Living Life with Diabetes
Chapter One
He couldn't want so
much water
In May 1975 my younger brother and I caught measles. I was
four years old, Peter was three. We were put into bed - the
same bed - until we recovered. Eventually, our spots
disappeared, but even after they had gone I did not make the
expected recovery. I was always thirsty and constantly asked
my mum and dad for glasses of water. One night, when my
grandparents were staying with us, I went downstairs for a
glass of water to quench my raging thirst. Ten minutes later,
I went down again. And then again. And again.
Finally, one of the grown-ups said, in a mixture of
exasperation and concern: 'He couldn't possibly want so
much water!' But I did need to drink a lot, and it was
decided that I should be taken to the local GP. He simply
bent down, smelled my breath, and pronounced: 'Diabetes!'
We were then sent to the Harcourt Street Hospital in
Dublin.
I can still recall the corridor of the hospital on that night - 15
May 1975. It must have been quite late, as it was dark.
I remember sitting on a chair, apart and away from the
doctors, nurses and my parents, who were all on the other
side of the corridor, huddled in what seemed to me to be a
conspirator ... read full excerpt from Living Life with Diabetes ebook
