Amazing...

As I posted earlier, I am in Miami for the week. It has been such a learning experience that I will never forget. Here is a very short rundown of some of the major events....

Monday morning I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. I was told to monitor my blood glucose levels and they gave us some medicine to take before bedtime(metformin). We were taught how to use our blood glucose monitors and sent on our way. Let me just say, checking your blood glucose levels HURTS!!! The anticipation of having to prick your finger over and over and over throughout the day STINKS! In the afternoon we were taught how to count carbs(since carbs are what impact a person's glucose levels). This is no easy task either. They did give us some awesome carb counting books, so it made it much easier, but not easy by any means.

By Tuesday my diabetes had progressed and I was told that I would have to take one shot of insulin on Tuesday. So, during class, we had to draw up our insulin in a vial and syringe. This was VERY difficult too(thank God for our flexpen!). The numbers were so hard to read on the syringe! After it was drawn up, I then had to give myself the actual shot. I waited and waited and did a count down(chickend out) and waited and counted down again(chickened out again) and waited some more. Then the instructor came around and I couldn't chicken out any more. So, I gave myself the shot of insulin(it was really a saline shot so don't get worried) and to my surprise, it was painless!!! I promise!! Checking my blood glucose levels hurts so much more!!

Today, Wednesday, my diabetes had progressed again and I was told I would have to take multiple shots of insulin with my meals and before bed. along with checking my sugars before and after every meal and snacks AND counting carbs.

This has been such a challenging, long week and it is only Wednesday! Each morning, we are diagnosed with more severe diabetes and told what to do and then we have class all day, so its not like we are just sitting there giggling until our next meal.

The great thing in all of this is that at the end of the week, I don't have to do this anymore. However, there are millions of people in the world living with diabetes everyday and unfortunately, it doesnt just go away. I truly believe that there will be a cure for diabetes in my lifetime. While this shouldn't be something I wish for(since I won't have a job anymore), I still do. The Diabetes Research Institution(here in Miami) is working on just that. While that doesn't seem like much, after taking a tour of the facility and hearing the progress that has been made, I know we will see it happen!

Sorry for the post without pics, but I can't post any until I get home on Friday!