My Story

My name is Peter Hagen and I am a Type 1 Diabetic.  I was diagnosed as an adult at the age of 29.  The following is my story of how I got here...

I had been misdiagnosed with depression and prescribed Prozac for the feelings I was having.  I knew it wasn't depression, but I took the pills and after a few weeks nothing changed. At my next appointment my Dr changed the prescription to a different anti-anxiety med and more of the same.

After having our daughter my wife and I sought out life insurance.  Part of the life insurance test was an A1C which came back at 13% and I was notified immediately.  I went back to my Dr and was on insulin within days.  After the immediate diagnosis of Type II diabetes, I went to the Benaroya Research Institute for Auto Immune Disease in Seattle and had it verified that I had type 1.

From day 1 I have been told of all the things that I could no longer do. I was in Crossfit and told that I couldn't do that anymore.  I was told of all the challenges that lie ahead. Warnings of losing my eye sight, legs, fingers, etc.  This was all so overwhelming given the fact that I didn't know anyone else with Type 1 Diabetes and all I hear is doom.

About 1 year after diagnosis I had the opportunity to volunteer at Camp Stix, a summer camp for kids with Diabetes.  This camp was amazing and brought me to the realization that if these kids can live with Type 1 Diabetes, so can I.  My 2nd year at Camp Sean Busby spoke to the campers and it was an incredible message.  During his presentation he touched on the Riding on Insulin Endurance Team and how they have raised an incredible amount of money for this organization.  I wanted to be a part of it.

Currently a casual runner, I have started training on the road bike and increasing my running distances.  I hope to accomplish the 70.3 Half Ironman by the Summer of 2017 and I will document my journey here on DoAbetic.

Thank you for stopping by and I hope to hear from you!