2
monitored his blood glucose.
Today, said Jerry, “I know I have
diabetes 24/7. I have to take good care
of myself.”
Among the lessons that stuck with
Jerry is his approach toward diabetes.
“They told us that it is a disease, but
you have a choice,” he recalled. “You can
control it, or it can control you. I decided
at that moment that I would control it.
And, I have.
“If I hadn’t gone to that class, I don’t
know where I’d be today,” he said. “When
I first heard I have diabetes, I was scared.
I thought I’d lose my legs or die at a
young age. They taught me I can control
—Continued from front cover
Kadlec’s Diabetes Learning
Center, located at 1305
Mansfield, Suite 4, in Richland,
continues to help patients
understand andmanage
diabetes. For more information
about its services, call
(509) 942-2620
.
Diagnosed
with diabetes?
MANY OF OUR
region’s seniors have
worked hard to get where they are,
including raising a family and making
ends meet. Once retired, they often
discover that instead of getting to that
honey-do list, their new job is finding
a great doctor that accepts Medicare.
To help, Kadlec Clinic offers care
options that fit seniors. This includes
primary care providers for routine
exams, geriatricians to manage
patients with complex health
concerns, and a team of specialists
including cardiologists, podiatrists,
kidney specialists, surgeons and
more. As a part of Kadlec Clinic,
patients are connected through the
convenient electronic health record
system and have access to a wide-
ranging referral network.
Kadlec Clinic also accepts
Medicare.
To find a provider that fits
you, call Kadlec Clinic at
(509) 942-3627
.
Care for
Medicare
patients
this and live a normal life. I wanted
to tell them they were right. I have
controlled it, and I appreciate so much
what I learned so long ago.”
Warning signs of diabetes
Early detection
and treatment
of diabetes are key to decreasing
the risk of developing the
complications of diabetes
. The
following symptoms of diabetes
are typical. However, some
people with type 2 diabetes have
symptoms so mild that they go
unnoticed.
Common symptoms
of high blood sugar:
If you are
experiencing
any of these
symptoms, see
your primary
care provider
immediately.
Urinating often
Feeling very
thirsty
Feeling very
hungry—even
though you
are eating
Extreme fatigue
Blurry vision
Cuts/bruises
that are slow
to heal
Weight loss
even though
you are
eatingmore
(type 1)
Tingling,
pain or
numbness
in the
hands/feet
(type 2)
Lifelong lessons learned
A recent Planetree addition to the
hospital: Prayer Boxes have been carefully
placed throughout the hospital for those
individuals needing to ask for prayer but
not able to make it to Kadlec’s chapel.
Kadlec’s Chaplain Tom Becraft prayerfully
made these boxes and envisions them
being a welcome addition to the many
support items offered by Kadlec to aid in
spiritual healing.
