Byron Pendleton’s journey back to wellness
Parkland patient transforms his health journey into a mission to inspire others
“I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude and admiration for the exceptional medical services I received at Parkland’s Emergency Room and the Acute Response Clinic located in Wynnewood Village.”
This was the introduction to an email sent by an impassioned Byron Pendleton to Parkland Health leadership, among others. Fresh off a follow-up appointment at Parkland’s Wynnewood Acute Response Clinic, Pendleton wanted to convey his deep respect for the healthcare providers in the clinic.
“I wanted to let them know how great I was treated and how good the staff and services were for me.”
With many years working in the service industry, the 56-year-old pays close attention to “how people treat people.” He cites this level of attentiveness as the reason for inspiring his email that highlighted several of his patient experiences.
“From the time I walked into the emergency room, to both of my clinic visits,” Pendleton continued, “there was nothing but five-star service and attention.”
Suppressing back pain
What started as a seemingly mundane task of lifting a ride mower, turned into almost two months of agony for the Dallas native. Initially neglecting to go to the hospital, once the pain persisted, he feared his kidneys could be involved.
“You start researching on your own, trying to be your own doctor,” he said. “And the internet basically tells you that you’re dying.”
Pendleton’s lack of insurance influenced his decision not to seek medical attention after losing his job following the COVID-19 pandemic. And commercial insurance proved too expensive. In the meantime, he tried to refrain from hospital visits by single-handily maintaining his health at home.
As the deterioration of his back continued, a friend suggested Parkland. Pendleton was initially hesitant to visit the hospital that averages more than one million outpatient visits annually.
But enough was enough and he finally acquiesced.
The first of several Parkland visits
His time in the hospital proved a productive one as it was discovered that he had strained some muscles in his back. His kidneys were fine after all.
However, his concern wasn’t misplaced as a type 2 diabetic, with kidney damage being a potential serious complication leading to diabetic nephropathy. Diabetic nephropathy occurs when high blood sugar levels damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys over a prolonged period.
“I was healthy my whole adolescent through adult life until I developed diabetes.” The diabetes was brought on by an Achilles injury he suffered playing soccer which caused him to gain weight due to the sedentary lifestyle he adopted during recovery.
He used his opportunity in the hospital to have some lab work done, something that he hadn’t received in years.
“My glucose level, my A1C, everything was out of whack,” Pendleton remembered.
Admittedly inconsistent with previously taking his diabetes medicine, his time in the emergency room enlightened him to the severity of the matter. He didn't realize how perilous his condition had become, impacting his quality of life and even affecting his vision.
“By going to that emergency room, thinking I had another problem, it put me on track to get healthier and where I’m at today,” Pendleton gratefully recalled.
Dr. Thomas’ attentive care
A follow-up appointment was set at Parkland’s Wynnewood Acute Response Clinic where Banafsheh Moshiree Thomas, MD, FAAFP, would oversee his visit.
“He needed to figure out what the next steps would be,” Dr. Thomas said. “He needed a lot of questions answered.”
His blood sugar had reached a dangerously high 320 mg/dL which can cause permanent damage to the eyes and feet and is potentially fatal.
The Wynnewood clinic visit was fruitful as Pendleton was able to get his blood sugar all the way down to the 150 to 180 mg/dL range. Insulin played an integral part, but he mostly credits his diet cleanup and Dr. Thomas.
“I discovered that I was intaking a lot of high-fructose corn syrup, and it’s one of the worst things for diabetics because the body can’t break it down,” he said.
Pendleton started carefully reading ingredient labels at the grocery store and reducing his Dr. Pepper consumption from six cans a day to just one or two a month.
The information he received from Dr. Thomas not only improved his health but reenergized him to the point where he’s back to his active, exuberant self.
“Dr. Thomas called after my visit to check up on me and had me follow up at the C.V. Roman Health Center,” Pendleton said.
“She was genuinely caring enough to say, ‘Hey I remember how energetic you were, and I want you to get back to that.’”
Importance of the clinic
The experience resonated with Pendleton so much that he revisited the Wynnewood clinic to treat the nurses to lunch.
Dr. Thomas, with 25 years of experience in healthcare—nine of which were spent at Parkland and around five as the lead physician at the clinic—is just as appreciative of her former patient.
“It’s so rewarding,” she said. “That’s what really warms our heart because it reaffirms that we’re here for a purpose.”
Parkland established several acute response clinics around Dallas County more than 10 years ago and the work has paid dividends. These clinics are tasked with continuing care from the main hospital and providing any community-based resources.
“The patient and human experience is personal for us,” Dr. Thomas said. “It’s about feeling safe, respected, heard and treated with compassion every step of the way.”
She described this as the clinic’s “why.”
“Each one, teach one”
As it turns out, the complimentary email Pendleton sent in January and the lunch he provided for the Wynnewood clinic’s entire office was only the prologue.
As an encore, he’s now doing what his friend once did for him: referring people to Parkland.
His new mission entails encouraging fellow Black men, but also Hispanic and Asian men to get checked for prostate and colon cancer.
“Now that I’m getting up in age, I’ve noticed that a lot of people of color don’t get checked,” Pendleton said.
While the 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment reported that 40% and 34% of Parkland cancer patients were Hispanic and African American, respectively, prostate and colon cancer are both among the most preventable and curable when detected early.
According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, men who are diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer have a 99% five-year survival rate.
For Pendleton, it took a back injury to prioritize and take dominion over his health. Now in the best shape that he’s been in years, he’s urging everyone to be proactive and protect their temple.
Each one, teach one.
For more information about Parkland services, visit www.parklandhealth.org.
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