!! Clearly a few tweaks to be made but its a great start!
Besides the diabetic side of life, numerous things have happened in the past 9 months. My grandad sadly passed away in November which was the hardest thing I have ever had to go through :( He is sadly missed all the time and everywhere I look I'm reminded of him...this is mainly because me and my boyfriend finally moved out, thanks to the dear kindness of my dad and my auntie who allowed us to move into my grandads house as they didn't want their childhood home being occupied by a stranger. This moves us on to me growing up! Finally living without mum and dad, who have always been there for me, it was nice to have a bit of space which I think they agree on. It was strange having my own home to look after and to look after myself from now on. Mum's reminders are missed at times as I am so forgetful! A quote from her 'I do miss your company but I DO NOT miss your mess!'
Just as I thought life was getting a little bit easier last week proved to be a tough week completely! I had a job interview which I didn't get and I also had to go to the hospital for sigmoidoscopy which I wasn't looking forward to. For 2 years I have struggled with stomach problems and every time I have visited the GP they always told me I had IBS or I was constipated but I knew it was much more than that. One weekend I was in complete agony I decided to ring the GP for an emergency appointment, in floods of tears I dragged myself to the surgery. I was given an appointment with a new GP to the surgery. To my happiness he listened to my complaints and referred me to a gastroenterologist. My appointment came through fast and she also told me I have IBS and was probably constipated but she said she would investigate further just in case. This leads me to Thursday; the day of my hospital appointment.
I sat in the waiting area feeling nervous, anxious and absolutely starving due to the fact I couldn't eat 24 hours before the procedure. During the procedure the physician explained the whole process which made it more reassuring, he also informed me that I was suffering from colitis disease. Colitis disease is a chronic bowel disease which is like Crohn's disease in some ways but not the same. I was devastated to say the least. I felt like my world had come crashing down. Not only do I have Type 1 diabetes, I now have colitis disease...two chronic autoimmune disease on my list...great!
I have never felt so alone or confused...when I was diagnosed with type 1 the answer was to start on insulin and everything was guided closely from there. Whereas with this I have to wait for the biopsy's to come back to my consultant for her to decide a course of medication for the rest of my life.
The waiting game!
The thoughts swirling round my mind are: I am 22 years old with two autoimmune diseases, I've got a long way to go yet surely no more can come along and greet me with their presence...right?
In other news I completed the Manchester 10K for Diabetes UK at the weekend...I have to say Mr D didn't help me along at all! My blood sugars were everywhere! I completed it so that's all that counts. I still have to count up all my sponsors but I have at least £200 so I'm very grateful to everybody who donated :D
