A Diabetes story

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I was diagnosed two months after my fourth birthday, at the time I had lost a dangerous 20lbs. Initially, the doctors had diagnosed me with epilepsy a few weeks before my birthday in October and I was taking pills for that. I had five seizures over the next two months. My mother then decided to take me to another doctor for a second opinion. He tested my blood (back then it took awhile for the result) I was well over their machines limit of 800 and he instructed my mother to rush me to the emergancy room and I was immediately put on fluids and given my very first insulin shot. That was December 18th, 1989. We had to wait for test kit to be available in our area so we were using urine strips for awhile. The machine took five minutes to spit out a number and it was a giant clunky thing. As far as getting used to the pain of pricks and injections, my father devised a chart that I got a gold star after everytime I didn't cry and when the chart was filled (100 stars) I got a barbie mini van lol. I had...ok have, a very rebellious nature and it was a trying disease for the whole family growing up. I often snuck food and lied about anything having to do with my blood test results. During my teen years I'm positive I wouldn't have lived through it without an insulin pump.There were weeks at a time where I didn't do a single blood test and just guesstimated all my insulin dosages. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THAT BEHAVIOR. My A1c ran in the 12-13s (take into account that a1c has changed since then) but it meant I was on average around 400. After I left home, and failed at completing college, insurance became a huge issue. I had to give up the insulin pump and go back to vials and syringes. Taking all that security away actually did me some good and I actually got my diabetes in some what better shape. Since then, there has been some serious ups and downs. I've had lots of different insurances and lots of different doctors, prescriptions, insulin types, syringes, test kits, pens, pumps, and unexplained highs/lows. Recently my a1c was 7.6 which may not seem that great to some of you, but its the best its ever been in my life. I actually got choked up in the doctors office at the news. I've just switched insurances yet again (now on keiser) old insurance didn't cover pumps so I am on novolog flexpen and levemir flextouch. I am hoping to get back on the pump soon, try out this cgm thing for the first time, and really get myself on track. If you read this far, thank you, it means a lot. I would say that its been a steep uphill battle but one thats afforded me an unusual perspective on life and therefore I wouldn't change my past if I could.