My name is Jessica and I am diabetic. I was diagnosed on the 15th of April 2008. My mums work saved me from being in hospital for a long time because when my mum had to look after the skerry brae hotel (her work) I stayed with her and she noticed that I got up a lot to go to the toilet then I would get a drink. I would drink about 2 litres a day and go to the toilet about 6 times a day. My mum made a doctors appointment for me on the 15th of April.

I went to school that day and my mum collected me at 11am and took me to moray coast practise (the doctors). Mrs S. called me in and I went in and sat down she asked me was wrong my mum said that I had been going to the toilet and drinking a lot. Mrs. S. felt my stomach because she thought it was my glans but then she sent me to the nurse and she pricked my finger with this needle and put the blood on this glucose strip and my blood sugar was 28.9. Your blood sugar should be between 4 and 7. The nurse sent me back to Mrs. S. and she said that she thinks I have diabetes. she sent me up to ward 2 in Dr Grays hospital, Elgin and they took me to this room were I was by my self and doctors were taking my blood, my blood pressure and my weight. They then said I am diabetic. My mum and I started crying. A. the diabetic nurse came and spoke to me and was explaining what diabetes is, what it does and how to treat it. After she had finished talking to us she took me to a room with 3 other people in it. I sat down on the bed and thought to myself is it going to change my life. I ask my mum and she said no all u have to do is take injections either 2 or 4 times a day. A. came back and was speaking to us about the injections and we chose 4 times a day because it fits into my life style. I was so glad when she said that I can still do judo and play football. She gave me these 2 blood monitoring machines and said I have to check my blood sugar every day before breakfast, before lunch and before dinner. I was able to do that myself. She then left me to look at it and practise on my mum she was very willing. A. came back an hour later with a novo rapid insulin pen which I have to take 3 times a day and a glargine pen once a day. Two nurses and A. were in behind the curtains with me my mum and my dad. A. showed me the pen and I took it apart and put the needle on the end. I let my mum give me the first injection and I thought it was going to hurt but I basically didn't feel it. It went in and 10 seconds later it was out. Then after my mum gave me the first one I started giving myself them it was not sore at all. After 3 days in hospital I got out and I had 2 bags full of stuff I needed. I got home and unpacked. That was on the Thursday, on the Saturday I played in goals for my team Moray girls in the league final game against east end thunder we won 3-1. Four days later I went back to the hospital for a check up. She said every think was going well. I then had to back in 3 days later. She said again every thing was fine but she upped my glargine to 6 in stead of 4 but I was fine with that.

People think that u would have to give up every thing u do but u don't. I will continue to play football and do judo just looking after myself better. I was due to travel to Tottenham hotspurs white hart lane 12 days after I was diagnosed Lossiemouth high school were great and said it wouldn't be a problem but then the school nurse said she didn't think it would be a good idea. My mum was fuming!! We spoke to A. at the hospital and we decided that realistically the only safe way for me to go would be for mum to come as well. The school agreed to this and mum and me and thirteen of the girl's football team and two teachers travelled to London. We were trained by top coaches and went to "we will rock you" at the dominion theatre on Monday and Tuesday trained again toured White Hart Lane (not as good as Stamford bridge) and played a match against Tottenham elite girls team, we lost 4-1 but everyone was really pleased with us (I was not in goals!!) I was told that the girls had said to my coach that if I lived down there I would easily make the team!!Dad wont move to London!!!

All that diabetes is, is when your pancreas stops producing insulin which means your blood sugar level goes to high. Insulin brakes down the sugar so that it doesn't go to high. If u don't get enough insulin and u eat to much sugar your body steels your fat and brakes it down and the fat that's left over turns into ketones. Your ketones should be between 0-1 not higher than 1.

I went back to school on Monday the 21st of April and people were asking me lost of questions but I wasn't to sure so I just said that I would tell them when I find out more information from the hospital. The nurse called me out of class and was asking about when I have to take my injection and were will I take it. She said the best place would be the disabled toilet because it was big and that's were the other girls takes there's. I said to her I didn't feel a toilet would be the best place for me so as I only live across the road I will go home . I asked her if I needed to take any stuff in like glucose gel or lucozade tablets for her to keep but she said that she already had them. As I have only been diagnosed for 19 days I still have a lot to learn but A., dr van IJ. and my family will all give me the support I need. :)