So, I have been lurking on this sub ever since I got diagnosed 31st of March and I thought, why not introduce myself.
My story:
I am a 28 year old Cultural Anthropologist from the Netherlands and was in India for fieldwork at the end of febuary. Last night I was there I ate something that didnt sit too well. Ended up going to the doctor for stomach problems, who told me it was common and to sit tight. It would solve itself. Fast forward to a month later and I have lost about 10kg and am constantly drinking water that falls right through me. I am feeling horrible constantly but still think it is this bacteria. My wife pushes me to visit the doctor again and when I finally do we do a blood test. This was on a friday. The results would be in monday and after my visit to the doctor I directly left for Barcelona to spend the weekend with my wife. In the train on the way to the airport I get a call from a slightly panicky doctor. He is a young guy and I get along pretty well with him. The conversation went something like this:
D: "Hey man, where are you now?"
Me: "in the train on the way to the airport, why did we forget anything?"
D: "are you sure you have not had anything to eat prior to your blood test"
Me: "pretty sure, why?"
D: " Yeah, listen mate, you're not going to Barcelona. You need to go to the emergency room ASAP. Your bloodsugar is 6 times higher than its supposed to be. Call me when you get there I Will make sure they know you're coming."
Me: "..."
So I turn around and make my way to the ER. They hook me up to a drip and within two hours I have my diagnose: Type 1 diabetes.
Holy shit.
Always been healthy, not a single person in my extended family with diabetes and suddenly I am chronically sick at age 28. Well, that blows.
Spent the whole weekend in the hospital coming to terms with the new reality of injecting myself being sick etc. Luckily my wife was there the next morning and my mother and sister couldnt be parted from my hospital room.
These few weeks have been tough. I was back at work within two days and 'coming out' to my colleagues has been surprisingly hard. I have a lot of worries about my employment cause as An Anthropologist, life is pretty hectic at times. Reading some of your stories, I am happy that I am dutch and we have Social healthcare so I am not financially fucked.
Right now I am dealing quite well. I have the situation under control. I have injections and a Freestyle Libre which work well for me atm. It seems no one can shut up about the fact that this is the temporary and infamous honeymoon period, though. For now, I am just happy to be managing.
So anyway, another for your ranks. Hope you dont mind me sticking around cause Ill be screwed for a while it seems.
Social Plugin