By: Imogene Priddy Parker
Just before my 12 birthday, January 1948, I thought my life was almost over -- in fact -- it almost was! I was a very sick child who was constantly hungry and thirsty. I consumed large amounts of food and water, but continued to lose weight. My weight dropped from 79 pounds to a mere 59 pounds within a matter of weeks. When I wasn't eating or drinking, I was running to the bathroom. I had always been an energetic child -- in fact, a tomboy who was always romping, running, climbing trees and all the various other activities a "Country Gal" could find to do. Suddenly I did not have the energy to complete a simple task. It seemed just too much effort to put one foot in front of the other. My parents realized something was seriously wrong with me. I was taken to the same country doctor who had driven the 5 miles to our farm home to deliver me when I was born. The doctor recognized the symptoms of Diabetes, but with his limited lab equipment, a urine test was all that he could perform. The test revealed a very high sugar content, so I was referred to a doctor in a nearby city who was more knowledgeable in the treatment of childhood diabetes.
When I heard the words that I definitely was a Diabetic -- I thought my life was doomed! Tears were shed because there would be no more candy bars or soda pops! I kept many of my fears to myself, but my greatest fear was that I would not live to be grown. Even though my parents and the doctor told me I could live a healthy, normal life if I abided by a few rules -- I did not believe them. The only person I knew who had diabetes was an older man. I had heard everyone say he was dying from Diabetes -- so I must be dying too!
Life was not easy for me as a child. At this time there were no diet drinks and few diet foods -- the only artificial sweetener was saccharin. Saccharin was bitter tasting and no matter how my parents tried to make me think it tasted sweet -- I did not like it.
Everything was so inconvenient! My insulin syringes had to be sterilized by boiling -- and I hated that! Most horrible of all were the urine tests -- oh, how I hated them! But my parents made sure I ran the test at least once in the morning and once in the evening -- even though I protested saying, "No other kid had to boil their urine!" You see, the test consisted of adding urine to Benedict Solution in a test tube and boiling the concoction for a few minutes. I can still remember the awful smell of boiling urine -- especially when it turned a bright orange or a brick-red indicating a 4+, high urine sugar level! To this day, I hate the color Orange, 4+ Orange as I still call it. Blue remains my favorite color. Could that be because blue indicated a normal urine sugar?
In 1948 educational material was limited regarding the subject of Diabetes. The book my doctor recommended was too complicated for an adult, unless you had a medical degree. The book confused me more and made me feel life as a Diabetic was not worth living. At this point in my life, I became a very withdrawn child -- thinking I was the only youngster in the entire world who had Diabetes! I still thought I was going to die. In fact, I really did not care if I lived or not -- who wanted to spend the rest of their life taking shots and not getting to eat like other kids -- and having to do those horrible old urine tests! My doctor was wise and understanding and kept telling me I could live a healthy life. He often told me that if I took care of myself, there would soon be a cure for Diabetes. After his insistence, arrangements were made in 1951 for me to attend Camp Sweeney -- a camp for Diabetic children.
I rebelled against going to camp. I didn't want to spend the summer with a bunch of "sick kids." I'd rather stay home and be sick by myself! No one listened to me, so off to camp I went. Or should I say, I was literally dragged there! I was amazed as we drove through the gate that said, "Camp Sweeney." I couldn't believe my eyes -- no one looked sick. Kids were everywhere -- they were hiking, riding horses, playing ball, swimming, and participating in all kinds of sports and activities. I must be at the wrong place -- these kids weren't sick! I would not fit in -- I was too sick! I begged to turn around and go home -- I didn't belong here! But do you think my parents listened! No, they kicked me out and made me stay! It didn't take long to know they made the right decision. I soon realized that all the kids were just like me. We were all fighting the same enemy, Diabetes. The next two summers, I did not have to be urged to attend Camp Sweeney -- I could not wait for summer so I could attend.
While at Camp Sweeney it became fun and a challenge to learn to give my own shots and to adjust my diet, exercise and insulin. Oh yes, I learned a new procedure for testing urine! The Clinitest method had come into being. Just drop a few drops of water and urine into a test tube, add a Clinitest tablet, and watch the solution boil. In a matter of seconds the test was completed. What an improvement over the old method! In a few more years, the test strips were developed and it was even simpler. You could pass the test strip through a urine stream and have immediate results.
Things were finally getting simpler for the lives of Diabetics. It was also at Camp Sweeney that I was first introduced to disposable insulin syringes -- what a freedom -- no more hassle of making sure my syringes were sterile. No longer did I have to boil my syringes and keep them in alcohol. I did not have to sharpen the stainless steel needles with a whetstone and run tiny wires through the needles to keep them clear of mineral deposit. It was also at camp that I learned the importance of keeping logs of test results and how helpful it is to keep logs of the food you eat.
My trips to camp made me realize that others shared my same problem and that problem could be controlled. I made up my mind I was going to control my diabetes and not let diabetes control me! I was the one who had to control my Diabetes -- no one else could do it for me. Camp Sweeney made a difference in my life that has allowed me to live a happy, full life -- now over 50 years with Diabetes! If it had not been for Camp Sweeney, I probably would not have lived to be grown.
