My Healing Journey: Dr. FauntLeRoy – Type 1 Diabetic

Before Diabetes

Part of the reason I am so passionate and knowledgeable about diabetes is because I live with it myself. But this wasn’t always my story. For most of my life, I wasn’t diabetic. Then, in my 30s, I began feeling "off" every day. I was struggling to stay focused, losing weight rapidly, and yet it took years to find out why. I had always been active and fit, so diabetes was the last thing anyone suspected. When I finally had routine blood work, my fasting blood sugar was 350 (normal is 80-120).

At Diagnosis

The hospital in Bozeman, MT initially diagnosed me with Type 2 diabetes and prescribed metformin, along with instructions to exercise more and eat better. Already, I was working out 1-2 hours daily and following a very healthy diet. I felt something wasn’t adding up. So, I drove three hours to see a diabetes specialist in Missoula, seeking a second opinion. This time, they tested for antibodies to the insulin-producing beta cells in my pancreas, and I discovered that my immune system was attacking these cells. I wasn’t producing insulin. I had late-onset Type 1 diabetes and would need insulin for the rest of my life.

Why did this happen? That remains a million-dollar question. Research suggests that somewhere along the line, I might have encountered a virus or bacterial infection that resembled my beta cells. When my immune system created antibodies to fight off the infection, it also mistakenly targeted my own beta cells.

​For me, this diagnosis was a relief. I finally knew why I felt so awful and had tools to manage it. I learned all this just before starting medical school at Bastyr University. Throughout my studies, anytime a professor touched on diabetes, I listened intently, knowing it was relevant to me. I began a binder dedicated to diabetes knowledge, which grew into multiple binders filled with research, clinical insights, and advice from experts around the world. By the time I graduated, I had become the diabetes expert.

​But, what makes my story unique is that despite all my knowledge and training, I still struggle with blood sugar management daily. My diabetes doesn’t take days off. I may want a piece of birthday cake or a glass of wine at dinner, but I know my blood sugar will react. Some days, I manage my levels beautifully, using every ounce of my experience. Other days, stress, a busy schedule, and the occasional sweet tooth make it much harder. Every day, I work to treat myself with the same grace and patience I encourage in my patients as they navigate the constant ups and downs of diabetes.

Because I know firsthand how this condition feels, I understand how frustrating, isolating, and overwhelming it can be. I understand the emotional and physical weight that comes with every high blood sugar level—that underwater sensation, where everything feels slow and foggy. I know how it feels when energy is low, but you still want to exercise or work. And I know what hypoglycemia feels like—the primal, desperate need to eat. I’ve woken up in the middle of the night lightheaded and sweating, instinctively reaching for anything sweet. In moments like those, I have eaten an entire jar of Nutella in one sitting, knowing it will spike my glucose later but feeling like I needed it to survive.

 This experience has given me a purpose: to be the doctor I needed during my own struggle to understand my body. My goal is to empower my patients with the knowledge and confidence I gained throughout my journey. I am here to listen, not to dismiss symptoms or the emotions tied so closely to this relentless condition. I am here as both a doctor and a person who deeply understands the victories and the challenges of diabetes—a condition that never truly rests. I view each patient as a partner, and together, we approach this condition as a team, navigating the complexities of diabetes side by side.

​Every day, I’m reminded that managing diabetes is more than numbers and treatments—it’s about empowering and supporting people to navigate this complex journey with confidence and resilience. I hope to offer each patient not only a doctor’s expertise but the shared understanding and partnership of someone who truly knows the path. I look forward to joining you on your journey, so together, we can make living with diabetes a little easier, one step at a time.

Diabetes under control :)