Behind the Process - Exploring Life with T1D: A 30-Day Series

After wrapping up my 'Life as a T1D' Series, I felt compelled to create an informative and enlightening blog post to shed light on the motivations behind this project. I've been living with type 1 diabetes for 23 years, having been diagnosed at the age of 4. This aspect of my life might not be widely known to many of you. It's a constant juggling act, always monitoring my blood sugar, calculating insulin doses, and meticulously tracking my carb intake. There's no 'off' switch to my 24/7 job, and this relentless responsibility has taken a toll on my mental and emotional well-being.

The reason I embarked on this series is due to the widespread misunderstanding of type 1 diabetes, with many confusing it with type 2. I've faced dangerous situations because of medical professionals' lack of awareness and indifference to this condition. Let me emphasize, that type 1 diabetes is NOT caused by sugar consumption, obesity, or vaccinations (yes, I've heard that one before). The reality is, that people develop type 1 diabetes without a clear explanation yet. It occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly identifies insulin-producing cells as harmful invaders, resulting in the cessation of insulin production by the pancreas.

The repercussions affect all my organs and have a systemic impact on my body. With a compromised immune system, I'm more susceptible to illnesses, exhibit slower wound healing, heightened scar formation, and a higher likelihood of developing complications like heart disease, neuropathy, and nerve damage, among others. Through my series, I aimed to illustrate the essential tools for surviving and better managing diabetes, offering a glimpse into the daily life of a type 1 diabetic. Each drawing is accompanied by a concise explanation of its significance, how I incorporate it into my life, and how other diabetics might do the same. I also considered how to convey my experiences with insulin pump supplies, blood sugar testing, fluctuations in glucose levels, and more.

Below, you'll find the complete 30-day series, along with the original Instagram captions from my account @sdasilva_art. Additionally, I've provided links to further information on type 1 diabetes, its symptoms, and guidance on how to assist someone in a diabetic emergency.

This first image is the thing that helps me stay alive, an insulin pump. There are many kinds of insulin pumps that other type 1s use this is the one I use a Medtronic 640G. I have been a pump user for 6 or 7 years now I was using insulin injection pens before. It has become much easier to manage my diabetes with this piece of technology.

This image is actually my stomach with what is called a site. A site is something that is inserted and stays on me for 3 days. Through the site is how I get my insulin from my pump.

This image is of the insertion device, also called an infusion set for a pump site which was day 2 in the series. Simply put this is the insertion device with the cap off and the site loaded ready to use.

This image is of the same insertion device as yesterday being unopened. Same description this is the device that holds a new pump site for when I need to wear a new one.

This image is of a fairly new pump on the market called the Tandem t:slim X2. It wasn't avaible in Canada at the time of me switching to a new pump otherwise I would have this one 😂 to learn more about this pump and it's features check out this link:

This image is the tubing that connects to the pump insulin cartridge and pump site on my stomach to deliver insulin.

This image is of another pump that diabetics use called an #omnipod. The omni pod has no tubing compared to a medtronic or other pump device and insulin is administered from the PDM (personal diabetes manager)

This image is of 2 wipes that I use. One is an alcohol wipe to prep for a new site and the TacAway is what I use to get rid of excess residue from removing a site.

This image is of the rest strips and glucometer that I use to test my blood sugar every day.

This image is of glucometers! There are many different kinds that diabetics use to test blood sugar.

This image is of my finger pricker that I use to get blood to use to test my blood sugar and it its surrounded by already used strips.

This image is of my finger pricker that many diabetics use called the #genteel. This is essentially a pain free device to prick your fingers when testing blood sugar.

This image is of my hand with a blood droplet from pricking my finger to test my blood sugar.

This image is of the brand of lancets that I use for my finger pricker. Lancets are the little needles or needle (depending on what pricker you use) to prick your finger for blood when testing blood sugar. Most (if not all) diabetics dont change them often although you should 😂 I'm guilty of that but I try my best

This image is of the test strips that I use for my glucometer.

This image is of my my saving grace, the #freestylelibre! This has been an absolute life saver and it helps me understand and troubleshoot my diabetes. This is called and FGM (flash glucose monitor) unlike a CGM (continuous glucose monitor), you scan the sensor with the meter to get your blood sugar.

This image may look like simple shapes with a hole in them however, these are "silly patches". They just insure that your sensor or pump site stays on your skin until it's time to change for a new sensor/site. I use the #expressionmedtape for my site and Libre sensor.

This is another kind of CGM (continuous glucose monitor) this one is by medtronic and works with the 670G insulin pump.

This is another CGM (continuous glucose monitor) and one of the most popular being a #dexcomg6

This is an image of @luziehtan wearing the #dexcomg6. I love the original photo so much that I wanted to recreate it for my series.

This is an image of my @myabetic case. I take this with me where ever I go every single day. Its cute and pink and most importantly functional. This has been a game changer ever since I bought this 2 year's ago 💖

This is an image of the inside of my #myabetic case. It has enoguh storage to hold my meter,strips, strip disposal pocket, finger pricker, lancets etc.

This is an image of the necessities for low blood sugars, #dex4tabs . My favorite flavor is citrus punch ✨ it's called dex 4 because if your sugar is low 4 tablets will have equivalent sugar to a glass of orange juice.

This is an image of something everyone normally has in their fridge and something that almost every diabetic has: orange juice. Orange juice is the quickest way to raise a low blood sugar, this is the brand that I use #simplyorange 😂

This is an image of a #glucagon It's basically a "sugar needle" a glucagon is only used for hypoglycemic emergency, when a diabetic is unconscious from a low blood sugar. I have had these administerd to me many times as a child I've lost count. I'm thankful I haven't had to use one in over a decade but I always have one on hand just in case.

This is an image of what is called #ketostrips. Ketostrips are used to test ketones in the urine. Having a high amount of ketones in the urine can be extremely dangerous because it essentially is turning your blood into acid and could be a sign of DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis )Ketones appear in your blood from having high blood sugar.

This is an image of a sharps disposal bin that every diabetic has to safely disposed of used needles. This is the one I wish I had but, the design of the new one where I live is awful for used supplies especially if you're on a pump..

This is an image of pen needles. For diabetics who use MDI (multiple daily injections), insulin pens are the preferred way. The pens hold an insulin cartridge and have a dial for the amount of units. These pen needles are screwed onto the part holding the cartridge.

This is an image of insulin pens. Insulin pens have a cartridge of insulin and a turn dial button form the amount of units needed. Diabetics using MDI (multiple daily injections) usually use insulin pens.

This image is of something every single diabetic NEEDS in order to survive. Insulin. Insulin is something that every else's pancreas is able to produce but not mine or any other type 1. The reason is still unknown as to why this happens but I'm hopeful for cure one day.

Resources:

What is Type 1 Diabetes, Symptoms, etc.: https://beyondtype1.org/type-1-diabetes/

What is DKA: https://beyondtype1.org/dka/

Low Blood Sugars and How to Treat: https://beyondtype1.org/hypoglycemia-and-how-to-treat-it/

High Blood Sugars and How to Treat: https://beyondtype1.org/hyperglycemia-and-how-to-treat-it/

Guides for Understanding Type 1: https://beyondtype1.org/understanding-type-1-diabetes/