Health Scares and Phobias

Sometimes something comes along in your life and gives you a quick kick in the face. 
For a few days, it literally felt like I was kicked in the face.  My back wisdom tooth abscessed again.  I managed to get myself down to the doctor and got antibiotics and for once, pain pills!  They rarely give me any because I am allergic to the "cure all", Vicodin. 
During a fit of pain and anger, I threw out that I had to do SOMETHING to get over my needle phobia and told Mandy that we would take baby steps and she should start checking my blood sugar.  (She's diabetic). 
Needless to say, a few days later when I was no longer in pain, I regretted this immensely, but Mandy is a good woman, and she did NOT let me off the hook.  (I do actually thank her for that.)
We sat down one day, while she was off work, and started working to calm my nerves.  Much to my surprise, it only took me about 30 minutes to let her do it.  It was awful, in my mind of course (not due to pain or anything), BUT I DID IT!!!!
And then it beeped. 

And my blood sugar, more than 2 hours after eating anything, was higher than hers. 
131
WHAT?
For those that know nothing about numbers, for someone who is supposed to have low blood sugar, a reading above 120 more than 2 hours after eating is a sign of pre-diabetes.  Pre-diabetes is a diagnosis they give you to say, "WAKE THE FUCK UP!  YOU'RE KILLING YOURSELF!"

I would like to say that it came as a shock, but it was not.  I honestly thought for a while that I was having blood sugar issues.  Everything from extreme thirst, to missing periods, to feeling like crap ALL THE TIME.

We decided to start checking it on her days off (which reminds me, we skipped yesterday :gulp:) and in the mean time, I decided we were both going to start eating like we should.  The research junkie that I am kicked in and I have spent the last week and a half in carbohydrate and blood sugar land. 
We started on a limited carb diet with the help of a friend of mine who is a dietitian, and so far we are doing pretty well.  The first few days we wanted to kill each other and everyone around us, because we do so love our bread and rice and pasta. 

The better part about this though, is that Mandy's numbers are SO MUCH BETTER than they have been, AND I did a big thing, and checked my sugar twice in one day.  We did a fasting check last Sunday, and it was only 86.  2 hours after eating around 60g of carbs it was only 105. These are GOOD numbers. 
I have calmed down a ton about it, and no longer think I am going to die, but we are still going with the diet.  The impact it has made on her sugar levels and my energy is amazing. 

Now, about that phobia... 
In addition to checking my blood sugar (which, admittedly, has gotten easier, but is still a mental struggle) I am working with a friend of mine who pokes at people for a living.  We are doing what I guess would be considered "graded-exposure therapy".  Right now, I have in my possession a couple of syringes that I am supposed to mess with.  I think I can handle them just fine.  Put them in someone else hands and I know it will not go well. 
I think it will be hardest for me when we get to the point of touching a tourniquet and prep swab.  Just the thought of that freaks me right the fuck out... 

But I swear, I WILL get over this shit.  I have to.  I am tired of hurting.  I am tired of being sick.