hannathedrivingdiabetic :)

YESSSSSS!!!! I did it.......Miss Hanna Taylor passed her drivers test. Just like any other teenage girl..... Sure I have to have a medical screening in order to re-class my license, but it's done. Here is my "driving prep" list:

1.) Make sure I know where I'm going, how long I'm going to be gone, and if I plan on eating anything while I'm out. This isn't just so my parent's know what I'm up to, it's so I know in advance what could possibly happen to my blood sugars.

2.) ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS make sure I keep fast acting sugar on me. Last thing I need is getting pulled over by a cop who thinks I'm drunk just because I'm having a low.

3.) This builds on the last one: I, without fail, make sure I check my blood sugar before the keys go in the ignition. If it's below 4.4 mmol/L, I eat something.

4.) I stop every so often to check my blood sugar while I'm driving. It's always better to be safe than sorry.

5.) So this hasn't happened yet, but I'm going to get a decal for my car that let's other drivers know that I have diabetes. This is good for two reasons, a.) if my driving is affected in anyway, people may be less like to to "road rage" while around me. b.) in case of emergency, people automatically know what my condition is.

So my last piece of advice to you is to be aware of your body and your blood sugar, but don't become obsessed to the point where you're forgetting about the basic road rules. And please please please, do not try to check your BG while actually driving.

SAFE DRIVING EVERYONE!!!!

GRRRR!!!! Yet Another Challenge in my Already Hectic Life

Hahaha now THIS would be so useful!!!

So as mentioned briefly in my last blog, I am currently preparing for my class 5 road test (drivers license). I have had my learners for a year and a half now and I'm just tired of waiting! I'm scheduled to do my test tomorrow but just yesterday I thought "hold the phone. I have diabetes now, this changes things." So in a panic I started doing some research to see what the conditions were, what I had to do, etc. I freaked out when I saw a European article where there was talk about a new law not allowing diabetics to drive if they have  two or more hypos a year. TWO! And that includes while they're sleeping!!! I also posted on some diabetes forums to ask if people knew the protocol but it nobody really knew for my area. After some extensive searching I found that in Alberta, apparently all you need is a medical screening saying that you're okay to drive. This alone bummed me out because I though that I was going to have to completely reschedule my test because it would have taken forever for me to get in to see my doctor. Luckily though I called the agency where I was planning to sit (drive?) the exam. I'm allowed to take the exam but if I pass then I will need to have that screening filled out and sent in before they can re-class my license. Bummer, but at least I get to do my test. Wish me luck!!!

It Just Hit Me

This weekend it hit me just like that. I have type 1 diabetes. I wasn't really doubting my disease beforehand but I never really actually sat down and thought about the fact that I have a life changing condition. I guess it was something to do with the fact that by the time I got out of the hospital two months ago, I felt completely normal again. I felt like I did before I was sick and nothing felt different. But these past couple weeks with the stress of finals, piano examinations, work, my drivers test coming up, and just plain teen angst (I will admit I do suffer from that one haha) my blood sugars have been going a little bit out of whack. Now I'm pretty good about counting my carbs, taking my insulin on time etc. But I've realized that it's way more than that. It is a constant juggling act of  food, insulin, stress, exercise, activity, even horror movies set them off because your heart starts racing. I came to terms with diabetes as soon as I found out I had it, but I didn't quite understand how it's kind of an "allover" disease. I am learning everyday though.