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Diabetes sucks. Plain and simple. When it comes to diabetes, it is so easy to fall into a downward spiral of negative thinking. Diabetes can be all consuming in the mind - everyday/all day. When I wake up - I think about my diabetes, I sit at my computer - I think about my diabetes, I watch TV - I think about my diabetes, I work out - I think about my diabetes, I eat or drink anything, I think about my diabetes. I am never not thinking about my diabetes, whether it be consciously or subconsciously. Feeling all the feels alone can be detrimental to your mental state and I know this. It is also very easy to get lost in your head and get bogged down by the millions of questions that may fog your mind - Why me? Can't I for one second just eat this without having to think about how many carbs this is and how much insulin I need to take? Why is my sugar so high? Why is my sugar so low? Why? Why? Why? At times, this can become mentally and physically debilitating. Thinking back to my first few years with type 1 diabetes, the song ‘Let it Go’ comes to mind. When Queen Elsa (for all you Disney fans) says ‘Conceal, don’t feel, don’t let them know,’ I felt that. I too felt that I needed to conceal my diabetes and not let people know what I was feeling or currently going through. I guess I was insecure with myself, so I hid my diabetes from most people and internalized a lot of my emotions. I didn’t have to but I felt that it was easier just to keep these things to myself. What I didn’t realize at the time was doing that to myself really took a toll on my mental state and my overall diabetes management. When I finally came into myself and embraced my diagnosis with a new perspective (which took a few years), I was able to be more open with myself and with others. Do I want to count carbs and calculate the amount of insulin I need every time I eat? No, but I have definitely become an expert carb counter and mathematician. Do I want to test my blood sugar or continuously check my CGM for BG readings? No, but I have learned the ins and outs of how my body reacts to certain foods and activities, so you can say I have become a scientist. Do I want to wear a medical device 24/7? No, but I am thankful for the amazing technology that didn't exist a short time ago and you can say I have become one with technology. Instead of being insecure about having diabetes, I was able to focus my time on letting people know that diabetes is a part of me. My initial insecurities about wearing a device dissipated when I realized that my insecurities are what make me beautiful. Being confident in my own skin has made me a stronger, more positive woman. Changing my mindset has helped me to shift the negative thoughts I had to be more positive. I was able to have better control over not just my diabetes management but over life in general! From the wise words of Queen Elsa ‘Well, now they know - Let it go!,’ I was able to be more open with my diabetes and not feel so embarrassed to pull out my meter to test my blood sugar or my pump to bolus for a meal or to rock my pump & CGM in a bikini. Shifting my mindset was half the battle in helping to make diabetes suck a little less. It is still okay and normal to have those negative thoughts but it is important to minimize those negative thoughts and really focus on how you can make a sucky situation, a little less sucky! Embrace the ‘suck’ and go on with your bad self!

Life is all about building and maintaining strong relationships. In both personal and professional spaces, it's crucial to surround yourself with people you trust - those who have your back and can help you navigate through life's challenges. This is especially true when it comes to choosing your life partner. I knew I had found the right partner in so many ways, but this one particular moment truly sealed the deal for me. My fiancé (Paul) and I worked for the same company. Our mornings followed a familiar routine—waking up, getting ready for work, and commuting into the city from Hoboken. We would take the shuttle to the PATH station and take the path into the city, so if I slept in a little bit longer I wasn't going to be that late to work. On one particular day, I decided to sleep in a bit longer than usual and told Paul to go without me and I assured him I’d wake up in time to catch the next shuttle. Low and behold, I did not wake up for the next shuttle and I had fallen into a deep deep, comatose state of sleep due to a severely low blood sugar. This was also before my CGM days, so I nor did Paul have visibility into the current state of my blood sugar levels. Call it divine intervention or Paul’s really great gut instincts—but after multiple unanswered texts and calls, he knew something was off. He ended up calling 911 because he was still in the city and the next best option to reaching me was calling in the big guns. We lived close enough to the city that by the time Paul raced home, the paramedics were literally seconds away from bashing down my apartment door. I woke up to about 5 paramedics and  Paul storming into our bedroom. Naturally, I was confused, slightly mortified (pimple patches and all), and wondering why my apartment was swarmed with all of these men. Once I got some juice and fully came to my senses, everything was fine—but seriously, what if it wasn’t? What if Paul hadn’t called 911 or rushed home? What if I didn't have someone that checked in on me and genuinely cared about my well-being? Paul saved my life that day… and on many days after! Let’s just say I owe him more than just breakfast. In all seriousness: if you can wear a CGM, do it—and choose your people wisely. The right tools and the right support can be the difference between life and death. Diabetes is hard, but it’s a lot less terrifying when you’re not walking it alone.

