Lianna's Story

I was diagnosed at age 7. I had been sick for months so I was practically skin and bones at that point. I remember not understanding what what happening to me. I screamed and cried every time they had to poke me with a needle. The worst part was overhearing the nurse explain to my parents the dangers of going low in your sleep and that there's a risk of not waking up. I lived in fear until I was old enough to understand the disease better. Then, like a typical teenager, I lived in rebellion. I rarely tested or blouses and I ate whatever I wanted whenever I wanted. I never went in to DKA but I was very unhealthy. My doctor told me if I continued like this I wouldn't live to see 40. I went away to college and things got worse. I think I was trying to pretend that I wasn't a diabetic. One night my pump malfunctioned and I woke up in full blown DKA. I spent a bit in the ICU and I've never felt more vulnerable or terrified. I decided then that diabetes was not something that I can continue to ignore. I've gotten so much better about taking care of myself. I even bought a CGM!! I'm set to graduate in 2 years with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and minors in health and women and gender studies. I hope to work as either in pediatric cardiology or as a sexual assault nurse. I've learned that you cannot take care of other people properly until you've learned to take care of yourself. Sometimes life does not go the way that you want it to but you have to realize that it's not healthy to allow one aspect of your life to dictate every other part of you. I may be diabetic but I won't be unhealthy. I may have bad days but I refuse to have a bad life.

Lianna Greene