Learning about Pumpin'

Today I had an appointment at the diabetes education clinic in Brantford! I was excited to go to my appointment because I hadn't been in a very long time. To me, having such a great support system there is important and makes it a lot easier to share any problems are issues that I am having in comfort.

Today we mostly talked about the pump since I have made a choice to start insulin pump therapy this summer. My therapy starts in June and my nurse says that I may be well on my way by the end of June! I am really excited to go through this experience and be able to share it with everyone since I know going on the pump is a really big challenge.

For anyone who has no idea what an insulin pump is, I can briefly explain. The insulin pump is a small device that is around the size of a pager or a little bit bigger. The pump is worn outside of the body so there isn't any surgical procedure or anything of that nature. Basically the pump delivers insulin through a plastic tube. You have to insert the plastic tube yourself in a site like your stomach or butt. The site can be the same for about 2-3 days and then you have to change sites. The pump mimics the pancreas by giving you insulin constantly and precisely.

I hope I explained it throughly! Considering I really don't know everything about it. I did get to put a site into a fake stomach today, so I can say that I have put one in, but not on myself yet!

Soon enough I'll be pumpin! I just can't wait!

Kayla

One Big Worry

I've made it through one of the most hectic weeks yet of college. I am home one day early because I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow; however, I have had to cram two weeks into four days so I don't mind the day off.

This week seemed like task after task. Whether it was writing an essay, doing an assignment or doing a midterm, either way I had my hands full of chores. My sugars have not been cooperative this week and I believe it is due to this crazy schedule. I have been rather higher than usual yet eating the same things.

I often think whether or not this would be easier without diabetes. Of course it would be one less thing to worry about but I know on the other hand I may not be where I am without diabetes.

I lived almost nineteen years diabetes free. Pretty much lived without a health concern or in fact any concern at all. I didn't worry about what I was really eating and I didn't even think about the chance of fainting, getting dizzy or feeling sick. However, as a teenager I did have worries like everyone does.

The things I worried about was what to wear and looking good, stupid problems that I still worry about every now and then but don't stress over. With diabetes I have learned that those problems are minor and of course every now and then I am going to pull out every single shirt that I have but in the end there are much bigger issues out there.

I never had to worry about diabetes and school. This entire college experience was new to me this year and matched with diabetes I have learned so many more lessons beyond psychology, sociology and English.

I will never know what it is like to do college without diabetes but I can't guarantee myself that if I didn't have diabetes that I would even be where I am today or doing as well as I am doing. Diabetes gives me strength and courage unlike no other worry I have had before.

Even though diabetes is one big worry it's a bunch of other things and that's why I am the person I am today.

Kayla

March 16th

This is where it all began. A year ago today I let everyone know what I had been up to the past week but slowly it turned into informing everyone about what I was doing each and every day. Who knew it was was a start to something big.

My simple updates became more than just updates. Slowly my writing became words of inspiration to some when to me they were just my own thoughts and experiences. I began to realize that what I had started was never going to end, rather I was going to take this opportunity with open arms and make something of it.

My first note was on March 16th 2009, and I quote, "Since everyone is asking, which is so understandable, I thought I would sum it all up on a little note," I laugh now because it turned out to be one little note after another.

As the notes increased so did the readers, or at least I think so. It's hard to tell who reads my blogs or not since there is no way of knowing but every now and then I get a message from an unexpected reader that totally makes me smile and glad that I do what I do.

It's crazy to look back at 215 notes and think about how much I have changed and learned in the past year. I am so glad that I have been able to share it with all of you and I appreciate everyone for taking the time to read them.

Kayla

What's Next?

Yesterday was an absolutely amazing time spent with two wonderful people. It was important to me that my one year of diabetes was celebrated but most of all that it was celebrated with people that have supported me throughout the entire process.

Unfortunately Clinton is in Florida so I didn't get to see him last week or this week but I will be sure to make sure he knows how much I appreciate his support and dedication to our relationship. To me it's important not only to celebrate my achievements but also what other people have done for me in the past year. Giving my family a bouquet of flowers cannot even begin to show them how much I appreciate their support and unconditional love.

