Yep, Diabetes UK were happy for me to video blog a second time. Apparently there’s a market for my waffle!
The latest ‘episode’ (Jennyenders anyone?) focuses on being diagnosed. Possibly the scariest, most confusing and most daunting period for any diabetic. I mean, this condition doesn’t politely knock on your door, bunch of flowers in hand to soften the blow and ask to enter your life. No, it’s more like an articulated lorry crashing through your living room on an idle Tuesday morning while you’re having a cheeky brew and indulging in a bit of Holly and Phil. It’s not pretty, and there’s a whole lot of mess to clear up afterwards (I’m not still talking about This Morning).
So with this video blog (refusing to use ‘vlog’ here!) I vowed to be honest, because quite frankly it was terrifying – although more so for my parents than me I would think. I was just an eight-year-old who was wondering when they would finish talking about all this stuff I didn’t really understand so that I could go out and play. What eight-year-old can understand the gravity of a life-long illness that they’d never even heard of 20 minutes ago? I blogged in some detail about my diagnosis a couple of years ago, when this blog was a mere fledging gathering of Type 1 related thoughts, and to this day it’s one of my most serious and most honest posts (don’t worry – there’s still a few Gary Barlow references in there, although it’s well before the days of an animal impression).
What I’m trying to get across on both counts is that landing with this disease is overwhelming to the point that I don’t think you can really understand what it means, at least at first – although maybe that’s ignorant of me to say. Hell, I didn’t understand the gravity of it 10 years later, when I went to uni and treated my body so badly I was scared into submission with the threat of going blind. We all have to get there in our own time, in our own way. And I’d just like to put it out there that I no longer pee myself. Just in case Gary’s reading this. Watch the video, it will all become clear…
8 Comments
[…] Tell us about when you were diagnosed – how old were you, what happened, where were you? You can read a bit more on Jen’s take on her diagnosis over on her blog, Young, Fun and Type 1. […]
Thought this was really good and loved watching this. My 21 month old son was diagnosed 2 months ago now and I thought it was the end of the world! Things are slowy getting better, levels are slowly settling and i’ve come to realise my son will live a normal healthy life. Its goto hear from other people in the same situation!! Xx
Hi Kelly, thank you for your lovely comment; I’m pleased you enjoyed the video. Glad things are calming down, 21 months is a tricky age to be diagnosed, at least I could tell my mum I wasn’t feeling well! Hope everything gets easier, he will indeed live a normal healthy life, although I’m sure at times it doesn’t feel like that! Take care x
Hi Kelly,
I’m glad I cross someone that have little child has diabetes – My daughter, 32 months got diabetes for nearly 3 months now.
It was very tough at the beginning but slowly times, we manage with her diabetes.
Jen, since read your blog – I realise you can do anything while control your diabetes. I hope my daughter do the same when growing up.
Hi Naheeda,
Thank you for reading the blog and watching the video, and taking the time to comment. It sounds like you are doing well, it must be hard when your daughter is so young. Even now I just have to take it day by day, it’s tricky at times but it’s definitely manageable so all is not lost at all! I live my life just the same as my friends and I’m sure your daughter will too 🙂
Hi again,
I wish I could understand what you said in the video but I’m deaf.
I took my hubby to listen and explained what you said.
Hi Jen,
I’m loving your blog!
I was recently diagnosed with Type 1 on the 10th Dec 2011 at the age of 27. This totally came as a bolt out the blue, but 6 months on I am starting to get familiar with the mind field that is Type 1. I still have lots to learn though, but I am taking it a day at a time.
I was lucky enough to find your blog early on after being diagnosed, and I have found it so so so valuable! I don’t know anyone else with Type 1, so I look forward to reading, and now watching your updates as I don’t feel so alone.
Reading, and watching your blog makes me feel so empowered!
Thank you.
Hi Hollie,
Thanks so much for your lovely comments, that’s really kind of you and makes me smile! I’m pleased that my ramblings can help, even in a small way. It really is quite a minefield to navigate, how are you finding it? I still make mistakes and I’ve been Type 1 for 16 years so don’t be hard on yourself! You’re definitely not alone, there are so many of us out there, and I think we would all say that although you have to make a few adjustments, there’s no reason why you can’t do everything you’ve always done. Thanks so much for reading, it empowers ME to know that there are other people out there stumbling through it all too! x