Sweet Home Woman Transforms Her Health While Managing Diabetes April 15, 2026 When Shelli Baxter was first diagnosed with diabetes at age 54, she was devastated. “It runs in my family — but hearing it from my doctor in Brownsville hit hard,” she recalled. “I was upset. But I told myself, ‘I got this. I can do this. I’m a human being. I can do things that are good for me.’” Taking Control of Diabetes When Baxter first met with Heidi Womack, RN, a certified diabetes care and education specialist with Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital – Diabetes Education, her A1C was 11.2. Just two months later, it had jumped to over 14. Diet and exercise weren’t enough and oral medications made her sick. She started insulin therapy and used a continuous glucose monitor to see how food and activity affected her blood sugar. “Once my blood sugars came down, I could exercise more and make dietary changes to lower them even further,” Baxter said. “I’ve learned to control stress which helps keep my blood pressure down too.” “Shelli has worked extremely hard and has a great attitude,” Womack said. Now, at age 57, Baxter is at the cusp of her A1C being below 7, in the normal range. Maintaining a Healthy A1C “I’ve lost weight, feel good and am exercising more,” she said. “I watch what I eat. Whether diabetic or not, it’s good for you.” “I work with great folks at Safeway who are part of my support system,” she said. Her husband Denis embraces her healthy eating which includes lots of salads and veggies. “I could eat other things, but I know myself. If I start on bread, I’ll want more,” she said. “I drink lots of water, but I do like my Diet Pepsi and coffee now and then,” Baxter added. According to Womack, it is easy to feel overwhelmed when you have a chronic condition. “Shelli focuses on what she does each day and that adds up to great outcomes.” “We’re a team,” Baxter said of Womack. “She tells me, ‘You’re doing great, Shelli. You got this.’ We laugh and talk at every visit.” Baxter doesn’t drive, but she makes sure to keep all her appointments. She goes to the gym, uses the treadmill and bike, and listens to music while she works out. Baxter’s health is stable — her kidneys and feet are in good shape. She gets her eyes checked annually, takes a statin to manage cholesterol, and keeps up with blood pressure and lab tests. She’s reduced her insulin dose and may be able to stop taking it soon. Her advice: “If you or a family member has diabetes, stand by them. Think positive. It’s a struggle, but we’re all in this together. You got this.” Recommended Diabetes Health Checks Diabetes occurs when your blood sugar is too high — a result of pancreas dysfunction. To monitor your health, stay on top of these tests: A1C: Blood test for blood sugar (every three or six months). ACR (albumin to creatinine ratio): Urine test for kidney function (yearly). Dilated eye exam: (every year or two). eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate): Blood test for kidney function (yearly). Lipid panel: Blood test for cholesterol (frequency varies). Other tests your provider may recommend may include ankle‑brachial index (checks blood flow to legs/feet), blood pressure, bone density scan and body mass index. Learn more about these health checks at diabetes.org.
