Hi. My name is Jason and I am Canadian. I also suffer from Type 1 Diabetes. I’ve had this disease since I was 4 years old and it hasn’t been easy. I’ve always had a hard time keeping my blood sugars (Blood Glucose) at a decent level. This isn’t good for a diabetic and for as long as I can remember, I’ve been in and out of hospitals because of the diabetes and it’s complications such as diabetic neuropathy or hemorrhaging in the eyes.

At one point, approximately two years ago, I was in and out of the hospital on a bi-weekly basis with the doctors thinking it was my diabetes acting up again. I knew differently. We all know our bodies and you should always trust your gut so that’s exactly what I did. Second opinion here I come!

Upon seeking a second opinion I was informed that I had Celiac disease with a 99.8% positive test. I was told that diabetes and celiac play hand-in-hand. If you have one, you will more than likely develop the other. Of course I was happy about finally knowing what was wrong but I was still upset about having another food restricted diet to follow.

Things went well for a while but that soon came to an abrupt end when things suddenly went downhill without any notice. In the hospital, out of the hospital. Back and forth, back and forth. This was my life every second week. Again the doctors assumed that it was because of my diabetes but you know what they say about assuming… Let me tell you that the doctors totally fit the part as it wasn’t my diabetes but actually my kidneys shutting down! This is something that I was preparing for since I know that diabetes affects the kidneys but it was a complete shock to hear that I would need dialysis for the rest of my life unless I was eligible for a kidney transplant.

Despite having to be away from my wife and little one for more than a month in a different city, I’m grateful for the diagnosis as I’m eligible for a kidney and pancreas transplant. This means that I will be given a pancreas as well as a kidney, leaving me only to worry about the celiac disease. No more chronic kidney disease or type 1 diabetes. Yay!

I’m currently going through the screening process for a living* or non-living organ transplant and it has taken a lot of running to and from appointments as well as to dialysis every other day. However, to have these tests completed means that I’m one step closer to being healthy and being able to take my son sliding and to the pool to practice his swimming techniques. Things that I can not currently do with a chest catheter.

Some of the complications that I’m dealing with due to the diabetes is nerve damage, diabetic neuropathy or bleeding in the back of the eyes which is controlled with LASIK treatment. Unfortunately for me, I need to have my eyes frozen with a needle in order to undergo these treatments. I also suffer from gastro-parisis which is a fancy word for lazy stomach. My stomach has a harder time digesting food because of the nerve damage caused by the diabetes. I constantly shake due to the nerves as well as suffer from anxiety. As mentioned above, I also suffer from chronic kidney disease which causes me to have kidney stones quite often as well as having to attend dialysis which causes a lot of issues too but that’s going to have to wait until another time so I don’t bore anyone by rambling, lol. I wish I could tell people what to look out for but with the multiple different issues that I suffer from it’s too hard to pinpoint what I felt due to each separate disease.

I’m extremely grateful for the medicare system here in Canada as I know it would be even more difficult for me without some kind of financial aid. Speaking of financial aid, I have had a tremendous amount of help from the blogging community including Journeys Of The Zoo and I’m extremely thankful for the kind donations and general support I’ve received from them. It’s absolutely amazing knowing that there are still kind hearted people in the world.

————————————————————A BIG thanks to Jason for taking time out of his busy schedule to share a piece of his story with us.

Given all the challenges in Jason’s life, you might think that he’d be sad or bitter but he’s far from it. He is generous, giving and always thinking of others. I’m sure that he has his moments but they’re the exception.

Want to Help? Jason and his Family are raising money for his upcoming transplant. You can donate here.

To Find out How You can become a Live Organ Donor visit the Living Donor Paired Exchange Program Website or Follow them on Twitter.

Know Anyone That Has Had an Organ Transplant?

* A living donor would be ideal as the kidney would last longer. Speaking of a Living Donor, read Jen’s touching feature on her living donor story.

Waiting for a Kidney and Pancreas Transplant #organdonation @JimminyMagee @zoojourneys http://t.co/5EfQFDxJjg

— Journeys of The Zoo (@zoojourneys) May 7, 2015

Jason was born in Saskatchewan and now resides in Quebec. He has two sons, a loving wife and three cats. He loves to cook and hopes to obtain a culinary degree. In his spare time he enjoys being outdoors and blogging with his wife.

Connect with Jason Magee Website | Facebook | Twitter

————————————-o————————————-

Know Any Canadians or Blogs That Want to be Featured?

Contact me to have your voice heard and be featured on Journeys of The Zoo. Yes, YOU! Read this post to find out how you can be featured.

FROM THE ARCHIVES
Month:	Company
February 2015	HELLP Syndrome
December 2014	Shea Butter
November 2014	Bayo Bundles
October 2014	Living Organ Donor – Jen Oram
September 2014	4 The Love of Mommy
March 2014	MamaMusing
February 2014	Cathy Thinking Out Loud
January 2014	N/A
December 2013	Bouche Baby
November 2013	Dreams and Colour
October 2013	Nolan Wilson Freelance
September 2013	Sun 7 Designs
August 2013	In My 30’s and It’s Time
July 2013	The Koala Bear Writer
June 2013	The Great Canadian Blog Bash
May 2013	Mama Bear Haven
April 2013	YYZ Bambina
March 2013	Ottawa Valley Fiber Arts
February 2013	Gone With The Family
January 2013	Treasures from the Ark
December 2012	Sadieloohoo
November 2012	Life After My Kids
October 2012	MommiesFirst
September 2012	Current Works of Glass