How/when do I tell my college roommate and friends about my T1D?

Now that I am a sophomore in college, I have plenty of knowledge on this topic. A few friends that are younger than me have asked me these questions :

How do I tell my roommate about my T1D?

Do I teach them how to test me?

When do I tell my friends?

When do I tell my roommate?

Well my friends, at this point in our lives, it is time to grow up and stand strong and proud with our diabetes. College is a great time to be loud and proud. I told my freshman roommate when I first met her. Not like, “hey my name is Erika, I have diabetes”, but it was within the first few days. Also, your roommate will be curious of an insulin pump/glucometer/glucose tablets!

I chose to tell my roommate and my sophomore-year roommate. And I have not taught them how to test me or treat me. But I had a scary experience one night, and the next day, I told my roommate and our group of friends that they need to contact my parents if I ever go too low. I hang my emergency contacts on our fridge.

It’s as simple as that. You don’t need to scare them with the disease, but you need to talk about it seriously. It’s okay to joke about it, but they need to understand that it is a serious disease. Just keep that in mind.

On a side note, if you feel comfortable about teaching them certain things, then go ahead and do that. Teaching them more than less will never be a bad thing.

Diabetes & College

College = hard

Diabetes = hard

College+Diabetes = a tricky situation

I have come to the understanding that college is a stressful and chaotic time. There are so many things to do, so many places to experience, so many people to meet! It is easy to let diabetes fall on the back-burner.

To help explain how I let it fall to the back-burner, I will give you an example of my schedule.

On Mondays, I wake up at 7:30 get ready and drive to my internship. I usually arrive around 9:30 and my work starts at 10am. After 6pm, I drive back to campus, usually get back by 7, 7:15pm. After that, I might grab a quick bite to eat. Then, I teach yoga from 8-9pm. Depending on homework, I try to get in bed by 10:30-11pm the latest.

On Tuesdays, I have class from 7-9:30, 11-1:30, 2-3:15, 3:30-4:45, TV studio from 4:45-5:30, and then I have class from 6:30-9:30.

• My point is, meals are all over the place. Meals are no longer nice, relaxing periods of time where I actually chew my food and digest it. Usually, I am on the go and don’t have the time to spare. What I have learned from this is that I need to make the most out of the food that I am eating.I may not have the time to eat mindfully, but I can be mindful of WHAT I am eating. The goal is to eat healthy as often as possible, and to make good decisions when I am eating.

I have started to wear my sensor again. I use the Dexcom. I usually don’t wear it week to week because I end up getting tired of constantly being reminded of my blood sugars and it makes me kind of paranoid. There was a time where I was taking additional insulin after meals because I saw that my blood sugar would rise. This is obvious! Of course my numbers will rise when I eat. In turn, the additional insulin caused me to drop a few hours later. Drops, drops are no fun. They can be scary too.

• What I’ve learned: wear the Dexcom, let it help me. But, don’t take all of the information to heart and certainly don’t try to pay attention to all of it.

Drink lots of water!

• I have always been a big water-drinker. But in college I have learned that drinking water makes you feel that much better. It makes you feel more awake and it keeps you energized. Also, it makes working out feel a lot better too. When your body is fueled with water, there’s no stopping you!

Sleep is important!

• Everyone always preaches about how important sleep is. It really is true. Although my body is now used to this wacky schedule, it still could use more rest. Also, when you are tired and groggy it is so much easier to reach for crappy food. Like a doughnut instead of a whole-wheat piece of toast, or a bowl of fries instead of a salad.

Support

• Living with diabetes can be good and fun. But it can also be scary and threatening. There have been a few instances where I am afraid I will not wake up and test my blood sugar. It always snaps me back into the present moment. Nonetheless, diabetes is a complicated and life-threatening disease so I take it very seriously. Having support from roommates, friends, and classmates is only going to make living at college with T1D that much less stressful.

Of course there are lots of other things to talk about as well, but these are just a few for now.

Just some thoughts, hope this all helps.

Onward,

Erika

The Odyssey

Hi everyone!

I have been writing for The Odyssey for about a month now, and I wanted to share on here some of my articles.

So here is the link of my profile on The Odyssey!

http://theodysseyonline.com/author/erikaszumel

 

Thank you 🙂

Check it out

Hi there!

I have had this image saved for quite some time on my phone, and I can’t keep it hidden anymore. It is a screenshot of a blog post that I saw one night as I was scrolling through tumblr.

This put LOWS into perspective for me, and maybe it will for you too. Whether you are a T1D, a relative, parent, child, or whatever. It can be scary. I know this feeling all too well.

I really admire whoever wrote this.

I really admire this blog because it allows people to say things they don’t want to say and to share their secrets. This is huge in the diabetes community. Read a few posts if you can, you may learn a lot.

