50 Plus

A guide to good living in the Brazos Valley

Inside...

Mental wellness

Tips on how to have a healthy heart

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Health

Breast self-exam guidelines

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October 2015 • Vol. 15, Issue 3 • A monthly publication of the Bryan-College Station Eagle

Breast cancer awareness L ocal woman talks about surviving cancer PAGE 6

SPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR/ PUBLICATION DESIGNER

PUBLISHER Crystal DuPre

50 Plus is a monthly publication of The Eagle 1729 Briarcrest Drive Bryan, Texas

Shauna Lewis shauna.lewis@theeagle.com

DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING

SPECIAL PROJECTS/ MARKETING COORDINATOR

Jeff Smith

DISPLAY ADVERTISING MANAGER

Erika Liesman

Linda Brinkman

CONTENTS

Memory Medic: Experiment verifies exercise improves mental function Financial literacy: Jimi Hendrix and your estate plan Feature: Local woman talks about surviving breast cancer Health: Life after breast cancer Physical therapy: What is diskectomy Health: Preparing for your mammography visit Cover photo: Doris Light, breast cancer survivor, poses with her goldendoodles, (left to right) Flash and Knox. See story, Page 6.

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Tips on how to have a healthy heart

When I was 15, I lost my dad. He died of a massive heart attack at age 52. Even as a teenager, I got the clear message that heart health was a key to life.

We frequently hear about the importance of a healthy physical heart. We know about physical risk factors like smoking, substance abuse, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and triglycerides.

Our lifestyle, including the amount of stress and how we manage it, can also make a massive difference in the condition of our physical hearts.

What about the health of our emotional-spiritual heart? What is the emotional-spiritual heart? It’s somewhat difficult to define, but it certainly includes the mind, emotions and will.

It encompasses the personality and what is commonly called the spirit or soul.

Gary Roe Most of us have Hospice had an EKG done at some point in our lives to measure the electrical activity and basic health of our physical hearts.

What if we could have an emotionalspiritual EKG done? What would it show?

Wise King Solomon once said, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the spring from which everything else flows.” These 3,000-year-old words state simply what we already know: the health of our emotional-spiritual heart impacts everything.

Solomon uses the word “guard.”

This tells me three things: 1. Our hearts are precious and important. Solomon says our hearts are “the spring from which everything else flows.” The heart is the crown jewel of our being. What is received and flows from it determines much of the quality of our lives and relationships.

Our hearts are of immeasurable value. They need watching over because they are priceless.

2. Our hearts are fragile and vulnerable. Human hearts aren’t made of titanium. The words and behavior they are exposed to affect them greatly. And no wonder. Our hearts were designed for connection and relationships. We somehow know T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

our purpose here has something to do with loving and being loved.

Our hearts need guarding because they are vulnerable. They have to be.

They were made for relationships.

3. Our hearts are subject to attack.

Rejection is a big part of our world.

People and circumstances aren’t always kind. The information that daily bombards us is rarely positive.

Our worries and concerns mount, and we get hit by loss after loss along the way. The pressure and stress are enough to send us reeling.

Our hearts are under constant assault. They need guarding.

How do we do this? What does “guarding” (watching over, giving attention to, protecting, nurturing, etc.) a heart look like?

Here are five suggestions: 1. Get around people who love and accept you. These people are hope givers and encouragers. They are positive and help you grow, heal and laugh. Just the thought of them brings a smile to your face. These folks bring joy and make you glad to be alive.

These positive, helpful and loving people nurture our hearts in ways we’re not even aware. They’re fantastic medicine, with a wonderful side effect: the more we’re with them, the more we become like them.

Being a loving, accepting and positive person is incredibly hearthealthy.

2. Limit your exposure to people who aren’t healthy for you. These folks drain and exhaust you. They’re critical and judgmental. They freely dole out advice without ever being asked. They’re always trying to fix you or the situation. They’re controlling and negative. These doom-and-gloom complainers always seem ready to deal with your issues but never their own.

Their hearts aren’t healthy, and if you spend too much time with them, they can strangle yours. Stay around people who are healthy and healing for you, and limit your exposure to the boundary busters who aren’t.

