Wall of Honor Patient Success Stories
Tim Weeden has been living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) for 34 years. The experience and knowledge he’s gained over the years has helped him reduce the impact diabetes had in accomplishing his goals as a scientist, competitive athlete and family man. At 41 years old, he has maintained an A1C between 5.8 and 7 percent for the past 30 years. His mother had T1D, so Tim and his siblings were tested as children. Increased risk of developing the disease is linked to the presence of five diabetes-related autoantibodies. He was diagnosed with T1D at 8 years old. He immediately took an interest in the science of disease progression, which led to a career as a research scientist. He studies autoimmune diseases, and previous work in diabetes research had him looking at longer acting insulins. Tim was a runner and cyclist in high school and college and began participating in triathlons and half ironman races in his teens. Today he participates in full ironman events! After moving to Central MA in 2004, Tim began receiving his care from Samir Malkani, MD, at the UMass Memorial Diabetes Center of Excellence. “Dr. Malkani is very encouraging and provides me with information about new insulins and other technologies.” Tim uses a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and credits it with improving his athletic competition considerably. He knows what must be done to treat and maintain his blood sugars. Tim’s two children, ages 10 and 12, are literally following in Dad’s footsteps. They participate in triathlons and have been involved in The Natural History Study of the Development of Type 1 Diabetes (TrialNet) at UMass. Screening for this study is offered free to relatives to evaluate their personal risk of developing the disease.
Dr. Malkani is very encouraging.
The care I receive in Worcester is great.
Gian-Carlo was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) during the summer of 2015. Throughout the spring, he began losing weight and was increasingly thirsty. After vacation, his mom, Ruth, took him to the pediatrician who sent him to the ED with blood sugars above 600. Gian-Carlo and his mother spent three days at UMass Memorial learning how to live with T1D. “The staff was great,” Ruth said. “They patiently taught us a disease we knew nothing about.” Gian-Carlo was always an active boy, playing soccer, snowboarding and skateboarding. “I bring a bag with juice boxes and nuts,” he said. “I check my sugar before a game, and if I feel different during the game, I have a snack and sit out for a bit.” Over time and with plenty of experimentation, Ruth and Gian-Carlo have worked with the UMass Memorial diabetes team to get his numbers under control. Ruth admits they did take a trip to Boston to inquire about diabetes care there. “It didn’t feel right. The care I receive in Worcester is great, and it’s 10 minutes from our home.” Both Gian-Carlo and Ruth appreciate the personalized attention they receive from Dr. Leslie Soyka and other team members. “They took the time to get to know us and address his needs.” As for advice to other parents, she says, “It’s overwhelming at first, but we’re blessed to live in a time where diabetes doesn’t mean death. Science and technology make diabetes manageable in comparison to other health issues.” Gian-Carlo added, “A few small diet and lifestyle changes now will help me avoid problems in the future.”
Jane Bennett was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes exactly one week from her 31st birthday. She experienced all the classic symptoms: excessive thirst, frequent urination, constantly hungry despite eating a lot and still losing weight. As a physical therapist, she “knew it was diabetes and called my primary care doctor.” Two days later, Jane was in the UMass Memorial ER with blood sugars over 500 and diabetic ketoacidosis. She spent Friday through Sunday in the hospital, where she learned all about her “new normal.” The diagnosis was overwhelming, and the new terminology and information were very difficult to digest all at once. The following Wednesday, she and her husband flew to Las Vegas for a planned birthday vacation. Jane was terrified, but packed her meter, glucose tabs, and insulin supplies.
I appreciate how much time Dr. Haas spends with each patient.
Jane started seeing Dr. Richard Haas at the UMass Memorial Diabetes Center of Excellence. She had been trying to get pregnant and was told to stop until she could get her A1C to below 7 percent. That was all the motivation she needed. Dr. Haas strongly recommended that she begin using an insulin pump to help get her glucose under control. Within six months, her A1C was down to 7… and she was able to get pregnant right away! “I love Dr. Haas,” she said. “He calmed me down and assured me I can have a baby and live a normal life with diabetes.” She appreciates how much time he spends with each patient and how he always responds to her calls and emails in a timely manner. “He called me every week during my pregnancy.” Using a pump and continuous glucose monitor, Jane eventually brought her A1C down to 5.2 percent. Today, her 7-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter are her motivation to ensure she does everything in her power to stay healthy. “I weigh and measure all of my food, and I use the MyFitnessPal app to count carbs and manage my weight.” She looks forward to the latest technology to come out.
