Type 1 Diabetic Warrior

Diabetics call the anniversary of their diagnosis date their "Diaversary". For me, I don't count my original diagnosis date, summer of 1999 when I was told I was Type 2, as my Diaversary. Rather, mine is when I was almost a month away from my 36th birthday, woke up in the ICU at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg, found out I was actually Type 1, not Type 2, and would be on insulin for the rest of my life, and had to make a serious decision to start taking care of myself in order to live. Sunday, Jan 20th, 2008, I was taken by ambulance to the ER, suffering from diabetic ketoacidosis and the complications that went along with uncontrolled diabetes. Admittedly, I had not been taking care of myself for about eight years prior to that date. But either way I was going to get sick at some point. I was not aware that I was actually Type 1, not Type 2 as I had been diagnosed in 1999. Anyway, after four days in ICU, I was transferred to the fifth floor -- "5T". I was so ...

So, getting back to the beginning of my Type 1 diabetes journey in 2008 . . . one of the first things I had to do was schedule follow-up appointments. I had seen two endocrinologists in the hospital. My initial follow-up appointment had to be rescheduled, so I saw Dr. Ya-Yu Lee. He was not the original doctor I was scheduled with, but it ended up being one of the best things that happened. Dr. Lee was kind, understanding, and encouraging. He made me feel reassured that I could turn my health around. Yes, I would have to take responsibility and do work. But I knew Dr. Lee would support me and guide me as long as I did my part. Fast forward to present day -- not to "toot my own horn", but I am now one of Dr. Lee's "favorite" patients. I also see nurse practitioner Kathleen Post. They are both awesome, we have a great relationship, and we are a true TEAM in my diabetes management. I have an insulin pump/continuous glucose monitor combo, which allows me a lot of fre...