I was about 30 minutes away from Phenix City and on the way to work this morning when I realized my glucometer was nowhere to be found. I spent a moment rifling through my bags, but had the sinking feeling that I had left it exactly where I had set it down: on Crystal, my former College roommate's, living room floor. I sent Crystal a quick text when I had a moment:
"Left my glucometer and insulin at your place... no time to get it. FML :("
I had to go straight to work, and I was already running behind. I sighed, looking at the yogurt, rice cakes, granola bars and crackers I had packed... all carby.
I don't always feel like I am Diabetic when I am normal and managing things well, but when I forget my meter and insulin, I often like to make the metaphor that it is like driving a car blindfolded. You might have done it thousands of times before, but if you can't see, you're pretty much inevitably headed for trouble - all of that past experience won't help you. In Diabetes, you are nothing without the fundamental tools, and today I had none.
"Ok, be calm," I said. Chances were, I wasn't going to go into a coma and die after only a day of no short acting insulin. I had taken my Lantus last night, and I still had Lantus. I thankfully had put some almonds into my bag, so I at least had some almonds to munch on and get me through the day, although I wouldn't dare eat anything else since it was all carb-laden. It was just too risky. I hated feeling the limitations my illness imposed on me, but there was nothing I could do for it if I wanted to be on time to my face paint gig. I pressed on. Keeping my calm, I gave myself 6 extra units of Lantus, and pulled out 4 water bottles when I got to my gig to drink throughout the day. With lots of water, I should be able to keep any extra sugar out of my system more effectively. Face painting for 5 hours would be good to lower my sugar, too. I don't know why, but working with kids at gigs always lowers my sugar, provided I don't eat any of the birthday cake at parties!
Thankful that I was very adept at noticing highs and lows, I steadfastly painted for the next 5 hours. Thankfully, I was so busy the entire time that I don't think I would have had a chance to eat any of the food I brought, anyways. I munched on some almonds here and there and drank water. Finally, off at 5, I vaguely remembered forgetting to take my glucometer out of my balloon bag from back in March. When I got to my car, I silently prayed it would be there, and as my hands clasped around the familiar camera-sized rectangular bag I pulled it our from amidst the colorful strings of latex. I eagerly sat down into the front seat and tested......
82! I was ecstatic. No highs, I didn't feel miserable or thirsty - I felt great. It had been stressful to go through that situation, especially considering my own oversight had caused the problem, but I felt very proud of myself for keeping my sugar so in check every day. I think I just needed some schedule (which PT school affords) and greater discipline, which school is giving. And when you start to manage your sugars well, it makes it easier to exercise and keep those blood sugars down even more. It's a win win.
Nonetheless, here's hoping I don't forget my meter or insulin any time soon. I much prefer driving cars without a blindfold on, AKA knowledge is power when it comes to Diabetes management, especially. I'll take my glucometer and insulin pen ALL the time, please!
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