I am a big fan of the show Big Brother and a line they use throughout the premise of the show is to " Expect the Unexpected ." If anyone watches the show, you know that crazy, unexpected things happen all the time. While it is not realistic to prepare for unexpected events, half the battle is being mentally prepared for unexpected events to occur. Expect the unexpected is a line that holds true with diabetes and just with life in general. Expecting the unexpected with diabetes is something that I have slowly come to grips with. Each day is unique and I cannot rely on what worked the prior day to work for today (This is a very frustrating thing to come to grips with!!). With the tsunami of unexpected events to happen this year with COVID-19, the unexpected is constantly happening with each day. Obviously, nobody could have mentally prepared for a global pandemic and this unexpected turn of events threw us all for a loop. Like many of you all, my life as I knew it, was put on pause in the beginning of March. My work situation was transitioned 100% to a work at home environment since March 9th (I work in New York City and was commuting into the city every day). My routine was totally squashed and I had to re-adjust to the new work/life arrangements. This of course affected my diabetes management. At the beginning of this quarantine, I was waking up for work much later than I normally would if I had to commute into the city, I would literally eat all day because food was just in front of me, I would crack open an occasional drink during the day (just because I could), and my workout regime had totally halted. I was also (and still am) working at the same kitchen island as my fiance because we currently live in a 1-bedroom apartment with minimal space where we can work. My routine that I used to have was non-existent and my blood sugar levels were all over the place. After some time and realization that I will be in this situation most likely until the end of 2020, I was finally able to establish a solid routine. I observed how my blood sugar levels reacted throughout the day and was able to establish a new profile within my tandem pump labeled 'quarantine,' (For those of you who are not familiar with the tandem t:slim x2 pump, you can set multiple profiles with different settings for basal rates, carb ratios, target numbers, etc.). With the lack of separation between work and life, I tried to draw the line between the two as much as I could and got used to the fact that I would be working and living in the same space as my fiance for quite some time (Good thing I like this guy + may need to invest in a desk). I also established a workout routine, which started out with virtual yoga classes and FaceTime workouts with my sister and shifted in April to Peloton workouts since my fiance purchased the bike for my birthday! (Side note: The Peloton bike has become my new favorite workout and I highly recommend it). While I do my best in training my mind to expect the unexpected, COVID-19 was definitely a hard one to get used to. However, with slow adaption and adjustments to this new normal for now, my life has regained some normalcy with a pretty good routine in place. My days aren't 100% perfect but I now feel that I am better equipped to handle more unexpected events that 2020 will inevitably throw at us. Moral of the Story : Expect that the smooth road of life that you are traveling on will most likely have a few bumps and maybe even some roadblocks along the way. While you cannot prepare for an unexpected event, it is helpful to be in the mindset that things will be ever-changing. That unexpected event (or events) may knock you down but never let that knock you out. It may be easier said than done but adapting and adjusting to the change will help tremendously to move past the event and go back to that smooth road or even travel down a new road. My at-home-gym keeps growing! We may have a fully equipped living room gym by the end of 2020!

Over the years, I have learned a lot about myself and managing my type 1 diabetes. With anything in life, there are some good days and some bad days but with each day, something can be learned. Here are some of my words of advice and things I remind myself to keep me going! 1.) Life with type 1 diabetes is manageable and will not hold you back from living the amazing life you envisioned for yourself. 2.) Take advantage of the free resources that are out there! - There are tons of books, podcasts, support groups,etc. that can be accessed for free that can provide an abundant amount of knowledge and guidance. 3.) Connect with the type 1 diabetes (T1D) community – This includes people with diabetes and people affected by diabetes. Hearing the experiences from others in similar situations can really help to put things into perspective and help to educate you on what to do or what not to do. It also opens the forum for you to educate others based on your experiences. 4.) You can eat that (whatever sugary/high carb treat it may be) in moderation. Don't let anyone tell you you can't eat something and try not to get bothered when people ask "Aren't you diabetic? You shouldn't be eating that!" You want that cupcake, fine just account for the carb intake and monitor the blood sugar levels. Portion control and moderation are key! 5.) There will be many obstacles and bumps in the road along the way but never be too hard on yourself. You get knocked down - you get right back up again. 6.) Always be open to change, learning, and growth - Along this journey there will experiences that will make you question everything that you are doing but with each experience you grow wiser and stronger if you allow yourself to change, learn, and grow from it. 7.) Never be ashamed to take out a testing meter/insulin pen or pump – This is a part of who you are so why hide it? People may stare but mostly because they are curious not because they are judging. 8.) Adjust and adapt – Type 1 diabetes isn’t a direct science. You could be doing something one day that worked great and then the next day might not work at all. This forces you to adjust and adapt to each new thing diabetes may throw at you. 9.) Type 1 diabetes is a part of who you are as a person, but it does not define who you are. 10.) You are a warrior and never forget the strength you have to fight each and every day to survive.

