Diagnosed with Type 1 at the age of 10, I have done it all….

Like anyone diagnosed at a young age, it was a scary and confusing time. I learned the ins and outs as best I could and had a “do everything while trying to ignore it,” mentality until that caught up with me in college. Following a diabetic seizure, I headed home and had my first real depressive event around my disease. Luckily, exercise and healthy eating were aspects of my life, but the perfect numbers and tight control that doctors expected eluded me. I always had the nagging feeling that I was a failure, even as I tried living my life—-moving to Maine, getting a science teaching degree, and having a son, to boot!

Transplant and MDI and Pumps, Oh My!

In 2003, I opted for an experimental, elective pancreas transplant to cure my diabetes. It was a radical decision, but the freedom I felt was unbelievable. I had a new life. Unfortunately, it failed three years later, and I was back where I began, with a pretty sizable scar to show for it. I went back to MDI with lots of highs and lows (glucose numbers and mental health) until 7 years ago when I went on my first insulin pump. The TSlim with Control IQ, in conjunction with my Daily 5, has given me great control and the greatest peace living with this disease.

  • Yes! The Medtronic, TSLIM, and Omnipod are all systems that I have used.

  • It takes sooooo much trial end error with a pump but you can learn from my mistakes! I have lots of tips and tricks to remove some of the guesswork!

  • YES! And it is really important to! A DDD, also known as a Diabetes Down Day, is essential for not getting burned out! We need this time to throw ourselves a mini pitty party with ultimate compassion. I can show you how to embrace these days and reframe your thinking so that one day does not become many.