It's been just over 12 months since I posted my last blog and wow, what a difference a year makes. The last time you visited my blog you read all about my struggle to deal with being sick. I won't lie, it was a pretty tough time, and I think I can say that I've had the toughest year of my life. But perseverence and belief has brought me out the darkness and I can honestly say that right now I'm the happiest I've been in a long, long time.
A year ago I sat watching the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics not knowing what the year ahead would bring. But it seemed that the feel good factor from the success of our British Olympians and Paralympians triggered something in me. Or maybe it was just a coincidence that the drugs kicked in at the same time!
As I started to feel stronger, I seemed to gain a new confidence in myself too. I've always felt a little inferior to those around me. Inferior maybe because of the condition I have, that it somehow made me less of a person. But this new confidence taught me to be happy with who I am. We all know people who pretend to be someone or something they're not. Always wanting what someone else has, or living beyond their means to keep up with the Jones'. But until you learn to just be yourself and live your own life, without worrying about what other people think of you, you'll never be happy.
Happiness really does start with loving and accepting yourself... flaws and all. My Diabetes is part of my life and makes me who I am, and for once I'm very happy to be that person. I have different job to 12 months ago, and although stressful, I really enjoy it. I work with some great people who make me laugh til my sides hurt every single day. Never underestimate the power of laughter because when it's not there, life becomes a dark, lonely place.
I also spent most of last summer talking to JB, my friend's baby bump, telling him how I couldn't wait to hold him and be the mad auntie his mum warned him to stay away from. And now he's here, a bundle of pure joy bringing love and smiles to everyone around him, including me.
Then there's the friendships to talk about, both old and new. There's friends I've not seen for almost 20 years that have walked back into my life and the friendship feels as natural and unforced as it did all those years ago. There's also new friends that have welcomed me into their lives making me feel like I belong, like I'm one of them, not inferior, just Katie.
I think one of my proudest achievements of the past year is that I was given the go ahead to be able to exercise, so I started running. I couldn't run 2 miles 2 months ago and now I'm running 5 miles three times a week. For most people running just involves sticking on a pair of trainers and hitting the pavements. But it's not that easy when you have Diabetes. Sugar levels must be at a safe starting level, low GI Carbs must be eaten an hour before heading out taken with 25% of the normal dose of insulin. Sugar levels must be tested immediately after a run and a high GI carb must be eaten straight away. Reduced insulin needs to be taken for the following 12 hours and blood sugar monitoring is vital to avoid hypoglycaemia. But it's all worth it for the sense of achievement I felt when I hit that first ever 5 mile run.
One thing that hasn't changed is my marital status. Yes I'm still single but now I realise that being in a relationship is not the route to happiness, it would merely enhance the happy life that I'm already living.
So I guess to sum up this year I'd say it's been pretty darn good. Here's to 2014... long may the health and happiness continue.
K x
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