I have given much thought about why I have, after 50 years, have escaped the complications that plague so many diabetics -- and I must attribute my successful life with Diabetes as a blessing from God and from the influence of many people upon my life. Most of all it was my mother and father, who are now both deceased, that made me realize that I was special in the eyes of God and that He gives us only one day at a time -- and that we should live each of those days doing the best we can and leaving the rest to the Lord. So with this wise teaching from my parents and with their help, I learned that life was worth living even with diabetes!
For my successful life as a Diabetic, I must give credit to many other people who influenced my life. A former physician's knowledge of Diabetes helped carry me through a difficult pregnancy, but a safe delivery of my twin daughters who were born in 1955 -- a time when it was almost unheard of for a Diabetic to have children -- much less twins!
I never try to hide the fact that I am a diabetic, and because of that I have always had the support of all who know me. I will always be thankful to my childhood friends who recognized something was wrong the first time I experienced an insulin reaction when even I did not know what was wrong. All my family, friends, and co-workers have always been supportive. they never made me feel different because of my Diabetes. I have never used the fact that I am a Diabetic to keep me from doing the things I wanted to do. In fact, I have always thought I could do anything any other person could do -- except I had to keep in mind that I am a Diabetic and remember to follow the rules.
My twin daughters grew up knowing all the facts about Diabetes and they never complained -- well not much anyway -- when their mother cooked few sweets and they were forced to eat vegetables, broiled meat, and fruit to help me stay on my diet. My grandchildren at young ages learned about Diabetes and they assisted me with my insulin injections and checking my blood sugars.
In the 1970s I was introduced to the blood glucose meter. It has greatly improved the control of Diabetes. Each time I use the meter which is usually 4 to 8 times daily, I am reminded how grateful I am that I do not have to boil my urine!
In June 1983, I was awarded the Quarter Century Victory Medal. This is a bronze medal given by Joslin Diabetes Center. This award is given only to insulin-dependent Diabetics who have lived with diabetes for 25 years or longer -- I had been a Diabetic for 35 years! The criteria for the award are exceedingly strict. Because of this, less than 200 persons had qualified for the medal since the initiation of the award in 1948. In a letter from my physician he stated, "She has a history of insulin-dependent diabetes diagnosed at the age of 12. At the time I first saw her she seemed surprisingly free of the complications of Diabetes. It seems she would be a proper candidate for the Quarter Century Victory Medal." After a through study of my medical records, the staff at Joslin Diabetes Center agreed and I was awarded the Quarter Century Victory Medal. In the letter of congratulations from Joslin it says, "The purpose of this award is to recognize the character of the patient in addition to her intelligent use of diet, exercise and insulin to encourage other patients by the example of those who have lived long and are healthy, and to secure for study the records of those exceptional persons to promote better treatment of other diabetics."
In January 1998, I celebrated my 62 birthday -- also in the same month I completed 50 years of living with Diabetes. I had reached my goal -- I received the Fifty-Year Bronze Medal from Joslin Diabetes Center. Along with the medal I was presented a certificate that read:
Imogene P. Parker
for living courageously
with diabetes for more
than half a century.
Joslin Diabetes Center, Inc.
January 29, 1998
A letter stated that the award was made to persons who have had well documented insulin-dependent diabetes for 50 years or more. And in closing the letter said, "We extend to you this tribute for your conscientious and courageous attention to the many difficult details involved in living with diabetes over these many years."
During the same month, January 1998, I was awarded a 50-Year medal from Eli Lilly and Company for being on insulin since 1948.
Over 50 years have passed and I am still fighting the battle with my enemy, Diabetes. I have had my ups and downs just like all Diabetics. I made it through the difficult teen years, a teenage marriage, the birth of twin daughters, divorce, no health insurance for many years, remarriage, death of a spouse, living as a widow having to face a demanding career with the responsibility of providing for myself. Just before my 50th year with Diabetes, I retired from a demanding job and began a new and exciting phase in my life -- I married a wonderful man who even knowing the complications and demands of Diabetes was willing to share his life with me. With his help, I will continue fighting my enemy, Diabetes.
I know God will not bless me with another 50 years. Whether He chooses to bless me with 1 day or 5, 10, 20 or more years -- I will not give up -- I will continue to fight Diabetes as long as I live -- and I will keep hoping and praying for a cure. I encourage you to do the same! Until a cure is found, the next phase of my life is looking forward to the day when I start using an insulin pump, and that should be soon.
And all this has been accomplished because a shy country-gal was made to attend Camp Sweeney where she learned that life with Diabetes is worth-living!
Imogene Priddy Parker
e-mail: Geneigene@aol.com
Update on the Imogene Priddy Parker Story
I recently celebrated two birthdays -- the date of my birth and the date I was diagnosed with Diabetes. In January 2007 I turned 71 years old. On my birthday, 59 years ago, I started my life with Diabetes.
Through these many years, I have made the transition from the "dark ages" of treating Diabetes to the "age of technology." In March 2002 I started using an insulin pump. After living so many years with numerous injections, it seems as if I have been cured! My doctor is amazed because I am in better health than most people my age. I attribute my good health to years of "fighting my enemy, Diabetes." Since using a pump, it has made the fight easier! I recommend the pump for all ages -- no one is too young or too old. They must have the desire to want a better life and put forth the effort to be a successful "pumper." It can be accomplished and it is worth it all!
Take it from a great-grandma -- life with Diabetes is worth living!
Kimberly Advent Site Owner