TJ was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in August 2017 at the age of 4. The youngest of four boys, his mother, Shannon, noticed he was drinking and peeing way more often. Shannon had hypoglycemia when she was younger and always keeps a glucose monitor in the house. He was 471. “I will never forget that number,” she said. “I called the pediatrician who told me to pack a bag for the both of us, and get to the ER.” The next three days and nights were spent at UMass Memorial. “It was a whirlwind. My husband and I were sleep deprived and scared, as we were learning how to check his blood, draw up insulin and inject him,” she said. “TJ was such a trooper and never complained about all of the shots or any of it.” She explained to him, “you’re sick inside and we are going to learn how to fix it.” TJ played t-ball this past summer, and he enjoys swimming, as well as hiking with Dad. Naturally his blood sugar drops when he’s active, so they cover him with extra carbs. He loves ice fishing, but must be careful since cold weather can make blood sugars drop. He wants to learn to ice skate and play hockey. “The UMass Memorial Children’s Medical Center care team always is available to help you,” Shannon says. “Any time, day or night. They never make me feel like I’m bothering them. The CDEs and nurses are all wonderful.” She appreciates the help and encouragement his care team provides. “They are there for us every step of the way and can talk me through any issue. We never feel like we’re alone.” TJ is a shy boy, but he connected with Dr. Leslie Soyka right away. “She’s very soft spoken, kind, and easy going, and she’s very good with TJ.” Since diagnosis, he has become more social due to all the interactions with his care team and caregivers. They get to see his silly, funny and larger than life personality. When asked about his diabetes, TJ explains, “I take shots because my pancreas broke. I’m still regular.”
I take shots because my pancreas broke. I’m still regular.
Dan Falcone is usually an upbeat and positive person but struggled with his type 2 diabetes diagnosis, and the shock, fear, and sadness that came with it. After 10 years of taking oral medication, his weight and A1C were both heading in the wrong direction … up. He was put on insulin by his primary care physician in Ohio, where he resides, but felt he needed more treatment planning. Then Dan reconnected with his high school friend, David Harlan, MD. Dan makes annual visits to UMass Memorial and remains in frequent contact with Dr. Harlan, who communicates with his primary care physician in Ohio. He has lost 50 pounds (and counting), and his A1C dropped from over 11 percent down to 6.7. Taking a new mix of oral medications and a weekly injection, he is no longer on daily insulin! Wearing a pedometer, Dan walks at least 10,000 steps every day. He is highly motivated by the progress he has made. “I want to live,” Falcone shared. “My weight loss has been slow and steady, which makes it sustainable.” He is “enjoying the process” and can “feel a sense of accomplishment.” Although he still enjoys his favorite foods, he does so in moderation. Dan has reduced his meal portions to “one sensible plate” and is conscious about what he eats. “I’m Italian, so I like my spaghetti and meatballs, but now I enjoy them once a month or every six weeks as a treat.” As for eating at restaurants, “It’s possible to make smart choices. Grilled instead of fried. If I do enjoy a cheat meal, I plan for it.” Dan hopes that his story can inspire others to make a difference in their lives. “If I can do it…anybody can do it.”
If I can Do It … Anybody Can Do It
Frank Caputo thought it was a bad case of the flu that was making him exhausted, thirsty and lethargic. It was in the emergency department where he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2D). “My blood sugars were over 800, and the doctors told me I was very close to a coma or diabetic shock,” said Caputo. With two college-aged children, a demanding job with a long commute, not getting enough sleep, and little to no exercise, and a diet that wasn’t the healthiest, Frank was not helping himself. “When taking care of others, we tend to neglect ourselves,” he said. “We must be proactive with our health, not reactive. This was definitely a wake-up call for me.”
More Energy, Motivation and Improved Mental Acuity
Under the care of Asem Ali, MD, and certified diabetes educators at UMass Memorial Medical Center, and after a lot of research, Frank has drastically improved his health and well-being. Within six months, he’s lost 55 pounds and dropped his A1C from over 13 percent to below 6 percent. He is no longer taking insulin and he walks at least 5 miles every day. “At work, when others take a coffee break, I walk around the building.” Small meals/snacks throughout day, healthier choices, walking five miles each day and a CPAP machine have contributed to his success. “Frank was determined to make every change necessary to improve his glucose control in addition to simply taking medication.” said Dr. Ali. “My network of support is huge,” said Caputo. “My UMass Memorial has taught me what I need to be doing. My wife, children and co-workers have been extremely supportive.” “It’s not just one thing, it’s a cumulative process,” Caputo said. “I have more energy, motivation and improved mental acuity.” Taking action has literally added years to his life. “I feel like I did when I was 20 years old.”
