Diabetes Scare

My week as far as health concerns go was a rough one. It started Tuesday morning with yet another appointment with my ob-gyn to figure out why my incision from my c-section hasn't healed yet. We ended up cauterizing the last little unhealed spot with silver nitrate hoping that was going to be the end of it. Instead, the next morning I had a much larger open wound that was oozing clear fluid.

I was devastated when I got in to see my doctor yesterday (Thursday). What is wrong with me? Why can't I just heal like any other normal woman? It's been almost 12 weeks now. I should be just fine. I should have a lovely scar and that's it. Instead, I have this gaping open wound that just does not seem to want to close up.

My devastation only increased when the doctor decided it would be a good idea to take a blood sample just to make sure I don't have diabetes. That was perhaps the biggest blow. I could handle taking a long time to heal, but being told that is was possible that I might have diabetes was almost too much to handle. I called Matt in almost hysterical tears on the way home from the doctor.

I suppose some background information is helpful here. There is a lengthy history of diabetes in my family. My Dad has type II and so did his Dad. I had gestational diabetes when I was pregnant with Ellie, but I was able to control it with diet, no insulin. That's when I got a real glimpse into what it's like to be diabetic, and I knew I wanted to do everything possible to avoid getting it in the future.

I worked really hard to lose all of the baby weight I gained with Ellie and I exercised all through Annie's pregnancy - and was rewarded by not being diagnosed with gestational diabetes with Annie. So to be told that less than three months after Annie's birth that I might have diabetes was overwhelmingly disappointing. I have worked so hard to prevent getting this disease and I was absolutely devastated to think that I had failed in my efforts. I'm just so young to be diagnosed with type II diabetes.

However, I just got the best news ever. The results are back from my blood test and everything is fine. I do not have diabetes. I'm so grateful. And my incision is looking a little better too. It turned out that I had a small infection that was preventing it from healing. The doctor cleaned it out and hopefully I'm on the mend.

I am, of course, soberly aware of the fact that my body has great difficulty healing. (I had similar issues with Ellie's birth, only it took a full year to get better). But I am happy that for the time being all of my hard work to avoid a diabetes diagnosis seems to paying off. I'm not in the clear yet, but it was a real blessing for me to get the call from my doctor today.