Photographer Anne Marie Moran recently released a series of photos of her husband’s daily life with Type 1 diabetes. With permission, here is an edited excerpt and several photos from that photo essay:
Tempering my anxiety over my husband’s Type 1 diabetes while being a supportive (but not overbearing) partner is something I work at on a daily basis. Lows in particular are a constant struggle for me, as Tom has developed hypoglycemia unawareness. I worry he’ll go too low while he’s driving, while he’s sleeping, when I’m not there. I worry about everything.
I often think about how unfair it is that people with Type 1 diabetes never get a break from the burden of such a complex, unrelenting disease. One can’t take a pill and forget about it for a few hours. I’ve told my husband that I wish I could take his place, even for a single day, so he could know the freedom of life without having to think about blood sugar.
To know Tom is to know the happiest guy on the planet. I marvel at his strength, his commitment to his health, his childlike joy for life, and his absolute refusal to give in to bitterness.
Tom filling up the reservoir of his insulin pump.
The contents of Tom’s diabetes supply cabinet.
Keeping my anxiety in check while Tom sleeps can be difficult for me. Is he just sleeping in? Is he conscious? Is he taking a nap because he’s genuinely tired or because he’s lethargic due to a low?
I admit my worry has gotten the best of me many times. Early on in our relationship, I found myself waking him up to deliver pressing messages like “look how cute the dog is being right now” just to make sure he wasn’t dangerously low or unconscious.
Accidentally hitting a blood vessel during a CGM sensor insertion.
Apple juice to the rescue during an artificial pancreas trial.
You can see the complete photo essay here: http://www.annemariemoran.com/type-1/.
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