Army veteran Leketia Webb has been on a 10-year journey to manage her diabetes.
First he noticed symptoms of always being thirsty and frequent urination, typical in a diabetic patient. She was initially diagnosed with insulin resistance and prescribed medication, but her blood sugar levels did not improve, leading to her diagnosis of diabetes.
At first, Webb was in denial about his illness. Although he had a family history of diabetes, he did not change his lifestyle. Due to a doctor’s recommendation that her husband try a plant-based diet for 90 days, she tried it and witnessed her levels drop dramatically. She realized that her diet was a key factor in managing her diabetes.
She began using the James A. Haley VA Women’s Center for her health care five years ago and says that coming to the VA helped her tremendously. Before enrolling, she only saw her health care provider every 90 days.
Leketia Webb
“Now successfully controlling the disease.”
The Women’s Center monitored her much more closely, checking her A1C on a monthly basis and making any necessary adjustments. Her primary care physician recommended further investigation with diabetes specialists, classes, and regularly scheduled appointments to begin the disease management process.
Dr. Ashleigh Joseph, a women’s health clinical pharmacy specialist, began working with Webb. They talked about diet and exercise and became more focused on what she was helping.
Joseph describes his relationship with Webb as a journey. “We started with a medication approach, but over time that changed to a multifaceted approach that added lifestyle changes to get to the point where Ms. Webb now successfully manages the disease.”
Webb felt the turning point was when she met Joseph. “I felt like everything changed when I met her. She listened to me. The conversation changed from ‘Just take this drug or this drug and follow the standard regimen’, to my doctor listening to me. This is what helped me the most. She made me stop and reflect. It’s a manageable disease as long as I do what I have to do.”
He likes to cook and eat with the family.
Webb now works out and cooks all her food at home. He also cut out all processed foods and prepares a lot of food when he knows he’ll be on the go.
Joseph says that this trip has also been a lesson for her. “I met someone where they are in life and when they are ready to make changes. She listens more to her body, being aware of the signals that her body gives her. It’s great to see her looking inward. The ultimate personal care. It has been wonderful to witness the transformation.”
It all finally clicked for Webb when she found some sustainable nutrition and lifestyle habits that work well for her and her entire family. She and her family enjoy cooking and eating together. These habits can last a lifetime.
“If you use the resources that the VA provides and work together with your providers, it will work for you,” Webb said.
Source: news.google.com