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.
OMG! I thought I was the only one weird enough to have these thoughts! I watch way too much Law & Order SVU. :) And Without A Trace. And CSI....
:)
I have thought, since I got the pump, that I might actually be a little safer, since I would have the insulin on me (hopefully on day 1 of the pump site, but whatever). And that might buy me time if they took my meter/purse, etc.
Such weird thoughts. But let's hope we never have to deal with that.
Do you watch the Inspector Lynley Mysteries on PBS?
They had an episode last week where a girl was kidnapped who had diabetes!
If not, this is such a big coincidence :)
Your not the only one!
I think the "what if scenarios"cross all our minds, because we really do have to always be prepared in our day to day lives as diabetics. Look,I've thought about getting stranded on a desert island,and then I think,"What about my insulin,testing and pump supplies? If I had my insulin,how could I protect it from the heat on said desert island? Speaking of heat,the heat would literally suck the life out of my pump and meter batteries!"
I could go on and on,and on.
Your not alone,in fact,YOUR SPOT ON SISTER!
k2
Let me start by telling you a little story,no I wasn't kidnapped. But I did spend 9 days alone in the Canadian Rockies.I take 8-10 injections a day and had enough supplies to last 14 days. It was frightening to think that I could possibly die alone, either DKA or a sudden crash. I have had extensive survival training but not a whole lot of "wild" nutritional carb counting. Hard to tell how many carbs are in Cattail roots, or what to use if my sugar was dropping.Could have looked for honey I guess, but grizzley's trump my need,or want. Seeing how it was a grizzley that destoyed my camp and put me in this situation in the 1st place. It showed me that as long I have insulin and a syringe, the world can not stop me.I still carry at least 14 days of supplies in a bag that goes with me everywhere,seriously my freinds call it my RIG and ask me if I have before going anywhere.And
when I get a pump I'll Carry the same amount. The world does not conform to us we must conform it, be prepared it worked for the Boy (and Girl) Scouts.LOL Hang in there Sister, and good luck on not gettin kidnapped.