Nine Year Diabetes Anniversary

Today is my nine year anniversary of being diagnosed with diabetes.  It doesn't feel like it has been that long, but then again there are times when it feels like it has been ninety years. 

That morning I woke up feeling like I was having a low blood sugar attack.  I had been diagnosed with hypoglycemia 3 years earlier.  I felt so weak, like I couldn't even get out of bed.  I wished my mom was there.  Of course this was the first time my parents had left my and my older sister, Erin, home alone for a whole weekend.  They were in Oklahoma visiting my uncle and aunt.  So I dragged myself out of bed and drank a glass of chocolate milk and ate a pop-tart.  I still felt horrible.  Erin called my Mamaw and she took me to an outpatient clinic in town. 

When we arrived, I told the nurse I was having a low blood sugar attack.  Naturally, she gave me a large glass of sugar water to drink, then decided to test my blood sugar.  By this time my blood sugar wouldn't even read on the meter.  They checked my urine for ketones, which were very large by this point.  My Mamaw rushed me to the hospital. 

The triage nurse immediately took me back and I was started on an insulin drip.  I was so tired, thirsty, and hungry.  I couldn't understand why I couldn't eat....anything at all.  My Mamaw had called my parents and they were on their way back from Oklahoma, calling every hour or so to call from a gas station and check on me (oh, the days before cell phones!  How did we make it??!). 

After a day in the ER, I was admitted to the ICU unit.  I didn't fully understand what was going on.  I was 13 years old and of course I had read about Stacey McGill and her diabetes in the Babysitters' Club books, but it wasn't really hitting me.  That I would never have the freedom I had enjoyed before.  Those first 2 days were rough.  I had blood drawn every 4 hours and a blood sugar finger prick hourly.  My friend came to visit me in the hospital--I was supposed to go to a sleepover that night for her birthday party, so she brought me a party favor bag.  I will never forget the look of fear and discomfort as she surveyed the wires, tubes, and IVs that I was hooked up to. 

I made it through those first 6 days at the hospital, each day getting slightly easier.  My friend Darcie visited me every day and walked down the hall with me and my IV.  I made it though my first insulin shots.  My first finger pricks and my first dietitian appointment (which was when I decided I wanted to become a registered dietitian when I grew up) were a whirlwind of scary memories.  I never let anyone else give me my shots on a regular basis.  I wanted things to be as normal as possible--and I still feel that way.

I have made it through the last nine years.  There have been times when I have hated diabetes with every fiber of my being, but also times when I realize that diabetes is just a part of who I am and I wouldn't be me without it.  I am thankful for new technology (I love my pump and my freestyle flash!) and for friends and family who have been there for me through all the highs, lows, disappointments, but especially for all the successes! 

Currently Listening Hey There Delilah By Plain White T's see related

Meme!!

1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought?  Man, I'll never ever get used to getting up early...
2. How much cash do you have on you? About 10 bucks.

3. What's a word that rhymes with DOOR? floor

4. Favorite planet? one where diabetes doesn't exist

5. Who is the 4th person on your missed call list on your cell phone? My old roommate

6. What is your favorite ring tone on your phone? Hard to Handle by the Black Crowes

7. What shirt are you wearing? Pink silk sweater.

8. Do you label yourself? Label me, label you....

9. Name the brand of the shoes you're currently wearing: Isaac Mizrahi.

10. Bright or Dark Room? Bright. 

11. Why is there always a missing question? Because....

12. What does your watch look like? Silver, with little rhinestones in the band

13. What were you doing at midnight last night? Sleeeeeping

14. What did your last text message you received on your cell phone say? "Me-3"

15. Where is your nearest 7-11? I don't think we have those here

16. What's a word that you say a lot? Blood-Sugar 

17. Who told you he/she loved you last? My sissy

18. Last furry thing you touched? Sadie, my dog

19. How many drugs have you done in the last three days?  Insulin, Reglan, Zocor, Prevacid, Flintstone Vitamin among others

20. How many rolls of film do you need developed? Zero, I have a bunch of digital pics that I haven't printed out yet though.

21. Favorite age you have been so far? This year is pretty awesome.

22. Your worst enemy? Doughnuts.

23. What is your current desktop picture? I have a blue background on my laptop. 

24. What was the last thing you said to someone? "That lasagna wasn't frozen, it was just really cold."

25. If you had to choose between a million bucks or to be able to fly, what would it be? Money, no question..two words...student loans!

26. Do you like someone? I like most people. 

27. The last song you listened to? "Diamonds" by Kanye West.

28. What time of day were you born?  I really don't know.

29. What's your favorite number? 27.

30. Where did you live in 1987? With my family in PB.

31. Are you jealous of anyone?  Nah....unless it's a person who is already finished with his/her dietetic internship, unlike me

32. Is anyone jealous of you? I doubt it.

33. Where were you when 9/11 happened? Spread out in the hallway at my high school making something for my french teacher.

