I received compensation from Glucerna for this post, but I am sharing my own thoughts and experiences. All opinions are mine. #SteadyIsExciting
About three and a half years ago I got a call from a hospital in Las Vegas that turned my world upside down. I was twenty-two weeks into an extremely high-risk pregnancy and emotionally fragile, so the news made any hope of a stress-free pregnancy impossible. The woman on the phone told me a few details and said my dad was being treated for heart failure and I needed to get to the emergency room right away.
I called my brother, and together we listened as the doctors explained that our sixty-six-year-old father had gone into cardiac arrest. They warned that even if he survived, he might never be the same.
I look back on the summer of 2012 as the biggest testimony builder of my life. I’d never felt so out of control, and that vulnerability forced me to cling to faith like never before. At the time I was told there was a fifty-percent chance my unborn baby might not survive, and now my dad’s life hung in the balance as well.
The doctors explained that when Dad’s heart stopped, his brain and kidneys suffered oxygen loss and were damaged, though the full extent was uncertain. He was intubated and sedated for more than two weeks. When he finally regained consciousness, it was clear he was not the same person. The combined damage to his brain, kidneys, and a heart the doctors likened to “walking on one leg” left us facing difficult decisions — decisions I pray my children never have to make at twenty-six.
I won’t pretend my passion for health and fitness isn’t shaped by my dad’s health struggles. I watched him endure the consequences of years of poor choices, and those experiences motivate me to stay active and prioritize wellness. You can read more in my I Can’t Afford to Get Fit post.
Three and a half years later, I can honestly say God has been so good. He provided more than I could have imagined. In September 2012 I welcomed a healthy baby, and after months in a rehabilitation hospital, my dad moved into an assisted living facility that brought new life and joy to him. Before his heart attack, “Pa,” as we call him, lived alone, had no close friends, and battled depression and a gambling addiction that left him isolated. I was stunned the first time the activities director told me my dad had become a social butterfly.
Now he plays bingo every day, organizes poker nights three times a week, and this year he even helped plan the facility’s New Year’s Eve party. Pa hasn’t been inside a casino in three years, and he quit smoking the day his heart stopped. Living among peers and participating in activities gave him purpose and friendships he hadn’t had for years. Supporting my social butterfly has been a joy.
Visiting “Grandpa Dave’s big house” is one of my children’s favorite outings. They love helping him with puzzles and joining the facility’s activities with him.
Diabetes is common among many residents at his assisted living facility and is also prevalent in the Latino community. My grandfather, my dad’s father, suffered from diabetes before he passed, and I remember him checking his blood sugar daily. My grandmother’s constant concern for his health left a lasting impression. Managing diabetes for grandparents, friends at care facilities, and many others is a real challenge that can create constant worry for families.
When the opportunity arose to partner with Glucerna from Target to bring a tasty treat to some of my dad’s closest friends, I was eager to help. Glucerna is the number-one doctor-recommended brand of nutritional products formulated for people with diabetes. It contains CARBSTEADY®, a blend of slow-digesting carbohydrates clinically shown to reduce blood sugar spikes. With a variety of flavors, Glucerna shakes and bars help people manage blood sugar and curb hunger.
From January 10–30, you can get 10% off Glucerna shakes and nutrition bars through Target’s Cartwheel offer.
If you or someone you care for has diabetes, try this simple and tasty Banana Milk Shake recipe adapted from Glucerna-approved recipes. It’s an easy way to offer a satisfying treat while keeping an eye on blood sugar management.
Step One: Purchase a 6-pack of Glucerna Ready-to-Drink Vanilla from Target.
Step Two: Blend one 8-fluid-ounce bottle of Vanilla Glucerna Shake with one medium banana, 1/2 cup ice cubes, and one teaspoon of vanilla extract until smooth.
Step Three: Pour the milkshake into a glass and share it with someone you love who is managing diabetes.
Are you or a family member managing diabetes? Have you had to care for an aging parent or make the decision to place a parent in an assisted living facility?
Share your experience in the comments or on our Facebook page — we enjoy hearing personal stories. Follow us on Pinterest for more recipes, and tag us on Instagram if you try any Stay Fit Mom recipes in your kitchen.
If you liked this post, you might also enjoy our I Can’t Afford to Get Fit article.