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Patient Stories
Every year, nearly 2 million people hear the words, “You have diabetes.” Receiving a diagnosis of diabetes might feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. With proper treatment and management, people with diabetes can reduce the risk of complications and live long, healthy lives.
Lancaster General Health helps people learn to live with diabetes every day. With resources like Diabetes & Endocrinology Specialists, the Diabetes & Nutrition Center and a robust Diabetes Online Community, we offer access to health care services and tools for making positive lifestyle changes. You can read some of our success stories here.
Joe Diaz
Joe Diaz was diagnosed with diabetes in 2004. Through his physician, he was referred to the Diabetes and Nutrition Center and met with Elizabeth Mammina-Dinchera, a dietitian at the center. Elizabeth helped Joe understand how to test his blood sugar levels and change his diet. At that time, Joe started going to the gym for exercise, however, he did little to change his diet as he felt fine. Joe’s wife, Maria, was frustrated as she repeatedly reminded Joe to eat healthier, but he did not take the initiative to make changes on his own. Read More...
Joe’s health began to deteriorate, and that was a real wake-up call. He again met with Elizabeth at the Diabetes and Nutrition Center and worked diligently with her to develop a plan for his diet. She taught him to read food labels and pay attention to his sodium intake. This time he listened. Joe made changes in his exercise and diet habits. Today he has lost weight and dropped one pant size, his sugar levels have decreased to normal and his blood pressure and cholesterol have dropped. And best of all, Maria doesn’t have to remind Joe what to eat or to take his medicine. Joe has taken charge of his health and knows that if he has any questions about his diabetes, the Diabetes and Nutrition Center is only a phone call away.
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Ellen Morse
Ellen Morse was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes on April 1, 2012 – no joke. She had gone to her family doctor for a physical, and the results of her fasting blood test showed that her blood sugar was high. After further testing, it was determined that she had diabetes. Ellen met with her doctor to discuss her treatment plan and decided to manage her diabetes through lifestyle changes instead of medicine.
She knew she needed all the help she could get, so she worked with her doctor to find support through the Diabetes and Nutrition Center. There, she registered for diabetes education classes at the Kissel Hill Outpatient Center. The classes were taught by Diabetes Educators, Jacqueline Roberts and Faye Fittery. Ellen said, "They were great communicators, well trained and they shared a wealth of information. I learned that I was not alone and that I would always have someone to answer my questions. Such a great resource right here in Lancaster County. I now know I can do this!"Read More...
Ellen's husband was diagnosed with diabetes five years ago so he was supportive and encouraging as she learned how to check her blood and monitor her blood glucose. She goes to the gym three to four times a week and has worked with the Diabetes and Nutrition Center to develop an individualized food plan that will help her maintain a healthy weight and not endanger her blood sugar.
While Ellen was shocked to receive this diagnosis, since she was not overweight and had no family history of diabetes, she was motivated to keep healthy to avoid the complications that can come with this condition. She wants to be around to play with her grandchildren and enjoy her travels to the beach.
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Aston Dommel
Aston Dommel was a healthy 19-year-old who ate well and worked out two hours a day. He began to feel run down, was urinating a lot and had some cramping. He attributed this to switching shifts at work, but when he passed out while getting out of bed one day he knew he needed to see his doctor.
At his appointment, he realized he had also lost 30 pounds. His doctor immediately admitted him to the hospital and it was determined that he had diabetes. His blood sugar levels were off the charts and his ketones were elevated.Read More...
Aston's doctor referred him to the Diabetes and Nutrition Center where he met with Tabitha Jones, a certified diabetes educator. She taught him how to check his blood sugar levels and take his insulin. Since he already had healthy eating and exercising habits, he had to learn how and when to take his insulin and to be more aware of his carbohydrate intake. Tabitha was there to answer all his questions. When it was time to go back to school at the University of Delaware, he was armed with all the information that he got from Tabitha. He felt confident he could manage his diabetes on his own.
Today Aston considers his diabetes just a part of his life. He checks in with his doctor every three months, but believes that life goes on and doesn't let diabetes hold him back.
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