Diabetes in Zero G

This past week I had the opportunity of a lifetime....to experience Zero G and 2 G on a NASA plane.  Three other teachers from my school and I were in Houston, Texas for 12 days.  Back in the winter, we created an experiment that our students at school could do and that would have different results in zero and 2 G.

NASA has a special plane (the weightless wonder) that we got to ride for 2 hours while testing our experiment.  I was nervous for a few reasons:

1.  In order to prevent motion sickness, you should take a pill or shot.  I hate needles.  However, I sucked it up and took the shot, which makes you dizzy.  In reality, I didn't get too dizzy and it was similar to getting a flu shot.

2.  I had no idea how my insulin pump would work in zero G and 2 G.  From my limited research, there has never been a diabetic astronaut.  My endocrinologist in Chicago didn't think it would be an issue, and the flight doctor told me I'd be fine.  In reality, I was.  When we took off, I was 134.  When we landed, I was 103.  I'd say I was successful.

It is hard to put into words the experience I had.  Being weightless was one of the neatest things I have ever experienced.  We also go to experience Martian and Lunar gravity, which made doing push-ups very easy.  If only it was like that in real life.

I can definitely say that I am more interested in space after this week, and had an amazing time.