May 9, 2020 marked 11 years with type 1 diabetes . It is crazy to think how far I have come from the time of my 2009 diagnosis to now. It is also amazing to see the advances in the diabetes technology that have truly made my life a little bit easier when it comes to managing my type 1 diabetes! While my mind is a little fuzzy on exact dates, I thought it might be interesting to share some insight into where I started with my diabetes management to where I am today! May 2009 - June 2009 : MDI via syringes and Humalog/Lantas vials June 2009 - September 2009 : MDI via H umalog/Lantas KwikPens September 2009 - April 2018 : Medtronic MiniMed 530G May 2018 - present day : Tandem t:slim X2 August 2018 - present day : Dexcom G5 & G6 Current State Breakdown : Insulin Pump: Tandem t:slim X2 with Control-IQ and Basal-IQ software ( *Based on CGM readings, Control-IQ automatically delivers correction boluses (helps to prevent highs) and Basal-IQ adjusts basal rates (helps to prevent lows)). Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM): Dexcom G6 Blood Glucose Meter: One Touch Verio IQ Vibe Check : Feeling good vibes! I am very pleased with the current tools I have today to manage my type 1 diabetes. Tandem t:slim X2 pump paired with Dexcom G6 has been a game changer in my diabetes management. Using the most up-to-date technologies has allowed me to: (1) have more visibility into my blood sugar levels throughout the day to detect trends, (2) act quickly on increasing or decreasing blood sugar levels to prevent highs and lows, (3) limit the amount of finger pricks, (4) have more control of my diabetes management without haven't to think too much (I can literally check my blood sugar levels in between scrolling through Instagram - or now more recently, scrolling through TikTok) , and (5) have some peace of mind. *More posts to come on my experiences with the t:slim pump and Dexcom CGM

Finding out that I was pregnant and that my husband I were expecting, was truly a sweet beginning. My journey to becoming a mom is something that I am incredibly proud to share and will forever stand as one of my greatest achievements. Being a woman and growing a whole human being is truly a miracle of life. I am constantly amazed by what our bodies can achieve, especially in challenging circumstances like having type 1 diabetes. It’s even more remarkable to dispel the myths and prove that people with diabetes can have a mostly normal pregnancy and deliver a healthy baby. But to start from the beginning, I want to talk about what it means to be pregnant while living with type 1 diabetes. *Disclaimer – Every pregnancy is unique, so these are things that I experienced during my pregnancy.  Pregnancy Considered High Risk  – Despite having a pre-existing health condition that was well-managed, my pregnancy was still considered as high risk due to the increase for potential risk to myself, baby, or both. This required close monitoring by my healthcare providers through more frequent check-ups, including ultrasounds, blood tests, and fetal monitoring, to continuously assess the health of both mom and baby and to help minimize the likelihood and severity of complications. More ultrasounds meant more pictures of baby. Not only did I gain peace of mind knowing my baby was okay, but I also had the opportunity to see her more frequently! I guess that's one advantage of being considered a high-risk pregnancy. Frequent Visits with my Medical Team – Given the frequent check-ups required, I anticipated a higher number of doctor appointments. Over the course of my 37-week pregnancy, I had about 51 visits with my OB, the maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialist, the diabetes management team, and the hematologist. Having so many appointments can be overwhelming, but I knew that I had to stay calm and positive, knowing that these visits were essential for ensuring mom and baby were doing well and for keeping an extra eye on things...That’s not to say I was always calm and positive. Changing Insulin Needs  - Insulin needs can fluctuate significantly during