Diabetes_Essay_Camellia_Little.docx
Diabetes has changed my lifestyle dramatically. On June 10, 2018 was the day I first learned that I had diabetes. The way I found out was also very hard to deal with. On June 6, 2018 I had an Ischemic Stroke also called cerebrovascular accident on the left side of my brain. I was engaged in regular daily activity when this stroke occurred. I was in my bathroom taking a shower when out of nowhere I started losing functioning of the right side of my body. I couldn’t force myself to do any movement. My husband had to eventually come and carry me out of our shower because things were happening so fast. I experienced weakness in my face muscles causing my face and mouth to droop. I was very confused and had trouble telling my husband about what I was experiencing. I had trouble walking also because of the weakness and I couldn’t keep my balance as well. My husband then rushed me to the nearest hospital. About four hours later is was revealed that I had a left-brain stroke which affected the right side of my body. I was then sent to another hospital that was skilled in dealing with stroke patients old and young. Three days later while I was still in the hospital, I learned that I had Type 2 Diabetes and my diabetes is what caused me to have the stroke. My glucose was 417 when I arrived at the hospital so not only did, I learned that of the stroke, but the bigger issue was the diabetes. Learning and understanding what diabetes was very difficult for me. My diet changed immediately. I had to be put on a Mediterranean diet. I was sent to a rehabilitation center and they also enforced my diet there. After being released from rehabilitation which lasted 20 days I was released. If I could go back and give myself one piece of advice it would be to learn as much as I can about diabetes on my own and how to control it. I am responsible for my diabetes. I used to hate to see my glucose numbers because I felt like I was failing myself, but I had to learn to deal with the number knowing I could fix it. The first medication I was given for my diabetes was Metformin. This medication was difficult for me to take, so I then I was put on insulin. I found that taking insulin was very easy and effective, but I didn’t understand the different types of insulin. I was put on Trulicity thinking it was insulin, but it wasn’t it just helped my body to produce insulin. I had yet another stroke on September 2, 2019 of this year because I relied on Trulicity to control my glucose and was not taking my insulin with the Trulicity as an aid. I had no knowledge on insulin, and I didn’t understand that my diet, exercise and other factors influenced my glucose. While on a social network I saw an ad for a CGM system called Dexcom. I asked my doctor for a prescription and diabetes counseling and a class on the foods I need to eat. I learned about portion sizes, how to limit my carbs, I now eat fruit, vegetables, and lean meat. The Dexcom has changed my life for the better. I can continuously monitor my levels and eat right. When I was first diagnosed with diabetes, I thought I understood it and had things under control, but I was wrong. Medications and insulin do help in controlling your diabetes but I have learned about myself, and learned about my diabetes, I took control of my destiny. I am my own best advocate I have learned how to embrace diabetes, made it part of my life, and I have become more insightful and stronger for having it, and I do not let it prevent me from doing anything in life, especially not when it comes to having a Bachelor’s of Science in Health Administration.