This profile is a combined effort by me (Ann Stratton) and my son (Kevin Strattan).  Coincidentally, we were both diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in October at age 31.   As you might notice, Kevin spells his last name slightly different due to his avid interest in genealogy, and his name agrees with our ancestors.  We work at the same place so it oftentimes is confusing to others, but we find it a great conversation starter.  Kevin has composed 3 large genealogy books to date and the most recent one on my maternal grandmother’s side has pinpointed where the gene comes from for our diabetes and other relatives, thus both Type 1 and 2. 

Prior to my diagnosis, I knew nothing about diabetes, and didn’t recognize my excessive thirst as a classic symptom.  I had dealt with gestational diabetes and toxemia a year prior but my only diet restriction was to limit salt intake.  After pregnancy, I started losing weight and my vision deteriorated and I struggled to find the cause.   I made an appointment with my OBGYN physician (my only doctor at the time) and I thought everything would be resolved immediately.  Instead, he discounted my concerns and did not request blood work even with my history of gestational diabetes.  When I insisted, he patronized me, patted me on the head (I was 31 years old!) and told me I could have a “full blood panel”. 

Soon after returning home, I was called and requested to return immediately.  When I asked for more information, I was told that I had a blood glucose level of over 800, which is often in coma range.  This was how I found out I had diabetes!  I was subsequently hospitalized at St. Mary’s Hospital for training to care for this new disease.  I requested books on diabetes, which in turn scared me when reading about my outlook with complications.  I also ‘escaped’ as often as I could to walk at the zoo as I was sharing my room with 2 other diabetics suffering from the flu and ketoacidosis, which I soon understood was putting me at risk unnecessarily!  It seemed from the beginning my care resided within me, and I could not always rely on others to do the same, even in the health care field.  Soon after my release, I found a physician who was much more geared to my diabetic care as I resolved never to return to my disappointing former OBGYN physician.

Kevin’s diagnosis came about a bit differently, and here are his words.  Yes, my diagnosis came with a little bit more foreknowledge of diabetes because what my mom went through.  For me I believe it started when I was biking and fell off my bike the summer before I was diagnosed.  I seemed to have passed out for a micro-second or something and the next thing I knew I was on the pavement in some pain with a big bruise forming on my back.  I was relatively lucky with that accident that I didn’t get hurt any worse than I did, but I think it was a physical stress that started everything.  I also was learning how to take care of my first child and was dealing with a lot of other stress in all areas of my life.  In September I noticed a couple of times my vision got a little blurry and I thought my eyes were changing, but didn’t think much of that until later.  Then on October 4, 2001 I went to bed and by the next morning I had completely polished off a 2 quarts of Crystal Light and 2 quarts of Grape Juice in the night without really realizing it until the morning. 

Knowing this thirst as a warning sign I decided to go into my doctor and see if I had diabetes.  Sure enough, on October 5, 2001 I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, and spent some time in the hospital getting rehydrated as my blood glucose was 438.  The doctors were surprised that I just walked into the clinic and got diagnosed; apparently most people come in through the Emergency Room before being diagnosed.

My initial therapy involved going on shots.  I would take shots before each meal and one daily shot for longer term stability.  I was ultimately on shots for 14 months, and then in December of 2002 I was able to move over to the Insulin Infusion pump which has made a big difference in my life.  Living with diabetes has been an incredible challenge as it not only gets in the way of what and when you eat, but it also can be a challenge with when you exercise as well.  Sometimes it seems easier and sometimes it seems harder when struggling with this disease.  Now I’ll turn it over to mom again.

Learning to live with diabetes was difficult initially.  I was quite active and was always having insulin reactions, bouncing up and down all the time.  It was difficult to figure out my blood sugar levels by urine testing.  What “saved the day” was getting my first meter to use for testing my blood.  Initially, our HMO rejected my request for a meter (which it loaned out only to “special” patients).  I wasn’t “special” enough because I was taking good care of my diabetes.  UGH, rejected because I’m good.    After several years we decided to change to a different HMO.  When I again asked to “borrow” a meter, I was sent directly down to the pharmaceutical supply area to get my very own!  I finally felt “special”!

What Kevin and I have learned from our diabetes is:

• Be prepared, like a boy scout.  Always have your meter, candy or fruit along with you at all times.  
  
• Monitor your blood sugar often and always before eating, driving, exercising, going to bed and when you are feeling “off”.
• Don’t expect others to “take care of you”, even though sometimes that happens.  Always do your best to be independent.
• When changing physicians for various reasons, always ask for the most pro-active internist available to get the best care possible.
  
• Never stop learning.  We are both on an insulin pump, and that has made our management easier and our A1C tests closer to normal.  I also have a sensor that works with my pump to sound an alarm when my blood sugars are getting out of my desired range.  This has required attention and learning, but all worth it, even when interrupting my sleep. 
  
