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| 01 Dad bus driver, then inspector. Mum housewife. No money. Enjoyed school. Good at athletics. No qualifications. | |
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| 02 Own entertainment – no TV. Worked in office until married at 19 – double wedding with sister. Little social life. | |
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03 Husband salesman. Moved. Divorced. Aged 21, married chef. Son now 33, daughter now 28. Daughter “diabetic baby” before I had diabetes.
Diagnosed aged 32 - knew because brother diabetic. No hospital admission. Learnt to inject once daily. (Now pen 4 times daily.) | |
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| 04 One day’s training at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Blood monitoring. Adjusted insulin. Constant monitoring. Daughter aged 6 revived me with sugar. Hypos in public embarrassing: 2 weeks ago… | |
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05 …woman asked if diabetic. When diagnosed, people ignorant re diabetes – considered death sentence – now taken less seriously.
Hospital didn’t say adjust insulin.
Mother used to weigh brother’s food. | |
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06 Brother never adjusted insulin - I did it when single parent & doing decorating. Didn’t tell medics.
Dietary advice – no sugar. | |
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07 Disobeyed advice. Couldn’t accept diabetes. Brother “good” – no problems. I was “bad” – lots of problems. I had 6 pints, then adjusted insulin.
Husband left when children small – frightening… | |
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08 …afraid of hypos. Instructed children what to do.
Took children with me to cleaning job… | |
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| 09 …at a pub. Sometimes exhausted by walk to work. When son 14, he looked after daughter while I worked behind bar – enjoyable… | |
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10 Liked meeting people.
Deterioration began 11 years ago – foot problems & early cataracts. 6 years ago, 3 months in hospital – neuropathy… | |
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| 11 …diagnosis took ages. 6 years ago, fewer cleaners, but better nursing. (Got MRSA recently.) Hospital got diabetes under control. By then medics adjusting insulin. | |
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| 12 Told to adjust by Dr. Wright – met through UK Prospective trial. Never heard re free transport, despite foot ulcers – travelled on buses with children. Now transport free. | |
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| 13 Left bar work after ulcer. Hairdressing, then worked in pub, where met current partner. Tony & I took over pub, then took over current pub. Don’t say I’m diabetic. Eventually told Tony. Bad hypo… | |
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| 14 …frightened Tony. He feels guilty that I’ve so many problems. Sometimes rows, but usually caring. Last March, 1st holiday alone together… | |
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| 15 Before departure, fell over. A & E said just a sprain. Admitted to hospital in Tenerife - foot broken. Tony nursed me. | |
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| 16 In England admitted to hospital – foot infected. Infection wouldn’t clear. Re-operated on foot. Sickness due to neuropathy. In hospital 6 months. Even before Tenerife, told re dialysis. | |
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| 17 Thought dialysis terminal. Ill for 4 months. Thought I’d die. Since coming home recently, hard to get up stairs. Hospital different from 6 years before – nurses have no time to talk. | |
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| 18 Wanted Tony beside me. Nurses nice, but forced old ladies to get up. Wish doctors would confer – disagreed about when I could leave… | |
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19 …depressed – thought I’d never leave.
Sometimes knew better than doctors – diabetics differ. Unlike brother, I can’t walk or see well. | |
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| 20 Convalesced at sister’s. Felt ill. Her GP said dialysis needed. Went on CAPD dialysis at home a few weeks ago, 4 times daily… | |
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| 21 …not as bad as expected. Lots of hand-washing, antiseptic. Sit on bed, open stomach valve & drain; then let 2 litres of fluid in. Night-time dose feels painful. Bags collected. | |
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| 22 Took 1½ hours at first – now only 25 mins. Can’t have bath. Can’t eat things good for diabetes. | |
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23 Tubes embarrassing with partner. Now he does dressing, takes blood pressure.
Thought dialysis terminal when saw ill people in hospital. Now on CAPD, meet others on it – more cheerful.
Easy to get infected. | |
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| 24 Attended hospital for 5 days’ training; now only weekly. Coping with diet. Tony supportive. 7 grandchildren… | |
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| 25 …very kind. Hope I see them reach teens. Remembering past year, wonder what next will bring. Tony manages pub well. | |
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| 26 He enjoys pub. Depressed by money shortages. Transport free, but tiring. Without diabetes… | |
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| 27 I’d help in pub. No life together – If I’m in pub, feel guilty, because can’t help. Don’t show depression – just alone at night. | |
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| 28 Son just diagnosed aged 32. Advice – stick to your diet. | |
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