vim& vigor
HEALTHY
LIVING FOR
NORTH
MISSISSIPPI’S
FAMILIES
fall 2009 $2.95
exercise—your
prescription for
good health
catch the
spirit
hospice care
promises
dignity
for all
22 SUPPORT
GROUPS OFFER
HELP WHEN
IT’S NEEDED
page 7
finding
harmony
sheryl crow
breast cancer survivor
fine-tunes her perspective on life and health
FdVVFA0948_00_Cover.indd 1
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Have you or someone you know
been diagnosed with early HER2-positive
breast cancer and just completed surgery
(or will soon have surgery)?
You may be eligible for ALTTO, a research study for patients
with early HER2 (ErbB2)-positive breast cancer.
For more information
about the ALTTO study please visit
www.alttotrials.com
or ask your health care professional.
VVFA0900_AlttoStudy.indd 1
6/24/09 1:47:50 PM
contents
features
4
7
10
16
special
54
well
balanced
A unique
rehab program helps
improve stability and
reduce risk of injury.
fall
your prescription for health
NMMC Wellness Centers’ fitness
experts develop individualized exercise regimens for each member.
39
diabetes decoded Diabetes
myths abound—find out what’s fact
and fiction from a writer who has
the condition.
root causes Give the gift of wellness
to your kids, grandkids and future
generations by creating a medical
family tree.
42
46
view masters Discover the wonders
of medical imaging tests and what they
mean for your care.
18
bouncing back from boomeritis
Avoid injury and maintain an active
lifestyle with this boomer-tailored
fitness advice.
49
32
34
eat to beat cholesterol Stock up
on these foods to help keep your
numbers in check.
caring angels A patient shares the
blessings she has found while undergoing treatment at the NMMC
Cancer Center.
52
and dignity for all Hospice team
supports the physical, emotional
and spiritual needs of patients and
their families.
the tie that binds NMMC’s support
groups provide education and encouragement for area residents.
take five Better health is just five
minutes away with these easy-toimplement tips.
men: don’t duck the doc A guide
to screenings and early diagnosis to
make sure you’re in top form.
24
on the cover
Musician
Sheryl Crow
beat breast cancer and
emerged with a new
attitude on health and life.
Read about her personal
journey and her message
on early detection.
COVER PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBERT ASCROFT/CPI
FdVVFA0948_01_TOC 2.indd 1
small change, big results You’ll be
surprised to learn how charities can
benefit from the most modest
of donations.
departments
3 opening thoughts
Find out how
North Mississippi
Medical Center’s
recognition as one
of the nation’s best
hospitals can benefit
our community.
56 catch the spirit
Spring 2009 was
filled with lots of
fun and enlightening
Spirit of Women
programs.
vim & vigor · fall 2009
1
6/15/09 11:12:07 AM
opening thoughts we’re honored
NMMC Wins Thomson Reuters 100
Top Hospitals and Everest Award
B
Business as usual at North Mississippi Medical
Center earned the hospital two prestigious
national awards recognizing overall organizational performance: Thomson Reuters 100 Top
Hospitals and the newly created Everest Award for National Benchmark Winners. Both honors
are determined by a rigorous evaluation of publicly available performance data and were not solicited by our organization. Winners were selected based on their results in the 100 Top Hospitals
National Balanced Scorecard that evaluates performance in nine areas: mortality, medical complications, patient safety, average length of stay, expenses, profitability, cash-to-debt ratio, patient
satisfaction and adherence to clinical standards of care. This annual study identifies the nation’s
top organization-wide performers, using the two most recent years of data.
NMMC is one of 23 hospitals nationally recognized for the newly introduced Everest Award.
According to Thomson Reuters, the Everest Award winners have reached the highest level of
accomplishment on the 100 Top Hospitals national balanced scorecard—benchmark performance
combined with the fastest rates of long-term improvement. This marks the first time the Top
100 Hospitals benchmarks have been integrated with data reflecting long-term performance
trends to identify the top-performing hospitals that are improving at the faster rate. NMMC is
the only Mississippi hospital recognized as one of the 2008 100 Top Hospitals.
These accomplishments reflect years of dedication by our board of directors, physicians and
staff. Being at the top of the 100 Top Hospitals
reflects the innovative ways that NMMC is working to enhance patient safety and quality.
Thomson Reuters’ researchers evaluated
3,000 short-term, acute care, non-federal hosWhat does a Top 100 Hospitals: Everest Award for National
pitals and used public information to conduct
Benchmarks mean to the community? According to Thomson
the 100 Top Hospitals surveys. NMMC is a
Reuters, having an Everest Award hospital in your community is
past recipient of the Top 100 Performance
Improvement Leaders honor.
beneficial because:
This designation reflects NMMC’s commitment
• The hospital is performing in the top 10 percent across all
to excellence, innovation and providing our commeasures of performance and is an organization the community
munity with all our best.
should be proud of as a provider of care and as an employer.
For more information on the awards, visit
• The hospital is raising the bar for performance and setting
www.nmhs.net/100top.
more than just a trophy
new standards that other hospitals are trying to emulate.
• The hospital’s leadership team is committed to bringing higher
value to patients and the community every year through sustained improvement and superior performance.
• Well-balanced clinical and business performance over five
years results in efficient care at a reasonable comparative cost.
• This elite group is setting new standards in quality, efficiency,
patient satisfaction rating and financial stability.
2
Sincerely,
John Heer
President and Chief Executive Officer
North Mississippi Health Services
vim & vigor • fal l 2 0 0 9
FdVVFA0948_02_Opening.indd 2
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A FAMILY HEALTH MAGAZINE FROM NORTH MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER
MISSION
Why We Exist:
To continuously
improve the
health of
the people in
our region.
VISION
What We
Want to Be:
The provider
of the best
patient-centered
care and health
services in
America.
President and Chief Executive Officer, North Mississippi Health Services
John Heer
Health Link/Acclaim Board of Directors
Larry Kirk; Tom Foy; Wilson Long
Chief Financial Officer
Joe Reppert
North Mississippi Joint Ventures Board of Directors
Tom Foy; Mickey Holliman; Zell Long; Scott Reed; Lewis Whitfield
Chief Medical Officer
Mark Williams, M.D.
Health Care Foundation of North Mississippi Board of Directors
Bobby Martin, Chairman; Grace Clark; Billy Crews; Lawrence Deas; Leighton Gibens;
Barney Guyton, M.D.; Dean Hancock; Paul Haynes; Rich Heyer, M.D.; Mickey Holliman;
Shane Hooper; Chuck Imbler, Sr.; Catherine Mize; James Threadgill; Betty Trulove;
Dick White, M.D.; Gerald Wages
Executive Vice President of External Affairs
Gerald Wages
Contributing Editors
Scott Costello, Leslie Geoghegan, Deborah R. Pugh, Marsha Tapscott,
Genie Alice Via
North Mississippi Health Services Board of Directors
C.K. White, M.D., Chairman; Grace Clark; James Cooper, M.D.; Hassell
Franklin; L.E. Gibens; Edward Hill, M.D.; Zell Long; Bobby Martin; Robin
McGraw; Guy Mitchell III; Aubrey Patterson; Lewis Whitfield
North Mississippi Medical Center Board of Directors
Robin McGraw, Chairman; Barney Guyton, M.D., Vice Chairman; L.E. Gibens;
Richard Heyer, M.D.; Skipper Holliman; David Irwin, M.D.; Jim Kelley; Zell
Long; Hughes Milam, M.D.; Mabel Murphree, Ph.D.; Scott Reed; Chris Rogers;
Max Taylor, M.D.; Al Tidwell; Mary Werner
Clay County Medical Corporation Board of Directors
Carey Upton, Chairman; Edgar Harris, Vice Chairman; Rodrick Bobo; Sheila
Carter; Gene Childress; Glenda Colbert; Ladonna Helveston; Phyllis Mason,
M.D.; George Purnell; Cheryl Sundbeck; Eluster Wicks; Doug Wood
Pontotoc Health Services Board of Directors
Jerry Robbins, Chairman; Conwell Duke; Bill Jackson; Marsha Reeder;
Wayne Stokes
Tishomingo Health Services Board of Directors
John T. Castleberry Jr., Chairman; Virginia Bennett; Charles Evans;
Buddy Wiltshire; Tim Wigginton
Webster Health Services Board of Directors
Harold Whitaker, Chairman; Sandra Dewberry; Henry Flowers; Frances Hyde;
Paul Johnston
Marion Regional Medical Center Board of Directors
Ken Hammitte, Chairman; Sonny Nix; Al Tidwell; Bobby Wallace; Judy Wilson
North Mississippi Support Services Board of Directors
Hassell Franklin, Chairman; Jim Kelley; Bobby Martin
North Mississippi Medical Clinics Board of Directors
John Robinson, Chairman; Mark Burleson; Billy Crews; Ken Harvey, M.D.;
Paul Mize; Stephen Shirley, M.D.; Wayne Slocum, M.D.
PRODUCTION
Editorial
V.P./Creative Director: Beth Tomkiw
Executive Editor: Tom Weede
Editors: Michael Berg, Shelley Flannery, Sam Mittelsteadt, Matt Morgan, Amanda
Myers, Kari Redfield, Jill Schildhouse
Copy Editor: Cindy Hutchinson
Design
Creative Director: Lisa Altomare
Art Directors: Erica Brooks, , Maggie Conners, Ralph Groom, Monya Mollohan,
Kay Morrow, Tami Rodgers, Keith Whitney
Production
Senior Production Manager: Laura Marlowe
Ancillary Production Managers: Tanya Clark, Angela Liedtke
Imaging Specialist: Dane Nordine
Prep Specialists: Julie Fong, Sonia Washington
Circulation
V.P./Business Intelligence Group: Patrick Kehoe
Postal Affairs & Logistics Director: Joseph Abeyta
CLIENT SERVICES
V.P./Sales and Product Development: Chad Rose, 888-626-8779
V.P./Strategic Marketing: Heather Burgett
Group Publisher: Russell Cherami
Strategic Marketing Team: Robyn LaMont, Barbara Mohr, Andrea Parsons,
Todd Speranzo
ADVERTISING SALES
Advertising Sales Representatives
New York: Phil Titolo, Publisher, 212-626-6835
Phoenix: Soliteir Jaeger, Associate Publisher, 888-626-8779
Mail Order: Bernbach Advertising Reps, 914-769-0051
ADMINISTRATION
Vim & Vigor Founder, J. Barry Johnson
Chairman: Preston V. McMurry Jr.
President/Chief Executive Officer: Christopher McMurry
Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Officer: Audra L. Taylor
President/Custom Media: Fred Petrovsky
830 South Gloster Street · Tupelo, MS 38801
If you would prefer not to receive this magazine, call 888-626-8779.
Vim & VigorTM, Fall 2009, Volume 25, Number 3. Mississippi Region 2 is published quarterly by McMurry, McMurry Campus Center, 1010 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85014, 602-395-5850. Vim & VigorTM is published for the
purpose of disseminating health-related information for the well-being of the general public and its subscribers. The information contained in Vim & VigorTM is not intended for the purpose of diagnosing or prescribing. Please
consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment and/or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines. Vim & VigorTM does not accept advertising
promoting the consumption of alcohol or tobacco. Copyright © 2009 by McMurry. All rights reserved. Subscriptions in U.S.: $4 for one year (4 issues). Single copies: $2.95. For
subscriptions and address changes, write: Circulation Manager, Vim & VigorTM, McMurry Campus Center, 1010 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85014.
vim & vigor · fall 2009
FdVVFA0948_03_Masthead.indd 3
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6/15/09 11:24:43 AM
e
s
i
c
r
e
ex
g
n
i
t
t
i
m
comto
lth
your
or hea
f
n
o
i
t
p
prescri
stacey mccormick
McCormick credits exercise
with helping him recover
after back surgery.
4
vim & vigor • fal l 2 0 0 9
FdVVFA0948_04-6_exercise.indd 4
6/15/09 11:34:14 AM
how much
exercise?
❋
Stacey McCormick knows firsthand
that milk isn’t the only thing that
“does a body good.” So does regular exercise,
as McCormick has learned from coping with
a ruptured disk in his back. The 41-year-old
Pontotoc resident struggled with back pain for
a long time before he finally relented to surgery.
A veteran of the furniture industry and current
owner of Bassett Furniture Direct in Tupelo,
too much heavy lifting and brutal sports finally
took their toll.
