Sunny Wishart, a 46-year-old financial planner from Ontario, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes during her third trimester of pregnancy. She had been experiencing symptoms such as fainting and excessive thirst, but had attributed them to her pregnancy. However, after giving birth to her son Bentley, now 12 years old, she was referred to a diabetes clinic and learned that she had type 1 diabetes, a chronic autoimmune condition that requires daily insulin and constant monitoring.
At first, Sunny was in denial about her diagnosis, comparing it to the grieving process. She had been focused on becoming a new mom and didn’t want to deal with the added complexity of managing a chronic disease. However, with the support of her endocrinologist and the use of a wearable sensor device for blood sugar monitoring, she began to take control of her condition.
Managing Type 1 Diabetes
The continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensor, which is inserted under the skin, provides real-time data on glucose levels, allowing Sunny to make informed decisions about her diet and insulin injections. She has found the device to be “honestly awesome” and says it has boosted her confidence in managing her condition. She can check her data through her smartphone and has learned strategies that work for her, such as eating certain foods after exercise.
Sunny has become adept at self-injecting insulin at least twice a day and more often when needed. She has also learned to be cautious and prepared when engaging in physical activities, such as hiking.
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
Three years ago, she decided to join a group of women on a trek to summit Mount Kilimanjaro, a challenging adventure that required careful planning and preparation.
Sunny’s doctors were supportive of her decision to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, as long as she was well prepared. She worked with her team to develop a plan for managing her blood sugar levels during the climb, which included carrying emergency sugar supplies and having a system in place for monitoring her levels. She also informed her tentmate and the lead guide on how to care for her if her blood sugar went low.
The climb was challenging, with unexpected weather, rock scrambling, and changing altitude. However, Sunny was determined to reach the summit, and with the support of her team, she was able to do so. She recalls the experience as “the hardest thing I’ve ever done” and says that reaching the summit was worth all the effort.
Future Plans
Sunny’s son, Bentley, is now 12 years old and is learning to play the piano, just like his mother. She has a piano at home.
