Blessed with Baby, and Great Health Care

Annie and Brian Mirochnik met seven years ago at a Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) event in Atlanta, Ga. At the time, Annie was 24 years old and recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

Annie had always been healthy, but in 2010, she became very ill after contracting swine flu during the same outbreak that killed about 17,000 Americans. The illness wiped out Annie’s immune system, and four months later, she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

“I went into diabetic ketoacidosis, a complication of type 1 diabetes. That is how I was diagnosed with diabetes, because the ketoacidosis had caused me to go into organ failure. The diagnosis was a life-changer.”

The diagnosis would require a new way of living for Annie. She became insulin dependent, and like most diabetics, she would have to be mindful of her eating and lifestyle choices. Despite the diagnosis, Annie has an amazing outlook on life and her future.

“I’m not upset about it. If it wasn’t for this, I never would have met my husband, the love of my life. I tell people, ‘he’s my sugar!’”

In 2012, Annie and Brian got married and moved to the Capital Region. Today, Annie works at the Albany law firm Whiteman Osterman and Hanna. When she first arrived here, she had never heard of CDPHP^®, the health plan her employer offered to its employees.

“I was immediately impressed. CDPHP came to our office to conduct on-site health screenings, and because I have diabetes, the plan connected me with a CDPHP nurse case manager who calls every month just to check in. It’s the best health care I’ve had in my life.”

When Annie and Brian decided they wanted to start a family, CDPHP was with them every step of the way, in good times and in bad.
“Getting pregnant was really hard. We tried for years and it became a little bit of a sad process.”

After many attempts and several heartbreaks, the Mirochniks are expecting their first child, a baby boy. The couple is superstitious and doesn’t believe in sharing the baby’s name, but they call him Number 11, because, as Annie says, “That’s the number embryo that worked!”

Annie is convinced her overall health is a success because of CDPHP.

“I don’t know what I would have done without you guys. My CDPHP nurse case manager, Carrie, checked in regularly throughout my pregnancy. I’m healthy because CDPHP provided me with the tools, technology, and coverage to help me take such good care of myself. I essentially have the same blood sugar as someone without diabetes. I’m so grateful for coverage I get with CDPHP and thankful that my employer chose them.”

UPDATE:

Since writing this post, we are pleased to announce that Annie and Brian have welcomed their son Meyer Cash Mirochnik into the world! Meyer was born on August 13, 2017, weighing 7 pounds, 11 ounces and measuring 20 inches. Mom, dad, and baby are all doing well.