Type 1 For 66 Years Today
Sept 10 was my birthday, 72 years old. Today (Sept 15) completes my 66'th year of T1. I am sill healthy and do not have any diabetes related complications, except for mild nerve damage. There had been a diagnosis of autonomic neuropathy, but that is false. My cutting down on my BP med to minimum dosage has almost eliminated my dizziness, and my BP is still good. I do not have symptoms of autonomic neuropathy now.
Working out at a gym 3 days per week has greatly increased my stamina and given me some extra muscle. I painted two sides of my house this summer. I know I will start to slow down one of these years, but I hope it will not be any time soon.
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92 replies
Very Good! Love your outlook.
Excellent! Inspiration for all of us
Thanks!!
Mean it much
Wow, that's great! I was diagnosed at age 2, and turned 32 in May. I won't even begin to go into my history, but I am glad you have no complications after so many years. I worry about that often. Keep up the great work! To many more!
Thanks so much!
I like the healthy recipes for diabetics but they need to stop telling people to use splenda in them ,I read an article about it and splenda is as toxic as the pesticide ddt or agent orange , look it up ,it was in an article in diabetic connect , its killing people ,check the damage it is doing to your body , substitue splenda with pure cane sugar , it'll raise your sugar levels up but they will come back down alot faster than processed sugar which will stay with you for quite a while , splenda is a chemical , stop using it
I use Sweet 'n Low, and have used many other artificial sweeteners in the past, for 66 years. None of them ever hurt me. I have not used splenda.
You Rock! Great Job! Happy Belated Birthday by the way!!
Thanks!
Congratulations!! I'm so happy that you are doing well!! Keep up the great work and I'll be praying for you!!
Thank you, you are very kind!
Happy Belated Birthday!!! Many, many Blessings To You!!! May you live a long and blessed life!!!
Hi Teresa, thanks!
Hey, new here, but really like your inspirational self, dude. gonna check out your book. Hope I make it to 66 also. Take care.
Thanks, I hope you do too!
Hi Richard, Long time no see and Happy Birthday (belated as it is). You were always an inspiration to all of us here at DC and I see that you still are.
Best wishes and many more!
Hi Judy, thinks for your kind message!
You are an inspiration!
Thank you sir!
Happy birthday! What an inspiration you are! I'm only T2, (well controlled) but it still makes me nervous sometimes. You are a wonderful example that people can live long, healthy lives with Diabetes!
Thanks so much!
Hello!
Happy birthday.
I would like to say thank you. 2 months ago my just turned 2 year old was diagnosed type 1 and it was quite a shock, but I try to stay positive. Hearing your post gives me such hope for my sweet little angel. So thank you, and I'm so glad for you and your health! Cheers friend!
Hi! I was also diagnosed at age 2, and am now 32. Please feel free to ask me anything you want to know…I've been through it all! It will get easier!
Hello Rylensmommy! I am sure you will give your child very good care. Your love and care will serve as the foundation for a long, healthy life. Good luck to both of you!
Richard is a great example of how type 1 is not the end of the world. I am sure he will have a lot of great advice to share with you as you and your little one start this adventure.
Hi Gabby!
Happy belated birthday, Richard! I know there will be many more, considering the way you take care of yourself. God Bless you! I will be 70 in January 2012. Sending love and best wishes! ;-) Mara
Thanks Mara, that is a very nice message! I hope your health is good too.
I'm doing well with the D, thanks! Good BG numbers and only two pills since the last week of August. No pills at all in the last two weeks, so I'm getting there. Getting around well, also. Anything else (Fibromyalgia) isn't life-threatening, so its all good.
Wow! I am impressed. Happy Birthday!
Thank you!
Happy very belated birthday.!!!
Thank you Graylin!
Congratulations are in order here. Keep it up!
Thanks Carol, I will keep it up!
Happy Birthday!!!!! I think it is great that you have only mild nerve damage, and I hope you had a good birthday!!!! I know working out makes a big difference. I walk and run 4-5 days a week, and I can't believe the difference it makes for my overall circulation. I just turned 41 in July. You are an inspiration!! ANNE
Thanks Anne! I agree that exercise helps a lot. I exercise every day.
wow congrats… u have made my day… and happy belated !
Thanks!
Happy Belated Birthday! You are an inspiration! Good luck and keep up the good work.
Thank you LabRat!
Happy belated birthday
Thanks momma!
Many happy happy returns rich!!
Its so refreshing to hear that someone is managing life to the great extent you are with your diabetes!! sure if you ever find yourself stuck for something to do you can fly over to ireland and paint my house!! it could do with a coat or two!!
On a small note i remember you telling us about your joslin medal! my fathers endo applied for the European version; its called the Alan Nabarro medal, for fifty years with diabetes. ! its a small humble gold medal but he was chuffed to recieve a medal and a bit of recognition for his efforts throughout the years with the conditon!!!!
Hope you have a great birthday and i hear from you soon!
yours truely
Roshy!
