You likely know Trista Sutter, 44, as just about the sole success story of the entire Bachelor and Bachelorette franchise. She is a former Miami Heat cheerleader who was The Bachelorette on the first season, in 2003, and married her choice, a sensitive fireman named Ryan. Trista and Ryan have two kids, live in Colorado and are still together today. I like them because we see them rarely, they use their fame judiciously and they generally seem like decent people. They do reality shows occasionally and get endorsements but compared to a lot of former reality stars they’re extremely low key. Trista recently posted to Instagram about suffering a seizure while on vacation in Croatia. It sounds scary and eye-opening and she comes across as very genuine in her explanation of how it completely changed her perspective on life. Here’s what she posted and I’m including it in its entirety as it’s worth a read.
This is a great message for anyone, and one I needed to hear. Gratitude, appreciation, love for the people in our lives and the realization that our time is limited and we should make the most of every day. Yes it sounds Hallmark-cardish but you can tell it’s sincere. The good news is that Trista seems to be doing much better now. She posted this sunny selfie with Ryan from Croatia and it looks like she’s out of the hospital and feeling great.
I wonder if doctors know what caused the seizure or if Trista needs more tests once she gets back in the states. Hopefully whatever is going on she will get some answers and the right treatment to prevent this from happening again. I can’t imagine what that’s like but she gave us a small glimpse of that and it sounds like she’s going to be ok and gained a new outlook.
My partner has seizures. I’m with him through every one. It’s really scary. He had a brain injury six years ago through a car accident. It’s so scary and I worry every time. He could have a seizure and die. He looked like he was going to die the last time. It’s scary because i Love this man before I love myself. He’s the first man to love me unconditionally. Even ahead of my own father. If you haven’t seen a seizure, it’s hard to understand. I really hope she finds more answers. I pray for that. I also pray for my partner. Seizures are not anyone wants to have.
I’ve had seizures every day for 23 years. It definitely changed my whole perspective on life. Being 16 when they started was so stressful and scary. So much I can’t do,but I’m so lucky to have family and friends care,love and always help me.
I wish Trista the best luck, because nobody should have to go through this.
I just went through this with a friend of mine and sadly, her license has been suspended until doctors figure out the Why. Same thing, out of the blue at 47.
This has me weeping, as my 16yo son was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes on Friday and all I’ve been thinking about is about life and its “expiration date.” I love what she wrote and it really is what I needed to hear right now.
I stopped watching the Bachelor after Andrew Firestone, in other words a million years ago, so I have a soft spot for all the early people, Trista and Ryan included. Glad to see that they’re still going strong. Hope she finds answers soon.
From one internet stranger to another – hang in there! T1 is scary but my sister, who was diagnosed with it not long after her 9th birthday, has been living with diabetes now for nearly 20 years and she has done SO WELL! Your son will too, just remember there is always support when you need it and lots of programs to help newly-diagnosed T1ers out there. Big hugs!!
Esmom, I am so sorry to hear what your family has just learned. I have several family members with T1, one was diagnosed in 1972 and she is still with us having a full life and career. No bones about it, the road is hard, but if your son takes good care of himself per doctors instructions, he has many happy years ahead.
Oh Esmom! Big hugs to you, like Nopity says!! My MIL had really uncontrollable T1 (truth be told, she was a terrible patient) but the last few years were SO much improved due to recent advances! It’s gotta be really scary, but from what I know about you, he’ll be well taken care of and have the best resources available. Take Care!
@Esmom, hugs. With The insulins they have now, the ease of blood sugar testing, it is all so different than the state of things 20 years ago. Your son has a good chance to live a full, happy, healthy life.
Can I direct you to a site that helped me a lot? It is called this little miggy – the mom has a daughter with special needs and her site has evolved into spotlighting other children with special needs, and helping their families find support online.
