In a previous post I explained how my numbers came back high on my one hour Glucose Tolerance test for Gestational Diabetes. Naturally, my doctor wanted me to take the 3 hour test to be sure… which includes an even yuckier drink and getting your blood drawn 4 times over just about 4 hours. Well, the dreaded call came from the doctor… two of my four readings were high. Of course by “high” I assumed I was off the charts, going to need insulin immediately. And it didn’t help my vivid imagination that the doctor had a sense of urgency in her voice and wanted me to come in the same day to pick up my test kit.
Indeed, I have Gestational Diabetes.
So I pretty much went in immediately and got my big ol’ bag of supplies and had a lesson of how to use everything from the nurse. And then I saw my actual numbers. Two were within the normal range and two that were elevated above average… but they certainly weren’t off the charts. Nevertheless, precaution is the name of the game so I learned how to poke myself with a needle (ugh) and how to read my blood sugar.
This is my handy, dandy reader.
It does all of the work, really. I’ll give credit where credit is due. 
But I have to do this:
THE PRICKER!
Ahhhhhhh! I know! That’s what I said!
You want me to do WHAT?!
To myself??
Have you lost your MARBLES?! That will hurt!
I just had to keep reminding myself, “This is for Layla. This is for Layla.”
Which, at least, gave me some motivation.
I gave myself 3 pokes in front of the nurse to prove that I could do it, I guess.
Or perhaps it was because I did it wrong the first 2 times.
She told me to poke so I did.
“No, No. You have to push the button at the same time,” the nurse said.
So I re-poked and pushed the button. Nothing happened besides me poking myself for the second time.
“No, No, No. You have to pull this switch back to cock, then hold against your finger and press the button!”
Well why didn’t you say that in the first place!? You are just going to let me continually poke myself with a needle until I become a mind reader?
It was so absurd it became comical to me.
So I pulled back the lever and pushed the button and… the needle shot out like a cannon!
What?!
Why wasn’t I warned! I didn’t know I was going to be shooting myself with a needle!
Like a bullet out of a gun!
Like Augustus Gloop shooting out of the chocolate river pipe!
“Remember you once asked me how a bullet comes out of a gun? That is how your pricker will fire into your finger” – Grandpa Joe
Where was Grandpa Joe’s wisdom when I needed it? I could have used his bullet analogy to prepare myself mentally for what was about to unfold.
Ouch, yes. But even more so, I was startled.
I took my supplies home, not looking forward to having to fire a cannon needle into my finger 4 times a day.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
In addition to my readings, I have to record what I eat which has actually been helpful to see what is triggering my blood sugar to elevate. Obviously I know that eating a big ol’ cinnamon roll will be sugar overload, but I’ve been surprised how much sugar that some “healthy” cereals contain. So far I’ve actually been in the normal range with the exception of three slight elevations. One was after eating shredded wheat cereal (that one surprised me) and the other two were after eating Italian food. I’m just tinkering around with what certain carbs I can have (for instance, bread is fine for me, but noodles will cause an elevation). Right now I’m not altering my diet too much because I want to see the effect on my body of what I usually eat… which is turning out to be OK. I am being a lot more vigilant with the sugar/carb/fiber content in foods and opting not to drink juices or sodas (which I rarely did anyway).
My doctor is scheduling me with a Dietitian to go over a diabetes diet to teach me what foods I can have and others that I should avoid. And I have to sit through a Diabetes class. Good times all around.
What I feared would be a potentially serious ordeal is panning out to be just a little bump in the road. I’m no longer apprehensive about poking myself. Yes, it is not pleasant but once you get over the initial shock of doing it, it really isn’t that bad. As weird as this sounds, I kind of like the ability to know my blood sugar levels whenever I want. For instance, at church yesterday, I started to feel kind of light headed and really low energy… so I took a reading and my blood sugar level was really low. (Just when I thought I couldn’t eat a delicious peanut butter cookie that one of the ladies brought to church…my blood sugar level said otherwise! haha!) At least I am starting to understand how my body feels with too much or too little sugar. Now, it’s all about finding a consistent balance.
I know it is important for me to find that balance, because Layla depends on it. And I want her to be as healthy as she can be… especially when I can control it.
But do you want to know what the ultimate irony of this entire situation is?
The theme of Layla’s nursery is “Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice”… and is being decorated like a bakery/sweet shop.
I just can’t get over that. Jon and I just laugh and laugh about it.
Who would have thought that I would be decorating her room with fake cupcakes and donuts and all sorts of fun bakery sweets that I can’t even eat? haha Isn’t it ironic, don’t you think? We definitely belong in Alanis Morissette song.
I’m incorporating cherries and strawberries, so there will be some nutritional balance to the sweetness.
Regardless, Layla is still my little cupcake… and she will be as sweet as sugar… so her nursery will be just as fitting. 
(Do you like how I justified that one? Let’s just be honest, Mama likes her sweets. Even if she can’t have them. haha)
