In late February, I was admitted to the hospital for seriously high blood sugar and blood pressure. Essentially, I was experiencing kidney failure and was put on an IV till both stats were down. 2 days after which around the same time I wrote part 1, I felt fantastic- good in ways I haven't felt in a long time. Scared straight, I was already eating a well-behaved diet, taking insulin, and watching my blood sugars like a hawk. It wasn't but a few days later I was already back under the weather. My calves, ankles, and feet swelled up again and my head was throbbing. I felt the same way as I did before being admitted to the hospital. Long story short is that the hospital made my blood sugar levels drop too fast when the body was used to having a high amount of glucose. A sharp drop can cause the blood vessels to dilate releasing lots of protein, plasma, and other body fluid to where gravity have the most effect: the feet. This condition is called Edema. The throbbing in my head was my blood pressure spiking to dangerous levels which is caused by my body trying to deal with Edema. I pretty much died to world over the last two weeks as my long work schedules were barely survivable. However, with some patience and pills the swelling is gone from my feet but Edema still hides out elsewhere in my legs. Still, things are slowly turning to normal as my body adapts to having regulars stats after who knows how long and with that, I have a little more energy each time. My blood pressure is still an issue and will be for some time. After constant 3x-daily testing, I found my pulse is NEVER below 90 even when just waking up. Turns out this is more than likely a family inheritance of thyroid problems could with the problems I'm already having. The not-terrible news is that once I've dealt with Edema and get my kidney function back on track, these thyroid issues are super easily treatable. I look forward to that day.

In the meantime, my concern is finishing a commissioned suit design and a prize badge before the next BLFC but Edema right now prevents me from sitting down in chair normally for more than an hour at a time. I hope to be over it soon.

I meantime, I want everyone to be reminded that no one is safe from this epidemic. The number of people newly diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes is EXPLODING. There is no longer any such things as too young, old, slim, or healthy looking to have diabetes. More than a year ago, an 8 year old was having a random check by his pediatric. His blood sugar level was 1000! That's easily enough to kill if it wasn't for his youth. A man a couple cities away from me, at the age of 31 had to have leg amputated! He weighs only 190- much less now. This mine field at the super market is coming to a head. Food is marketed and distributed like cigarettes, to be available and addicting as possible. Multiple complaints have been popping up all over the place as more parents are finding incredible amounts and sugar and salt in even the so-marked Healthy baby food. You wouldn't put that much crud in a small child's food unless you were trying to get them addicted from the very start of their lives. Its soooo easy to reach for whats right there in front of you at the mini mart or check out line but its a machine that is cranked into overdrive and at some point, the body just can't keep up. In the 80's and 90's, we were told you had to be over weight or over a certain age to possibly have diabetes. No! It's well after young kids and otherwise healthy adults. Healthy food is still overly laden with salt, sugar, and carbs especially breads.

Please, take some time to turn the package over and see whats really in the items you're about to purchase and check in with that blood pressure machine you see in the drug store from time to time, if you're constantly over 130/80, its a good sign to get checked by a physician.