I like any other 17-year-old girls enjoyed meeting up with friends, going out and eating anything I could get my hands on. But this all began to disappear as I felt tired, frustrated and cut out everyone around me.
Sporty
I have always been a very sporty teenage girl, I enjoyed nothing more than making my way to the athletics track to practise my events and to socialise with all my friends.
It wasn't until a few months ago I began to feel different and not like my usual self. My school work was suffering as my AS exams approached and I just could not engage in conversations with all of my mates at school - my mind was somewhere else.
World of my own
After a while I began to feel cut off, I would go home from school and sleep, my training wasn't going right and I couldn't finish a session. I was never one to give up, but as hard as I tried I just couldn't do it and I would end up crying myself to sleep. A few of my friends from training began asking if I'd lost weight. I thought nothing of this as I had always been a rather slim girl. Then teachers from school stopped me and asked me how I was, they told me I wasn't myself and it was obvious in lessons I was just completely out of it.
This was getting ridiculous.
A few months went past and I put it all towards exam stress as they were a month or so away. Then one day without even realising I had got through about 5 pints of water, 4 cups of tea and a few cans of diet coke...I could not quench my thirst, my mouth was dry and drinking that much meant I need the toilet constantly. One night I was up 8 times. My parents were concerned and made me an appointment to see my doctor.
Various blood tests were done and a week or so later I was told I had high glucose levels and I would be forwarded to the diabetes clinic to see what they thought. Days passed and I heard nothing then my mum received a phone call asking for me to be brought in to hospital immediately and to bring some clothes as I could be staying over night.
Relief
It wasn't long after I arrived that more blood was taken and I was lying on a hospital bed still not sure what exactly was wrong with me. Then a diabetes specialist arrived 'There is no question about it, you have type one diabetes' he said. I laughed 'Brilliant, thanks for that' I replied. Suddenly everything I had been feeling was all making sense, the doctor explained everything and I was happy to know that I could get better, I didn't care that this was going to change my life, I was just relieved and excited to finally have an answer.
When I arrived in hospital I had lost around 4L of fluid, my skin was dry, my muscles weak, I was tired and ketones were found in my urine. I was put on a drip over night, regular finger prick tests were done to keep an eye on me and over the four days I had family and friends to keep me company.
I was soon out of hospital and resting, I quickly got used to injecting my own insulin and it wasn't long before I was getting friends and family involved in having a go too!
Whole new person
I feel like a whole new person. I am now back at school and my exams are almost over. My friends are delighted to see me smiling and healthy again and my boyfriend likes to inform me that I am getting 'fatter' and uses this as an opportunity to stop me from stealing his food 'It's got to much sugar in, I'm looking out for you' as annoying as this is he has been great support- my weight is healthy and I am eating better than I ever have, I have began training again and I am more determined than ever to do well and prove that diabetes won't stop me from doing what I love.
I hope to go to Tanzania in a month or so for 3 weeks with the school to help local communities, teach and play with younger children, trek in the wild and go on a safari - something I have always wanted to do. It is still questionable if I am able to go as I have not been stable for 6 months.
However, I am proving I can look after myself and my nurses and parents are proud of how well I am coping. Sports wise I have also been chosen to represent Hertfordshire in a Regional Heptathlon again this year and I hope to do as well as I can to prove to myself that I can do something and that this disease will not stop me.
Back to competitive sport
Type 1 diabetes is something that I have to learn to live with and yes it is a nuisance at times, but I wont let it shape me in to something I'm not.
I would like to thank my family, friends, boyfriend, teachers and nurses for all the help and support, I would not have done this without you!
To all those people out there who have been diagnosed years ago or even recently like me. Keep doing what you love and live your own life! Make sure you look after yourself but at the same time grab every new opportunity and don't let diabetes limit you and prevent you from reaching your goals!
Your comments
Well done for writing about this, it's impressive to hear how you've just cracked on with life. Ask your Mum what Mrs Edward's used to say to us when we were your age : Press on girls!!
- Evelyn
Until you go through something as troubling and worrying as this yourself, I don't think anyone can truly understand what you have been through in the last few months.
When my mum told me you had been diagnosed with diabetes I wondered about what you had been through in order to explain why you had felt so ill, and it's really pleasing to see that you're able to share your touching story with everybody else.
You don't release the extent people go through in their lives, and just how very brave and cooperative you have been since you've been told you've got this illness.
All the best for the future, hope to catch up with you soon :) - Rhia
What a brave young lady you are. You have coped so well in our Human Biology lessons and i am very proud of you.- Mrs Stevens
Hey Lauren - what a wonderful and inspiring story. Great to see that you're back to your amazing self again - I have absolutely no doubt at all that you will achieve everything in life you set your heart on - your dedication, motivation and drive are an example to all. Very proud that you're my goddaughter. Take care, and keep pushing the boundaries! - Buzz
An inspirational story Lauren. I am sure it will help others in the same situation. You should be proud of yourself for coping with this so well. Was great to see you at the athletics the other day. Have missed you at hockey! Have an amazing trip in the summer! - Rachel
Lauren, you've done soooo well coming through this! Some people (dare I say it, even older people!) would be crushed and give up when told they have diabetes, but you have been great - just "getting on with it", and not letting it change your life. My dad was also diabetic, and he did the same. Not sure I'll be able to give you a hand with the injections, but never say never eh?! You keep going - you're a strong, positive young lady! - Jess
You should be very proud of yourself and have come a long way in a very short time. An inspiration to many people. Keep going as you are and you will definitely find the success and happiness you deserve - x Lisette
I am one of Laurens teachers and it is so amazing to see the old Lauren back again. We knew something was up and like her, we couldn't put our finger on it.
I think it is a great idea to make more and more people aware of the signs and symptoms of diabetes. What a fantastic website!- Miss McKay
This is an amazing article. I have taught Lauren and know, over the years, how passionate this young lady is about her sports. She has always been conscientious and tried hard at school - Mrs Winstone
It was quite worrying to see her at one stage lose so much weight, look so pale and grey and generally appear very low. Now I am please that she is back to her usual, perky self and I am so glad the diabetes diagnosis has helped her and her family deal with these issues and move forwards. A truly inspirational story and young lady - go Lauren!- Mrs A Holmes
This is how I found out my closest friend's daughter has Type 1 diabetes - yet I am reading this in awe of a girl I have known from the second day she was born. I live in Asia and see her and her family rarely but I have always been impressed with Lauren as she has grown up - this article is written by someone beyond her years.
Lauren you are without doubt one of the most amazing people I know in my life, especially for one so young. You touch people in ways you don't know - you have a gift.- Martin
Well done for sharing his Lauren! Its so great to see you back to your normal self and I'm sure you testimony will be a great support for others going through the same things!- Mrs Winstone
Soooo glad that you are back and better than ever before! Your story is truly inspirational and you have soo many people around you that will support you whatever you need but this has shown me and many others how strong you really are and your determination is amazing! Never give up because I know your going to reach your dreams someday! You truly are gunna change the word Best friend !!! So much love for you xx - Megan