My Memoir

The thing I can remember most from my past is when I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. I was 5 years old at the time. My family and I were out shopping at Coborn's when I became very thirsty. I made about 6 trips to the water fountain. My mom finally asked me, "Are you feeling alright?" I replied, "I just feel very thirsty." My mom drove me to the doctor the next morning. The doctor asked my mom many questions and performed some tests like my blood pressure. He told my mom, "Your son has the symptoms of Type 1 diabetes." I had no idea what Type 1 diabetes was. He explained to my mom what it was, but I didn't really pay attention. My mom acted calm, but I knew she was worried. That of course made me worried. The next day my mom took me to the St.Cloud Hospital. I asked her what we were doing there, and she said, "You're just going to be here for a few days so the doctor's can see if you have diabetes." I was put into a room and handed hospital clothing by a nurse. I changed into them and waited with my mom for the doctor to come in. The doctor arrived and explained to my mom what tests they would be performing. Then the doctor had me sit next to him as he told me he had to check my blood sugar. The doctor pricked my finger and put my finger next to a small device. A strip of plastic sucked my blood up. the device beeped and 300 something showed up on the screen. That was my blood sugar. A normal person's is 80-95. The prick didn't hurt much. I didn't think it was going to be bad until a nurse walked in with a syringe. She announced, "He needs to be injected with insulin to lower his elevated blood sugar." I was terrified and began pleading with my mom and the nurse not to hurt me. The nurse swiftly, as if she had done this a million times before, gripped my arm and plunged the needle into my arm. I was very tense, causing the shot to hurt much more than if I had just calmly waited for the injection. I cried for about a minute. The next day they had to draw blood from my arm. I was led into a tiny room with a chair that looked like at a dentist's office. I tried to be braver than when I got my first insulin injection. I felt extremely queasy. I watched as they inserted the needle into my arm. I so badly wanted it to end right away, but it seemed to go on for several minutes. I watched the blood rush around and around in the tube. I was relieved when the nurse finally took the needle out. My legs felt like jelly when I stood. After that, I was led back into my hospital room. Bored out of my mind, I laid on the bed until a TV with a Nintendo 64 was wheeled into my room. Delighted, I began playing Mario 64. I was happy when my family visited me, which was frequently. After nearly a week went by, the doctor arrived and announced, "I think you have been in here long enough, let's get you out of here." I was impatient to get out, but the doctor had to explain to my mom I needed shots whenever I ate, or whenever my blood sugar level was high. He explained how to test my blood sugar. Finally he said, "Okay now, You can finally leave." Before we left he handed my mom a book explaining Type 1 diabetes and how to take care of it. Having diabetes doesn't bother me now. For about the first 2 years my mom gave me the shots. Now I give myself the shots. All I can do is take care of my blood sugar, and wish researchers will one day create a cure.