Armed with confidence

Managing chronic conditions
Betty Ferguson was a bit reluctant to describe it. A run-down feeling. Overwhelming thirst. Nervous shakiness when she hadn't eaten in awhile. But her friend, previously diagnosed with diabetes herself, was immediately alarmed. Ferguson, 60, resisted, but finally let her friend stick her finger and check her blood sugar. "My friend was scared to death when she saw my blood sugar was 506," said Ferguson. "I didn't know enough to be afraid because I wasn't aware of the danger yet."

Ferguson called her doctor who told her to come in immediately. Normal fasting blood sugars, Ferguson soon learned, are between 80 and 110. Hers had probably been out of control for several years, putting her at risk of diabetes-related complications such as heart disease or a stroke. She needed medical attention, and she needed it fast. Her doctor examined her, prescribed medication and gave her a quick lesson in how to manage the disease. That was a start, but not quite enough to really let Ferguson feel as though things were under control. "That whole day was a shock to my mind," Ferguson said. "I didn't know anything about diabetes - let alone what to do next. It was very overwhelming."

To arm Ferguson more fully for battle with her diabetes, her doctor tapped into a system already in place -- a diabetes management class at Trinity Hospital near Ferguson's home on the south side of Chicago. That class is part of Trinity's wider Healthy Communities programs.

Philanthropy at work
"Healthy Communities is the outreach department that provides health education programs and screenings to the community," said LaShugn Lloyd, manager of Trinity's Healthy Communities Initiatives. "We host a variety of educational programs such as Lunch and Learn lectures, diabetes education and a diabetes support group at the hospital. We also represent Trinity at dozens of health fairs and screenings around our community. All of our programs are done without charge or for a very small fee for participants. Many of our constituents have a difficult time affording health services, so this is one way we can help them get access to the care they need."

Community education and preventative screenings - often supported in part or in whole by contributed funds -- are a vital part of each Advocate hospital's role in the community. Last year, the Healthy Communities Initiatives received nearly $60,000 as the beneficiary of Trinity Hospital's Emerald Ball.

'Suddenly, I knew I could do this!'
The diabetes class Ferguson attended changed her outlook about dealing with her newly diagnosed disease. "The way the Trinity instructors set my attitude was a breath of fresh air," she said. "Their message was clear: managing my diabetes was not beyond reach, hope or my abilities. Suddenly, I knew I could do this!" The instructors taught participants what blood sugar is, how it functions and how to eat a certain way to keep it under control. They showed them how to use their glucose meters and taught the importance of a healthy, balanced diet and regular exercise. They turned fear into confidence.

Ferguson was as grateful for the messengers as the message. "These people are as patient, helpful, dedicated and professional as any I've ever been treated by," she said. "I got the right help at the right time from the right people. I consider myself very blessed to have gotten this under control. I'd hate to think what my life would be like without the knowledge to manage my diabetes. I think I would be in a hospital somewhere."

Back to her hectic, full life
These days Ferguson is spending more time on planes than in hospitals and is back to her hectic, full life. She is traveling fifteen days per month managing her skin care business. She and her husband are settling into their new apartment. She's spending time with her mother-in-law, two grown children and six grandchildren -- watching Animal Planet programming late into the night with an older grandson and helping a young granddaughter learn which shoe goes on which foot.

And her health feels under control, too. In the first three weeks after attending the class, she dropped 12 pounds just from eating more healthfully. She's also starting an exercise regimen. "I'm probably healthier now than I have been in 20 years," Ferguson reported. "This disease has forced me to discipline myself for good health and nutrition." Thanks to a concerned friend, a helpful physician and highly accessible community health educators, Ferguson is managing her diabetes with confidence.