“I remember sitting by myself in the doctor’s office in Los Angeles,” recalls 42-year-old Jeremy Robertson of his diagnosis ten years ago. “I didn’t know anyone in town and I knew enough about diabetes to know that type 1, at that point, automatically disqualified you from holding a Class 1 aviation medical [a certificate required to be a commercial pilot in Australia]. So I knew that my career stopped dead that day.”
Jeremy had been working as a pilot with Qantas on the Boeing 747 and 767 for nine years when, in early 2010, he enrolled in a course at the National Test Pilot School in California to further his career. During the first week, Jeremy noticed he was drinking and urinating more often, and when his vision went blurry he knew something was off. After all, you can’t fly a plane without clear vision.
Attending the local medical centre in LA, Jeremy learnt his BGLs were 25.5mmol/L and he was given a shot of insulin and a bottle of Metformin tablets. “I remember calling my fiancé – this was six weeks before our wedding – crying and just not knowing what was going to happen,” he explains. “So I got on the next plane home to Australia and I went through the remainder of the formal diagnosis process.”
Changing lanes
Denne historien er fra November - December 2020-utgaven av Diabetic Living Australia.
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Denne historien er fra November - December 2020-utgaven av Diabetic Living Australia.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
A whole new world
Being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as an adult can be a challenging and confusing time. In this extract from the JDRF's new book, Straight to the Point, they explain what's going on and what to say to people who make uninformed comments about your condition
5 Days 5 Dinners
Weeknights are sorted with these fresh, flavoursome mains, packed with veg!
Fantastic Feta
This soft, white cheese with Greek origins is versatile and packs a flavour punch, with only a small amount needed to jazz up a dish
My story: "I'm proud of the fact that I've gotten hold of my health"
When Natalie Rixon, now 33, discovered she had prediabetes soon after she'd turned 20, it was a shock and a relief all rolled into one. What she did next changed her future.
INTERPRETING YOUR cgm DATA
A continuous glucose monitor is a wonderful source of information but do you really know what you're looking at?
7 NEED-TO-KNOW FACTS ABOUT...diabetes & kidney disease
Diabetes is the most common cause of Chronic Kidney Disease. Learn more about this condition and how to protect yourself from developing it.
GET OFF THE diet ROLLERCOASTER
Dietitian Lyndi Cohen wants you to take a deep breath and think about your weight, and health, in a whole new way.
WHAT IS Wegovy?
Meet Wegovy, the new once-weekly weightloss injection that research shows helps people lose significantly more body weight than those using diet and exercise alone.
MEDICATION & CONSUMABLES
Insulin is available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
DOLLARS AND DIABETES
When you have type 1 diabetes, it's important to see a variety of health professionals regularly to keep your health on track.