>>>>>>>>>>>>http://mydiabetessecret.com/ <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

What I really hope you learned this month

As Diabetes month comes to a close, I really hope you learned a few important things:

1. Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes are different diseases.
2. I test my blood sugar roughly 5-10 times a day.
3. I take insulin 24/7 and more when I eat through an insulin pump(mine is pink).
4. I can eat whatever I want, whenever I want, but I know how to choose my battles.
5. I count carbohydrates, not sugar.
6. Diabetes can cause other complications, like neuropathy or retinopathy.
7. There are certain ways people without diabetes should act around people living with diabetes, or certain ways to ask things at least.
8. Exercise is crucial when living with diabetes.
9. Diabetes and alcohol can be tricky.
10. There’s nothing stopping me, ever.

Until next year, your favorite diabadass

Diabetes Etiquette

I have shared this a few times, but it is so important to me, so I will share it again.

Accu-chek came out with a Diabetes Etiquette list for people who DON’T have diabetes and it is simply amazing because it says the things that people with diabetes don’t always want to say, especially to loved ones.

Here is the shortened list:

1. DON’T offer unsolicited advice about eating or other parts of diabetes, that you probably don’t truly understand.
2. DO realize and appreciate that diabetes is hard work.
3. DON’T tell horror stories about your grandmother with diabetes or other stories you have heard about.
4. DO offer to join in on making healthy lifestyle changes(with your diabadass).
5. DON’T look so horrified when someone checks their blood sugar or gives themselves and injection.
6. DO ask how you might be helpful.
7. DON’T offer thoughtless reassurances.
8. DO be supportive of any efforts of self-care.
9. DON’T peek or comment on blood sugar numbers without asking first.
10. DO offer your love and encouragement.

LOVE LOVE LOVE this list by Accu-Chek.

Link is here to watch the Youtube video I made about this list as well:

>>>>>>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_Nd-V-04jU <<<<<<<<<

How can I help?

Someone dear to me messaged me on Facebook and asked me to make a post about what the average person can do to help someone with T1D when they need to be helped, AKA when they are having a severe low blood sugar or are going into a diabetic coma.

I am going to keep this as short as possible.

But two things could happen.

One, if the person is talking and still functioning, get them something to eat or drink that is QUICK. Meaning, find candy or orange juice or Hawaiian punch(just some examples) that will help bring up their blood sugar quickly. Don’t bring them a piece of bread or pasta. haha Just keep them talking and make sure they are getting some sort of carbs or sugar in them.

The other situation is that the T1D can not communicate to you that they need help. This often looks like the person is drunk. They may not be able to speak or even use their body really. THIS IS SERIOUS. In this case, either contact a relative or contact 911.

If I am at a friends house close to home, I would tell my friends to call my parents before anything. There is a certain shot that can be given to help in situations like this. But if I am far from home and have no one around, call 911. Do not hesitate to. Remember to tell them that I have Type 1 Diabetes.
Hope this helps!!

National Diabetes Month

For those of you that may or may not know,

November is National Diabetes Month!

As a diabetes advocate and diabetic myself, I will be posting one photo a day each day of the month, raising awareness and helping educate you about diabetes. I may start posting them on here as well, so take a look!

–the intern with diabetes

Day 48: Be fearless

Pumpin it up

Gonna miss them

Amazing view

Last night was great. Aimee, Jennifer, and I walked around Long Island City and had a blast. It was a great way to end our week together.

It’s my last day at the office and I am starting to get very sad. I have grown close to so many people and have learned so much from all of them, both professionally and socially.

Today I took my last morning commute to the Financial District and 26 Broadway. It was not an exciting commute, but I witnessed a moment in time that was surreal. I was sitting on my second train and looking out the subway window across from me. I could see my reflection, the train next to us, and the people on the subway platform behind that train. In the midst of all of it I could see the signs on the side of the subway that say the trains stops or destinations. It kind of reminded me of life: something is always happening, someone is always waiting, and we have to be mindful of all of it.

I walked into the office today feeling great. It was sad though, realizing it will be my last time saying good morning to the IT team. Around 11:45, Ivan came over to my desk and said do you know how to work the thing in the conference room? And I said yeah, pretty much. And he said, you broke it yesterday with your video. And I sort of knew something fishy was going on at this point. Then he took me downstairs and we went to a totally different conference room. As we walked in, the guys sort of half-said SURPRISE! It was really sweet. They handed me a card and had chips and munchkins and soda for me. It was really nice. Then, Alim said some kind words about how I made noise in JDRF in a positive way and that I really made a splash. They liked the shoutout that I gave them yesterday. Then we had some side conversations and I found out that one of the guys in Client Services is from New Jersey and his mom lives in Holiday City! I was like no way, my grandma lives there! It was really really nice. Then Joon said some nice things about me helping him and other stuff. They all gave me great feedback about the video from yesterday, that they learned a lot. One of the guys told the person ordering food to order anything and everything, because he learned that people with diabetes can eat whatever they want. That was really good and felt good too. I’ve realized that interning with JDRF forced me to push my boundaries, step outside of my comfort zone, and really put myself out there. I am so proud of myself. I made my voice heard here at the JDRF National office.

