Monday, September 24, 2007

Police, Fire and Paramedics...oh my!

I'm posting late today, but I'm posting and I need this, I need you guys...sorry this is going to be a vent.
I woke up at about 3:45 am this morning to Derek sitting straight up in bed with a staring blankly at the wall in front of him. I tried to talk to him, but he didn't respond. I thought he was asleep at first, so I tried to wake him up. When I turned the light on and noticed his jaw jerking and him continuing to stare at the wall, I started to freak out. I ran down the stairs to get cookies and juice but couldn't get him to drink anything. He just sat there with a blank face. I called 9-1-1 and continued to try to talk to him until the police showed up.
Two police officers were the first to arrive on scene. Once they got upstairs, Derek had snapped back into "our world" and was able to respond to them. We got him to drink some gatorade and the fire EMTs showed up. As the fire crew was taking his blood sugar the paramedics pulled in, a total of 6 strangers were now in my bedroom and I was sitting there helpless in my pajamas. The first test showed his blood sugar as "low" meaning it was below 20 and wouldn't register on the machine. The paramedics gave him a gel that has high levels of sugar and would hopefully jump his levels. Whithin 45 minutes it was back in the 60s and the paramedics felt he did not need to be brought in by ambulance. He ate a peanut butter sandwich (heavy on the PB) and we watched his levels rise for the next 2 hours.
When he finally felt well enough to get ready I drove him to urgent care. The interesting thing about diabetes is that the doctors have no correct answer. Every person is different and the medications will have different effects on everyone. We have no idea what set the reaction off. This is the first reaction he has had in the 17 years of being Insulin dependant. What we do know is that he was very fortunate to have taken the reaction so well. The paramedics that answered the call had never seen someone with these low of levels respondent. Had I not responded or not heard him wake up they are certain he would have gone into seizure stage or a coma. Thank god for the medical team that responded so quickly.
Anyways, I am still shacking inside. I think back and think what if I didn't realize what was going on. Is he under too much stress with work, school, wedding, etc...? It also makes me look at how fast we are living our lives, we need to just enjoy everything for once. I am already planning on the next degree I want to work on and I still have an entire semester left on this one! I am so tired of searching for the next promotion, I just want to enjoy everything we have right now! I don't even know where I am going with this blog. I have a sick man to look after though, and we need to check levels in a couple minutes so I am out of here. I will check in with everyone tomorrow, say a prayer! M

6 comments:

Randi said...

yowsers! poor you guys! I hope everything's ok. My uncle didn't take care of his diabetes very well died a few years ago from it, alone in his apartment. You've got some kind of angel watching over you (or him) who woke you up in time. Don't be worried, be grateful and take an action to prevent/fix it. Worry doesn't help.

jess said...

be strong! i just started reading your blog and you inspire me. everyone does react differently to diabetes, you just have to keep an eye on it. my best friends' very elderly grandpa just had his second reaction ever, but other than those two incidents he has been the healthiest guy i know, but his wife went out of town and he was forgetting to eat. don't let the stress of being in a hospital get to you. i know that they are stark and depressing, but soon you and your man will be home and healthy!!!
-jess

dizzydazey said...

{{hugs!}}That had to be so scary! I'm so proud of you for reacting the way that you did. You did all the right things.

You both are in my prayers today. You know that it's a God thing that you woke up while he was reacting, and God is still watching over ya'll!

Take Care!

Amanda said...

That has got to be one of the scariest things you've ever gone through!! You handled things really well though. And you are so lucky for realizing what was going on so fast. I will be praying for both of you today. PLEASE keep us updated!!!

Anonymous said...

OH wow girl! I'll keep you both in my thoughts and prayers!! HUGS!!!

Swizzlepop said...

So glad to hear that he responded so well. I can only imagine what you felt. Luckily you woke up and you did everything right. (((BIG HUGS))) to you!