I attended an Augusta Health screening day offered by my employer. The nurse that assisted with my blood work was Joann Hammer. Once the results were complete she noticed my glucose level (199) was higher than normal. I tried to make the excuse that I had not fasted that morning and just finished off a birthday breakfast consisting of a lot of sugary foods.I told Joann that I was gestational diabetic when I was pregnant so I knew I would run the risk of developing diabetes later in life and I only have one kidney due to losing it from a childhood cancer (Wilm's Tumor).
In a very caring way, Joann simply explained to me that it didn't matter what I had eaten earlier, my sugar level shouldn't be that high and with having only one kidney that I didn't want to develop diabetes because the disease isn't very kind to kidneys. She thoroughly explained to me what the normal levels should be after a meal and suggested that I talk to my doctor. This prompted me to start doing a little research on my own before going to see my doctor because I didn't want to start using the medicine if I didn't have to. I learned through research that I needed to monitor the amount of carbs I ate daily. After following a low carb diet for 6 months, my glucose levels (I bought a monitor) were staying within a normal range and I lost 25 pounds. When I went to my doctor for a routine checkup he noticed the weight loss and asked me what I had been doing, so I shared my story with him. He also tested my A1C level, there was no sign of diabetes and my cholesterol levels were better than before. He told me to continue doing what I had been doing and two years later I have been able to maintain my weight loss and my glucose is staying within normal range.
I truly believe God put Joann in my path that day two years ago to help me see how important it was to get a handle on monitoring my sugar intake. I like to refer to Joann as my hero because she definitely came to my rescue that day.