My New Rollercoaster

As all my close friends and family know (well, to be honest, I think I told the whole dang world), I discovered I had gestational diabetes during my first pregnancy. This discovery turned into a very time-consuming issue late in my pregnancy.

Unfortunately, the diabetes did not go away when I had my daughter. I had heard it would. But nope, I was not so lucky. Eventually I was diagnosed pre-diabetic. Eventually I shed that status after shedding 45 pounds.

So this next pregnancy, I was prepared. I knew what I was heading into. (Doesn't make it any less annoying, but I least I was prepared to be annoyed.)

So when my doctor asked me to do the glucose test 30 weeks before she normally would--not surprised.

When I failed it--not a shocker.

When I was "asked" to do the second, three-hour glucose test--pissed but expecting it.

When they put me on the diabetic diet and gave me a glucose meter and made me call a nurse every week--no big deal.

When the diet failed--I had no tears.

When my new doctor gave me the "it's time for insulin talk," I had steeled my resolve.

So now I'm on insulin. It has its ups...and its downs, and that is the exact problem with it. The first day I was excited. I had NEVER see a fasting blood sugar so low. I was excited and relieved.

But then, at school, in a classroom, while dealing with a difficult situation, I hit a blood sugar low. I have heard people describe themselves as hypoglycemic, but I had NO idea how terrible it feels. I was dripping sweat and shaking and my school secretary said I had dark circle under my eyes.

Yikes.

Aft 15 grams of cards, I felt much better. Called my doctor, revised the plan, and moved on.

Until Sunday/Monday early morning. Last night I woke up at 12 am in a complete sweat. It took me a while to come to my senses and get up. When I finally got up and tested myself my sugars were 55...very low.

I'll admit that I was scared to go back to bed. My fear is what if I don't wake up. No one will really answer that question. So comforting.

So my doctor has revised my plan again. And tonight I have to wait until 11 to take my insulin (a full two hours after I am typically in bed) and I have to check at two. AWESOME.

But I'll do it. But really, March can't come soon enough. :)

Welcome to the World Baby Owen

To say that the last month has been a whirlwind of emotion is an understatement. On August 16th, my nephew Owen Davis Blythe was born. Five weeks early. The entire experience brought my priorities into laser focus.

The weekend before Owen was born was my sister Haley's shower. It was also the weekend before the school year again. I'm a little ashamed to admit how "busy" and "overwhelmed" I felt. The shower went great, Haley looked beautiful, and in the end there was very little to worry about.

Two days into the school year, I received a call (well 6 to be exact) that brought everything to a screeching halt: Haley's water broke and she was going into an emergency C-section. Within 30 minutes, Justin, Emerson, and I were heading down to Concord in separate cars, fast food dinners in hand.

We arrived in time at the hospital to see Haley and Craig before she went into surgery. It was terrible to see my sister so scared, but I knew she was relieved that Craig was still in town. He had been scheduled to go to Maryland the next day.

I stayed at the hospital and waited for little Owen to be introduced to the world. A little after 9:30, he was born at 6 pounds, 12 ounces, 18 inches. Before I headed to my mom's at almost 2 am, we got to see our new little boy. Amazingly, he was bigger than Emerson, who was born three weeks after him but was only 5 pounds 10 ounces.

For the past three weeks, Owen has been in the NICU while the doctors try to assess his health and needs. We were able to visit once, and it was amazing how much bigger he is now just a few weeks after he was born. Hopefully, he will be able to go home soon.

For me this experience has had a strong impact. First, my younger sister is incredibly special to me, and to see her struggle through this experience has been immensely painful. Second, I am fully aware how lucky I am that Emerson was healthy. My gestational diabetes could have put her at great risk. To be honest, this pregnancy didn't feel real (well, the puking did) until the last few weeks. I feel lucky again that I am pregnant, and I will admit I feel a bit scared. Having a child is a foundation-shaking experience.

My sister, brother-in-law, and new nephew have a uncertain road in front of them. However, they are strong and full of love for their new boy. He is truly a miracle.

Welcome, Owen Davis Blythe to this wacky world! We love you.