Bruno Graizzaro remembers how his father and grandmother lived with the horrible complications of unchecked and untreated diabetes. “My family is a great motivator for me to stay healthy,” he said. His physician at the Diabetes Center of Excellence, David Harlan, MD, said “When I met Bruno, he was taking 100 units of insulin each day with suboptimal glycemia control. With several lifestyle modifications over the past 18 months, he has lost more than 50 pounds, has come off insulin and other diabetes medications, and now has great blood glucose control.” Bruno also sleeps better now, has more energy and is hardly recognizable from the man that first walked into the clinic. “Knowledge is king,” he says. Moderate exercise and cutting back on carbohydrates has allowed him to remain vigilant in fighting the disease. “If you desperately want Mom’s apple pie, go ahead and have it. Just don’t combine it with a plate of French fries and a large soda,” Bruno said with a smile. He recommends people with diabetes test their blood sugar often, weigh themselves regularly and limit the amount of carbs they eat. “Do not think you are a failure if you have a bad day. Just get back to it.” Bruno loves that Dr. Harlan listens to his patients and works with them instead of dictating to them when it comes to diabetes management. “Besides his overall intelligence, Dr. Harlan is an extremely compassionate person,” he says. “I genuinely feel that he cares that I succeed.” Bruno stressed that people living with diabetes must keep fighting, listen to test results and never give up. “It is a quiet disease, but your tests will always tell you how you are doing.”
Knowledge is King
More Energy and Feeling Better
Barbara Barton had been treated by a number of doctors for her diabetes, however, her A1C spiraled out of control. Her blood glucose levels would spike very high and fall very low. She felt lethargic and sick all the time. Barbara moved her care to the UMass Memorial Diabetes Center of Excellence in November 2011. It was not until a long talk with Dr. Harlan, that something clicked. He said, “I suggest you decide that you will get (your diabetes) under control, not that you will try.” She made changes to her eating habits and began to experience positive results. Starting with a 10 percent or higher A1C, Barbara saw that number drop with every follow-up appointment, until she brought her A1C down to 6.7 percent! As her A1C dropped, insulin doses were reduced, and she saw more consistent blood sugar levels. She gained much more energy and began feeling better, which inspired her to continue the new healthy lifestyle. Barbara has lost 30 pounds and joined a gym. She credits her success to Dr. Harlan, adding that “his gentle way and caring nature is one of a kind.” Barbara found his suggestion helpful, to remove temptation by not purchasing food that she shouldn’t eat, so it’s not in the house. She follows a regimented eating schedule and checks her blood glucose levels several times a day. Administering her own insulin shots helps her to feel in control of her diabetes. Her advice to others with diabetes is to take it seriously, make necessary lifestyle changes and stick with them. Barbara hopes to inspire others by letting them know that better blood glucose control will result in overall improved health and well-being.
Focuses His Scientific Career on Finding the Cure for Diabetes David Blodgett is unique among the DCOE patients. He has a PhD in biomedical sciences, is a faculty member at Babson College and a research scientist at the UMass Medical School. His journey began as a child diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 3. Today, he's a happy and healthy adult who focuses his scientific career on finding the cure for diabetes. “I don’t remember not having it,” David said about diabetes. He perceives it as a disease that can be managed and controlled if people “stay on top of it.” He remembers the old diabetes technology of test strips and early meters. That's why David is a big fan of new diabetes technology, especially pumps and CGMs, which “make it easier to predict what is going to happen and to know what is happening.” David has worn a pump since middle school and progressively taken more control of his diabetes, his eating habits and especially his athletic endeavors. He never felt deprived of sports, travel, and fun activities as a child, and he certainly doesn’t feel that way today. Dr. Blodgett focuses his research energy on studying pancreatic beta cells and what makes them different. His work is instrumental to the breakthrough scientific discoveries at the DCOE.
