Terri's 60+ Year Journey with Type 1 Diabetes: From Diagnosis to Modern Tech

Early Diagnosis and Limited Education

• 💡 Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 1963 at age 15, Terri recalls a time with minimal diabetes education.
• 🎯 Initial treatment involved a single daily injection of NPH insulin and a strict "don't eat sweets" rule, with no blood glucose monitoring.
• 🧠 Urine testing was the only available method, often showing high sugar levels, leading Terri to avoid testing.
• ⚠️ Terri's paternal grandmother had Type 2 diabetes, but there was no family history of Type 1 or other autoimmune conditions.

Navigating College and Early Adulthood

• 🚀 During college, Terri managed her diabetes by keeping insulin in the dorm cafeteria refrigerator and taking shots after meals.
• ⚡ A significant low blood sugar event led to passing out, highlighting the challenges of managing diabetes without consistent monitoring.
• 📚 The introduction of the ADA exchange lists marked a shift towards more structured dietary management, though not yet full carb counting.
• 🤰 A failed pregnancy at seven months gestation was later attributed to high blood sugars, a fact not understood at the time.

The Dawn of Modern Diabetes Management

• 📈 The advent of blood glucose meters was a pivotal moment, enabling Terri to see her blood sugar levels and prompting a desire to learn more.
• 💡 A doctor with a "revolutionary idea" in the mid-70s introduced the concept of using both long-acting and short-acting insulins before meals.
• 🩺 Terri's career in the diabetes supply field provided extensive exposure to new technologies and information, driving her self-education.
• 📱 The transition to an insulin pump in 1997 (Medtronic 506) marked a significant technological advancement in her management.

Embracing New Technologies and Self-Advocacy

• ⚙️ Terri later moved to the Tandem pump but found the clip uncomfortable, eventually switching to the Omnipod Dash due to its discretion and ease of wear.
• 💡 She emphasizes the importance of understanding how insulin works, a realization that came after over 60 years of living with diabetes.
• 🍽️ Terri discusses managing her diet, including a high-protein smoothie, and the challenges of eating with GLP-1 medication and age-related appetite changes.
• 💬 She advocates for viewing diabetes as an addition to one's identity, not the focal point, encouraging others to embrace their multifaceted selves.

Life Lessons and Future Outlook

• 💖 Terri reflects on her 42-year marriage and her current approach to relationships, valuing companionship, humor, and shared interests.
• 🏡 She is planning a move to California to be closer to her son and grandchildren, downsizing from a large home.
• 🌟 Despite facing challenges, Terri has avoided long-term complications like retinopathy and neuropathy, attributing this to a combination of luck, good genes, and proactive management.
• 🤝 The Juice Cruise 2026 is highlighted as an opportunity to build community and share experiences among people with Type 1 diabetes.