🎉 Happy five year diaversary to me 🎉
When I went to the hospital on this day five years ago, I never expected to be admitted to the ICU with ketoacidosis. The picture on the left is from a month later, when I was struggling with anorexia and depression on top of all the ins and outs of type one diabetes. I was trying so hard to make everyone think I was okay because I was living alone in my first apartment, finishing my degree, and goddammit I was going to succeed even if it meant crying for hours because suddenly it felt like I could no longer do anything I previously could without at least five times the effort, if I had the energy and blood sugar to spare.
The picture on the right is me today. There are still many difficult days - today was one of them - but I can take it in stride for the most part. I have learned to ask for help when I need it and express when I am having trouble and need to take care of myself. Diabetes has taught me it’s okay to be selfish sometimes, and to take chances when they come because any day could be my last. While my life is not perfect, I can confidently say that I am happier and healthier than I ever thought I could be when I was lying in that hospital bed five years ago. I have a wonderful support network of family, friends, and coworkers who have been there for me when I needed them. My biggest support has been my husband, who was only 20 when I was diagnosed and chose to stay with me even though I told him I would understand if he left - he has now saved my life more times than I can count.
I am also grateful to this community. I have been able to learn, laugh, rant, and find validation with others who experience the same things I do. While we may never have a cure in our lifetimes, we can keep going one day at a time and make it to the next diaversary, and the next, and the next. Until the next time, friends ❤️
