STEPH POV:
“Hey guys we have a new signing today, so Renne wants us in slightly earlier,” I tell this to Beth and Viv. They nod and get ready we head to the training ground just barely leaving at 8.
When we get to the training ground, I got called into Renne office, “Hey Renne, what’s up?” she looks at me and smiles, “So you know our new signing?” I nod excitedly, “Its Caitlin Foord. I was astonished by her skill I have seen for the national team.” I jump up and down, “Yes me and Kyra loves her, she is great.” Renne nods, “However, I understand her medical needs,” I nod knowing of her epilepsy because of national team, “Yeah me and Kyra both know how to deal with it. Can I see her before you invite in front of everybody? Maybe Kyra too?” Renne nods, “Yes I don’t completely understand the full disability but trust me, me and our team are researching and we are going to talk to Caitlin.” I nod knowing it is a tricky disability. “Okay follow me, I think she is just out here.” When we get there Caitlin is staring out to space and I turn to Renne, “Just an absence seizure doesn’t worry we will be out in a minute.” Renne walks out.
After a couple minutes Caitlin some out of her trance and sees me, “Steph. Hi.” We hug so tight, “Are you okay?” Caitlin nods, “Yeah fine, just nervous why?” I nod my head knowing that she doesn’t know she just had a seizure, “You just had an absence seizure.” Caitlin nods sitting back down, “I’m sorry its just the nerves.” I nod, “Don’t apologise it is out of your control.”
We then go out to the meeting room and Renne announces our new signing, “Caitlin Foord.” We walk out and Kyra comes screaming over, “Caitlin, I didn’t know you were coming. Why didn’t you tell me.” We all group hug, “Aussie reunited.” After that people started coming up and greeting Caitlin.
CAITLIN’S POV:
After the little meet and greet with everyone, I head too medical. “Hi Caitlin.” I wave still slightly nervous, “Renne sent me up here?” They nod, “We understand your disability?” I nod knowing the run through, “We were wondering if you wanted to stay a little later than the other girls and do a medical exam and also explain everything to us because we know epilepsy can effect different.” I nod thanking they were considerate, “Yeah that sounds good, but can we not tell anyone about its not something I like being known.” The physio’s nod. “Steph and Kyra understand though?” I nod. “Okay that should be good why don’t you join the other girls in just little training.” I nod and wave bye.
When I go out the girls are all lined up and Katie McCabe beckons me over, “Caitlin, come here.” I run over since Steph and Kyra were busy. “So, Caitlin, what’s your story?” I shrug, “Not much, just wanted a fresh start.” Katie nods, “Well I can help with anything, just come to me.” I nod and we continue with training.
I haven’t had a proper seizure for nearly a month, but this morning ruined that with the absence seizure. We were just finishing the session, and I felt funny. Kyra came up behind me and started talking to me, but someone called her away. The field started emptying but I remained stood still. “Caitlin you alright?” this was Katie I could recognise her voice I just couldn’t respond. Before I knew it, I was falling to the floor, and it went black.
KATIE’S POV:
I was able to catch Caitlin before she went over but this didn’t really make anything better, I screamed for Steph, “STEPH! QUICK!” this got not only Stephs reaction but the whole team. Steph came running over, “Shit. Lay her on her side.” I did as so but I was stressing out I didn’t understand what happened and what was going on. Steph layer her jacket over her midsection I didn’t understand why but after that she started seizing. Steph was whispering to Caitlin comforting sentences, “Hey Caitlin. Come out of it darlin’.” Caitlin stopped shaking and looked around. She then went to get straight up, “No no no. You just seized Caitlin.” I was still shocked on what happened I didn’t know when the rest of the team went in. Only that Kyra was shuffling them in. “Steph what the hell just happened?” Steph nods and slowly sits Caitlin up to sit her back against Stephs knee to stabilise her, “Caitlin has epilepsy, like seizures and stuff. Its not severe but this doesn’t happen time to time.” I nod, “It doesn’t happen often but when it does, we deal with it, don’t we?” Caitlin nods. “Sorry Katie.” I shake my head, “Don’t worry I just want to understand how to help.” Caitlin nods, too tired to explain now. Caitlin just sits there completely out of it and just drinking water, “So will she be okay?” Steph nods, “Yeah this is just what happens.” Caitlin nods, “I am so sorry Katie.”
10 minutes later Caitlin had finally regained consciousness and was ready to head back inside. I go to help her up and she has tears in her eyes. “Caitlin what’s up?” Caitlin shakes her head, while Steph packs up I sit opposite her, “It’s just I joined a new team, and I wanted to make a good impression, and I just went and had a seizure. I ruined it all. I can’t even go one training session before I fall to the floor.” I rub her back and shake my head, “No Caitlin you didn’t, you can’t stop a seizure they are out of your control.” Steph nodded along to me, “Katie is right, the team will understand. At least now you don’t have to hide it. The team will be supportive and won’t care.” Caitlin shrugs this and then we both help her inside. By the time we reached the building Caitlin had got most of her strength back, she was just tired and yawning every couple of minutes.