• Be as active as you can both with your disease and with your physical activity.  Neither Kevin nor I have been prevented from any physical activity due to diabetes, but we have had to make adjustments to proceed safely.   We both walk as much as possible together at work.  
  
• Eat as healthy as you can and avoid your trigger foods that you can’t stop eating but should.   
  
• Know your limitations.  Don’t risk doing something that might get you into trouble if you aren’t “prepared” enough.
• Subscribe to the Diabetes Forecast, which is full of useful and current information.  You can even receive portions of this online. 
• Do not hide your disease.  Modesty should still be in place but attending to your injections/blood testing/etc. takes precedence.
  
• Involve yourself (and your family if possible) in “diabetes” walks and bike tours whenever you can, as they are very rewarding and keeps all motivated to help find a cure.  Kevin has been especially active in this regard and has formed and led the “Strategic Spinners” team for our Tour de Cure Event in Madison.  This is his 6th year as our leader, and our team has grown each year.  We have had recognition for highest per team member funds raised and Kevin has won top fund raiser in this event for several years.  This is a family and friends team.  
• When someone asks about your disease, share what you know.  You never know how much you are helping others.

As mentioned above, Kevin and I are active with the Tour de Cure fund raiser in Madison each May.  What is especially rewarding is how well the event is handled with scores of volunteers, many booths, entertainment, massage tables, bike clinics, good rest stops, and good food at the end of the ride.  I am always awed by the bikers who do the 100K (62 miles) as I am happy if I can do the 50K (31 miles).  Kevin and I especially enjoy being signified as a “Red Rider” with a jersey or tee, showing others that we “ride with diabetes”.  When we look around at all of the other “Red Riders”, we are amazed at how many people are affected and how diverse.  Many times, we see a dad or a mom who has a child alongside and both are Red Riders.  Some children are young and in bike carriers.  This certainly helps put a “face” on the disease.  We love hearing others shout “go Red Rider” whenever a red jersey bikes by.   

In closing, I am thankful that Kevin and I now eat better and recognize the value of exercise.  Though I was very upset when Kevin was diagnosed (just not fair), I now feel we can work as a team helping each other.  He has adjusted well being a quick learner with good management skills, so I no longer worry.  He actually talked me into going from daily injections to the pump, which I’m so thankful.   In addition, he administered my glucagon shot when his dad needed help and I was unresponsive.  Thus, when the EMT’s arrived, I was already ‘out of the woods’.  Yet, neither of us want our ’team’ to grow and we work hard on events to find a cure and prevention.

I hadn’t felt like myself for months. I was frequently fatigued and noticed I lost 20 lbs. I began drinking a lot of water and felt proud of being so healthy. But when evening came I would get a sharp pain in my stomach that would immobilize me. All I could do was lay on the couch waiting for it to pass and try to quench my constant thirst. At times I would drink a soda in literally 10 seconds and be looking for the next thing to drink.  Once I started having blurred vision more often, coworkers urged me to see my doctor. I finally did and was shocked.

With no family history, I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 26. My diagnosis was less than one month after my one year wedding anniversary. I felt awful for my husband. I felt like he didn’t know what he was getting into… and neither did I.

I had several appointments in the next couple weeks with the diabetic educators to learn how to count carbs, give injections, check my blood sugar, etc. It was quite overwhelming. Three months later I was able to gain control over my blood sugar and shortly after became pregnant with our first child. Almost immediately after learning about our pregnancy my doctor started me on the insulin pump to help keep tight control over my blood sugar. I remember holding my hand over my meter every time I had to check my blood sugar. My pregnancy hormones were making it more difficult to control my blood sugar level and I felt horrible if it was too high. We were induced and ended up having a c-section with our daughter, who continues to be very healthy. Two years later we got pregnant again. This time my husband was traveling a lot, so in addition to my insulin pump I began using a continuous glucose monitor. This device offered safety features that were critical to have while home alone with two young children. I could set an alarm to go off if my blood sugar dropped below a certain level. 

Diabetes can affect your entire day. A typical daily routine consists of checking your blood sugar at least 5 times, paying attention to the amount of carbs consumed, always having food prepared for a sudden low, and doing injections or monitoring your insulin pump.

Despite my diagnosis, I have gained the confidence over the past four years that has allowed me to compete in sprint triathlons, half marathons and marathons. I recently ran in the Boston Marathon this past April and am currently training for my first half ironman. Diabetes will continue to be a challenge, but it doesn’t define me. All these devices have helped me live a healthier life with my diagnosis, but I want “our” children to know what life is like without diabetes. Thank you for helping fight to find a cure.