My Decision to Get on the Insulin Pump

Insulin pumps have become a lifeline for many diabetics in recent years. Originally developed in the early 60's they began to become more popular in the 80's and 90's. I got my insulin pump in 1999 at the age of 16. After 7 years of multiple daily injections my blood sugars were still not satisfactory. My endocrinologist had previously suggested the insulin pump many times only to be greeted with my vehement refusal. I was young and didn't really care how much damage I was doing to myself with blood sugars running two and three hundred. Finally I was talked into it by my mother, my doctor, and my best friend. It was a changing point in my life. I am one of those people who couldn't possibly maintain adequate blood sugars without my little "external pancreas".

When I was turned 9 years old I didn't have a care in the world. I had a real birthday cake at my birthday party. I got to eat all the candy I wanted that Halloween. I was just like everyone else. Six months after my birthday I began to lose weight for no reason. I became so thirsty I would gulp down a large coke from McDonalds in 30 seconds. It was miserable. My mother took me to the doctor and they found my blood sugars in the 300's. We had caught it before it became too dangerous- lots of times children go into comas before they are diagnosed because the parents don't realize what is going on. The diagnosis: Type 1 diabetes, back then called Juvenile diabetes, only controllable with shots. I spent a week in the hospital, an entire hour holding a syringe working up to giving myself my first shot, and every day from then on worrying about being different or having an embarrassing episode. I didn't truly realize the severity, but then again, how do explain something this serious to a child?