I am officially a college student! Over the weekend I moved into my dorm at Creighton University. Like every other college student I had boxes filled with stuff to move into my room, but I also had the additional bins filled with my diabetes supplies I need to find a space for. I have glucose tabs juice on my bedside shelf but am already very aware of how much harder it will be to get new supplies. I don’t have a car so going to pick things up will have to be planned a little in advance. My fridge is stocked with juice and insulin, and I feel like I have all I need for now.
Move in day with many boxes and lots of stairs to climb set me up for a couple of lows right off the bat, but the timing was great for the opening ice cream social. It is hard to remember to eat when you are so excited to unpack and set up your room.
It is exciting to meet new friends but it is also a little scary to know I need to break in a new group of friends and let them know that I have diabetes.
I want a group of friends like I had in high school that were comfortable enough with diabetes to know that they could joke and tease me about it, but also be there to help me whenever I need. My high school friends loved my glucose tabs, but never ate the whole container! They kept Glucagon in their purses, and reminded me to bolus from time to time even gave me injections occasionally. I want to make those friends again, but I know that will take time.
I met with the health care center and put my name on a list of students who will get priority if sick. I know I have a lot on my plate, but I feel ready. My last night with my parents I woke up as my mom check my blood sugar at two, and I knew she needed that just one last time. It’s hard on the parents to let us go because they worry, but I know I will be just fine. I have learned the disease, and I know what to do to take care of myself. I am also realistic that there will be some bumps in the road. Dr. Adi asked me to wear my CGM, and I just might do it for him. I am on my own now. I have my American flag on the wall and a Duck Dynasty rug on the floor. My bed is made, and my clothes are hung. I am off to a great start!
