Discovering Diabetes

In the year 1989 came the discovery of the World Wide Web, the single biggest technological breakthrough since Michael Faraday discovered the light bulb in 1831. Little did anyone truly know the far-reaching impact this breakthrough would bring—the good, the bad, and the downright ugly.

I was 34 at the time, making my way in the world, married with two children and another on the way. My career was going well as a bank manager, and by all intents and purposes, I was moving up in the world. However, my mother was always on my case: "Get yourself tested," she would say. "You don't want to end up like your father."

My dad had what was called in those days "sugar diabetes." He would agonize over his blood sugar levels before every mealtime, injecting insulin with needles the size of javelins. He was also losing his eyesight. Dad initially discovered he had diabetes many years earlier when his teeth started falling out while he was on holiday in Hastings. This is no disrespect to Hastings; it's just that these places find their way into your eidetic memory.

My mother was relentless with her persistent nagging: "You don't want to end up like your father," ringing in my ears. I eventually caved and booked a urine test at my local doctor's surgery. Giving urine samples requires a certain sense of humor. The doctor used some test strips and sent me on my way with the "all clear."

Later that day, the switchboard at work found me through my beeper. The doctor was on the phone and said he wanted to do the test again the following day, saying he may have had some dodgy test strips. I returned the following day. The doctor did a blood test this time, which turned the test strip to the color that irreversibly heralded the arrival of my future life with diabetes.

The following week, I was booked to see a specialist at the local hospital to kick off my new life as a "diabetic." This appointment was non-negotiable—cancel everything, you’ve got to go or else!

I saw a kindly man, Dr. Dai Thomas, who went through the new routine, medication, and lifestyle. Dr. Thomas was also very reassuring: "You've got to live your authentic life, Charlie. You mustn't let this define you or derail you. Life goes on, so must you."

That was half my life ago.

I've graduated from oral medication to a combination of tablets and insulin. I've never thought I was capable of winning the diabetes game, only to have the strength of character to live with it. After all, who would ever want to change places with me, living every moment with this demon of diabetes permanently on my shoulders, watching my every move?

I try to shrug off any hint of stigma or despondency. A sanguine, pragmatic outlook works for me. I'm grateful for each and every new day. It's a beautiful world full of color, beauty, music, and art.

Five years ago, I entered Harefield Hospital for seven nights full board, all-inclusive, with a free trip to the theatre. I had a double heart bypass and an aortic valve replacement.

Heart Health

Before the surgery, I had a long chat with the surgeon, Fabio de Robertsis, who has a fabulous knowledge of Italian football. I asked him, "Why, after all these years, managing my diabetes to the best of my ability, how come this has happened to me?"

"Charlie," Fabio replied, "if you hadn't managed the diabetes so well, we would have been having this conversation 15 years ago."

Self-managing my own diabetes has proved to be the toughest of callings, placing me daily under immense pressure. However, I will never dwell on what might have been the alternative.

Though I didn't appreciate it at the time, being diagnosed at 34 did me a huge favor. Without my mother's nagging, who knows what might have happened? Let's not go there, eh.