I've had diabetes for about 7 years now. I was diagnosed with diabetes right before I started the fourth grade. During that summer I was feeling really sick, my mom thought I just had the flu. She was feeding me all this canned fruit, I was getting worse! I felt practically dead. I didnt know what I was doing, I was losing weight,I couldnt think straight and well I used the bathroom alot!!

I remember my mom "dragging" me to all these doctors because my dad insisted she take me to a doctor. I went to not only one doctor, but tons! Maybe it was less then I think. The doctors took lots and lots of blood tests. We went home and my mom gave me gatorade (that helped..just kidding). Im not sure how long it was untill the doctors called, but I still remeber being up with my mom at about four in the morning and the phone ringing (kind of an awkward time). She picked it up and I just had this really bad feeling. I don't know if the lady on the other end said these exact same words, but when my mom got off the phone she went to the bedroom where my dad was sleeping and said, "MARILYN HAS A BAD CASE OF DIABETES."

I dont remember much, but I remember being so confused. A million things went through my head..(what is diabetes? Dont I have to take shots??) I was screaming inside. Yeah..Im a weirdo, rightttt, but come on Im a 8 year old at four in the morning! N-e ways my mom was leaving for work, soooooo here's where my dad comes in again! He took me to the hospital. They had this doctor check me. The doctors name was Dr.Saludares.Then they put the hospital bracelet on me and brang me to a room in a wheelchair. My blood sugar was really high. They were testing my blood sugar for what seemed non stop. They Woke me up probably every hour, but it felt like every other minute.

They put an I.V. in my hand, which made me feel better, but was soooo painful! THOSE NEEDLES ARE HUMUNGOUS! I just wanted to sleep-WAS THIS A DREAM?-well NO. I wanted to cry every time I thought about it (MARILYN YOU HAVE DIABETES). I tried not to cry that much because my family was their and well the crying would kind of "rub off" from me to them.I felt sorry for myself-NOT A GOOD THING.

I didnt really take the disease I would be living with my whole life serious. The doctors basically just tested me and let me go home in I think it was twoooooo weeks, yeah Im pretty sure it was two weeks. Before I left from the hospital they gave me lots of information on diabetes, but I didnt listen to well. I mean, I knew the basics of diabetes.

They taught me how to give insulin shots in my leg by giving oranges shots. And the symptoms of low and high blood sugar. The doctor told me to test my blood sugar 4 times daily and to watch what I eat. Soooo that's my story, SHORT. I've been living with diabetes for about 7 years now. It's not the best thing,but hey you gotta live with it.

Today I try to test my blood 4-8 times daily and I take 3 insulin shots a day. Hopefully I might get an insulin pump soon! I eat the right food and exercise as much as I can. =) Sometimes I dont feel like doing the "chores of diabetes" but I push myself. I dont want to run into the complications that can occur with type 1 diabetes. I hope, someday they will find a cure.

--Marilyn --------------------