“I have always been active, and I’ve had back
issues for a while,” he says. “It would always get
better, but a few years ago I guess it just finally
wore out.”
A member of North Mississippi Medical
Center’s Pontotoc Wellness Center for about
10 years, McCormick believes exercise helped
him rebound quickly from back surgery in
2007. His biggest goal was to get back in shape
to play basketball with his children, both of
whom play competitively.
“They told me walking was the best thing
I could do, so two days after surgery I was limping around the indoor track with my daughter,”
he says. “I was back to serious exercise about
six weeks later.”
Now back at full strength, McCormick swears
by regular exercise. “Even after surgery I went
several months without exercising like I should
have, and it just became more difficult to do even
basic tasks,” he says. “There’s still occasional pain
and strength issues, but I can tell a huge difference as long as I’m working out regularly.”
Now, instead of trying to keep up with his
kids, they may find it challenging to keep up
with him. “I go to Pontotoc Wellness Center five
days a week, usually before work, for an intense
workout,” he says. “If the kids want to go in the
evening after work, I go back with them.”
Follow these guidelines from the American College
of Sports Medicine to meet the basic activity recommendations after consulting your physician:
adults (18-64)
• 150 minutes a week of moderate*-intensity, or 75 minutes
a week of vigorous**-intensity aerobic physical activity.
• Muscle-strengthening activities that involve all major
muscle groups on two or more days per week.
older adults (65+)
• Follow the adult guidelines, or be as physically active
as possible. Avoid inactivity.
• Exercises that maintain or improve balance if at risk
of falling.
*Moderate-intensity physical activity means working hard enough
to raise your heart rate and break a sweat, yet still being able to
carry on a conversation. Examples: brisk walking, ballroom dancing
or general gardening.
**Vigorous-intensity physical activity causes rapid breathing and
a substantial increase in heart rate. Example: jogging.
❋ exercise is medicine
Jeanie Dale, a 29-year fitness industry
veteran who currently supervises Pontotoc
Wellness Center, says, “The best part of working
in the hospital fitness industry is working with
doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals to improve the health of people in our care.”
Dale and other NMMC fitness experts follow the
American College of Sports Medicine guidelines
in developing individualized exercise regimens
for each member.
“Some medications that people need to take
to improve their health may cause unpleasant
side effects,” Dale says. “The great thing about
exercise is that its side effects are improved
aerobic capacity, increased energy, better bone
density, more muscle strength, fat loss, an
improved feeling of well-being and more.”
vim & vigor · fall 2009
FdVVFA0948_04-6_exercise.indd 5
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6/15/09 11:35:27 AM
patsy johnson
The birth of her first
grandchild motivated
Johnson to start exercising.
❋ an amazing difference
Patsy Johnson, 67, of West Point can
see a marked difference in her health since
joining the NMMC-West Point Wellness Center
in January. “I was absolutely hardheaded and
lazy,” she says. “My doctor told me I had to
get the weight off. My first grandchild had
just been born, and I knew I had to make a
change in order to be able to enjoy her. That
was my motivation.”
Johnson has lost more than
70 pounds, but she has
gained much more than that.
Johnson joined Weight Watchers and slowly
but surely, the weight started coming off. After
adding regular exercise to the mix, the weight
dropped significantly.
“At first it took me 30 minutes to walk a
mile, and now I’m down to 18 minutes. I’d like
to get it down to 15 minutes and then increase
my distance to two miles, then three,” she says.
6
Not only does she walk and use the weight
machines, now she does an aerobics class
three days a week.
“Let me tell you, honey, I sweat,” she says,
“but I love it.” Even better than
dropping several pant sizes was
the benefit to her health.
Her cholesterol has dropped
79 points. Her blood pressure is
now back where it should be. And,
Nutrition and fitness experts
after years of epidural blocks and
at North Mississippi Medical
shots to reduce the pain and swellCenter Wellness Centers can
ing, her knees no longer give her fits.
design a program that’s just
“When I go visit my granddaughright for you. Call 800-THE
ter, I can climb stairs without having
DESK (800-843-3375) for
to take them one at a time,” she says.
a Wellness Center near you:
“We dance around the kitchen
• Baldwyn
together and have a great time.”
• Eupora
Johnson has lost more than 70
• Hamilton, Ala.
pounds, but she has gained much
• Iuka
more than that. “I am absolutely
• Pontotoc
amazed at how much better I feel,”
• Tupelo
she says. “I feel like I have brand
• West Point
new legs. Plus I’m happier and I
have a better outlook on life.”
get a custom
workout
call
vim & vigor · fal l 2 0 0 9
FdVVFA0948_04-6_exercise.indd 6
6/15/09 11:38:34 AM
strength
in
Betty an
d Sims R
e e ve s
numbers
nmmc’s support groups
provide encouragement
and answer questions
N
Nancy and Bobby Scott of Iuka both have diabetes,
and they take advantage of North Mississippi
Medical Center—Iuka’s Diabetes Support Group
to help them keep their condition under control.
They’ve been attending the monthly meetings for about two years,
and continue to reap the benefits.
“There is always new information out there on nutrition, medication and other diabetes issues,” Nancy Scott says. “It’s enlightening
to hear what others have tried and what’s worked and what hasn’t.
Sometimes when you leave your doctor’s office you think of more
questions, and the support group is a great place to talk about
everything. You have more time there than you do at your doctor
appointments. You leave armed with more information and knowing what you need to talk to your doctor about.”
Each month, various speakers inform the group on treatments,
nutrition, new medications and other topics.
Another support group offered by North Mississippi Medical
Center is the Man-to-Man Prostate Support Group in Tupelo. Men
affected by prostate cancer and many of their spouses attend the
monthly meetings. Betty and Sims Reeves have been going since the
group’s inception in 1997, right about the time Sims Reeves found
out he had a high PSA (prostate-specific antigen) count.
“When you first get diagnosed with prostate cancer, it’s encouraging to see men in there who have fought the disease and are now
healthy and doing great,” he says. “Also, there’s so much information
to sort through on what type of treatment you want to have, it’s
nice to be able to discuss options and ideas with people who have
been there. In addition to the medical advice and support, we’ve
made some great friends. It’s a good thing all the way around.”
North Mississippi Medical Center offers several
support groups, including:
alzheimer’s support group
Meets at 11 a.m. the first Friday of each month at
NMMC-West Point, 835 Medical Center Drive.
amputee support group
Meets at noon the first Thursday of each month
at the NMMC Outpatient Rehabilitation Center at
Longtown Medical Park.
a woman’s place
lunchtime learning
Series of free educational programs for women
sponsored by the Health Care Foundation of
North Mississippi. Held the third Tuesday of each
month (except July), usually at First Baptist Church
Fellowship Hall in Tupelo. Lunch is provided for
those who preregister.
chronic wound support group
Meets quarterly in the NMMC Diabetes Treatment
Center classroom, East Tower.
compassionate friends—tupelo
For families who have lost a child. Meets at 6:30 p.m.
the fourth Thursday of each month at the NMMC
Wellness Center.
support group listing continued on page 8
vim & vigor · fall 2009
FdVVFA0948_07-8_Support.indd 7
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6/15/09 11:37:25 AM
support group listing continued from page 7
compassionate friends—west point
Meets at 6 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at
NMMC—West Point, 835 Medical Center Drive.
diabetes support group, booneville
Meets at 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at the
George E. Allen Library.
diabetes support group, eupora
Meets at 6 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at
NMMC-Eupora, 500 Veterans Memorial Blvd.
diabetes support group, hamilton
info
join today!
For more information on these groups
and other services offered by North
Mississippi Medical Center, call 800-THE DESK
(800-843-3375) or visit www.nmhs.net/
supportgroups.
parkinson’s disease support group
Meets at 3 p.m. the first Sunday of each month at the
NMMC Wellness Center.
Meets at 5:30 p.m. the last Thursday of every other
month in the administrative conference room at NMMCHamilton, 1256 Military St. South.
stroke support group
diabetes support group, iuka
survivor 101 cancer support group
Meets at 6 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month, except
June, July and August, at NMMC-Iuka, 1777 Curtis Drive.
Meets at 2 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at
the NMMC Cancer Center, 990 S. Madison St.
diabetes support group, tupelo
tupelo mended hearts chapter 97
Meets at 11 a.m. the second Thursday of each month in
the NMMC Wellness Center classroom.
For former heart patients and families. Meets at 6 p.m.
the fourth Thursday of each month in Room 21 of NMMC’s
East Tower.
diabetes support group, west point
Meets at 6 p.m. quarterly at NMMC-West Point,
835 Medical Center Drive.
life after diagnosis (breast cancer)
Meets at 5:30 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of each month,
except June, November and December, at the NMMC
Breast Care Center, 4376 S. Eason Blvd.
man-to-man prostate cancer
support group
Meets at 5 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month in
Room 21 of NMMC’s East Tower.
weight loss support group
Meets at 6:30 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at
the NMMC Wellness Center. For more information, call
662-377- SLIM (7546).
50+ coffee club
A social event for people over age 50. Meets at 10:30 a.m.
every Wednesday at the NMMC Wellness Center, 1030 S.
Madison St., Tupelo.
Meets at 6 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month in the
NMMC Education Center.
multiple sclerosis support group
Meets at 6:30 p.m. the second Thursday of each month
at the NMMC Wellness Center.
osteoporosis support group
Meets at noon the fourth Thursday of each month at
Longtown Medical Park, 4381 S. Eason Blvd.
ostomy support group
Meets at 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month in
Room 21 of NMMC’s East Tower.
8
vim & vigor · fal l 2 0 0 9
FdVVFA0948_07-8_Support.indd 8
6/15/09 11:37:43 AM
step by
step
walking for 30 minutes a day can help reduce your risk
for heart disease and diabetes. What are you waiting for?
vim&vigor
VV_ PSA_Walking.indd 11
6/16/09 3:00:14 PM
5
by shelley flannery
minutes isn’t long,
but sometimes it can make
all the difference in the world.
An extra five minutes could mean being
on schedule for a job interview, barely
catching your next flight out of town or
not burning the casserole in the oven.
And, believe it or not, those few ticks of
the clock can also be vital to your health.
You don’t need to devote hours upon
hours to live a healthier life—simple
actions can quickly add up to boost
your wellness. “In fact, the healthiest
people are the ones who make small
choices throughout the day,” says Lori
Heim, M.D., president of the American
Academy of Family Physicians. “It’s the
easy things that make a big difference.”
Here are six tips from the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention that take
just five minutes or less, but can make a
big impact on your health.
1
stop for a moment
Spending a few minutes a day relaxing
not only helps calm your nerves, but it
will also clear your head, allowing you
to make better decisions regarding other
aspects of your health. “Make time for yourself in
a healthy way,” Heim says. “Exercise—even if it’s
just a short walk.”
2
set an appointment—
or three
Have you been putting off going to
the doctor or dentist? Take a few
minutes and make all of your annual
health appointments in one sitting.
Besides getting the task out of the way, if you book
them far enough in advance, you will be more likely
to get an appointment that’s convenient for you. But
here’s the key: You have to keep them.
10
vim & vigor • fal l 2 0 0 9
FdVVFA0900_10-5_TakeFive.indd 10
think good health
requires lots of time? think again.
these six tips can be accomplished
in five minutes or less
take
5
4/21/09 9:31:45 AM
vim & vigor • fall 2009
FdVVFA0900_10-5_TakeFive.indd 11
11
4/10/09 3:02:22 PM
It’s the easy things
that make a
big difference.
While you’re there, be sure to get up to date on
immunizations. Adults tend to forget to ask about
this, thinking they’re finished once they turn 18.
But some immunizations require boosters, such
as the tetanus shot. And don’t forget your annual
flu shot!
3
brush up
The connection between oral
hygiene and heart health is still
being explored, but if there’s
a chance polishing your pearly
whites can help prevent cardiovas­
cular disease, why not make the effort? Plus,
taking care of your mouth can help fight infec­
tion and tooth decay. And it doesn’t take much:
The American Dental Association recommends
brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily,
replacing your toothbrush at least every three
months and visiting the dentist regularly.
12
4
ready the alarms
Home fires cause more than 3,400
deaths every year, according to the
Home Safety Council. “Every household
should have at least one smoke alarm on every floor
and preferably in every bedroom,” says Meri-K
Appy, Home Safety Council president. “Test alarms
monthly to make sure they are working properly
and install new batteries at least once a year. They
are critical to saving lives.”