When we get back to the changing room, Kyra was right by Caitlins side, “Hey you, what happened?” Caitlin just nodded.
KYRA’S POV:
I stay near Caitlin in her cubby and Steph does the same. I knew this wasn’t a bad one, but it was one of the worse she has had in a while. “Hey Caitlin lets go to the physio room.” “I will bring her Steph, you get showered.” Steph nods. “Come on you.” Caitlin stands up fine, but I let her make the first move still slightly swaying slightly, “Still dizzy?” Caitlin doesn’t say anything, “Come on you.” I wrap my hand around her waist, and we walk. As we walk, I ask her some questions, “Cait, when was the last time?” she shrugs, “I have been having absences and stuff but no falling to the ground and stuff.” I nod. “Its probably just your anxiety spiking.” She nods agreeing. We finally get to the physio room, and I sit Caitlin down on the bed, “Thanks Ky. I hate this.” Kyra nods and squishes next to me, “I know Cait. But tomorrow, it’s a new day and you can show the team what you are made off.” Caitlin nods. Caitlin snuggles into my side and I talk to her, “Caitlin you don’t have to worry about the team, they will be so comforting.” Caitlin nods, “But I can’t even go a day without falling on the floor in a pile of limbs.” I shake my head, “We both know today was because your anxiety was heightened.” She nods along.
*NIGHT*
CAITLIN’S POV:
It was now later and everyone else had left but I was in a meeting with Renne and the physios. “So, Caitlin, we understand you had 2 seizures today.” I nod, “Yes an absence and a tonic clonic seizure.” They nod along. “Okay how many types have, or could you have?” I then list them all off, there was like 10 different types all ranging in seriousness. “Okay final question. How many recently have you had these?” I nod, “Not a lot, I believe this is my first tonic clonic for a while. Its just the high stress at the minute.” They nod writing this all down. “Ok, sorry Caitlin just one more. Are you on any sorts of medicine to stop this?” I nod, “Yes, a few. They all manage different things, because with epilepsy comes migraines and other things. Plus, if you add on being a professional athlete, it is all monitored closely.” They nod. “Okay thank you Caitlin, you are free to leave now just wanted to get that done.” I nod, “Yeah not my fav part of moving clubs.” They nod, “Yeah must be a struggle. But at least you have Kyra and Steph.” “Yeah, that was a lot more comforting, they are really good with it.” “Goodbye Caitlin, see you tomorrow for training.” I wave goodbye and walk out.
When I get to the car park, I go to call an uber since I am not allowed to drive. But I see Katie sat in her car, which was strange because training finished 2 hours ago. I go to her window, and she looks to be asleep. I tap on the window, no response, “Katie.” This jolts her awake and she looks shocked, nervous kind off. She keeps looking around shocked not knowing where she is or what was going on. “Katie it’s okay.” I try to offer as much comfort as possible through the window. After a couple minutes she starts to regain her senses and opens the door, “What was that?” I ask her. She just shrugs. I get in the car and sit next to her. “Come back to mine, we can chill tonight. We can bond and I can tell you about my epilepsy.” I try to change the subject slightly, to get whatever is going on off her mind. She goes to turn her car on, “No, we can get an uber. I am not allowed to drive, and you are not in the right shape to be.” She nods, “Meet me outside in the bus bit and we can get a car to my house.” She nods. I get out and stand outside waiting for her. When she gets out, she shoves a little pack into her bag, I wonder what that is. The uber comes and Katie looks out of it again and I being already tired just makes me feel so bad for her. I know she is going through something, but she is keeping it to herself.
When we get home Katie is nearly asleep again, “Katie, we are here.” She nods and gets out. When she gets in, she just stands there, not knowing what to do with herself. I grab her hand and pull her over to the sofa, “Come sit.” She nods and follows suit. My stomach rumbles and I decide its dinner time. “Katie, do you fancy dinner?” she doesn’t say anything. “Ok how about I just order pizza?” I sit back down next to Katie and try to get any little information out of her. “Katie?” I put my hand back on her shoulder, “Katie.” She shakes her head and looks at me again. I was slightly shocked since this was a completely different person than who was helping me earlier. “Sorry yeah sounds good. Do you think I could see a carb list?” I nod slightly confused, maybe she was just on a diet. “I will see if I can find one.” She nods her knee bouncing. I find it and give her the details; she then starts do the match on her hand and in her head. “Good?” she nods. “I have ordered it. Right now, you out with it. I won’t tell anyone.” I say this to comfort her since she seems to be very secretive of this. “I um. I was diagnosed with.” I sit slightly closer so she could reach out if she wanted to. “I was diagnosed with um ty-type 1 di-abetes.” She then breaks down sobbing into my arms. “I rub her back.
