I was 17. and i'm 29 now - so 12 years.
I was actally "lucky". I was on my way to do the first step in the army draft process (1) and while you do this - you pee in a cup. they test for stuff like drugs but also for sugar. and then they sent my to my pediatrician to find out what's that all about. first lab blood test was 288. my dad tested my sugar at home as well (type 2 for 5-6 years at that point) - and it was like 400.
the other lab blood test was 304 - and now I also had some ketones. I was sent to the e.r. immediately.
It was the end of august, and school started on the first of September which i missed - the first day of my last year of high school.....
(1) Army service is mandatory in Israel after high school.