At 26 years of age, Donald Blette was a healthy young man who enjoyed playing softball and umpiring. Suddenly he began to feel lethargic, thirsty, and lightheaded, and went to see his doctor. Donald’s blood glucose was over 600, and he was immediately sent to the hospital, diagnosed with what they called at the time, juvenile diabetes. His life was “flipped upside down” and “changed forever.” He learned how to check his blood glucose throughout the day and give himself injections of insulin. At age 56, Donald transitioned from shots to an insulin pump, which he calls “life changing.” If he is experiencing highs and/or lows, he checks in with his care team at the Diabetes Center of Excellence. “The older you get, your body changes,” he said. “I keep on top of it by checking my sugar levels all day long.”
Always Call With Questions or Concerns
A few years ago, Donald moved his diabetes care to UMass Memorial. “They all have been very helpful. They take their time with me, which I appreciate.” He sees Dr. Nina Rosano and nurse practitioner Nancy Sidhom. “If my sugar gets out of control with highs or lows, I call Nancy. She will see me and make adjustments to my pump as needed.” “We are very proud of Donald,” says Dr. Rosano. “His perseverance pays off. Despite Donald’s tremendous experience with diabetes, he always calls us if he has questions or a concern about his blood sugars. I hope his positive story and his personal example will move other patients to stay closely connected with their medical team. We are here for you and always ready to help.”
Working on a TED Talk Proposal Aimed on Sharing Her Experiences
Julie Kozlowski was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 3. A year later, she experienced a low-sugar seizure which resulted in temporary paralysis. After that experience, Julie began struggling to manage her diabetes. Then she transitioned from a pediatric patient to an adult and succeeded in reaching and maintaining her blood glucose goals. Gaining new knowledge and new understanding of diabetes as an adult, including studying the history of diabetes research and going to Toronto on a “diabetes trip,” Julie is now working on a TED Talk proposal aiming to share her experiences with hyperand hypo-glycemia. She is particularly interested in conveying the sensory changes caused by low sugars, such as the sensation of your “brain shutting down,” distorted vision and hearing, etc. Julie is very grateful to “her team” consisting of Dr. Harlan, Dr. Thompson and her diabetes educator.
Believe in Optimism, in Happiness, in the Power of Spirit Nicole Johnson won the Miss America title in 1999. She became the first Miss America with diabetes and the first contestant to publicize the use of an insulin pump. Today, Nicole is a nationally recognized advocate for diabetes research and education, national director of the JDRF mission, and one of the biggest supporters of the UMass Memorial Diabetes Center of Excellence. A champion of healthy living, she has published seven books related to diabetes, including several cookbooks. Telling her story to Tampa Bay Times, Johnson emphasized: “Every day, I am grateful for all these people and the many medical advances in diabetes care that benefit me. But constant vigilance in the face of dire consequences brings a complex psychological turmoil into daily living. It is all too easy to slip into depression, discontent, chronic sadness and to have a defeated attitude. I fight it daily. Yet I believe in optimism, in happiness, in the power of spirit and in the power of relationships. Science supports this notion. A positive attitude leads to better quality of life, and that means better outcomes.�
Doesn’t Allow Diabetes To Stand in the Way U.S. Olympian and four-time National Figure Skating Champion, Kitty Carruthers, doesn’t allow diabetes to stand in the way of her life. With determination to succeed perfected in international competitions, Kitty also is determined to succeed in staying healthy. “Figure skating is about life lessons,” Kitty says. “It teaches you to get up after you have fallen.” She insists on healthy living, joking “I’m lucky, I love good food.” Kitty has always wanted to stay healthy, enjoy her family and continue being an athlete. She acknowledges that diabetes is a chronic disease. “There are days when I watch other people eating doughnuts and cake. Life is unfair, and sometimes I have a little pity party.” Kitty takes her health very seriously, and eating healthy and exercising is the only option. As an elite athlete, she has first-hand experience with the self-discipline required for athletic achievement. Her diabetes progressed from gestational diabetes to a more severe form that had to be managed with insulin. For 10 years, she went to doctors in Houston but was not satisfied. Kitty’s long-time physician and beloved family friend was one of UMass Medical School's most celebrated faculty and physicians, Dr. Arthur Pappas. He recommended that Kitty move her diabetes care to UMass Memorial Medical Center, to Dr. David Harlan. She has been off of insulin for two and a half years now and feels very good about her health. Kitty admits that Dr. Harlan was the first physician who truly cared about her as a person. “He changed my life being able to live without insulin; I feel so much better off of it.”