Diabetes Doesn't Define You

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Diabetes and college dorm life.

Posted by med464rescue on February 5, 2012 at 12:35 AM

Okay let me start by saying that I have had T1 diabetes for 23 yrs now so this is not my first rodeo with issues. I transfered to a new college to finish out my nursing school because it is smaller and I get more 1 on 1 attention from the professors. I decided to live in the dorms because it is so far from my home and I just refused to give up the oppurtinity to go to this school and give up my soccer scholarship. Well I am still trying to get a feel for what is going to work for me and that is a lot harder then I imagined ( must have thought the diabetic fairy was going to magically help me ) I walk way more in a day from classes and dorms and chow halls and this has reeked havic on my BG's. I have been on the phone with my Endo more then I have with my own family trying to get my basals reset to better accomadate my activities and this includes soccer as well. This week was a huge scare though and really woke me up to seeing how even the slightest things can screw with my numbers. Some jerkface ( yes that is a word ) decided to be funny and pull the fire alarm in the dorms and so of course we had to run out of the building like chickens with our heads cut off. My problem begins here, I was in the process of treating a sttuborn low ( story of our lives right? ) when the fire alarm got pulled and the person who's job it is to ensure our safety was knocking and banging on my door telling me to get outside. Well I went back in my room for a sec cause I needed my juice especially since I was having to use the stairs ( I am on the 3rd floor so you do the math lol ) she did not let me do this instead she made me go down. I was sitting at 42 mg/dl when I left the room and by the time they let us back in I was at 32 mg/dl ( wick sick low right? ) well the RA notices my lack of control and sits me down asked what I needed and tried his darnest to help but by then the cops had called ems and they were there within 3 mins. Well I have a slight issue when I hit a certain low level of 40 or below most times that I will throw up whatever you give me it does not matter. This up chucking was going on for 15 mins before the EMT's were like your going to the ER. I was not happy to say the least I missed 3 days of class and practice and now trying again to work this crap out. Now here is my issue. This college has never had type 1 diabetes live in the dorms ( not that they didn't let them it was just they never had any who did ) Well this semester there are two of us and we are both on pumps so of course a lil scary for the RD's and RA's to think about. The other type 1 had a low BG seizure that caused a concussion as well last week. This is again worrying a lot of people. The school nurse is trying to train these people to help us as neither of us have room mates I share a bathroom ( like a jack and jill set up ) but my room is mine and the other d girl has the same. So the nurse is trying to come up with things to help us like making sure we are okay. She needs ideas though. The training part will happen very soon and so that will help but what about walking the half mile to my class and going low? I can not get the words out of my mouth of what I want to say so I fear others will not know what to do. I do have my D medical alert bracelet as does the other girl. So please thoses of you who did the dorm life and sports help me out here any thing you guys think would help us stay healthy and normal would be fabtabulous ( again yes that is also a word ) :D

Categories: Type 1, Living With Diabetes

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1 Comment

Reply 1HappyDiabetic
10:53 AM on April 20, 2012 
Wow, I am sorry to hear about your story. College life is hard. I know when i was in college, they would have allowed me to dorm closer to the Nurse station because of my "Medical Condition" but I never did.

This is a very scary thing for you I am sure. Have you ever thought of the possibility of rooming together. I know it sounds like you have your own room, but I was so lucky when I was in college to room with another fellow diabetic my freshman year. We helped each other out with lows all the time. it was great to have someone closer to me, and for him... that knew what to do, and effectively help.

You know you just might have to use your D card with this. Chronic medical condition are serious. My college took them so. You would be surprised on what might be available to you, by asking the Heath Dept Director, and The Dean of Student Affairs. Exlaining how you don't feel safe, rooming on the 3rd floor could be dangerous when your low... etc. It's hard to ignore someone if you put a serious inquiry out there in email, and verbally.

It's really the only way to get your concern addressed.

Best of luck as always! You will do great!