5
learn it by heart
When it comes to heart attack and
stroke, getting treated quickly is
a matter of life and death. Educate
yourself on the warning signs, and
call 911 immediately if you experience
them or recognize them in someone else.
Heart attack, according to the American Heart
Association, is usually marked by chest discomfort,
discomfort in other areas of the upper body, shortness
of breath, nausea, cold sweat and lightheadedness.
vim & vigor • fal l 2 0 0 9
FdVVFA0900_10-5_TakeFive.indd 12
4/10/09 3:02:45 PM
S:6.875”
BONIVA did more for me
than stop my bone loss.
It reversed it!*
BONIVA is a prescription medication for the management of postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Important Safety Information: You should not take BONIVA if you have low blood calcium,
cannot sit or stand for at least 60 minutes, have severe kidney disease, or are allergic to BONIVA.
Stop taking BONIVA and tell your doctor right away if you experience difficult or painful swallowing,
chest pain, or severe or continuing heartburn, as these may be signs of serious upper digestive problems.
Follow the dosing instructions for once-monthly BONIVA carefully to lower the chance of these events
occurring. Side effects may include diarrhea, pain in the arms or legs, or upset stomach. Tell your
doctor and dentist about all the medicines you take. Tell them if you develop jaw problems (especially
following a dental procedure) or severe bone, joint, and/or muscle pain. Your doctor may also
recommend a calcium and vitamin D supplement.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
*Bone density measured at the lumbar spine after 1 year of treatment.
Individual results may vary.
†
Bone density measured at the lumbar spine, total hip, or trochanter;
3 out of 4 at the femoral neck.
Please read Patient Information on the next page.
Help Stop and Reverse Bone Loss
BONIVA and symbol are trademarks of Roche Therapeutics Inc. © 2008 Roche Laboratories Inc. All rights reserved.
VVFA0900_Boniva.indd 1
BO2352R0
6/11/09 8:02:50 AM
S:9.75”
Ask your doctor if BONIVA is right for you.
And for a free trial offer, call 1-800-418-9608 or visit tryBONIVA.com
T:10.5”
For years, I hoped calcium, vitamin D, and exercise would keep my bones healthy. But I got osteoporosis
anyway, so my doctor started me on once-monthly BONIVA. In most women, BONIVA works with the body
to help stop and reverse bone loss. My test results proved I was able to stop and reverse my bone loss with
BONIVA. And studies show, after one year on BONIVA, 9 out of 10 women did, too.†
T:6.75”
Patient Information
BONIVA® [bon-EE-va] (ibandronate sodium)
TABLETS
Rx only
Read this patient information carefully before you
start taking BONIVA. Read this patient information
each time you get a refill for BONIVA. There may be
new information. This information is not everything
you need to know about BONIVA. It does not take
the place of talking with your health care provider
about your condition or your treatment. Talk about
BONIVA with your health care provider before you
start taking it, and at your regular check-ups.
What is the most important information
I should know about BONIVA?
BONIVA may cause serious problems in the stomach
and the esophagus (the tube that connects your
mouth and stomach) such as trouble swallowing,
heartburn, and ulcers (see “What are the possible
side effects of BONIVA?”).
You must take BONIVA exactly as prescribed for
BONIVA to work for you and to lower the chance
of serious side effects (see “How should I take
BONIVA?”).
VVFA0900_Boniva.indd 2
BONIVA MAY CAUSE:
• pain or trouble swallowing (dysphagia)
• heartburn (esophagitis)
• ulcers in your stomach or esophagus (the tube that
connects your mouth and stomach)
Common side effects with BONIVA are:
• diarrhea
• pain in extremities (arms or legs)
• dyspepsia (upset stomach)
harder type of tissue. Bone is always changing. Your
body keeps your bones strong and healthy by replacing
old bone with new bone.
Osteoporosis causes the body to remove more bone
than it replaces. This means that bones get weaker.
Weak bones are more likely to break. Osteoporosis
is a bone disease that is quite common in women
after menopause. At first, osteoporosis has no symptoms,
but people with osteoporosis may develop loss of
height and are more likely to break (fracture) their
bones, especially the back (spine), wrist, and hip bones.
Osteoporosis can be prevented, and with proper
therapy it can be treated.
Who is at risk for osteoporosis?
Talk to your health care provider about your chances
for getting osteoporosis.
Many things put people at risk for osteoporosis.
The following people have a higher chance of
getting osteoporosis:
Women who:
• are going through or who are past menopause
(“the change”)
• are white (Caucasian) or Asian
People who:
• are thin
• have a family member with osteoporosis
• do not get enough calcium or vitamin D
• do not exercise
• smoke
• drink alcohol often
• take bone thinning medicines
(like prednisone) for a long time
General information about BONIVA
Do not use BONIVA for a condition for which it
was not prescribed. Do not give BONIVA to other
people, even if they have the same symptoms you
have. It may harm them.
Store BONIVA at 77°F (25°C) or at room temperature
between 59°F and 86°F (15°C and 30°C).
Keep BONIVA and all medicines out of the reach of
children.
This summarizes the most important information about
BONIVA. If you would like more information, talk with
your health care provider. You can ask your health care
provider or pharmacist for information about BONIVA
that is written for health professionals.
T:10”
What is BONIVA?
BONIVA is a prescription medicine used to treat or
prevent osteoporosis in women after menopause
(see the end of this leaflet for “What is osteoporosis?”).
BONIVA may reverse bone loss by stopping more
loss of bone and increasing bone mass in most
women who take it, even though they won’t be able
to see or feel a difference. BONIVA may help lower
the chances of breaking bones (fractures).
For BONIVA to treat or prevent osteoporosis, you have
to take it as prescribed. BONIVA will not work if you
stop taking it.
Who should not take BONIVA?
Do not take BONIVA if you:
• have low blood calcium (hypocalcemia)
• cannot sit or stand up for at least 60 minutes
• have kidneys that work very poorly
• are allergic to ibandronate sodium or any of the other
ingredients of BONIVA (see the end of this leaflet for
a list of all the ingredients in BONIVA)
Tell your health care provider before using BONIVA:
• if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
It is not known if BONIVA can harm your unborn baby
• if you are breast-feeding. It is not known if BONIVA
passes into your milk and if it can harm your baby
• have swallowing problems or other problems with
your esophagus (the tube that connects your mouth
and stomach)
• if you have kidney problems
• if you are planning a dental procedure such as tooth
extraction
Tell your health care provider (including your
dentist) about all the medicines you take including
prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins
and supplements. Some medicines, especially certain
vitamins, supplements, and antacids can stop BONIVA
from getting to your bones. This can happen if you take
other medicines too close to the time that you take
BONIVA (see “How should I take BONIVA?”).
How should I take BONIVA?
• Take BONIVA exactly as instructed by your health
care provider.
• Take BONIVA first thing in the morning at least
60 minutes before you eat, drink anything other than
plain water, or take any other oral medicine.
• Take BONIVA with 6 to 8 ounces (about 1 full cup)
of plain water. Do not take it with any drink other
than plain water. Do not take it with other drinks, such
as mineral water, sparkling water, coffee, tea, dairy
drinks (such as milk), or juice.
• Swallow BONIVA whole. Do not chew or suck the
tablet or keep it in your mouth to melt or dissolve.
• After taking BONIVA you must wait at least
60 minutes before:
- Lying down. You may sit, stand, or do normal
activities like read the newspaper or take a walk.
- Eating or drinking anything except for plain water.
- Taking other oral medicines including vitamins,
calcium, or antacids. Take your vitamins, calcium,
and antacids at a different time of the day from the
time when you take BONIVA.
• If you take too much BONIVA, drink a full glass of milk
and call your local poison control center or emergency
room right away. Do not make yourself vomit. Do not
lie down.
• Keep taking BONIVA for as long as your health
care provider tells you. BONIVA will not work if you
stop taking it.
• Your health care provider may tell you to exercise
and take calcium and vitamin supplements to help
your osteoporosis.
• Your health care provider may do a test to measure
the thickness (density) of your bones or do other
tests to check your progress.
What is my BONIVA schedule?
Schedule for taking BONIVA 2.5 mg once-daily:
• Take one BONIVA 2.5 mg tablet once a day first thing
in the morning at least 60 minutes before you eat,
drink anything other than plain water, or take any other
oral medicine (see “How should I take BONIVA?”).
What to do if I miss a daily dose:
• If you forget to take your BONIVA 2.5 mg tablet in the
morning, do not take it later in the day. Just return to
your normal schedule and take 1 tablet the next
morning. Do not take two tablets on the same day.
• If you are not sure what to do if you miss
a dose, contact your health care provider who
will be able to advise you.
Schedule for taking BONIVA 150 mg once-monthly:
• Take one BONIVA 150 mg tablet once a month.
• Choose one date of the month (your BONIVA day) that
you will remember and that best fits your schedule to
take your BONIVA 150 mg tablet.
• Take one BONIVA 150 mg tablet in the morning of your
chosen day (see “How should I take BONIVA?”).
What to do if I miss a monthly dose:
• If your next scheduled BONIVA day is more than
7 days away, take one BONIVA 150 mg tablet in the
morning following the day that you remember (see
“How should I take BONIVA?”). Then return to taking
one BONIVA 150 mg tablet every month in the
morning of your chosen day, according to your
original schedule.
• Do not take two 150 mg tablets within the same week.
If your next scheduled BONIVA day is only 1 to 7 days
away, wait until your next scheduled BONIVA day to
take your tablet. Then return to taking one BONIVA
150 mg tablet every month in the morning of your
chosen day, according to your original schedule.
• If you are not sure what to do if you miss a dose,
contact your health care provider who will be able
to advise you.
What should I avoid while taking BONIVA?
• Do not take other medicines, or eat or drink anything
but plain water before you take BONIVA and for at
least 60 minutes after you take it.
• Do not lie down for at least 60 minutes after you take
BONIVA.
What are the possible side effects of BONIVA?
Stop taking BONIVA and call your health care
provider right away if you have:
• pain or trouble with swallowing
• chest pain
• very bad heartburn or heartburn that does not
get better
For more information about BONIVA, call
1-888-MY-BONIVA or visit www.myboniva.com.
What are the ingredients of BONIVA?
BONIVA (active ingredient): ibandronate sodium
BONIVA (inactive ingredients): lactose monohydrate,
povidone, microcrystalline cellulose, crospovidone,
purified stearic acid, colloidal silicon dioxide, and
purified water. The tablet film coating contains
hypromellose, titanium dioxide, talc, polyethylene
glycol 6000 and purified water.
BONIVA is a registered trademark of Roche
Therapeutics Inc.
Less common side effects with BONIVA are shortlasting, mild flu-like symptoms (which usually improve
after the first dose). These are not all the possible side
effects of BONIVA. For more information ask your
health care provider or pharmacist.
Rarely, patients have reported allergic and skin reactions.
Contact your health care provider if you develop any
symptoms of an allergic reaction including skin rash
(with or without blisters), hives, wheezing, or swelling of
the face, lips, tongue or throat. Get medical help right
away if you have trouble breathing, swallowing or feel
light-headed.
Rarely, patients have reported severe bone, joint, and/or
muscle pain starting within one day to several months
after beginning to take, by mouth, bisphosphonate drugs
to treat osteoporosis (thin bones). This group of drugs
includes BONIVA. Most patients experienced relief after
stopping the drug. Contact your health care provider if
you develop these symptoms after starting BONIVA.
Rarely, patients taking bisphosphonates have reported
serious jaw problems associated with delayed healing
and infection, often following dental procedures such as
tooth extraction. If you experience jaw problems, contact
your health care provider and dentist.
What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to become
thinner. Thin bones can break easily. Most people think
of their bones as being solid like a rock. Actually, bone is
living tissue, just like other parts of the body, such as
your heart, brain, or skin. Bone just happens to be a
27899611
27899614
Revised: November 2008
Copyright © 2006–2008 by Roche Laboratories Inc.
All rights reserved.
6/11/09 8:03:00 AM
Some foods
look healthy on
the surface but
aren’t at all.
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PHOTOGRAPH BY [email protected]
FdVVFA0900_10-5_TakeFive.indd
FdVVFA0948_commons
2.indd 1 15
habit busting
in a
minute
North Mississippi Medical
Center’s FREE smoking cessation
classes include nicotine patches for
participants. For more information, call 662-377-5737
or 800-THE DESK.
