Diabetes Story

Maria Romero works full time at WalMart and is raising four grandchildren. She has diabetes and takes insulin, and until recently the diabetes was affecting her life. "I was coming home tired, sluggish, and cranky,"

“Now I’m doing things,” said Maria. "I go for a walk after dinner. I do a lot of football and soccer with my grandchildren… everything."

Maria’s provider at North Country, Karen Damgaard, PA-C, told her she needed to see Mary Lou Brubaker, who is North Country’s pharmacy director as well as a certified diabetes educator. Maria says she was skeptical at first. "I was using my insulin, but my blood sugar was kind of high. I thought – what can she do for me?"

Mary Lou showed Maria the pyramid of foods and taught her how to choose the right portions. She adjusted her dosages and provided her with information. They met three times, and Maria says her blood sugar levels came way down. "When I saw the numbers, I was excited," said Maria, "and Mary Lou was excited too. It was the little push that I needed."

Maria said, "Mary Lou helped me with my self-esteem. She told me I could do it. She cares for me as a person – what I think, how I’m feeling, what I’m doing on a personal level."

Maria recalls having more energy while visiting her sisters recently in Las Vegas. "Everyone was asking me what I was taking. Are you taking vitamins? Are you on any medication?" And I said, "Yes I am. I’m on insulin."

Maria says she is telling all her friends to visit North Country now. “They have good people there. They are friendly, they know what they are doing, and they really want to help.”

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