Taking Control: A Diabetes Diagnosis Marks a Turning Point

When Christa walked into her routine checkup at Phelps Health last April, she wasn’t expecting life-changing news. But a simple blood test in her primary care provider’s office showed that her A1C level was 6.9%—a number that would lead to her type 2 diabetes diagnosis and put her on a path to better health. For this Phelps County resident, the test measuring her blood sugar level over the past few months wasn’t just a medical result but a wake-up call.

Though she had no symptoms or family history of the disease, Christa was ready to face her diagnosis head-on. Her primary care doctor referred her to the Phelps Health Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) program. Over the next 4 months, she attended six sessions with Phelps Health Diabetes Care and Education Specialist Kim Richardson, BSN, RN.

“Kim was fantastic—a true resource for anyone with diabetes,” Christa shared. “She’s very professional and knowledgeable.”

Practical Lessons for Everyday Life

The DSMES sessions were packed with practical, actionable advice. She learned strategies to stabilize her blood sugar, prioritize balanced meals and make healthier daily choices. Christa’s key takeaways include the following:

• Pairing proteins with carbohydrates (carbs) to minimize blood sugar spikes
• Eating in a specific order: non-starchy vegetables first, followed by protein, then carbs
• Shopping the perimeter of the grocery store and avoiding processed foods
• Learning to read nutrition labels to understand serving sizes, calories and carb content
• Keeping a daily record of meals and carb counts to stay on track

"I already had a basic understanding of what they were teaching me," Christa said. "But I didn’t know how vital protein is in reducing your blood sugar. I didn’t know that eating protein before carbohydrates creates a barrier to prevent that sugar from rushing straight through your system.”

Christa said she wanted to lose some weight. The program provided her with menus with calorie counts and advice on pairing carbs with proteins.

The Proof Is in the Progress

Christa’s dedication has paid off. She’s experienced significant improvements just by making healthier food choices. The benefits of the DSMES program for Christa include the following:

• Improved A1C, dropping from 6.9 in April to 5.6 by October
• Lost 50 pounds through better eating habits
• Gained valuable knowledge to manage her diabetes without medication
• Adopted a consistent meal schedule to maintain stable blood sugar levels
• Reduced risk of further health complications from diabetes

Education was the cornerstone of Christa’s success. She stressed the importance of advocating for oneself and seeking resources like Phelps Health’s DSMES program.

“Knowledge is power,” Christa said. “I’ve read so many stories of people being told they have diabetes with little or no guidance on what to do next. If you’re diagnosed, I strongly recommend asking your doctor to connect you with a diabetes educator.”

Accessible and Flexible Support

The DSMES program fit seamlessly into Christa’s life. Her insurance covered the educational sessions, and the classes were tailored to her schedule. The result? Christa was able to focus on her health without any added stress.

“It’s been a very positive experience for me,” Christa said. “I’m down 50 pounds and feeling great. My A1C has gone down, and I’m not done yet. I’ll keep going.”