“Being diagnosed with T1D is pretty lifechanging, not just for the individual but families too”

New diagnosis, oranges and metal syringes  

I was nearly eight when I became very unwell. Bedwetting, losing lots of weight, and my hair was falling out. As one of four siblings, my Mum and Dad were so busy that they didn’t notice until my school got in touch. I think they thought I was being neglected. However, we had a very happy home. 

Luckily, Mum took me to the doctors that day, and after a urine test, I was taken straight to the hospital and diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) there and then in November 1975. 

I was terrified going into hospital alone. At the time, visiting was restricted, and this was my first time away from home. The nurses were only concerned about getting my blood sugar stable and starting me on injectable insulin. 

Big glass and metal syringes, with long and thick needles, they were horrid! The nurses gave me injections at first, but on day two, the nurse taught me how to draw up insulin from the bottle and inject it. We practised on an orange. 

Insulin at the time was taken from the pancreas of pigs or cows. Horrendous to think about now. But it was all there was at the time, and the diet was also more restrictive than these days. It was all about carbohydrates and not eating too much to maintain glucose control.  At the time, it was just one big injection a day every morning and only urine testing was available to detect glucose. So, everything had to be counted, 10 grams of this and that, I don’t know how my Mum and Dad managed. They were never told about the complications that can occur as a result of the body not being able to regulate blood sugars.  I made it home for my eighth birthday, and the district nurse came each morning to give me my daily injection, but I soon started doing it myself.  

Navigating T1D together

It was a terrible time for my Mum and Dad; they’d never heard of diabetes and all the extra care involved in keeping me alive. Being diagnosed with T1D is pretty life changing, not just for the individual but for their families too. 

About a year into my diagnosis, my sister found me unresponsive at home and had to run to the local phone box to call an ambulance.  I don’t remember anything, only waking up in the hospital. Doctors explained I was in diabetic ketoacidosis. I had been resuscitated and was very lucky to be alive. 

Thinking of career prospects, I wanted to be a tennis player but that wasn’t to be. I remember the careers adviser at school telling me, ‘you could be a secretary!’. I was totally nonplussed by that, but I never imagined I’d end up training to be a qualified nurse. Maybe someone suggested it to me, or time in hospital as a child influenced me. 

Changing treatment options 

There was a huge amount of kit at home for my diabetes management when I was diagnosed.  

Ten years later, when I was on my nursing course, treatment had progressed. We had thinner, less painful needles and synthetic insulins, long and short acting, to better maintain control. It was a revelation. 

Then came blood sugar testing. No more mini lab in the loo for me! And after much campaigning, blood test strips were available on prescription.  

Better control meant less risk, but an increased chance of hypoglycaemia. Always, always carry emergency supplies wherever you go, it’s potentially lifesaving. 

I’ve had bumpy rides in my quest for good glycaemic control. There have been days when life events happen and end up with very high and very low blood glucose. I unfortunately developed diabetes-related eye disease, but because of trying hard to keep glucose levels under control for so long, that’s it for complications.  

I have been using a hybrid closed loop (HCL) system for two years and I cannot imagine life without it. I’m thankful for the doctors, researchers and fundraisers who have helped bring this about.