Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: carb counting, celiac disease, diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis, high, insulin, low
So one of the things I’ve observed in my nieces is the roller coaster ride of what I’ve dubbed the diabetes spectrum… going from a normal blood sugar to a high blood sugar, to a low blood sugar and hopefully, returning at some point to normal. Seriously, if ever I think I’m having a day of mood swings – and gals, we all have ‘em, don’t we – they pale in comparison to what Charlotte or Kaelyn might feel on one of these up & down days.
So what’s the deal with high blood sugar? As I understand it, when not enough insulin is available to process the carbohydrates consumed, the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood remains elevated. Essentially the body is starved of it’s nutrition. So what does the body do? Well it can start to burn fat or muscle to gain energy, a process known as diabetic ketoacidosis. This is an emergency situation and can be life threatening. So dosing with the appropriate amount of insulin can restore the blood sugar level to normal.
Sometimes the problem is reversed – the blood sugar level is too low. Again, my understanding of this condition in a type 1 diabetic is, there is excess insulin for the carbohydrates consumed, so the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood is reduced too much. So to correct this situation the thing to do is to consume more carbohydrates – usually in the form of juice, candy or glucose tablets. Sugar in its easiest to process form is needed and needed in a hurry.
Now, these explanations are VERY simplistic and it may seem to be nothing more than a careful balancing act, but from having watched my sister and sister-in-law manage their children’s blood sugars I appreciate how difficult it truly is. The body is such a delicate system and there are so MANY factors that affect the way it works. Through anything extra in to the mix, like a touch of illness or an extra diagnosis (Celiac Disease), and the whole system behaves differently than you might expect. Rebound highs and lows occur and leave them second guessing what to do next.
It’s a pretty weak analogy but the only one I have – I’ve tried to do Weight Watchers (remember I have that commitment issue)… counting point values of foods made me crazy – granted my life did not depend on it, but my successful weight loss did. I can’t imagine keeping count of my carbs and then having to determine how to dose insulin based on that number, by blood sugar test result and and other factors I should consider… but, when your life depends on it… you just do it. And it becomes normal. I don’t say any of this to arouse pity or to make heroes of my nieces (though I love them immensely and am proud to be their aunt), I just acknowledge it for what it is… a tremendous daily commitment and something that I can use to inspire me to find the wherewithal to keep my commitment to walk those miles for Charlotte and Kaelyn – because I can and because they have to.
I’ve been suffering a bit from blogger’s block… not sure of what to post about, not sure what direction to take this blog which of course does nothing but decrease my viewership to nil, bums me out and makes it even harder for me to make up my mind of what to type next… so, this morning as I logged my thirty minute walk, I gave this some thought.
My mind drifted back to the original concept – to “walk a mile in her shoes” and my goal to dedicate myself to trekking 500 miles to raise awareness and money for diabetes (specifically the JDRF). So let’s reflect on how I’m doing with those things… #1 – I am ACTUALLY walking… in my first week I logged 22 miles and so far this week I’m up to about 10 miles… so I’m actually staying committed, which I mentioned was a serious challenge for me. I realize that only amounts to about 1/15 of what I’ve said I’ll do, but it’s a start and a strong one.
#2 I want to raise awareness – well, I guess it depends how you measure that. I have started a blog and a Facebook group and I’ve communicated with people I know and found two who I didn’t previously know and that amounts to something. I’ve made a few posts about the disease and have some ideas for future posts… and I hope that as the blog grows more people will find their way to it and I’ll have something meaningful to say and for them to read.
#3 I want to raise funds – thumbs down on this one… not a cent raised as yet… but I’ve not given up hope. I know my friends and family are generous people who do good things and that I’ve perhaps not yet asked in the right way for them. So I plan to do just that – ask! It’s pretty easy to ignore my requests from afar (this blog) and that’s okay. I have faith that ideas will come and dollars will flow – there’s still plenty of time.
So, all this thinking has managed to get me a blog post – and a renewed focus for my mission. Frankly I’m doing the hardest part – the walking… and that’s certainly something I can be proud of!
