My name is Gwen and I am 11 years old. I have Type 1 diabetes. I was diagnosed when I was 11 months old.
My mum said before I was diagnosed my nappies kept leaking as I was going to the loo so much and drinking so much water it was unbelivable.
My mum suspected that I may have diabetes because it runs in our family. My Grandad has it and so does my Aunt. She knew something was up. She took me to see the doctor one Friday afternoon and said she thought it might be diabetes but he said he was sure it was just a virus.
Using my Aunt's meter
By Sunday morning I was really really poorly so we went to my Aunt's house and she did me a test on her blood meter. The meter said HI – it was off the scale. She did another test to see if that was the same and it was. Everyone knew this wasnt good, everyone cried and was horrified. It didn't help the matter that it was my nans birthday when I was diagnosed.
My mum and dad took me to hospital were I was diagnosed. I spent my 1st birthday in hospital. I was allowed out for a couple of hours to go to a little party my mum's friends had organised. After two weeks in hospital I was finally allowed to go home.
I've been on a pump since I was 7 years old. My mum said I was really lucky to get one.
My amazing nurse
My diabetes nurse is called Jenny. She is AMAZING! She has helped me and my family through all the ups and downs of living with diabetes. She is always there for me 24/7. I couldn't wish for a better nurse than Jenny!
Growing up
Since February I have been having episodes about every four or five weeks where I have uncontrolably high sugar levels. My body becomes almost completely insulin resistant. The doctors and Jenny think it is something to do with me growing up. Yuk! When it happened in March in the middle of all the highs my levels went really really low and I had a massive hypo in my sleep and I had a fit. I ended up going to hospital in an ambulance which would have been cool – if I could remember it!
Highs – and lows
The past couple of months I have been into hospital three or four times. In the summer holidays i was meant to be going on holiday to Tenerife with my family but one of the doctors said it would would be dangerous to go away when my levels were so high. My little sister was devistated, she had been so excited about Tenerife, that when mum told her the news she screamed and shouted at me and said it was all my fault. I was so unhappy, I felt like a bad luck charm. I went up to my room and cried and cried. Wherever I went bad luck followed.
A week or so later we booked a little holiday in Somerset when my levels had calmed down. When we were there my levels started creeping up and up. Then they got so high and I felt so ill and my legs went funny that we had to come home. I felt awful and I blamed myself. It was all my fault and couldn't stop saying how sorry I was.
Back to school
I started secondary school in September and have only been in lessons for about a week and a half. I have missed so much school and hanging out with my friends by the time I got to school all my old friends had found new ones and I felt left out. Everyone had made little groups of friends and I was the odd one out. The loner. I was miserable.
My levels have been OK recently and I'm in school more. I still feel quite left out but it's gradually getting better. My mum said "Don't expect this to go away in a blink of an eye." I knew it wouldn't – I wasn't that stupid! I'm trying my hardest to do the best I can and catch up on everything I have missed and haven't done.
I couldn't have done anything without my parents and my amazing nurse Jenny – I am really grateful for all their help.
Don't worry about diabetes – there are pros and cons about it but you are unique and no one can change you! Good luck with your diabetes!! xxx
Your comments
Thanks so much for your story Gwen, I found it really moving and inspirational. I have been finding my diabetes hard recently, too, and it's really nice to know it's not just me! I'm really impressed with how positive you are about it.
– Lizzy
Hi, I am the Aunt (Zoe) of this 11 year old....one very proud auntie I can tell you, she has spoken from the heart. She has not been a happy bunny regarding not only her Diabetes but life in general so for her to put that into words takes courage.
I also have type 1 Diabeties, I've been diabetic for 24 years and been on a pump for just 2 of those. I wouldn't be on a pump if it wasn't for Gwen as she got one first, it intrigued me to think that all those jabs would be a thing if the past, anything up to 8 a day!! Gwen showed me how to work the pump in a flash.
I really hope that Gwen's story can help other young diabetics deal with their Diabetes. She's has more ups and downs, highs and lows than you can imagine but by putting her story into words I really hope that she is on her why to being able to deal with her own Diabetes.
Like Gwen said we are all unique, never think you're an odd one out. Diabetes is an illness that is fully controllable if you choose to take control!!
I have been on a few weekend/day trips with DBUK, I have loved all of them and look forward to helping more. – Zoe
Very proud of the way you are coping Gwen, it's really difficult sometimes. It's tough on the whole family, as you have described, they are all trying so hard to help you and care so much about you. Hopefully things will settle down soon and you won't miss school or have to cancel any more holidays. Fingers crossed! – Jenny