Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) has been a game-changer for my diabetes, and my life. On a practical level, it has freed me from the constant stream of small diabetes management decisions that used to dominate my daily routine. With CGM technology, I no longer have to interrupt my day to check my blood sugar levels manually, or damage the skin on my fingers with ‘finger pricks’. Instead, I receive real-time data and trend insights on my smartphone, allowing me to proactively manage my blood sugar levels without the constant worry of unexpected highs or lows.

This newfound convenience has significantly reduced the mental and emotional burden of diabetes management.

However, CGM has not simply had an impact on my diabetes management. It gave me my life back. CGM has restored my lost hope, and set me back on a path where I can make plans, work, and dream.

Before incorporating CGM into my diabetes management, my condition was alarmingly uncontrolled, resulting in a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) and frequent hospitalisations. Fluctuating blood sugar levels often led to unpredictable highs and lows, making it incredibly challenging to maintain stable health. My diabetes is brittle, and I also have insulin resistance, so attempting to control my glucose levels was incredibly difficult, and resulted in serious complications like the TIA. On average, I was spending one to two months of my life each year in hospital. However, since I have had the opportunity to use CGM, I have regained a sense of stability and control over my diabetes, minimising the risk of life-threatening incidents and substantially reducing my hospital visits. It has now been three years since I was last hospitalised.

The transformative impact of CGM on my life has been nothing short of remarkable. From once relying on sickness benefits and enduring frequent hospitalisations due to poorly controlled diabetes, I have now achieved an astonishing turnaround. With CGM guiding my diabetes management, my HbA1c levels have significantly improved, reaching an impressive 47. This newfound stability has enabled me to break free from the cycle of hospital visits, allowing me to accept an offer of full-time employment for the first time since I was diagnosed twelve years ago.

The remarkable control that CGM has granted me over my blood sugar levels has not only restored my health but has also empowered me to dream bigger. I've been able to set ambitious goals, including enrolling in a PhD program, a feat that once seemed daunting amidst my health struggles. Furthermore, the newfound confidence and reassurance provided by CGM has made me feel confident to plan and embark on travels that were once considered unattainable due to the challenges posed by diabetes management.

With CGM by my side, I've been able to improve my health, pursue higher education, work on my career, embrace the joy of travelling, and stay out of hospital to be around for my children. This technology has not only revolutionised my diabetes management but has also redefined the scope of possibilities in my life, transforming me from a position of vulnerability to one of strength and accomplishment.

- Taryn