subsilk

It may be strange or alarming, but I've often imagined being kidnapped. I watch a lot of TV crime dramas, so the thoughts tend to race through my head. I imagine my reaction as a human, as a woman, and as a diabetic.

As a human, I know that I'm not giving up without a fight. My life is precious and valuable, whether someone else sees that or not. I would try every plan to escape or leave every clue to allow the police to do their jobs quickly and efficiently.

As a woman, the same truths apply. I'm not giving up without a fight. I refuse to give in to whatever threats unless I've tried my hardest to get away or delay the action.

As a diabetic, there are completely different issues. Being kidnapped can literally be a fight for my life (outside of the normal life-threatening situations). No insulin, no meter, no food. Dozens of situations that can ultimately take my life if not handled correctly. And most kidnappers will not be inclined (nor understand) to fill those needs.

Before the pump, things were a little different. I always had one bottle of long acting insulin and one bottle of rapid acting insulin with me. I typically carried at least one syringe. As long as I had my purse or backpack, my survival could last as long as those bottles lasted. Without them, ketones rise and put my life at stake.

Since going on the pump, I never carry long acting insulin. I very rarely carry rapid acting insulin either (unless I'm going out for a long period of time or going somewhere that my infusion site could be compromised). However, the pump carries up to three days worth of insulin. As long as my infusion site held out, I could make the insulin last for double the amount.

Even on the pump and with a full reservoir, my insulin needs are not safe. The pump could be damaged as I'm taken. The infusion site might be ripped out. It could even be used as tool to make me talk (really, what secrets do I have?) or increase my ransom.

With the nerves and stress of being kidnapped, I'm sure my blood sugars would be tumultuous. Whatever physical strain my body had to endure (hiking to hidden lairs, anyone?) could cause my blood sugars to plummet. Without a meter (and an endless supply of strips), I would not be able to accurately judge how I was running and what action needed to be taken.

Having never been kidnapped and knowing that every situation is different, I could have access to food (wouldn't that be nice!) or I might have to go without for some period of time. When a low blood sugar strikes, how do you tell your kidnapper(s) that you need glucose NOW? Maybe they might get so scared of the shaking, sweating, and potential seizures that they release you. Let's hope!

Kidnapping is not an every day situation, of course. But isn't it amazing how diabetes can affect even the strangest of thoughts? No moment is free from the grip of the disease. Not even when you're being held captive.