In December of 2023, Juliet Dayadante had a health issue requiring her to go to her local Roper St. Francis Express Care. While there, she was stunned to learn that she had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Having had good health all her life, she never thought she would have a serious medical situation like this—especially at such a young age.
As a newcomer to the area, she didn’t know many people yet, so she found the Greer Transitions Clinic and Dr. Jeanne Lumpkin through a neighborhood Facebook group. With great apprehension related to her diagnosis and work-related stress, she made her first appointment to see Dr. Lumpkin at Roper St. Francis Healthcare’s Greer Transitions Clinic in North Charleston. “I was depressed, even hopeless,” Juliet recalls.
Her first visit with Dr. Lumpkin helped to rally her spirits. She found Dr. Lumpkin to be a good listener, especially when Juliet brought up many questions about Type 2 diabetes from her exhaustive research. What else would an inquiring graduate student do? Together, they discussed all the angles of type 2 diabetes, with Juliet getting the practical help she needed, too.
Thanks to Dr. Lumpkin, Juliet learned of a program that provides free glucose monitors. Plus, she linked Juliet to a skilled dietician, whom she met with monthly. “Dr. Lumpkin always had good options for me, but then she let me make the decision,” says Juliet.
But perhaps what meant the most to Juliet was the personal quality of Dr. Lumpkin’s care. After Juliet opened up about her emotional challenges, Dr. Lumpkin made a point to check in on Juliet’s emotional health at every succeeding office visit. “She wasn’t at all transactional,” says Juliet. “I felt well cared for.” Dr. Lumpkin assured Juliet that, as she moved forward, they would do it together.
Their exceptional work together has put a radiant smile on Juliet’s face. In just eight months, her blood sugar level has gone down significantly. Her A1C levels, which measure the average amount of sugar in one’s blood, have gone from 10.6 to 5.7—a much safer level. “Dr. Lumpkin is always giving the credit to me,” Juliet says. “But having her in my corner is amazing!”
Today, Juliet is managing her type 2 diabetes with confidence rather than anxiety. She is grateful to Dr. Lumpkin, the staff of the Greer Transitions Clinic, and the many donors whose philanthropy makes the Greer Transitions Clinic a reality.
Thanks to the support from donors like you, Juliet now looks forward to her future again.