November 3, 2008
Ione Timm is a spitfire! Her zest for life is captivating! If you wonder what fuels her love of living – it’s life itself! She doesn’t take one day for granted and considers each a gift.
“When you’ve been given a second chance,” comments Ione, “it changes everything!” With a glint in her eye, you know she’s got more to say. “I have a new lease on life. I am exercising. I am eating right. I lost weight. I’ve lowered my cholesterol. I have more energy. I feel great. The bottom line is that if it hadn’t been for Saint Elizabeth’s Wellness Center and the Metabolic Syndrome Study – I wouldn’t be here today.”
That’s quite a testimony! A story she believes needs to be told and retold so providers, payers, employers, and others will get the message that prevention pays! Ione’s story begins at her mailbox where she opened a letter from Saint Elizabeth’s Medical Center. That letter introduced her to a new program being launched for people with Metabolic Syndrome.
Metabolic Syndrome is a group of abnormal indicators related to the body’s metabolism. These indicators include: 1) excess body fat, particularly around the waist; 2) high triglycerides; 3) high blood pressure; 4) high blood glucose; and 5) low HDL cholesterol. Individuals with three or more of these indicators have Metabolic Syndrome, and are at increased risk for developing heart disease, stroke, and/or diabetes. Over the past two decades, a striking increase in the number of people with Metabolic Syndrome has propelled worldwide attention to the urgent need for early identification and intervention. The increase is associated with the global epidemic of obesity and diabetes. Studies estimate that one in four adults has Metabolic Syndrome, and prevalence increases sharply with age with more than 40% of individuals over 50 affected, and one-half of people over 60.
“I had never heard of it before. When I answered yes to most of the questions, it caught my attention. For some reason, I wasn’t motivated enough to do anything about it. Maybe I wasn’t ready to change what needed changing. So, I threw it out. A month later I received a second reminder. This time, I couldn’t ignore it. I called the number and set up an appointment.”
An assessment confirmed that Ione met the criteria for the eight-week study. With some trepidation, she took the plunge and reported to Saint Elizabeth’s Wellness Center for monitored exercise and weekly education classes.
“It was my first day. I remember thinking – What in the world am I doing here? Have I lost my mind? I was rather sedentary. Just taking a walk took a lot of effort and energy. Now, here I was working out on treadmills, bikes, and weight machines. I was ready to quit before I barely got started. I went home to cry on my husband’s shoulder. To my dismay, he told me to stick it out. Thankfully, I did just that.”
For the next few months, Ione faithfully followed the program regime. She exercised. She attended classes. “The program offered everything I needed to make lasting lifestyle changes. The staff was there to teach and encourage me. I learned so much in the classes -- things like portion control, label reading, relaxation techniques, and medication management.” She also made new friends. “The support network is just as powerful as the program itself. We exercise together and glisten (according to Ione, it sounds better than sweat!) together. It’s like family.”
All was going well until she felt a discomfort in the middle of her back while peddling a stationary bike. She wasn’t too concerned but mentioned it to the staff. They quickly responded. As they watched the heart monitor, Ione watched them. The monitors were detecting a problem, yet the staff remained calm and reassuring. They instructed her to stop exercising. Further evaluation was needed so they set up an appointment with her primary care physician at Wabasha Clinic-Part of Lake City Medical Center-Mayo Health System.
An EKG and stress test confirmed she had blockage that was compromising her heart. “Dr. Kelly was so thorough and explained everything in a way I could understand. I felt so well cared for.” He referred her to Mayo Clinic for an angiogram. The test revealed she had three blockages. Within days, Ione had triple by-pass surgery and an aortic valve replacement. A week later, she was back in the hospital for additional surgery.
“The surgeries took a lot out of me. I was afraid my body wouldn’t heal. I knew it would take time, and I needed to be patient. But I kept thinking…if only! If only I would have been more active a long time ago. If only I would have learned to eat better years earlier. Could I have prevented my heart disease? I wanted to return to the Wellness Center but I was scared.”
As Ione recovered, she began reclaiming her strength and motivation to get back on track. When she finally returned, she knew she would be starting from square one. Her feelings of defeat quickly vanished. Carla Theusch, director of the Wellness Center, gave her what she needed most – encouragement!
“Carla told me that she would be with me every step of the way. She told me to trust her, and I did. Since May I’ve walked over 300 miles. I’ve graduated from the program but keep coming back. I guess I’m a lifetime member! I know now that eating right and exercising regularly is not a program but a part of my life.” It’s a message Ione communicates through words and actions. As a teacher’s assistant at Alma Schools, she believes her choices influences those of others. Staff and students are following in her footsteps because she is a role model worth emulating. It’s not so much the change in lifestyle that captivates others to tag along; it’s her cheerful, can-do attitude.
“I may not be in control, but I can choose how to respond to what comes my way. The cup is either half empty or half full. One outlook zaps energy, the other fuels it. Instead of a chip on my shoulder, I’d rather have a smile on my face.” While she is smiling and “glistening,” she hopes she is inspiring others to take their health to heart earlier so they can prevent what she had to endure.
Saint Elizabeth’s Medical Center is currently recruiting candidates for its Metabolic Syndrome Study. If you would like to learn more about the program and enrollment criteria, call Saint Elizabeth’s Wellness Center, 651-565-5519.