{"id":33028,"date":"2013-06-03T09:22:28","date_gmt":"2013-06-03T13:22:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/asweetlife.org\/?p=33028"},"modified":"2015-12-27T15:41:45","modified_gmt":"2015-12-27T20:41:45","slug":"public-display-of-hypoglycemia-can-i-have-some-jam-please","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/asweetlife.org\/?p=33028","title":{"rendered":"Public Display of Hypoglycemia: Can I Have Some Jam, Please?"},"content":{"rendered":"

It started off as an innocent trip to Staples. I bought packing tape because we\u2019re moving. That was easy<\/em>. Then I began rushing home because it was time to feed Maya, and here\u2019s what wasn\u2019t easy:\u00a0 navigating through the crowd in the Union Square Farmer\u2019s Market with a low blood sugar. It was one of those sneaky lows. No progression of symptoms. Just sudden blurred vision, shaky hands, and the thought, Gee, I might actually faint. <\/em>I haven\u2019t fainted from low blood sugar since age 14 (two years into my diabetes diagnosis), but still; it\u2019s a valid concern. I reached into my bag to feel for my glucose tablets. I felt nothing.<\/p>\n

I began to panic.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

I usually carry a big fat bag because people with diabetes have A Lot O\u2019 Stuff. But I was only going on a quick errand and wanted to treat myself to a light-weight bag! The rebel that I am, I ditched the juice box. I wished I hadn\u2019t because my glucose tablets were missing or stolen. Reward if found.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, I felt myself going in and out of consciousness. I was seeing splotches of black and white, followed by flares of fluorescent green. I was only two blocks from my apartment, but I knew I wouldn\u2019t make it.<\/p>\n

As luck would have it, remember, I was in a farmer\u2019s market. And I was standing next to a stand selling jam. I approached the farmer and urgently asked, \u201cCan I please have some jam?\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked at me funny, probably because I was unsteady. I may have even sloshed my words. Maybe she thought I was drunk at 11:00A.M. on a Saturday morning, holding a bag from Staples. She reluctantly handed me a popsicle stick for tasting, which I dipped into something red and shiny, probably strawberry. I couldn\u2019t taste it because when I\u2019m very low, my taste buds are dulled. In fact, all of my buds are dulled; my whole body feels numb.<\/p>\n

One taste of jam wasn\u2019t enough. I asked for a fresh popsicle stick so that I could take another taste without double dipping. The farmer said no. I\u2019m not sure why. Farmers are usually friendly.<\/p>\n

I felt myself dropping. I thought, Just give me the damn popsicle stick!!!!!<\/em> I never wanted jam so badly. I composed myself as best as I could. I said, \u201cPlease! I have diabetes! I need sugar! It\u2019s an emergency!\u201d Her face froze in fear\u2014apathy\u2014constipation; who knows.<\/p>\n

Thankfully, a passerby overheard me and said, \u201cHold on.\u201d He zipped away, then quickly returned with a cup of apple cider. It might have been iced tea. I gulped it down and felt the cold rush of sugar surge through my body. Within seconds, I felt that after-low-sweat emerge on the nape of my neck. The fog was lifting from my brain. I could think.<\/p>\n

I knew that I was out of the fainting zone, but I knelt down and waited to feel 100% better before walking home. I felt so vulnerable. After seventeen years with diabetes, it still has the ability to bring me to my knees.<\/p>\n

The man, my new hero, said he\u2019d wait with me. But I told him I\u2019d be okay. I could hardly look him in the eye. I thanked him through my embarrassment and watched him go on his way. The kindness of strangers. \u00a0<\/p>\n

I knew I was home when I heard the familiar sound of the heavy door slam behind me. Safe and sound.<\/em> I dropped my useless, sugarless bag on a cardboard box labeled \u2018KITCHEN. FRAGILE.\u2019<\/p>\n

I washed my hands and then picked up my daughter. I nuzzled her soft baby cheek against mine. I thought, What if I had actually fainted?<\/em> I\u2019ve got a little Maya now. She depends on me. Fainting is not an option!<\/p>\n

I told Gary about what had happened. Once he confirmed that I was okay, he got all stern and serious. He said, \u201cYou should really always carry a juice box, Jen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rgh. He was right.<\/p>\n

I told him that even people with diabetes make mistakes.<\/p>\n

He was not amused. \u00a0<\/p>\n

I settled down on the couch to feed Maya. I kissed her and I told her that I\u2019d always carry my juice box. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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