Walk a Mile in Her Shoes

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.