Don’t have five minutes? Here are some
healthy tips that can
be done in 60 seconds or less, according to Jennifer
Thompson-Davis, M.D., of New Albany Medical Clinic:
LATHER UP Hand washing is one of the easiest and most
effective ways to prevent spreading cold and flu germs.
FIGHT THE URGE If you’re trying to quit smoking,
distracting yourself for as little as 60 seconds can be
enough for the craving to pass.
TURN IT DOWN Protect your hearing by lowering the
volume when you wear headphones.
PUT ’EM DOWN FACEUP Always lay infants on their
backs for sleeping.
go
vim vigor · fall 2009
(,
6/15/09
4/23/09 11:13:07
3:52:20 PM
AM
creating a medical family tree for your loved ones
can help current and future generations fight disease
and nurture their health by carey rossi
root
causes
The family tree is making
a comeback, and it isn’t the
kind your grandson does
for his school project. This
one is much more important and is best completed
by you.
This tree, or pedigree,
tracks your health history
16
and provides an opportunity for you to educate your
family about inherited diseases. “Close relatives share
many of the same genes,”
says Rodolfo Valdez, Ph.D.,
an epidemiologist in the
National Office of Public
Health Genomics at the
Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention. “They also
tend to adopt similar behaviors and cultural practices.
Therefore, when a family
member is affected by a
disease, other family members may also be at risk for
developing that disease.”
vim & vigor • fal l 2 0 0 9
FdVVFA0900_16-7_RootCauses.indd 16
4/10/09 3:09:46 PM
uncovering the past
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we can help
Talking with your doctor is the first step in understanding how your family’s medical
history may affect your health. For an appointment with a North Mississippi
Medical Center physician near you, call 800-THE DESK (800-843-3375).
go
relatively speaking
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hereditary hits
“There is a group of chronic, common diseases that are known to have a
strong familial component, and it’s always important to record the occurrence of these diseases in a family health history,” says Michael O’Dell, M.D.,
medical director of North Mississippi Medical Center’s Family Medicine
Residency Center. They are:
• Heart disease
• Breast cancer
• Asthma
• Stroke
• Ovarian cancer
• Hypertension
• Diabetes
• Colorectal cancer
• Reproductive issues
FdVVFA0900_16-7_RootCauses2.indd
FdVVFA0948_commons
2.indd 2
17
6/15/09
4/23/09 11:13:30
3:56:29 PM
AM
by donna shryer
baby boomers can
stay active well into their
80s by following this
injury-avoiding advice
If you’re one of America’s nearly 78 million baby boomers, then you’ve
probably traded in the proverbial “gone fishing” sign for something a
little spunkier, like “gone biking.”
Fact is, today’s 40- to 60-somethings are more physically fit than any
previous generation, and that’s good. Regular exercise boosts muscle and
joint function, strengthens bones, decreases risk of heart disease, controls
weight gain and in effect turns back the biological clock. But no matter
how young you feel, your muscles and bones aren’t 30 anymore. You can’t
sprint into new or even routine activities without adding exercises that
toughen up worn-down body parts and promote flexibility, strength and
18
vim & vigor · fal l 2 0 0 9
FdVVFA0900_18-23_Seniority 2.indd 18
6/11/09 3:02:59 PM
balance—three things that decline
with age.
Skip these precautionary measures and you could aggravate
“boomeritis,” a term coined by
Nicholas DiNubile, M.D., spokesman for the American Academy
of Orthopaedic Surgeons and
author of FrameWork: Your 7-Step
Program for Healthy Muscles, Bones,
and Joints (Rodale Books, 2005).
the weakest links
DiNubile originally created the
word to label a surge in generally
healthy patients in their 40s, 50s
and 60s with musculoskeletal
system problems, like tendinitis,
bursitis and arthritis. With time,
though, the doctor fine-tuned
his definition.
“Boomeritis is not so much
about the injuries or ailments that
we get after the age of 40,” he says.
“It’s about vulnerabilities—weak
points in the musculoskeletal system. Whether you feel them or
not, they’re lurking. Boomeritis is
about kinks in the armor.”
As for the recent increase in
patients with boomeritis, DiNubile
explains, “we’ve doubled our life
expectancy in the last hundred
years or so, but evolution’s not fast
enough to give us a musculoskeletal system that’s going to hold up
that long. By the time we hit 40,
we’ve worn out the warranty on
some body parts, and if we keep
exercising like always, things will
break down.”
As cumulative stress further
weakens the body, a kink may
turn into pain. “Boomeritis can
affect anything,” DiNubile says.
“But the most common vulnerabilities I see are in the shoulders,
knees, lower back and a lot of
tendon-related issues.”
mixing things up
No one can escape the effects
of boomeritis, but you may be
able to reduce injuries and aches
by, first, making sure you maintain an exercise program, and then
diversifying your physical activities
so that you alternate stresses on
the body. A jogger with vulnerable knees, for example, could
mix in biking or swimming,
or any non-weight-bearing
exercise that takes the load
off the knees, says certified
athletic trainer Marjorie J.
Albohm, M.S., president
of the National Athletic
Trainers’ Association.
vim & vigor · fall 2009
FdVVFA0900_18-23_Seniority 2.indd 19
19
6/11/09 3:03:25 PM
IMAGINE THIS BLISTERING RASH ALONG WITH STABBING PAIN
AND YOU’LL HAVE AN IDEA OF
WHAT IT CAN BE LIKE TO HAVE SHINGLES.
For more information on the availability of ZOSTAVAX through the Merck Vaccine Patient
Assistance Program, visit ZOSTAVAX.com/freevaccines or call 1-877-9 SHINGLES.
VVFA0900_Zostavax.indd 2
6/22/09 3:48:23 PM
IF YOU HAD CHICKENPOX AS A CHILD,
YOU COULD GET SHINGLES NOW.
IN
The chickenpox virus is still in your body.
It can resurface as Shingles, a painful, blistering rash. The Shingles rash
usually lasts up to 30 days, and for most the pain lessens as the rash
heals. But some people who develop Shingles experience long-term
pain that can last for months, even years.
ZOSTAVAX is a vaccine that can help prevent Shingles.
ZOSTAVAX is used to prevent Shingles in adults 60 years of age or
older. Once you reach age 60, the sooner you get vaccinated, the
better your chances of protecting yourself from Shingles. ZOSTAVAX
is given as a single shot. ZOSTAVAX cannot be used to treat Shingles,
or the nerve pain that may follow Shingles, once you have it. Talk to
your health care professional to see if ZOSTAVAX is right for you.
S:9.25 in
OF
ES.
Important Safety Information
ZOSTAVAX may not fully protect everyone who gets the vaccine.
You should not get ZOSTAVAX if you are allergic to any of its
ingredients, including gelatin and neomycin, have a weakened
immune system, take high doses of steroids, or are pregnant or plan to
become pregnant. Possible side effects include redness, pain, itching,
swelling, warmth, or bruising at the injection site, as well as headache.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription
drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Before getting vaccinated, talk to your health care professional about
situations you may need to avoid after getting ZOSTAVAX. Please see
the Patient Product Information on the adjacent page.
Before you get Shingles, ask about ZOSTAVAX.
www.zostavax.com
VVFA0900_Zostavax.indd 3
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T:7 in
Patient Information about
ZOSTAVAX® (pronounced “ZOS tah vax”)
Generic name: Zoster Vaccine Live
You should read this summary of
information about ZOSTAVAX1
before you are vaccinated. If
you have any questions about
ZOSTAVAX after reading this
leaflet, you should ask your health
care provider. This information
does not take the place of talking
about ZOSTAVAX with your doctor,
nurse, or other health care provider.
Only your health care provider can
decide if ZOSTAVAX is right for you.
What is ZOSTAVAX and how does
it work?
ZOSTAVAX is a vaccine that is used
for adults 60 years of age or older to
prevent shingles (also known as zoster).
ZOSTAVAX contains a weakened
chickenpox virus (varicella-zoster
virus).
ZOSTAVAX may not protect
everyone who gets the vaccine.
ZOSTAVAX cannot be used to treat
shingles once you have it.
What do I need to know about
shingles and the virus that causes it?
Shingles is caused by the same
virus that causes chickenpox. Once
you have had chickenpox, the virus
can stay in your nervous system for
many years. For reasons that are
not fully understood, the virus may
become active again and give you
shingles. Age and problems with
the immune system may increase
your chances of getting shingles.
Shingles is a rash that is usually
on one side of the body. The rash
begins as a cluster of small red
spots that often blister. The rash
can be painful. Shingles rashes
usually last up to 30 days and, for
most people, the pain associated
with the rash lessens as it heals.
You should not get ZOSTAVAX
to prevent chickenpox.
Children should not get
ZOSTAVAX.
How is ZOSTAVAX given?
ZOSTAVAX is given as a single
dose by injection under the skin.
What should I tell my health
care p rovider before I get
ZOSTAVAX?
You should tell your health care
provider if you:
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problems.
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nonprescription medicines, and
dietary supplements.
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allergies to neomycin or
gelatin.
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another vaccine.
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pregnant.
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Tell your health care provider if
you expect to be in close contact
(including household contact)
with newborn infants, someone
who may be pregnant and has
not had chickenpox or been
vaccinated against chickenpox,
or someone who has problems
with their immune system.
Your health care provider can
tell you what situations you may
need to avoid.
trademark of Merck & Co., Inc.
Copyright © 2006 Merck & Co., Inc.
Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA
All rights reserved
23043AC Rev
Merck
The following additional side
effects have been reported in
general use with ZOSTAVAX:
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serious and may include difficulty
in breathing or swallowing. If you
have an allergic reaction, call your
doctor right away.
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site (that may last a few days to a
few weeks)
Tell your health care provider if you
have any new or unusual symptoms
after you receive ZOSTAVAX.
What are the ingredients of
ZOSTAVAX?
Active Ingredient: a weakened form
of the varicella-zoster virus.
Inactive Ingredients: sucrose,
hydrolyzed porcine gelatin, sodium
chloride, monosodium L-glutamate,
sodium phosphate dibasic,
potassium phosphate monobasic,
potassium chloride.
What else should I know about
ZOSTAVAX?
Vaccinees and their health care
providers are encouraged to call
(800) 986-8999 to report any
exposure to ZOSTAVAX during
pregnancy.
This leaflet summarizes important
information about ZOSTAVAX.
If you would like more information,
talk to your health care
provider or visit the website at
www.ZOSTAVAX.com or call
1-800-622-4477.
Rx only
Issued December 2008
Distributed by:
MERCK & CO., INC.
Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889, USA
20904745(1)(607)-ZOS-CON
1Registered
VVFA0900_Zostavax.indd 4
What are the possible side effects
of ZOSTAVAX?
The most common side effects that
people in the clinical studies reported
after receiving the vaccine include:
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warmth, or bruising where the
shot was given.
t IFBEBDIF
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ZOSTAVAX works by helping your
immune system protect you from
getting shingles. If you do get
shingles even though you have
been vaccinated, ZOSTAVAX may
help prevent the nerve pain that
can follow shingles in some people.
Who should not get ZOSTAVAX?
You should not get ZOSTAVAX
if you:
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ingredients.
t BSFBMMFSHJDUPHFMBUJOPS
neomycin.
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system (for example, an immune
deficiency, leukemia, lymphoma,
or HIV/AIDS).
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injection or by mouth.
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pregnant.
9815607
100%
Studio8
6/22/09 3:48:46 PM
go
beats per
minute
Fitness experts at NMMC Wellness
Centers in Tupelo, Baldwyn, Eupora,
Iuka, Pontotoc and West Point,
Miss., or Hamilton, Ala., can provide you a workout plan based on
your target heart rate range. Visit
www.nmhs.net/wellness
center for more information.
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stretch your legs
As we age, our muscles, tendons and ligaments lose elasticity, and what once stretched
so effortlessly could, with time, suffer a tear. Ouch! “Stretching can be sort of boring,”
says Edwin Crenshaw, fitness coordinator at North Mississippi Medical Center’s Wellness
Center in Tupelo. “And a lot of boomers say, ‘I never did it before, so I don’t need to do it
now.’ But now you’re muscles are tighter, and you need to pay attention to loosening up
the musculature before any activity.”
Crenshaw points out that even prior to stretching, you need to warm up and get the
blood flowing. Walk or ride a bike for three to five minutes before you workout so you’re
not stretching a cold muscle.
