rigger
Newbie
Hi everyone, just recently discovered this site so will introduce myself. My names is Andy and have been (for my sins) a type 1 diabetic for 33 years. I was diagnosed while I was in the RAF, stationed at lyneham, Wiltshire. I was 19 and living my dream. As long as I can remember I have wanted to be in the RAF. I was an airframe mechanic (hence rigger) and working on the Hercules. 13 months after completing my trade training, I had all the usual symptoms everyone is familiar with. 9 months later I was medically discharged. What do I do now? Spent a lot of time in denial, drinking and having hypo`s and feeling sorry for myself. If someone told me I wasn`t allowed something, I ate it! And lots of it as well! The RAF taught me the basics but the majority of what I learned was reading a book called `carbohydrate countdown`. This told me the carbohydrate values of modern day to day food per ounce. In those days `79, you had an injection and 20-30 minutes later you ate your meal, in between your meals you had a snack and supper. Certain carbs at certain times, all day every day, very regimental! As the years went by and the hypo’s became more severe a change was needed. `Eat what you want when you want not because you have to, and inject accordingly` was the advice I had. Happy days! Welcome back food!!! Donuts, gateaux, cheesecake etc. moderation was the key phrase. High and low bloods all the time, moods and tempers enhanced by high bloods (anyone else?) a nightmare to live with as you will all know. As I got older I learned the hard way, moderation appeared again, “it may be alright now but it’s the future you have to think of” 2008 was my first experience of retinopathy, blurred vision and `floaters` in my eyes were common. Surgery was the answer and as I had left it so long between checkups (be warned keep regular appointments) I needed 9 sessions to clear things up.(not pleasant by any means but must be done) So far so good, all ok. Still have highs and lows, they are not perfect by any means but could be better which is down to me. Hope I haven’t bored you all but thank you for taking the time to read this.
