Hello Hello

[ksa01]

Hi everyone.

I've been reading this forum on and off for a while and finally decided to join.

I'm a type I diabetic. I was diagnosed 4 years ago on St. Patty's Day at the age of 29 yrs. I had all the classic symptoms (now that I know them), but at the time had no idea what was wrong with me and feared the worst. I was actually relieved to find out I was diabetic and not actually dying, but still shocked.

There is no history in my family. My parents still live in denial and believe that I'll find out someday that I was misdiagnosed and actually perfectly healthy. ;) In the meantime, I let them live in their fantasy and I live in my reality.

I started using Minimed's pump within 3 months of being diagnosed and love it. I've been able to maintain good, consistant control with the pump. A1c's consistantly below 6.0 for the last year.

[duck]

Welcome to the forums!

I was kinda the same way when I finally got diagnosed waaaaaaay back in 1990. I knew something was horribly wrong, but what the heck kind of disease can make someone sooooo tired and thirsty all the time? LOL, it was almost a relief to know I had something treatable.

You make me jealous, though--I wish I had gotten a pump as early on in the course of this disease as you did. Please browse the topics and make yourself welcome here...The rest of the welcoming commitee is enroute.

:D

[dixiepixie64]

:D Howdy! Add me to the welcoming committee.

I am 40 y.o. T1, but was diagnosed at 29, like you, and my family with no history was stunned too. Actually, mom was babysitting for me and spotted the insulin in the butter bin of my refrigerator and cornered me when I returned home. It was within the first few weeks and I was still reeling and not ready to discuss it with the family....oh well. Her first question was, "can't you just take some pills for that instead of those shots?" Shew. We all wish, eh???? :(

You were smart to start pumping early. I wish I had, but at any rate I sure am loving my MM515 now.

Nice to meet you!
Gale

[buzzborne]

Hey ksa01 and Welcome to the forums, glad that you decided to join, and hope that you find it a useful place to be! :)

I'm T1 for coming up to 8 years. Diagnosed at the age of 11. That is great news that you got onto a pump so quickly, and that it is working for you.

Once again, glad that you finally joined, and look forward to your posts, dont hesitate to ask anything!

:)

[am1977]

Hello and welcome :)

So glad you decided to step out of the shadows and join us, lol :D. No, seriously, I have nothing against lurking, but why lurk when you can take part in such a great group? I think you will find that we are very supportive and really do want to help each other when we can.

I am also Type 1, dx'ed at 24. This April it will be 3 years already...I can't believe it! :eek: . Before I was diagnosed, I actually kind of guessed that what I was dealing with was diabetes. But just thinking hypothetically and finding out for sure is two VERY different things. Of course I was upset and scared and overwhelmed when I found out, but I also was relieved. I was relieved to know for sure what was going on and to know that I would soon start feeling better.

I've heard stories about how people thought they were dying before receiving their diagnosis. How scary must that be! I've also heard that some children when they find out they have diabetes, often get frightened b/c the word diabetes sounds like die. I guess it's scary no matter how you discover you have it, but at least you can treat and manage it. Overall, I've done relatively well managing my diabetes, but I believe that there is always room for improvement and I keep trying.

I'm glad the MM pump is working so well for you. I think most people love it. I do at times, but then I hate it sometimes too. It's basically a love/hate relationship :rolleyes: .Hopefully, it will continue to be a good thing for you.

Welcome again and hope to see you around :)

[Dewey]

Welcome to the gang, ksa! :) Glad to have you on board, and hope to see ya around often! You'll find plenty of good information, and many new friends with a wealth of knowledge to share. :thumbsup:

[Belinda]

Wecome to our "family" You will find lots of support and friendship here. :thumbsup:

[HeatherP]

Welcome ksa, it's nice to meet you. I hope you'll visit often and make some new friends!

HeatherP
(T1 for 13 years)

[nantomsuethom]

Ksa, welcome to the group. :)

As you can tell there are a lot of wonderful, friendly and supportive friends here!! :thumbsup:

[KickStart101]

Hi Ksa: I'm glad you decided to join this Mob. :D As they say,
the more the merrier.
Wow, that's a Terrific A1c you've had for the past year. Good
job. It looks like you and your pump are a match. It is usually better
if you start on the pump soon after you are dxd. I think it seems more natural
for a person then.
Welcome and Enjoy! ;)

[zookeeper671]

Welcome, ksa. :)

My parents still live in denial and believe that I'll find out someday that I was misdiagnosed and actually perfectly healthy. ;) In the meantime, I let them live in their fantasy and I live in my reality.

Wow. I totally understand that! During my last visit with my parents, my dad asked something similar to, "Are you still having to take insulin?" (It's been about 16 months since I was dxd.) Their faces look so depressed whenever a commercial having anything to do about diabetes airs, or when I repeat (over and over) that I'm "watching my carb intake." I've come to hide from them that I have the disease to avoid the guilty feeling of upsetting them. http://www.planetsmilies.com/smilies/rolleye/rolleye13.gif

(Type 1, dxd Oct. 2003 at the age of 32)

[dixiepixie64]

I can so relate to this discussion. Even though I am continuing somewhat off the topic of welcoming a new member, I just have to share what happened when my father found out I was getting an insulin pump this past December. I was so excited about the decision and the new hopefully improved path my treatment was going to take. Ironically at the time Dad was having a conversation with a friend of his who was a Lantus rep. She (who should have known better I think) said to Dad something to the effect of "oh no, that is like the last resort for diabetics." Last resort?! Like I have one foot in the grave or something. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! So Dad freaked and called my mom (they're divorced) and my hubby in a panicked state. Shew. I am still trying to settle him down.