About
I was diagnosed with Diabetes more than 3 years ago. It was on New Year’s Eve, and I’d celebrated a bit too much. No, I don’t drink….it was apple pie and sparkling cider. I’m not sure what it was about the combination at that moment in time, and not the day before…or the day before that, but I went to walk down a short section of stairs, and my legs buckled under me.
I didn’t understand. I was walking just fine, but when I went to step down– my legs just stopped working. It was a scary experience. I wasn’t sure what was going on, but I knew that I saw the steps, and I intended to walk down them, but my legs did their own thing.
Thankfully my husband was there with me. We went over to get medical treatment, and that’s when they saw my bloodsugars were way too high. Why did it happen this day, and not another? I don’t know, but that was my rude awakening….They sent me for tests the next day, and sure enough– my A1C was high, and the rest become history.
I’m not a good patient. Let me put that out there right now…it’s not that I’m a rebel of some sort, I just am forgetful, not good about doing things like remembering to take daily medication, and in general probably drive my doctor a little batty at times. (Not on purpose!)
Regardless, one day I was sitting at my kitchen table (2 YEARS LATER!) and saw a small note on my insulin. If you’re taking this medication, you should be wearing medical identification. Geez, I should know better…want to know the kicker? I used to be an EMT and run with a rescue squad. It’s true…and one of the first things we would do if someone was unconscious was to check for medical ID…when someone can’t speak for themselves, a medical ID tag can make a huge difference in how quickly you receive the RIGHT treatment for your condition.
If you’re unconscious, what if you’re having an allergic reaction– but nobody knows. What if you have seizures, or what if you’re on special medication like blood thinners. Let medical alert jewelry speak for you when you can’t.
I’m pleased to say that while I’m still a crummy patient, I do wear my medical ID now, in the form of a medical alert necklace. At least I got something right! You can too…please take a moment to check out the medical alert necklaces and get one for yourself if you’ve been putting it off, or for your loved one who may need a gentle nudge.
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