She didn’t even know she had diabetes. She never really went for checkups, she’d always say she feels fine. But looking back, there were signs. She was always asking for water, like every few minutes, and going to the bathroom a lot. I didn’t really know what to think of it at the time, I was like 9.

That day, she had been dancing for a while. I remember she laughed, sat down for a second, and then when she got up again she just collapsed. Suddenly.

Everything after that is kind of a blur. People rushing, calling for help, trying to wake her up.

Later we found out it was cardiac arrest.

She survived, thankfully. But that’s when we also found out her sugar had been high for years and she had no idea.

Now things are really different. She goes for checkups, takes her medicines, watches what she eats.

I still think about that moment a lot. It’s weird how normal everything felt right before it happened. It just reminds me not to take health lightly.

One day at school I felt so tired I could barely keep my eyes open. When we finally went to the doctor, everything moved really fast after that.

Now I always have my kit with me. I check before meals, sometimes in class, sometimes in the car. My friends don’t really make a big deal out of it anymore.

It’s not something I can ignore, but it’s also not everything. Just something I’ve learned to handle.

Fora while I did not change much. I thought how much difference can it make?

But then I started noticing small things. Like getting tired faster or little things like that. Now I try to check my sugar regularly and take my medicine on time.

At this age you don’t argue with your health too much. You just listen and adjust 😂

did eVerything the same as usual and it still didn’t work...

Those days are the most frustrating

but you just reset and try again the next day 🤷‍♀️

not the diagnosis, not the big scary numbers, not the hospital stuff

just the normal days

like sitting in class pretending you’re paying attention but actually doing math in your head that no one else can see. how much you ate, how much you need, what your number might be in an hour

or being out with friends and everyone just…eats. no pause, no thinking. and you do too, but there’s always that extra step in your head before you take a bite.

sometimes it’s annoying, like rlly annoying, especially when you do everything right and your numbers still don’t make sense

but then there are moments you don’t expect

like realizing you can handle it. like catching a low before it gets bad, or fixing a high on your own without freaking out

no one really sees those moments but they matter

it’s not about being perfect with it, because that’s impossible

it’s just learning, little by little, how to deal with something that doesn’t really go away

and somehow still living your life around it

now I’m just doing its job every day 😭

and then 10 minutes later i’m like
oh
i just needed juice 💀

yesterday: perfect
today: ABSOLUTELY NOT

like ok. good to know none of this actually makes sense

but why are you staring at me drink juice like it’s a medical emergency

i’m fine
i just need like
2 minutes

you mention diabetes once
and suddenly they’re explaining insulin to you

like thanks? i think i’ve got it

not because i feel anything

just like huh
wonder what it is right now

this isn’t a group project

like they don’t say anything
but they notice everything

kinda helpful
kinda stressful

and now i’m trying to ring people up while also thinking ok fix this fast but don’t make it obvious. it turns a normal shift into strategy mode 🤣

they’ll say things like “just avoid sugar and you’ll be fine”...and i don’t correct them every time. Sometimes it’s just easier to nod!!

mine is probably mid presentation or during a test..just curious what everyone else has dealt with