Navigating my “new normal” after an unexpected type 1 diabetes diagnosis

Sponsored by Sanofi

A sudden type 1 diabetes diagnosis can turn someone’s world completely upside down. As individuals and their loved ones grapple with this new reality, many will face a mix of emotions: fear, uncertainty for the future, or regret about not learning sooner about their potential risk factors of developing the disease.

Christel Oerum has experienced these feelings firsthand. Just six months before a long-awaited trip to India, she was diagnosed unexpectedly with type 1 diabetes after her aunt noticed something wasn’t quite right; Oerum kept falling asleep at family gatherings and her aunt encouraged Oerum to go to the doctor who diagnosed her with the disease. Following her diagnosis, one of Oerum’s first questions to her healthcare provider was, “Can I still travel?” This reflects a common concern among newly diagnosed individuals about how type 1 diabetes may impact not only future plans — like traveling — but also seemingly “simple” aspects of life that one may not think twice about without a chronic autoimmune disease.

After her diagnosis, Oerum worked with her healthcare team to learn everything she could about how to live with type 1 diabetes, including how to measure blood sugar levels and manage daily insulin injections. “While I was initially worried about how type 1 diabetes might impact my trip, it quickly became clear to me that I had so much to learn. I really was starting at zero and had little to no knowledge about type 1 diabetes, let alone how to manage it myself. I had to adjust to a ‘new normal’ that would be my reality for the rest of my life because there is no cure for type 1 diabetes.”

Oerum’s story serves as a powerful reminder of why type 1 diabetes awareness and early detection is so critical. Knowing in advance through screening — before symptoms arise and insulin dependence — can give people more time to prepare for how the disease may impact their lives and develop the skills needed to manage type 1 diabetes. The1Pledge.com has useful information about how to start a conversation with your doctor about screening for type 1 diabetes.

“Eventually I realized that I can still live a full life and do the things I want to do with the right planning. I’m so grateful for the support I received from my healthcare team and that I was able to make my trip to India,” Oerum shares. “That said, managing my type 1 diabetes is something I work hard on every day. I wish I had been screened in advance, as knowing sooner, in an earlier stage of type 1 diabetes, may have mitigated some of the initial trauma that I experienced.”

While inevitably adjustments to a “new normal” will need to be made no matter when someone might be diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, through early detection and screening, a diagnosis may be less of a shock. With advanced information about a type 1 diabetes diagnosis and subsequent monitoring, people like Oerum can continue to pursue their dreams — whether it’s exploring India or conquering other personal goals. Talk to your doctor about screening for type 1 diabetes.

Sanofi does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment — information is provided for educational purposes only. Your doctor is the best source of health information. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about your health or treatment.

Christel Oerum is a paid spokesperson for Sanofi.