As soon as you register for the retreat, you will be provided with the case review to complete. You will follow the same process new patients follow when becoming a patient of Dr. Luetmer (outlined here.)
Dr. Luetmer will study your case review and may recommend additional questions such as the MAF, (metabolic assessment form) Brain questionnaires, Biotoxin, Lyme, etc. This will be followed by a phone consultation to prepare for your in-person visit when you are on the island. Dr. Luetmer may prescribe lab work at this time so those lab results are back in time to be considered during your on-island consultation. Depending on the timing of the completion of your case review and labs, you may also elect to have your in-person consultation prior to the retreat. She will also recommend which of the specific workshops planned during the retreat will be most applicable to you so you can determine how you want to manage your workshop/island excursion time.
Prior to the retreat, Dr. Luetmer will prescribe a CGM (continuous glucose monitor). You will establish a baseline by placing it on for the week prior arriving at the retreat and then will wear the CGM for the duration of the retreat. It has been found that 90% of Americans have metabolic disease. The majority of this 90% are in the early stages of the disease and we generally don’t find out about it until someone has the full blown disease. A CGM allows us to catch warning signs early and prevent the development of full blown metabolic disease. The CGM is a small device you wear on your upper arm for 2 weeks. It downloads data to your smart phone about your blood sugars. Blood sugar readings will be one of the things Dr. Luetmer will monitor with you as part of your customized experience during the course of the retreat.
Ron will also visit with you prior to the retreat to plan excursions. Ron has spent several months on St. Croix with our daughter, Kenna, who just turned 19 and is about the youngest Divemaster on the island as she pursues her dream as a SCUBA diving professional. Ron absolutely loves this island. The people, the history, and the beauty. He will visit with you to learn what you love the most and curate on-island adventures that pair with your passions. You may simply want to take in every minute of the oasis that is the Feather Leaf Inn. Or, you may want to explore the island, from Christiansted, the old historic hometown of Alexander Hamilton, to the scores of beautiful hidden beaches. For the more adventurous, there are some great hikes to remote tide pools as well as world-class snorkeling and SCUBA diving. You may elect to add days before or after the retreat as well so you can dedicate yourself fully to the retreat and explore the island outside of the retreat. Ron can help arrange that for you as well. For anyone interested in getting SCUBA certified, Ron can help you get your classroom learning done online ahead of the retreat and he can line up your open water certification with his friends at Sweet Bottom Dive Center.
Consider reading The Miracle Morning prior to coming and watching our recorded related book club event.
Finally, plan ahead! Try to take care of as much of your work and extra life duties ahead of time so you can fully immerse yourself and take it all in once you hit the island!