Thirty-one years ago, Amara (not her real name) was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. An insulin user since high school, she is now married with two teenage children.
Every year, she and her husband Jim take a vacation at a resort by the beach. On one occasion, they had been lounging by the pool all day and were preparing for dinner at their favourite restaurant.
Amara dressed up and didn’t want to bring her purse, which contained her diabetic kit, with her. She was familiar with the menu and knew what she wanted to eat, so she decided to take a dose of rapid-acting insulin before they left the room.
Amara and Jim enjoyed a few appetisers at the lounge before dinner, and were there for about an hour before they headed for the restaurant. That’s when Jim noticed something wrong – Amara was having difficulty walking. She then collapsed and began fading in and out of consciousness.
The resort staff offered to send for medical help but, since they were close to their room, Jim ran back and got her glucometer. He found her blood sugar reading to be very low.
Fortunately, Jim recognised the signs of hypoglycaemia and made her drink a high-sugar beverage, and also forced her to eat. She began to get more alert, but it took another hour before she was back to her normal self.
While Jim kept his cool through the whole experience, he later admitted to being scared. The worst part was waiting for her blood sugar to rise as his mind started to run through all the “what-if” scenarios.
She, on the other hand, felt guilty for causing a scene and for being careless with her insulin use and timing. Fortunately, the couple have a strong relationship and worked through these feelings by talking it out.
Amara advises diabetics to always be prepared. Listen to your body and learn the signals of a hypoglycaemic attack such as dizziness and weakness. She now has glucose tablets in her purse, on every floor of their house, and in their cars.
When going on a holiday, always remember to bring along your glucometer and medication, as they might not be readily available at your destination.
Amara highlights the importance of taking the proper precautions if you are a diabetic, or if you live with someone who is. Always have fast-acting glucose tablets or high-sugar drinks on standby. Measure your blood sugar regularly to track your diabetic control, and learn how to take immediate action should an emergency arise.
TELEME Healing Life Stories is a collection of inspirational stories of how ordinary people triumph over their health conditions and recover to lead a healthier life. Email [email protected] to share your story.
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