When you do stretch, be sure to stretch your hamstrings and calves. These muscles in
the back of your legs play a crucial role in many daily activities, like walking.
Call 800-THE DESK (800-843-3375) or visit www.nmhs.net for information about
the NMMC Wellness Center closest to you.
vim vigor · fall 2009
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23
)*
6/15/09
6/11/09 11:13:49
4:32:43 PM
AM
new life,
after
beating breast
cancer, musician
sheryl crow has
a new perspective
and a vital message
about early
detection
n
by john tomkiw
A N D T O T H I N K 2 0 0 6 WA S G O I N G T O B E S O S P E C I A L .
In 2005, singer and songwriter Sheryl Crow had come off creating
a successful album, garnered Grammy nominations, traveled through
France following her fiancé, Lance Armstrong, during his pursuit of a
seventh Tour de France Championship and penned the opening track
for the animated film Cars, all while planning her upcoming wedding.
Then 2006 hit. In early February, Armstrong called off the engagement. Crow was diagnosed with breast cancer. And the hectic life of a
touring musician was put on hold. For healing.
24
vim & vigor · fal l 2 0 0 9
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ROBERT ASCROFT/CPI
4/10/09 3:26:14 PM
new tune
vim & vigor • fall 2009
FdVVFA0900_24-31_SherylCrow.indd 25
25
4/10/09 3:32:33 PM
“The idea
that food
can help in
protecting
the body from
sickness and
disease was
a new concept
for me.”
Sheryl Crow and
fellow cancer survivor
Sharon Plynn at
the Entertainment
Industry Foundation’s
Revlon Walk/Run for
Women in 2007.
“I was so blessed that my cancer was caught
in the earliest stages by way of my yearly mammogram,” the nine-time Grammy winner said
in a 2006 question-and-answer session on
CNN.com. “I am a walking advertisement for
early detection.”
And that early detection could only come
during a doctor’s visit. “I have very dense
breasts,” the 47-year-old Crow said. “I have
never been able to find anything in my selfexaminations, so I have always relied on my
yearly mammograms to tell me what’s going
on. I had calcifications turn up in both breasts
and … the calcifications looked to be forming …
suspicious patterns.” Her radiologist suggested
she come back in six months to look at the calcifications, but her OB/GYN physician suggested
she have a biopsy performed.
“Because I had no signs or symptoms, I feel
compelled to encourage women to know your
26
family history and … get yearly mammograms,
particularly if you have dense breasts,” she said.
Crow considers herself lucky that the cancer
was caught early enough that she did not have to
undergo chemotherapy. She had a lumpectomy
and seven weeks of radiation treatment.
understanding her options
A lumpectomy is a surgical procedure in which
the tumor and some surrounding healthy tissue
are removed; it is the most common form of breast
cancer surgery and treatment. Like Crow, most
patients receive several rounds of radiation therapy to ensure that cancerous cells are destroyed.
And as with many women, Crow used her diagnosis to get a better understanding of the disease
and all the options.
“I remember when I was first diagnosed and
was deep into doing research on what it meant
to have cancer and what I could expect from
vim & vigor · fal l 2 0 0 9
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4/10/09 3:31:08 PM
catering to you
Breast cancer can be a very personal journey,
which is why North Mississippi Medical
Center’s Cancer Center provides special
amenities to patients undergoing treatment
for breast cancer. For women battling breast
cancer, there is a separate waiting area, where
special robes are provided.
Grant money from Susan G. Komen North
Mississippi Race for the Cure is designated
for breast cancer patients—providing assistance with medications and transportation
when needed.
In addition, a monthly support group,
Life After Diagnosis, is held at 5:30 p.m. on
the fourth Tuesday of each month except
July, November and December at the NMMC
Breast Care Center, 4376 S. Eason Blvd.
For more information on the support
group or special services for breast cancer
patients, please call 800-THE DESK
(800-843-3375).
get the
best care
go
North Mississippi Medical Center’s
Cancer Center is the region’s leader in
advanced treatment technologies, constantly striving to provide better, more
effective and more accurate treatment
for patients. Most recently, the Cancer
Center was the first in Mississippi to
begin using RapidArc, which can deliver
radiation treatment up to eight times
faster than other options. For more
information on the treatment options
available, call 800-THE DESK (800843-3375) or visit www.nmhs.net/
cancer_center.
LISA O’CONNOR/ZUMA PRESS; PHIL MCCARTEN/REUTERS/CORBIS
FdVVFA0900_24-31_SherylCrow.indd
FdVVFA0948_commons
2.indd 4
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vim vigor · fall 2009
).
6/15/09
4/23/09 11:14:47
4:14:01 PM
AM
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getting connected
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a closer look at risk
Breast cancer is the most
common form of cancer among
women, except for skin cancers,
with a 12 percent chance of a
woman developing it in her
lifetime. But there are
things a woman can do
to lessen her risk.
“We know of factors that either increase or
decrease breast cancer risk ...
some of which are reasonably modifiable and some of
which aren’t,” says Christopher
Croot, M.D., medical oncologist
)/
vim vigor · fal l 2 0 0 9
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FdVVFA0948_commons
2.indd 5
28
on staff at North Mississippi
Medical Center.
For example, taking longterm hormone replacement
therapy, being obese after
menopause, excessive weight
gain after adolescence and
alcohol consumption all separately increase a woman’s risk
of getting breast cancer, as
does starting menstruation
at an early age. “Basically,
the more menstrual cycles a
woman has, the more times
the breast tissue proliferates
and regresses, and the more
opportunity there is to promote a cancer,” Croot says.
Conversely, there are things
that decrease a person’s risk of
getting cancer, like maintaining a
healthy body weight and engaging in physical activity. Also,
breastfeeding may lower risk.
As for genetic predispositions to breast cancer, Croot
says there are other, more
prevalent environmental factors, like those listed above,
that take precedence.
VAUGHN YOUTZ/ZUMA PRESS
6/15/09
4/23/09 11:16:07
4:14:45 PM
AM
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6/29/09 3:33:48 PM
VVFA0900_Advair.indd 30
6/29/09 3:34:00 PM
And on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2006, she said,
“I’ve had so many people [say to] me, ‘Gosh, you
know, everything’s really gone wrong for you
this year,’ and it took me going through that to
realize that everything really went right for me.
It brought me to this point where I am now, and
I really feel like I have a lot of clarity.”
That clarity involves rechanneling her energy.
“I do feel there was a colossal shift in my life
when I was diagnosed,” she said on CNN.com.
“My situation was interesting in that I was also
going through a lot of personal upheaval and the
[cancer] experience really dictated that I show
up for myself in ways I had never done before.
I am a person who typically tries to take care of
everyone … [It] is not a particularly healthy way
to live because … you wind up at the bottom of
your list of those you take care of … I am aware
of the fact that sometimes ‘no’ is the answer, no
matter how hard it is to say. And I guess the
biggie for me is knowing that it will never be my
goal to prove to anyone that I matter.”
Crow told Australia’s Courier-Mail newspaper
that she wasn’t sure “whether cancer made me a
better person, but it definitely made me more of
an awake person. When I was diagnosed, everything came to a screeching halt and I needed to
take a good look at my life.”
“Once I stepped out of radiation [therapy],”
Crow told People, “I had to remember that the
only person who could take care of me was me.”
Rather than try to suppress her experience,
Crow would like to “remember every moment
of what was going on at that time, because we
talk about defining moments, but I think nothing can define you. They’re all refining moments.
You’re constantly refining yourself and refining
your life.”
And as the song goes: A change would do
you good.
“I feel more
connected to my
life now that I’ve
had—and beat—
breast cancer.”
ROBERT ASCROFT/CPI
FdVVFA0900_24-31_SherylCrow.indd 31
vim & vigor · fall 2009
31
4/10/09 3:49:18 PM
e
e
a
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t
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t
h
t
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a
ods can help lower your
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32
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by jill schildhouse
My grandma Gertie is 89 years old.
Her total cholesterol has hovered
around 350 mg/dL for decades,
she smoked for half her life, and
she’s a couch potato. Yet somehow,
she lucked out and has outlived
most of her friends who practiced
healthier habits.
But rather than test fate like my
grandma, your cholesterol level
is something you should keep
in check. Why? Most of us won’t
have Gertie’s good fortune when
it comes to this important measurement and our health. “High
cholesterol can result in coronary
heart disease, which can lead to
a heart attack or stroke,” says
Gerald Fletcher, M.D., spokesman for the American Heart
Association. A sedentary lifestyle,
smoking and a poor diet all can
have a negative impact.
But here’s some good news:
According to the American Heart
Association, your body produces
about 75 percent of the cholesterol in your blood while food
accounts for the rest. This means
you have a chance to control a significant portion of your cholesterol
by making healthy meal choices.
In particular, certain foods may
lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol,
according to Christine Gerbstadt,
M.D., R.D., spokeswoman for the
American Dietetic Association.
So let’s explore five of the best
nutritional picks.
est
oatmeal
beans and lentils
Can you think of a better way to
start your day than with a bowl
of hot oatmeal? “It’s very filling
because of its high soluble fiber
content,” says Gerbstadt. “Eating
a cup a day of cooked oatmeal can
help lower your cholesterol. And
it doesn’t matter if you make oldfashioned rolled oats or instant, as
long as the instant variety has no
sugar or flavorings.” Adding fruit,
nuts and skim milk can make the
meal complete.
Tip: Not a breakfast person?
Try substituting oatmeal for bread
crumbs in meatloaf, or using oat
bran when baking bread or muffins.
It looks as if the saying is true:
Beans are a magical “fruit.” So
magical, in fact, that they can
help lower your cholesterol.
There are kidney, pinto and black
beans, as well as another healthful
legume, lentils. “It doesn’t matter which kind you choose,” says
Gerbstadt. Canned beans are as
healthy as dried beans, she says,
provided you dump them in a
colander and rinse off the excess
sodium first.
Tip: Gerbstadt suggests you
strive for one cup of beans a day
added to an entrée, served as a side
dish or tossed in a cold salad.
vim & vigor • fal l 2 0 0 9
FdVVFA0900_32-3_Food.indd 32
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unsaturated fat
nuts
fruits and veggies
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what not to eat
Now that you know which foods you should aim to eat each day to help
lower your cholesterol, it’s time to learn which foods you should avoid. “I’m
not saying you can never eat these foods,” says Gaylena Rhodes, registered
dietitian at North Mississippi Medical Center—Iuka. “But it’s a good idea to
limit your intake so you don’t sabotage the good efforts you’re making on
your cholesterol-lowering diet.” These no-go items include:
• Certain oils and organ meats: Coconut and palm oils and cocoa butter
are high in dietary cholesterol, as are liver, kidney and brain.
• Processed meats and full-fat dairy: Sausage, bologna, salami, hot
dogs, whole milk, cream and ice cream are high in saturated fat (avoiding
saturated fat can help raise HDL, or “good,” cholesterol levels).
Additionally, the American Heart Association recommends cutting off
all visible fat from meat before cooking and removing all skin from poultry
pieces; broiling or grilling instead of pan-frying; and using a rack to drain
off fat when broiling, roasting or baking.
the smart way
to eat out
go
To control your cholesterol intake at restaurants, let the American Heart Association be
your guide. Visit americanheart.org and
enter “Tips for Eating Out” in the search bar.
You can choose your favorite cuisine and
discover the best low-cholesterol options.
vim vigor · fall 2009
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**
6/15/09
4/23/09 11:16:33
4:21:02 PM
AM
34
vim & vigor • fal l 2 0 0 9
FdVVFA0900_34-5_MensHealth 2.indd 34
6/11/09 3:00:33 PM
men: don’t
duck the
doc!
by bob cooper • illustration by eric palma
screenings and early diagnosis can help
m
guys stay healthy for the long haul
en who would never be five minutes late to a baseball
game or an important meeting are often five years late in getting recommended medical screenings. They aren’t much better
about having unexplained symptoms evaluated by a physician, either. In
fact, men see doctors for annual exams and preventive health services half
as often as women.
Why the hang-up? Jean Bonhomme, M.D., a leading men’s health advocate and Men’s Health Network advisory board member, says it all begins
in childhood.
“When a boy skins his knees he’s told that boys don’t cry, and when he
gets hurt in a ballgame he’s told to take one for the team,” notes Bonhomme.
