I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetic in 1999. The first thing I did was lose about 110 pounds. Since then, I have mainly managed it with diet and exercise. That ended when I acquired two auto-immune diseases about four years ago. The medications I needed to maintain control of them meant I lost control of the diabetes. My doctor prescribed plain old insulin.
About a month ago, I experienced a middle of the night event. I awoke in a cold sweat. When I tried to stand up my legs were shaky. I felt as if I was going to collapse. I took a blood glucose reading and found it was 47—way low. (Around 40 is when you can experience convulsions, coma, even death.)
When I told my doctor about it, she had me come in and talk to a young pharmacist, who asked me why I wasn’t on a continuous glucose monitor that would warn me of such events. I told her I tried a few months ago to get one approved, but the insurance company said I only took two insulin injections a day instead of the required three for coverage. She said, “nonsense, anyone on insulin needs one,” left the room and came back with one (and insurance company approval).
Over the next week, I experienced three warnings of low blood sugar in the middle of the night. I never knew that was happening. She changed my medication and I have not had another one.
Now I know that was a lot to read about something that probably doesn’t apply to you. But let me tell you what else happened. For two years I have been experiencing an unexplainable fatigue. I have had about every test you can take to find the cause, and nothing has been identified. Since I have eliminated (apparently) the middle of the night low blood sugar events, my unexplainable fatigue has vanished. I still have fatigue that can be explained … but the other is gone.
As I was thanking God this morning, I realized that I experienced Romans 8:28 and knew that I did in the space of three weeks. Usually, it takes me years to realize the “for the good,” but not this time. “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.” [Romans 8:28 HCSB]
Thank you, LORD, that you can work all things “for the good” of those who love You. Amen!
