Thursday, December 19, 2013

Helpless but Helped

I've never truly needed too much help while I am low. Often I am able to make it to the kitchen without any issues and get myself something before having to sit in the floor to consume it - at my worst. However, the other night I was in bed, I had fallen asleep before Vince.  He went the bathroom and when he came back he woke me up accidentally, because I was sort-of-awake I felt strange, almost like I was going to be sick. My first instinct was not that I was low, rather that I needed some water and to sit up.    After a few minutes of debating in my head what I wanted to do and how I felt, I got out of bed. Fumbled around for my glasses, Vince asked what I was doing, and I crawled across the floor to check my blood sugar.  Vince automatically got up, turned on the lights and asked me what I needed.

Danielle & I 
At this point I didn't feel low, like I said. I wasn't hungry, I wasn't shaking, I just felt weird.  I checked and 2.0 flashed on the screen.  Vince grabbed a bag of bulk candy he had brought over and went to cut up apple, peanut butter and get me a glass of milk, as that is my go-to-snack.  Now, a few times he has gotten me snacks, but I was able to get them myself.  This was the first time that I truly felt like if I stood up I was going to pass out.  My hearing was fading and my body started to sweat. I heard a familiar voice, it was my roommate Danielle asking if I was okay. She also is a type one diabetic and just had a low herself, she ate a chocolate bar and was sitting in the living room because she couldn't fall back asleep.  So there it was, one apartment, two low and recovering diabetics and one boyfriend trying to make sure everything was O.K.

Danielle took the opportunity to observe me, 'you look pale...' I remember her saying.  We chatted a bit about how we were feeling. She went to lay down in the living room and Vince sat down beside my on the floor as I finished my snack.  I truly felt mad at diabetes.  I remember saying to him, 'You know what makes me mad about diabetes.  It makes me so angry that three people are awake now because of diabetes.'   I felt so much hate towards diabetes, but so much love for the support of both Vince and Danielle.  I was conflicted.

As I finally made my way back to bed, feeling incredibly full from the apple, peanut butter, chocolate covered raisins and glass of milk, I told Vince how appreciative I was for taking care of me.  It's a big job dating a type one diabetic, and I believe that it takes special people to tag along for the ride.

Kayla

8 comments:

  1. is your pump a 500 series and your roomies a 700 series ?

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    1. I think we both have 700 series pumps.. Mine for sure is a 700 series.

      Kayla

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  2. how much insulin do you use per day that made you want the 700 series ?

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    1. I use only about 30-40 units per day. But I decided to get the 700 series because it wasn't that much different in size compared to the smaller pump. Also, just in case I ever needed that extra amount of insulin at some point. I only fill it to what I need though, so rarely is it filled full.

      Kayla

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  3. Girl - Get yourself some glucose tablets....
    I pass out at 32 mg/dl ... It's sometimes good to know your limits....

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    1. I have glucose tablets! Just sometimes that isn't my go-to unfortunately. I know my limits and have not truly 'passed' out before just became weak. There always is something close, it is just a matter of what I feel like eating, getting, etc.

      Kayla

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  4. I hate glucose tablets, they taste terrible. I use honey, then I have a sandwich. Or I have a can of pepsi throwback because I can't do corn syrup.

    I can be completely fine at 32 mg/dl and other times sweating like I just ran a marathon. Everyone diabetic is different. And being a woman makes things difficult too. Hormones can play havoc on your insulin requirements.

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    1. I agree with every diabetic is different LRM! Also that sometimes I feel certain symptoms at a specific levels, and the next time nothing at all! It is really tricky!

      Kayla

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