and after pregnancy. On a normal day, diabetes is no walk in the park, but during pregnancy, it felt like trying to perform Simone Biles’ floor routine—while blindfolded, juggling flaming torches, and dodging tomatoes being tossed at me. A bit dramatic, I know, but some days truly felt like this. Until you’re knee-deep in it, no one truly understands the mental and physical exhaustion of having a constant battle with your own body while trying to keep a tiny human inside you healthy and growing. To ease some of the stress, it was crucial for me to truly understand and listen to my body, so I could adjust and navigate through the trenches as best as possible. My insulin needs were constantly shifting, so I worked closely with my diabetes management team, meeting every other week during the first trimester and then weekly as my pregnancy progressed, to adjust my pump settings accordingly. Everyone’s settings will vary, and honestly, I don’t recall all the specifics. However, I can share that with my Tandem T-Slim pump, I used sleep mode 24/7 for a period during my pregnancy. My targets were an A1C below 6 (typically averaging 5.5 or lower), a 1-hour post-meal blood sugar under 120, and generally staying below that 120 mark. I also had different profile settings configured for various stages: pregnancy, active labor, delivery (depending on vaginal birth or C-section), post-delivery, and breastfeeding, to address all these scenarios. Baby’s Belly Trending Larger than Average  – People with type 1 diabetes may have larger babies due to several factors during pregnancy. High blood sugar levels can lead to increased insulin production by the baby, as the baby’s pancreas produces more insulin in response to the elevated glucose levels from the mom. This excess insulin promotes excessive growth and fat storage in the baby. Despite my best efforts to maintain stable blood sugar levels, some things were just out of my control. The maternal fetal medicine (MFM) specialist noted that my baby’s belly was on the larger side. However, they reassured me that this was not unusual for women with type 1 diabetes. Although this made me super anxious, my baby stayed perfectly healthy and was born with a well-proportioned belly, weighing 7lbs 14oz. Induction at 37 Weeks  – By 37 weeks, the baby’s vital organs are sufficiently developed and a pregnancy is considered full-term. Due to the onset of preeclampsia toward the end of my pregnancy, it was necessary to induce labor at 37 weeks to mitigate risks for both me and baby. *Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication categorized by high blood pressure, elevated protein levels in urine (which may indicate kidney damage), and swelling in the hands, feet, and face. It typically develops after the 20th week of pregnancy and can lead to severe health issues, such as damage to major organs, stroke, and preterm birth.  My symptoms included high-blood pressure and swelling in my face, legs and feet but thankfully, I was able to make it to 37 weeks. Despite living with a chronic illness, having a healthy pregnancy and delivering a healthy baby is achievable. It does, however, come with its own set of challenges, as is often the case in life. The most important lessons I’ve learned from this experience are to (1) find a supportive medical team you trust and feel comfortable with, (2) know that there are some things that are completely out of your control, (3) listen to your body, and (4) give yourself grace. Perfect blood sugar management is unrealistic, so don’t set that as your standard. Instead, focus on doing your best to maintain steady blood sugar levels, follow a healthy, balanced diet, and be as active as your can. Knowing that you are doing everything in your power to reach that finish line is all you can ask of yourself. Remember, it's okay to stray from the path occasionally. Don't be too hard on yourself - just get back on track and keep moving forward. My pregnancy was no easy feat, but I'd go through it a thousand times over. No one ever said that the best things in life come easily.

