Ann’s story: having someone to talk to and guide me to be healthier really helped!

Ann shared her story of working with the PCN nurse towards better health. “I was diagnosed in November 2019 with diabetes and our doctor suggested that if I could lose about 10-15 lbs then I probably would not need to go on medication. He suggested a time frame around end of February and that he would contact a nurse for me to consult with. This was a bit of a shock and I wasn’t sure I would be able to lose so much in such a short time.

We had recently moved from BC to Alberta to be closer to our grandchildren after we both retired. Within 4 months of arriving and lucky enough to get registered with a new doctor my husband found out that he had prostate cancer and a blood cancer called Polycythemia Vera. This just blew us both away. He had no symptoms of any of these diseases. So, for almost all of 2019 we were constantly in at the Cancer Clinic at Red Deer or the Imaging Clinic. This took a huge toll on both of us. I developed high blood pressure, my anxiety level was through the roof, wasn’t sleeping, had ocular migraines and I was also trying to get my weight loss going. I felt I was falling apart. I didn’t realise at the time that all this was contributing to my being overweight.

I have been a weight watcher member for around 25 years. Had some success then every few years I would go back again but in 2014 after I retired, I decided to try again and along with a friend I lost 22lbs and got down to 130lbs for (5ft) person, I felt good. I kept this off until late 2018. Right now, I am back at 150lbs.

Just being able to talk to the PCN nurse was such a good help for me mentally as I felt I had no one to talk to who understood what I was going through. She helped me understand a lot about diabetes and every month that we met my blood level was decreasing and I was losing a few pounds. However, when my husband was told that his potassium was a bit high, I had to restructure our meals. So, everything he had to avoid was what I was supposed to eat. The nurse connected me with a dietitian who immediately told me to stop “dieting” as this was stressing me out even more than before. Just to make sure that I still ate sensibly, did some exercise and to put the scale away and only weigh myself once a month. This has really helped, and I am starting to sleep better, I don’t feel nearly as anxious and I have a more positive outlook. I realise that I will eventually lose a few pounds, I might not get back to my 130lbs, but it will take time and I’m fine with that.

I think if I had been back in BC, I would have been able to talk to my friends about what I was going through and I might have got some help quicker. Sharing your feelings is not easy but it sure helps. I appreciated the PCN nurse listening and helping me make a plan to improve my mental as well as my physical health.”

To learn more about the RDPCN programs, visit www.reddeerpcn.com

Related Topics:feature Primary Care Network

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Red Deer Primary Care Network (RDPCN) is a partnership between Family Doctors and Alberta Health Services. Health professionals such as psychologists, social workers, nurses and pharmacists work in clinics alongside family doctors. In addition, programs and groups are offered at the RDPCN central location. This improves access to care, health promotion, chronic disease management and coordination of care. RDPCN is proud of the patient care offered, the effective programs it has designed and the work it does with partners in health care and the community. www.reddeerpcn.com

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Alberta

BMX Bandit: Sylvan Lake bank robber suspect escapes on bike

Published on September 5, 2024

Todayville

News release from Alberta RCMP

Sylvan Lake RCMP respond to a report of an armed robbery at Sylvan Lake CIBC

On Sept. 4, 2024, at approximately 2:45 p.m., Sylvan Lake RCMP received a report of an armed robbery attempt at the Sylvan Lake CIBC situated at 5007 50 Street in Sylvan Lake Alta. Witnesses reported seeing a lone male dressed in reflective safety clothing enter the bank armed with a crow bar. The male is described as:

Standing approximately 6 feet tall;
Ridding a BMX style bike;
Wearing a mask, dark sunglasses, high visibility construction type clothing.

Once in the bank, the suspect demanded the clerks to surrender over any available monies. The male fled the bank on foot, last seen riding away on a mountain bike. Fortunately no one was physically injured during this incident.

Members of the Sylvan Lake RCMP Detachment quickly responded to the area and conducted extensive patrols. The investigation is ongoing at this time. If you have any information about this crime or those responsible, please call the Sylvan Lake RCMP at 403-887-3333. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3TIPS.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store. To report a crime online, or for the access to RCMP news and information, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play.

Central Alberta

Red Deer Games Foundation awards Spring Scholarships

Published on June 25, 2024

Todayville

News release from Central Sport

The Board of Directors of the Red Deer Games Foundation (RDGF) are pleased to announce the recipients for the
Athlete Development Grant for the spring awards. The grants are awarded to individuals living in Red Deer and area who
have demonstrated a high level of ability and a strong commitment to their sport. These athletes have achieved
competence at the international, national, provincial, or regional level and the funds are provided to the athletes to help
offset the costs of training and equipment as they continue to pursue their training and competition programs.

Nathon Kettyle Kozuback-Speedskating: Nathon is a member of the Red Deer Lions Speedskating club coached by Nick Schultz and he currently trains long track and short track in both Red Deer and Calgary. He is currently ranked 2 nd in Alberta in both short track and long track for his age group. He is one of 5 athletes to qualify for the Canadian Neo-Junior short track competition. He competed in the Alberta Winter Games in Grand Prairie and earned a silver medal in the team relay. He is a recipient of the 2023/2024 Most Dedicated Skater award from the Red Deer Speedskating Club.

Hayden Matthews-Freestyle Ski: Hayden is a member of the Central Alberta Freestyle club. He has attended training camps in Mt. Hood, Oregon and with the Panorama Freestyle club. As a provincial athlete, he qualified for the Alberta Winter Games and has participated in two Canada Cup events and has been selected to represent Alberta at the Jr. Nationals in Whistler B.C.

Joshua Gillard-Track and Field: Joshua is a member of the Red Deer Titans Track and Field club and is coached by Sigurd DeBruijn. He is a provincial medalist in the 300-meter, long jump, 4 X 400 relay and 400 and 600 m run. He will be attending the 2024 U20 Olympic Trials in June and the Western Canadian U23 Team Alberta Qualifiers.

Maksym Troyan-Trampoline and Tumbling: Maxim is a member of the Exelta Gymnastics Club and is coached by Jie Wong. Maksym is a member of Team Alberta and has attended the age group World Championship in Sofia, Bulgaria. Provincially, he has been consistently ranked first or second for his age group in Trampoline.

Madilynn Phillips-Freestyle Ski: Madi is a member of the RT Freestyle Club out of Winsport in Calgary. She has participated in 3 provincial level competitions and achieved a gold and 2 silver medals. She was a silver medalist at the Alberta Winter Games. she qualified for the Junior Nationals and won 1 st in halfpipe, 6th in slopestyle and 7 th in big air.

Tricia Madourie-Track and Field: Tricia is a member of the Red Deer Titans Track and Field club and is coached by Max Legault. She won gold in the U20 High jump competition at the Canadian Track and Field championships in Langley B.C. A former member of the RDP Women’s Basketball team, Tricia will be attending the 2024 National Track and Field Trials in Montreal in June 2024.

For further information regarding Red Deer Games Foundation Grant Program, please contact [email protected] or visit the Central Sport website at www.centralsport.ca.