The Meaning of Life, the Universe, and Everything

Today marked another milestone for me. I do remember bits of a day 42 years ago as I was rushed to hospital with a Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis! In the decades since, a lot has changed with the mechanics of how I’ve managed my diabetes.

Back then I started off with syringes and regular injections of both Actrapid and Monotard. After a while we had a big, clunky (and noisy) meter for home BG readings. I don’t have records of things like HbA1c from the first 19 years, but I apparently made it through alive.

Today I’m usually using much faster insulins, with a pump, CGMs, with software integrating everything into an Automated Insulin Delivery system. My HbA1c hovers in the “non-diabetic” range, my Time In Range in the high 90%s, and TITR in the mid-80%s. All without much moment-to-moment attention. I know I’m doing better than most people living with diabetes, and this continues to inspire me in my daily work to bring these things to more people.

Today doesn’t actually feel like any special day compared to others. I suppose it’s “just” another diaversary. I’ve actually passed by so many of those over the decades without realising, although these days I have a bit more awareness of the passing of time.

But as someone who’s read plenty of Douglas Adams, there does seem a certainly amount of whimsy when the answer to the Ultimate Question (42) comes up! It does feel vaguely significant.

Some people (especially the newly-diagnosed) have trouble considering a diaversary as something to celebrate. They don’t feel it’s appropriate to celebrate developing a chronic medical condition that will affect our lives until the day we die.
I think I prefer to celebrate each passing year as being another year of survival. Or even “thrival”!