After school, at home, I was doing homework while I texted Samuel about what happened between Stephanie and her mom. Stephanie told me it was okay to tell him since we trust him. Lily Ann knew it as well by text and she couldn't believe what Eliza was trying to do. Lily Ann added we were right to refuse to say anything to Eliza.
At least Samuel didn't keep asking. He was just wondering about that. He was probably sleeping because he didn't reply my text yet. That's okay. He did reply back by the time I completed my homework and he was glad everything is fine now and he agreed Eliza don't need to know anything about it. I told him what Stephanie said Eliza might repeat it to anyone. She was afraid that could happen. Samuel didn't blame Steph for that.
That night, Miranda said Dad had to work a double shift and was called in for 3:00 pm, so it would be girls' night out tonight. We didn't blame. We ordered Chinese for dinner. I was getting tired after that. Stephanie noticed I looked drained by 9:00 pm.
"Are you okay? You looked tired," said Stephanie.
"It's probably from a long day," I said.
"You're probably right," said Stephanie.
"In fact, I think I'll go to bed early tonight so I can feel better in the morning," I said.
"Good idea," commented Stephanie.
That's what I did. I was in bed before 9:30 pm. I was getting a headache at the time.
In the middle of the night, all I have been doing is getting up and drink a lot of water for the past three to four hours. I think Stephanie must have noticed that because she told Miranda about what was happening.
"I bet she's diabetic. We should take her to the hospital before something happens," said Miranda.
I was still drinking when Stephanie came to me and said, "Mom suggested we should take you to the hospital now. I was worried about you when I noticed you have been getting up too much to drink water."
"I think so, too," I said.
"Mom knows what you might have," said Stephanie.
Miranda left with me to the hospital right away. She told a nurse about my signs.
"I was tired and I went to bed before 9:30 pm," I said. "I started with a headache when I went to bed.
They decide to admit me and they took a blood test.
"We'll keep her until tomorrow morning so we can keep an eye on her," said a doctor.
"Okay. Are you going to notify her father that she's here?" asked Miranda.
"Yes. Someone already went to him earlier," said the doctor.
Ten minutes after Miranda left, a doctor came in with Dad.
"We had to admit her so we can watch her. The results should be in tomorrow morning," said the doctor.
"Are you going to be okay, honey?" asked Dad.
"I'll be fine. I'm glad Stephanie told her mom what was happening to me," I said.
"Me, too. Stephanie did the right thing," said Dad.
We talked for a bit until Dad left to do his rounds. The doctor wanted me to get some rest.
The next day, the doctor came to me and said, "The results came up and you have gestational diabetes. It's good that your stepmother brought you here in time."
"Gestational diabetes? That's a shock," I said.
"Yes. It happens during pregnancy. You'll be fine as long as you take care of it especially during pregnancy," said the doctor. "Your blood sugar was high."
That's going to make me nervous. I don't think anyone else in my family had diabetes. The doctor gave me instructions on how to handle my diabetes. Maybe I will do okay. Later, Stephanie came by after school and I told her the news.
"Wow. Mom was right. My aunt has diabetes," said Stephanie.
"But I don't know if anyone else in my family has it," I said.
"No problem. Mom can give you tips if you need them," said Stephanie.
I was lucky to have her as my stepsister and best friend to watch out for me.
"I already called my father about it before you came. He could tell how nervous I was," I said.
"I believe it," said Stephanie.
"But I know I'll make out fine," I said.
"So do I," said Stephanie.
"My blood sugar went to normal a few hours ago," I said. "The doctor said I can go home tomorrow."
"Good. I miss my roommate," said Stephanie.
I knew what she meant: me.
"Me, too," I said.
We just enjoy being roommates.
"Dad said he'll come by to see me later on. He took a couple of days off to see me. I told him I was getting released tomorrow," I said. "He was glad to hear that."
Two hours later, Dad and Miranda came to visit with Samuel who knew I was in the hospital.
"How are you feeling?" asked Samuel.
"I'm doing okay," I said. "Miranda, Stephanie told me her aunt's diabetic."
"Yes. My sister's been having it for many years and she knows how to take care of her blood sugar," said Miranda.
"Well, do you mind if I can to go to you for tips?" I asked.
"Feel free to do so anytime," said Miranda.
"Okay, great," I said.
"You can ask me, too, if you want. I give my patients tips on diabetes all the time," said Dad.
"Even better. Thanks," I said with a grin.
I'm glad Dad can give me tips as well. I'm relieved about it.
"I was proud of Stephanie for her quick actions by getting me up when she told me what was happening to you," said Miranda.
"I was glad," I said. "It was better than waiting or being like that during school."
"You're right about that part," said Dad.
They stayed with me for a few hours. I couldn't wait to go home tomorrow.
The next day, the doctor told me I can get released this afternoon. They told Dad. He came by for me before 1:00 pm. I was in my clothes. The doctor went over instructions again to make sure I'll do to make my baby healthy while being diabetic on our way home.
Dad and I went to get diabetic supplies and anything I can eat or drink.
"Once I give birth, I'll be able to take Lactid pills again to drink milk or eat foods that contain milk," I said.
At home, we put stuff away. Stephanie was glad that I was home. Later, Dad asked me if I had checked my blood sugar before dinner and I said yes. My blood sugar was low, so it was perfect for me to eat. It went back to normal after supper. I ate the stuff I was allowed to have. I took insulin. I love ham, but it had syrup on it and I couldn't eat it.
"My aunt can't have maple syrup when it's on the ham," said Stephanie.
"I'm glad I did the smart thing by skipping ham," I said.
"Your dad was glad as well," said Stephanie.