“So it’s no surprise that boys taught to ignore pain because they’re told it
will go away become men who avoid doctors. But beginning at middle age,
pain and illness often won’t go away on [their] own, and catching a problem early can be critical.”
So it’s time to retire the “take it like a man” approach and get up to speed
on prevention. Here are the most essential routine screenings, tests and
symptoms that should prompt visits by men to a medical professional.
vim & vigor • fall 2009
FdVVFA0900_34-5_MensHealth 2.indd 35
35
6/11/09 3:01:01 PM
No pain, no gain? That high school locker-room
version of toughness is, unfortunately, never
forgotten by many men.
cardiology
Half of all heart attacks occur when there are
no previously diagnosed symptoms, which
might have been noticed and treated in a routine
physical. “Most of those heart attacks can be
prevented or delayed, but men tend to come in
only when they have a problem,” says Richard
Stein, M.D., spokesman for the American Heart
Association (AHA). He advises annual physical
exams beginning at 35. “Elevated blood pressure
or cholesterol levels will prompt your doctor to
recommend medications or behavioral changes
that reduce those levels.”
KNOW THIS: The AHA calls for blood pressure to be checked at least every two years and
cholesterol levels every five years when readings are normal.
Your physician will
increase the checkups
if levels are elevated.
You should also know
the symptoms of a heart
attack, which are usually
mild at first. These include
shortness of breath; discomfort or pain in the midchest
or elsewhere that lasts
more than a few minutes or
comes and goes; cold sweat;
nausea; and lightheadedness. If you experience
any of these symptoms and they can’t be easily
explained, call 911 immediately.
oncology
“Women are accustomed to preventive medical care,” says Otis Brawley, M.D., chief medical
officer of the American Cancer Society. “But
while they make regular OB/GYN visits in their
30s and 40s, many men may not see a doctor
once during those years.” That’s one reason most
women stay up-to-date later in life with breast
and cervical cancer screenings—they’re in the
habit—while most men never get a colorectal
cancer screening, the only cancer examination
proven to save lives in men, says Brawley.
36
KNOW THIS: Colorectal screenings range from
providing fecal samples once a year to getting
a colonoscopy once a decade, depending on
your doctor’s advice. For men with an average cancer risk, these tests should begin at 50.
That’s also when you can consider getting PSA
(prostate-specific antigen) screenings that check
for prostate cancer. Their necessity is widely
debated, so discuss the pros and cons with your
doctor. There are also several potential cancer
symptoms that should be checked by a doctor—
just in case. These include nodules under the
skin (commonly on the neck, armpit or groin);
any appearance change in moles; a lump on a
testicle; difficulty urinating or ejaculating; fecal
blood; a chronic cough; or unexplained abdominal pain or fevers.
orthopedics
No pain, no gain? That high school lockerroom version of toughness is, unfortunately,
never forgotten by many men. Real pain, unlike
muscle aches and soreness, should be taken
seriously at any age. “Many men feel that if they
neglect a problem, it might just go away,” says
Ronald Delanois, M.D., a spokesman for the
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
“They also fear they’ll be told they need surgery.
But by postponing a diagnosis, they’re actually
increasing the odds they’ll eventually need it.”
KNOW THIS: Prolonged muscle or joint pain or
instability and the inability to perform daily
activities are the most common symptoms that
should be checked by an orthopedist. Back,
knee and shoulder pain are the most common
parts of the body affected. “Symptoms are like
vim & vigor · fal l 2 0 0 9
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;\cXef`j%ÈK_\cfe^\ipfl`^efi\k_\d#k_\dfi\
j\i`fljk_\gifYc\dY\Zfd\j%É
mental health
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KNOW THIS:;\gi\jj`feXe[Xeo`\kpXi\k_\
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fin\\bj#j\\pflig_pj`Z`Xe#n_fdXpi\]\ipfl
kfXgjpZ_`Xki`jkfigjpZ_fcf^`jk%
stand by your man’s health
Women can play a crucial role in ensuring that the men in their
lives schedule medical tests and appointments. “We can remind
them that neglecting their health can affect their performance
at work and at home,” says Pam Hodges, R.N., oncology clinician
and facilitator of North Mississippi Medical Center’s Man-to-Man
monthly support group for prostate cancer patients and their
families. “We can also remind fathers to set an example for
their kids—to be responsible for your health—and that their
families are counting on them to stay healthy.” Here are some
other strategies women can tailor to different kinds of men:
• If he’s always busy or a procrastinator, schedule his appointments for him.
• If he’s fearful, mention the greater danger of skipping an
appointment.
• If he’s macho or challenge-driven, dare him to see a doctor.
• If he’s apathetic, educate him about the importance of
appointments.
• If all else fails, nag him until you succeed.
ophthalmology
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[fjfd\k_`e^XYflkk_\`i\p\jfecp`]k_\i\Xi\
be manly, be healthy
North Mississippi Medical Center offers
a brochure with information about men’s
healthcare. Check out Men’s Health Concerns: A
Handy Resource Guide to NMMC Programs
and Services at www.nmhs.net/
mens_services.
go
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\p\[`j\Xj\jcXZbjpdgkfdjlek`ck_\pi\XZ_
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KNOW THIS:8[lckjj_flc[^\kXZfdgc\k\\p\
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f]cXk\i\oXdjkpg`ZXccp\m\ipfe\kfk_i\\p\Xij %
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gi\jZi`gk`fe^cXjj\j%8cjf#j\\bX[`X^efj`j`dd\$
[`Xk\cp`]pfl\og\i`\eZ\Xjl[[\eZ_Xe^\`ek_\
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2.indd 7
2.indd 37
*.
6/15/09
6/11/09 11:17:36
4:31:59 PM
AM
T: 7 in
T: 10 in
open up and
say anything
want better health care? start asking more questions. to your doctor. to your pharmacist.
to your nurse. what are the test results? what about side effects? don’t fully understand your
prescriptions? don’t leave confused. because the most important question is the one you should
have asked. go to www.ahrq.gov/questionsaretheanswer or call 1-800-931-AHRQ (2477)
for the 10 questions every patient should ask. questions are the answer.
VV_PatientEmpowerment_PSA.indd 1
6/16/09 2:56:07 PM
diabetes
decoded
armed with new scientific
insights, our writer—who has
the condition—separates fact
from fiction to help make this
confusing disease manageable
by amy lynn smith • photographs by joe vaughn
styling by Annette Abdelfatah/Antonino Salon
I
’m about to celebrate my 20th year of living with
type 2 diabetes—and there actually is a lot to
celebrate, despite the daily challenges of living
with a chronic condition.
Since my diagnosis, the treatments and tools available to
manage diabetes have improved dramatically, making the
illness more predictable and less burdensome. Doctors have
a better understanding of diabetes and its management, as
researchers continue discovering new facts.
Admittedly, it can be hard to keep up. I write about the
subject often and still learn new tips every time I interview
an expert. So it’s not surprising that many people cling to
misconceptions about diabetes that are no longer true, or
never were in the first place.
But when it comes to your health, knowledge is power. So
here are some of the most common diabetes myths, and the
facts you should know to ensure a lifetime of good health.
Amy Lynn Smith
knows firsthand
how diabetes
affects the daily
routine.
vim & vigor • fall 2009
FdVVFA0900_39-41_Diabetes.indd 39
39
4/13/09 9:23:12 AM
myth vs. fact
Myth: People with diabetes are destined to
develop complications or even die because of
the condition.
Fact: Diabetes is a controllable disease, says John Buse, M.D.,
Ph.D., an endocrinologist and immediate past president,
Medicine & Science, for the American Diabetes Association.
“With proper care and follow-up,” he explains, “people with
diabetes can expect a normal life span without disabling
complications.” Even better, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the first place can be reduced by 60 percent just by
losing 5 to 10 percent of your body weight and exercising
30 minutes a day.
Myth: If
I have type 2 diabetes, I can make it go
away by doing exactly what my doctor tells me.
Fact: Many people believe this, but it’s not true, says
40
Angela Ginn-Meadow, R.D., a certified diabetes educator and
national spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association.
“Diabetes is a lifetime disease,” she says. “But if you manage
it every day, you can stay healthy and avoid complications.”
Myth: People with diabetes cannot eat sugar,
ever. And eating sugar can cause diabetes.
Fact: These are two of the biggest misunderstandings about
diabetes. Eating sugar does not cause the disease, but does contribute to weight gain, which can be a factor in developing type
2 diabetes, Buse says. What’s more, effective diabetes management doesn’t mean avoiding sugar entirely. A piece of pie or
a cookie can be an occasional treat for people with diabetes,
as long as they balance it with an overall healthy eating plan.
Myth: Having diabetes means you need to
follow a low-carbohydrate diet.
Fact: “Carbohydrates are our first source of fuel for energy,
and your body needs carbohydrates whether or not you
vim & vigor • fal l 2 0 0 9
FdVVFA0900_39-41_Diabetes.indd 40
4/13/09 9:23:42 AM
the power of balance
By learning about
advances in diabetes
treatment, Smith has
empowered herself
to better manage
the disease.
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kfXfe\$Zlgj\im`e^%K_\epflZXelj\pfliÔjkXjXgfikXYc\
d\Xjli`e^Zlg%
MYTH: Blood sugar level is the only indicator
of diabetes control that really matters.
FACT:DXepg\fgc\n`k_[`XY\k\jXcjf_Xm\_`^_Ycff[gi\j$
jli\Xe[_`^_Z_fc\jk\ifc#Xe[dXeX^`e^k_\j\Zfe[`k`fej
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Living with diabetes requires some effort. But
certain aspects of diabetes management, such as
getting creative with healthy recipes and finding
new forms of exercise (salsa dancing, anyone?),
can be fun. Here are some other simple suggestions for effectively dealing with the disease, from
Christy T. Oswalt, M.D., an endocrinologist on
North Mississippi Medical Center’s medical staff.
• Managing stress can help keep your blood sugar
levels in check. Do whatever helps you relax,
whether it’s exercising, reading a book or talking
with friends.
• Even if your blood glucose meter stores hundreds
of results, keep a written logbook so you can see
patterns to help you make better food and activity
choices.
• Get plenty of sleep, which is important for controlling blood sugar levels.
• Don’t let diabetes take over. Put together a
healthcare team that will help you incorporate your
diabetes management into a happy, healthy life.
MYTH: If I take insulin or oral medication,
I don’t need to do anything else to manage
my diabetes.
FACT: @kËjkil\k_Xkd\[`ZXk`fejkf[XpXi\\oki\d\cp\]]\Zk`m\%
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get expert guidance
go
NMMC’s Diabetes Treatment Center offers
comprehensive services aimed at teaching patients
how to take control of their disease in order to
live healthier lives. To learn more, call 800-THE DESK
(800-843-3375) or visit www.nmhs.net/dtc.
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5/22/09 11:18:03
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12:07:28 AM
PM
view
masters
an inside look at medical
imaging tests
and how they can improve your care
by teresa caldwell board
I
maging devices are like high-tech detectives,
inconspicuously allowing a revealing look into
the nooks and crannies of everything from
luggage to purses to the human body. Without
X-rays, airport security would have to open and
look through every bag (and you thought the lines were
long now!). And without medical imaging, doctors would
have to use guesswork or exploratory surgery to diagnose
problems inside their patients.
You’re probably familiar with the names of common
medical imaging tests—X-ray, CT scan, MRI and ultrasound. But do you know how the tests work and how they
differ from one another?
x-rays: picture this
Getting an X-ray is similar to going to a photographer.
X-rays produce an image because they are absorbed by
the body to varying degrees. Dense bone absorbs the
most X-rays, so it appears white on the X-ray image. Soft
tissue shows up in shades of gray, and air looks black.
X-ray is the oldest imaging test, and still the most frequently used. For example, mammograms use low-dose
X-rays to detect breast disease. X-rays can diagnose broken
bones, dislocated joints or arthritis. Chest X-rays can look
42
for pneumonia, emphysema or lung cancer. Sometimes
patients swallow a contrast material or have it injected, and
then X-rays are used to view organs or joints in motion.
When you get an X-ray, you will either lie on a table or
stand in front of an image recording plate. While X-rays
used to be taken on film, now they are usually recorded
digitally so they can be stored on a computer and sent to
other experts electronically.
PROS: Relatively inexpensive and widely available. Fast
and easy for emergency diagnosis.
