My daughter’s 4th birthday is this weekend. As all you parents know the feeling you can’t believe how fast time goes when you look back. So in honor of her birthday and my almost 6 months having this little blog I am sharing with you my published article from “Diabetic Living.” I wrote on my experience with gestational diabetes and diabetes with our family!
Hope you enjoy!
The following was published in Diabetic Living just about 3 years ago now:
My husband, Eric, has lived with type 1 diabetes for 18 years—since he was 8 years old. I have sympathized with him, helped him count carbs, and shared his frustration when his meter readings were less than perfect. But I never really knew what living with diabetes was like. That is until last year, when I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes.
A lot to learn. Eric is the first person I ever met with diabetes. In college he was very reserved about his diabetes, and, like many people, I was clueless about the disease. I thought it meant he just couldn’t eat sugar. As years went by and I learned more about diabetes, we would have occasional arguments about how he managed his diabetes. I’d sometimes grab his meter off the kitchen counter to look at his numbers. If I saw that they were high or that he only tested twice, I’d accuse him of not taking care of himself. He would respond with a blank stare, and I could see the anger rising in his eyes. I didn’t care what his excuse was because, according to all the books, it was bad to have a blood glucose above 150.
He didn’t care what books said, because he knew there were some days that his numbers were off no matter what he did. Boy, did I learn that lesson. A dietitian taught it to me when I was six months pregnant. I recall simmering with anger as she told me I was not supposed to eat more than three servings of carb for my meals and snacks. I was 27, wasn’t overweight, and well within my target pregnancy weight. I ate a healthful diet, yet my blood sugar Gestational diabetes gives one woman a new understanding of what her husband lives with every day. photos by Alexandra Grabrewski numbers were still too high. An endocrinologist told me that I needed to take insulin before every meal and before bed. It took all I had to stop the tears from streaming down my face. Eric was right there next to me, and suddenly I didn’t feel as scared. He knew exactly what I was feeling. I cried the first time I gave myself an insulin shot. I remember asking Eric, “How can I possibly go through Thanksgiving only eating four servings of carbs?” He grabbed my hand and said, “It’s only for a few months; this is how I have to live forever.” I quickly learned how important carb counting is and that the type of carb matters, too. I understood why my husband would have a short temper or just want to sleep because his blood sugar went too high or it came down way too fast.
A brighter future. My three-month experience even helped Eric make some needed changes. Even though he wears an insulin pump, he finally realized he really shouldn’t go back for more Tasia Boland blogs at tasiasideasandthoughts .blogspot.com. If you had gestational diabetes, you have a 35–60 percent chance of developing diabetes in the next 10–20 years. Doctors recommend scheduling regular checkups to guard against diabetes’ return. Tasia Boland knows she is at risk with future pregnancies and later in life. “If it happens, it will be OK, because today I have control of this disease,” she says. “The healthy choices I make every day let diabetes know who’s really in charge.” once he’s had four carb servings. He would see me testing my blood glucose all the time for fear of having a large baby, and he, too, began testing more. Our daughter, Riley, was born February 8, 2011, weighing a healthy 7 pounds 8 ounces. Her blood sugar was 115, and the nurses tested her every hour until it returned to normal range. Today she’s doing great. Eric and I are eating healthier now. We’ve eliminated processed foods and include more fruits, veggies, and whole grains. We even take walks. For my family, gestational diabetes was a blessing in disguise.
Mary Collins
Managing diabetes is a real struggle. It runs in my family, but, thank God, I do not have it. I have attended funerals of several family members who chose not to manage their diabetes and suffered the consequences. Take care of your family.
Gina B
I didn’t know it was that high a risk! I was lucky not to have it…I had enough issues needed to take injections so my blood wouldn’t clot. I prayed nightly that I would test positive for gestational diabetes because I do have a sweet tooth – one I still battle with. Thank you for sharing the story and congrats on the article! I wish your daughter the HAPPIEST birthday 🙂