I’ve always known that experiencing pregnancy was something I deeply desired, but I also understood that it would require significant mental and physical preparation. I would be lying if I didn’t admit to questioning whether I was doing enough to prepare my body for pregnancy or if having diabetes would hinder my ability to get pregnant and, if successful, carry a healthy baby to full term. While I know I'm not the first woman with type 1 diabetes to conceive and deliver a healthy baby, the fears were firmly lodged in my mind. Googling “type 1 diabetes and pregnancy” led down a daunting path of information. Thankfully, I had a supportive and knowledgeable medical team behind me, including my OBGYN and diabetes management teams, who were experienced in managing pregnancy alongside diabetes.   Given the awareness and the fears that occupied my thoughts, I was fully committed and prepared to take on whatever challenges lie ahead. Maintaining good blood sugar levels and staying on top of diabetes management is crucial on any given day, but especially during pregnancy. Achieving optimal blood sugar levels before conception was critically important for several reasons, including: Planning and preparation  – Attaining good control and finding comfort in managing my diabetes with tighter control was a gradual journey that required time. I prioritized time to work with my diabetes management team and make necessary adjustments, which helped to ease my mind as I prepared for pregnancy. Ensuring a healthy start  – Establishing good control before conceiving set the stage for a healthier pregnancy and a better beginning for the baby's life. Reducing the risk of complications during pregnancy  – Poorly controlled blood sugar levels increase the risk of complications during pregnancy, including miscarriage, pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, still birth, and birth defects. While these complications can happen regardless of blood sugar levels, I wanted to take proactive steps to minimize any potential risks to my baby by achieving better control of my diabetes. Promoting fetal development  – High blood sugar levels can negatively impact fetal development, leading to problems with the baby’s heart, brain, spine, and other organs. I wanted to ensure my baby wasn’t already at risk due to my blood sugar levels at the start of pregnancy, so achieving control beforehand was crucial!   Minimizing maternal health risks  – The complications associated with diabetes can worsen during pregnancy, including vision and kidney problems, high blood pressure, heart disease, hypoglycemia (low blood sugars), hyperglycemia (high blood sugars) diabetic ketoacidosis (a serious complication of diabetes), and an increased risk of infections such as UTIs or yeast infections. Achieving better control before conceiving, reduces the likelihood of encountering these complications, although it does not guarantee that they won’t occur. Improving my control before getting pregnant also contributed to enhancing my overall well-being, which better prepared me to manage the physical and emotional challenges of pregnancy alongside diabetes.   As a seasoned diabetic with over 15 years of experience, I generally maintained good control over my diabetes before even considering pregnancy. My A1C was typically below 6, although I did have occasional days of poor control. Nevertheless, I was managing well before contemplating the addition of a baby into my life. However, the rigorous control demanded before and during pregnancy was unparalleled. I entered this journey fully aware that despite all my preparation, there were no guarantees. Living with diabetes, I knew that unexpected challenges could arise at any moment, and I certainly faced my fair share during pregnancy. Establishing a healthy and safe environment for my baby's growth and development was key from the onset. Before and throughout my pregnancy, I remained committed to doing everything possible to ensure a healthy delivery. I am incredibly proud of myself for succeeding and for delivery a happy, healthy baby!

Tip of the Day for Pump Users: Do NOT go through a full body scanner. I definitely learned the hard way on this one. January 2012, I was on my way to Rome, Italy to study abroad for 4 months. I was excited, nervous, and just wanted to get myself through security and onto the plane! I must have not been thinking or didn’t know I shouldn’t go through a full body scanner, but word to the wise, these machines can & will make your pump malfunction.. and that is exactly what happened! I had a Medtronic MiniMed at the time and I noticed it was acting a little funny (screen would flash sometimes but the pump was still working fine for a while). It wasn’t until I was changing my site and loading in new insulin that it just stopped working. I was hit with an error message (I don't remember which one) that when I did a quick google search, it did not look good for my pump! Panic ensued and I immediately called my mom (obviously)! I believe my mom and I did a 3-way call with Medtronic to troubleshoot the problem but after what seemed like hours on the phone, it was determined that the error was not fixable and I would need to get a replacement pump. The logistics for delivery were skeptical because (1) I was in a foreign country and (2) I didn't want to risk an incomplete delivery. We decided our safest option was to have the pump delivered to my house in the US for my mom to bring it to me personally. Thankfully, I had backup pens to use and my mom was already planning to come visit me prior to all of this happening. Everything worked out and I was able to get a new pump safely delivered by my amazing mother! My Personal Travel Tips: Know the facts before you travel!! Always carry a medical letter (If you tell them you are diabetic, 9 times out of 10, they won't check for documentation but it it is always good to have just in case). If you wear an insulin pump, avoid at all costs, a full body scanner (normal metal detectors are fine). When in doubt, ask for a pat down. ALWAYS CARRY BACKUP and prepare yourself for a worse case scenario!

