Embarrassing Situations
I was at work. A low crept up on me without my knowing what was going on. All of a sudden I couldn't type, couldn't think or hear, I was seeing stars and I knew that I would pass out but for some reason, I just kept trying to work.
I have heard about people having hypoglycemic episodes and not being able to treat themselves, but it never happened to me before this. It seemed like all I could concentrate on was that I wanted to finish what I was doing. I finally got it out of my mouth that I was diabetic and didn't feel well.
The lady I was working with didn't know what I was talking about. Somehow I made it into my co-worker's office. She helped me and finished working with the client. My co-worker was very understanding and kind but she did say that it looked like I was drunk when I came in her office. I can't imagine what the other lady thought or felt.
Now I am feeling bad about it. I don't quite know what to think.I had tested earlier, I was sitting right next to my bag of diabetic supplies and food and had glucose tabs in my desk.
I feel awful bad about this. I never had hypoglycemia in public before and not been able to deal with it effectively. I maybe feel embarrassed and vulnerable?
I know this must have happened to others as well. What was your experience and how did you deal with it? How did you feel afteward?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Sunontiepost on -
I think this happens to a lot of us. In the past, I tried to make sure that co-workers were aware of my diabetes and knew what to do just in case... Unfortunately, working in live radio can be an unforgiving situation. Once I began to slur a bit on he air! Yes LIVE RADIO! ha I just stopped and went into music and sat there confused. Luckily someone else in he building heard it too and recognized I was in trouble. Really embarrassing. But I got through it and recovered, and went about my business. I made some crack about it when I got back on the air and laughed it off.
I agree with Robyn. Don't beat yourself up. We all get caught off guard sometimes when wrapped up in what we are doing. WE just have to be more careful than most folks.
Good luck and take care!
brant
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Permalink Reply by lotsofshots on -
Sunontiepost, Wow, that really sounds intense. Thankfully someone was there, that is why I am so grateful for my co-worker, she is very understanding and kind. Soon she will be moving downstairs to another office and I will be in a hallway on my own. There is another office there but it is going to be a shared one, so several different people will be using it and the hallway door has to stay locked for security reasons. I do have the phone and IM communicator or email though if I am alone. Really after all the help and advice that I received today I am really happy to go back to work tomorrow and I don't feel a bit bad about it at all anymore.
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Permalink Reply by Sunontiepost on
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Excellent...on the subject of low sugars. I try to keep glucose tabs handy. Also..this is funny but works. The little bottles of maple syrup from cracker barrel are small and can be carried in the pocket! haha only trouble is they also look like air plane bottles of booze when you are drinking out of them!
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Permalink Reply by jrtpup on -
Never saw those little bottles of maple syrup, but I do like honey sticks (long thin plastic tubes filled with honey)though they can be difficult to open when low. Those little honey containers from convenience stores work too.
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Permalink Reply by Doris D on -
Funny isn't it how hard simple things can be to open when ur low????? Sorry pup but I just had to say that. I've spent like 20 minutes trying to figure out how to screw the top off something when I'm low.
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Permalink Reply by jrtpup on
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No need to apologize Doris, it's so true! The confusion and hyper-focus just take over. Like the time I was sure it was morning after going low during a nap and set ALL the clocks for AM, didn't understand why even my computer clock was wrong LOL
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Permalink Reply by Scott E on -
Sunontie, are you alone in the studio when you're on the air? I listen to a talk radio station in New Jersey regularly where one of the afternoon co-hosts (it's a two-man team) is T1, and discusses it openly on the air. Usually it's not a topic of conversation, but I remember one day where he came on-air saying he didn't feel quite right, but couldn't know if he was high or low. He decided to run an impromptu contest: the first three people to call-in would guess what his blood sugar was, and whoever was closest would win $5 (this was not a station-sponsored contest, as they tried to figure out how to get the money to the winner). The non-D co-host kept encouraging him to just take care of himself and forget the stupid contest, but in the end, he tested on-air and was 240-something. He took his insulin injection after they broke for traffic.
The point is, I thought it was fun (but most listeners, assuredly non-D, probably didn't) but perhaps not all that responsible. And if worse-came-to-worse, the producer/call screener was nearby to step in if needed.
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Permalink Reply by Sunontiepost on
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Hi Scott,
I was alone in the studio at the time. I never made it a contest , but after I had developed some audience I was more open about my situation. Lucky for me it was not talk radio! lol..I was able to more openly discuss my situation when we did diabetes awareness month and other fund drives. Since my doctors listened, It probably would have back-fired on my to run a guess my glucose contest. haha
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Permalink Reply by Scott E on
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(Reviving an old discussion). I found an online podcast of the radio show I was referring to. I wrote about it here, and you can listen to the audio clip about halfway down the post.
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Permalink Reply by jrtpup on
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Hey, lots, can't wait to hear how today went and what new low-tech gadgetry (like post-its) you implemented!
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