57 years with T1D; Nonetheless, the Future is Uncertain

Transmission cases and gears being cleaned and rebuilt in Michael Schrom's shop in Othello Washington
Michael Schrom in his transmission rebuilding shop

We spoke with Michael Schrom who lives in Othello, Washington, a farming community in Eastern Washington, about his life with type 1 diabetes.

“I was born in Ephrata and was living on a ranch near Smyrna when I was diagnosed in December of 1962. I was seven.

At that time, the average life expectancy was 20 years for a newly diagnosed person with type 1 diabetes. I started with u40 insulin and used all of its successors — u60, u80, and u100. I remember paying $9 for a case of ten 10ml vials.

My problem turned out to be I lived too long!! I didn’t have a long term plan.

I am dealing with retirement that I wasn’t supposed to reach. Actually, I am dealing with planning for my retirement. Not there yet. I work ten to six most days.

My success in dealing with my diabetes has turned out to be a mixed blessing. I don’t have an end in sight; I just keep dealing with debt and bills.

Cleaning a transmission case of old oil is important to the rebuild

I am a self-employed automotive tech specializing in transmissions. I am a great mechanic but not a great businessman.

I have health insurance via my wife’s teaching career which has allowed me to pay for good diabetes technology. My daughter and a CDE friend of hers got me onto a pump.

I have had Omnipod pumps for almost 10 years and love that they don’t have tubes, which would snag things in my work. I started with a Dexcom 5 and now have a Dexcom 6 CGM.

Interestingly, the only complications I have had from diabetes occurred once I had better control of my blood glucose levels. In 2007, I got retinopathy in my right eye. This became severe and led to multiple laser surgeries, and finally, a Vitrectomy that solved the problem completely.

I have had some luck. My grandmother had type 1 diabetes and my mom was familiar with the symptoms of high and low glucose. She recognized my diabetes early and took me to the local hospital before I had any real problems. Mom also knew how to care for someone with type 1 diabetes.

I have lived an active life. I weigh 190 lbs and am 5’11” tall. I have no issues with blood pressure or cholesterol.

I was a skier most of my life but broke my femur skiing on Mission Ridge in 2002 and was out of work for three months as I recovered. I am still paying off the debt I incurred to keep my shop open while I was layed up.

I had back surgery earlier this year, probably the result of lifting heavy transmissions every day. Paying the deductibles and the co-pay for both the hospital and the surgery have put me further behind.

Still, I have lived almost 57 years with type 1 diabetes and have had minimal problems. That is something to be celebrated. I have also lived long enough to meet my granddaughters and enjoy my family.

Nonetheless, the future is uncertain.