Low Blood Sugar, Passing Out & Paramedics - An Eventful Day!

I was hoping to get all of the pictures from our trip updated before I moved on to the rest of life, but today was just too juicy an event to not post it. Basically, my doctor had me switch to a new insulin and I ran low all night and all day. When I got home from work, I was so exhausted that I don't think I could feel my blood sugar dropping. All I know was that I was talking to Miranda and all of a sudden, I could tell something wasn't right so I tested my blood sugar. I vaguely remember my meter saying that my blood sugar was too low for it to measure, meaning it was below 20. Then I passed out.

Luckily, I was still on the phone with Miranda when all of this happened. She told me that I told her how low my blood sugar was and she told me to go get juice, but I stopped responding. I'm assuming this was when I passed out. She called Allan to let him know what was going on and he called Whitney to go check on me. Whitney came over and tried to get in, but the door was locked. I wasn't answering the door or my phone. She called Allan and told him and he then called 911.

I finally woke up to someone POUNDING on my front door. Somehow I managed to go from the bedroom, where I remember talking to Miranda, to the couch in the front room. I have no recollection of the move. It's a good thing I moved though. I was barely able to crawl to the front door to answer it. When I did, I saw five paramedics there along with Whitney and Stephanie, the wife of another salesman down here. I barely got the words "Help me!" out before they barged in and did just that.

They made me eat two tubes of glucose gel (affectionately known to diabetics as "camel snot"), a couple glasses of juice and two containers of yogurt. I was starting to get really sick at this point as I always do after extreme lows. They told me I had to keep eating because paramedic guidelines state they're only supposed to be there for 20 minutes. I was frustrated that they made me keep eating because it takes at least 15 minutes for it to really get into the blood stream and raise blood sugar and my blood sugar had to go up a lot. They tried to get me to go to the hospital, but I was difficult and refused. They ended up staying for 40 minutes until my sugar came up to an allowable amount.

After they left, I just kept getting more sick. Luckily Allan was there by then and didn't make me keep eating. He knows what happens after an extreme low. They kept trying though because the paramedics told them I needed to eat a meal, something more substantial. I was getting frustrated because I knew I had already eaten too much and was going to have high blood sugar. However, that ended up not being a problem because I threw up everything I ate about five minutes after the paramedics left. I made it to the bathroom but still made a little bit of a mess. Poor Allan had to clean that up. He's so wonderful!

Needless to say, I went back to my old insulin. It just wasn't worth the risk of it happening again. I'm doubting my doctor will mind too much. Luckily, I'm just fine now and even feeling good. I just have to make sure I take it easy. I'm so grateful for good friends who care about me and take care of me! I don't want to think about what would've happened had Miranda not called Allan right away. Thanks, Miranda!!

Diagnosis Feelings (Ranting & Raving)

WARNING: this is me ranting & raving. I think that if I get it out of my system I'll feel better. I'm hoping. So really you don't have to read it. I'll probably even delete it later, but for now, I need to get it out.

For the past two months, I've been really sick. I've been nauseous every single day & have no energy whatsoever. After putting up with it for so long, I went to the doctor. She thought it was diabetic gastroparesis but after going to a specialist & having an endoscopy, I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. The doctor told me it's very common among type 1 diabetics. I've had diabetes for 14 years & never heard that once. I asked if I just developed it in the last two months & he told me that I've actually had it for years, it just made itself manifest in the last two months.

I am so incredibly angry about this. I'm angry with God. I feel like he lied to me. In blessings I've been told that if I took care of myself, God would do the rest & I could live a long, healthy life. Well, I'm in the best control I've ever been in. My last A1c was 6.9! A Dr couldn't ask for better than that! And after I get in such great control, I get this! Don't I have enough health problems to deal with already?! Good grief! I've got diabetes, scoliosis that causes severe back spasms and then all the shoulder, hip & knee pain that can't be diagnosed. I never feel good as is. There are bad days & not-so-bad days, but never good days. Plus, I'm an extremely picky eater. Now over 50% of my diet has to be eliminated. I'm so angry that I just cry. I can't believe how much I've cried in the last 2 days. Ya, way to keep up your end of the deal, God. NOT!

I know that I shouldn't be angry. I should be grateful that although it's a chronic disease, it can be controlled. At least I don't have cancer. But I just can't come to terms with it yet. I'm so angry & somewhat depressed. I don't want to eat at all anymore. Everything I think of, I can't have anymore. I'm sitting around & wallowing in self-pity. Pathetic. 

Since my diagnosis, the only time I've felt ok is when visiting my grandpa in the hospital. He had a stroke last weekend. It was so nice to think of someone else & not myself. When I'm alone or working, all I can think about is myself & this stupid diagnosis. I really need to start school again so I can become a nurse. I think it would be so good for me. I'd be able to focus on those who are far less fortunate than I am & then not feel so bad for myself. I'm going to start classes in January, I think. I hope.

On a brighter note, I have the best husband in the world! After I was diagnosed, Allan made me a dinner of fettuccini alfredo. I really love pasta & was sad I couldn't have it anymore. He went to the store & got gluten-free noodles & bread to show me that I can still have good food. (The noodles were disgusting, but it's the thought that counts.) I thought it was the sweetest thing ever. He has also since cleaned out our cupboards of everything containing wheat. They are pretty bare. But he did it so I wouldn't be tempted & he has decided to do the new diet with me even though he doesn't have to so that it'll be easier for me. Could I ask for a better husband?