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A Note from the Author

Hi __________________ !

I know being diagnosed with diabetes is scary and 

confusing, but you will get through it! And I hope this 

book will help you do just that. So write all over it, 

fill-in the blanks, and remember how brilliant you are. 

My goal is to give you knowledge, acceptance, and 

confidence about your diabetes. Don’t ever let diabetes 

stop you, let it help you grow stronger! I believe in you.

- Charlotte Pillow

Type One since 2006

-your pancreas, an organ in your body, 

cannot work anymore

-we do not know why this happened (but 

there is lots of research in order to figure 

this out!)

-without the pancreas, your body does not 

make its own insulin so your body cannot 

break down carbohydrates in your food 

for energy

-lack of insulin makes you feel tired, 

hungry, thirsty, sick, and makes you lose 

weight.

Learning about Type One Diabetes

1. Wash your hands or clean your finger with an 

alcohol swab

2. Insert a test strip into your meter

3. Prick your clean finger with a new lancet

4. Place droplet of blood onto the test strip

5. Wait for your blood sugar to appear

6. Throw out your trash

7. Evaluate! If your BG is… 

HOW TO: check your blood glucose (BG)!

- _________ mg/dL to _________ mg/dL, it is in range.

-under _________ mg/dL, it is low.

-over _________ mg/dL, it is high.

HIGH (blood sugars above   _________ mg/dL)

may be caused by too little insulin for the 

carbs you ate.

If you feel...

-thirsty

-tired

-sick

-agitated

Then you should…

-take correction insulin

-check for ketones (if above                                              

_________ mg/dL)

-recheck in one to two hours

-notify your endocrinologist about 

continually high BGs

My Correction 

Factor

one unit of 

insulin lowers 

my BG by 

__________ 

mg/dL

LOW (blood sugars below   _________ mg/dL)

may be caused by too much insulin or too 

much exercise.

If you feel…

-shakey

-dizzy

-hungry

-tired

-cranky

-sweaty

Then you should…

-eat 15 grams of fast-acting carbs

-wait 15 minutes, then recheck. If your BG is 80-

100 mg/dL, have 15 grams of complex carbs

-repeat until your BG is back in target range (this 

is called the Rule of 15)

HOW TO: count carbohydrates

Diabetics can eat anything as long as they cover the 

carbohydrates with insulin!

Step 1. 

Read the label 

for Serving 

Size and Total 

Carbohydrates

. 

Step 2. 

Calculate the insulin dose.

Step 3. 

Deliver your 

insulin. What 

type of insulin 

do you use?

Carb Ratio:

1 unit = _________ g of 

carbohydrates

Insulin Dose:

g of carbohydrates/carb 

ratio

*Remember to check your BG before eating!*

-Insulin is a hormone produced by the 

pancreas

-Insulin unlocks the glucose & energy in 

the foods you eat

-Diabetics take insulin differently: through 

injection

-Insulin can be taken through syringes, 

pens, or pumps

-Insulin lowers your blood sugar to reach 

your target:

    _______ mg/dL to ______ mg/dL

INSULIN!

What's the Difference?

-used to cover 

carbohydrates and correct 

high blood sugars.

-lasts 2-5 hours.

-used multiple times per 

day.

-used by pump users.

-used to gradually steady 

your blood sugar 

throughout the day.

-lasts 20-24 hours.

-used once or twice per 

day.

-the pump continually drips 

a small amount of insulin 

during the day to replace 

long-acting insulin. This is 

called basal.

Rapid-Acting Insulin

Long-Acting Insulin

HOW TO: deliver insulin

with syringes

1. Clean the injection site and rubber top of the 

insulin bottle with an alcohol swab.

2. Uncap the syringe and draw the air into it.

3. Turn the bottle upside down and Insert the syringe 

upwards into it.

4. Push air into the bottle.

5. Draw the necessary dosage of insulin. Watch out 

for bubbles! If you see any, flick the body of the 

syringe with your fingernail, and redraw the insulin.

6. Hold skin one hand and insert the needle straight 

in with the other.

7. Push the plunger firmly with your pointer finger.

8. Wait five seconds before removing the syringe.

HOW TO: deliver insulin

with pens

1. Clean the injection site and rubber top of the pen with an alcohol 

swab.

2. Pull the paper tab off the pen needle and screw the needle onto the 

pen.

3. Remove the outer and inner needle caps.

4. Prime the pen by turning the knob two units, then pressing down 

with your thumb until it clicks to zero. You should see droplets of 

insulin at the tip.

5. Turn the knob to the proper dosage.

6. Hold skin with one hand and insert pen straight in with the other.

7. Press the knob with your thumb until it clicks to zero.

8. Wait five seconds before removing the pen.

HOW TO: deliver insulin

with pumps

1. Navigate to the Insulin 

Delivery menu.

2. Enter your blood sugar and 

total carbohydrates.

3. Review the dosage 

calculated by the pump.

4. Deliver insulin. 

5. You will hear a beep once 

the insulin has been 

completely delivered.

What is an Insulin Pump?

An Insulin Pump is a device that gives insulin through a site. Instead of 

taking a couple of shots each day, you can change a pump site every 

three days. Pumps use fast-acting insulin only. An insulin pump can help 

to have tighter control because it has more flexibility and more 

predictability. 

Infusion Set (acts as the pathway for insulin 

between the pump and your body)

Reservoir (holds the insulin inside the pump)

What is a CGM?

CGM stands for Continuous Glucose Monitor, meaning it keeps 

track of your glucose levels and creates a graph with that data 

through out the entire day. The CGM is useful to understand the 

trends of your BG levels; The CGM can alert you if your BG is 

higher or lower than your target range and indicate if your BG is 

rising or falling.

The CGM does not replace checking your blood glucose with a 

meter, but it can help you to know your BG level if you have not 

checked.

The CGM is worn like a pump, except that it is wireless. A tiny 

electrode is inserted under the skin to read your glucose levels 

from your interstitial fluid instead of your blood. This enables the 

CGM is predict the direction of your BG level.

Accepting Diabetes at Home

Sometimes taking care of yourself on your own can 

be scary, but there are tons of resources to help 

you through, including this book!

You can do it!

Some changes in your life may 

occur:

-with your family

-with your friends

-during meals

-at school

-while traveling

-while exercising

Family and Friends

Diabetes not only affects you, but your whole 

family. You can practice and work together to 

make management easier. 

Some Advice

-Follow your doctor’s regimen (the doc knows best!)

-Plan out your meals and insulin together on a whiteboard

-Log your blood sugar readings, carb counting, and insulin 

doses

-Form a routine together, while still trying new things

-Stay responsible as a team, and you can participate in the 

activities you love

-Explain diabetes in your own words if a friend or family 

member asks. When they see how intelligent and prepared 

you are, they will feel that way, too.

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