34. What do you do when vending machines steal your money? Think about how I wish my dad was there to get my money back.

35. Do you consider yourself kind? I think so.

36. If you had to get a tattoo, where would it be? Maybe my toe.

37. If you could be fluent in any other language, what would it be? French.

38. Would you move for the person you love? Yes, although it would be tough, but he's worth it! 

39. Are you touchy-feely?  Kinda...especially when it comes to hugs

40. What's your life motto? Sometimes the cookie crumbles, so you have to have to buy a new package

41. Name three things you have on you at all times: My pump, my fast-acting glucose source, and my sarcasm.

42. What's your favorite town/city? I love Chicago.

43. What was the last thing you paid for with cash? A Diet Pepsi

44. When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper and mailed it? I sent a card to Lam for his birthday

45. Can you change the oil on a car? Nope, but I can check the level of it.

46. Your first love: what is the last thing you heard about him/her? That he re-enlisted in the Marines.

47. How far back do you know your ancestry? To my great grandparents, kinda.

48. The last time you dressed fancy, what did you wear and why did you dress fancy? Sadly the last time I dressed fancy it was for my friends' wedding last year.....

49. Does anything hurt on your body right now? I'm just kinda achy

50. Have you ever been burned by love? Yes, twice.  I have found different/way better though.

51. Do you have a crush on any bloggers?  Umm...no

52. Where would you like to live?  In a house.

**Sigh of relief**

Well I finished my last final yesterday and I am soooo glad that this semester is finally over!  I don't have anymore real classes, just internship practicum classes. 

Dad and Mom came up today and it was good to see them.  B and I went car looking and such.  I can't wait to get a new car...but it will be a while.  I don't really have a job lined up for post-internship, so that has to come before buying a new car.

I made the decision to start wearing a diabetes bracelet.  I hate wearing one, but I feel like I should.  So I am wearing one of the standard, ugly silver ones from the pharmacy.  Does anyone have a suggestion on where I can get a cuter one?  I have looked online and they are all like $100, and well, I'm too poor for that!

Well that's about it right now.  Have a good week!

Seven Meme

Seven things to do before I die:

Seven things I cannot do:

1. Go a day without talking to Beau 
2. See a puppy and not pet him/her
3. Eat honey buns 
4. Sit through class without chewing gum 
5. Eat food that has been thawed on the counter
6. Do a head stand
7. Let people run over me

Seven things that attracted me to the Mister:

1. His love for God and the truth
2. He has always been my reality check
3. Love for the Hogs 
4. He can handle stress well and helps me handle stress well
5. Goofiness and ability to put me at ease 
6. Man, he can sure dress
7. His excellent communication skills

Seven things I say:

1. I mean really!
2. What, are you kidding me? 
3. I hate school
4. I love you
5. I think I'm low 
6. Man, that's dumb
7. This is diet, not regular, right?

Seven books that I love:

1. The Bible
2. Harry Potter 1-6
3. The Giver
4. In Her Shoes
5. Sweet Invisible Body 
6. The Fountainhead
7. The Crystal Cave 

Seven movies that I've loved (at different times and in no particular order)

1. That Thing You Do! 
2. Sweet Home Alabama 
3. A Lot Like Love
4. Walk the Line 
5. Center Stage 
6. Clueless 
7. Any Harry Potter movie

Well that was fun.  Your turn!!

Some Tuesday thoughts....

Today I have been thinking about the last 2 months (how long it has been since I have posted).  So much has happened.  Finals came, I took them and passed.  Winter break was a huge blur.  It started off well--going to my first ever Hogs basketball game with Beau and his family.  Then everything kinda went downhill from there.  It was determined that I have acid reflux, so I started on Nexium, then Prilosec OTC, then Nexium again.  Nothing seemed to help.  I even went to the ER because I was in such pain.  I felt full all of the time--I'm talking eating next to nothing all day long and not feeling hungry.  No one could give me answers, no relief in sight.  I continued going to the GI doctor in Pine Bluff and so far I have had an EGD, Hydrogen Breath Test, Gastic Emptying Scan, and then an Ultrasound and a CT Scan.  So.....I do have gastroparesis (takes me longer to digest food) and acid reflux second to gastroparesis.  Also, possible large intestine issues.  I have changed GI doctors to one in Little Rock that my endocrinologist has suggested.  I am hoping to see him in the next few days.  I am now taking Prevacid and I am supposed to take Zelnorm for my gastroparesis but it makes me so sick I can't make myself take it most days.

The semester has started and I am crazy busy, as usual.  I am going to start sending out resumes in March.  Internship....oh dear.  We have no director, still.  I haven't done my winter assignments yet and I can't seem to find time to complete them.  This summer is going to be crazy--or at least it will seem that way.

I have been dating my wonderful boyfriend for 3 1/2 months now.  It seems like at least 6-8 months though.  We think it's because we were so close already before dating, so we didn't have to get through all the initial "getting to know you" phase.  It's great, he's great, and I know I couldn't have made it through the last few months without him always being there for me.  (Okay, stop gagging now)

I am really trying to get ahold of my diabetes control.  I am contemplating ordering a Freestyle Data cable so that all I have to do is just download my meter's blood sugars onto my computer and I can track trends more easily that way.  We will see....it costs almost $30 so I want to make sure I really want it before I spend that kind of money.

I need a roommate for the summer.  Nikki wants to move home to work and save money, but she isn't going to unless we can find someone for me to live with so if anyone is interested or knows someone who might be, let me know.

I hope everyone is doing well.  I don't update much anymore, just not enough time in the day..... BYE!