WINCHESTER, VA - Diabetes is one of the top diseases Americans are battling and one woman has dealt with it for years.
"My view on death, I'm not afraid of it and I'm going to go when I'm going to go," says Donna Meliso, 54, who has been battling diabetes since age 12.
Meliso says she would consider herself a workaholic in the past, but after her near-death experience she knew it was time to change.
"I used to stay double Type A personality. I was just a workaholic. I am now just a Type A personality; it has slowed me down. I let myself take naps when I have to on the weekends," adds Meliso.
As someone who fights daily battles with inconsistent sugar levels, it nearly cost her her life when she passed out while driving.
"Some guy was able to stop his vehicle and open my driver's door and get my car to stop," says Meliso.
Dietitians says stress plays a large role in this disease.
"A lot of people are just very overwhelmed with work and family, and so exercising and healthy eating doesn't end up being the top priority that maybe used to be in families before, so with weight gain comes insulin resistance," says Debbie Berg, dietitian and diabetes educator at Valley Health.
Berg says diabetic patients carry a range of responsibilities.
"Not only do they have to take their medicine, they need to check their blood sugar level depending on the type of diabetes they have about one to 8 times a day," says Berg. "They are encouraged to get exercise routinely and plan out their meals.
Despite her many scares, Meliso has braced herself for the worst.
"I did my best with taking care of myself but there's other things that can happen that you never know," says Meliso.
Meliso wants other patients to know they should never be discouraged or lose hope during their battle.
"My view on death, I'm not afraid of it and I'm going to go when I'm going to go," says Donna Meliso, 54, who has been battling diabetes since age 12.
Meliso says she would consider herself a workaholic in the past, but after her near-death experience she knew it was time to change.
"I used to stay double Type A personality. I was just a workaholic. I am now just a Type A personality; it has slowed me down. I let myself take naps when I have to on the weekends," adds Meliso.
As someone who fights daily battles with inconsistent sugar levels, it nearly cost her her life when she passed out while driving.
"Some guy was able to stop his vehicle and open my driver's door and get my car to stop," says Meliso.
Dietitians says stress plays a large role in this disease.
"A lot of people are just very overwhelmed with work and family, and so exercising and healthy eating doesn't end up being the top priority that maybe used to be in families before, so with weight gain comes insulin resistance," says Debbie Berg, dietitian and diabetes educator at Valley Health.
Berg says diabetic patients carry a range of responsibilities.
"Not only do they have to take their medicine, they need to check their blood sugar level depending on the type of diabetes they have about one to 8 times a day," says Berg. "They are encouraged to get exercise routinely and plan out their meals.
Despite her many scares, Meliso has braced herself for the worst.
"I did my best with taking care of myself but there's other things that can happen that you never know," says Meliso.
Meliso wants other patients to know they should never be discouraged or lose hope during their battle.
Comments
another pathetic attempt to "change the face" of diabetes...That face is typically obese, with a cigarette and/or Twinkie hanging out of its mouth!
Shawn B.
November 19, 2012 at 6:46 am