After a couple minutes of sobbing Katie regained herself and was able to talk again, “Katie, talk to me.” She sits up and looks at me. I was only diagnosed last week and then yesterday me and Ruesha broke up. And I just keep forgetting to check and to take my medicine.” I nod, since my sister has it and I helped her on many occasions when we were younger. “Well Katie that is okay. I can help you; my sister has diabetes.” She nods. “Ok when was the last time you checked.” Katie shrugs. “Have you got your kit?” she nods. “Ok. You know you need to check your sugar before we eat.” She nods. She bends down to her bag and gets out the kit. Her hands are non-stop shaking indicating a low blood sugar. “Katie, do you want me to do it for you?” she nods and hands me the kit. I take the pricker out and draw blood, I get a test strip out and insert it. When I finally checked her sugars, it was indeed low. “Hey Katie, its low, you need a fruit juice or something. What do you use to heighten it?” she shrugs. “I don’t have anything.” She says sadly. “That’s okay, I have some sweets, you could have a few and then we can check later.” Katie nods, and I get her a handful. “Here you go.” She nods. “Thank you.” While she eats, we watch some TV, but I have some questions that I really want to ask her. “So, Katie why haven’t you told anyone?” she shrugs, “I-I told Ruesha, but we broke up. I w-was just embarrassed.” I nod. “Does anyone at the club know?” she shrugs, “I haven’t-t told anyone, but Viv probably suspects something is wrong.” I nod.
Our pizza soon gets her, and Katie is less shaky. “You are feeling better?” Katie nods still shying away. “Katie, I promise you don’t need to be embarrassed, I didn’t mind.” She nods and I pull her into my arms. The door then goes off, I go out and get it. I then call, “Katie!” she comes walking into the kitchen still slightly reserved this was just from the high emotions of the low. “Right before we eat you need to check.” She nods, grunting while doing so. “I will do it.” When Katie brings it in, I go through the process and she takes it like a champ, “Thank you so much Caitlin.” I nod, “Its really no problem I promise.” I then wait a little, “Look at that perfect.” Katie knows she still must do her insulin. “Do you know how much insulin?” she nods. I leave her to it. I see her hand still shaking from still feeling the effects from the low. “Want some help?” I leave her to try and do it before she starts getting frustrated. “Katie, I know you only just met me but, its okay to let me help.” She nods. “I know I just. I have never ley someone this close to it all.” I nod, but she continues to try and to it herself. “Katie, would you like me to do it for you?” she nods sadly, “Where would you like it?” “My thigh please?” I happily do it.
It was now a little before bed, and me and Katie were sat on the sofa. “Katie, I am going to go to bed.” Katie nods. “I will show you the spare room, help yourself to water and everything.” She nods, “Night.”
*NEXT MORNING*
I was up bright and early making breakfast and everything. I took my meds and had a right morning ritual; Katie didn’t come out till 10:30. “Morning.” She waves. “How are you feeling?” she shrugs. “Katie, you are feeling the aftereffects of quite a bad low. You need to go easy today.” She nods. “Right breakfast, where is your kit?” “I don’t know I will find it.” Katie goes off and I write down all the specific calories to make it easy. Katie comes back in, and I give her the note, “Thanks again Caitlin. For all of this.” I smile and give her, her food while she does her insulin.
I get another uber back to the ground and I ask Katie some questions on the way, “So Katie have you got a monitor or looked into the idea?” she shakes her head. “Have you looked into that kind off stuff?” she shakes her head again, “When were you diagnosed again?” “Like a month ago.” I nod, “do you not think you should tell the club to help you manage it.” I see her hand shaking again and her knee bouncing and just know over the next couple days she still probably be fluctuating a lot, from the extent of this low. It will probably be a struggle for her. “Katie, I really think you should tell the club. They could help you, organize everything, so you have a monitor and like juice boxes and stuff.” She nods. “I will tell you what, I must go to the physios this morning to talk about my meds. You can come with me.” Katie nods with tears in her eyes. “Hey, no need to cry. What’s up?” she shrugs. “Tt-his is the m-most I have tol-d anyone. T-thank you.” I smile and put my hand on her thigh.
