Celebrating 30 years of pancreatic service

By | 17 June, 2013

800px-20090911_GDJ2009_Lisarlena06Yesterday I celebrated 30 years of living with diabetes. We had a marching band, fireworks and champagne. Or we might have done if anyone of us had actually remembered my diaversary. In reality, mid nappy change I realised what date it was and celebrated with a clean t-shirt to replace the one Eva had just weed on.

I was slightly bemused this morning to receive a certificate from the hospital congratulating me on managing to breastfeed our child for the last 7 weeks. It made me think that I should probably take a minute to recognise the somewhat bigger achievement of living well with diabetes for 30  years.

I know we have a few parents who lurk in the corners of ShootUp, trying to get a view on what their pancreatically challenged child might be going through, fearful of what damage a lifetime of diabetes may do. Take heart. I’ve not managed a lifetime yet, but 30 years is a pretty major milestone, so let’s take stock:

  • Happy? Check
  • All limbs still attached and not rotting? Check
  • All major organs functioning well? Check (with the exception of a bit of background retinopathy which now my pregnancy is over has calmed down and returned to simmering quietly in the background)
  • Production of healthy offspring, unscathed by her diabetic mother? Check
  • Life lived to the full, despite diabetes? Check

Thirty years is a long time in any job nowadays, but with retirement not yet in sight, I’ll celebrate my 30 years of pancreatic service and keep plodding on.

And if my own family are reading, just a short note – thanks for all your support, it wouldn’t have been possible without you. And a special word for the husband – diamonds are the traditional gift for 60th anniversaries. If we work on the assumption that living with diabetes makes life twice as hard, I think that makes me about due for a diamond.

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About Alison

Diagnosed with Type One in 1983 at the age of four, Alison's been at this for a while now. She uses Humalog in a combined insulin pump and continuous glucose monitoring system and any blood glucose meter as long as it takes five seconds or less.

11 thoughts on “Celebrating 30 years of pancreatic service

  1. Annette A

    Ah, but isnt Eva your own personal diamond? 🙂 (And how you remember what day you were diagnosed I have no idea. I just guess a month based on a dim recollection, and dont bother with the day, just one at random does me.)

    Reply
    1. Alison Post author

      Honestly Annette, whose side are you on? The husband doesn’t need any help in making excuses 😉

      Reply
  2. Tim

    Hold on! This doesn’t add up – I thought you were 25? How can you have had diabetes for 30 years? Answer that, eh?

    Reply
    1. Alison Post author

      Ah yes, of course, I forgot to mention that mine is that very rare form of diabetes which was diagnosed many years prior to my conception

      Reply
  3. lizz

    What a coincidence, I have that sort! I’ve had it for… um, 42 years, but I have NO idea when I was diagnosed, so I think you should also be congratulated on knowing the date.

    I also have no complications (not even retinopathy) but I’d have to say that complications do depend on your genetic make-up as well, it’s not necessarily all about control.

    Reply
  4. Charlie

    Diamonds are definitely required! The big “D” does make life twice as difficult (at least!) but I think the birth of a child (particularly the first one) is also traditionally celebrated with an eternity ring – lots of diamonds!! (not that I ever got one!) See, I am trying to be on your side! – Good luck! Xxx

    Reply
  5. Megs

    Something is not quite right here, 7 weeks breastfeeding = certificate from the hospital, 30 years pancreatic service = well its got to be worth something. I’m sure diabetes clinics could run some sort of loyalty scheme like the supermarkets where points or years service make prizes.

    Reply
  6. brian

    DUK used to have, and my still have, the Nabarro medal for 50 years of insulin use.
    Shootup needs to start its own award for 30 years – a free bike ride over Wrynose Pass ? 🙂

    Reply
  7. Tim

    I think a ride over Wrynose would be more of a punishment than a reward… :-/

    Reply

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