Having been a type one diabetic for well over 2/3 of my life, I never thought I’d be in a situation similar. A situation where I can’t just ‘nip’ to the shop to get some jelly babies or lucozade for my ‘just in case’ cupboard. The cupboard where the supplies that will pick me (or my blood sugar) up from the floor. It literally could be the difference between life and death. It’s not because they’re rationed, it’s just because we’re not supposed to be 'nipping out'.

Everything is up in the air for everyone at the moment. We’ve all had our freedom and our routine taken away from us, and routine is very important for those of us with type one diabetes.

I have used the Omnipod pump for just over 4 years and my basal (my background insulin) is set for when my usual daily routine, which would be a day of work. Since being in isolation, I’ve had to make changes to it and tweak it slightly, due to a change in my routine. I have an active job, but it’s rare that I would go for a half an hour plus walk as part of my everyday routine, so I’ve had to make small changes like to keep my sugar stable. I’ve also found I’ve needed to tweak my insulin when I sit outside in the sun as it usually makes it drop.

On a typical isolation day I’ve been waking up to a blood sugar of around 5mmol, (BOOM! That’s good!) I eat breakfast (and drink my coffee, very important when you have 2 children!), I take my insulin and then we all do a LIVE Joe Wicks PE lesson. Then it’s onto some school work/housework and then lunch...more insulin. And then in the afternoon we go out for our daily exercise. After that usually consists of crafts/baking/playing in the garden/playing football. Then tea; blood test, food and insulin once again.

Sometimes instead of a walk in the afternoon, I will go for a run once my husband has finished work. I took up running roughly a year ago in a bid to get fit and lose weight to fit into my wedding dress. Between March and August last year I lost over 3 stone, and so far have managed to keep it off with maintaining my level of activity. I was determined not to let my level of activity drop during isolation, so that’s why I have made sure we get up and dressed ready to join in with Joe Wicks every morning.

We do have our pyjama days where we stick a film on, usually at the weekends...don’t get me wrong! But I do feel we need that bit of routine to help us get through the day to day.

I don’t need to take any insulin before bed as my pump drip feeds me the programmed amount of insulin all through the day and night.

I was due to have an appointment with the Diabetes Centre a couple of weeks ago. I phoned up, and I needed to get my bloods done at the hospital. I was a little nervous about this as I felt I would be entering some sort of field hospital; dramatic scenes, blood, guts, gore and terrifying panic. Dramatic I know, but I was but was genuinely scared about entering the hospital.

When I got there I was pleasantly surprised. The whole scene was cool, calm and collected, actually a lot calmer than normal. I walked past two security guards who directed people as to which way to go in and out with a hand sanitising station in each direction. The hospital cafe has been turned into a waiting area that adheres strictly to social distancing. It was merely moments I was called into a light, bright and airy room where the nurse, who was wearing mask, gown and gloves took my blood. She was efficient and I was out within minutes, back past the guys to sanitise my hands and into the fresh air once again!

A consultant from the Diabetes Centre phoned me at my appointment time and we had a chat, overall my hBA1c (3 month blood sugar average) was good, within range and he was happy that I was confident to make the adjustments needed to my pump, so the conversation was brief and a little text book, but at least I knew if I needed to ask any questions I had that support there.

I have also emailed the team a couple of times with some questions and they have very quickly got back to me. My mum has also phoned the diabetes nurses with some urgent questions and they have been supporting her, which is amazing.

Through this tough time, I'm trying to keep my upbeat attitude towards my diabetes, I’ve just tried to roll with the punches like I usually do. I’ve had my highs and lows (literally) and I still feel I’m learning everyday, especially as this is an out of the ordinary situation and something we’ve experienced before.

One thing I’ve not let COVID-19 do is allow my diabetes to rule me, I’m just making the adjustments I need to, to help me remain in control!