My Type 1 Diabetes (T1d) journey began on Christmas Day 1973 at the age of 12. It was my sister, a nursing student and fellow T1d, who recognized the symptoms and confirmed my condition. Born ninth in a family of eleven children, I was one of five siblings eventually diagnosed with T1d. Despite the challenges, I never saw T1d as more than a minor nuisance in my life. This perspective helped me embrace dietary restrictions and avoid complications, leading to a relatively stable health journey.
Early Life with T1d
From the moment of my diagnosis, I faced the reality of living with T1d alongside my family. We never had five people with diabetes living under the same roof simultaneously, but the shared experiences created a unique bond among us. My approach to managing T1d was disciplined; I adhered strictly to dietary guidelines, knowing that breaking the rules would result in feeling awful. After two episodes of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) in my first year, I managed to stay out of the hospital for hyper or hypoglycemia ever since, a fact I take great pride in. The support of my family and the guidance of an excellent doctor who made me feel strong and empowered were crucial in these formative years.
Education and Career Aspirations
Inspired by my desire to help others with T1d and the need for a stable career, I pursued a degree in pharmacy at St. Louis College of Pharmacy. This single-degree college provided an integrated curriculum, with courses like Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, and Medicinal Chemistry complementing each other around disease states. My college years were filled with significant milestones: I joined a fraternity, got married, and enjoyed a period of relative ease and success.
However, my optimism was challenged when the curriculum turned to diabetes. Professors repeatedly emphasized the grim statistic that 75% of diabetics would die of complications within 20 years of diagnosis. At 21, nine years post-diagnosis and newly married, this was a sobering realization. The fear of an uncertain future began to loom over my once hopeful perspective.
Personal Struggles and Family Impact
As I navigated my college years, my sister’s health started to decline. She became blind, bed-ridden, and required dialysis. Her death from kidney failure, a year after my first child was born, was a devastating blow. She was 20 years post-diagnosis, and her passing felt like a grim foreshadowing of my fate. I internalized my fears, becoming a "dead man walking," haunted by the thought of leaving my wife a widow and my children fatherless.
Turning Point
The turning point came with the publication of some of the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) study results. These findings highlighted that elevated blood glucose levels were the primary cause of long-term complications, shattering previous assumptions that complications were inevitable. This revelation motivated me to take my blood glucose control to a higher level.
Technology Advancements and Lifestyle Changes
Embracing technological advancements was a game-changer. The introduction of Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) systems and insulin pumps enabled me to maintain my A1c levels in the low 6s. This tight control significantly reduced my risk of complications, proving that T1D didn’t have to define my fate. Despite the stress of maintaining such control, the data and insights provided by these technologies were lifesaving.
Discovering the open-source Automated Insulin Delivery System (LOOP) was a pivotal moment. LOOP automated my insulin delivery, drastically reducing the mental and emotional burden of T1D management. For the first time in decades, I felt a sense of liberation and optimism about my future. I was present with my family, and the fear of T1D complications no longer dominated my life.
Life Today
Today, more than 50 years post-diagnosis, I am healthier and more hopeful than ever. With the help of modern technology, I maintain excellent control, complication free, and even have hours that I completely forget about diabetes. My journey has taught me that while T1D presents significant challenges, it is possible to live a full and rewarding life with the right mindset and tools.
To anyone living with T1D or facing similar challenges, I want to convey this message: Embrace the advancements in medical technology, stay informed, and never lose hope. Your condition does not have to dictate your future. With perseverance and the right support, you can lead a vibrant, fulfilling life, just as I have. My goal in life is to help anyone that desires to improve their T1d management through technology find what will work best for them. If you or someone you love has T1d let’s talk.
Just Another T1d,
Mike Sommer
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