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| 01 Born 1930, Lincs. Father taxi driver. Semi-public school. English degree & BEd at Cambridge. Taught in Midlands 13 years. Went deaf. Moved to Oxford examination board. Retired early, 1988. | |
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| 02 Not literate home, but homework encouraged – spared housework. Mother wrote my essays! Father had diabetes in his 70s. Family deafness, not diabetes. | |
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| 03 Co-authored 3 education books, early 1960s. | |
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| 04 Wrote first page Inspector Morse, early 1970s, on family holiday – published 1975. Lived in Oxford. Wrote evenings, between The Archers & the pub. | |
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| 05 Retired aged 58 – ear problems. Had written Morse books, TV series had started. Continued to write. | |
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| 06 TV series c.1987-2000. Diabetes diagnosed 1987 – wife recognised symptoms. GP tested - must go to hospital. | |
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| 07 Had felt ill almost a year. 1 week John Radcliffe – insulin drip. 1 week Radcliffe Infirmary diabetes ward. | |
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08 Rude remark re dietitians got into Press!.
Taught to inject, test blood, keep record, diet, exercise.
Wife removed sugar… | |
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09 …from diet - hadn’t had much before.
3 injections ActRapid & 1 bedtime injection of Ultratard. Latterly encouraged to vary amounts. | |
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10 Have rarely forgotten injections.
At first didn’t adjust insulin.
Took blood sugar records to GP – fabricated them – before recent scientific calibrations. Fond of doctors – knew fluctuations would upset them. | |
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11 People vary. Alcohol effects vary – I’ve been big drinker - metabolisms vary.
Doctors gave explanations for diabetes: heredity scored low; worry scored average; alcohol scored high. Had drunk since aged 14. Gave up year ago. | |
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| 12 Gave up sport when moved to Oxford. Hospital advised walking. I’ve kept fit, but never taken it seriously. Diabetes didn’t change life apart from travelling with equipment. | |
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| 13 Biggest problem when travelling – hypos in night. Had warnings – at home have Weetabix. Never serious – hospital tried to cause hypo – didn’t work… | |
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14 …deprived of breakfast – blood stayed same. Everyone different. Bad hypos occasional. Can over-compensate.
Told everyone re diabetes – not embarrassing like deafness. | |
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15 Worry that hearing aid will fail on TV or radio.
If I’d been drinking would have had 1000s of units in year.
Used to go to GP’s diabetic clinic 3/4 times yearly, Radcliffe clinic twice yearly. | |
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16 GP clinic stopped. Know people at Infirmary & Churchill & can go if concerned.
Have had laser treatments – eyes still worrying.
Feet admired!
Nothing said re kidneys & liver.
3 years ago, spots in eyes… | |
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| 17 …Wife rang Eye Hospital. 7 laser treatments each eye. They’re afraid I’ll go blind like Sue Townsend. Must keep blood pressure down. Stopped drinking – lost 2 stone. Have to give up totally – as with smoking 20 years ago. | |
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18 Wife irritated by deafness but very good re diabetes – night-time care, sugar-free cooking.
Greatest improvements – pen & blood-testing machine. | |
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19 I re-use needles. Needles now fine, painless. No harm in re-using.
I admire NHS – unlike Daily Mail. | |
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| 20 Top specialist was one of my pupils. Then transferred to Professor. Did fund-raising for new hospital - maybe get preferential treatment. Only see nurses for blood tests. | |
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21 Still have ear problems; consultant recently mentioned slight heart irregularity; eyes not good, driving limited.
Early bed-time. Morning – fetch paper. Fewer fried breakfasts. Crossword, letters, public speaking, The Archers, read, mow lawn. | |
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22 Morse died of natural causes – heart attack from smoking & drinking. Like my life.
Advice to newly-diagnosed: discipline, but don’t let it dominate life. | |
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