Diabetes is a chronic disease; I won’t let the condition define me! I believeI had diabetes 23 years ago. I had placenta previa and in the hospital most of my pregnancy. The clinic stayed so concerned with blood loss that they never tested for gestational diabetes. My daughter after a transfusion was born at 34 weeks with low sugar and weighed 7lbs. 2 oz. When I was 25 a clinic based on income said I had diet controlled type 2. I weighed 158 lbs (usual weight was 120). By December of the next year at church directing a play my mouth was so dry that my tongue was sticking to the top. I was so small and wearing 12 girls clothing.After the play my husband took me to a local urgent care, I weighed 92 pounds and found out my sugar was 680. An IV was started but they said I was too weak to be treated and sent home. My husband drove me to an Atlanta Hospital (45 min.) He was given instructions from the urgent care to wheel mepast admission. I had 4 children at home under 5 and told my husband nurses I could not stay in the hospital.However,the next thing I saw was a sign reading ICU, shocked and arguing at first then I spent the next 2 weeks in and out of consciousness. I almost died from that misdiagnoses but, thankfully the hospital found that it was type 1 and showed me how to give myself shots. I went home 2 days before Christmas with Humilin N and R a total of 8 shots a day. Since that time I have used insulin pens and now a pump. My children grew up knowing more about diabetes then most anyone. I work full time with special needs children and go to school part time. My husband now has a seizure disorder and I also care for him. The Lord is good to me, now age 48 with very little problems just eyesight. Just thankful for everyday I'm alive.

Mellisa
Moreland, GA