I almost died this weekend...

[Steve Dallas]

I am out of the Hospital, having been released about 6 hours ago.

In some ways, it's a miracle I didn't die...here's what happened.

I had been planning to drive down the West coast (101 and 1), which, looking at things now down there is one good reason I got turned back.

I had been driving from Work to Seaside, Oregon and had gotten to Longview on the Oregon Side. I was low on gas and stopped at a Chevron Station. I found I had lost my wallet and cell phone. I didn't know where because I had gone to the restroom at a resteraunt, a rest stop and the side of the road (in retrospect, these should have been warning signs). I was extremely low on gas and had no way to pay for it, except with a checkbook. I was going to stay there overnight to get some sleep as well, and ended up sleeping in the car (and visiting their restroom several times). About 1 or 2am, one of the attendents says they'd take a check so that I'm not stranded. I take them up on the offer in the morning, and reverse course back home because without a wallet or cell phone, doing the trip would be extremely difficult.

I drive back home, and get back around 11 am, and promptly go to bed because I was feeling very tired.

The next day (Sunday), I get up so I can go get breakfast at a place I know takes checks. I get there, walk in the resteraunt and get seated. As I'm starting to sit down, I get this HUGE leg spasm/seizure. I'm not sure what exactly was the right term but my right leg's muscles violently shook my leg for a good 15 seconds and I was unable to do anything but lie back and hope it stopped. No one in the resteraunt noticed because I was in an enclosed booth, but a waitress came by just after it finished and I guess my face was beet red, and changed to grey fairly quickly. I was a bit shocked at what had happened, but I thought maybe it was because I hadn't eaten anything for Friday and Saturday except 1 banana. I ate half of my omelette and really couldn't eat it anyways because it tasted like ash. I'm sure it was a decent omelette, but I think my body just didn't want me to eat it or something.

I went back out to my car, got in and as I was getting my left leg in the car, the right leg had a seizure again, also fairly violent. Again, it subsided and I decided to go home so I could gather things for going to the hospital. I got home, had a third seizure, and this one wasn't as bad as the previous 3. As I was getting things together for the hospital, any time I walked a short distance, my right leg would do the seizure thing, and each time the duration and size of the spasms were going down.

I drove to the hospital, checked into the ER, and proceeded to get diagnosed. I had a 799 blood sugar when I first got there. They put me on IV's and the whole 9 yards of tests including a CT scan and Ultrasounds. Eventually I got moved to the ICU later that evening and stayed there about 12 hours before I was moved to a normal room.

The miracle, as I see it, is getting turned around from my trip. This could have been devestating if this had started happening out in the middle of nowhere in Oregon or the California coast.

Lastly, my phone and wallet were found at the resteraunt I had gone to the restroom in (I hadn't eaten) and I just recovered them now.

So, except for my now having Diabetes and having to wait for my new credit card (since I cancelled the old one), everything is much better.

I don't know if it was Karma or something else in losing the wallet, but I think it was a fair exchange for probably saving my life.

[coolman]

Wow! First off glad to hear your doing better. Didn't you have any other symptoms before this?

[LoneStar]

I'm at a complete loss of words... I'm glad you're okay, though. It's a miracle you were still conscious with a blood sugar level that high.

[Steve Dallas]

Originally Posted by coolman

Wow! First off glad to hear your doing better. Didn't you have any other symptoms before this?

I did, but just didn't put it together...Let's just say I was a little muzzy last week. I've been tested for diabetes every year because I have the risk factor in my family, and it's been about 9 months since the last time. I've always been thirsty, but what I didn't clue in on was how often I needed to go to the bathroom...which was a symptom of failing kidneys.

[2010 SSRS]

wow, that must have been scary, hope everything works out for the best for you.

[coolman]

Originally Posted by Steve Dallas

I did, but just didn't put it together...Let's just say I was a little muzzy that week. I've been tested for diabetes every year because I have the risk factor in my family, and it's been about 9 months since the last time. I've always been thirsty, but what I didn't clue in on was how often I needed to go to the bathroom...which was a symptom of failing kidneys.

I can sort of relate. My brothers wife has the early childhood type. I've seen her do some strange things when her sugar goes wild. She has a pump now, which has really improved keeping her neutral. I hope everything works out for you.

[LoneStar]

Originally Posted by Steve Dallas

I did, but just didn't put it together...Let's just say I was a little muzzy that week. I've been tested for diabetes every year because I have the risk factor in my family, and it's been about 9 months since the last time. I've always been thirsty, but what I didn't clue in on was how often I needed to go to the bathroom...which was a symptom of failing kidneys.

Not necessarily. You're kidneys can only re-absorb glucose up to a blood level of 120. Anything more, and you end up urinating the excess sugar out, along with water. Hopefully, your kidney function is not impaired. Just keep tight control of your glucose level from now on .

[Steve Dallas]

Originally Posted by LoneStarCamaro

Not necessarily. You're kidneys can only re-absorb glucose up to a blood level of 120. Anything more, and you end up urinating the excess sugar out, along with water. Hopefully, your kidney function is not impaired. Just keep tight control of your glucose level from now on .

I'm only repeating what my Doctor said, which was that the kidneys had almost shut down...but are back to normal now.

[PQ]

Damn. Seriously, glad to hear it worked out for you but hate to hear you have diabetes. Sucks. My mother has it. Pain in the ass.

You may need to get one of those Automatic pump things.

[hot ss]

glad your alright, but in retrospect, im sure you shouldnt have driven to the hospital.
a full body seizure coulda forced you to take out an innocent,..... just sayin.

[Sterling]

Glad to hear that you're okay... good thing that spasm didn't happen on the gas pedal.

[Steve Dallas]

Originally Posted by hot ss

glad your alright, but in retrospect, im sure you shouldnt have driven to the hospital.
a full body seizure coulda forced you to take out an innocent,..... just sayin.

Possibly. By the time I drove, the spasms were mild and only lasting 5 seconds....and only after I walked. Sitting while lining things up on the computer, nothing happened for 30 minutes, but as soon as I'd walk I'd be able to stand while the leg shook slowly. And every time it only affected the one leg. And there was always about a 5 second warning I got in the foot that told me it was about to happen.

Also, at that time I also didn't have a phone to call 911.

[Iroczlover]

Next time dude, keep our phone number in your car I dont care if its in the glove box or what & give us a call.

Or I am going to Kick your butt on the 1st when we see you, & NO YOu dont get to spank me for my birthday, lol

always Know we are there for you if you need us.

also make sure you have OJ with you at all times

[franknbeans]

damn dude, that sucks. . . glad everything with you is ok though.

On Star could of saved your ass if you were in a bad pickle. . . still have it activated?