Baltimore County Public Schools

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During the summer of 2022, I began to experience extreme thirst, decreased vision, and periods of feeling extremely ill.  As the new school year began, my symptoms continued and in February of 2023, I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.  I was referred to a Diabetes Dietician who helped me change my eating habits.  She actually told me I could eat whatever I wanted as long as each of my three daily meals contained no more than 45 carbs and my once daily snack was 15 or less carbs. She also recommended daily exercise. By following her advice and taking prescribed medication, I was able to lose weight, restore my vision, and keep my blood sugar levels under control.  I am very hopeful that by continuing to monitor the carbs I eat and exercising regularly, I will be able to get to the point where I no longer need the diabetes medication that I am currently taking.  

Submitted by Sharon Ranocchia, Colgate Elementary School
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My story started in 2020 when Covid was at an all-time high and I was feeling low. We were working from home; my daughter was being home schooled along with the majority of the world and I was becoming depressed. The walls were closing in and I needed to make a change.

I got a part-time job at Lowe's and decided that I was going to pay off my credit card debt. I wrote down all of my balances, researched the best budgeting method and decided to do the avalanche method. 

Each check I received I rounded to the nearest dollar and paid that amount to my highest credit card balance. I continued doing this for 8 months and in the end my debt was paid off by simply working a second job to earn extra money and NOT doing debt consolidation. It was the best decision I ever made.

Today, three and a half years later I am still credit card debt-free!

Submitted by Patty Cook, Office of Payroll
If you would like to share your story, send it to [email protected].

Then (what nobody wants to hear) I was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer. MRIs, biopsies, chemotherapy every three weeks (for a total of 4 rounds), followed by 21 consecutive days of radiation became the norm. My outings consisted of visits to the cancer center and CVS. I had no strength for the gym. The physical and mental toll was intense. My entire world was turned upside down. 

There are so many cases of cancer, and mine is not special, still I’m hoping by sharing what I did to get through it will help others. First, I used the Wellness Center at the cancer center on a regular basis which included “Healing Touch”, acupuncture, and massage therapy. I meditated prior to each chemotherapy infusion, and I leaned on my friends. But I feel the single most important physical activity during treatment was WALKING!  I walked as much as possible.  As soon as I had the strength after a chemo treatment, I walked. I started slowly and built up to 2 miles before my next treatment. Not only did walking keep me moving physically, it also helped me mentally. It wasn’t always easy. I was weak and tired, it was cold, and I had no hair!  But the sun was shining, and I was determined. Afterwards, I felt so much better.

Fast forward to today – I am cancer-free!!  Although I’m not (physically) where I was pre-Covid, I am grateful for all that I can do, and the sun is still shining! My advice is to take care of your body and soul. It sounds cliché but eating right and exercising regularly (even if it’s just walking), really can save your life. I truly believe if I had not started my cancer journey with a healthy lifestyle, I would have had a very difficult and long recovery. 

Life happens quickly and can change with no warning. Be as strong as you can be now both mentally AND physically, and you’ll be grateful later.