By Donna Crites

Donna, of Columbia, shared this story via the myBooneHealth.com online submission form. Click here to share your story.

2011 has been a rough year for me. But thanks to many, I am alive with a bright future to look forward to.

In January, 2011, I was diagnosed with diabetes with blood sugar numbers between 400-500. Diabetic education provided by the clinic was the beginning of my life being saved. (Any doctors that do not send their patients to these classes are doing their patients a great disservice!) During classes, I learned about good eating habits, what my disease was, and what I could do to control my sugars.

At the time, I was on glipizide two times daily and metformin three times daily. Since then, I have lost 90 pounds and only take metformin two times daily.

Also, in these classes I learned how diabetes can affect your circulatory system and that a trip to a cardiologist might not be a bad idea. (All diabetics should see a cardiologist as soon a diagnosed!)

Dr. Woods had seen me before and had done a stress test a few years back and decided to do a heart cath which led to a triple bypass the next day April 13th.

About five weeks later, I was having chest pains and went to the ER. A cat scan was done to see if the bag around my heart was enlarged and lung cancer was found in my left lower lobe. The lobe and cancer were removed June 14th by Dr. See along with the wonderful care of my oncologist Dr. Khojestah as I had anal cancer 15 years previously. All cancer removed! No chemo no radiation.

During all this time, and getting worse by the day, I was having a hard time walking but contributed it to my double knee replacement of five years previous and to the arthritis is my back. I was also going to cardiac rehab were my body and soul were being renewed by all of the wonderful people who were helping me.

I had gotten to the point where I couldn’t walk without a cane but the doctors wouldn’t give up on making me a whole vital person again as I am only 55 which is way to young to give up on. Dr. Woods did an arterial cath and found massive blockage in my left groin artery. Dr. Adams went in and cleaned a 99.5% blockage August 31st and I was walking the next day. HIP HIP HOORAY!

I will be graduating from cardiac rehab next week. It has taken awhile with the different interruptions of my health problems and I am moving to New Mexico in a few weeks.

I couldn’t leave without telling someone of my life saving experiences of 2011 and the support of all of your staff. The people at the diabetic clinic and cardiac rehab (some of who are the same people) have called me in the evenings to see how I am, have checked on me through the different surgeries, and have been there to just listen when you need a silent ear.

I hope I can be lucky enough to find new health care providers when I move who are as educated, informative, respectful and kind as the people that I have had the pleasure to meet this year.

Dr. Michael Daly has been my primary care doctor for about 17 years and is one of the most wonderful humans that I have ever met. His compassion is unbounded.When I moved to Columbia many years ago with my cancer history it was very important for me to have a great doctor. It was my last primary doctor that help me catch my anal cancer in the beging stage. I called doctor after doctor wanting to interview who was going to be my next health care taker. All that I called, except for Dr. Daly, wanted to charge me for an appointment to do a great and meet which I found odd since basicly doctors are applying for a job to be a health care provider. Our conversation was short as I realize that doctors are busy people, not gods (my mom the nurse taught me that one) and he has been a vital part of my family life ever since.

I know that my story isn’t that unusual but just wanted to let someone know that all is well in my part of Columbia thanks to all at Boone Hospital.

I am a living commercial for Boone Hospital!!!