Health Matters - Apple Magazine Health Matters Winter 2018 | Page 8

Primary
Objective
WRITTEN BY COLLEEN SETO
PHOTO BY NEIL ZELLER
Name: Stephanie Drebit, 55
Health condition: Diagnosed with Type 2
diabetes in spring 2017.
Health goal: Bring blood sugar down along
with my weight—without diabetes medication.
How I feel now: I knew I had to really make
changes to avoid medication. Marleis explained
my diabetes to me. I loved my bread, my sweets,
and my coffee liqueur, but it was time to say:
“party over.”
I love that my doctor’s office offered this service.
I’ve just really turned my health around. I lost 25
pounds and got my blood sugar way down in
four months. I feel wonderful!
Working together: I helped Stephanie
understand what the diagnosis meant to her
health, and how diet and lifestyle changes would
help. We’d talk about what she’s eating and how
to read nutrition labels and shop at the grocery
store. We also talked about what is healthy and
what isn’t for someone with diabetes.
I’m so proud of the hard work Stephanie did.
She didn’t have to go on medication. I still see
Stephanie regularly to motivate her, keep her on
track, and answer questions. Providing ongoing
support is a very important role the PCN plays.
— Marleis Garvin, registered nurse and certified
weight management specialist, Calgary West
Central Primary Care Network