Carolinas Myositis Support Group – Charlotte
August 2014
“Either you deal with what is the reality, or you can be sure that the reality is going to deal with you.”
Alex Haley
Meeting Highlights
Even with the inclement weather, we had a good attendance for our meeting. Two new
members, Marty and Marianne Nosal from Moncks Corner, SC were able to meet with us. Lucy
Pappas’ husband, Tommy, also joined us. The buffet of healthy salads got rave reviews. We
had so much fun that the business meeting was postponed until the following month.
Congratulations to Alison and David! They just purchased their retirement home near
Charleston, SC. For the next few weeks, Alison is going to be busy getting her new home set
up. If you contact her and don’t get an immediate response, be patient. She will get back to
you as soon as she can.
Guest Speaker
Dr. Kyle Loveless, Chiropractor was
our guest speaker. Dr. Loveless has
a mission to educate people about
health and healing.
Dr. Loveless said the definition of health is when the body is functioning and regenerating
at 100%. A chiropractic adjustment helps to remove the interference experienced by the nerves
in the spinal column, due to misalignment of the bones, to allow the body to heal itself.
He spent most of the time talking about the importance of nutrition and how to
decrease the inflammatory process in our bodies. He said we should avoid foods such as:
pasteurized dairy products; sugar; flour and most grains; bad fats like corn oil and saturated
fats. Foods that we should eat to help lower inflammation are: berries; avocados; chia seeds;
good fats like coconut oil, olive oil, and omega 3 oils (fish oil); and spices such as cinnamon,
turmeric, cayenne and ginger.
On his website are several healthy recipes to try. One is Chia Seed Pudding listed
below:
Ingredients
Instructions
¾ cup chia seeds
4 cups almond milk
2 vanilla beans (split/seeds removed) or
2 teasp. vanilla extract
6-8 Tablesp. of a Stevia like product,
start with ½ teasp. and add more to taste
Add almond milk, vanilla, and sweetener to a
blender and mix well.
With blender on low, add chia seeds and mix.
Transfer to a container and stir every 5 mins.
for the first 15 mins., then let set for 30 mins.
to one hour. Place in refrigerator.
Add toppings such as: berries, nuts, coconut,
cinnamon, nutmeg, cocoa, maple extract, etc.
Getting to Know You
Meet Lucy Pappas:
I have had rheumatoid arthritis for about 22 years. This past September, I was told that
I have osteoporosis and I had an infusion of Reclast. A couple of days later I noticed weakness
in my legs when climbing stairs. In January, the doctor said my symptoms were not from the
Reclast. He ran some blood tests and found my CPK was elevated. He ordered a biopsy of my
thigh, which was done in April. The diagnosis was PM. I continue to have weakness in my legs,
but no pain. My biggest complaint is the fatigue.
Meet Marty Nosal:
I am a 73-year-old male and approximately six years ago I began to experience what was
determined to be psoriasis. I was guided to an excellent dermatologist and we began a series
of treatments, starting with the mildest, on up. Finally a biologic medication called Stelara, an
injection every 90 days, stopped the psoriasis in its tracks. In the meantime, I began to feel a
weakness in my legs and began to have a slight shuffle which became worse and worse. After
a year or so of various doctors and tests, I was guided to go to Medical University of South
Carolina and a neurologist named Dr. Ken Nozaki. He ordered a muscle biopsy and
determined that I had inclusion-body myositis. At that time he said there was no known cure
but thought physical therapy and swimnastics would prolong my physical activity.
I really have not explored other therapies like acupuncture or various holistic
approaches but am investigating them. I am still able to move about the house using a cane
and am able to drive. I use a rollator when going out and appreciate the electric carts at
stores. We have ordered a travel wheelchair for any kind of long-distance movement. My
main problem when out is getting up from my chair, especially if it is low so I take the rollator
most places. I recently obtained a portable "lift seat" which is very helpful in rising from lower
seats and enables me to continue going out and about to restaurants etc. We had high hopes
of being able to get in on a new drug study, but that doesn't seem to be in the immediate
future.
Bits and Pieces
The expense report from Randy and Nancy shows profits from the sale of the Myositis
bracelets as of August 9 was $547.06 and with the Walgreens $300 grant, there is a balance of
$847.06 available. Great job, Randy and Nancy!
The Myositis coffee mugs are in. They sell for $15 each. The funds are used for
miscellaneous operating expenses, such as printing, postage, door prizes, and other small
items.
Funds from our donation box, which is placed on the refreshment table, are used to
cover the cost of refreshments.
Upcoming
A Special Day! Our next meeting on September 20, will be a Noon meeting and lunch
will be served. Please be aware that this meeting will take place on the 3rd Saturday, not the
usual 2nd. This meeting is in recognition of Myositis Awareness Day, which is September 21.
Plan to come a few minutes early as you will need to order your lunch prior to the start of
the meeting. Here is the menu, check it out and be thinking about what you would like to
order: http://www.singlepage.com/jasons-deli-8/menu?ref=yahoo
Our guest speaker will be Susan Nowak, a physical therapist.
“Sometimes, when one person is missing, the whole world seems depopulated. “
Alphonse de Lamartine
Don’t be the one who is missing!
The summer heat gets to you sometime - - “I was born in August, no July, 1908.” Satchel Paige
By Brenda Austin