John's Images

I started the pump in October last year with an A1c of 7.3. At the time, that 7.3 was my lowest A1c since before being diagnosed. Growing up, my A1c levels were anywhere from the 8.0's to the 13.0's. Between "sugar free," a lack of diabetes knowledge in the world and being a kid, I never could get my averages right. The three years prior to going on the pump I decided to be an idiot and "take a break" from diabetes. I stopped checking my blood sugar and just blindly did my insulin. I had no idea that my blood sugars were getting into the 500's sometimes. I stopped going to the doctor. What was the point? They were going to tell me the same thing I already knew but just wasn't willing to do.

Then my health went down the drain. After a bad car accident and some major life events, I started experiencing chronic pain in my joints and muscles, overwhelming fatigue, mood swings, migraines. My list of symptoms at the time was half a page and growing. They ran test after test but nothing ever showed up. To this day, nothing has shown up. With all the health struggles, I started realizing the importance of taking care of my body. I decided that my diabetes being out of control (my A1c was a "low" 8.9 at the time) could not be helping my medical mystery. One final test put me over the edge. An abnormal kidney result threw diabetes in my face. All I heard was "Hey! Look at me! Remember I'm still here! I'm taking a toll on your body whether you want me to or not!" Normal life ceased to be. How could I be in my first year of college and already having kidney problems? I know my diabetes has been out of control but I know people with a lot worse A1c levels and they are doing fine! It wasn't fair, but it was all my fault.

I struggled every day with Lantus, crunching numbers until my head hurt and making changes at the slightest problem. My A1c dropped from 8.9 to 7.3 in eight months. I was so proud of myself! My health did improve. Even though it didn't entirely solve the problem, I felt so much better. I decided to take it a step further and went on the pump. As you've read, I've had many issues with the pump. My adjustment phase seemed to be a little longer than others. And I still struggle every day with the pump. Several times I have come seconds away from throwing it away. But today I heard the lowest number I have ever heard: 6.9! I am finally breaking the cusp of that impossible number for me and getting into the 6.0's. I actually had the nurse repeat it just to make sure I wasn't hallucinating. I want to shout from the rooftops about my lowest A1c in fifteen years! I am so fired up to just keep working with the pump and getting lower and lower. My next goal is to have a 6.5 (only 0.4 so it's very manageable!) then continuing down. This number means so much: fewer complications, easier pregnancies, longer life, stronger immune system. This number is my life! And it is the proof that I can do this. I can manage this disease and show it that I'm boss. It'll always be a daily fight with diabetes, but that does NOT mean that diabetes has to win!