Diabetes is My Superpower

 On May 31, 2021 I fainted.  Thank God I did.  This caused my Mom to call the doctor's office.  They wanted me to come in immediately.  According to my symptoms, they were concerned about my heart and possibly diabetes.  When I was seen by the doctor, my EKG was perfect.  No heart issues.  They checked my blood glucose level and it was 459 (extremely high).  Along with other clear signs, they were pretty sure it was diabetes.  They sent me straight to the ER.

Apparently I had been living with diabetes for about 5 months.  Looking back the signs were pretty clear.  I was extremely thirsty.  I was always tired and groggy.  I had a hard time focusing and accomplishing tasks.  I lost 20 pounds without trying.  My body was fighting to maintain some kind of balance and it was taking it's toll on me.  

After a few days in the ICU and lots of pokes and prods, I was able to get my blood glucose level into a manageable range and the ketones out of my system.  The hospital stay wasn't fun but it was necessary not only to get my body back to a healthy place but also for me to learn everything I needed to do to take care of myself at home.  When I moved from the ICU into a regular room, there was LOTS of diabetic education happening.

This is certainly not something I would ever wish on anyone else, but I know it is manageable and that I will continue to live my life and thrive just like I always have (with a few adjustments of course).  Moments like this give you the opportunity to choose gratitude or bitterness.  I chose gratitude.

I am grateful that this happened the year before I went away to college on my own.  I am grateful that this didn't happen the week before when I was away at a leadership camp with my school.  I am grateful that the mission trip I was scheduled to attend was cancelled due to Covid-19; otherwise this would have happened while I was in Sierra Leone. I am grateful for the first class healthcare that we have in the USA.  I am grateful that this is a disease that I can deal with and still live a full life.