We speak in tongues. Diabetes tongue that is.
For us, the “Number” means Blood Glucose, or actually, the number, the blood glucose meter spits out after Mr T’s finger gets pricked and a small amount of blood gets analyzed.
There are all sort of numbers when one is diabetic and has to check BG several times a day. There are “perfect “ numbers too.
For us a perfect number is 5.4.… and all others starting with 5, or 6 ….. The ones starting with 4, 7 and 8 are not bad either, but what is a perfect number? More importantly WHEN is IT a perfect number.
There are other suspicious, not to be trusted “perfect” numbers, like the last nights ones:
6.3 at 10pm……..6.3 at 2am……..6.1 at 6 am……..
We are so used to zig-zag, up and down, never perfect-for-too- long numbers that person with diabetes is bound to have during a day, so when the numbers decide to be so perfect for 8 hours, or sometimes more, we get suspicious. And rightfully so.
In past whenever Mr T’s numbers were “perfect” for a better part of a day, he would get sick within a day or two. Usually with a virus. Nothing major, but sore, red throat, bit of a runny nose, etc.
Then, while his body is fighting a virus his numbers would platoe for a while at whatever level they were caught at by the virus attack. He would be 14.3….14.0……14.8……for hours in spite of additional insulin given as corrections.
Other times, he would be 3,2……3.6…….3.8 in spite the sugary food he’s eaten and temporary reduction of insulin. It would be as if the whole body froze in the state it was, and could not be bothered with any other function but fighting the germs off.
Eventually, the “frozen” stage passes and the numbers stabilize, but I am telling you, there is something in it, that will lead some clever scientist to a cure for diabetes, eventually. Or at least, let me hope…….