Bill's Story: Diabetes Care

Bill Stopper was diagnosed with diabetes at 13. At 83, he manages his disease with the help of an insulin pump, a continuous glucose monitor, very rigorous diet, and his endocrinologist Dr. Anna Ziganshina. Stopper recommends Dr. Ziganshina.

“I always enjoy speaking with her,” said Bill.

Stopper has been a patient of Dr. Ziganshina for three years and sees her every few months to make sure he is healthy and managing his diabetes and a thyroid condition. Dr. Ziganshina is an important part of his health, monitoring not just blood sugar levels and the disease itself but also making sure Stopper’s memory, limbs and organs are not affected by the disease.

Technology such as a continuous glucose monitor integrated into his insulin pump has made his life easier. His blood sugar control is much tighter and he is glad Dr. Ziganshina recommended this technology.

It’s not easy, he says. As a diabetic he sees other specialist as well and does a great job keeping up with appointments, medications, and paperwork. “It’s like a full-time job,” he says.

Stopper is a model patient for the diseases participating in a lifelong study at the Joslin Diabetic Research Institute in Boston.