Starting at 9:00 p.m. I was battling a low blood sugar of 56 and had juice and a snack. Was instructed to test my blood sugar (aka, snap a rubber band) at 9:15 and 9:30 p.m. I came up to 85 and was fine to go to bed. I then set my alarm to get up at 12:03 p.m. and then again at 3:00 a.m. I was running high and had to administer insulin (another rubber band snap) This is just a snapshot of ONE night but this is a reality for anyone living with T1D.

Here is a look at my breakfast this morning.I measured everything out so I knew how many servings I was having. I had to calculate my carbohydrates and then administer insulin. I thought I was doing well until I poured my coffee and POURED a whole bunch of Coffee Creamer in before measuring what I did. Now someone who has had T1D for awhile knows the ins and outs of carbs but me being a newbie I certainly did not.

What I learned

THIS IS HARD….. As someone working for JDRF for 17 years you think you know… BUT YOU DON’T know…It is extremely time consuming, you think about it all the time, you don’t get a break.  I was validated in seeing how supportive the T1D community was. I had more texts, emails, and Facebook posts from JDRF families. They embraced me, they thanked me, they helped me count my carbs  they were proud of me trying this.  But at the end of the day, I could take off my pod, I could stop using a rubber band for finger pokes, and I could just get rid of my T1D. What I did was nothing compared to living with T1D, 24 Hours a Day, 365 days a year. I am humbled by the T1D community and felt so embraced during my 24 hour journey. I will take this experience with me and know that I will continue to fight along side you until we turn type one into type none.