"Yeah," I said. "I believe I can do it."
A few next days were kind of rough for me. It was hard to control my blood sugar. Second, it feels that Dad was changing again. He keeps asking me if I checked my blood sugar or insulin. It's driving me crazy. I found out why: He was concerned about me and was watching out for me. I don't know if he thought I'd forget to do so. I would never forget to do what I'm supposed to do. So, I went to Dad.
"Do you mind if we talk about something?" I asked.
"What's up?" asked Dad.
"I learned you were worried about me since I got diabetes," I said.
"Yes," said Dad.
"Why did you keep asking me I checked my blood sugar or insulin?" I asked. "You know I wouldn't forget to do so. I have been doing it just fine. I know what to do since the doctor gave me instruction. You're supposed to give me tips. Asking me about checking aren't tips. I don't need to get nervous."
Dad realized I was right on what I told him.
"In my case, the doctor told me the type that I have only happens during pregnancy," I said.
Luckily, everything went fine after our talk. He stopped checking on me. Don't me wrong, I don't mind him doing that, but I got tired of it after a while. At least I knew why. And, I was able to handle my blood sugar much better, too. Miranda told me how to handle it and she told me her sister would have a snack before she goes to bed to control her blood sugar all night. I asked Miranda if it works, she told me yes.
"I could try doing that since I would get up during twice this week because my blood sugar would be either high or low. Thank goodness I knew what to do right away," I said.
At 10:00 pm, I made myself a peanut butter sandwich with bananas.
"Also, my sister takes insulin before having any fruit to avoid high blood sugar," said Miranda.
"I didn't think of that. I do that before I eat," I said.
"Good idea," said Miranda.
That's what I did. I'm glad she told me ahead of time. Miranda's advice worked because I was able to sleep all night. Now, that's how it was supposed to work, not the way Dad was doing to me.
The next day, at school, Eliza said, "Why did you get to eat something special?"
Oh, brother. The noisy one. I haven't told her about my diabetes.
"I'm on diet," all I could reply.
"I don't believe it," said Eliza.
"Try this: Leave my sister alone," said Stephanie.
We decided to call ourselves more than stepsisters, just sisters. We liked that. Dad plans to adopt Stephanie to make her as his own daughter. I'm not sure if she wants that yet since she just lost her father and I'm sure she still misses him. I told him he should wait for a bit longer before he could tell her. We didn't tell Eliza about my diet until after lunch.
"I knew something was up," said Eliza.
"So? I wasn't ready to say anything right away," I said.
"Why?" asked Eliza.
"Because I said so," I replied. "No one should have to."
"That's right," said Stephanie. "Come on, let's so. Eliza is being tough."
That was when we took off to get to our classes.
After school, I had an appointment at the adoption agency, so Dad took me there. I went to the specialist.
"Hello, Rebecca," said the specialist.
"Hi," I said as I sat down.
"The adoptive couple got approved to adopt your child, which is why I scheduled you an appointment today," said the specialist.
"That's good. I didn't think it took that long," I said.
"It takes a while often," said the specialist. "It's good to do that before the adoption happens."
"Okay," I said.
We talked for a bit longer and what would happen after I give birth. They'd have me to sign the final papers for the adoptive couple. That sounded easy to do. We were done almost 30 minutes later. Then, Dad and I left for home.
"I'm glad the adoptive couple got approved," I said. "I thought they were already."
"Me, too," said Dad.
"The only I didn't want to tell her is my gestational diabetes because I was worried that adoptive couple could turn away," I said.
"I don't blame you," said Dad.
"I figured I'd keep it a secret," I said. "As long as I give them the healthy baby, I'm all set."
A week later, I had ultrasound and so far, my gestational diabetes has been going great and the baby is healthy.
"Did you bring it up to the specialist when you saw her last week?" asked the doctor.
"I didn't want to. What if the couple I picked could turn away?" I asked. "I don't want to take a chance. Dad agreed with me on that."
"They still should know," said the doctor.
"Didn't you hear I just told you?" I asked.
"Then, I'll tell them," said the doctor. "Do you have the number?"
"What part of no don't you get?" I asked,
I left the room from there to meet Dad in the waiting room. I told him about what happened.
"The doctor thinks the couple should know, but I said no for a reason," I said.
"He shouldn't force you like that," said Dad.
"I know," I said. "I'm going to have a healthy baby and if I give them a baby with a birth defect, they might not want it."
"You have good point," said Dad as we walked out to go home.
"He wanted to give him the number to the agency, but I said I don't have the number," I said.
"Smart move," said Dad.
At home, Dad called his manager and told him how awful my doctor was.
"I don't blame Becky for not telling anything about her diabetes," said the manager. "I'm glad you called me. I'll have to talk to him. He shouldn't force to say stuff if she didn't want to."
"I know," said Dad.
Later, I learned that doctor had been suspended for five days without pay for giving me a hard time. I'm glad. He almost found the number for the agency, but he was stopped in time. The manager reported it to the agency and were angry for what he was trying to do. They say most teens with health problems don't like to bring it up to the couple in case they don't want to adopt the child. The manager knew the specialist, who was glad to hear from Dad's boss. They still can mention it to the specialist if they wish to do so. I felt better after that.
I can see Dr. Duarte for ultrasound for now on. That's a good thing. She wasn't in when I had the ultrasound, which is why I had the other one who was filling for her. The manager will let her know when she gets in tomorrow.
"I'm glad Dr. Mills is suspended. He should've thought about that before," I said.
"I agree with you," said Dad.
"I bet Dr. Duarte would be mad when she finds out," I said.
"So do I," said Dad.