Medical Procedures and Diabetes

For most people, any kind of medical procedure where you can't eat is usually pretty simple. It gets a little complicated for diabetics. Tomorrow morning I go for an endoscopy. I can't eat anything solid after midnight. I am allowed to have clear liquids that aren't red or purple. So, if my blood sugar does go low in the middle of the night or even right before the procedure, I can drink sprite, or gingerale.

When I had my wisdom teeth out, I was not allowed to have anything to eat or drink. So of course there's the question, "What if my blood sugar goes low?" Of course if that was to happen you would eat. But then you might have to reschedule your procedure for another day or another time because you have food in your stomach that's not suppose to be there.

Another concern when I have a procedure done and I'm sedated is who is going to make sure my blood sugar doesn't drop and if it does drop do they have what they need to bring it up while I'm still asleep. When I had my wisdom teeth taken out I was at the hospital so I wasn't too worried about it. Tomorrow my procedure is right at the doctor's office so I'm a little nervous. With diabetics, there is so much more at risk and so many more safety precautions you have to take when you are being sedated. This is just one of the many things people don't realize comes along with diabetes. Being sedated is already a little scary but when you add your blood sugar into the mix it's even more scary! I'm sure I will be fine though. It's just a lot to think about. I almost wish this procedure was being done at the hospital. I would feel more safe.

When I had my wisdom teeth taken out I had to cut back on my insulin the night before because I couldn't eat anything. By the time I came out of surgery my blood sugar was over 400. They of course gave me some insulin and wouldn't let me leave recovery until it came down. It was pretty scary though. Hopefully everything will go ok tonight and into tomorrow morning without any complications! We will see!

Dear Diabetes

Dear Diabetes,
I just thought I would write you letter explaining how I really feel about you. We definitely have a love hate relationship. I think the only reason I love you is because over the years, you have made me a stronger person.

 I hate you because you are the reason I will never live a "normal" life. There are so many things in life that are supposed to be simple but because of you they are difficult for me. You have made living for me very expensive.

Because of you there is always at least one minute in every day when I don't feel good (it's usually several minutes). I hate you for entering the lives of little innocent children. No one should have to give themselves needles just to stay alive but it's harder for kids because they don't understand why this happened to them. They just want to be like their friends but instead their time with friends is spent trying to explain their disease. If one day you decide to enter the lives of my children you better look out because that's just one more reason I have to fight like hell!

Sincerely,
Katie