Success Story
Sarah Shull said she grew up counting calories. She dealt with weight issues as a child and was on numerous diets as an adult. But Shull never had the mindset to lose weight and keep it off.
"I can't even remember the names of the diets I tried," she said.
Then a diagnosis of diabetes got the 5-3 Shull, who weighed 251 pounds at her highest, motivated to change her lifestyle.
"When I found out I had diabetes, that was the kicker," she said. "It really hit hard."
Shull changed to another doctor who got her working on her weight. She found the diabetic diet helpful. And she also saw results from exercise. Shull joined a fitness center and started water aerobics. She also started walking with a teacher's assistant before school in the gym. She tries to do 20 minutes of walking a day.
"I really miss it if I don't exercise," said Shull.
Shull has found success by participating in Weight Watchers and the Biblically-based Weigh Down Workshop.
She said Weight Watchers has taught her a different way to look at what she eats. Weigh Down has helped her redirect her focus.
"It helps me focus on what I really need to focus on instead of food," she said.
Shull was also motivated to lose weight after she found out she had sleep apnea. Shull had surgery to improve the problem, but she still sleeps with the CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine which forces air into a mask and through the nasal passages. She hopes to participate in another sleep study soon to see if her breathing has improved. Shull has lost 60 pounds and would like to eventually weigh about 150 pounds. But for now, her plans are simply to focus on losing the next 10 pounds. She said her success has come from friends who encourage her and from her religious beliefs.
"I couldn't do this by myself," she said. "It's really taken my faith in God to move me along."
Shull said it's also important to have faith in yourself.
"You have to have determination," she said. "You have to want to do it."
By Katie Shaw
June 16, 2003
Copyright, The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, TN. Used with permission.
(http://www.commercialappeal.com)
Heart patient's grit fills wife with wonder
Sue Jackson is proud of her husband, who, she says, has done an incredible job dealing with his health problems.
Kenneth Jackson, who has coronary artery disease, has had four bypass surgeries starting in 1976.
Because of his health problems, he was advised to retire from his career as a dentist in 1981.
His stamina isn't what it used to be, and overexerting himself can cause angina. But he keeps a good attitude, despite his circumstances.
"I think it's remarkable he's done as well as he has," she said. "I shudder to think what my disposition would've been had it been me."
Kenneth Jackson first noticed problems with his heart in the late 1960s, when he had elevated blood pressure. But it wasn't until one day in the mid-1970s when he really took notice of his health. He was on his way to work and had to run across a street in the rain.
By the time he made it to the opposite side, he was out of breath and his chest hurt.
Shortly after, he had his first bypass.
Things were fine for another five years until symptoms such as angina and shortness of breath returned. He retired. A series of heart attacks followed. He had bypass surgeries in 1987, 1997 and 2002.
"I never expected to live as long as I have," he said. "I've been very pleasantly surprised."
Jackson credits his medical treatment for his good health.
"My longevity is due to good surgical techniques and good medicine," he said. He had his first bypass at the University of Alabama Hospital at Birmingham and the last three at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis.
His wife credits her husband for his dedication to following doctor's orders. This includes a strict diet and regular exercise. He quit smoking and lost a little weight.
"He's done so well and people look at him and are shocked at his medical history," she said. "He looks like there's nothing wrong with him."
Sue is also proud of the way he's handled early retirement, especially since his retirement has lasted as long as his career.
"He had all those years training and it was just taken away and he's had to sit at home," she said. "But he's handled it beautifully."
By Katie Shaw
July 28, 2003
Copyright, The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, TN. Used with permission.
(http://www.commercialappeal.com)
Hard work with trainer aids teenage girl with scoliosis
Christy Ramsey learned of her scoliosis in the spring of 2001, when a chest X-ray revealed a curvature of her spine.
It was also discovered that she had an Arnold Chiari Type I malformation, in which the cerebellum portion of the brain protrudes into the spinal canal.
Surgery in August 2001 corrected the malformation. For the scoliosis, Ramsey wore a brace from July 2001 until March 2002, when a doctor put a titanium rod in her spine.
After the procedure, Ramsey went through physical therapy with Noel Tugwell. She then started working out with Ty Tims, a medical exercise specialist at Baptist Rehabilitation, located within SIX50 Athletic Club in Cordova.
Workout sessions with Tims included movement training and exercises to improve speed and agility. The two also worked with a basketball to improve hand/eye coordination.
"At first, she had no coordination," said Tims, who works with Ramsey twice a week. "She's improved 200 percent in coordination, walking and movement patterns. Her confidence has built up."
Not only has Ramsey's physical fitness improved, but so has her spine. Tims said that the degree of the curve in her back has decreased. It has also been determined that an additional rod is not necessary.
Ramsey has also noticed the improvements.
"I think I've gotten stronger," she said, explaining how she can stretch and bend more easily.
She's also slimmed down and now has the ability to make it through a full training session.
Ramsey's workouts have helped her to become more active. But most importantly, they've made her feel better about herself.
"Christy always comes in with a really big smile," Tims said. "She's been a trooper and she's been really consistent every time."
By Katie Shaw
July 21, 2003
Copyright, The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, TN. Used with permission.
(http://www.commercialappeal.com)
