Page 12 - August 2019 Ulupono

Leanette’s story:
I’m saving my life—
you can, too
The wake-up call
In 2018 when Leanette Arquinez, surgical supply coordinator, completed her annual Wellness biometric screening, she was shocked to learn that her A1C reading was 12.6.
“A reading of 5.7 percent to 6.4 percent indicates pre-diabetes,” says Amanda McFarland, CDE, Wellness & Lifestyle Medicine. “An A1c greater than 6.4 means you have developed diabetes.”
Before her biometrics screening last year, Leanette says she really didn’t pay attention to what she ate and was not concerned about exercising. “Learning that I had diabetes was a real wake up call. I realized that I was a walking time bomb,” she said.
Commitment to move on
At the time, Leanette says, she was going through difficult personal family changes, but rather than resigning herself to having diabetes, she was determined to take care of herself so she could move on. She began by following up with her primary care physician who warned her that she would have kidney problems if she didn’t make lifestyle changes to manage her diabetes.
Embracing change
Leanette’s journey to health began with
the support of her coworkers and church. With co-workers at her second job, she attended New Hope Metro for their church services and eventually bible study. Luckily, her own church, O'ahu Church of Christ, had participated in The Daniel Plan a few years back, and that also helped her make changes to her routine that now includes:
• Water exercise about four times a week
at the Kailua YMCA with Lulu Kamau’u
(former Employee Health nurse)
• Eating vegetables and salmon; and eating
apples and oranges (good fruit) instead
of candy bars
• Eating little or no white rice, white bread
or shoyu (which she says she doesn’t
miss anymore)
• Walking her dog in the morning and on
weekends (for at least a mile)
• Cleansing her heart and rebuilding
relationships
Blessed to be on the road to recovery
Although Leanette admits it was hard in the beginning, at her biometrics screening this year she was thrilled to learn that her A1C was 5.8 percent.
“This is a road to recovery, and I thank Castle for the wellness options we have,” she said. “I am blessed, and I encourage my coworkers who need to improve their health to start with small steps and find support
in friends and family. I still have lifestyle changes to make in the years I have ahead of me, and I am so grateful that I can count on the support of my son and coworkers.”
AdventistHealthCastle.org