Part of having diabetes is experiencing low blood sugars. As hard as I try to avoid them, sometimes they sneak up on me when I least expect it; some not so bad, others, bad. The first Sunday we were in Mexico (of course we were on vacation!), I experienced a low blood sugar like I’ve never experienced before-that’s still on my mind. It was by far the worst low blood sugar I’ve had since I was diagnosed 7 1/2 years ago. I was honestly fearful that I would not live to see the light of the next day.

We were walking back to our room from another area of the resort, and my Dexcom alarmed telling me I was low, I thought, that’s funny I sure don’t feel low. I tested and sure enough, I was in the upper 60’s-totally manageable I thought! When I got back to the room, I sat down and treated with Glucolift tablets (YUM). Then I started to sweat profusely and shake. I sat, in a puddle of sweat, and I waited. Then I started to feel really bad. I got up, got the glucagon out of my supply bag, and handed it to Seth, I said, “if things get bad, here’s the glucagon.” I sat back down, trying to harness what was left of any cognitive function to will this horrible feeling away, and then all of a sudden I was reduced to a puddle of tears. I couldn’t take it. It was awful. All that was going through my head was, please, please, let me survive this. Let it be okay. Test, 44, arrow down, re-test, still down, 48. A terrifying eternity. I ate chocolate, I also ate a whole lot more Glucolift tablets. I ate, and ate, and cried, and cried. 

I have never in my life cried during a low blood sugar. I sure as hell hope I never do again. I’m so thankful I survived, but the emotional and psychological ramifications of that low are still very present and raw. Hopefully with time they’ll heal.