The Old Check-Your-Blood-Every-Morning Thing
Eleven days ago, I received my trust new friend. The one friend that would tell me if my glucose levels were high, low, and under control. My doctor, Dr. Render, has me checking only in the mornings before breakfast so that I could get the hang of it. In our consultation when she was giving me all the dos and don’ts of handling this diabetic thing, she saw my deer-in-the-headlights look and started me off easy.
That day, I went home with a huge shopping bag full of of pills to take morning and night and my new little friend, the Glucometer. Since we are becoming very intimate, I decided to give her name, Gladys. After all, all good friends need a name, right? The Latin meaning of Gladys is sword, and it is a very apt name. Her tiny sword pierces my skin each time we are together, but each time we are together, she tells me how we are battling this thing – together!
My first introduction to Gladys was filled with intimidation. Having my finger pricked is one of my things-I-hate-the-most. Take blood from my veins all day long, but don’t prick my finger! And here is Gladys, ready, willing, and able to do that very thing. Really, I am surprised at how easy our relationship is growing.
During the first few days, my glucose levels were high, but with medication, they are starting to level out. I have had a few scares and went running to Gladys. You see, when I get the numbness, tingling, shaking hands, and passing out feeling, my glucose level is not crashing. It is increasing, because I simply cannot produce enough insulin to bring it down.
Today, after the medication and change of diet, I am starting to see consistency. Today, two days in a row my before breakfast glucose level is below 120! Normal ranges for non-diabetics is between 60-99. For a diabetic, we strive to get to the 120 – 140 range. And here, two days, below 120! Thank you, Gladys, my new trusted friend, for telling me that I am starting to control this thing.
And now, time for breakfast!
Dancing Naked 