This photo was taken at a cafe in San Gimignano, Italy, about 8 years ago. This is one of my most memorable diabetes days.
It was the first time I'd ever spent a prolonged amount of time in a constantly cold environment (I'm from the tropics, 18 degrees is cold to me, and well at 16 my brain starts to freeze over!). We'd been travelling in Italy over Christmas and 20 minutes before this I had the lowest blood sugar I've ever had to this day. What's weird is that I didn't feel it at all, and only thought to check my blood sugar as the rest of the family were hungry and it seemed 'about time' that I should! 1.2! I couldn't believe it, and checked twice more. Once I sat down and saw that number, I off course suddenly started to feel it really badly. But being so cold, it was mainly just a foggy brain that had me freaking out a little, and hoping that I wouldn't have a panic attack in public. My beautiful little brother huddled next to me to get me warmer. That's when mum thought the two of us were rather cute and took this picture. I'm not sure where I found the energy to even smile.
My family forgets all this. They just remember what a great day we had. If I remind them of what happened moments earlier they respond with 'Ohhhhhhh, yeah! That's right!'. But when I look at this photo I can see it instantly, it's in my eyes, in my face, I am TOTALLY wreaked.
I now know to watch myself more closely in cold weather as I can't feel lows coming on so well. That combined with the extra exercise one gets when being a 'tourist' seems to bring more of them on as well. It's also a reminder that we as diabetics must always be actively conscious of managing our condition when we travel, as others, no matter how close to you they are, are also distracted and enjoying their holiday and may only think to step in once you've asked them to, or worse... once you've passed out!
Interesting post - you made me recall a few things about how cold weather tends to impact me, too. Especially with the hypo-sensitivity. Glad you had some great family around then, and all worked out OK. Thanks for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteWow, how scary. I guess it's nice that your family only remembers it as a fun day, but I can see how frustrating that would be since it was so scary for you. :(
ReplyDeleteOne of my most memorable diabetes days was about 6 months after my daughters diagnosis. I had spent the past six months in deep distress, very angry and desperately sad about my daughters diagnosis. I cried multiple times per day. At times I found myself crying when I didn't even realise it was happening, driving the car, at the supermarket, while I was sleeping. I was a mess. On this day, I was at home, hiding in the laundry so that my children wouldn't see me, sobbing my heart out. The next thing I heard a tentative knock at the laundry door and then my four year old son's precious face came into view. He looked up at me and said 'Mummy, are you ever going to stop crying'. Wow, what a jolt! At that moment I knew I had to get my head together and accept what had happened to my daughter. That one question from my sweet four year old prompted the beginning of acceptance and learning to live an awesome life WITH Type 1 diabetes.
ReplyDeleteHi Cathy-Ann :) Thank you for sharing such a personal but important moment. As I get older and look back at how I got to be where I am, I see more and more how hard it must have been on my parents, but mostly on my mum. As a T1D daughter, I'd like to say thank you for being so strong, it's why we believe everything is going to be ok.
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