Why did the insulin die in my pancreas?

James Yarker has managed to have many adventures in his 23 years.

He is a husband of two years, to the ever lovely Liz.

 

He is an assistant nurse/carer in a 86 bed nursing home/hostel.

He and Liz have recently relocated to Tasmania, and are settling into their new home with their two assistance dogs, Aramis and Carbi.

His depth of character is rare in such a young chap-he has many endearing attributes that definitely place him in the category of ‘new age gentleman.’

Oh, and speaking of rare, James has an extremely rare autoimmune condition known as APECED-an acronym for Autoimmune Polyendocrinopathy Candidiasis Ectodermal Dystrophy.

There are many disease associations related to APECED.

James suffers from quite an impressive variation of autoimmune illnesses associated with this condition, one being Type 1 Diabetes.

I can at least relate to James on this level, as my own Lance has racked up five years of the condition. We recently spoke about all things IDDM. Here is his courageous and inspirational story about how his life has been affected by an especially horrifying experience and the wonderful “gift” that gave him hope and courage whilst living with Type 1 Diabetes.

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James, you had already been living with some of the other autoimmune conditions that are associated with ACEPED. When were you diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes?

“I was diagnosed in 1998 at the age of 14.”

When did you start on the insulin pump?

“I was on injections until the 18 July 2006.”

So, hit me with five adjectives to describe who James Yarker is at this present time in your life?

“compassionate…..considerate…..adaptable…..professional …..Semper Fidelis” (translates to ‘always faithful’ in Latin.)

I’m going to say a word, and I want you to say the first thing that enters your mind.( No pressure now…)

hospital?….“again”

tubing?….“ouch” (it gets caught on stuff)

marriage?….“security”

blood?….“essential”

insulin?….“syringe”

work?….“tax”

family?….“home”

relaxing?….“scotch”

happiness?….“laughter”

luck?…. “make your own”

misery?…. “solitude”

immune system?…. “shot”

Coke?…. “refreshing” (Diet Coke)

headache?…. “hypo”

frustration?…. “incompetence”

food?…. “delicious”

money?…. “important..but not essential”

 

Bravo James! OK…what was your best subject at high school?

“Wagging…that’s my final answer.”

What was the last film you watched that left you moved or shocked?

“Fight Club.”

What’s your favourite charity?

“Beyond Blue..but there’s too many! I want to help them all! SIDS, Alzheimers, Mental Health…”

So, who would you rather meet? A mermaid, or a princess?

“A mermaid…I love the water. I am a Pisces afterall!”

Do you have an exercise routine or a sport you play on a regular basis?

“No, walking around work tires me out, My heel hurts too much to play sport…or anything that requires a lot of walking.

Obviously, the worst hypo you ever had was when you were injured in a car accident?

“Yes.”

This was somewhat of a one-of-a-kind accident. Are you able to share what happened on that dreaded day?

It happened on the 4th November, 2004. I was working as a pizza delivery driver. I had a hypo at the shop and ate a large pasta, had soft drink, a popper…heaps of stuff. Then I loaded the car up and was driving around, delivering the pizzas. I remember feeling low, so I pulled over. There were no stand out hypo symptoms though. I can’t remember checking my level or anything but I do remember calling Liz. I can’t remember what we spoke about…I don’t remember starting the engine again and driving off. I just remember feeling lost and like I didn’t know which way to go, or where I was going…”

“I remember hearing the crash, didn’t see anything, just heard it all. I remember waking up with lots of bright lights and noise, and people speaking to me. I remember looking around and seeing all of these faces..I didn’t know WHAT was happening.

Then I saw Liz. I was relieved and worried, relieved I wasn’t dead…”

Besides breaking your heel bone, did you sustain any other injuries?

“Well…apart from my pride being damaged…I had a couple of broken ribs, a really bad sprained ankle, one cut on my arm and one on my leg, and bruising on my legs from the steering wheel collapsing..”

Was that from the impact of the crash?

“Yes..”

I really appreciate you reliving those horrible memories for the sake of this interview, James. That’s when Liz decided that nothing like that must ever happen again, and she went on a crusade to find a way to keep you safe when you were on your own. She began searching on the internet for tips and ideas…

“That’s when Liz found Paws for Diabetics on a Diabetes forum in April/May 2006.”

So, moving right along, it wasn’t long after that one adorable Carbi Yarker was welcomed into your home! When you first met, was there an immediate bond between you both?

“Yes, he snuggled up in my arms and let out a huge sigh…”

In every photo I see, Carbi is smothering you with love or vice versa. Does his devotion help you with the constant burden and worry of health woes?

“Yes, he is like….a refuge.”

So tell me about Carbi!

He’s 1 year and 4 months old, his breed is a Chinese Crested Powderpuff. When he was smaller, he used to come to work with me at a nursing home I was working at. It was hard though, because I couldn’t give him the time or the discipline. He was becoming a bit of a novelty to the patients…

He is naturally cheeky, cunning and playful. He will wait for you to leave the room and eat your food and drink your coffee and when you come back he will be on the other side of the room licking his lips..”

Is there any foods that you purposely avoid because they play havoc with your blood sugar?

“Diet Lemonade makes me low.”

Really?

“Yes really! Passionfruit also makes my levels go up.”

In ten years time if there was no concrete cure, what would you be hoping for in terms of how you would continue receiving insulin?

“Pump with continuous blood monitoring, and a way to infuse insulin without risk of infection.”

Finally, if you were to have a healthy, functioning pancreas after all this time of being islet cell challenged, what would be your ultimate feast, and which three people would you invite? (One member of family, somebody that you admire, and a celebrity.)

“Entree- Crudites…Main-Mexican (nachos, burritos,)….Dessert-bolied fruit cake with brandy custard.”

“My guests would be:

My Lilly…(James’s pet name for Liz)

Your Lance…

And the cast of NCIS, including Kate, who isn’t in it anymore.”

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A huge thank you James, for sharing all your information regarding life with Type 1 Diabetes, and for allowing this information to be published.

If you would like any further information on APECED check out http://jimneydandme.wordpress.com/. This site is jam packed with information about the condition, and how it has personally affected James, and ultimately Liz.

To see James and Carbi’s adventures and meet the rest of the family, go to

www.hypodogs.com