3. Get plenty of healthy “inflow.”

Like your physical heart, your emotional-spiritual heart needs steady and proper nutrition to be healthy and function well. “Feed” your heart. That could mean reading, book clubs, self-

study or taking courses. It might mean church, spiritual growth groups or activities or meeting with a mentor.

Hearts want to learn. They need healthy and healing input. Feeding yourself emotionally and spiritually is key to heart-health.

4. Engage in healthy “outflow.”

Your heart needs emotional and spiritual “exercise” in order to be healthy. Hearts are made to love and be loved, and part of love is service.

Find ways to give of yourself and your time, without burning yourself out.

Churches, missions and civic groups are excellent options. RSVP Senior Corp, Hospice Brazos Valley and other organizations need willing and dedicated volunteers.

When you find your niche, your heart will thrive on serving. The world needs you. You’re more important than you know.

5. Discipline your mind. Our minds often go where they don’t need to. Worry and fear often go together, and they are not a friendly combo.

They damage and anesthetize more

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hearts than we realize.

As a friend once said, “Quit going over bridges that aren’t even built yet, and may never be.” Quit trying to control and fix. Let go of worry.

Look for the positive. Develop eyes that see the good. Deliberately and intentionally encourage others.

Discipline your mind.

A well-trained mind makes the heart smile. It feels more protected, freeing it to be more loving.

“Guard your heart,” Solomon said. It’s too precious and important not to. It determines everything. Get good people around you who know this and will spur you on. Feed your heart, and exercise it well in service.

Discipline your mind to be positive and encouraging, and watch your heart flourish.

What might happen if we invested deeply in heart-health? Let’s find out.

Gary Roe is an author, speaker and chaplain with Hospice Brazos Valley. Contact him at groe@ hospicebrazosvalley.org or 979-821-2266, or visit him at www.garyroe.com.

2015

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New scientific experiment verifies that exercise improves mental function

Many experiments support the anecdotal or statistical claims of a relationship between exercise and improved mental function, especially in seniors. All sorts of claims have been made, such as benefits for depression, reduction of emotional stress and even prevention of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

While all kinds of exercise, including strength training, are supposedly beneficial, the consensus seems dr. BILL KLeMM to be that the most tHe MeMory MeDic important kind of exercise is aerobic.

That is, the most benefit comes from exercise that raises your heart rate and requires you to huff and puff.

Moreover, such exercise needs to be sustained for 15 minutes or more several times a week.

But only now are we seeing a more rigorous test of this belief that was based on the gold standard of experimental research methods. The experiment had a no-treatment control group and used direct randomized

testing of dose-response (data showing greater mental benefit from increasing amount of exercise).

The most recent study examined such dose-response in 101 adults 65 and older with a 26-week trial of three doses of aerobic exercise of 50 percent, 100 percent and 150 percent of the recommended dose of 150 minutes per week for 26 weeks. Subjects were randomly assigned by age and sex into the three treatment groups or the noexercise control group. At the end of 26 weeks, all were tested with a battery of 16 mental function tests.

As expected, cardiorespiratory tests revealed a clear dose-response relationship between exercise and cardiorespiratory fitness. What was new here was the demonstration of a dose-response benefit on mental function tests.

The mental-function tests measured attentiveness and measuring visual-spatial processing. In the attentiveness mental tests, all those in the exercise groups showed a roughly equal improvement, regardless of exercise dose. In visual-spatial tests, improvement increased proportional to

dose of exercise.

You might wonder why there was not a dose-proportional response in attentiveness. The explanation could be that lower doses of exercise might have revealed a dose response. The gain in attentiveness possible from exercise may have maxed out at the lowest level of exercise used in this study.

Both kinds of tests engage the socalled executive functions of the brain, which are known to arise from several areas of the cerebral cortex. The cortex needs a huge amount of blood, which comes in from the outside inward and from vessels deep in the brain that also course to the surface. Executive functions include such mental operations as resisting distraction, selective attention, thinking speed, active memorization effort, will power and self-control. Thus, it seems that improved cardiorespiratory fitness helps this executive control system to be more robust and effective.

Cardiorespiratory fitness turned out to be a better predictor of mental improvement than the exercise dose.

