Thread by @AntonioBarbaro

Ok, since I have been badgering you somewhat for donations to my @DiabetesUK million step challenge fundraiser I should explain in a bit more detail why...

When I was 21, and at university, I started feeling unwell. I thought nothing of it, maybe a virus (it was November, so flu season) decided to take some time away from lectures and get some rest....

My symptoms worsened, frequent urination and thirst being the main ones, but still, I persisted. Probably something flu-like....

Then, on the Friday night, I was sick. Again, no big deal, just get some rest...

That night, after eating a lot of haribo, I started throwing up regularly. I could almost set my watch by it. On the hour, I was sick and on the half hour I was peeing....

I also felt terrible, started getting burning pains, similar to acid indegestion, but throughout my body. I persevered, but by Saturday morning I had to go to hospital...

The #NHS, as ever, was amazing. After a few questions with an out of hours GP my blood glucose reading was taken, 28.7mmol...

For those unfamiliar, a normal range is between 4 and 7. Mine was dangerously high and my symptoms consistent with diabetic keytoacidosis, fatal if untreated...

So, at 21 yrs old, and weighing pnly 9stone, having lost considerable weight during the week, I was put on a ward and given an insulin drip along with potassium and saline to rehydrate me. The immediate goal being to stabalise my blood glucose and ensure no damage to vital organs

I felt better almost immediately, and got some much needed sleep and even had a laugh when an ekderly woman mistakenly asked the nurse for methadone instead of her usual painkiller....

I was moved to a diabetic ward and shown how to use a bg monitor and how to administer insulin injections. The #NHS and @CDDFTNHS were amazing, literal lifesavers and refular phonecalls and follow up appointments helped me get to grips with my new normal quickly....

But it is a new normal, and one that lasts a lifetime. Constant glucose monitoring, injections 4 or 5 times a day or more...

Dealing with the low BGs and the highs, calculating insulin doses, for literally every single thing I eat. And I'm lucky, my health is, otherwise good. I have good control of my BG and a supportive #NHS team and family around me. Not everyone has that...

That's why I've pledged to walk 1 million steps this summer for @DiabetesUK so to make this fight easier for me and millions more with both #type1 and #type2 diabetes please RT and/or donate.

Thanks for your time and, in advance, for your donation
step.diabetes.org.uk/fundraising/an…

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