My Invisible Illness

Dress: Thrifted Old Navy

Cardigan: Thrifted

Boots: The Shoe Dept.

Belt: Thrifted

Necklace: Gift Shop in Maine

Watch: Slap Gear

So today, along with my Sunday outfit, a little invisible illness week celebration.  Many of you lovely readers may know that I have type 1 diabetes.  But here's a little meme to tell you a bit more about it. :)

1. The illness I live with is: Type 1 Diabetes

2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: 2001

3. But I had symptoms since: About 2 months before diagnosis.

4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: Checking my blood sugar and counting carbs.

5. Most people assume: I got it because I ate too much sugar. Not true my friends.

6. The hardest part about mornings are: Waking up low, like I did this morning. Wipes me out for the whole day.

7. My favorite medical TV show is: House! I love house! :)

8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: My insulin pump.

9. The hardest part about nights are: Having bad dreams because my blood sugar is high.

10. Each day I take insulin. Lots of it. And a vitamin.

11. Regarding alternative treatments: I'm open to whatever can help me manage my diabetes better as long as it has some solid science behind it.

12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: Invisible. At least with diabetes, only the people I choose to know, know.

13. Regarding working and career: I went to nursing school because of diabetes.  It never got in the way. Now I work as a photographer, and it's awesome. I never thought I'd be able to do something this independent with diabetes.

14. People would be surprised to know: That I'm actually in pretty good health.  That always gets people when I tell them I'm on insulin.  Apparently needing insulin = very sick.

15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: Taking shots was definitely the hardest thing for my 12 year old self.

16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: Make is this long.  My 10 year anniversery is getting close! I'm so thankful for each day.

17. The commercials about my illness: Are kind of annoying.  But I enjoy laughing at them.

18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: Eating cotton candy.  I don't know why, but that's something I miss doing at the fair each year.

19. It was really hard to have to give up: The tiny bit of independence I was gaining from my parents.  

20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: Being involved with diabetes camp.

21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: Take it. In an instant. And eat cotton candy. And doughnuts.

22. My illness has taught me: Patience. Thankfulness. Compassion.

23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is: People who assume.  Really, just ask me.  Don't whisper behind my back about what you think you know.

24. But I love it when people: Actually ask. :)

25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: Blame the disease, not you.

26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: It's ok.  Life is awesome, don't waste a day, don't let this get you down.

     28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: I got a lovely little Christmas cactus while I was in the hospital.  I had it for about 8 years, and it was refreshing to see it everyday.

27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: How good it really is.  I thought life would be so much worse.

29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because: People need to know what life is really like with an invisible illness.

     30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: Awesome!  Seriously, if you read this whole thing, I love you. :)