Step Up to the Plate, Strike Out Diabetes!

Pictured L - R: Kathy Hill, GVMH Foundation Director, Jamie Ketterman, RN, BSN, CDE - GVMH Diabetes Educator, and Dan Fausett

What would Hamburger Dan be without his hamburgers? Dan Fausett, who owned a hamburger stand and collects all things hamburger, was faced with this possibility when he found out he was borderline diabetic.

Dan’s physician, Dr. Snell, discovered Dan’s condition during a yearly checkup. He referred Dan to Certified Diabetes Educators Jamie Ketterman and Sherry Collins.

When a diabetic or pre-diabetic patient is referred to them, they each spend an hour one-on-one with the patient. They also, along with a social worker, lead group classes, which consist of three 2.5-hour sessions with a one-hour follow-up. The classes give a lot of information about diabetes and how to deal with it, including the types of diabetes, foot care, complications, exercise, sick day management, medications, meal planning, setting goals, and dealing with depression.

During Dan’s appointment with Jamie, she taught him how to use his glucose meter and went over other things he needed to know. “It was good because I had the meter and I wasn’t doing it right,” Dan said. “Jamie is a very nice young lady, and she explains things very well.”

Dan learned more than he expected to about nutrition during his visit with Sherry, the dietician. “I’ve been in the food business my whole life, and I’ve learned a lot of surprises!” he said. “I thought diet candy meant you could have it. But I guess you have to watch what they put in as a substitute.”

Giving up some foods was difficult. “I was raised on a farm, so we always drank Guernsey milk. I’m down to 1% now and it’s a sacrifice,” he said. In particular, Dan wanted to hold on to his candy jar. “I had a special jar for M&Ms and it was kept full. I’ve had that since I left home, and I’m 61!”

Now Dan is examining items before eating them and looking at labels before putting food in the grocery cart. “Before, if it looked like something I would like I’d get it. Now a lot of things go back on the shelf.”

While cutting some things from his diet entirely, Dan has also learned the value of moderation. “The other day my wife and I were out to eat and they had shakes. I ordered a small one. That’s just not my nature but I’m learning.”

Dan was especially happy that he could still have his beloved hamburgers. Sherry told him that he could make them fit his diet by eliminating either the top or bottom part of the bun.

All of the medical professionals stressed the fact that making the necessary changes was up to Dan. “Dr. Snell said it’s up to me how healthy and comfortably I want to live,” he said. “Sherry told me, ‘Nobody can do this for you—you have to do it for yourself.’ It’s true, and it’s getting easier as I go on,” Dan said. “I think the thing of it is trying to get used to it. It’s not like a diet—it has to be life changing.”

The effort Dan has put in is really paying off. He has lost a lot of weight and now walks about six miles a day.” I find myself more interested in doing exercise and it makes me feel better,” he said. “I walk about three to four miles in the morning and then another three miles with my wife after lunch.” Walking at the rec center helps keep them out of bad weather.

“The scale helps your attitude—you see it going down and you want to do more,” he said. “People see me at church or wherever and say ‘Hey, Dan, have you lost some weight?’ I went down three notches on my belt.”

When learning about the diabetes classes, Dan discovered that his insurance would only cover part of the cost. The Golden Valley Memorial Hospital Foundation helped him pay for the classes. Kathy Hill, director of the GVMH Foundation, said, “As we have patients who are diagnosed with diabetes and use the available services, we may find through working with them that they have a particular need that is not met through their insurance, or they may not have insurance.”

The Foundation helps 250 diabetes patients each year. “The mission of our health care system is to keep people healthy,” said Kathy Hill, director of the Foundation. “Diabetes is a prevalent disease. Many people have it and a lot of complications come from it. If we can help them now their healthcare cost will be lower later on.”

And the classes appreciated. “The classes help,” Dan said. “It’s a very good program.” Dan is impressed with the care he has received through Golden Valley Memorial Hospital. “We’ve got real nice facilities and they keep improving it. The people are just fantastic.”

One way the Foundation raises money is through the annual Diabetes Walk. This year’s walk is Saturday, March 26, at Clinton High School. The festivities begin with a breakfast hosted by the Elks Lodge at 8 a.m. This year’s theme has a message from baseball: “Step to the plate. Strike out diabetes!”

Walk participants form teams and can earn awards. This year the awards are divided into categories for businesses, organizations and individuals/families. “Even if people don’t want to walk they can still participate,” Kathy Hill, director of the Foundation, said. “It’s a fun community event.”