Hi Roshy, it is nice hearing from you! If you pay for my plane ticket then I will paint your house. LOL I am glad there is a European medal, and your father received one!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! CONGRATS on all these years, and having avoided major complications.
I have been very fortunate, thanks!
Yes, I have been very fortunate, too. My dad, who died of congestive heart failure 2 years ago, was able to gain 22 years to his life because he exercised. Since I was 3 years old, him and I would run and walk together. He was diabetic like myself, but we both exercised regularly for years, and I continue to. I can't imagine not doing this. They said I would be on 5 shots of insulin a day, or more, if I did not walk and run. Happy belated birthday again!——-ANNE
Happy Birthday and Congratulations Richard :)
Thank you!
Congratulations!
Thanks!
HI Richard!
I have been thinking about you for some reason, and here you are, front and center. It is great to see you again. Congratulations. You are an inspiration!
Glad to be re-connected.
Gary
Thanks doctor, you are very kind! May I ask, what is your speciality?
You just keep marching on! Congratulations Richard
As long as I wear my Timex watch, I can take a licking and keep on ticking. Thanks Gabby!
Hey happy birthday. I'm a t2 dx 3 years ago. You rock! I turned 58 on the 11th. Keep on rockin!
Thanks Robert! We can rock together!
I look up to you Richard…it was 46 years for me over Labor Day weekend, and still mostly free from complications. At 67, my wife and I are enjoying a month in Rome and the Amalfi coast…avoiding pasta is a problem, so have to temporarily re-adjust everything. I know this sounds expensive, but this is our 7th Home Exchange where we just swap homes and the major expense is the air fare. I simply don't know why more people don't do this. Anyway, congrats on your longevity…you're my hero!!
Hi Moe. I envy your being in Rome at low expense. I hope you have a great time there. Thanks!
Hey Moe, You are livin the lide. The Amalfi coast is sso beautiful! How do you switch time zones with your diabetes?
Test a little more often which ends up needing to bump the insulin dose. Went from 20 to 25 Lantus in the am to make up for the added pasta:>) Walking up 400 stone steps from the beach back to town helped…although had low sugar at the top. Still worked out. The time change works well in that we took the bus to Ravello and Amalfi this morning and was back home in Praiano by 3pm our time (9am Eastern) to work a few hours before dinner.
Maybe I will get to fly to Rome someday!!
Thank you. A friend's 3.5 year old has just been dx'ed with type 1. I'm fueled by your post to be an even more positive member of her support team.
Supporting newly diagnosed diabetics is a wonderful thing! I do a lot of that too. Thanks!
You are an inspiration Richard. In fact when people come on DC all freaked out over their Dx of DM you are one of the people I point them to let them know that people can live long and healthy lives with this condition.
There are several people with type 1 for even longer than me. Thanks for helping the freaked out folks!
Richard, you are such an inspiration to me ! Congratulations for all of your hard work and adherance to healthy living. A very happy belated Birthday to YOU ! You are just amazing. Thank you so much for being myhero and role model . also, happy anniversary for havingT1 for 66 yrs!!!
Thanks, Jan! That is a very kind reply.
Thanks to all my friends on Diabetic Connect. I appreciate your comments. I like for people to know that diabetics can have long, healthy lives.
Yes, this is so true, that diabetics can live long and healthy lives. I know my last internist was very very impressed when I told him I work out on a regular basis. He was pretty astounded when I told him I always believed that no matter what type of diabetes a person has, that working out and staying positive, like you do, is always a big plus. I have run into a lot of people that are not diabetic that think that once a person is on insulin, it is doomsday. ANNE
Congratulations Richard that is very remarkable especially considering on how treatment for diabetes has changed over the years. From what I am learning here type 1 is very challenging today I can't imagine what it was like for you as a young boy.
I hope you have a great birthday celebeation and wish you many more. Book? I think I will have to look into that.
God bless you always,
Mary
Hi Meg, I have seen so many changes 1945-2011. I am lucky to be alive and healthy. If you go to the amazon.com home page and type "Beating The Odds 64" in the box at the top of the page, you will see my book. Click on the book picture and you can read some of it.
I bet things have changed enormously since 1945. I know an older man from church, and he went from age 3 all the way to age 21 being type 1 juvenile, and he kept having seizure after seizure. His parents abused him over it, and they forced him to see a psychiatrist, and they adamantly told him it was all in his head. He was given several psychiatric pills to take, and he said it was awful…he was not able to get his diagnosis of type 1 until age 21, when he moved out. His doc told him he was very very lucky to be alive. I talked to him a year ago, and he was able to get off of insulin for a whole 10 years, after he resumed playing tennis. Unfortunately, he had to go back on insulin, as his pancreas only held out for so long that way. He says to this day, he struggles with the bad memories, and people not believing him. He is about 80 years old today. He takes about 8 units of insulin a day. He says his type 1 was the healthiest one could have and I agreed with him. ANNE
is it available on kindle.. i would love to order it…?
Thank you Richard I will definately check it out.