This is me and Leigh my PAC-she has done so much for me!
My drinking career began at a young age my first drink being at the age of 14 with a good friend at a slumber party we shared a wine cooler of her mom's. It wasn't really till my sophomore year of high school that drinking became my social life. I enjoyed it and loved how it made me feel powerful and fearless, my friends and I attended many parties and even stayed the night at some, it really was a fun part of high school. Senior year us girls had a blast and partied a lot in Pratt, I have always been very open with my parents when it comes to drinking, and they trusted that I would be responsible to make correct decisions which I think I usually was. Sr. year of course was the best year and it wasn't all about drinking it was about making memories with my closest friends.
Me and my girlfriends our SR. year in high school drinking at the lake.
Finally in college, I can honestly say I didn't drink a lot or too often, I didn't like drinking away of my hometown where I knew everyone and knew who I could and couldn't trust. After my first year of college I transferred to Fort Hays State University which is somewhat known for drinking. I was still somewhat a good girl and never went to parties on week nights-maybe once and generally saved my partying for the weekend if at all. I loved going to the country bar in Hays and dancing with my friends, tequila soon became my favorite drink and not in a margarita, I liked it straight in a shot glass with some lime.
A drinking game in college called cuffs and cases, the first couple who drink a case of beer together win, while being handcuffed to each other.
Me and Erica drinking and playing washers before a night out!
At the age of 22 for Spring Break I travelled to Italy with my class, we saw so much art and many famous paintings, it was one of the best trips of my life. In the evenings our tour guide was good to take us out and I was all about partying in Florence, Italy. St. Patrick's day we went on a pub crawl and I had a blast, however I don't fully remember the walk back to our hotel with the tour guide, however my roommate in college who isn't much of a drinker was with me at all times, and I knew he would make sure I was okay. The next day while hungover we went to a wine tasting and let's just say alcohol was not my friend that. My entire trip was not about drinking but it was a very fun and exciting part of it.
Drinking in Florence
St. Patrick's Day Pub Crawl
The summer after college I spent most of my time with my then boyfriend and best friend, we all 4 went out lot but generally to movies and dinner but neither were huge drinkers and it wasn't a priority of ours, that summer proved that you can have a good time and not spend the entire time drinking. I did attend my sister's bachelorette party and had a blast drinking without getting drunk honestly, I had just a couple beers however the next day getting into the shower I slipped and obtained the largest bruise of my life! lol -this was the last summer before I was diagnosed.
Me, Nathan, and Jenn-my first summer after college
It was a Tuesday night in October when Justine and I went out, yes a random Tuesday night. There was no one at the bar but we decided to just go for shots, shots, shots! The next day I was a tad hungover and very dehydrated very normal after a night of drinking, however the hunger for thirst never went away after that day, I was constantly thirsty it took me over a month later to finally make an appointment.
Sometimes I want to blame alcohol for my pancreas finally quitting but I know it's not true, it was just the plan god and my body had for me. Something I didn't share earlier is that I am an emotional drinker, which is terrible and I know that and it is something I am working on. When I am upset, mad, or angry I drink not a little a lot, I drink to forget and I drink to feel nothing. After being diagnosed my emotions were all over the place and drinking wasn't an option, finally I kind of said screw it, I am 23 and I am going to be 23. I had lost all of this weight and wanted to go out and have a good time, and I did. Last spring I was going out every other weekend and drinking a lot, I literally passed out, outside the bar in a sticker patch. My sugars were already out of control so I didn't figure drinking could do much more harm. -This was all before I was on insulin and diagnosed as a type 1 diabetic
Me and some friends last summer at the bar.
I had done really well with my drinking and don't really go out much part of which is due to the fact that my boyfriend doesn't go out too much and we choose to stay in together instead. At the end of January was when my doctor had informed me that I most likely will be unable to have children, and they started me on a new insulin which ran my sugars high and my emotions on overload. The weekend after my appointment Russell and I had been fighting for days and decided to go out with some friends. Before we left with our friends we had yet another stupid fight and that night I decided to not feel anything. It was literally the most drunk I have ever been, I can't even tell you everything I drank. It was also the first time I had been this drunk after being on a 24hr insulin. I puked ALL NIGHT LONG and by 4:30 in the morning I felt so weak that I knew something was wrong and suddenly it hit me, I can't keep anything down and have long acting insulin in me, my sugar is dropping and is going to continue to. I was terrified. Yes at the age of 24 I called my mom and she told me we would probably have to go to the ER. I work at the hospital and was ashamed of myself and what I had done to myself, now my co-workers are going to have to see me in this state and see what I had done. Mom asked me why I drank so much and and I told her it was because I wanted to be a normal 24yr old and not feel anything for once. She was very understanding and took me home where I was able to keep toast down and I didn't ended up going to ER. Russell took very good care of me that night and even checked my blood sugar while I was passed out.
After that night I learned what drinking with diabetes will do to you and your pancreas. I would say it was the wake up call I needed. I have learned fun does not revolve around drinking and you can be in social situations and not be hammered it isn't what life is all about. I went from drinking a couple beers a week to it now tasting too sweet. I wouldn't change my high school years for anything and now see what an emotional drinker I am and am hopefully maturing and find a different way to get my emotions out safely. I am not saying underage drinking is a good thing or something everyone should experience it is just something I chose to do in my life and I don't regret it.
Casually drinking with some friends at a wedding dance in February
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