Before I could get the green light to start a family, I had one last appointment to keep, the endocrinologist. I've been to specialists before, but I didn't realize what a challenge it would be to get a first appointment with an endo.

First off, my insurance only offers a small selection to choose from. Location is my main criteria for picking a doctor. Thankfully, the one closest to my home is affiliated with the hospital that's closest to my home. The good news: he's one of the best endos in the area. The bad news: getting an appointment with him is damn near impossible.

It didn't help my case that my control was classified as excellent. With an a1c well under 6, he's got plenty of higher priority patients on his caseload. But after much begging, I was able to secure an appointment for four months later.

To avoid taking a day off work, I scheduled my appointment for the end of the day, which gave the doctor hours to get behind schedule. It was standing room only in the waiting room. I managed to secure a seat after an hour and about three hours later the nurse finally called my name.

I was ushered to a room where I'd sit for another 40 minutes before the LPN came in. After a full round of questions, I finally got to meet the doctor. I wasn't surprised when he took me off prandin and put on insulin. Before he had a chance to explain anything to me, I started to panic picturing syringes and vials, and other scary objects. What if I made a mistake or did it wrong? Was I going to die?? At the very least, this was going to hurt! I hate needles!! I fear needles! Could I BE anymore dramatic?

I was handed an insulin pen and shown how to change the needle and dial a dose. It was really that simple. All I needed to do was inject a little Humalog before every meal. As easy at it was, I'll admit the first few days were a little overwhelming. The challenge was purely mental. I was not too thrilled about having to take shots three times a day. OK, is anyone ever really happy to stick a needle in their belly? Not really. Given any other alternative, I would have taken it.

Then I thought about all the type 1 diabetics who've have to do this every day in order to survive. Like my childhood friend, Adrienne. In all the years we spent going on Girl Scout Campouts and class trips, even prom night, I never once heard her whine or complain about having to take insulin. If a 7-year-old could do it (with a vial and syringe, no less), so I could I.

I picked up the pen, dialed 3 units, pinched my belly flab (to keep the jiggle still more than anything else), jabbed the needle in and pushed the button. Click. It was done. The biggest surprise, I barely felt a thing. It was practically painless.