Yesterday marked the day I hit my 100th ride on the Peloton bike! I have mentioned this in a past post, but working out with the Peloton has been a saving grace during my time in quarantine. With not being able to physically go to a gym, I had to figure out what I can do to stay active and also what I needed to do to get to my ideal weight/shape for my upcoming wedding. I was never a huge fan of cycling because 1.) I was not very good at it, and 2.) the classes were slightly intimidating being that I had no clue how to adjust the bike or to even clip in and out of the bike. However, my thoughts on cycling have been forever changed ever since I hopped on my first ride on the Peloton in the comfort of my own home. That 1 ride turned into 100 and there is no turning back from here!! With the Peloton bike becoming a constant in my workout regime, a shift in my diabetes management was necessary. Not all of the rides are high intensity but my blood sugar levels always seem to plummet mid-ride. I wanted to share with you a few tricks I have learned to not just avoid these drops but to have the right tools in place to pivot when a low does occur: For starters, my endocrinologist recommend enabling the exercise activity on my insulin pump at least 2-hours prior to working out. Those not familiar with this, the tandem t:slim x2 pump has an exercise activity that works in conjunction with the Dexcom CGM & the control-IQ functionality that adjusts basal insulin delivery values throughout the day. When the exercise function is enabled, the control-IQ will work slightly different in that the basal insulin delivery values will be narrowed to accommodate the anticipated low that most likely occurs when exercising (It will also increase basal delivery if blood glucose levels are high during exercise). Since moving to 100% work from home due to Covid, I typically know when I will be working out so I can plan for the 2-hour exercise mode to kick in. When I do forget to enable this or do not have enough time to enable 2-hours prior to my workout, I will enable as soon as I know and then make sure that my blood sugar levels are stable and not trending low. If they are, I will eat something and hold off on hopping on the bike for at least 30 minutes to avoid that low. I sometimes find that taking my insulin pump off completely during a workout helps to avoid a drop in my blood sugar levels. When a low blood sugar does occur, I make sure that I always have an apple juice close by. *It does help that I am working out in my own home, so if I needed to hop off the bike to grab something to treat my low, I can easily do so. Everyone is different and what works for me may not work for you. Find what works for you and make adjustments when necessary! As my favorite Peloton instructor Robin Arzon says (who is also T1D and a total badass), "Instead of how bad can it get, let's ask how great can it be." This is an important concept to instill not only when working out but also with type 1 diabetes. The focus shouldn't be on how bad something might be or how bad it could be, but focusing on the greatness that can be achieved by giving it your all and pushing through to the other side!

Since type 1 diabetes is a significant part of your life, it will certainly play a role in your partner's life. Type 1 diabetes will add a new element to your relationships, so it is really important to lay it all out in the beginning and make sure you both are on the same page of understanding. Through my past relationships, I have learned that most people are accepting of the situation and willing to take on the responsibilities of being in a relationship with someone that has type 1 diabetes. One, on the other hand, wasn't as accepting and willing to commit to a relationship that had an added, unknown element to it .. And here is the start of my relationship journey with diabetes. When I was diagnosed with T1D, I was a senior in high school and was dating a boy that was a year older than I was. I understood that it was a weird and scary time for us both, but he did not help me in any bit or make me feel better about my situation. I will never forget a comment that was made about him "catching diabetes" by eating a glucose tab (..as if you can just catch diabetes like it was contagious or something). I asked him to try a glucose tab, which is literally just fast acting sugar, because I thought they were pretty good, and I wanted him to see how it tasted. His response to me was, “No, I don’t want to catch diabetes.” I could maybe understand if he was obese and didn't want to risk getting type 2 diabetes but no. It was in the early days of my diagnosis so I was completely at a loss of words. I was angry, appalled, annoyed, and slightly embarrassed that this is how my boyfriend felt about me and how uneducated people truly are about type 1 diabetes. After that, the comment lingered in my head for a while and I began to feel embarrassed around him every time I had to test my blood sugar or give myself insulin. I was new to this and I needed someone that would support me and learn with me on what I needed to do to stay alive. He never invested his time to understand how I was feeling or really understand what type 1 diabetes was. I also never truly felt he accepted me for who I was after my diagnosis. We inevitably broke up shortly after that. It took me a while to realize that I shouldn't feel the need to 'shield' my boyfriend from my chronic illness or ever feel embarrassed. Type 1 diabetes in relationships can be challenging but there are amazing people out there that will love you for who you are and be willing to take on this battle right alongside you. Set the stage in the beginning - Explain your situation but don't overload your partner with information (This will come with time and will be a learning process for both)! Don't settle - Find someone that will accept all of you and be there for you through all the highs and lows. Be patient on your journey to finding the right one! Thankfully, I have found my person.. but let's leave that story for another post! xoxo Kaitlin

