Diabetes Health Type 1: Future Nurse Talks About Managing His Diabetes

Kaleb Cabe had frequent uncontrolled urination at age four even though he was toilet trained. His mother took him to the pediatrician who suspected diabetes and sent him to the hospital for further tests and treatment.

 

“I’m told that once hospitalized the doctors gave my family the diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes,” Kaleb says. “They started giving me insulin shots and brought my blood sugar levels down. My aunt also was Type 1 so my parents were familiar with the disease. They were enormously supportive over the years as I dealt with it.”

 

Kaleb has always watched his diet and has been using the Medtronic 670g since last December. “What’s great about using a Controlled Glucose Monitor and this pump is it administers insulin every five minutes if I need it,” Kaleb explains. “My A1C has dropped significantly since being on the pump. It’s more precise, gives me real-time readings so I know if I’m running high or low.”

 

Kaleb, who is 23 and works part-time in Florida as a hospital communications rep, goes to school full-time. He expects to get his associate’s degree in nursing next spring and wants to become a registered nurse. His ultimate goal is to be an Emergency Department or Intensive Care Unit nurse.

 

With his busy schedule Kaleb sometimes eats on the run but he still makes healthy choices. He notes, “I work in a hospital, so whether it is lunch or dinner the hospital cafeteria’s food is usually well-balanced. It’s nutritious and diabetic friendly.”

 

He spends his down time at the beach. “I grew up on the Florida beaches and after working a busy schedule I find it’s a great stress reliever,” Kaleb explains. “The beach is a great place to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of life. It’s where I take in the sun, unwind and get recharged.”

 

Kaleb also has a cat named Thomas, a domestic shorthair, who sometimes is mellow and at other times likes to get into all sorts of mischief.

 

He tells diabetics who have just been diagnosed to take it slow. “Type 1 is a life-changing diagnosis,” Kaleb says, “but the best bet is to make gradual changes to get lasting results. You can do it!”