Cheryle was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes on her 50th birthday during a routine doctor’s visit, unfortunately, this came as no surprise to her as her mother has lived with diabetes for as long as Cheryle can remember. Even after being diagnosed, she never really took her diabetes seriously, not taking control of her health, which landed her in the hospital last December. After unfavourable test results, her doctor warned her that she might have diabetic cardiomyopathy and that if she doesn’t take control of her health, she will need to start taking insulin.
This warning was exactly what Cheryle needed to understand that diabetes is serious. Over the next three months Cheryle started making lifestyle changes that have improved her health and quality of life.
“My doctor gave me 3 months to undergo a strict plan: monitoring, diet, medication and exercise. I was taking more medications than my mom! I started recording my blood sugar levels after each meal, researched more about diabetes, started to monitor the nutrition in my foods and starting to walk and exercise daily.” – Cheryle
Just over a month into her new lifestyle, she has noticed a difference in her health and her ability to keep her blood glucose levels within a healthy range. Cheryle has also started to notice that she doesn’t get heavy palpitations in her chest after activities.
Cheryle has also found a balance and with the support of family and friends is finding ways to not let her diabetes take control of her life.
“My daughter owns a gluten free bakery, she’s now expanded their sugar free baked goods, she did this for me so we can celebrate with a treat every week.”
Cheryle knows how diabetes can drastically change your health and your life. She is excited to model at the Pump Couture Fashion Show so that she can continue to raise awareness about the challenges people living with diabetes face on a daily basis, the extra decisions that have to be made, regardless of how busy you are.
Cheryle is raising funds to support D-Camps, because she hopes that children will be given more tools and education about diabetes at a young age, instilling independence and avoiding complications.
Please show your support by helping Cheryle reach her fundraising to send more kids to D-Camps!
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