I have to count every little calorie and make sure that what I eat doesn't make my blood sugar go up.  I cannot have any sugar or else I could go into a diabetic coma; if I eat too little I can have an insulin reaction and then I have to nibble on something sweet (a candy bar) or drink some orange juice to bring it up.  

I have diabetes.  I have been diabetic for over 10 years and have to take insulin shots and pills; I take pills twice a day and give myself shots three times a day.  I am what is known as a "brittle diabetic": my blood sugar levels go up and down like a yo yo and I am always having to constantly check my blood sugar so I can try to get it somewhere within the normal range.

I had very little symptoms that something was wrong, other than having to pee all the time.  I didn't think too much about it, but then at a doctor's checkup, my doctor said my breath smelled "fruity"; when he tested my blood he was shocked to see my blood sugar was way off the charts.  He took some blood from me; it was soon found that I had diabetes.  Just like that my world changed forever.

I had to give up sweets; all the foods I grew up with were now my enemies.  I had to go on a special diet and learn how to give myself injections (I was in the hospital for over three weeks for that one).  I had to learn how to read blood sugar levels and check my own blood to see how it was doing.  If it was too high or too low, I had to make changes accordingly.  If I got sick, I had to go to the hospital, where I could be monitored and treated by the medical staff.

I have had many diabetic crises since then; the hospital has become my second home.  Seems like I am gonig there every few months because my darn blood sugar is screwing up again.  I have had to lose weight and try to maintain it; it is difficult at best, especially around holidays like Halloween, Thanksgiving, and especially Christmas.  I just got through Halloween; if I survive Thanksgiving or Christmas, I will be doing good.

I don't know what the future holds, but one thing is certain: I wish I didn't have diabetes!!

~To be continued!~