A Second Chance at Life

When Guy woke up in a hospital bed after being found unconscious in his front yard on March 7, 2024, he had no idea what happened. His glucose levels had spiked to over 600, leaving him in a “diabetes fog.” He recalls, “I didn’t know where I was. I didn’t know my name, my children’s names, or my grandkids’ names.”

Guy spent over a week in the hospital. The scare was only the beginning of a challenging, transformative journey. But today, he’s not only alive; he’s thriving.

A Life in Need of Change

Before his diagnosis, Guy’s lifestyle was far from healthy. Reflecting on his past, he said, “I did 32 years in the casino business. I was a two-pack-a-day smoker.”

For years, Guy had been sedentary, with his weight climbing to 331 pounds. Following a hip replacement, he found himself sitting most of the time, which contributed to his deteriorating health. After his Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) episode, Guy realized he needed to take control of his life.

Finding Support

At Memorial, Guy met a dedicated medical team who would help him navigate the complexities of living with Type 2 diabetes. His primary care doctor, Dr. Phillip Compton, referred him to Endocrinologist Dr. Mark Borchelt and Memorial’s Diabetes Education Program, where he began working with Falon Sisson, CFNP, the program coordinator. Their relationship became a powerful motivator for him.

“You want to know something? This had a lot to do with Doctor B. (Borchelt), the way his attitude is, the way his demeanor is, he is so funny. He makes you feel like a real person. I took what he and Falon said to heart and ran with it,’” Guy recalls.

“I have had the opportunity to witness Guy overcome big fears on his diabetes journey. From having trouble sleeping due to fear of not waking up, to fear of insulin, he always continued to put one foot in front of the other making sure to always move forward,” Falon reflects.

“He would acknowledge difficult emotions and work through them rather than let them stop him from progress. Through strength and determination (to a degree that maybe he didn’t even know he had), he has made the active choice to show up for himself and his health every day and get his zest for life back.”

With the guidance of his care team, he slowly began implementing changes to improve his health, eventually reducing his insulin shots from six per day to none. As of early November 2024, he’s lost more than 60 pounds.

Effective Lifestyle Changes

With the support of his care team, Guy made significant changes, including:

• Quit Smoking: Overcoming a two-pack-a-day habit.
• Increased Physical Activity: Started walking five minutes at a time multiple times a day.
• Healthier Diet Choices: Adopted a better approach to nutrition.

Renewed Outlook on Life

Guy’s journey is about more than just physical transformation; he’s found new clarity and joy. “Mentally, I feel clearer, and I’m happy. I love life. I haven’t felt this way since I was in college,” he shares. “And this is a whole second chance on life.”

Today, he’s proud of the person he’s become. “It took me years to look in the mirror again. Years, not days, not weeks,” he reflects. Now, he loves who he sees staring back at him, saying, “My skin is clear, my clothes are falling off me, and I feel great. I have an infectious smile. I walk around my neighborhood and everybody’s like, man, you lost so much weight. You’re just an inspiration to us.”

This time, Guy is motivated by the future he envisions with his seven grandchildren, who “love their grandpa.”

The Diabetes Education Program at Memorial played a significant role in Guy’s journey to reclaim his life. Through supportive coaching, personalized goal setting, and a holistic approach, the program helped him not only manage his diabetes but also reconnect with himself.

For others facing the overwhelming challenge of managing diabetes, Memorial’s program offers a path to better health and a brighter future.

Key Features of Memorial’s Diabetes Education Program:

• Tailored Coaching: Personalized support to understand diabetes and set realistic goals.
• Holistic Approach: Guidance on nutrition, exercise, stress management, and emotional well-being.
• Goal-Oriented: Helping patients take control of their diabetes journey with achievable objectives.
• Empowering Knowledge: Equipping patients with information to make informed health decisions.