Julie C. was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a teenager, shortly after losing her mother to Multiple Sclerosis. As if mourning a parent wasn’t hard enough, being diagnosed with a serious, chronic disease forced Julie to be more resilient, responsible and aware of life’s curve balls. She learned early on that walking and a low-carb diet are great tools for keeping her healthy. Enjoy reading what Julie has learned and experienced from her over three decades of living with type 1.
** Please note, this is not medical advice. Always consult your provider for treatment advice specific to your needs.
Q: How old were you when you were first diagnosed with type 1 diabetes?
JC: I was diagnosed at 18, soon after I lost my mom to Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
Q: Are you on shots or a pump? Why did you make this choice?
JC: I recently switched back to shots after being on the pump for four years. My decision to get off the pump was due to the frustration with the latest 670 G Model. I realized that my overall quality of life seemed diminished by all the added hassles of the insulin pump. Tight control of my type 1 diabetes is my number one priority, but having a great quality of life is equally important. As of now, the best method working for me is using both the Dexcom CGM and multiple daily injections.
Q: What is your favorite physical activity?
JC: When I was diagnosed 37 years ago, I quickly learned that exercise was essential to living well with type 1. I decided (along with the help and support of my amazing husband) that walking every day was the perfect exercise for me — and has been the case for almost four decades. My health overall is good and my weight has always stayed stable.
Q: What do you usually eat and drink?
JC: My diet is simple and always low carb. I eat about 1,500 calories a day. I eatmostly vegetables, protein, nuts and a little bit of fruit. I enjoy meals out, cooking and sharing meals with others. I don’t make special requests for food, but I do pay close attention to what I order, and always consider portion sizes. I follow Dr. Jody’s 80/20 Rule. I eat well at least 80% of the time and allow myself to indulge up to 20% if and when I’d like.
Q: What is your favorite snack?
JC: My favorite snacks are nuts, cheese, avocados and hard boiled or deviled eggs.
Q: What is your go-to emergency sugar source?
JC: I almost always have glucose tabs with me because they are so effective but I don’t like the way they taste. I prefer Skittles or Jelly Beans as a go-to for treating low blood sugar.
Q: Where is your go-to source for type 1 diabetes information, recipes, meal advice, exercise info, etc?
JC: I have learned so much from Dr. Jody Stanislaw. I feel so blessed to have found her as a resource. She encourages me to keep a great balance between managing diabetes and living well, mentally and physically. I love that she “gets it.” It’s hard to fully grasp the complexities of this disease unless you live with it. My doctor for the first thirty years of my disease was also a type 1, so when she retired, I was devastated. Finding Dr. Jody gave me new hope and encouragement.
Q: If you could tell your “first diagnosed self” what you know now, what would you say?
JC: “It’s going to be OK.” It was so scary when I was first diagnosed. I really felt alone. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to figure it out and live a full life. Looking back, I’m super grateful that I took my diagnosis seriously. I decided that my choices mattered. Since I had lost my mom just months before, I figured I had to manage my diagnosis with great care if I was going to live a long and full life.
Q: What is your number one goal in caring for your type 1 diabetes?
JC: Dr. Jody reminds me that 50% is managing the disease — doing my best to achieve good blood sugars, eating well and exercising daily. The other 50% is quality of life. Living with a chronic illness yet still being a loving, healthy wife, mother, grandma, sister, mentor, friend and business owner. If you focus too much on the disease, it’s challenging to do anything else well.
Q: What is your biggest frustration living with type 1 diabetes?
JC: I never get a day off, or even a moment off. When you live with type 1, you always have to be thinking and planning ahead. I sometimes wonder what it would be like to go on vacation and not have to think about blood sugar, food, testing, do I have everything I need, etc.
Q: Do you work with a dietitian or nutritionist?
JC: My diabetes nurse educator is a Nutritionist and has become a wonderful friend in addition to a source of constant support and encouragement. She never makes me feel bad. She teaches me, gives me new ideas and things to try, and even when my blood sugars are not so great, she gives me encouragement to do better.
Q: How many times a day do you look at your CGM or test your BG?
JC: It seems like a hundred times a day, but it’s probably closer to thirty.
Q: How do you manage stress, lack of sleep or illness with type 1 diabetes?
JC: Sleep is my greatest challenge. I developed a fear of sleeping early on because I feared having a low blood sugar. This has impacted my ability to sleep well throughout my life. I wake up multiple times and often check my blood sugar to allay any fears of going high or low.
Stress is a factor as well, but exercise and my super supportive husband help a lot. I also have to add the wonderful impact of spending time with my three grand-babies. Stress is non-existent when I am with them!
Q: What kind of support do you have with your diabetes?
JC: I have an amazing family but very few friends with type 1 diabetes. I think it’s always important to have other type 1’s in your life because no one can truly understand the challenges you are going through quite like someone else who lives with T1D. Dr. Jody is a great support.
Q: Would you like more support for living a healthy lifestyle? If so, how?
JC: I have thoughts of starting a T1D support group in my town, but with that comes a lot of hassle, and I’m not sure I want to add that to my life.
Q: Do you participate in type 1 diabetes education? If so, where?
JC: Yes, I had previously led a support group in my hometown for a couple of years. Most of my ongoing education now comes from Dr. Jody, my nutritionist or from websites.
Q: What is the worst training advice you’ve ever received?
JC: That if you count carbs and dose for it, your blood sugars will be OK. Thanks to Dr. Jody, I now know that low-carb eating is really the only effective way to manage type 1 diabetes.
Q: What are your Top 5 “Golden Rules” of success?
JC:
- Be kind to yourself and find support in God or others who love you.
- Eat low carb, simple food.
- Exercise daily! Do something that you enjoy and do it regularly.
- Continue to learn new things and be willing to question or change what isn’t working for you.
- Build a community. We aren’t meant to do life alone, especially when life throws us curve balls!
Want support on how to get an A1c below 6.5%? Dr. Jody offers private calls, online courses, and a monthly education program called The T1D CREW. Learn more here: www.DrJodyND.com.
