Jacqui Parker, a systems analyst at Piedmont, learned she had type 2 diabetes 12 years ago.

“When I went to see my doctor … she told me, ‘You’re a pre-diabetic,’” Parker says. “And I just didn’t believe that.”

Parker sought a second opinion, and much to her horror, she received the same diagnosis.  

“The first thing I thought was that I’m going to lose my eyesight, because that’s what happened to my mom,” Parker says. “Then I started thinking about my feet and legs. I was thinking about all of these organs that I was going to lose, and I’m only 50 years old. I was very, very scared.”

Fighting back against diabetes

Parker was upset about her condition, but she decided it was time to start fighting for her life.

“Meds did not work for me,” Parker says. “The only thing that actually worked has been diet and exercise.”

Parker uses her Fitbit activity tracker to keep track of her exercise routine and to challenge herself.

“I do 20,000 steps a day,” Parker says. “I work out at lunch, and I go hiking every evening after I get off of work. Now I’m living the life I always wanted to live.”

Need to make an appointment with a Piedmont physician? Save time, book online.