1950s vs 2020s: the differences in diabetes care

How has diabetes care changed in 60 years? We interviewed Adele Jossel to understand what diagnosis and management was like over 60 years ago…

Can you tell us your diagnosis story?

It was 1958 and I was 8 years old. I was skeletal, my thirst was insatiable and the running to the loo to urinate was nonstop.

My mom took me to our GP who diagnosed me with a bladder infection. Obviously the antibiotics for the so-called bladder infection didn’t help. Eventually I was taken to a Paediatrician who diagnosed me with Type 1 diabetes. I was hospitalised for 3 weeks in the Johannesburg Children’s Hospital where I was stabilized.

The cruelty of the whole drama was that no one explained what diabetes was. No one in my family had diabetes so I had never heard the word before. I was given an orange to practice injecting on and thought that the injections would stop once I was discharged.

My biggest shock came when another child in the ward told me to ‘practice hard’ because I’d be injecting for life . 

The whole experience was barbaric.  The children who are diagnosed today are very fortunate to have knowledge, education and devices at their disposal.

How has diabetes management changed in 66 years?

The change in diabetic management over the years is enormous. 

When I was diagnosed, I had to use steel needles and a glass syringe. There was a long needle used for drawing up the insulin, then you changed to a shorter needle for injecting. Because they were reused, they had to be sterilized. This was done by boiling in a designated pot. When cooled, the needles and syringe were placed in meths. Before injecting, the syringes and needles were rinsed off in a cup of boiling water. Thereafter the process started over again. 

Testing was another big deal. There was only urine testing which was very inaccurate. 

In the beginning, you tested the urine by putting a few drops into a glass tube, some chemical was added and it was heated over a bunsen burner. After a few years that changed and Clinitest was introduced.  It was a tablet that was added to the urine in the glass tube.  It fizzed and gave you a colour which was your urine result. 

Then we upgraded to Clinistix. That was a breeze because you would urinate on a stick which had little pads on it. The side of the bottle of sticks had colours on it so you could get a reading by comparing your stick to the bottle. I remember blue was negative, no sugar in the urine going up to orange, a high amount of sugar in the urine.

What’s the best diabetes advice you’ve ever been given?

The best diabetes advice that was given to me was to follow doctor’s instructions and don’t be scared. This will become as natural as brushing your teeth. 

I made up my mind long ago that I’ll live with diabetes, not die from it. I don’t believe in digging your grave with your knife and fork.

Diabetes care begins at home

Diabetes care really does begin at home: I eat 3 balanced meals a day, counting my carbs for what I’ve eaten. I don’t snack between meals unless my blood glucose is dropping.  I don’t like the sugar free sweets but occasionally eat a tiny Canderel milk chocolate or a handful of biltong.

Way back in the 1950’s there wasn’t any sugar free cooldrinks or squash, no jams, jellies, biscuits or sweets. You either cheated or did without.  I did both. It was embarrassing going to a birthday party with a packet of crackers and a homemade drink of lemon barley water that my mom use to make. 

Many years ago, I did the Dine course with Michelle Daniels and Vanessa Brown at the CDE. It was the most empowering thing I’ve done. I learned how to read food labels and count carbs amongst everything a person living with diabetes needs to know. I still weigh my carbs to know how much insulin to give. 

What do you wish you’d known when you were diagnosed?

I wish I’d known that diabetes was for life and one doesn’t leave it behind when you leave hospital.

There are so many people suffering from various and
serious diseases today.
I’m  pleased that what I have, I can control and be the boss of.
Nobody can do it for you. Knowledge and discipline is your biggest gift.

What advice would you offer to someone who is struggling with their diabetes?

As a diabetic, you’ll have good and bad days. Actually, everyone has good and bad days. Don’t let it rule your life, learn to live with it and how to handle the highs and lows.

Don’t make it your enemy. Eat responsibly and enjoy what you eat and your life. It can always be worse. 

I laugh when people tell me that I don’t look like a diabetic – I’ve yet to learn what a person with diabetes looks like.

What makes your life sweet?

My husband and partner in diabetes, and my 3 wonderful children and 5 grandchildren make my life sweet. 

I also love my work as a beautician and have been working for 50 odd years. It gives me a reason to get up in the morning and I love the interaction with my clients. 

Life is sweet even if it’s with artificial sweetener. Make the most of it with a smile and gratitude. 

What do you think your story will be in 66 years?

Thanks so much for sharing your story, Adele Jossel! Would you like to share your story, either here or on Facebook (South Africans with Diabetes)?