Thanks Elana! I hope many healthy years ahead for all of us....
26 years. I've been diagnosed with Autonomic dysfunction (4/2010) related to T1.
Dec. 7, 2011
69 years ago today was the first day I was sick with T1 diabetes. I was 10 years old, so that makes me 79 now. I know there are others who have had T1 longer, but I don’t know any of them.
My home has been in Phoenix, Arizona, USA for almost 52 years, and I was born and diagnosed in New Rochelle, New York, USA. I have not been married.
I received a BS in electrical engineering at Swarthmore College, and worked for General Electric and Honeywell as a computer systems engineer. I was a co-inventor on one US patent.
I’ve got the Joslin 50-Year Medal, and the Lilly 50-Year Medal. I am a participant in the Joslin 50-Year Medalist Study.
I’ve had proliferative retinopathy and laser treatment in my right eye, and I’ve got glaucoma in both eyes. In addition, although they aren’t complications of diabetes, I also have had chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) since 1994, and ulcerative colitis since 2008. I’ve been using insulin pumps for 16 years. My current pump is the Animas Ping, and I take about 40 units/day. I have used both the Navigator and the Dexcom CGMs, but have stopped because it takes two hands to put the Dexcom in my arm.
For exercise and friendship I’ve been doing a lot of bicycle riding since 1978. During those years I have accumulated more than 105,000 miles (169,000 kilometers). This year I expect my annual mileage to reach 2,000 miles or 3,200 km.
This same message will be posted on Facebook, Insulin-Pumpers, Juvenation, Joslin, and sent to others via email.
Thank you Tom! It is an inspiration to know how long we can go ... it sounds like exercise is a big part of your life and maybe your health?
What are your A1c's? just curious ..
Scott
I too am looking for a 50 year celebration. Not far from now. 2 years old when my mother and father gotthe news. That was in 1966. Lot's of laser saved my vission, but night time driving is becoming more and more difficult. Fortunatly, the wife will drive, and or my youngest daughter who just got her license. My shins are kind of banged up from little periphial vision.Thyroid, Low-T, Frozen Shoulder, hair loss, ED, the list goes on. BUT, I never let this thing slow me down. The pump was the best thing I ever did back in 2000, well, getting sober was right there too!!.
It is so nice to read about all the adults on here that have found ways, or are finding ways to conqouer diabetes. Life goes by 1 day at a time, so I choose to live in the moment.
Good luck to us all :-)
Jedski
30 years, and thankfully no complications! I was diagnosed at 14 months old.
16 years this May...DxD 5 days before my 10th b-day. No complications yet! Hoping that stays the same as my husband and I are looking to try for a baby fall of next year!
Hi Tom, I too, am a long term T1. diagnosed in January 1954--I'm now 62. Never got any medals...Am healthy, happy, and I run. Keep riding the bike.
LeeB
If you still have a hospital record from your diagnosis, it should be relatively easy for you to get a Joslin medal. If you don't still have such a record, the people at Joslin will work with you to figure out some other supporting documentation that you can submit. They have seen practically everything, and they have lots of ideas.
Tom
Congrats!
Congrats LeeB
I got T1 in 1974 at age 2. I had alot of laser surgery done in my teen years, My sight is better but still working on getting my A1c's down. The turning point for me was when I had my daughter and she was born 3lbs. 3oz. Woke me up to take better care of myself. I'm not perfect but I keep trying every day. I'm on the Omnipod now and LOVE IT. Love no tubing, Looking at a membership at Fitness 19 to lose the weight and get the blood pressure down.
I got T1 in 1988 when I was 8....I can relate Laura - it is hard everyday - especially when you add weight into the picture - I myself am overweight and it is a pain to lose it - one day at a time is all we can do. I am looking into the Omnipod myself but wasn't to sure about how comfortable I would be with it attached to me all day and night.....
Hi everyone, Val here T1 23 years, I'm 27 now, kind of all I've ever known, had my few up and many downs, what can I say, I've been on the pump about a year, last week I walked into my doctors office determined to go back on the pen only to find out my A1C is the lowest it's been since I was about 14years old... SooO the pump won lol. Yes wight and diabetes are an awful combination, I find mild exercise and a sensible diet work best. It keeps me from dreading life and in my doctors circle of trust :)
Weight*
Diagnosed in 1968 when I was 2yrs. old
1 Like
Coming up on 11 years this June, diagnosed in 2001 when I was 16 years old. Minor retinopathy but I have not required any treatments so far. Currently on ace inhibitors to bring my kidney levels down but other than that-no complications
Butterfly. I was hesitant on going on the pump after my daughter was born and that was almost 14 years ago now. I love not doing the shots. I started on Disetronic's pump and when I was having problems with getting my insurance to cover my new one I found out about Omnipod and how much less it cost. At first I had some problems with it and getting use to it but now after a year I'm so glad I did it. I have a younger girl here at work that I'm trying to convert to it. LOL
Laura - if you dont mind me asking - where do you wear it? I was more concerned with the day to day things - sleeping (will I be uncomfortable), not being able to wear certain shirts cause the darn thing will pop out lol...things like that...
I wear it everywhere. On the back of my arms, stomach, fatty part of my back and behind. I've tried on my legs but I have not had much success on not getting occlusions and having to change it. I don't tend to have many problems while sleeping, every once in a while depending on where it is. I've reached a point in my life that I don't care if people see it, I don't care if people ask me about it. I once saw a young boy wearing one on his arm and I smiled and asked him how long he started wearing his as I showed him mine. It put a smile on his face when he answered me and I told him to keep it up. I figured it doesn't bother this kid that the world knows he has Diabeties why should it me. I'm not ashamed of what I have.