Living in south Louisiana, Jerry has a passion for cooking. He cooks meals for those in need through his church…the box lunch type, with pastas, jambalaya, corn bread, all things cajun and delicious (I’m also from Louisiana, so I know the drill). But all that cajun cookin’ catches up with you after a while. Jerry found himself overweight and with type 2 diabetes.
After diagnosis, Jerry was put on Metformin, which soon turned into insulin injections, which soon turned into over 150+ units of insulin every day. He didn't change his diet, as he thought the meds were taking care of that. This went on for 18 years, until one day Jerry noticed a blister on his toe. He treated it with a topical ointment with no success and after two weeks, his entire foot turned black. This warranted a trip to the ER.
The doctors delivered the news that they would need to amputate two toes on his right foot and part of his foot. His incisions weren't healing, so off came the next three toes. He knew he had a long road ahead. Jerry recalls certain members of the hospital staff praying for him, which gave him glimmers of hope, and a reminder of God, his healer. He prayed for God’s help and begged God to walk this road of recovery with him so he could one day ambulate again.
Soon after, Jerry and his wife went on a diet in an effort to lose some excess weight. The couple got a health coach, began a nutrient dense meal plan and ate low carb food options. Jerry eats 5-6 small meals a day (eats every 3 hours), no fruit (plans to add it back, in moderation, once he hits his goal weight), greens, lean meats, mushrooms, nuts and healthy fats, among items from his pre-prepared meal plan. Never did Jerry think that this would put an end to his 18 year fight with diabetes. It only took 4 months on his new meal plan and Jerry is off all diabetes medication, no longer using a wheelchair, walker or cane, and ambulating independently! He’s also down 50+ lbs.
Jerry is a changed man. He now looks forward to his greens and lean meats daily. He credits his success to the help of his wife, medical team and his faith in Jesus.