APP.COM Asbury Park Press
Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013 Page B5
C O N TA C T: PATRICIA MCDANIEL :: 732-643-4298 ::
[email protected] :: APP.COM/HEALTH
healthyliving
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People’s Pharmacy
By Joe Graedon
& Teresa Graedon
In March, Noelle McNeil, 27, of Little Silver visited Meridian
Subaccute Rehabilitation in Wall. In 2005, McNeil suffered a brain
injury after a horseback-riding accident.
TOM SPADER/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
In June, Dr. Ziad Abbud, an interventional cardiologist at Jersey
Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, examined Lenny
Clark, a Neptune resident and hospital employee who is part of a
new hypertension treatment being tested at the hospital.
THOMAS P. COSTELLO/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Where
are they
now?
We revisit five
people whose stories
inspired us in 2012
By Susan Bloom
:: For the Asbury Park Press
Have you ever wondered how the people we featured in our
Healthy Living section are doing now? If so, we hope you’ll enjoy
reading these updates of five stories we covered in 2012 — and
have a healthy New Year!
Courageous survivor
Following a 2005 horseback riding accident that left Little Silver resident Noelle McNeil in a coma with severe brain injuries
(“A Moment Changes Everything,” March 27), the accomplished
equestrian had to re-learn how to walk, talk and function normally. McNeil worked tirelessly toward her rehabilitation and
proved such an inspiration to the medical community that in
March 2012 she was appointed to the newly created role of Community Ambassador for Meridian Neuroscience, in which she assists other patients and families struggling with the difficulties
associated with brain and other neurological conditions.
Nine months since her feature ran, the 27-year-old author, motivational speaker and blogger (www.noellesdefining
moments.com) continues to focus on all that’s possible. “Every
time I look into the eyes of a struggling family or hold a patient’s
hand, I deliver a little bit of hope, which is critical for rehabilitation,” she said. “And in return I get affirmation that I’m doing
something worthwhile and enhancing the quality of a person’s
life.”
Proud pioneer
A long-term victim of high blood pressure, a condition that affects millions of Americans and increases the risk for heart attacks, strokes and renal failure, 52-year-old Neptune resident
Lenny Clark (“Leading the Way,” July 3) said that his condition,
coupled with the multiple medications he took, made it difficult
for him to undertake normal activities and enjoy time with his
kids. “I would feel tired, get heart palpitations, have a lot of headaches, and it was often hard to breathe,” he said. “I just felt sick
all the time.”
However, a new, minimally-invasive procedure offered
through the Symplicity Trial launched at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune this year may signal a new day
for patients struggling with severe hypertension. Nine months
since enrolling in the clinical trial, “I feel good and much more
energetic physically,” Clark said, “and I’m being proactive in trying to improve my own health. I’m also proud that my involvement can potentially help investigators find a new way to control
this increasingly common and life-threatening condition.”
Jeremy Koven, 20, of Toms River, who has high-functioning
autism, has benefited from the hip-hop dance class he takes.
SHAWN HUBER/FOR THE ASBURY PARK PRESS
In February, Alex Spisak, 2, of Howell sat independently with
encouragement from physical therapist Jennifer Morelli during a
pediatric therapy session at CentraState Medical Center's Star &
Barry Tobias Ambulatory Campus. JASON TOWLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
and not knowing what the future holds for him is very hard. But
he’s such a happy, lovable boy, and I can’t ever say no to him when
he gives me his smile.”
Devoted dancer
No matter that his classmates in the weekly hip-hop class that
20-year-old Jeremy Koven takes at an Ocean County dance
school are half his age, “dancing makes me feel good,” he said —
and he thrives on the physical expression.
After our feature on the physical and emotional benefits that
dance has provided Koven, who has high-functioning autism
(“All the Right Moves,” Oct. 9), the dance studio — Once Upon a
Dance in Toms River — reported fielding a call from a “Today”/
NBC Nightly News reporter, who was inspired by Koven’s story.
While father Bob Koven reports that Jeremy enjoyed the recognition he received from teachers and classmates following the
Asbury Park Press article, his said that his son continues to enjoy
weekly dance classes and has been relatively unfazed by the
media attention. “Nothing has changed with Jeremy,” he
laughed. “He’s the same-old charming kid.”
Steadfast warrior
Losing her beloved 21-year-old son Justin to a drug overdose
in July 2011 was “an experience that I wouldn’t wish on my worst
enemy,” says Howell resident Abby Boxman, 47. But she has
since worked tirelessly in her son’s memory to channel her heartbreak into proactive initiatives that can help other families.
Since her feature appeared seven months ago (“A United Front,”
June 19), Boxman was invited to testify before the Governor’s
Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, has appeared on local
radio to discuss the “medicine cabinet epidemic” to which her
son fell victim, was inducted into the National Council on Alcohol
and Drug Dependence as an advocate leader, and has witnessed a
significant increase in attendance at the Monmouth County
chapter of the national association Grief Recovery After a Substance Passing (or GRASP, www.grasphelp.org) — that she
founded nearly a year ago.
