The first blood glucose reading I ever tested for. Back then, it meant very little to me. All I knew was that it was telling me something about my blood that I wouldn't have known otherwise.
It was just... another number.
As time progressed, I began to check these numbers more.
Sometimes it was 84. Sometimes it was 160. I followed the rise and fall of these numbers as I tested before and after meals.
Something started to change.
I began to feel anxiety of a rising blood glucose level. I don't even HAVE diabetes. But I know that I'm at risk.
When I get that 80, I feel safe, but only because I don't have a bolus of insulin chasing away the blood sugar to worry about.
When I get that 164, I feel worried, but I am still comforted in knowing that my pancreas hasn't revolted against me yet.
There are MANY things that I don't have to worry about after a test...
Unlike people with type 1 diabetes, I don't need to have juice or sweets always accessible in case of a hypoglycemic episode.
I don't have to know what a Glucagon Kit is for.
I don't have to worry about mixing up long-acting with rapid-acting insulin vials that could potentially send me to the ER, or worse, to the morgue.
I don't have to worry about Diabetic Ketoacidosis or even know what it means.
I don't have to worry about my infusion set snagging the door handle.
I don't have to worry about gushers or priming the insulin.
I don't have to worry about how many carbs are in each meal.
I don't have to worry about severe lows while trying to force my A1c below 7.0%
I don't have to worry whether my meter is telling me the truth or not.
For this, I am incredibly blessed... and so is anyone who isn't affected by diabetes. We as a society take that for granted and fail to empathize with those who can't afford to ignore it.
So... what does 112 mean to me?
It means I can sincerely thank God for every day I am free of diabetes.
If you have diabetes, I hope you gain the strength to overcome the disease and it's effects.
If someone close to you has diabetes, support them with all that you can, but also EDUCATE yourself for well-meaning words can become hurtful.
If you are not affected by diabetes at all, then I hope you would take it upon yourself to learn more about the gravity of this epidemic as well as the intensity of an individual's daily struggle with this disease.
As for myself, I'll continue sharing what I've learned about diabetes through this blog and my interaction with others.
The world deserves to know what people with diabetes have to say.
