Macy’s Story

Hi, Macy here (@mace_104) Lets try and make a long story short…Where does one begin with their own journey of Type 1 diabetes? I guess the day my mom brought me to the ER would be a good one! I was 13, active and healthy, played softball and basketball when suddenly things took a turn. I was in 8th grade lost 22 pounds in 2 weeks, now weighing in at 85 pounds. I was weak, thirsty, dehydrated with constant leg cramps. Typical symptoms of T1. The moment we walked into the local ER they knew what was wrong, but my sugar wouldn’t read. They were finally able to test my blood to find out I was reading at 1050. Unfortunately, the major hospital in our area was out of beds for someone in the condition I was in, to which they life flighted me to Hershey Medical Center. I remember crying that I didn’t want to go in the helicopter, I then woke up the next day to my parents at my bed side, IVs in my arm and the life flight crew coming to check to see if I was okay. They brought me a Life Lion, a stuffed lion they give to kids that take life flight! A week later, loads of information that made no sense to me and finding out shots will a constant from here on out, made for a scary road ahead.

The following few years, depression hit. I didn’t want to live with this anymore, I used to take my shots and just lay there and hope it’d end quick. I hid my disease from every single person that ever knew me. Friends, coworkers, classmates, every one. When I left for college, I was going to class, working out, continued playing sports, until one day my sugar dropped too low and I couldn’t focus on the softball, my coach told me to sit down and that’s when my secret had to come out. No more hiding. . This is when I decided I was ready for the pump! Fast forward to now a Senior in college, living with my then boyfriend and living with a Medtronic MiniMed, in purple of course!

I was on this pump for about 3 years, taking it off every weekend to go out with friends. I decided it wasn’t for me, and went back to shots. Fast forward to April of this year and I’m a proud owner of a Tandem X2(@tandem) insulin pump, AKA a new pancreas! I love everything about it! And I got a CGM(@dexcom) for the first time too! I wear both proudly. I am currently 27, had my first powerlifting meet back in October and I’m continuing to get stronger and stay healthy. People stare, some ask questions, but they always end up saying “you don’t look like you’re diabetic”, I smile and say well I am a healthy type 1 diabetic for 14 years, with an A1C of 7.1.  Things will be tough, but life continues. I’ve met some amazing people with Type 1, and I can’t wait to meet some more! I love this community and all of the inspiring stories. Keep kicking ass my fellow Type 1s, only way to move is forward!💙🏋💉💪

Macy Francioni