Five things I wish I knew when I was first diagnosed with type 1 diabetes

You don’t have to give up your favourite sweet treats

When I was first diagnosed, I was told that I would have to monitor the carbs of everything I ate – a task which seemed so daunting at first. I assumed I’d never be able to have my favourite chocolates or ice creams ever again, because they were ‘too sugary’.

But the truth, which I discovered for myself as time went on, is that as long as I took the right amount of insulin, I could eat as many chocolates as I liked (within reason, of course). I didn’t feel ‘different’ to my friends because they could eat something and I couldn’t, which was a massive stress relief at parties and hangouts with friends.

With type 1, there are no ‘illegal’ foods, whether its Ben & Jerry’s or cake, you don’t need to feel like it’s off limits.

You don’t have to give up sport. In fact, the more sport, the better!

Another assumption I made upon being diagnosed was that I’d have to give up tennis. I was playing frequently and thought I wouldn’t be able to regulate my blood sugars if I continued to play. Soon, though, I realised that there were SO many ways to stop myself going low during sport. Whether eating a slow-release carb snack before I played, using activity mode on my pod, or taking ‘juice breaks’ during games, I could continue with the sport I loved at the level I wanted to play at.

Sport was also great for keeping my blood sugars in range and for me, it is the single most effective way to bring down blood sugars. Diabetes didn’t limit what I could do in sports at all.

Frustration is normal, and every day is different

In the first few months after being diagnosed, I wrestled with conflicting emotions. Even when I didn’t feel physically ill because of my diabetes, I sometimes felt overwhelmed and frustrated.

With the support of my parents, doctors, and people around me, I realised that my emotions didn’t need to be justified. Even though here are so many technological advancements making everyday life with diabetes more manageable, it’s perfectly normal to feel like your diabetes ‘isn’t fair’.

It’s a lot to handle, which is why it’s so important to share your load with people that you trust. Asking for help is never a bad thing, and sometimes when I can’t think clearly, someone else will tell me to go on a walk if I’m high or watch some TV to calm myself down. Sometimes little things like that are the easiest way to feel better again. It doesn’t have to be a big act.