I have truly appreciated the online community of diabetic warriors that I am a part of. I have learned so much, and it’s comforting to know someone understands.

With the victories come the tragedies. This week two diabetics died in their sleep. This is how I discovered the term “dead in the bed”.

I was laying down this afternoon, restless. I have a CGM – continuous glucose monitor. It will alert me if my blood sugar is high or low. I had not heard an alarm, but the unsettling thought came to my mind “dead in the bed”. Curious, I glanced over to my PDM to see what my blood sugar was. It was 60 – and dropping. I suspended my insulin pump, and headed to the kitchen.

Turns out my cell phone provider was out. My husband, who got the critical low blood sugar alert as my blood sugar dropped into the 40’s, could not call my phone. We could text. I ate a handful of candy corns. I gulped down a spoonful of icing. Still, my blood sugar continuously dropped. I ate a big bowl of pumpkin spice Frosted Flakes – my first cereal in almost 2 years. Too bad I couldn’t enjoy it.

When I got to 39, sweating and shaking, my husband called on the land line. I was ready to call 911 as he prepared to come home. And then…my blood sugar slowly turned the corner.

This was the worst hypoglycemic episode I’ve had. Somehow, my brain triggered me to check my blood sugar. Ironically, the disturbing phrase “dead in the bed” may have prevented me from that very fate.

Now, I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck. My blood sugar has rebounded with a vengeance, and I’ll spend the rest of the day treating my high blood sugar.

Even the best technology can fail. Thank goodness for that nagging, scared thought.

(My loyal dog, sitting on my foot until I felt better)