Insulin Was Discovered Today in 1921, This Diabetic Could Not Live Without It

If it weren't for what happened on this date in 1921 I would not be around today and neither would many many other people. Insulin was first discovered on this date 95 years ago and I need it every single day. I am, unfortunately, an insulin dependent diabetic. It is one of the most difficult things I have ever dealt with and is draining on a daily basis but thank goodness for the discovery insulin. If it weren't for that magical syringe each morning, I would not be able to live this life.

I wrote a piece awhile back about what a day in the life of a diabetic is like and since it is insulin's birthday, I thought I would share it again and it may help some folks understand what we go through on a daily basis and understand us a bit more.

I hate diabetes. I have had it for a couple of decades now and it is a constant pain in the backside. I know many go this every day and it is something many people just don’t understand. It is one of those silent diseases that you don’t necessarily see from the outside but it is can be hell on the inside. I have my ups and downs and struggle with it on a daily basis. I am going share with you what a day can be like just to help people understand a little better.

I wake up each day and immediately need to load a syringe of insulin and shoot into my stomach. I am reminded right away each day that I am not in control of myself and need medicine to live. That can be draining right away. Some days you just wish you could be in control of yourself and be self sufficient. It can feel kind of helpless. Many days you wake up exhausted without even doing anything yet. If your sugars are not in control in can be hell on your insides not to mention that you may have to get up to go to bathroom every 2 hours throughout the night and never really fall into a deep sleep.

Eating can be a chore because so many things are a no-no for diabetics. Every carb turns into sugar which is what you don’t want. Sugar going through your bloodstream is the equivalent of shards of glass going through your bloodstream, slicing and weakening the walls of your veins and organs. You don’t notice immediately but it has long term devastating effects.There are many companies that make sugar free foods but to be honest they taste like butt and you will need to be near a toilet shortly after eating them. You need to eat fresh foods but even fruits and some veggies can be a problem for blood sugars. It is a complicated affliction. You must monitor it constantly and some days you just want to take a day off from it.

When blood sugars are high you can turn into a zombie. You just stare and have trouble getting a clear thought. The best thing to do is exercise but that can be quite a task when you are already exhausted and your body aches from the internal battle. It is tough. You need to get moving but it is hard to find the strength sometimes. There are times I get things going great and in check and then something happens. If you get an infection of any kind or illness your sugars go out of control trying to heal your body. Even a cold can send it all out of whack.

I tell you these things not for sympathy but for understanding. I am sure you have a friend or relative who is diabetic and maybe you will understand a little bit of what they go through. If they seem a bit tired or foggy. Many people feel it is our own fault that we are diabetic thinking it’s just because of being overweight. There are many skinny diabetics as well. I am going to work harder than ever to keep mine under control. I want to live a long and active life. I may not ever beat it but I will not let it beat me. I just would like a day off now and then. If you are one of the many who go through this….keep fighting and take your meds and do what you need to do. You are not alone.