Joslin 50 year medal (blood, blood sugar, insulin)

[markg91359]

How many people with Type I diabetes here have had the disease for 50 years or more? My wife has.

If you have, you are entitled to receive a "50 year medal" from the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, Massachusetts. Joslin is the perhaps the oldest and most respected name in diabetes treatment and research.

My wife and I went back to Boston in April of 2014 and she was given a medal. There is also an opportunity to participate in a large research study. Medical researchers want to know why some people with diabetes live longer and experience fewer complications than others do. If you are selected to participate in the research study, you will get a certain amount of free medical care, plus an occasional all-expense-paid trip to Boston, so they can follow up with you.

Plus the 50 year medal is an honor to have.

[suzy_q2010]

Congratulations to your wife, Mark.

I would suspect that one big factor in diabetics that achieve what she has is a determination to master the disease and not let it win, and that must take a tremendous amount of dedication and effort. Well done!

[legalsea]

I shall add my kudos. A remarkable achievement!

[markg91359]

Originally Posted by suzy_q2010

Congratulations to your wife, Mark.

I would suspect that one big factor in diabetics that achieve what she has is a determination to master the disease and not let it win, and that must take a tremendous amount of dedication and effort. Well done!

Well, she has shown much dedication. Checking your blood sugar four times a day and adjusting insulin doses depending on results takes discipline and some savvy.

It has been noted that many of the Type 1's who have had minimal complications in 50 years of diabetes apparently still produce at least some minor amount of insulin. You might appreciate this link.


50-Year Medalist Study | Joslin Diabetes Center

Originally Posted by legalsea

I shall add my kudos. A remarkable achievement!

Thank you. Your kind words (and those of Suzy) are appreciated.

I'd love to hear from other long termers.