Diabetes in Real Life: Patrina Waterhouse

Eight months ago, after suffering an extreme battle with COVID-19, Patrina Waterhouse was admitted into the ICU completely unconscious. When she woke up, her doctors explained that her pancreas had been damaged due to the immune response to the COVID virus. Patrina was told she had type 1 diabetes and would be counting carbs, checking her blood sugar levels, and administering insulin for the rest of her life. It was a shocking and devastating diagnosis leaving Patrina and her family reeling, as prior to her diagnosis, Patrina was a healthy individual with no family history of any diabetes.

 “Living with diabetes just adds one more thing to be thinking about all the time which can be mentally exhausting.”

Diabetes caused a massive change in almost all aspects of her life. Insulin-dependent diabetes is an all-consuming disease, and it is a constant battle against blood sugar levels, food, activity, hormones, and insulin to remain healthy. As Patrina explains “living with diabetes just adds one more thing to be thinking about all the time which can be mentally exhausting.”

The mental struggles are not something only Patrina has to deal with daily. In fact, mental health and diabetes are closely related. People with diabetes are 2-3 times more likely to suffer depression than those without diabetes.[1] However, as Patrina has experienced, diabetes has brought her “a really great community full of support and love and awesome people” who can share in the difficulties of diabetes and support each other through the most difficult and frustrating of moments.  

People with diabetes are 2-3 times more likely to suffer depression than those without diabetes

While Patrina may be new to the diabetes community, she has already experienced the myths and misunderstandings about diabetes first-hand. Her one wish is that people without diabetes knew that as much as people with diabetes need to be conscious about what they eat and prepare for activity, it doesn’t stop her from eating her favourite food and participating in her favourite activities. “It’s just about living in moderation,” she explains.

Patrina’s life-long diabetes journey is just beginning. Insulin will keep her alive, but it isn't a cure. She is preparing for a life-long battle against diabetes and its complications. For Patrina, “a cure for diabetes would mean one less monthly cost to deal with, less bruising on my body from injection sites and one less thing to be thinking about all of the time.”

ADF is grateful for Patrina’s bravery in sharing her story and her hopes for a cure with us. This Diabetes Awareness Month, remember Patrina’s story, and consider donating to support the life-changing, cure-based research happening in Alberta.

[1] “Diabetes and Mental Health,” Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/mental-health.html