This trip is humbling me in so many ways, but not in any of the ways I’d expected. The first day here, I was brought to my knees and forced to rely completely on God to bring me through it. Diabetes dealt a major sucker punch that first day.
After three flights totaling more than 20 hours and little sleep, my body was completely wrecked. We arrived to our final destination around 5 p.m. Sunday. (We left Huntsville Friday morning at 7:30 a.m.) My blood sugars stayed in the 200s throughout most of the journey. Overnight Sunday, I spiked to about 350. I woke up Monday feeling like a truck had completely run me over. Twice. The lack of sleep combined with the high blood sugars took their toll.
We were served noodles for breakfast Monday. I’d bolused for the high, so I bolused extra for the carbohydrate-infused breakfast. An hour later, I was 480. The highs continued, and I began to feel light-headed and dizzy. When I discovered ketones, I began to panic. I started texting my mom and a couple of my D-moms. I sat in my temporary room and cried. I was scared. On top of the highs and the ketones, my sites weren’t sticking. I’d been through three pump sites and two CGM sites. The heat here is torture on the tape, and even Tegaderm wasn’t holding.
In my fear, I became aware of where I am. A high at home is not a big deal. Even if something happens, I can go somewhere. I can call my doctor, visit a hospital, take a day off work and rest. But here, I don’t have those luxuries. Here, there is no doctor and no hospital. My mind began running every possible scenario, each one of them terrifying. I posted on Facebook, asking for prayers. A few hours later, I was humbled at how many people responded. My two D-moms were texting advice and words of calm. My mother, who is often a worrier, was calm and steady — even when I wasn’t. My mother reminded me how many people were praying for us and this trip.
By dinnertime, I was 178 and my ketones had disappeared. I sat in awe and amazement at the beauty of the Lord. I was humbled halfway around the world, and not because of anything I saw here. I was humbled at how many people love us and care for us and have a vested interest in this trip and the people we’re serving. Monday night, I slept a full, comfortable eight hours. My blood sugars
Today was an amazing day. I slept a full, comfortable eight hours. My blood sugars have been perfect. My sites have had no trouble sticking, and the food has agreed with me perfectly. It’s a testament to the power of prayer. I have few problems related to diabetes when I’m home and I don’t pay much attention to it. I’m fortunate in that respect. But here, I was completely humbled by it. I saw how small I am in a larger story.
Thank you for the prayers while I’m gone. I can feel them; I really can.