My Key To Success – A Patient’s Story
Thomas Lake, far right, served as this year’s honorary chairperson and, along with his family and past honorary chairpersons, led the first lap of the Walk for Diabetes. During the 10th annual event, more than $11,500 was raised to benefit local persons diagnosed with diabetes.
My Key To Success: Fostoria Man Holds the Key to Success Controlling Diabetes
When Thomas Lake—a Fostoria native—was diagnosed with diabetes more than 30 years ago, he was determined to not let his diagnosis hold him back. At the time of his diagnosis, Tom was only 35 years old and had no known family history of the condition.
“If you control your diabetes and know how to take care of it, you can do anything you want,” Tom says. “The more you know, the better off you are. I’ve done plenty of research and have learned about the disease by talking to other people, too.”
Tom is positive proof that it’s possible for diabetics to lead normal, healthy lives. In fact, until recently, he competitively raced late-model dirt cars. And, he still works out several times a week at the YMCA, undeterred by the insulin pump he wears to control his blood sugar levels.
Wearing an insulin pump is just one of the ways that Tom manages his diabetes. The pump provides him with a continuous supply of insulin, which maintains his blood sugar levels between meals, and he can also inject supplemental insulin after meals. Before he began using the insulin pump about eight years ago, he needed a fast-acting insulin injection each time he ate and a longer-acting shot between meals.
Today, he sees his doctor every three months to review his treatment plan, attends diabetes education programs at Fostoria Community Hospital (FCH) and checks his blood sugar regularly to ensure he remains in control of his condition.
Because of his dedication, Tom was selected to serve as honorary chairman for the 10th Annual Walk for Diabetes hosted by the FCH Foundation in September. Tom is also active in the community as an officer for the Fostoria Eagles #430 and a councilman for the City of Fostoria.
Today, he is thankful for technological advancements in the treatment of diabetes, like his insulin pump. He credits this and his support system—his wife, Marjorie, four daughters and nine grandchildren—for his continuing good health and great quality of life.
“I still have to work at it every day,” Tom says. “That’s the key to being a diabetic—maintaining control and being in control.”
For more information about ProMedica Health System programs and services for patients with diabetes, visit www.promedica.org/diabetes.
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