Dee Struffolino, August 2019
Dee works in the Purchasing Department at McClellan Street Health Center and was nominated by coworker, Susan Thiem. Susan nominated Dee due to her dedication and commitment to smoking cessation. At the time of her nomination, Dee had not had a cigarette in 6 months (which was 3 months ago). In addition, she was losing weight and Susan could see a positive life style change as a result of dieting and abstaining from smoking. HEALTHY ME (HM) reached out to Dee (DS) to ask her some questions about her positive lifestyle changes.
What inspired you to get started on the lifestyle changes that you are being honored for?
My mom passed away in 2012 from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and my grandson has been begging me to quit!
In which area did this change have the most impact-your mind, body or spirit?
All of the above!
Did any Ellis of HEALTHY ME initiatives assist you in reaching your goals?
Absolutely! I attended The Butt Stops Here two times-although I tried, it didn’t quite work out.
What kept you motivated or accountable through your wellness journey?
Determination and also the fact that it was better to gain weight and quit then to continue to smoke. I’ve lost the 13 pounds I gained from quitting by utilizing Ellis Medicine Bariatric Center for weight loss, since I use Ellis insurance, and they are Providers in our Network.
What advice might you pass on to other individuals who desire to make healthy changes in their lives?
It’s never too late to start! I am 61 and I’m doing it!
Coleen Norberg, March 2018
What inspired you to get started on the lifestyle changes that you are being honored for?
My husband was having serious health issues related to his weight: sleep apnea, uncontrolled AFIB and high blood pressure as well as a lack of energy and difficulty doing the things he used to be able to do. After years of treating Jim, his cardiologist told him he needed to lose weight or there was nothing more he could do for him and seriously “encouraged” him to enroll in a Bariatric program. My motivation was getting HIM on the right track for a healthier and longer life. I felt that I needed to partner with him on his journey and saw it as an opportunity for me as well.
In which area did this change have the most impact- your mind, body or spirit?
All three. As the pounds started coming off it encouraged me/us to continue. The pain was worth the gain. I had a better feeling about myself in regard to how I looked. It increased my confidence and I found myself wanting to look better, wear more stylish clothes instead of trying to hide. As my husband and I went through the journey of losing the weight together, it brought us closer. We were happier with ourselves which made us happier with each other. Found ourselves joking more, wanting to walk together, and even started to hold hands again. We were proud of each other’s accomplishments rather than focusing on just ourselves.
How has Ellis assisted you in reaching your goals (through education, fitness activities or easy access to healthcare)?
When Jim enrolled in the Ellis Bariatric Program, I attended the nutritional meeting where we learned about the Lean and Green program. We also spoke with the Nutritionist about how to eat and how to break our bad habits. We learned how to read the nutritional labels. We came home from that first meeting and emptied our cupboards of “everything” that wasn’t on the new menu plan. It was amazing how empty our cupboards were after that. That also showed us that we had been making poor decisions about the foods we had been buying.
What kept you motivated or accountable throughout your wellness journey?
Seeing not only the physical change, but the psychological change and honestly the compliments didn’t hurt. Also, continuing to support my husband through his journey.
Did the Healthy MEE initiatives support you at all?
Yes, I attended a few of the nutritional sessions and met with a nutritionist.
What advice might you pass on to other individuals who desire to make healthy changes in their lives as well?
Focus on the outcomes rather than the daily sacrifices. Over time, you won’t see it as sacrifices, but rather a better way of life.
Keith Olmer, May 2017
Today, Keith has lost over 60 pounds. He continues to eat healthy and work out at the gym. He is no longer taking Insulin, he has been released from the endocrinologist, and he has achieved a Blue Belt in Tae Kwon Do. Keith’s example shows what a difference it makes to make a conscious choice to live a healthy lifestyle. I’m sure those first few weeks at the gym were hard, but he persevered and accomplished many goals, including his Master’s Degree in Nursing!
What inspired you to get started on the lifestyle changes that you are being honored for?
Just over 2 years ago I was diagnosed with severe CAD (requiring several stents to be placed) and Diabetes as a result of the lifestyle choices that I had been making at the time.
In which area did this change have the most impact- your mind, body or spirit?
I think that the three are all so intertwined I can’t really say that any one was more impacted than the other. The mental challenges were probably the biggest initial hurdle to overcome though, after those barriers began to break down everything else began to fall into place.
How has Ellis assisted you in reaching your goals (through education, fitness activities or easy access to healthcare)?
I have received such wonderful support from my peers and staff, they have certainly been a positive influence on me.
What kept you motivated or accountable throughout your wellness journey?
The realization that once I began to make my lifestyle changes I felt better than I had in years and little by little I began to no longer need supportive medications to handle several of the conditions that I had because I had reversed many of them (hypertension, Diabetes, cholesterol, etc…)
Did the Healthy MEE initiatives support you at all?
Having healthy food choices to select to eat at work is a HUGE help!!!!!
What advice you might pass on to other individuals who desire to make healthy changes in their lives as well?
Never give up on your goals because they seem unattainable, if they are truly important you will be pleasantly surprised at the extent of what you can accomplish if you want it badly enough.
Alicea Dimmick, January 2017
What inspired you to get started on the lifestyle changes that you are being honored for?
Alicia was invited by her coworkers to join the challenge and was encouraged by how she felt. The time was right for her. She had also recently quit smoking after many previous attempts.
In which area did this change have the most impact- your mind, body or spirit?
Alicia noticed changes in her body and had a goal for her weight loss. She has lost a total of 45 pounds. She also noticed changes in her mood.
How has Ellis assisted you in reaching your goals (through education, fitness activities or easy access to healthcare)?
Ellis through its co-workers and programs has been supportive of her efforts to make healthy changes.
Julianne Reynolds, August 2016
“I made a deal with my father. He agreed to stop smoking if I lost 100 pounds. I made an appointment at the Bariatric Center. I decided it wasn’t for me and decided to pursue my own efforts to do it naturally. I started watching my calorie intake and exercising more. I initially lost 35 pounds. I am now up to losing 62 pounds. I am concentrating on making it a lifestyle.”
How has Ellis assisted you in reaching your goals? Did Healthy MEE initiatives support you at all?
I joined the Health MEE SLIMpossible program, lost 22 pounds in 6 weeks and came in 3rd. I also participated in the Healthy MEE Walking Challenge because I thought it would be fun to exercise in a group. My co-workers continue to be supportive and often ask me how many steps I am up to in a given day.
What advice you might pass on to other individuals who desire to make healthy changes in their lives as well?
I would say just get started. Remember you’re not in a race and there is no finish line. You will have ups and downs but the key is to keep going. The rewards you will feel will be worth all your hard work. Everyone deserves to live their best life!
Mike Brownell, June 2016
“I was at the doctor’s office on the scale and they moved the weight on the bar and the lever didn’t move so they had to go to the higher weight level.”
Mike’s doctor also mentioned that his blood sugar levels were high and he needed to start watching his cholesterol. He started to make changes in his eating habits and walking a bit more. His clothes began fitting differently but he did not weigh himself every day.
Ellis has helped support Mike on his fitness journey through the Healthy MEE Challenges. Mike joined a team during the Ellis Walking Challenge two years ago. Not really knowing how he was doing, he knew he “didn’t want to let the team down.” He completed about 214 miles. He joined walking challenge again last year and completed 419 miles or 852,000 steps.
Mike has done well at maintaining his lifestyle changes. Mike has joined Planet Fitness and uses the treadmill and other weights. He has made a spread sheet and tracks his weight to see his weight loss and plots his average and goal weight.
He has a daily exercise goal of walking 8 miles each night. He is eating healthier and has changed his food choices here at Ellis from a vending machine purchase to a piece of fruit as an afternoon snack.
Mike is down 31 pounds this year, and 60 pounds total. At his last doctor’s appointment, his blood work was great and will not need to start any medication. His family is after him to buy clothes that fit!
Eric Bergin, May 2016
I have always tried to live a healthy lifestyle dating back to my childhood. I am thankful that I had family, teachers, physicians and coaches that taught a healthy lifestyle.
But to answer your question of making lifestyle changes – I have had to make a few over the last 7-8 years… approximately 8 years ago I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis. It is an autoimmune disease that attacks your large intestine. An autoimmune disease is when your body attacks itself – imagine that!! It is a form of IBD; another IBD that is common is Crohn’s Disease. There are physical symptoms such as blood in your stool, arthritis due to dehydration, abdominal pain, increased bathroom frequency (as many as 20 +times in a day), fever, and malnutrition. IBD also leads to anxiety and depression in many patients as well. During the last 8 years, I was hospitalized a few times and my weight would fluctuate from as low as 130lbs to as high as 180lbs. There are medicines and diet changes that can help the disease but none that will ever “cure” you. Not only is IBD a physical battle, it becomes very mental. You are afraid to eat as you fear the consequences. Many are afraid to take trips or go out in public in fear of not having a bathroom nearby. Often the first thing someone with IBD will do when in public is locate a bathroom, just in case.
I educated myself and fought the disease with any tools provided to me. Unfortunately 3 years ago I was losing the fight, and fast. No matter what medicine I took or what I ate, my large intestine was failing. I was fortunate to have a wonderful GI doctor and team that referred me to a great surgeon. After much debate and sleepless nights I opted for my only choice left – SURGERY.
I won’t bore anyone with the details but in short I opted to have my colon removed and wear a temporary ileostomy bag. When I was given the second chance by my surgeon I wanted to make sure I took full advantage. I exercised pre-surgery and post-surgery with the necessary precautions to help increase my healing both physically and spiritually. I still remember running on the treadmill or doing sit ups with “the bag.” While I was self-conscious of my appearance, I only cared about getting better and winning the battle against IBD. My family was supportive and my Ellis family was incredible during this difficult time as well. While I hated “the bag” it saved my life and I was grateful. I had the bag for a few months and then had a second surgery where a J-Pouch was formed. This is where a portion of your small intestines forms a new colon. While the ideal situation is a healthy functioning colon I appreciate my J-Pouch every day. I still have diet restrictions and often say to myself “PROTECT THE POUCH.” During these difficult years I had support from my family, friends, and my Ellis family.
Over the last 8 years I continued to exercise and make healthy choices. However there were some days where I could not exercise due to pain or malnutrition. As I continued to recover from surgery I wanted to push myself further and help others with this disease. I now am fortunate that I can run a marathon and compete in triathlons 3 years post-surgery. This year I will be competing in the NYC marathon and participating in a half Ironman. These are things I thought I would never do with a healthy colon, let alone post J-Pouch. I also rode in a NYC bike tour this year that raised money for those who suffer from IBD. Many friends here at Ellis Medicine donated to my ride and I am extremely thankful to each and every one of them. I also participate in many social media support groups for those battling IBD.
I hope this story reaches someone who themselves is, or has a friend or family member, suffering from any autoimmune disease or any illness that may be restricting them. We all have obstacles but with the help of others we CAN overcome them.
HEALTHY ME 