“Though my husband and I have been forced to adjust to a
‘new normal,’ I’m compelled to share my story as a way to help
bring comfort and support to others after their devastation,”
Boxman said. “With my angel Justin as my co-pilot, I plan to move
forward in my new journey to offer support, promote prevention
and reduce the stigma attached to addiction.”
Invincible Alex
Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 6 months old, Alex Spisak
(“Star Pupil,” Feb. 28) has had to undergo hours of weekly physical therapy at CentraState Medical Center’s Pediatric Rehabilitation department in Freehold Township to accomplish milestones that come easily to other children. The charming toddler
has demonstrated a will to succeed. Ten months after his feature,
Alex, now 3½, “is making steady progress with gross motor, fine
motor and speech skills, and is now more talkative than ever and
able to follow all directions given, which makes it easier to progress or attempt new activities,” physical therapist Jennifer Morelli reported. “Additionally, both of his parents carry over therapy activities to their home, which helps reinforce and further
Alex’s gains. With continued skilled intervention coupled with
his family’s support, he’ll no doubt continue to make progress.”
According to his mother, Sonia, who regards Morelli and the
CentraState team as part of her family, “I want so much for Alex
Abby Boxman of Freehold, holds a photo of her 21-year-old son
Justin, who died of a drug overdose in 2011.
MARY FRANK/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Cortisone may
hasten bone loss
Q. What effect do cortisone shots
have on the body? In order to keep
playing tennis, I have received
shots in my hip, knees and shoulders during the past few years.
I have read that oral prednisone
can lead to osteoporosis. What
about shots? Are there any strategies to reverse such a problem?
A. Diminished bone density and osteoporosis are well-known complications of oral prednisone treatment. A new study of injected corticosteroids found that a single
shot into the spine for back pain reduced bone mineral density of the
hip (Spine, Dec. 1, 2012). Whether
administered by injection, in pills
or through an inhaler, steroids
weaken bones.
We are sending you our Guide to
Osteoporosis, with a discussion of
drugs that hasten bone loss and
ways to prevent it. Anyone who
would like a copy, please send $3 in
check or money order with a long
(No. 10), stamped (65 cents), selfaddressed envelope to: Graedons’
People’s Pharmacy, No. U-92, P.O.
Box 52027, Durham, NC 277172027. It also can be downloaded for
$2 from our website: www.peoplespharmacy.com.
Extra vitamin D, calcium, regular weight-bearing exercise and osteoporosis medications may be
helpful to prevent fractures.
Q. When the recall of Ranbaxy atorvastatin was announced because of
glass particles in the pills, I had 30
left of a 90-day supply. The pharmacist said he had no way of tracing the lot number of my prescription. He offered to replace the pills
I still had with pills from another
supplier of atorvastatin.
I don’t understand how manufacturers can track lot numbers of
canned goods or cereal, yet consumers have no way of knowing if
they have taken pills from recalled
lot numbers. Apparently, pharmacies are not required to pass the lot
number on to the user or record it
in their computer system.
A. You have identified a weak link
in the prescription-drug supply
chain. Many states do not require
pharmacists to note the lot number
on dispensed medication or even
keep a record of the original
source. If there is a recall, as there
was in the case of Ranbaxy’s atorvastatin, there is no good way to determine whether dispensed pills
are problematic.
Contact the Graedons at
www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.
After Sandy, remember
those with special needs
TRENTON — As recovery efforts continue in New Jersey after superstorm
Sandy, FEMA officials are reminding us
that it is important that residents keep in
touch with their elderly relatives,
friends and neighbors — or anyone they
may know with a disability or with an access issue or functional need.
Seniors or individuals with special
needs previously living on their own may
be dependent on others for food or shelter. Those used to assisted living may
face disruptions in their normal routines.
Here are tips from FEMA on ways to
help those affected:
» Arrange weekly or bi-weekly visits.
» Schedule a regular day when you
can call to check in.
» Assist them in recovering their
physical possessions.
» Help them return to familiar surroundings with friends and acquaintances as soon as possible.
» Make sure they have needed medical and financial assistance.
» Help them re-establish social networks.
» Monitor their nutritional and medicinal needs.
If you do not live close to the person
you are concerned about, ask a neighbor
of theirs to look in on them. Make sure
they have your up-to-date contact information.
Seniors and other survivors can register with FEMA at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by smartphone at m.fema.gov. They may also call 800-621-FEMA
(3362) or TTY 800-462-7585.
For information on senior services in
Ocean County, call 732-929-2091; in Monmouth County, call 732-431-7450.
Source: FEMA