My name is Jennifer Pryor and I am 36 years old.  I have been living with type 1 diabetes for 25 years. I was diagnosed at the age of 11 after what appeared to be flu-like symptoms that got progressively worse.  The end result was a trip to the ER. For several months prior to my diagnosis, I had the classic symptoms (excessive thirst, frequent urination and weight loss).  Unfortunately, due to the lack of information available back then, my parents didn't realize what was wrong. About a year or so before my diagnosis, I had an elevated glucose reading at my annual physical and when I had it re-tested it was normal, so the doctor dismissed it as being a concern. After several months of the symptoms, my parents realized something was very seriously wrong and took me to the hospital.  My blood sugars were over 800 and I went into a coma. There was concern that I might have brain damage, but a CAT scan revealed no damage, thankfully. Once I was stable, I was transported to Children's Hospital in St. Louis, MO where I was able to receive expert pediatric care from one of the leading endocrinologist at the time, Dr. Julio Santiago. I spent about two weeks in the hospital learning how to give myself shots and learning about "exchanges" along with my parents. These were the days before the term "carb counting" was around!

I don't ever remember feeling like "why me" or wish that I didn't have the disease. I do, however, wish that I could have an entire day of "good" blood sugars! Maintaining blood sugars in the target range is probably my biggest challenge. The threat of complications is always on my mind. So, far I have been very blessed and have not suffered any serious complications. Like most people, eating right and exercising regularly is a daily challenge. Some days are certainly better than others! J

In September 2009, I started using an insulin pump and love it! I hope I don't ever have to go back to injections. Sometimes I wonder why I fought it so long. I guess the idea of something being attached to me all of the time wasn't appealing....but I have found it really isn't that bad.  It really doesn't bother me at all. Keeping up with a pump, a cell phone and walkie-talkie at work can be a challenge though. It's hard to keep track of which one is beeping! 

I found about DiabetesSisters from a story in Diabetes Forecast magazine.  I attended the first conference in 2010 and thoroughly enjoyed it. I met so many nice women and learned a lot! It was so nice being in a room full of women who understood the challenges of living with diabetes. I have kept in touch with several of the women through email and facebook! I have been married for 12 years to Jim Pryor, I have two step-children that live in San Antonio, TX (Kristen - 18 and Jeff -15) and a dog named Winston. I live in Lexington, SC and own a florist/gift shop.   Life is GOOD!

DiabetesSisters News Briefs

NEWSWORTHY:

• DiabetesSisters' NEW WEBSITE HAS LAUNCHED - be sure to check it out!Click here to see an overview of all the amazing features available to members and visitors throughout the website!
• To look back at the great times and celebrations from the 2011 Weekend for Women Conference, visit the full library of photos!
• Founder Brandy Barnes recently attended the 2011 Roche Social Media Summit and the American Diabetes Association's Scientific Sessions in San Deigo, CA.  See photos below.

Brandy Barnes with nonprofit partners Bill Polonsky and Susan Guzman of Behavioral Diabetes Institute at the The Helmlsey Charitable Trust dinner program at the ADA Scientific Sessions.

 

All attendees from the 2011 Roche Social Media Summit.

• Check out the FALL 2011 issue of Diabetic Living magazine for a feature on DiabetesSisters' members!
• The BETA version of the new and improved SisterMatch program is scheduled to launch soon, please check back later in the summer for information on how to register for the program!  The purpose of this new approach to the SisterMatch program is two-fold:
  • 1) to allow participants to have a more active role in identifying a "SisterMatch" that best suits their needs and
  • 2) to provide fun, interactive online opportunities for women with diabetes to engage with one another, learn from one another,and support one another.
• We are excited to debut a new feature from our newest member of DiabetesSisters' Expert Team! Please welcome Dr. Dana Lehman to DiabetesSisters and visit the Emotional Impact of Diabetes page  later this month to read her first monthly column.  Dr. Lehman is not only a psychologist, but also a woman living with diabetes.
• To connect with women like you at monthly meetings in your area, pleaseCLICK HERE to check  for our growing lists of PODS meetings throughout the country and Canada!

TEAM DIABETESSISTERS at the First Annual orange:will Awareness Walk

Volunteer of the Month:

Donna Tucker

DiabetesSisters extends a sincere Thank You to

Donna Tucker

Donna was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in August 2001 and has a strong maternal family history of diabetes. Unfortunately, Donna has never felt comfortable talking with with her family members about her disease and has always felt alone.  That's why she contacted DiabetesSisters in May 2010 after seeing a feature segment on the local news (WRAL) about the organization.

She immediately felt a huge sense of relief just knowing she now had others to share her diabetes journey with. She attended her first Quarterly Gathering in May 2010 and quickly bonded with DiabetesSisters members.  Since then, she has contributed an enormous amount to the organization as a key member of the 2011 Weekend for Women Planning Committee. Donna now proudly brings education and fun to the Sisterhood as our new Quarterly Gathering Coordinator in Raleigh, NC. 

DiabetesSisters thanks Donna and each member of our

volunteer team for their dedication to the organization.

Your contribution is appreciated!

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO

OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS: