Jodi Franks was familiar with the early warning signs of Type 2 diabetes because of family members and friends who had the condition. She just didn’t fully understand how serious it could become if not managed effectively.
That would change when her own health took a sharp turn.
Franks, now 57, got a glimpse into the reality of living with diabetes during her first pregnancy, when she was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Not long after, her OBGYN also diagnosed her with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal disorder that affects women of reproductive age. At that time, her doctor told her that if she didn’t start prioritizing her health she would be at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Franks spent the next several years taking medication for her PCOS but didn’t make any other significant lifestyle changes. Eventually, she started to struggle with fatigue and kidney issues. Only after a hospital visit did the seriousness of her situation come into focus.
“My mom has always had a lot of energy — that’s why when she got sick it was really, really scary and upsetting,” said Chorus Jennings, Franks’ eldest child.
Shortly after getting out of the hospital, Franks learned she had stage one chronic kidney disease and was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
From confusion to clarity
Franks tried to manage her diabetes, but her glucose numbers kept coming back high. She didn’t want to be reliant on insulin, so her doctor recommended she try a GLP-1.
“After I started on my journey with a GLP-1, I was very confused,” Franks said. “I didn’t know how often I needed to test my blood sugar. I was just very confused about how to manage my diabetes.”
She was fearful of becoming ill again, so she researched options to find anything she felt could help her.
Franks discovered FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems and learned more about the benefits of using a CGM for glucose management over the phone with the help of a customer service representative. The representative also helped her find out if her insurance would cover her sensor. “I was just so impressed with the level of care I received that I didn’t even think about using any other (CGM),” Franks said.
Within the first several weeks of using her Libre 3 CGM system, Franks said things started to make sense as she began to understand which foods triggered glucose spikes for her. At the same time, she learned how exercise impacted her and started tracking her steps.
Franks and her family have always loved food and cooking together. But after her diagnosis, she said she wasn’t sure if she’d be able to enjoy those things in the same way.
“I had to start thinking about food in a completely different way — how to prepare it, how to eat it,” Franks said. “I still eat wonderful, delicious food, but I have a complete understanding about what it’s going to do when it hits my body.
“(My Libre 3 CGM) is going to tell me exactly what's going on,” she added.
Franks is sharing what she has learned with her family and is helping them embrace a new lifestyle. Said Jennings: “(My mom’s) journey with Libre systems has got me thinking a lot more about my health, too. I’m learning along with her.”
Those learnings have brought other benefits.
“At 57 years old, I have to say that I feel probably the best that I’ve ever felt in my life,” Franks said. “I have a better understanding of where I am. I feel stronger. I feel physically better. And I’m happy.”
The views expressed should not be used for medical diagnosis or treatment or as a substitute for professional medical advice. Individual symptoms, situations and circumstances may vary.
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