	Volume 6, Issue 4, Fall 2005

Successful living with diabetes: Sue's story

Sue Wolff learned about diabetes at nursing school. She also met many patients with diabetes while working at Allina Medical Clinic – Coon Rapids. But last Labor Day weekend, the licensed practical nurse (LPN) found out she actually had the disease.

"I was in the hospital because of a kidney stone," she says. "When they tested my blood, my blood sugar was high."

A fasting blood sugar test confirmed Wolff had type 2 diabetes.

After her hospital stay, Wolff went to AMC – Coon Rapids not just to work, but to get help with her diabetes. To control her blood sugar, Wolff's doctor prescribed metformin, an oral medicine often used for type 2 diabetes. To help her learn how to live well with diabetes, he had her attend classes at the clinic.

"I'm really glad I took those classes," says Wolff, who now encourages patients to go as well. The diabetes education gave her a good start in managing her condition by…

Checking blood, feet and eyes

In addition to checking her blood sugar levels at home every day, Wolff makes sure she goes to her clinic every three months for a hemoglobin A1C test. The blood test helps her and her doctor make sure she's on the right medicine and is managing her condition well.

At every doctor's appointment, Wolff has her feet examined to be sure she's cutting her toenails correctly, wearing comfortable shoes, and treating any blisters or sores.

"People who lose a toe or foot because of diabetes may have had a sore they've ignored for even a short time," she says.

Wolff also stresses the importance of yearly eye exams. "Vision problems like blindness can happen when you go a couple of years without an eye exam," she says.

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Watching carbs, fats and portions

When it came to meal planning, Wolff first focused on watching carbohydrates. But she didn't lose weight like she needed to until she cut down the fat in her diet and ate smaller food portions.

"Just losing 10 pounds improved my blood sugar a lot," she says.

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Getting active

Regular physical activity also helps Wolff improve her blood sugar levels.

She walks at least three times a week, taking 30 minutes to go two miles. Depending on the weather, you'll see her outdoors or on her treadmill at home.

Wolf, 56, also recommends CurvesŽ as "a good thing for women my age." The 30-minute exercise program gives a good cardiac and muscle work out. It's also "a fun, social thing to do."

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