Thursday, July 12, 2012

What is it like ....

To be a Type 1 Diabetic who is over the age of 60.

Well I took a few days off of posting my segments due to computer issues but I am back and so is What is it like ...

I had the pleasure of having Tom Beatson who is a Joslin Diabetes Center 50 year medalists help me with this segment. The Joslin Diabetes Center 50 year medal means that Tom has lived with Type 1 diabetes for 50+ years.

I asked and he answered. I hope you enjoy :)

Q: Your first name
A: Tom

Q: How old are you and when were you diagnosed?
A: I am 79 years old, and I was 10 when dx on Dec 7, 1942, 69.5 years ago, one year after Pearl Harbor.


Q: For the management of your Type 1 Diabetes are you on an insulin pump (If on pump which one) or multiple daily injections?
A: Animas Ping. It's my 4th pump since I started pumping in July 1995.

Q: What made you choose this method for management?
A: It was recommended by my endo, and has given me much better control.

Q: How comfortable are you with managing your diabetes?
A: I have become pretty comfortable, because I have got my basal and bolus levels stabilized.

Q: What has changed the most in regards to diabetes management since you were diagnosed?
A: Everything has changed since dx! No more urine sugar tests, fast acting insulin, fingerstick BG tests, carb counting, and insulin pumps have all started since I was dx.

Q: What does a typical day look like in your household in regards to diabetes management?
A: I hesitate to describe a typical day. I just take each day as it comes. 2 or 3 days/week I go for a bike ride of anywhere from 15 to 30 miles, and the other days I just take it easy.

Q: What does a typical day’s diet look like?
A: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a 2nd breakfast half way through the ride on the days when I ride.

Q: What tips or advice would you give to a newly diagnosed Type 1 Diabetic children/teen/adult? Children: A: Try and do everything your mother tells you to do for your diabetes. Teens & adults: You must learn as much as you can about T1 diabetes, because that knowledge is what will make you successful with T1 for the rest of your life.

Q: What is your favorite thing about the Diabetes Online Community and why?
A: It's the voice of experience.

I want to thank Tom Beatson for helping me out with my blog post. It is always great to hear from people who have been in the diabetes community longer and can give us their views on the past and present :)

Keep Checking back for more ... I have some interviews that are must see coming up :)

2 comments:

tombeatson said...

I made one mistake when I answered the questions. My current age is 79, not 69. I was 10 when dx in 1942. Tom Beatson

Voice of the D-Mom said...

Fixed :)