My friend, Christel Marchand Aprigliano, wrote this wonderful blog. I hope many TuD people will read it. It is very inspiring to all type 1 diabetics. Grab a box of tissues and enjoy.
Hi Richard!! :)
Thank you for posting Christel's blog. It was interesting to read this sad and spine tingling(for Christel) experience. There are so many People(Scientists, Drs., Researchers) writing about the whys and hows that it's hard to figure out who is right.
Example: I had read some years past that it's "normal" for Diabetics to get a complication after 20 years of having Diabetes since it takes many years of higher blood sugar to develop a complication. That one was true for me. I had my first complication at 22 years after diagnosis. Without intervention, I would have gone blind like many others. Instead, my eyes have been stable for a very long time. Some People get the complications after 12 years of Diabetes. (Of course, my blood sugars were not always high during my Childhood since I had countless seizures to prove it, like you.)
The comments were nice to read also. As one of the commentors mentioned, some of the 50 year Group continued making their own Insulin. On this point, I believe I read that the Insulin that they made would not be enough to make a difference. Then there was the C-peptide theory. But some of the 50 Year Group had too low results of the C-peptide but they still made it to the over 50 year mark and so on. So I don't know what to think about these "protective genes" now. If it is true or not. This is all very confusing but exciting at each new theory/discovery. I wish all these Professionals would get on the same page. This is definitely an interesting(although unwanted) disease along with the research findings.
Otherwise, I totally enjoyed Christel's amazement in the Rock Star who doesn't wear leather. :D HA! I could feel her excitement while chasing after you. I do agree with what she says but I think you'd look Fine in leather.
Have a Wonderful T.G.I.F. Richard. :)
Hi Terrie, you made me laugh out loud. (That is called LOL on Facebook.) Dr King, head of the medalist study at Joslin, announced that there are approximately 2000 medalists who have this special inner protection. He announced that this protection serves to protect our eyes kidneys and nervous systems, but it does not protect our hearts.I think there are many more who are not medalists with the same protection, and I think that includes YOU.
There is a Facebook group called "The Joslin Medalists" which only medalists can join. There was an extensive discussion there about heart problems the medalists have had. Heart attacks, bypass surgeries, stents, etc....many medalists have these problems, but their eyes and kidneys are in great shape. Take good care of your heart, Terrie! I had a nuclear stress test on my heart a month ago, and my heart is in good shape. I hope yours is too.
I don't think I would look good in leather, at my age (74) looking good in any garb is difficult.
Take care Terrie, I hope things are good for you and yours in Ottawa!
Hi Richard, I just arrived home.
Well, I was smiling as I wrote about the Christel/Rockstar chase. Goodness! I thought LOL meant Lean On Larry.(*wink*)
It would be a Nice thought but as I mentioned before, I do NOT believe I have any special inner protection. Otherwise, I wouldn't have had PDR in the 80's. I had to have laser surgery or I would have gone blind.
Well, having heart disease and failure isn't any fun either. I've seen that tooo many times on my Dad's side of the Family including my Type 1 Brothers. Some of the others were Type 2 and some were non-Diabetics. So that special protection isn't really a protection from the inevitable end. We all gotta leave some day from something.
Aw, I wish I could've peeked into that Medalist arena about the heart discussions. Can you answer me one question Richard? What is the average age that the Medalists noticed that they had heart problems? Or is that a secret? :) I've noticed on many sites that it seems to hit Diabetics earlier especially in Men. Usually, from age 45 - 55. Is this so or are my findings one-sided?
You are the real Star then Richard. That's Wonderful that your heart is still working well. Good Job and Congrats to you. :)
I had a heart test last year and it seems to be okay so far(knock on wood). I have had a heart murmur since I was young though and so did my older Brother. I'll do my Best Richard. :)
Terrie, the medalist discussion about heart problems was many many months ago. I know the ages at which the problems occurred varied a lot, but most were when the people were in their 60's, or older.
I had some retinopathy and neuropathy that started about 10 years ago, but using a pump caused my BG to become much more stable. Then the retinopathy disappeared and has not reappeared for 7 years. The neuropathy is still present, but it rarely bothers me now. The fact that I had these complications has made me wonder if I have the inner protection. I have noticed though, that others with T1 even longer than me have had minor problems like mine, but nothing serious. I had forgotten that you had PDR and laser surgery. Several medalists have had laser surgery, and their vision is very good now.
Well, the 60's and older is certainly a more "acceptable" age for a PWD. Thank you for that information Richard. Gives me more hope. Gosh you are doing Very Good. If you fit the criteria then YES, you may have that "inner protection" too. I would think that the Drs. doing the study would tell you if you had it.
My eyes are still stable after all these years too thankfully. Yay, for us. Hopefully, it stays that way for a long time.
I will be able to be a 50 year Joslin Medalist in 3 years. I will be 60 in December. No major complicationsAT ALL. Heart, eyes, kidneys are all fine. Broke my ankle in an ice fall in December, had ankle surgery and a plate and screws inserted.. All is well, I healed up fine and am back to most of my regular activities, including driving alone to GA and back from OHIO for a family visit. I do have Some neuropathy: Feet and calves tingle more if BGs are not stable for a significant period of time..Lyrica and exercise( WALKING, GARDENING, DANCING) help; and I am trying out R-ALA. I am working a bit part-time, as I have retired( I Retired somewhat early at 56; not because of any health reasons, but because 33 years in a school district was enough! LOL)
Protective genes? Maybe. On pork and beef insulins with c-peptides for over 30 years? Maybe. Just His ( God's)grace? Probably.
I am a volunteer participant in Denise Faustman's studyhttp://www.faustmanlab.org at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. I visit every couple of years to give blood. She is starting Stage II clinical trials with human participants soon; and I am almost too old to be picked for that trial, as you cannot be older than 60 to be considered. When I go to Boston again, I will check out the Joslin Institute.
Thank you so much for this information, Richard.. You are our SUPERSTAR!! As you mentioned, Your friend has written a Most inspiring blog. Take care. God bless.
Brunetta
Hi Brunetta, I appreciate your reply. I had applied fr Dr. Faustman's trials and there was no reply. I did not know there was an age limitation.
I retired from when I was 57, mostly because 34 years of teaching was already too much, and I did have a health problem that made getting through the day on my feet very difficult. That was temporary though, I was okay two years later.
Maybe we can meet at a Joslin medalist meeting in the near future, That would be nice!