Today, I’m speaking with Rochelle Futch, who has lived with Type 1 diabetes for 12 years now. She is a happy young lady that enjoys life and spending time with her nephew. Despite having diabetes, she hasn’t let it stop her from living a full and happy life thus far.
First off, what type of diabetes do you have? We have readers with all types, so it’s important to talk about this first.:
I have type 1 diabetes, for 12 years. My diaversary is February 20th diagnosed in 2004.
How were you made aware that you had diabetes? Please share your diagnosis story with our readers.
I was really sick for a while and my mom took me to the emergency room. They said I had type 1 diabetes and I needed to be transported to children's hospital. The doctor told my mom if she had put me to bed that night I would have died.
We’re all curious, even if we live the life, everyone is different, what is a typical day like for you?
Once I wake up I check myself and I have an insulin pump so I bolus. I check again 4 hours later every 4 hours till dinner at about 6. Then I check my blood sugar before bed. I am also insulin resistant so I have to make sure even if I had one bite of something I have to bolus.
Describe the one scariest moment since your diagnosis.
The scariest moment was when I got so low I had a seizure. I was so confused and tired afterwards.
Living with a chronic illness can be overwhelming, how do you cope with the constant battle of trying to maintain a proper balance with your blood sugars?
To be honest it's exhausting. But I know I need to check myself to live, and it helps my 2-year-old nephew likes to help me check myself.
If you could give one tip to someone newly diagnosed what would it be?
To try and be healthy, as obvious as that sounds. I would tell them this because I now have glasses because of my disease. And there are other things that can happen if you don't take care of yourself.
What is the most challenging aspect to you, in living with diabetes?
Remembering to bolus for food. I'll have a snack while watching a movie with my sister and I'll be distracted and forget to give myself insulin for all the carbs.
What was your reaction when you found out you had diabetes?
I was 8 when I got this so I was wondering what it is and if I would have it forever.
What was hardest for you and your family — emotionally? Or financially?
Luckily for me my insurance pays do my supplies so it would emotional.
How often do you have to test your glucose levels?
I have to check my del 6 times a day. like I said earlier I'm insulin resistance so I have to check so mix to make sure I'm not high all the time.
What insulins have you used or do you currently use?
I use novalog and levimer. Nobody is my daily use insulin and the levimer is for when my pump isn't on, it's a long last in insulin.
What would you like people who have diabetes to know?
I would tell them that they are not alone. Family members may help by they don't completely understand. But knowing there are others like you helps you feel stronger.
Who do you get support from? Who treats you?
My entire family supports me. I do treat myself unless I'm too low to treat or too high and weak to change my site.
Let’s conclude on a positive note. I know it can be difficult to find the light at the end of the tunnel, but if you thought really hard, what is one positive thing that diabetes has brought to your life?
Its brought my family closer and gave me knowledge.
TheDiabetesCouncil Article | Reviewed by Dr. Sergii Vasyliuk MD on June 01, 2020