Yesterday Michelle and Sam came to my residence to help me celebrate. Michelle brought me cute pink flowers while Sam brought me 5 amazing balloons! It was such an amazing time because we have had such an amazing friendship over the past 2 years.

I want to thank everyone for their support. Let this second year of diabetes begin! What's next!

Kayla

One Year Later

Here I am a year later after being diagnosed. I would have never guessed I'd be where I am today, and I definitely would have never imagined what I would have accomplished in 365 days. It's visible in my scrapbook that I've made good progress with my diabetes but beyond that it's visible how much closer I have become with my friends and family.

A year ago I was not who I am now. Sure I looked relatively the same but I was just not in the same place. 2190 finger pokes and 1463 needles later and I am doing alright but better yet I've become mature, adventurous, fearless and inspired. The list of adjectives could go on forever.

It hasn't been quiet a year for the blog, not until March 16th, however I can't believe how many notes I have managed to write. I am happy that I have been able to help so many different people diabetic or not. Please if you're reading this know that I appreciate your dedication and support whether I know you're reading it or not I am glad that I can share my story with you.

Diabetes is not just a disease it's a journey. I am never going to give up this fight and when it is cured I will be thankful of the learning experience that I have gained from it. I am looking forward to the blog that announces that I, along with 300, 000 other type 1's are cured.

I have had ups and downs like no one can believe. I have cried tears of pain and sadness but I have also smiled more than ever before. I have experienced friendship bonds that can never be broken and also have felt alone. Diabetes has brought me along a journey unlike no other but I would never change a thing.

To anyone that knows me, they know I embrace diabetes. Just like we proudly state, I AM CANADIAN, I will gladly let you know I AM DIABETIC. I have used my disease in a way to teach lessons but not only to teach lessons to others but to teach myself to be a better person.

Diabetes isn't for everyone, that could explain why not everyone gets it. But diabetics work with what they're given and make the most of it, and for those who don't I can only hope to reach them in time. Life is precious.

It's been a crazy year and I couldn't have done it without the amazing people that have supported me. Every single one of you.

This coming year I am going to live a little more, push myself a little harder and I can only hope but to inspire a more people. I will never give up. Never.

Kayla

Reaching Our Goal

Raising money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is important to me. It's not only going to bring a cure closer to me but to over 300, 000 Canadians living with type 1 diabetes. As more and more technology is discovered to help change the lives of diabetics it is truly exciting to think what is next.

I am lucky to have such great people around me who are eager to raise money for JDRF. It shows me how much a cure means to them as well. For some of them it would also mean curing not only me but their father, neighbour or even themselves.

This year Team KK is ready to take on the challenge of raising $3500 which is $1936 more than we raised last year. Reaching our goal is incredibly important for us and without the supporters we would never be able to reach it.

I realize that a lot of people have other things to do and money saved for other things but any amount of money makes a difference!
Kayla

Clueless

A year today I didn't know what the future held for me. I didn't know how much my life was about to twist and turn. If we were to go back to March 11th 2009, two days previous to being diagnosed I was in a much different place, physically and mentally.

I was absolutely clueless. Clueless! I hadn't even gone for blood work at this point yet I was drinking litres of liquids and visiting the washroom almost every half hour. Not everyone was clueless however at this point. My mom had an idea and I am sure she was just waiting for the day that I'd be diagnosed at this point.

In two days I will celebrate my one year anniversary of being diagnosed. Anyone who knows me knows that I wouldn't let this day go down without a little bit of a celebration. What am I celebrating you may be questioning? I am celebrating happiness, health and achievement.

I am happy with all of the amazing people that I have met thus far and my blogs have made it that much easier to connect with diabetics all around the world!

A year ago today I was clueless that soon I'd be a diabetic. But today I am very aware and living every moment of it with strength and inspiration.

Kayla