CONS: Slight chance of cancer from excessive radiation
exposure, but benefit of an accurate diagnosis far outweighs risk. Further imaging tests may be needed to look
for abnormalities not visible on X-ray.
CT scans: a closer view
During a computed tomography (CT) scan, you pass
through a tube while a ring rotates around you, continuously emitting X-rays.
“A CT scan is a lot more informative, specific and
sensitive than a plain X-ray,” says Leonard Berlin, M.D.,
spokesman for the Radiological Society of North America.
“As well, bone and blood show up better on a CT scan
than an MRI.”
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Each rotation of the X-ray beam captures an image
of a cross-section of anatomy, like the slices in a loaf
of bread. To create these cross-sectional images, “the
computer calculates what’s going on in a patient’s
body based on how difficult it is for the X-rays to
penetrate the body at different angles,” says Myke
Kudlas, director of instructional technology for the
American Society of Radiologic Technologists.
CT scans can detect tumors and show their size,
precise location and degree of involvement with
nearby tissue. They can reveal internal injuries from
trauma, as well as blood clots and signs of stroke. For
spinal and skeletal problems, CT gives detailed images
of even very small bones and surrounding muscles
and blood vessels.
Pros: Can image bone, soft tissue and blood vessels
at the same time. Less sensitive to patient movement
than MRI. Can be performed if you have an implanted
medical device of any kind (unlike MRI).
Cons: Slight chance of cancer from excessive
radiation exposure, but benefit of an accurate diagnosis far outweighs risk. Deliver more radiation than
regular X-rays. Soft-tissue details can be seen more
clearly on MRI.
MRIs: tuning in
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a magnetic
field and radio waves instead of X-ray radiation.
“The molecules of your body are all spinning at different rates,” Kudlas says. “The MRI machine causes the
molecules to spin at a constant rate for a short period
of time.”
The MRI machine then gives off a radio signal,
Kudlas explains. This causes the molecules of the body
to emit a signal as they begin to return to their normal
spinning rate. The computer takes that information
and constructs a detailed, cross-sectional image based
on how fast molecules go back to their normal state.
This method produces better soft-tissue images
than X-rays do. So MRI is commonly used to scan
the brain, spine, thorax, vascular system and musculoskeletal system.
During an MRI, you will need to hold very still
while the images are recorded. In some cases, you may
be asked to hold your breath. You will hear tapping
or thumping sounds while the radio-frequency pulses
are activated.
The part of your body that is being scanned may
feel slightly warm. If you feel anxious being confined
in the MRI tube, your doctor can prescribe a sedative
to help you relax.
44
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which test is best?
PROS:Ef\ogfjli\kfiX[`Xk`fe%<oZ\cc\ekXk`dX^$
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How does your doctor decide which imaging test you
should have? “No one thing determines which test is best,”
says Kevin Cole, M.D., radiology section leader for North
Mississippi Medical Center. “It depends on your disease
process and the questions that need to be answered.”
Cost. The relative expense of the tests is one factor.
Sometimes a less expensive test can be used first to rule
out a possible problem. In general, X-rays are the least
expensive medical imaging test, followed by ultrasound,
CT scans and MRI.
Radiation. Ultrasound and MRI don’t use radiation.
Plain X-rays use less radiation than CT scans.
Remember, you can check with your doctor about why
he or she recommends a particular test. “Ask, ‘Why is this
the right test? What will you learn? What are the risks?
What are the alternatives?’ ” Cole suggests.
ultrasound: sound effects
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from angiography
to x-ray
The latest medical imaging technology not only
helps detect certain diseases early, it also treats
some conditions directly. The NMMC Radiology
Department offers a wide array of both diagnostic
and therapeutic services. For a complete list of
specialty areas and services, visit www.nmhs.net/
radiology or call 800-THE DESK
(800-843-3375).
go
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vim vigor · fall 2009
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+,
6/15/09
4/23/09 11:18:45
4:29:18 PM
AM
46
vim & vigor • fal l 2 0 0 9
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small change,
big results
even modest gifts can
really add up for your
favorite charity
by robert mcgarvey
W
What use is that forgotten $5 you found in the pocket of
your old coat, or maybe the $10 you won on last week’s
lottery scratch-off ticket? Don’t instantly assume these
little amounts are meaningless to hospitals and healthcare
foundations dedicated to helping people and the community. Quite the contrary, in fact: It’s a steady stream of
comparatively small donations that enable many institutions to do their good works. And, no, you won’t get a new
building named after you for a $20 gift, but you’ll make a
profound difference in the lives of others.
❋ power of the people
Proof of this phenomenon is in the 2007 American Express
Gift Survey, as analyzed by the Center on Philanthropy at
Indiana University, one of the nation’s leading authorities
on charitable giving. According to this research, two-thirds
of all donations are $100 or less, and the median gift is
$50. Those numbers start out small but get big, fast. Giving
USA Foundation estimates that all U.S. charitable giving
amounted to a jaw-dropping $306.39 billion in 2007.
“As long as there are no strings attached to the gifts—
and usually there aren’t with small donations—even very
small gifts matter to most institutions. They definitely add
vim & vigor • fall 2009
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a legacy of healing
From helping families in North Mississippi Medical
Center’s intensive care waiting room to providing educational assistance to nursing students,
Health Care Foundation of North Mississippi uses
gifts of all amounts to promote a legacy of health
and healing throughout this region, not only today
but also for future generations. In addition to the
tax deductibility of immediate cash gifts to HCF,
certain planned or estate gifts may offer real benefits to donors and beneficiaries.
For more information about making immediate contributions or planned charitable giving
through will bequests, trusts and gift annuities,
call HCF at 800-THE DESK (800-843-3375).
No matter the amount, your gift will be greatly
appreciated for generations to come.
+/
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honor a loved one
Remember someone special with a gift
to the Health Care Foundation of North
Mississippi. For more information, call
800-THE DESK (800-843-3375).
go
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4:32:51 PM
AM
a
blessing
in disguise
a cancer diagnosis leads
to treatment, compassion
and life assistance
R
eceiving a diagnosis of cancer
seems like a bad dream for
many people. But for Beverly
Gates of Pontotoc, having breast
cancer became a blessing.
Gates, 27, found a lump in her breast
in late 2008. Her doctor told her the best
option in her case was a total mastectomy.
Following her surgery, she began treatments at the North Mississippi Medical
Center Cancer Center in December.
“I was scared to death, and having
my whole breast removed at age 27 was
almost devastating,” Gates says. “But
then I came to the Cancer Center and met
Cindy Edwards, and knew that God had
let cancer happen to me for a reason.”
Edwards, a board-certified oncology
social worker, has helped Gates through
many life challenges since December. >
Beverly Gates
vim & vigor • fall 2009
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leader in technology
North Mississippi Medical Center Cancer Center recently began
offering cancer patients treatment using RapidArc™ radiotherapy
technology from Varian Medical Systems. NMMC was the first
in the state to use this technology, which is the newest in a long
line of technology firsts at the center. RapidArc is a precise form
of treatment that is delivered eight times faster than is possible
with conventional radiation therapy technologies. By delivering
radiation doses more quickly and with great accuracy, NMMC
clinicians can simultaneously improve the quality of care while
making patients more comfortable.
“RapidArc makes it possible for us to deliver highly precise
intensity-modulated radiotherapy treatments quickly,” says Bert
Duncan, M.D., a radiation oncologist at NMMC’s Cancer Center.
“These treatments target tumors accurately while sparing the
surrounding healthy tissues.”
RapidArc is an intensity-modulated radiotherapy treatment
that takes about 90 seconds to deliver once a patient has been
positioned for treatment. This is markedly faster than other
forms of treatment, which sometimes take up to 20 minutes or
longer per session.
“I had a car accident several years ago, and
my injuries have caused me to have uncontrollable seizures ever since, so I can’t work,” Gates
says. “I have two small children to take care of
and we live with my dad. I needed to be on disability, tried for five years and couldn’t do it.
Then Cindy came along and helped me.” Gates
says receiving approval for disability was “a huge
blessing in itself—the money isn’t much, but it at
least means I can contribute a little and my dad
isn’t the only one providing for all four of us.”
Then, Gates hit another roadblock. After $400
in electricity bills went unpaid, her family’s power
was turned off.
nmmc lends support
When Edwards learned about Gates’ situation,
she immediately went to work to get the family’s lights turned back on. “The NMMC Cancer
Center Patient Assistance Fund is there specifically for patients like Beverly,” Edwards says.
“Cancer treatment is expensive, and not everyone can afford it. Or, if they manage to pay for
their treatments, they are forced to go without
money for their bills, medication and transportation. We’d never want patients to be forced to
choose between fighting their cancer or feeding
their children.”
The fund has also helped Gates in other times
of need—when she needed to buy food for her
children and when she needed gas in the car to
drive to her treatment.
collaborating with the
community
The NMMC Cancer Center Patient Assistance
Fund is administered by the Health Care
Foundation of North Mississippi. This fund
assists cancer patients with anti-nausea
and pain medicine, transportation to and
“We’d never want patients to
be forced to choose between
fighting their cancer or feeding
their children.”
FdVVFA0948_49_51_CancerCare.indd 50
6/15/09 11:41:07 AM
support
mechanism
camp
bluebird
go
Turn to page 7 to learn about the
various support groups available
for those coping with a diagnosis
of cancer.
Camp Bluebird, a special camp for adults who have
been diagnosed with cancer, is held each April and September
at Tombigbee State Park.
“Camp Bluebird, which is co-sponsored by NMMC and the AT&T
Telecom Pioneers, provides campers with a few days of rest, recreation
and the opportunity to share experiences,” says Camp Bluebird Director
Cheri Nipp, an occupational therapist at Baldwyn Nursing Facility.
The cost of the camp is $40 per person. Scholarships are available to those
who need financial assistance. All campers will sleep on bunkbeds in dormitory
facilities and must bring their own toiletry items, linens, comfortable clothing
and walking shoes. The registration fee includes meals, a Camp Bluebird
T-shirt and any materials needed for special programs or activities.
Anyone interested in registering for the fall session
of Camp Bluebird may call 662-377-4049 or
800-THE DESK (800-843-3375), or visit
www.nmhs.net/campbluebird.
from cancer treatment, and nutritional supplements. Once a patient’s
application is approved, he or she is
added to the list of those qualified to
receive assistance.
The fund assists an average of 140
patients each month for an annual cost
of $220,000. Monies are raised through
an annual golf tournament and other fundraisers, as well as donations given by family
and friends in memory or in honor of a cancer
patient. NMMC employees donate approximately $3,000 for this fund to the Health Care
Foundation of North Mississippi each month
through payroll deduction. Money for the fund
is also provided through Project Hope, a Susan
G. Komen North Mississippi Race for the Cure
grant, and United Way of Northeast Mississippi.
“We are so thankful to everyone who contributes in any way to our fundraisers,” says Cancer
Center Director Paula Turner. “Beverly is one
of hundreds whose lives wouldn’t be the same
without this fund.”
“Cindy and everyone at the Cancer Center are
my angels,” Gates says. “I was so close to giving up, but they can manage to make you laugh
and smile on even your worst days. I know they
have so many patients, but when they’re with
me, I feel like I’m the only person that matters to
them. It’s so obvious that they love what they do
and care about all their patients so much.”
how can you help?
To help cancer patients in need, donations can be mailed to the
Health Care Foundation of North Mississippi, 830 S. Gloster St.,
Tupelo, MS 38801. Please earmark checks as NMMC Cancer Center
Patient Assistance Fund.
In addition, a portion of proceeds from sales of the 2009 Midnite
Pottery butterflies and matching platter go to the fund. These are
available for purchase at the NMMC Cancer Center.
For more information call 800-THE-DESK (800- 843-3375) or
visit www.nmhs.net/cancer_center.
Jennifer Hankins of Midnite Pottery shows the 2009 edition of the
butterflies and platter that benefit the NMMC Cancer Center Patient
Assistance Fund.
vim & vigor · fall 2009
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and dignity
nmmc hospice provides patients
with comfort and care during their final days
J
James Shirley of West Point was tired of going
back and forth to doctors’ offices, especially
once they told him that treatment for his mouth
cancer was no longer working.
“Once I knew the treatments weren’t going
to work, I dreaded going for my checkups,” the
70-year-old said. “That’s why I was actually
relieved when I was referred to hospice care.”
Shirley, who passed away before we went to
press, was referred to North Mississippi Medical
Center Hospice in late December. His wife, Judy,
said that even though she had heard positive
things about hospice, hearing that her husband
needed it was somewhat traumatic.
