So after begin told by the doctor to go sit out in the waiting room while she talked to my father all I wanted to do was cry but did not want others to see. So I recall sitting on a large vinyl couch picking up a LIFE magazine back then they where huge and covering my face while I cried. One hour later I was in the hospital with a bg of 600 mg/dl. Having been hospitalized 2 other times after begin diagnosed which was not uncommon trying to get stabilized I remember having to attend those awful dreaded diabetes education classes. Learning the exchanged system and such and begin the only kid in a room full of adults was no thrill either lol. After the classes where over my father sent me off to a diabetic camp in California called BearSkin Meadows which is still in operation to this day.That was a very hard time for me as for one trying to come to terms with this disease and then finding out later that my Grandfather whom I was very close to had passed away. So emotions where a roller coaster for me. To top all of this off I was diagnosed one month to the day of my 13th birthday.
In 1980 synthetic insulin started to show up on the diabetes scene along with blood glucose meters and this new gadget the size of a brick called a insulin pump. There was a story of two twins who lived in the area where I reside both have Type 1 and went on the insulin pump the Auto Syringe or also known as the big black brick. When my mom showed me the article I knew right then and there that the pump was for me and come heck or high water I was going to do everything within my power to get on a pump.
I called the twins and asked if we could get together so I could see and learn about the pump. Within the next day or two I was on my way to their house and little did I know what the future would hold for me starting on this new adventure in my life with this gadget called an insulin pump.
Thanks for sharing this, Joanna. First, welcome! Great to read about your story and love the second part here, about seeing some of the start of synthetic insulin and home BG meters, as well as your intro to the pump. Can’t wait to read more!
Hi Joanna. You were obviously a very determined young lady to want to wear, and actually wear, that “big black brick” at a time when it must have been considered somewhat weird and scary. The insulin pump(s) have also obviously served you very well over the years. You wouldn’t happen to have any photos of you wearing that Auto-Syringe-brick?!!