Why I Should Never Complain About Having Diabetes Again

Sometimes I need to take my having a Chronic Disease with a little bit of humor. Diabetes may suck, but it could always suck worse. For all the complaining I do, I look back on diabetes in the past and can't help but feel a wave of gratitude towards all the people who have made advancements possible. Even in the last 10-20 years, Diabetics have seen big improvements in needle size, insulin pumps, glucometers, and Diabetic Technology in general. There may not yet be a cure, but I hope that even if one is far-off, more advancements will keep coming that make living with Diabetes safer, more affordable, and easier in the future.

With that said, I am really, REALLY glad I was not a diabetic before the 21st Century. Not meant to offend any diabetics who were - I'm sure they're glad for all the advancements, too.

Needles

The needle on the top is the one we use now, the one on the bottom was used in 1967. And I thought I was scared of needles now? Can you imagine having to give yourself a shot 5+ times a day with that thing? As a (former) needle-phobic, I am very very thankful for my itty bitty needles!

Some more old-school insulin needles:

1955, "The Palmer Injector". In Palmer’s device, the syringe is attached to the gun-shaped steel handle, which can be used in either hand, and applied to any part of the body. Does anyone else find this thing completely terrifying? As if giving yourself shots wasn't bad enough, let's add a gun.

Before the 1960's, disposable syringes did not exist. People would not only have to boil their syringe and needle to sterilize them, but they would have to use an object like the one shown above to sharpen their needle, as it would often grow dull.

Lancets

The white lancet is from 2006 (now they are even smaller!) and the blue one is an older one, most likely from the '90's. What gauge is that? OUCH!

The Autolet; aka "The Guillotine". I believe this deserves to win the award for "most terrifying lancet ever".

Glucometers

This was a Glucose Meter (Glucometer) used from 1885-1936. What a big difference from the Glucose Meters we use now! Back then, they did urine tests instead of blood tests.

1957 - 1963. ‘Clinitest’ is a "portable" urine testing kit. It is similar to those used in small rural (or ‘cottage’) hospitals or in the general practitioners’ surgeries. The kit was made by American company Ames. It detected substances such as blood, protein, glucose and sugar within urine. Identification of these substances within urine can assist the diagnosis of diseases such as diabetes. I'm pretty sure this is bigger than my laptop. No matter how "bulky" my glucose meter may seem when I try to stuff it subtly into a purse, I will now take the hassle in silence. 

1980's Glucometer. I think mine is about the size of the black sticker on the front.

Before Insulin

1880-1920: Before the discovery of insulin, it was believed that any foods that were converted to sugar (carbs) should not be eaten by diabetics. Diabetics were put on low-calorie diets (450 calories a day) and could have no sugar at all. Still, this only kept diabetic patients alive for a few weeks, maybe a year or two. There may be many things that I shouldn't eat now, and I plan on experimenting with low-carb diets in the future, but I am grateful for insulin and the ability to have the freedom to still eat a wide variety of foods. 

Picture of before and after insulin, date unknown.

Miscellaneous

Medical Card from the 1970's. Too true! Apparently when I was taken to CentraCare while going into DKA, the Doctors all thought that I was intoxicated, too.

1978 JDRF (then JDF) Poster.