A Life-Saving Diagnosis
By Carolyn Landes, GMC Communications Manager
Dr. Catherine Crosland, Georgetown Ministry Center (GMC)’s Consultant Physician, used a short needle to prick the finger of Thomas,* a GMC guest she had encountered during a street outreach session earlier that week. After drawing his blood and registering a blood sugar reading of 353 milligrams per deciliter, the diagnosis was clear.
“Has anyone ever told you that you have diabetes before?”
Thomas was silent, slouching forward in a chair inside GMC’s administrative offices.
“If there’s ever a sugar over 200, that’s a definition of diabetes. So, it looks like you do have diabetes. So, it would be great if we could get you to the clinic and get you onto some medications so we can get the sugar down. Would you be willing to do that?”
Thomas’ shoulders remained hunched, a simple “yes” floating up from beneath his black, wool cap.
“Do you know what diabetes is?” Dr. Crosland inquired.
“I know it’s a disease where they advise you not to eat sugar,” Thomas offered.
“That’s right.” Dr. Crosland went on to explain the disease in greater detail to him before advising, “If you could make an effort between now and Friday to just drink water, no sweetened beverages, we can get a much better read on your sugar.”
Thomas straightened his slumped posture for the first time and peered up from behind thick, black bifocals. “Somehow it sounds like a joyless prospect if all I can drink is water.”
Dr. Crosland smiled. “You do what you need to between now and Friday, but come to the appointment either way.”
As it happened, Thomas had difficulty making his way to the clinic that Friday, despite Dr. Crosland’s careful instructions. He asked multiple people for help on his journey using the city’s public transportation system, as he doesn’t own a car, but no one was familiar with the clinic or could tell him where it was located. In the end, he missed his appointment — and the opportunity for potentially life-saving treatment to a chronic disease.
Stories like Thomas’ are not uncommon amongst the vulnerable population that GMC serves. Many of our guests have not been seen by a doctor for many years, leaving all kinds of illnesses undiagnosed and untreated — some of them life-threatening. And it’s often logistical matters that most of us take for granted — things like a navigation system and a car to make arriving at an appointment on time easier — that act as barriers to receiving help.
Fortunately, in Thomas’ case, Dr. Crosland was able to reconnect with him and he made it to an appointment a couple of weeks later where he received additional treatment for his diabetes.
Thomas is an example of someone that did not frequent GMC’s day center and did not have regular contact with the medical and psychiatric services provided there. Men and women like Thomas are what make GMC’s Street Outreach Program so essential to reaching the most vulnerable members of our society — often those who are in greatest need.
GMC’s Street Outreach Program and other programs are made possible by the generous support of our donors, supporters and volunteers — we thank you! Click here to learn more about GMC’s Street Outreach Program and click here to support our program with a monetary donation.
*”Thomas’” name has been changed to protect his privacy.
Dr. Catherine Crosland has been a Consulting Physician at Georgetown Ministry Center since 2009. A graduate of Harvard Medical School, she serves as the Medical Director for Homeless Outreach Services at Unity Health Care.