Thank you, CB friends, from the bottom of my heart. He is doing remarkably well with all this, despite some understandable moments of rage and despair, and I’m feeling OK, too. We have a few close friends facing this same journey and they have been amazing these past couple days. Tata, I will check out that site right now, thank you! As terrible as the internet can be at times, it’s also been so great to hear stories and connect so easily with people going through similar challenges.
Esmom I’m praying for you and your son. My partner has had type 1 since he was in his late 30s (he’s now 67) and he’s doing great. He has had a couple of seizures when his blood sugar has dropped too low but I just force-feed him apple juice until he comes around. I truly believe in your son’s lifetime there will be a permanent cure for this horrible disease, and my guy is living proof that you can manage it and stay healthy.
I have a friend who had a seizure out of the blue about 20 years ago, before I knew her, and never again since then, knock on wood. Best wishes to Trista and I hope this is a one time thing as well!
I hope she’s ok. My cousin had seizures which have now stopped? Not sure why.
I like Ryan and her but does anyone remember she used to do baby talk to him?
Had a seizure while at home alone with my 2 weeks old baby. Got diagnosed with brain tumour and I was lucky it was removable. I had another one since after the surgery. I went through the whole why me thinking but now am in a place of living one day at a time and stressing less.
A friend of mine had a seizure last weekend while camping. He thinks it was due to dehydration/heat and sun exposure/not eating properly. We were in Utah which is very dry, hot, and desert like. Luckily there was another friend there who had a seizure before and was able to help/talk him through it and assess the situation. It was very scary for everyone on the trip but we were close enough to a town that he was able to get a hotel room for a few nights to be out of the heat, and the hospital was easily accessible if needed. He felt fine the next day but did not go to the doctor due to not having health insurance. This is such a scary thing and I’m glad she’s ok and bringing awareness to it.
I had a seizure in an Uber at the end of April, right before my 30th birthday, and just after moving in with the love of my life. He and I had a fight right before he was leaving for a business trip. Waking up to someone asking you how old you are and not being sure? Hearing the words, “You have had a seizure.” Being told that you went brain dead in the ambulance? Nightmare.
His sister looked after me in the hospital, and when he got home, we promised to never leave one another angrily. It was eye-opening, for each of us to realize what we almost lost. My short-term memory is still messy. It’s like I have a hangover 24/7. Tired and foggy. But I’m here and so grateful.
Anyway, I’m not crying; you’re crying. I hope her recovery is swift and it’s the only one she has to deal with.
The wording/phrasing makes it clear that a publicist did not write this. Amazing piece – speedy recovery and continued health and happiness!
My partner has seizures. I’m with him through every one. It’s really scary. He had a brain injury six years ago through a car accident. It’s so scary and I worry every time. He could have a seizure and die. He looked like he was going to die the last time. It’s scary because i Love this man before I love myself. He’s the first man to love me unconditionally. Even ahead of my own father. If you haven’t seen a seizure, it’s hard to understand. I really hope she finds more answers. I pray for that. I also pray for my partner. Seizures are not anyone wants to have.
I’ve had seizures every day for 23 years. It definitely changed my whole perspective on life. Being 16 when they started was so stressful and scary. So much I can’t do,but I’m so lucky to have family and friends care,love and always help me.
I wish Trista the best luck, because nobody should have to go through this.
I just went through this with a friend of mine and sadly, her license has been suspended until doctors figure out the Why. Same thing, out of the blue at 47.
This has me weeping, as my 16yo son was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes on Friday and all I’ve been thinking about is about life and its “expiration date.” I love what she wrote and it really is what I needed to hear right now.
I stopped watching the Bachelor after Andrew Firestone, in other words a million years ago, so I have a soft spot for all the early people, Trista and Ryan included. Glad to see that they’re still going strong. Hope she finds answers soon.
From one internet stranger to another – hang in there! T1 is scary but my sister, who was diagnosed with it not long after her 9th birthday, has been living with diabetes now for nearly 20 years and she has done SO WELL! Your son will too, just remember there is always support when you need it and lots of programs to help newly-diagnosed T1ers out there. Big hugs!!
