|
From here you can listen
to any tracks that are of interest or
read the transcript. If a track is highlighted
this indicates it contains the subject
you searched for. Clicking [Play On]
will play the entire interview from
that point onwards.
Where an interviewee refers to a particular item, there is sometimes a picture of that item among the thumbnails beneath the interviewee’s main photo and in the Extras section.
|
|
|
To play all interview tracks from the beginning, please click the [Play All] button here. |
| 01 Born Birmingham 1931. After war, father suffered from stress & got job with Forestry Commission in remote Suffolk. I left school at 15. Worked in shop. Ill for months before diagnosed: mother couldn’t face 2nd sick child. | |
|
| 02 Miles from GP & hospital. GP diagnosed. Admitted to West Suffolk hospital. Afraid of staff. Glass of glucose before meals. | |
|
| 03 Mother & I afraid to ask doctor questions. Told must inject. Diet sheet. No blood testing, only urine. | |
|
| 04 (Blood test only every 3 months.) In hospital for 3 weeks. Hungry. Ward maid gave more milk. Low carbohydrate, high protein. 3 eggs 1 meal, when post-war rations allowed 1 egg per week. Extra fat rations. | |
|
05 No potato, squash, juice.
Injections no problem. No deliberate hypo. Had hypo soon after diagnosis: dad cycled 4 miles to GP. Only time in hospital with hypo. Mother glad… | |
|
06 …it was me not sister, because sister more active.
Hospital visiting twice weekly: Dad cycled 20 miles. Boss kind because her fiancé died of diabetes in 1920s. | |
|
| 07 Soon began to lose vision. Months in hospital for “needling” treatment. Loved eye ward. Treatment without anaesthetic unpleasant but successful. | |
|
08 Before needling, registered blind. Glad I didn’t have to be sociable like sister.
Sight from needling lasted to 1964. | |
|
| 09 No vision in left eye until operation in USA, 1964. Married American airman & went to USA 1952. Returned pregnant 1955. (In USA Air Force hospital once: insulin changed. Wives treated as second-class.) | |
|
| 10 Haemorrhaged after return. Lost baby, Lakenheath Hospital. No support given. | |
|
11 American Air Force Hospital at Lakenheath thought wives nuisance.
We moved in with my parents. Lost another baby, 1957: head not formed. Good medical care, but no support. | |
|
| 12 Before USA, we’d been at Greenham Common. Woman from Greenham gave us her baby,1957. Later gave son. Returned to USA, 1960. Had own son 1961. Good care. | |
|
| 13 Deaths of babies unconnected with diabetes. 3rd birth in military hospital, but wonderful care. | |
|
| 14 Coped with 3 children & sight in 1 eye. Diabetes not important - better than other illnesses. I’ve been lucky. | |
|
15 Diabetes didn’t stop me doing anything. Voluntary work. Diabetic niece in USA does paid work.
In USA 1961-8. Mainly healthy. Pneumonia in 1967 while husband in Vietnam – 1st of several bouts. No clinic, just GP. No blood test, just urine. | |
|
| 16 Operation on left eye in Detroit military hospital. Lost way in hospital. Eyesight in both eyes long after return to England. | |
|
| 17 Returned to Upper Heyford, 1968. No clinic, just American doctor – continued treating me after move to Bicester, 1971 – thought he was in love with me! Transferred to local doctor & Radcliffe Hospital, 1973. | |
|
18 1st time I’d been to specialist diabetic clinic. 6-monthly visit. Medical notes show change to Isophane 80, 1973 and Lente, 1974.
Nurses always good, except on night 1st baby born. Sometimes feel I know more than staff. | |
|
19 Surgeon in USA left me in tears when had breast lump. But most doctors & all nurses good.
Medical notes say “retinal haemorrhage in right eye”… | |
|
| 20 …in 1983. Both eyes bad, but not registered blind. Usually had one good eye. | |
|
21 Regularly in hospital with pneumonia until injection against it 4 years ago.
Main change in hospitals: informality – good. Tip of toe removed in Radcliffe… | |
|
| 22 …nice Chinese doctor spent hour discussing pros & cons. | |
|
| 23 Nurses informal. Surprised what’s allowed compared with 1950s. Only had cause for complaint – dirty bathroom. | |
|
| 24 Husband & I have had marvellous treatment. Am walking thanks to podiatrist 1993/4. | |
|
25 Seeing podiatrist this afternoon.
No other complications – lucky. Don’t attribute blood pressure to diabetes. | |
|
| 26 Enjoy life – charity work, social life, dogs. Feet prevent exercise. Blood test 4 times daily: no longer warnings. | |
|
27 Same meter since1970s.
Diet more liberal, but never said “I can’t eat that”. Soon gave up weighing food.
Now Actrapid & Monotard.
Diabetes made no difference to life except… | |
|
28 …feet. Pneumonia unconnected. Not lost sight completely.
Early on saw headline re Prince Charles’ birth. Now laser restoring right eye.
Message: don’t let diabetes stop you. | |
|
|
