issigonis59
New Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hi there, my name is Rachel and I have had type 1 diabetes for nearly 12 years now. After the initial shock and grieving process I experienced I settled down into the usual routines and had fairly good control with the exception of the times of illness and infection.
Then I had a really bad experience on visiting my local diabetes centre for my six monthly check up. My usual consultant had left to another post, and when I arrived I was met by a new female doctor. Having never met me before she completely destroyed my confidence and self esteem making me feel like a "bad diabetic", and critising my control and making me feel like a naughty child! If I hadn't have felt so shocked and upset I would have walked out of the appointment.
Well that did it for me, it turned me completely off wanting to attend appointments, test my blood sugars and feeling that why should I even try to control it. This has gone on for at least the last two years, I sucessfully managed to avoid any contact with the diabetes centre and muddled on, on my own.
Then suddenly I got a call from one of the DSN's who invited me to attend the first of the DAFNE courses running from the local hospital, she sounded so friendly and helpful I agreed. I met other people with diabetes, all at different stages of life and control, and it has totally changed my way of thinking and abilty to take control of my condition myself.
I am now four weeks down the line and feel really switched on and feel I have the ability and knowledge to make choices about my diabetes care and am happy to talk openly about my condition and how I am feeling. I have met some great people who understand what I am experiencing as they mostly have gone through similar, we are all keeping in touch as a means of support to each other.
I feel that I've been given a second chance, to wipe the slate clean and start all over again and it feels great .
Rachel 🙂
Then I had a really bad experience on visiting my local diabetes centre for my six monthly check up. My usual consultant had left to another post, and when I arrived I was met by a new female doctor. Having never met me before she completely destroyed my confidence and self esteem making me feel like a "bad diabetic", and critising my control and making me feel like a naughty child! If I hadn't have felt so shocked and upset I would have walked out of the appointment.
Well that did it for me, it turned me completely off wanting to attend appointments, test my blood sugars and feeling that why should I even try to control it. This has gone on for at least the last two years, I sucessfully managed to avoid any contact with the diabetes centre and muddled on, on my own.
Then suddenly I got a call from one of the DSN's who invited me to attend the first of the DAFNE courses running from the local hospital, she sounded so friendly and helpful I agreed. I met other people with diabetes, all at different stages of life and control, and it has totally changed my way of thinking and abilty to take control of my condition myself.
I am now four weeks down the line and feel really switched on and feel I have the ability and knowledge to make choices about my diabetes care and am happy to talk openly about my condition and how I am feeling. I have met some great people who understand what I am experiencing as they mostly have gone through similar, we are all keeping in touch as a means of support to each other.
I feel that I've been given a second chance, to wipe the slate clean and start all over again and it feels great .
Rachel 🙂
keep up the good work !!!! If you ever need to 
