I’m struggling with how to tell my story. First off it’s nothing special. I don’t even remember much of it. What I do remember, I’ll probably get wrong. So take it with a grain of salt. My current situation is much more exciting. Well it is to me anyway. I think this is because I’ve finally taken the bull by the horns and am fighting him with all I’ve got. I think I’ll start off with the mundane history in one or two posts. Then I’ll try and communicate some of my recent experiences. Exactly how to convey some of my own practices is a little daunting. I have gotten quite deep into my body’s and insulin’s physiological behavior. If I start posting formulas that I use, it might scare you. I think a slow buildup with pictures might be best. I am ready for another round of basal testing and meal profiling, so maybe this time I’ll take good notes.
I’m a type 1 diabetic diagnosed at the age of 14 on October 19, 1975. My memories from the hospital stay are quite vivid: checking into my room, the smells, my room mate, a current event, urine testing, and my first needle. That was some 20-30,000 needles ago!
I’d been extremely thirsty for weeks and was peeing constantly, during my bantam football season. Mom called Dr. Shepherd, and he came over, took one look at me, and said I had diabetes and to get me to the hospital. I remember a nurse and my parents escorting me to my room. The nurse gave me the gown and said put it on. I was sitting on the bed. She closed the curtains, I stood up, started taking off my shirt, and I hit the floor! wham They got me into bed and somebody helped me get dressed. An IV went in stat! At some point they had weighed me too. I was a mere 132lbs, down from 146 two weeks earlier.
Doc Shepherd came in shortly afterwards and scared the crap out of me. He said “We are going to put a plug into you to stop all that peeing.” I, a 14yr old teen, was scared shitless! They’re gonna do what?! My imagination ran wild.
The week went by ok. I got lessons about the D, about insulin, about diet, about complications! I remember that nurse telling me that because of complications I’d definately need glasses by the time I was 40. Looking back I cringe at the level of education of our health care professionals grin I got instructed on how to test my urine for blood sugar. There was test tape, but they wanted me to use the clinitest test tubes and pills instead. It was more accurate.
The biggest thing I remember was the World Series. The Big Red Machine was playing the Boston Red Sox. I watched it all! The Fisk home run is etched in my brain.
My initial regimine was one shot of Lente a day. It supposedly had a long slow hump and a 24 hour duration. The perfect insulin! No carb counting for years yet, just follow this meal plan, test, record everything, and see your doctor regularly. Of course this teenager did none of that. I had more hypos than hypers. I was very active. I played competetive hockey, baseball, and football. I was always active in those years.
I think this is enough for now. The next phases are pretty mundane. Ambulance rides, nudity, and fireworks in the eyes. I’ll have to think a bit.