Life is about making choices
Carol Lewandowski had no interest in the Heart Expo hosted by Adventist GlenOaks Hospital last year. She only agreed to tag along at the request of her “better half,” as she refers to Bob Jancius, who enjoys such community health fairs.
“I was shopping; he was talking to everyone,” Lewandowski recalled. The expo took place at Stratford Square Mall in Bloomingdale.
At Jancius’ urging, both signed up for a heartscore screening at Adventist GlenOaks Hospital. A blood sugar test revealed Lewandowski’s glucose level was quite high: 130 milligrams per deciliter, even though she had fasted from food and drink as directed. Up to 100 mg/dL is considered normal, between 100 and 126 mg/dL is considered to be a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, and 126 mg/dL and higher can be a sign of diabetes. Her blood pressure was 145/82 – definitely on the high side. Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80.
That news scared Lewandowski, now 60.
“I’ve always been thin; I’ve always had good health,” the Roselle resident said. “Sure, I gained a few pounds after menopause but chalked it up to the aging process. I was really quite shocked at the results of my screening.”
Lewandowski and Jancius immediately examined their diet and exercise habits and vowed to make drastic changes. They gave up regular cola in favor of diet. They downsized from large pizzas to a small pizza with a salad. They became active members of the Roselle Park District fitness center.
“I would much rather push away that chocolate cake now then put insulin in later,” Lewandowski said. “Life is about making choices.”
In the year since she took her first heartscore, Lewandowski’s blood sugar has dropped to 107 and her blood pressure to 117/80. She’s also 12 pounds lighter. She’s proud of her achievements, especially in light of her family history; her father died of a heart attack at 59 and her brother at 48.
“I can’t change my age and I can’t change my family history, but I can change my present and my future based on the choices I make today for my health,” she said. “That’s an easy decision.”