When we get to the ground, Katie doesn’t move. “Hey Katie, we are here.” She nods but still doesn’t make a move to get out. “Let’s go straight to the physios so you don’t have to see anyone.” She nods and this makes her get out and slowly walk to the physio’s room. “Morning Caitlin. Oh, Katie you are here Aswell.” She nods gingerly, slightly reserved. “Hi Rose.” “Ok Caitlin we need to go through your meds, Katie you are welcome to just go sit on that bed over there.” She nods.
We finally finish sorting out and going through the different types of meds, Katie listens closely. “Ok, on to you now. So, Katie what is up with you?” she looks to me. “I go over and sit next to her. “Come on darling, its okay.” Before I know it, Katie has run away, through the ground and is outside on the field. “Sorry Rose, I will find her. Is it okay if we come back tomorrow.” She nods, “Thank you so much.” I go running out and find Katie, she is still shaking and seems to be anxious. “Katie, you need to check your bloods.” She nods knowing I am right. “Lets just go to the changing rom and check your bloods.” I try to grab her hand to pull her in and she jumps back and hesitates, “Everyone is in a meeting, so don’t worry.”
I drag her to the changing room, and she chucks herself down, into her cubby. “Katie where is your kit?” she shrugs and gets up to look into her bag. “Got it.” She does it all herself I help her insert the test strip because she was shaking too much, “Ugh.” She said getting annoyed at herself. “Hey, its okay. Let me help.” The girls started coming out of the meeting at this point but they a; went straight to the lunchroom. Katie started panicking, “Hey they have gone to the cafeteria, don’t worry.” She nods. After a couple seconds, it starts beeping, “Yup low again, I thought you were.” She nods agreeing. “Right let’s go get some lunch.” We need sugars in her before anything. “I’m just going to calculate my lunch.” I sit next to her while she gets her notebook out. “I will be out in a sec, just got to google stuff.” I stay sat next to her. “Hey, lets just go ask the chefs how much in what is then you can quickly go out and do the insulin.” She nods.
When we walk out, Steph and Kyra come running over to me, “Hey Caitlin where have you been all morning?” they pull me away to come sit with them. I watch Katie and she goes and sits with Viv.
VIV’S POV:
I see Caitlin and Katie Walk in together, but Caitlin soon gets scurried off. Katie looks a little lost for a little but soon realises and comes to sit with me. “Hey Katie, where were you during the meeting?” she looks at me blankly. “Katie?” she shakes her head and looks at me, “What were you and Caitlin doing?” “I was just showing her around.” Okay I believe her; I then look down at her hands and they were shaking along with her knee. I notice Caitlin looking over her constantly.
After a little Katie still hasn’t really talked, Caitlin was now getting food and slowly walking to our table. She comes up behind Katie and whispers in her ear.
CAITLIN’S POV:
I noticed Katie still hadn’t got herself anything, so when I got food, I bring her a juice box. “Here, you need something else.” I whisper in her ear. She nods and I leave.
*END OF THE DAY*
It was now the end of the day, and I wanted to catch Katie before she left, to try and get a repeat of this morning. I saw her start walking towards the door, so I grabbed her arm. Some of the girls had started looking over here, so I brought Katie to the toilet. “Katie, you need to talk to the physios.” She looks down at her feet. “Come on I will stay with you the whole time.” She nods. We walk to the physio, and I rub her back. “Hey, Rose could I talk to you?” she nods, “Of course Katie.” I walk in behind her and she seems shocked, “Oh Caitlin you are here Aswell.” I nod, “Yes sorry.” “Anyway, what did you want to talk about?” Katie looks at me, I lean over and hold her hand, “I was diagnosed last month with um.” She looks at me questioning if she can say it, “Type 1 diabetes.” Rose nods, “Oh Katie I am so sorry. Why didn’t you tell me sooner I could have helped you get used to it.” She nods now with tears in her eyes. Katie shrugs, “I was dealing with it, but the last couple of days I have struggled.” Rose nods listening on. “Like what Katie?” Katie looks to me to explain, “A lot off hypos, and not being able to keep her bloods down.” Rose nods and writes stuff down. “Ok, thank you Katie. That is enough for tonight but if you feel up to it, we could talk to Renne tomorrow.” Katie nods.
KATIE’S POV:
We finally finish and I breathe a little, it felt like a weight had been lifter of my chest. “Thank you so much Rose.” “Thank you Rose, Caitlin also mentioned a monitor.” Rose nodded. “Yes. They are a lot of help.” We look to Caitlin, to try and get some answers. “Caitlin what did you inform Katie about?” Caitlin doesn’t answer. “Caitlin.” She seems to be just staring into space.
Hope you enjoy this first part after this it will be slightly shorter ones, but I hope I can get more parts out. also please inform me on any medical inaccuracies I have gotten. I want this to be an eye opener. Any ideas please comment.