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Life changing discoveries

(97 Posts)
Justwidowed Tue 27-Jul-21 21:03:04

Today it is 100 years since Banting and Best isolated insulin for human use. Without it I and many thousands of diabetic worldwide would not be alive. What discoveries have improved your life .

Eternaloptimist Wed 28-Jul-21 11:51:29

Antibiotics. My daughter got sepsis after the birth of her baby and was extremely ill. Eventually the antibiotics kicked in and she made a full recovery. Before antibiotics she would have died. Forever grateful for the antibiotics.

Aepgirl Wed 28-Jul-21 11:41:14

How wonderful that scientists over the decades have saved so many lives, and enabled people to live normal lives. How fortunate we are to live in the 21st century.

Lucca Wed 28-Jul-21 11:24:52

Vaccinations.

JdotJ Wed 28-Jul-21 11:22:32

While pregnant with my second child it was discovered, thanks to an Ultrasound scan, that I had placenta previa, highly dangerous for both mother & baby had a normal delivery taken place.
Thanks to repeated scans, inc a dopplar scan on the cord, a caesarean section and a blood transfusion we are both here to tell the tale, which would not have been possible in the past.

GillT57 Wed 28-Jul-21 11:20:59

The thing which has made such a difference to all our lives in this country is the NHS with the principle of free at the point of use. It has saved millions of lives and improved so many more, especially of women. On a personal note, the treatment which helps my DH manage his diabetes

aonk Wed 28-Jul-21 11:12:02

I agree about the lens implants and so many other advances in eye care. I was very shortsighted and wore very thick, heavy and ugly glasses. Since my cataract surgery 15 years ago I only need glasses for driving or the theatre etc. It’s changed my life so very much.

Gaynie Wed 28-Jul-21 11:08:48

I also agree with KatieCrunch, Oncotype DX.Still had surgery,chemo and radiotherapy but it highlighted my very high chance of developing bone or brain cancer within five years.Careful monitoring has ensued.Also my ICD(Internal Cardiac Defibrillater)without which I’d be a goner.

Applegran Wed 28-Jul-21 11:02:54

This is such a great thread - so heartening to celebrate and be grateful for things we have in our lives. I too have benefitted from all kinds of medication, surgery to remove an infected gall bladder, HRT for many years, glasses and hearing aids......and more I'm sure that I can't think of at the moment.
Thank you OP for such a cheering thread!

fairfraise Wed 28-Jul-21 10:54:53

Insulin and all the blood testing equipment. Always gad we don't have to pay for it, as my great grandmother had to. Also penicillin.

Mollygo Wed 28-Jul-21 10:53:31

For me as a child, the tablets that stopped bed wetting. As an adult, pain relief-tablets, creams or injections. Makes life bearable.

Quaver22 Wed 28-Jul-21 10:49:29

Glasses. I have worn them since I was 18 months old and without them everything is a blur. I wouldn’t be able to live independently but with my glasses I can live a normal life.

kentmaid Wed 28-Jul-21 10:49:08

I had PPH (Post Partum Haemorrhage) with all three babies.
First time, Queen Charlotte’s 1967 - lost loads but staff eventually sorted it out.
Second time, in Africa, midwife had panic despite having been warned. Luckily, it was not so bad and nature gave a helping hand, I think.
Third time, in Norwich, Gynaecologist listened and injected some preventative - no idea what but it worked.
Had I first given birth in 1867, I would probably not survived.

allsortsofbags Wed 28-Jul-21 10:47:54

B12 Injections for Pernicious Anaemia, without it I wouldn't be here.

Rumpunch Wed 28-Jul-21 10:35:41

My digital hearing aids.

midgey Wed 28-Jul-21 10:35:03

Penicillin, without it I would have died at six weeks!

Elusivebutterfly Wed 28-Jul-21 10:26:46

My DS had antibiotics just after birth for a skin infection and at 3 months for pneumonia. Without antibiotics he could have died. Medicine has made such improvements to our lives.
On a daily basis, I can't imagine not having the internet now. It has changed our lives so much.

nanna8 Wed 28-Jul-21 09:52:39

Lens implant for eyes. Without it I would be blind in one eye and probably unable to drive.

Alegrias1 Wed 28-Jul-21 09:49:21

The Pill.

Lucca Wed 28-Jul-21 08:47:33

Santana

Mammography machine saved my life.

And mine

FarNorth Wed 28-Jul-21 08:31:38

All the vaccinations that are now given routinely. They have changed the life of our whole society.

Granmarderby10 Wed 28-Jul-21 08:20:34

Ooh Esspee tell me more!

mokryna Wed 28-Jul-21 08:17:17

Asthma inhaler. I suffered from asthma when I was small, there was no medicine for me, my foster parents put it down to nerves. When I was older I was given little tablets to be taken when things got bad. It was only when I came to France it was taken seriously with tests and given treatment. However, that being said, the treatment that saved my life must that which was given while I was a baby in hospital for a month, with pneumonia, being intravenously fed.

lovebeigecardigans1955 Wed 28-Jul-21 08:16:59

Chemotherapy. Without that course six years I would no longer be here.

Granmarderby10 Wed 28-Jul-21 08:16:56

welbeck ? it’s been revolutionary.

Esspee Wed 28-Jul-21 08:12:20

Oestrogen replacement. Without my twice yearly implant I would have hit the menopause 32 years ago. Judging by the difference between my life/health/appearance and that of my peers it has improved my life immensely and I will be on it until I die.