[cflat]

For those who aren't initiated in the world of T1D there is some amazing research coming out of the Faustman lab (MGH). There is both a promising cure (BCG vaccine), but also research which indicates that islet cells _do_ regenerate for decades after diagnoses. Islet cells are the part of the pancreas that generates insulin - needed to store/save sugar. That means, that the pancreas is constantly trying to repair the damage from the immune system.

Let that sink in.

Many diabetics suffer from 'random' lows or highs that can't be explained. Not because they aren't doing the right things - because they are - but more likely because their body is bringing islet cells online, producing extra insulin, then the immune system promptly kills them and knocks off the extra production. It's a war within the body!

This is why Loop is sooo amazing and needed. You need a closed loop system that monitors and calibrates to these kinds of bio and environmental changes. Unexpected sprint for two blocks to get to class in time? no problem. Unexpected insulin production in the blood stream? no problem. This project is truly hero work.

As a spouse to a T1D, life is sometimes scary. I, like many partners always have a backup plan in the back of our minds for that that fateful day of an extreme low will not be caught in time. It's scary.

I for one, look forward to life with a bionic partner.

[beached_whale]

I've been five years from a cure for a lot of years. The research on islet cells and cures like like watching the development of fusion power.

[cflat]

Totally agree. To be clear, I wasn’t trying to overhype the ‘cure’ but rather emphasize that the problem is way more complicated than many believe because of the islet regeneration. That’s why I’m a believer in the tech we have now because it’s the most viable path to long term management.

[beached_whale]

I'll get my hopes up when something is released. For now it's Loop and some other things. One trend that I don't like is fully automatic without a way to do manual override of all things. The variation between people and needs and even the same person is too great and hasn't been codified. Loop with Omnipod is somewhat on this side currently, but it is still new too.