***DISCLAIMER- I was on the world race: gap year, so ill be speaking on my personal experience with that specific program, not 11n11 or semesters, although I’m very positive similar experiences could happen on those specific trips.
One of the most common questions I’ve gotten from friends, family, hosts, and squamates while being on the race is how I’ve managed having diabetes and being on the field. Today I wanted to answer all of those questions and hopefully create guide for future racers with t1d on how to manage!
When I was 12 years old, I was diagnosed with type one diabetes. It was shocking and incredibly hard to deal with emotionally and physically. My outlook on this diagnosis for the next 6-ish years would be one of shame and the desire to hide it away from my community, so, I often neglected my care, not to a dangerous extent, but enough to make my doctor rub her temples real hard during our 3-month check-ins. The race changed all of this. I wrote about this healing back in September in a blog entitled “new lungs”, if you wanna check that out.
When I decided to go to the race, my parents’ #1 fear was how I would be able to manage living overseas in unknown conditions as most parents do, but on top of that, how would I manage my diabetes while still doing the race to the fullest extent. There were a lot of no’s initially, my parents so deeply desired for me to live my dream of going on the race, but knew it was risky. But with lots of convincing and research, we got a yes and began the journey of figuring out how I would get my prescriptions, supplies, and many other essentials with me or to me while on the mission field.
I’m writing this blog to hopefully ease any parents’ or future racers’ nerves if they’re traveling with diabetes or any other medical issue. It is possible. The Lord made a way for me, and if He’s calling you on to the race, He’ll surely make a way for you too.
Ok, so I first want to explain my regiment of care and what I did leading up to launch because it looks a bit different than what I would be doing at home
– I discussed care options with my world race mentor and advisor, as well as my personal my doctor~~We talked about what my routine looked like now and how I could manage diabetes well while on the field. We discussed risks and concerns but ultimately, we agreed that it would be possible for me to go on the race.
-I discussed options for getting prescriptions to me with my mentor ~~There are a few different options you can do, which ill discuss later. Hearing all of them made me feel a lot more comfortable. Thankfully, many t1d’s have gone on the field before, so this isn’t AIM’s first rodeo with it!
– I switched from an insulin pump to injections~~met with my doctor about a month before launch and I began to take shots so we could fine-tune the correct amount I would need to take before I launched. This was great because I had time to adjust to shots after being on my beloved pump for the past 5 years in a place where I was comfortable. Yes, giving up your pump is a HUGE sacrifice, it made the most sense for me personally. I knew it would be very challenging to try to get all of my pump supplies around the world, and not to mention, they only come in 3-month supplies. It was hard for sure and I longed for the day I would be reunited with my pump, but it’s not impossible.
- I continued to use my CGM (specifically Dexcom G6)
- This was something I was not comfortable giving up. My cgm has become my lifeline over the past few years, and with the unknowns that come with traveling, I knew my blood sugars would be a little all over the place. It’s also helpful to know if I’m feeling sick because I’ve been traveling for 40 hours or if my blood sugar is high or low. This was so worth it to me, even if it meant I had to carry a bit fewer clothes or souvenirs.
The number one concern for me was how was I going to get my insulin to me? It can only be prescribed for a 3 months supply, and I’d be on the field for 9. Doctors had suggested getting a new prescription in each country since diabetes is pretty universal, so this was definitely an option, but I wasn’t super excited about it and felt apprehensive about doing that every 2 and 1/2 months. So, that is for sure an option. Thankfully, I had another option! My mentor and coaches would be traveling to see us about every 2 1/2- 3 months for debrief, so thanks to my gracious leadership team, I was able to place my regular prescription at a pharmacy in Gainesville, and my mentor went and picked it up for me and then brought it to me when they came out for debriefs. So I was set for the next 3 months!
As for my CGMs, I did it a bit differently. I took as many as I could collect to launch. Then right before I left, my parents sent me another 3 months supply which had me set until about midway through my second country, so about 4 1/2 months. Then, one of my teammate’s moms (who just happened to be a fellow t1d), brought me another 3 months supply during PVT (parent vision trip). After those ran out, I’d be about one short to finish out the remainder of the trip, so my mom sent one to Gainesville so that it would be waiting there for me when I arrived for debrief.
So, I was only getting refills of insulin and my CGMs. Everything else I packed with me.
Here’s my official list of all of the things I brought with me ~diabetes wise~
- Fast-acting insulin pens!
- Long-acting insulin pens!
- Dexcom g6
- I didn’t bring the pdm since I would have my phone and Dexcom doesn’t require service to still give data, just Bluetooth!
- Blood sugar meter + batteries
- Test trips
- I only brought 2 bottles because I knew this would be a last resort. Also, meters and strips are going to be available in every country, just in case
- Needles for insulin pens
- I brought one huge box and probably about 5 smaller boxes. Not sure the exact count, but I still have a TON left which is better than not enough
- Syringes and vials of insulin
- These were just extras that I brought from home just in case I needed insulin. I brought probably close to 15 vials and never touched them, but once again, better to be safe than sorry
- Alcohol wipes
- You’re going to be pretty gross so this is helpful to clean off before an injection, but I’ve gotten a lot of use out of them in other situations too, so I would recommend them to anyone, diabetic or not
- Ketone strips
- Didn’t touch while on the field, but good just in case
- Dry low treats
- I would HIGHLY recommend getting a big bag of candy or something to that nature. At home, juice is my preferred low treatment, but with the limited space and travel, getting something small and dry was so helpful. I opted for a bag of smarties that lasted me a while and then I just got similar candies at a local grocery store. I also got some juice occasionally. Now smarties aren’t super sustainable for your blood sugar to stay up, so I also tried to get some granola bars as well to help.
So yea, that’s pretty much it! I lived my life on the race freely and didn’t make diabetes a source of stress or worry. I ate exotic foods with who knows how many carbs, I ate cake on my teammates birthdays and just for fun and I enjoyed all that traveling had to offer. Was I perfect everyday? Nope. Did I at least try? Yup! I learned SO much on the race, and my relationship with diabetes completely changed. Letting people into that world helped tremendously. It made it normal and regular, and even helped with accountability when I was struggling. My friends gave me shots, put on my Dexcom for me, and even begged to let me check their blood sugars.
It is nice to be independent, but sometimes it takes a village- and that’s okay.
A big ole thank you to everyone who helped me stay healthy while on my race, both emotionally and physically.
Good luck, future racers. T1d does not have to hinder you from great experiences, so don’t let it.