“I just dreaded telling him, because everyone
knows that if you have to be
on hospice, it means you’re
not going to be here much
longer,” Judy Shirley
said. “But I was shocked
when I told him—it
for all ...
wasn’t difficult for him to accept at all. He was
so positive about his whole experience.”
James Shirley said that NMMC Hospice was
exactly what he wanted. “My main goal was to
be at home with Jude [as he affectionately refers
to his wife]. They communicate with my doctors,
which makes our lives much easier.”
collaboration with compassion
NMMC Hospice uses a team approach to care
for its patients. The team includes chaplains,
dietitians, nurses’ aides, pharmacists, physicians,
registered nurses, social workers, therapists
and volunteers. They meet weekly to discuss
the patient’s needs and plan individualized programs of care for each patient and family.
“Each and every one of the people caring for
me just exude compassion,” Shirley said. “They
continuously give of themselves. They truly are
the salt of the earth. I regard every member of
the hospice team to be a special angel sent from
God to me in the hour of my greatest need.”
Shirley, who had an educational background
in psychology, said he had frequently read that
the stress of a healthcare worker who cares for
the terminally ill is infinitely greater than other
caregivers. “Caregivers for the terminally ill are
a special breed—called to that service just the
same as a minister is called to preach,” he said.
“I regard every member of the
hospice team to be a special
angel sent from God to me in
the hour of my greatest need.”
52
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Shirley Wood, licensed social worker
with NMMC Hospice, visits her patients
monthly, or more often if they need or request
social services.
“Mr. Shirley was such a blessing to everyone
who came in contact with him,” said Wood,
who has been with NMMC Hospice for 22 years.
“He truly was one of those special patients who
touch your life. Every time I visited him I left
feeling blessed.”
providing spiritual support
Kayla Humble, R.N., with NMMC Hospice,
visited Shirley up to three times a week to help
with his medications, check his vital signs and
provide any other medical care he needed.
The Rev. Jim Hilderbrand, a volunteer chaplain, visited the Shirleys about once a week.
“I try to offer encouragement and comfort to
patients while assuring them of their salvation,
above all,” Hilderbrand said. “I talk and pray
with them and try to help them find answers
that many start looking for in their final days.
Just as the nurses and other caregivers provide
care for patients’ physical needs, I try to do the
same thing for them in a spiritual realm.”
Hilderbrand started volunteering for NMMC
Hospice about four years ago, when his mother
passed away. “She was on hospice, and I saw the
tenderness and encouragement they provided
to her,” he said. “I always pray that if I can just
provide one moment of comfort to one of these
patients or their family members, then it’s all
worth it. Being a volunteer is rewarding because
I get to see God work in people’s lives on a regular basis. I see the strength that God can give us
when we need it most.”
learn about hospice
Hospice provides comfort and
care with dignity by supporting the
physical, emotional and spiritual
needs of patients and their families.
The emphasis is on pain management to
help patients live each day as fully as possible.
For more information on NMMC Hospice,
call 800-THE DESK (800-843-3375)
or visit www.nmhs.net/homehealth
andhospice.
go
a lasting legacy
From 1961–1966, Shirley served
as a Naval officer aviator on active
duty. After 22 years, he retired as
Lieutenant Commander.
“I told Mr. Shirley that I would
have been proud to be his wingman,” Hilderbrand said. “It takes
a man of strong faith to face down
bullets and warfare, and an even
stronger one to face death with
a positive outlook and to provide
inspiration to so many others when
going through such hard times.”
The late James
Shirley and his w
ife, Judy.
respect. dignity. comfort.
every patient. every time.
North Mississippi Medical Center Hospice is a not-for-profit agency that
provides in-home comfort care for patients with life-limiting illnesses and
their families. Medicare, Medicaid and most private health insurance cover
the cost of hospice services. All eligible patients are accepted without
regard to race, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability or ability to pay.
nmmc hospice provides:
• 24-hour nursing on-call support
• Personal care assistance
• Compassionate, quality healthcare that enables patients to remain at
home with their family
• Family counseling to help a patient’s family cope with terminal illness
• Pastoral support for spiritual care
• Continuous care in crisis situations
• Prescription medication coverage related to terminal illness, with
emphasis on pain management
• Medical equipment and supplies as needed for comfort
• Volunteer services including compassion, friendly visiting and running
errands
• Respite care
• Bereavement care for 13 months to ease grief and transition
who is eligible for hospice care?
• A patient whose physician and family choose comfort care
• A patient with a life-limiting illness whose life expectancy is measured in
weeks or months, not years
• A patient with a primary caregiver who is willing to participate in home care
vim & vigor · fall 2009
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A
n unlucky break for his wife turned out
to be just what Donald Cooper needed
to help with his balance problems.
The 72-year-old began experiencing difficulties in 2005, when he and his wife
lived in Hiawassee, Ga. Cooper, who began using
a cane while walking to help with his balance,
visited a neurologist for MRI testing.
The tests revealed evidence of past transient ischemic attacks, or mini-strokes. But
it could not be determined when the TIAs
had occurred or if that was what was causing
Cooper’s balance problems.
Cooper and his wife, Deborah, moved to
Tupelo in December 2007. During Thanksgiving
weekend of last year, Deborah Cooper suffered
a broken leg. To aid with recovery, her physician referred her to North Mississippi Medical
Center’s Outpatient Rehabilitation Center at
Longtown Medical Park in Tupelo.
During her physical therapy, Deborah Cooper
noticed people undergoing treatment for balance
problems and shared her husband’s difficulties
with the therapists.
With his wife’s encouragement, Donald Cooper
discussed evaluation and treatment at NMMC
with Melanie Wallace, M.D., an internal medicine
physician at IMA-Tupelo, and visited therapists
at Longtown for the first time in early March.
“It’s been a life-changing event for me,”
Cooper says. “I’ve gotten to the point where I
don’t have to use a cane most of the time. The
therapists are there to help you and if you listen
to them and pay attention, they’ll help you.”
the anatomy of balance
The brain combines input from three sensory
systems for balance—somatosensory, or sense of
touch, vision and vestibular, which is the inner
ear. The ability to maintain balance depends not
only on input from those sensory systems, but
also on muscle strength.
“All three sensory systems decline with age,
which can lead to difficulties with walking and
balance,” says Alison Farley, a physical therapist
with NMMC’s Outpatient Rehabilitation Center
who is trained in vestibular rehabilitation. “After
a detailed evaluation of the patient determines
vestibular weakness, treatment focuses on isolating this system.”
Some causes for vestibular difficulties include
head trauma, chronic ear infections, several
diseases and the side effects of medication.
Another common diagnosis is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Calcium carbonate
crystals floating in the inner ear cause intense
vertigo and nausea with changes in head position. This is easily treated by holding the head
on solid
ground
nmmc’s vestibular rehab program
helps patients achieve better balance
54
vim & vigor • fal l 2 0 0 9
FdVVFA0948_54-5_Balance.indd 54
6/15/09 11:59:00 AM
call for more
For more information on rehabilitation
services available throughout
NMMC, call 800-THE DESK
(800-843-3375).
go
in a sequence of four positions for five
minutes each to relocate the crystals.
identification and treatment
To test vestibular function, NMMC utilizes
computerized dynamic posturography
(CDP), which gives information about
how well balance is maintained during
challenging situations.
CDP tests the relationships among all
balance system components—eyes, touch
and the vestibular system. It measures
the person’s response to environments in
which the amount of reliable information
from the eyes and somatosensory system
is varied.
Patients are tested at the initial evaluation and again following several therapy
sessions to gauge improvements in function.
The test involves standing on a platform
while maintaining balance under various
conditions. Pressure gauges under the
platform record shifts in body weight. For
Donald and Deborah Cooper
instance, it tests a person’s amount of sway
with eyes open and closed and then with
a combination of the floor and surroundings
moving.
Cooper’s rehabilitation included therapy to
improve his vestibular function as well as exercises to strengthen his legs, which over time had
weakened.
Cooper retired in 1996 after a long career in
the building materials field, including the last
20 years as a salesman at Georgia Pacific. He
and his wife have two children, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
For a man who at one time was an avid roller
overnight, but it was frustrating not being able
skater and bowled on a regular basis, balance
to do some things. It was something I had begun
problems were difficult to deal with.
to live with and it appeared it wasn’t going to
“Balance is something I never really thought
change. Luckily, I was able to get help. The
about,” Cooper says. “There’s so much in life
therapists who helped me are well-educated and
we take for granted and balance is just one of
very dedicated people. I just hate that Deborah
those things. It wasn’t something that hit me
had to break her leg to get me help.”
“The therapists who helped me are
well-educated and very dedicated
people. I just hate that Deborah had
to break her leg to get me help.”
vim & vigor · fall 2009
FdVVFA0948_54-5_Balance.indd 55
55
6/15/09 11:59:25 AM
catch the spirit we’ve got spirit ...
yes we do!
spring 2009 was especially busy for north mississippi
medical center’s spirit of women program
❋ seeing red
On Feb. 17, the Women in Red Luncheon hosted
cardiologist Barry Bertolet, M.D., speaking
about atrial fibrillation. NMMC is the exclusive
HeartCaring® hospital in north Mississippi,
a recognition granted by the Spirit of Women
Health Network signifying NMMC’s effort to
help women understand their risk for heart
disease and take action.
Liz Dawson of NMMC presents
a $100 Visa gift card from
the national Spirit of Women
organization to lucky winner
Cristi Webb of Fulton.
❋ pretty in pink
NMMC’s fifth annual Pink Dress Luncheon was
moved to the Summit Center on March 24 to
accommodate the crowd of close to 400 women.
The event, which focuses attention on breast
cancer, is made possible by a grant from Susan G.
Komen North Mississippi Race for the Cure®. Participants wore red to raise awareness of heart disease
among women. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of
American women, regardless of their race or ethnicity.
❋ dance fever
NMMC joined Spirit of
Women hospitals nationwide
in sponsoring Day of Dance
for Health on Feb. 28. This
annual event attracted around
200 men, women and children to prove that dance is a
fun way to promote fitness
and good health.
Kaitlan Cross, 10, of Fulton made it
to the Day of Dance for Health hula
hoop contest finals.
56
Cindy Irwin of Saltillo
models an ensemble
from Coldwater Creek
during the luncheon’s
fashion show.
Norma Derring (left) of Tupelo,
a breast cancer survivor for
four years, and Ruth Hodges
of Houston, a breast cancer
survivor for 12 years, were among
those honored during the Pink
Dress Luncheon. Both women
volunteer with the Sisters
Network of African-American
breast cancer survivors, which
provided information at the
breast health fair.
Patti Hodges of Tupelo shows off the Southern Belle
Originals car tag she won as a door prize. Southern Belle
Originals recently donated $12,000 from the sale of its
“Southern Belles Do Believe in Miracles” T-shirts to the
Health Care Foundation of North Mississippi. The donation
went toward breast care patient assistance.
Author, speaker and 25-year
breast cancer survivor Sue
Buchanan (right) of Nashville
congratulates Dot Blackwell of
Tupelo, who was selected as
“Prettiest in Pink.” Buchanan
encouraged women to look
at life’s obstacles as “A New
Beginning” that can catapult
them to new opportunities.
vim & vigor • fal l 2 0 0 9
FdVVFA0948_56_Spirit.indd 56
6/15/09 12:01:04 PM
North Mississippi Medical Center
830 South Gloster Street
Tupelo, MS 38801
Non-Profit Org.
US Postage
PAID
Vim & Vigor
By giving
ving you all our best
best, we’ve been named one of the best.
best
North Mississippi Medical Center is honored to receive two distinguished awards for providing
exceptional care. We are the only hospital in Mississippi to be recognized as a Thomson Reuters
100 Top Hospitals winner this year. What’s more, we have received the prestigious Everest Award for
National Benchmarks. This new award honors the best of the best—those hospitals that have reached
the highest level of accomplishment on the 100 Top Hospitals national balanced scorecard. We are
proud of this recognition. After all, it reflects our commitment to excellence, to innovation and to
providing our community with all our best.
®
1-800-THE DESK (1-800-843-3375) | www.nmhs.net/100top | Tupelo, MS
Thomson Reuters is the nation’s leading health care benchmarking company.
FdVVFA0948_C4.indd 1
5/28/09 12:10:17 PM
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