Ina emailed me today and asked if she could possibly use the video I made for onboarding and such things. I told her yes of course! That was exactly my goal, to be able to teach the employees of JDRF something about the disease. I am so happy and so proud of myself. You can go so far if you put your mind to what you want to do.

I said goodbye to Jennifer today which was very very sad. It was almost weird, I have been spending so much time with her these past two months and it is crazy to think I really won’t see her for a while. But I plan on seeing her again. Maybe a reunion in New York when she works for JDRF? I think so. 🙂 She is an amazing girl and I know she is going to go far in life.  I had lunch with Aimee which was good as always. I am leaving early today and Aimee is going to come hang out with me for a few fours before I go back to Queens for dinner with my aunt and uncle! I am not looking forward to saying goodbye to Aimee either. Diabetes has this ability to form bonds between people. It is indescribable because there is some sort of automatic connection at all times because the person next to you ACTUALLY understands what you are going through. That feeling is simply amazing. It’s a feeling that you never want to let go of.

My time here at JDRF has been enlightening, enriching, and life-changing. I have learned so much. The IT team was wonderful in every way. I really give these guys so much credit for what they do everyday. They certainly are the unsung heroes of JDRF. But I am glad that I was placed with them. Although I was skeptical about it, it worked well. So thankful for everything and everyone. Really grateful for this experience. I will cherish what I have learned and experienced here at 26 Broadway for the rest of my life.

Not exactly sure what the future holds. But that is okay. I just know that I will carry what I have learned at JDRF with me wherever I go. JDRF has and always will be a major part of my life, that is never ever going to change.

Diabetes is a journey. Interning with JDRF is a part of my journey.

Signing off for the last time,

– the intern with diabetes

P.S. Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.

Day 47: Heart

Hello readers,

Last night I hung out with Aimee and it’s safe to say that I am really really going to miss her(and Jennifer). We have such a good time together and we can talk about anything with each other.

On my way home, the city surprised me again. I was waiting for the subway and a man asks me if I know whether or not this subway goes to 14th St. I told him yes it does. Then he mentioned my pump and we began talking about all different sorts of things. He turned out to be a very fascinating person, he was a Marine, he is working on an agriculture project in Panama, and he suffered a major brain injury while he was in the Marines. I love meeting new people especially ones that you don’t expect to meet or have good conversations with. I am grateful to have met him, he reminded me that although I was having a bad diabetes day, I am lucky to have the technology and medicine to help me manage the disease. So many people in the world do not have insulin, pumps, meters, or even syringes. That is a scary thought and it really put me in perspective.

Today I walked into the office and was pleasantly surprised to find a small wrapped package sitting on my desk. It had a note written on it and it was from Joann, who works in HR. She has been so sweet and kind during this summer it immediately put a smile on my face. She had thanked me for the Staff Appreciation Day video that I had made and she was so grateful for. I will not forget Joann, she was such a nice person to me. Today when I saw her she asked me how I was and thanked me for the video that I showed today.

My morning went haywire when I realized my pump site wasn’t working. I used the spare pump site I had in my bag and was left to use syringes. Luckily, Bryan who works in the Communications department, offered to give me one of his spare pump sites in his desk. It was a Silhouette pump site, which means it goes in on an angle. I had tried these sites for a while but wasn’t crazy about them and so I was not looking forward to using it today. But I figured it out, inserted the site, and it seems to be working just fine. I was relieved. Today was the goodbye lunch for the interns and I had to show my educational video I made for the JDRF office. I did not want to be worrying about my blood sugar the entire time while I was supposed to be enjoying myself .

So the office gathered in the conference room, which filled up, and everyone chowed down on pizza. It was delicious and I enjoyed it while sitting by my fellow interns, who I am going to miss very much. This summer went so fast I seriously can not believe it. Derek, the CEO was at the goodbye lunch and he introduced my video for the staff. Before the video, each intern had to stand and say something about their experiences here at JDRF. I thanked the IT team when it was my turn, saying how welcoming they are, how much crap they put up with, and that everyone should stop by and say hi to them when they can! I really do owe it to them, they took me under their wing. I played the video and everyone liked it, I think. I worked really hard on it and I hope that they actually absorbed some of the information. Afterwards, my boss shook my hand and so did my boss’s boss.

After the end of the lunch, I headed back upstairs and Derek had stopped me on the steps to say thanks again for the video. He said that the video had him teary-eyed(his son is a T1D) and then he said, “you have heart”. He said really you have heart and that is such a great thing. He said he was glad he got to meet me and that he hopes I will be around in the future. This completely caught me off-guard, but it felt so good to hear those words. Sometimes you need to hear something to believe it. I do have heart. I most certainly have heart when it comes to anything pertaining to diabetes. I just can’t believe that the CEO said that to me. It means a lot when someone else sees it.

As for the rest of the day, I am keeping myself busy.

Going to Long Island City tonight with Aimee and Jennifer. It is our last night together 😦 I really am going to miss the two of them and I would not have survived this summer without them.

Smiling,

–the intern with diabetes