I feel so good about the experience I recently had that I want to share it with others.
I took a trip last week to London, Ontario, to visit the Banting Museum. Dr. Frederick Banting was a Canadian doctor and surgeon living and working in a house in London in 1921 when he had an idea that led to the discovery of insulin. The museum in honor of his work is in the house where he lived when we woke up one night at 2:00 am and wrote down his idea that led to the discovery. The rest, as they say, is history.
Seeing the artifacts and memorabilia and tributes to his work, including a replica of the Nobel Prize, was a tremendously emotional experience for me. I told the docents at the museum “I have lived 33 years longer than I would have had it not been for his and team’s work”
In the room where he slept they have placed a replica of his single bed, a night stand, and a small work table with papers, pens, etc. On the night stand there is an old fashioned round alarm clock set to 2:00. On the work table, along with a photocopy of the paper he wrote at 2 am for his idea that led to the discovery, there is a box of tissues. The docent told me (as I choked up seeing the discovery that saved my life) “We go through them!”
If any of you have the chance to travel to London, Ontario, and visit the museum, DO IT!
Hit me back if you really are thinking of visiting it and I’ll share travel and visiting details, etc.
If you do see it, you won’t forget it. And don’t be ashamed if you help the docents use up their supply of tissues!
I’m also 38 yeas, maybe we have the same diabetes birthday.
Mine was Labor Day 1987, but of course that was when I was admitted to the hospital with DKA so the dying began a couple months before
Mine is Dec 29, 1986. Looking back, I can recognize symptoms of DKA well over a month earlier. I’m only alive because my family ignored the GP’s assessment of flu on the morning of the 29th, and rushed me to the hospital that afternoon, when I collapsed. My Aunt Sally, a nurse, told my mother (on the 28th) that they should have me tested for T1D. That’s why my mom took me to the doctor on the 29th, but he didn’t even send any blood to a lab. I had ALL of the classic symptoms, and there was a hospital across the street from the doctor’s office. My blood sugar, when finally checked in the emergency room, was 998. I would have died at the age of 21.
Thanks, Frederick Banting!!!
My experience was almost as crazy, and I was also 21 at the time. I think back the especially they would guess you are not type 1 at 21 because we were just a little too old.
I went to my doctor after I used a glucose urin strip trying to figure out why I’m losing weight and dizzy and peeing all the time.
The doctor took my blood and told me to eat less sugar and sent me home. Turns out my glucose was 650.. the next day my eyes were so blurry I went to a new doctor who sent me to the hospital where I got a dx of DKA and type 1.
It’s no wonder people still dye from DKA the symptoms are so often ignored.
Thank you for sharing this. I almost visited last year when I was in Toronto for two nights, but it was a bit rushed and I visited Niagara Falls instead! Next time I will make the trip to Banting House. Your account is very moving. 45 extra years so far for me
I almost visited last year when I was in Toronto for two nights, but it was a bit rushed and I visited Niagara Falls instead! Next time I will make the trip to Banting House. Your account is very moving. 45 extra years so far for me 