When a person has to manage multiple chronic diseases that can also mean managing several medications. In Dan’s case, high blood pressure and diabetes that had been left untreated for years, were causing multiple debilitating symptoms like weight gain, shortness of breath, and fatigue. These problems, combined with arthritic knees, left him unable to work and made simple tasks like grocery shopping nearly insurmountable.
That all changed when Dan came to CrossOver. Dan originally came in to see if something could be done for his knees. At his first visit he was set up with an appointment with volunteer orthopedist Dr. Don Seitz.
A series of tests and lab work uncovered his high blood pressure and diabetes.
His Nurse Practitioner, Renee Hammel, immediately prescribed him medications for both, and referred him to the PharmD program.
Now, after working with the pharmacists and students for five years, Dan has both his diabetes and blood pressure under control, and he has lost more than 40 pounds! We were also able to refer him for surgery to have both of his knees replaced. Dan’s quality of life has improved greatly and he has been able to go back to work doing what he loves as a cook.
