Transitioning

I haven't written a blog post in such a long time, I know these "I haven't written a blog post in such a long time" introductions are starting to become very routine for me! As it's diabetes awareness month in November I figured that I really need to start getting back into the swing of things. I suppose the questions in people's heads at this point may be where I've been...nowhere, actually! I've been being lazy in terms of blogging, and that is naughty of me! But here I am, I'm back and I'm ready to get blogging more routinely. 

I thought I would take this opportunity to have a little bit of a reflection on where I am in terms of my diabetes. My most recent HbA1c was 9.6%...2% up from the clinic appointment before that but it's ok. My consultant and I decided on the fact that I have finished school and don't have that same school routine is perhaps the reason that my control might have slipped a bit, which is a very feasible explanation so I'll go with it. Basal rates were changed and overall it was quite a productive appointment. Ironically, my basal rates were lowered (despite my elevated HbA1c!) but that is because, I am growing up. I am no longer in that stage of adolescence where hormones are raging, things are settling down as I mature into adulthood and so I don't need so much insulin any more. It's bitter-sweet, I'm glad to be having less insulin but also feeling a little bit disgruntled at the fact that I am pretty much an "adult" now and that's scary! 

Also, being an "adult" means moving on in the world of diabetes. 

I'm currently in the stages of "transitioning", this is the process of your current diabetes team handing over your care to the adult diabetes team. I'm moving hospitals next year- my current diabetes team are amazing but unfortunately the brilliance resides only at children and young adults clinic, I haven't heard much good stuff about the adult team at my current hospital so I am moving hospitals where the adult team is known for it's excellence! It's a whole new chapter in my life with diabetes and it's quite daunting...and I find it crazy how fast these past 5 or so years that I've been with my current diabetes team have gone. It's difficult when you build up trust and a relationship with a HCP and then you have to say bye and you no longer have that support from them. I recently said bye to my psychologist, she is going on maternity leave and by the time she goes back to work I will have moved to adult clinic...she has been a huge help and she is a reminder of how unfortunate it is that a lot of people don't get access to psychological services, it has been a great help to me. 

My first appointment at the new hospital is in January and then I go back to see my current diabetes team in March, and then I suppose after that we will be parting ways for good. I'm sad that I have to say goodbye to my current diabetes team and I can only hope that my new team will be brilliant also. 

-Ellie