A woman from Gedling whose undiagnosed diabetes led to her toe being amputated is now optimistic about managing her condition after losing a stone in weight.
50-year-old Micheall Hearson from Gedling lost more than a stone after being referred to Fit 4 Life, a project running across South Nottinghamshire and Nottingham to help adults with type 2 diabetes become more active.
In 2015, undiagnosed diabetes meant Micheall needed a toe amputated after getting gangrene and septicaemia. She was advised to take up exercise to help her lose weight and manage her diabetes but was nervous about what she could achieve with her injuries. Thanks to a low impact, chair-based exercise class, Micheall is feeling healthier and more optimistic about her future.
Micheall said: “In February 2015, I fell very ill with gangrene in my toes and septicaemia in my left leg. This resulted in a toe amputation with a third of my left food being debrided. Then I was told I had type two diabetes, which had been undiagnosed and my blood sugars were out of control.
“After 15 months, my medication helped manage my diabetes and my foot finally healed. However, the nerves of my left foot had been cut when debriding the infection, leaving me with severe neuropathy pain that has prevented me from walking any further than five metres without pain, or being able to lift my foot or leg to do any exercise.
“After working with the diabetic medical team, I was in a catch 22 situation. I was advised that aerobic exercise would help me to lose weight but I wasn’t able to do normal exercise i.e. In a gym or swim. My focus was to recover from my operation and keep my diabetes managed at the same time.
“A nurse recommended Fit 4 Life. I arranged to meet my local mentor Matt but I wasn’t remotely interested. I went along with dread in my heart but tried to keep an open mind. The word ‘fit’ meant exercise to me and as I couldn’t do it, and didn’t like exercise of any type, I thought I was wasting my time.
“I was greeted at the door by a guy with a big warm smile. The first thing I said to him was “if you mention abseiling or kayaking or doing circuit training, then I’m out of here!” Matt asked me to sit down so he could explain the program, I felt so uneasy I even positioned chair next to the door so I could make a hasty retreat! That’s how sure I was that me and Fit 4 Life were not going to go together.
“Matt was so easy to talk to and he assured me that if I felt there was nothing I was going to be able to do or wanted to try, then that was fine. We discussed my abilities and willingness but also my disabilities and what I couldn’t do. He suggested a local chair based exercise class which he thought would be suitable for me. I reluctantly said I would think about it even though I was secretly thinking “I will go and see to say I have been but then I will tell Matt it was no good for me”.
“The first time I turned up I was greeted by very friendly members of the group who were already there. Throughout the hour I followed the exercises that I was able to do. I didn’t feel odd and everyone joined me in. They knew each other so well and laughed all the way through and then made sure I got a cup of tea at the end.
“Three months on, I went to my review meeting with Matt. I could not praise the class enough. I explained that it was a group of people who were all over 75 but were all fitter than me and laughed while exercising. Every time I go home I grin from ear to ear because this class makes me feel so happy and for the whole hour I forget my troubles. I look forward to going every Tuesday and will not miss a class.
“During the review we discovered that I had lost 15 and a half pounds, two inches off my thighs and one inch from my tummy. Great all round. I feel much more optimistic for future exercise and wellbeing.”
For more information on how you can get involved with Fit 4 Life visit www.fit4lifenotts.co.uk