Esmom, I am so sorry to hear what your family has just learned. I have several family members with T1, one was diagnosed in 1972 and she is still with us having a full life and career. No bones about it, the road is hard, but if your son takes good care of himself per doctors instructions, he has many happy years ahead.
Oh Esmom! Big hugs to you, like Nopity says!! My MIL had really uncontrollable T1 (truth be told, she was a terrible patient) but the last few years were SO much improved due to recent advances! It’s gotta be really scary, but from what I know about you, he’ll be well taken care of and have the best resources available. Take Care!
@Esmom, hugs. With The insulins they have now, the ease of blood sugar testing, it is all so different than the state of things 20 years ago. Your son has a good chance to live a full, happy, healthy life.
Can I direct you to a site that helped me a lot? It is called this little miggy – the mom has a daughter with special needs and her site has evolved into spotlighting other children with special needs, and helping their families find support online.
This is a story of a little boy diagnosed w type 1 at age 2. http://www.thislittlemiggy.com/2013/10/special-needs-spotlight-nick.html
And if I could recommend counseling for you too, just to have a place to talk about how this has affected you. It really helps. Hugs again.
I’m thinking good thoughts for your son and you!!! It’s so scary when there’s something wrong with our kids.
Thank you, CB friends, from the bottom of my heart. He is doing remarkably well with all this, despite some understandable moments of rage and despair, and I’m feeling OK, too. We have a few close friends facing this same journey and they have been amazing these past couple days. Tata, I will check out that site right now, thank you! As terrible as the internet can be at times, it’s also been so great to hear stories and connect so easily with people going through similar challenges.
Esmom I’m praying for you and your son. My partner has had type 1 since he was in his late 30s (he’s now 67) and he’s doing great. He has had a couple of seizures when his blood sugar has dropped too low but I just force-feed him apple juice until he comes around. I truly believe in your son’s lifetime there will be a permanent cure for this horrible disease, and my guy is living proof that you can manage it and stay healthy.
Best of luck!
I have a friend who had a seizure out of the blue about 20 years ago, before I knew her, and never again since then, knock on wood. Best wishes to Trista and I hope this is a one time thing as well!
I hope she’s ok. My cousin had seizures which have now stopped? Not sure why.
I like Ryan and her but does anyone remember she used to do baby talk to him?
Had a seizure while at home alone with my 2 weeks old baby. Got diagnosed with brain tumour and I was lucky it was removable. I had another one since after the surgery. I went through the whole why me thinking but now am in a place of living one day at a time and stressing less.
A friend of mine had a seizure last weekend while camping. He thinks it was due to dehydration/heat and sun exposure/not eating properly. We were in Utah which is very dry, hot, and desert like. Luckily there was another friend there who had a seizure before and was able to help/talk him through it and assess the situation. It was very scary for everyone on the trip but we were close enough to a town that he was able to get a hotel room for a few nights to be out of the heat, and the hospital was easily accessible if needed. He felt fine the next day but did not go to the doctor due to not having health insurance. This is such a scary thing and I’m glad she’s ok and bringing awareness to it.
I had a seizure in an Uber at the end of April, right before my 30th birthday, and just after moving in with the love of my life. He and I had a fight right before he was leaving for a business trip. Waking up to someone asking you how old you are and not being sure? Hearing the words, “You have had a seizure.” Being told that you went brain dead in the ambulance? Nightmare.
His sister looked after me in the hospital, and when he got home, we promised to never leave one another angrily. It was eye-opening, for each of us to realize what we almost lost. My short-term memory is still messy. It’s like I have a hangover 24/7. Tired and foggy. But I’m here and so grateful.
Anyway, I’m not crying; you’re crying. I hope her recovery is swift and it’s the only one she has to deal with.