David

“When the weather warms up, I enjoy heading to the golf course with my stepson. For me, it’s a great way to relax, get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors.”

Last summer was not typical. I was in a car accident and suffered injuries that caused me to miss months of work and an entire season of golf, which is one of my favorite pastimes. The bulk of my summer was spent in physical rehabilitation so that I could return to my job as a truck driver. When fall came, I was relieved to complete my rehab program, return to work and seemingly put my health problems behind me.

In February, I noticed the Lake Forest Hospital CareCoach at the Open Arms Mission in Antioch. On a whim, I decided to get my blood pressure and blood sugar checked. To my surprise, Terri Klowden, the CareCoach nurse, said my blood sugar reading was very elevated at 365. She suggested I go directly to the Emergency Department for treatment because I could be at risk for serious complications from untreated diabetes. On my day off, I took her advice and visited the Acute Care Center in Grayslake. I don’t have health insurance, so I showed them my CareCoach reading and they took care of me—by giving me an IV to make sure I was hydrated and rerunning the blood test. It confirmed my blood sugar was still too high, and the physician recommended I make an appointment to see Dr. Shuba Lodd, a family practice physician who works at the Grayslake location.

Two days later, I saw Dr. Lodd and she confirmed that I had Type 2 Diabetes. I was put on two prescriptions that are designed to lower my glucose levels and advised to cut sweets out of my diet and start a regular exercise program. She explained the importance of losing weight by saying my diabetes could worsen and eventually I could end up needing insulin injections as well if I didn’t get my weight under control.

My diagnosis has led me to make some positive changes in my life. I’ve lost 21 pounds so far and my blood sugar levels have responded well to the medication and the lifestyle changes I’ve made. I work out at the gym four times a week, and now that spring is here, I cannot wait to make up for lost time on the golf course.

CareCoach

Lake Forest Hospital's mobile health unit hits the road in Lake County to serve medically under-served populations, including children and older adults, who are uninsured or under-insured. In operation since 1999 and underwritten in part by Abbott Laboratories, the CareCoach visits 26 regularly scheduled community locations each month, as well as two dozen health fair and special events each year.

Its services include screenings, counseling with a registered nurse, immunizations, school physicals and referrals to physicians if needed. The CareCoach staff also educates patients on making positive changes and adopting healthier lifestyles. While most patients’ needs are not urgent, the CareCoach does identify patients with life- threatening health complications, such as high blood sugar and blood pressure readings, which can signify diabetes or cardiovascular disease, and refers them to Emergency Departments or physicians who can help them better manage their health.