Lucy was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in
1977 when she was 23 years old.Her first 5 years were a difficult
struggle to get her blood sugar levels under control.She even ended up in a 3-day coma at
one point.Doctors said her outlook was poor
until someone at the American
Diabetes Association (ADA)
suggested she try Dr Sabin Belknap here at Portland Diabetes &
Endocrinology Center.Since then, she’s had a terrific
life with unexpected blessings.
After her diagnosis, Lucy went on to have 2 children – something few
Type 1 patients were able to do at that time.In fact, when her first baby was born an article with her
unusual story ran in one of the Portland newspapers!She remembers having to go to the hospital every day to check
her blood sugar in the days before personal blood glucose meters and
strips were available.
In the 1980’s, she was one of the first to use Chem Strips to
check her own blood sugar levels.
Very active in her community, Lucy was a Cub Scout leader and a
Sunday school teacher.
She currently volunteers at a local school and enjoys hiking; in
2002, she hiked most of the trails in the Columbia Gorge.She recently started a Neighborhood Watch program.
When Dr Belknap retired a few years ago, Lucy continued as a patient
here at PDEC with Dr James Beard.