This is honestly what I thought life had in store for me following my diabetes diagnosis twenty-one years (and two days) ago:

(Click for source)

The reality is, of course, very different. The reality is that I am healthy and absolutely not abstaining from things that bring me joy (see: Nutella). I’m still working on the long life part, and have every intention of making that a reality too.

If you are newly diagnosed (or know someone who is), find people who are doing this for real, not text book tales of a diabetes life. There is a lot of joy still to be had. I promise.