As human beings, we all have stories to tell throughout our lifetimes. There are many beautiful moments in life and then there are moments in life that completely turn your world upside. One of those moments that completely turned my world upside was on May 9, 2009, the day I was diagnosed with type one diabetes. My name is Kaitlin O'Grady and here is my diagnosis story: About a month before I was turning 18, I began to notice physical changes in my body. I lost a drastic amount of weight in a short period of time. I initially attributed my weight loss to my nerves; I was not only graduating high school in a few months, but I also made the decision to move four hours away from home to attend college at Penn State University. At the time, I was also extremely focused on my cheerleading training because I was planning on trying out for the Penn State cheerleading team (Cheering for a division 1 football team was a goal I was determined to fulfill). ​ It wasn’t until I began feeling awful that I knew the rapid weight loss had to be caused by something more serious than my nerves. I was sluggish, overly exhausted, and got winded after partaking in normal everyday activities. My movements felt exaggerated and it was difficult for me to get out of bed every morning. I also could never seem to quench my thirst and I constantly had the urge to go to the bathroom (which I disregarded because I attributed my bathroom usage to drinking so much water). My gymnastic coach even began to have concerns when I could not complete a simple gymnastic maneuver and immediately alerted my mother that something was not right. I am not one to complain about being ill or in pain, but I knew something was wrong. I told my mother, in very brief details, my symptoms and how lousy I was feeling. Due to my lack of complaining and the alert from my coach, she knew that this was serious and immediately took me to the pediatrician. The doctor concluded the check-up with a diagnosis of asthma but wanted me to get blood work to rule out anything more serious. I left the doctor’s office with an inhaler and a glimmer of hope that the inhaler would make me feel better. Well… that glimmer of hope was quickly extinguished. A few days later my mother received an urgent phone call from the doctor informing her that something serious was in fact going on. The doctor stressed the importance of going to the emergency room as soon as possible. ​ I didn’t really understand the severity of the situation; I was only a teenager, getting ready for graduation and college. However, the moment I stepped through those hospital doors, my life, as I previously knew it, would be changed forever. After living a healthy life for 18 years, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, a disease I nor my parents knew anything about. Once the initial shock set in, the doctor was giving me a plentiful amount of knowledge about what I needed to do, when I need to do it, and how I needed to do it. I remember crying in the hospital bed thinking to myself why me? Why now? How am I going to take care of myself? What does this even mean? As the questions clouded my brain, I did come to facts that this was a part of me now and there was nothing I could do to make this go away. At the time, I knew this was going to be tremendously hard but what I didn’t realize was the extent of how much of a toll this would take on my mental state and the mental state of the loved ones surrounding me. Fast forward 10+ years later – I am proud to say that I am living a healthy, bold life with type 1 diabetes. I never let diabetes stop me from pursuing my goal of becoming a division 1 cheerleader, graduating from college (with honors), and living a vivacious life. Despite my diagnosis, I have accomplished everything I set out to accomplish and will continue to do so! Your diagnosis does not have to define who are you and who you become as a person but can be used to enhance your character and open doors to many beautiful new adventures. xoxo Kaitlin

Hi All, Kaitlin O'Grady here. I am so excited to finally introduce you to Sweet Embrace! For the 10+ years that I have been living with type 1 diabetes, it wasn't until more recently that I truly felt I needed to share my story with the world and create a safe space for people to find solace. Being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes was one of the worst days of my life and this journey has not been an easy one. I am finally ready to open up and share my experiences and hopefully help others see that they are not alone and there is truly light at the end of the tunnel. Sweet Embrace was established to serve as an outlet for the diabetes community where people who have type 1 diabetes or love someone that has type 1 diabetes, can access a great deal of resources, guidance, and insight into my personal experiences with type 1 diabetes. When I was first diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, I just remember feeling completely lost, confused, angry, frustrated, and all the emotions under the sun. I wasn't sure what to do, who to turn to, and how I would survive. To add to that, shortly after, my father was also diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. It was hard to come to grips with what life had thrown at my family but rather than harp on the bad, I chose to harp on the good that I can make out of this diagnosis. With Sweet Embrace, I would love to help prevent people from feeling the way I felt when I was first diagnosed and to provide a place for people to find that 'Sweet Embrace' of love, hope, guidance, and inspiration. I do not have all of the answers, but I hope to make someone's diabetes journey a little less scary and a lot more manageable. I have come a long way from my newly diagnosed 18-year old self to a now thriving 28-year old. More exciting things to come from Sweet Embrace, so please stay tuned! xoxo Kaitlin