Pictured (left to right): Deb Adams, ARNP, Chronic Care Clinic Director; Sasha Bloyer, Registered Dietitian; Tage Henkelman; Kristie Warnemunde; Deb Dieter, RN, Certified Diabetes Educator.
November is American Diabetes Awareness Month, and the staff at St. Anthony Regional Hospital and McFarland Clinic have teamed up with Kuemper graduate, nineteen-year-old Tage Henkelman to share his story and their knowledge as inspiration to others impacted by diabetes. Just one year ago this month, Henkelman began experiencing blurred vision. Initially, he attributed it to being tired, but it wasn’t gone by the next morning, so he alerted his parents, Kristie and Bob Warnemunde. His mother took him to an eye doctor, but his eyesight was fine. Dr. Bill McIntosh of Carroll Eye Associates then checked Heneklman’s blood sugar to find it was extremely high, and he recommended he see a doctor immediately. Henkelman did just that, and was diagnosed with Type I diabetes by Dr. Donald Dickman at the McFarland Clinic. This diagnoses would have required four insulin shots a day for Henkelman, but after additional testing, it was discovered he actually had Type 2 diabetes which could be managed with oral medications. In September of this year, Henkelman’s blood sugar levels began to fluctuate again, which led him to Endocrinologist Dr. Richard Carano. He was transitioned back to insulin shots to help stabilize his blood sugar. The doctors and the diabetes educators at the St. Anthony Chronic Care Center discussed insulin pump therapy as an option for Henkelman’s condition. RN and Certified Diabetic Educator Deb Dieter moved into action, and as a diabetic herself, was able to provide insight into what changes would be necessary to effectively maintain glucose levels. Henkelman worked with dietitians Krista Heuton and Sasha Bloyer and moved forward with the installation and education on his insulin pump. Although this option is not for everyone. Henkelman says it means more freedom, more leniency in his activity and, most importantly, no more insulin shots. He added that positivity is key. Blood sugar will go up and it will go down, the key is to get it corrected and to move on. “Diabetes is life changing,” he said, “but it can be managed.”
