Life With T1D: Your Questions Answered!
You asked, I answered! A deep dive into Type One Diabetes.
A Quick Recap of My Diabetes Journey
Before I dive into your questions, I want to give a little background.
I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes on December 19, 2010—I was just 7.5 years old. I started on insulin shots and later transitioned to an insulin pump. By middle school, I was using a Dexcom CGM, which became a total game-changer.
But managing diabetes hasn’t always come easy for me. For a long time, I really struggled to take care of it. I was stubborn, didn’t want help, and had a hard time fully accepting diabetes as part of my life. My blood sugar was often high and on a major roller coaster. And once I switched insulin pumps, it took me years to trust the tools and technology that make diabetes care easier than ever before. To make things even more complicated, I was also battling an eating disorder and running competitively—both of which made it even harder to manage.
Once I got to college and was living on my own, I had to learn how to take care of my diabetes without as much help. I was doing better, but the real turning point came just before I got married. A few months before our wedding, I had a very strong spiritual prompting: I needed to start taking better care of my diabetes—especially my blood sugar. That really changed everything.
I started prioritizing my health and building healthier habits. That consistent effort laid a foundation that would soon matter more than I realized.
Once I got pregnant, my blood sugars became incredibly stable—almost perfect. I’d never seen anything like it. My doctors and nurses were stunned. My A1C dropped to 5.3. I didn’t have any extraordinary tools or techniques—just a solid routine, a great support system, and the motivation to keep me and our baby as healthy as possible. But no matter what I did, I know God magnified my efforts.
Now that you’re all caught up, let’s dive into your most asked questions!
My Sister is T1D and She's Self-Conscious—How Did You Handle That?
I’ve always been pretty confident with my diabetes, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t felt awkward at times. When you have to eat differently, stop what you're doing to treat a low, or feel like you're interrupting others—those moments can make you feel out of place.
But here’s what’s helps me: I pause and remind myself I’m just doing what I need to stay alive. If I have to eat at a weird time, break a “no food or drink” rule, or get pulled aside at any security checkpoint—it’s okay. I'm just trying to stay alive. And most of the time, people understand!
Did T1D Affect Your Pregnancy?
Yes—and honestly, in the best way possible.
Because I had already spent over a year intentionally managing my blood sugar, I was ready once I got pregnant. In fact, my levels were the best they had ever been. Even my doctors were amazed—they kept telling me they’d never seen anything like it.
I walked daily, worked out, ate lower-carb, and made most of my meals at home. It took serious discipline, but I felt stronger and better than ever when I was pregnant. And for some reason, I never had to adjust my insulin ratios, which is very rare in the world of T1D and pregnancy. Every week, the nurses said, “This is when it usually gets hard,” but it never did. Even during labor, I stayed steady. One of the only “off” days I had was the day after birth—and even then, it wasn’t too bad.
It was a sacred, beautiful experience. I know the work I put in made a difference, but I also know God’s hand was in every part of it.
How Did You Tell Your Husband About Your Diabetes?
I honestly don’t remember—it just came up naturally. I’ve never hidden my diabetes. It’s always been a part of me.
At first, I’m not sure my husband fully understood what it meant, but he was open and willing to learn. He’s now my biggest supporter. He’s learned how to give shots, draw insulin, count carbs, and even help me troubleshoot highs and lows.
As for his family? I don’t remember who told them either! But they’ve always been respectful, curious, and kind. They ask questions and have never made me feel weird about all the “extras” I do to stay healthy.
People really do appreciate when you're open. I love talking about T1D—and if someone makes me feel weird or says something rude—I’ll correct them. It’s so important to educate people on what T1D is. It’s very different from Type 2 Diabetes!
As with anything in life, surrounding yourself with supportive, caring individuals makes a world of difference.
Have You Had Any Complications?
Thankfully, I haven’t had any serious complications.
In high school, my blood sugar was consistently high, and it started to affect my vision so I had to start wearing glasses for a while. But once I got my blood sugar back in range, I didn’t need them anymore. I’ve had to wear glasses again more recently, but that seems to be just regular eyesight changes—not diabetes-related.
Does T1D Affect Fertility?
From everything I’ve researched and experienced, as long as your diabetes is well-managed and your A1C is in a healthy range, fertility shouldn't be an issue.
It’s often recommended that your A1C is under 6.5% before pregnancy and around 6% during pregnancy. I personally aimed for under 6%, and my most recent A1C (even postpartum!) was 5.3%. I’ll share more about how I managed my diabetes during pregnancy in a separate post.
Are You on an Insulin Pump?
Yes! I’ve been on one for over a decade. You can manage diabetes without one, but using a pump makes it a lot easier for me.
What I absolutely recommend for everyone with diabetes is a CGM. I use a Dexcom, and it has changed my life. I honestly don’t know how I stayed alive before having one.
How Long Have You Had T1D?
I was diagnosed on December 19, 2010.
Which is also Baby Joshy’s birthday (12/19/2025)!
Did T1D Cause Baby Joshy’s Condition?
This is a question I get a lot—and I totally understand the curiosity.
But no, my T1D had nothing to do with Baby Joshy’s diagnosis. He had Trisomy 18, which was unrelated to my diabetes. In fact, knowing how carefully I managed my health before and during pregnancy brings me a lot of peace. I truly did everything I could. Some things are just out of our hands.
What Mindset Shift Helped You Most?
There are three big ones:
Accepting that this isn’t going away.
For years, I prayed for a cure every single night. Now, I rarely even think about it. Not because I’ve given up on a cure—but because I’ve accepted it that this is part of my life. That acceptance has made me more peaceful and proactive in taking care of my diabetes. I’m in it for the long run!Being willing to learn.
I’m not the expert. I’ve had to let go of pride and allow my doctors, family, and husband to support me. I’m always learning how to do this better, and that openness has helped me live a healthier, fuller life.Diabetes is a blessing.
I’ve changed how I view diabetes. What once felt like a burden is now a blessing. It’s taught me discipline, empathy, and deep resilience. It’s opened the door to opportunities and learned experiences I might never have had otherwise.
And one thing my mom has always said that still sticks with me:
“The more you control diabetes, the less it controls you.”
The more consistent and the more disciplined I am, the more freedom I gain.
Living with Type 1 Diabetes hasn’t always been easy. It’s a crazy rollercoaster that can feel extremely isolating, but it’s also shaped who I am in ways I’m deeply grateful for.
It’s a journey full of challenges, growth, and unexpected blessings. I hope sharing my story helps you feel less alone and more empowered in your own diabetes journey—or supporting someone you love.
Remember: type one diabetes doesn’t define you. So please, don’t let it define you and restrict who you could become. Because, you CAN live a happy, healthy, and very normal life.
Thank you so much for being here and for taking the time to read these posts. I love connecting with you and sharing my heart with you.
As always, if you have additional questions or want me to dive deeper into any part of my journey, just ask! I’m an open book.