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Longtime friends
shoulder up for surgery
GL ENN FA I RES AND ROBERT “ BOB ” L EU
and
their wives have been friends for many years. They are square
dance aficionados, and their friendship struck up when both
couples were out do-si-doing on the dance floor 35 years ago.
Bionic buddies
Over the years, Glenn, an electrician with Weyerhaeuser for
34 years, and Bob, a retired firefighter, have shared many
experiences—they even had shoulder replacement surgery
on the same day. William Turner, MD, performed both men’s
shoulder surgeries within hours of each other.
“It was known as the bionic table,” says Bob, “as we’d both
had knee replacement surgeries earlier in the year—though
not on the same day.”
Dr. Turner arranged for the friends to recover in the same
room during their overnight stay at PeaceHealth St. JohnMedical
Center, before going to their respective homes the next day.
“After the surgery, I didn’t experience any pain,” Bob says.
“We know it’s serious, but we were joking with the staff; made
it relaxing and fun. Nursing staff on the fourth floor were
terrific, and Dr. Turner’s one super guy!”
No need for fear
The men’s wives were their health coaches. They joined the
men for the presurgery education, so they all knew what to
expect, thanks to the Joint Replacement program.
“They did a good job answering questions,” says Glenn’s
wife, Pat. “We had no surprises.”
Pat has had several procedures at PeaceHealth St. John,
including a knee replacement, and she encourages others
not to be afraid. “People hesitate, but their lives will be
heightened after the surgery,” she says.
Back in the swing
Now, the Faireses and Leus are back on their feet, dancing
again, with shoulders that will “swing to the left (or right),”
thanks to their successful shoulder replacement surgeries.
P AT I E N T P R O F I L E
When pregnancy
brings on diabetes
PREGNANCY BR I NGS MANY CHANGES
to a
woman’s body. Some pregnant women may become insulin-
resistant. Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas that
is responsible for blood sugar (glucose) metabolism.
As the pregnancy progresses, cells become insulin-
resistant, the pancreas can’t keep insulin production up,
and the body loses its ability to keep blood sugar in a normal
range. This is called gestational diabetes (GDM), and it
occurs in about 7 percent of pregnancies. During obstetrics
care, women are generally tested for GDM between weeks
24 and 28 with a one-hour glucose tolerance test.
Gestational diabetes can occur without symptoms.
However, even without symptoms, elevated blood sugar
during the second and third trimesters is associated with
higher risk of C-section delivery, large-birth-weight babies,
traumatic delivery, and hypoglycemia in the newborn.
Know your risks
The risk of developing GDM increases for women:
■ ■
Who are older
■ ■
Who have a higher body mass index (BMI)
■ ■
Who have delivered large-birth-weight babies
■ ■
With a history of glucose intolerance or polycystic
ovary disease
■ ■
With a family history of diabetes
■ ■
Who are of Native American, Hispanic, or Asian descent
Take preventive steps
Adopting a healthy lifestyle before pregnancy can help
prevent GDM. These habits include:
■ ■
Engaging in regular physical activity.
■ ■
Eating a healthy diet—watch your portion sizes and include
fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and adequate fiber.
Avoid foods with added sugar and unhealthy fats.
■ ■
Reducing your BMI. Weight loss is not recommended
during pregnancy, but shedding extra pounds beforehand
may help improve glucose control.
Keeping
you at the
center
Welcome to
Healthy You
magazine! You’ll notice
we have a new name
and a new look, but our
goal hasn’t changed—to
provide you with the
most up-to-date health
information to help you
and your family be your
healthy best.
Health news
Thinking
about joint
replacement?
Join us on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 6 p.m.,
at Pacific Surgical Institute for
an informative talk on joint
replacement with William
Turner, MD, of Longview
Orthopedic Associates, chief
medical officer of the Joint
Replacement program at
PeaceHealth St. John. Call
360-636-4846
for details.
William Turner, MD
Orthopedic Surgery
Longview Orthopedic
Associates
625 Ninth Ave.
Longview, WA
360-501-3400
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