Adjusting to a New Normal: Living with Type 2 Diabetes

Life has a way of flipping everything upside down when you least expect it. One minute, you’re living life the way you always have, and the next, you’re told that everything is about to change. That’s exactly what happened to me when I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

The Signs Were There, But I Didn’t See Them

Looking back, my body had been trying to tell me something was wrong for a long time. I had been passing out a lot, but I brushed it off. I figured I just wasn’t eating enough, not drinking enough water, or maybe I was just too hot. I was working out every morning before work, running mile after mile, but despite my consistency, I wasn’t losing or gaining weight. It didn’t make sense, but I kept pushing through, thinking it was just part of life.

Then one day, I passed out at work. It was a hot day in the gym, so I assumed it was just the heat. I never once thought my body was actually shutting down. Even after fainting multiple times, I still didn’t have answers. My doctors thought something might be wrong with my heart, so they gave me a heart monitor to track what was happening. They also gave me a Freestyle Libre to monitor my blood sugar. At the time, I had no idea diabetes was even a possibility. I thought we were just ruling things out.

But on the very first night wearing the monitor, my blood sugar dropped into the 40s. That’s when we knew something was seriously wrong.

Everything About My Daily Routine Changed

Before my diagnosis, I would sometimes eat once a day. Maybe it was a big meal, maybe just something quick, and I’d call it good. Now I feel like I have to eat constantly just to keep my blood sugar stable. It’s a complete shift from how I used to live, and honestly, it’s exhausting.

I also can’t just go for a run anymore. I have to bring something with me to raise my blood sugar when it drops, which it always does. Running used to be my escape, my way to clear my mind. Now I have to plan around it. I can’t just lace up my shoes and take off for five or six miles. I have to bring glucose tabs, a juice box, or something else because I know my blood sugar might crash mid-run.

Then there’s my Dexcom. I know it helps me, but it still embarrasses me when it goes off during class. The loud beep makes everyone turn around, and I have to explain that no, it’s not a phone call or a Snapchat notification. It’s my phone telling me I need sugar. It’s one of those little things that shouldn’t bother me, but it does.

The Lows Are the Scariest Part

The worst part of all this is the lows. When my blood sugar drops too low, it’s terrifying. It feels like my body is shutting down. My hands go numb, my legs feel like they aren’t even mine, and my brain feels foggy and disconnected.

What’s even scarier is when I don’t realize how bad it is. There have been times when my friends had to physically force a juice box into my mouth and make me drink it while I was fighting them off. The worst part is I had no idea I was doing that. It’s like my body was fighting everyone, even the people trying to help me. It’s embarrassing. It’s frustrating. And it’s terrifying to know I’m not in control of myself in those moments.

The Reality of Being 23 and Exhausted

As someone who loves going out, spending time with friends, and staying active, one of the hardest parts of this diagnosis is the constant exhaustion. Monitoring my blood sugar, making sure I’m eating enough, and adjusting my life around something I never used to think about is overwhelming. I want to go out and have fun without worrying about crashing in the middle of the night. I want to feel normal. Most days, I don’t.

A Different Kind of Diabetes

My situation is different from what most people picture when they think about Type 2 diabetes. My blood sugar is usually very low. It almost never goes too high. Because of that, I don’t use insulin like a lot of diabetics do. My biggest challenge is keeping my sugar up, not bringing it down. People assume diabetes means you have to avoid sugar, but for me, it’s the opposite. I need sugar to function. It’s hard explaining that to people who don’t understand. Sometimes I feel like I have to justify what I’m eating or explain why I’m sipping on a juice box in the middle of a conversation.

Hiding My Dexcom

One of the things that embarrasses me the most is having my Dexcom visible. I hate when it sticks out. I wear long sleeves even when it’s hot outside just to cover it up. It’s not that I’m ashamed of having diabetes. I just don’t want the questions or the stares from people who don’t understand what it is. It makes me feel like I’m walking around with a big sign that says, “Look at me, I have diabetes.”

Explaining Diabetes to the Kids I Work With

One of the more unexpected challenges has been explaining diabetes to the kids I work with. Kids are naturally curious, and when they see my sensor, they have questions. The most common one?

“Can I rip it off?”

The first time a kid reached for my Dexcom, I jumped. I had to quickly explain, “No, no, no. You can’t take that off. It’s kind of like a sticker, but it helps me stay healthy.”

Then came the question that broke my heart. “Will I catch it if you touch me?”

I’ll never forget the moment a little girl looked up at me, wide-eyed and scared, and said she didn’t want me to touch her because she thought she could catch diabetes. My heart sank.

Another common question? “Did you eat too much sugar growing up?”

That one stings every time. There’s such a huge misconception that diabetes is caused by poor eating habits. It’s so much more complex than that. Explaining medical conditions to kids is tough.

Looking Up to My Sister-in-Law

If there’s anyone I look up to in all of this, it’s my sister-in-law. She has Type 1 diabetes, and I know what she deals with is even more intense than what I’m facing. But the thing is, I’ve never once heard her complain. She handles it with grace, strength, and so much resilience. Watching her gives me hope that I can do the same.

Finding My New Normal

I’m still figuring it all out. I’m learning how to manage my blood sugar, how to talk about my diagnosis without feeling like it defines me, and how to deal with the emotional rollercoaster that comes with it. Some days I feel strong. Other days I feel completely overwhelmed. But one thing I know for sure is that I won’t let this define me.

Yes, diabetes is part of my life now. But that’s all it is—just a part. It’s not everything. And every day, I’m learning how to live my life on my terms, not on diabetes’ terms.