In other words, it seems that the improved mental function is a direct

consequence of the degree of improved cardiorespiratory fitness. Most likely, the effect was due to improved blood flow through the executive function zones of the cortex. Thus, for practical purposes, to improve mental function one needs to focus on the amount of exercise needed to achieve cardiovascular fitness and not necessarily on the amount of aerobic exercise as such.

Source: Vidoni, Eric D. et al. (2015). Doseresponse of aerobic exercise on cognition: a community-based pilot randomized control trial. PLoS ONE 10(7): e0131647. doi:10.1371/journal. pone.0131647 Readers may be interested in “Memory Medic’s” recent book, “Mental Biology” (Prometheus). In clear, relatively non-technical language, he explains his new ideas on how brains work, the mechanisms and nature of consciousness, free will, why humans dream and how “spooky physics” might apply to brain function.

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Jimi Hendrix and your estate plan

When Jimi Hendrix went to sleep on Sept. 18, 1970, he didn’t expect to wake up dead. Before his accidental barbiturate-related death at age 27, Jimi is known to have been one of the world’s highest paid performers. Jimi did not have a will.

This lack of estate planning added a level of complexity to the recently settled six-year court battle over his trademark.

You don’t have to have a trademark to cause your heirs to TracY Stewart fight over your estate. Financial Literacy Just ambiguous or nonexistent estate planning can be an effective fuel to torch your hopes for smooth handling of your estate after your demise.

Not interested in Jimi? How about Abraham Lincoln, Sonny Bono, Pablo Picasso, Steve McNair, Stieg Larsson, Michael Jackson and Howard Hughes.

They all died without a will.

Having a will saves your heirs a lot of money and heartache. But a will is just one of the useful documents.

Here’s a list of the five basic estateplanning documents you should have.

1. Last will and testament This document tells the world how you want your estate to be distributed, who your beneficiaries are and how dividing your estate will be handled.

You are not required to hire a lawyer, but there are pitfalls in a homemade will. After your death, you will not be available to explain yourself or clarify any technicality.

Since there is little room for mistake in a will, you are better off hiring an attorney.

2. Living will – directive to physician This document is designed to communicate your wishes about medical treatment at a point in the future when you are unable to communicate

your wishes due to illness or injury. In short, this is an end-of-life document that directs the doctor not to put you on life support. It tells the doctor that you don’t want to be kept artificially alive by artificial means.

3. Statutory durable power of attorney (POA) As of Jan. 1, 2014, Texas has a new statutory durable power of attorney.

With this form, you, the principal, can grant a power of attorney to someone (your agent) for all aspects of your personal and financial affairs or just for specific activities and situations.

Be careful to choose a trustworthy agent. On the flip side, if you are chosen to be an agent, you must, among other duties, act in good faith, be loyal for the benefit of the principal and not overreach the authority you are granted. If you as the principal sign this form without specifically initialing the powers, then no powers are granted. The powers are fairly wide ranging and include topics such as litigation, benefits from Social Security and Medicare, retirement plan transactions, tax matters, real property, investments and business operations. When the document specifically states that it is durable, it will be effective until your death.

The powers you grant with this form will survive your mental incapacity from conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer’s or a head injury from a car crash. The powers will cease when you revoke it, your agent resigns or a guardianship over you is established.

4. POA for health care This document deals with medical, hospital and health care kinds of decisions. You would want one of these if you want to make sure someone you trust will be able to legally make health care decisions for you when you cannot do so on your own. Be sure to pick someone who understands your preferences and will carry out your desires when you are not able to do so.

You should give this to your doctor, your attorney, your spouse and your children. You should store it in several locations. You can carry it with you on a flash drive, but be sure the electronic copy on the flash drive is signed and notarized.

5. HIPAA release/authorization HIPAA is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. In 1996, doctors, hospitals and dentists got nervous about liability, and started insisting upon your signing a HIPAA release so they could talk with your loved ones about your condition, diagnosis and the like. Now HIPAA releases are very common. Your health care providers cannot discuss any part of your medication information with anyone who is not directly involved with your health care. If you are in the hospital and have not signed a HIPAA release, your doctor cannot give your loved ones information about your condition.

These are the main estate planning documents. You may need additional documents that I have not covered here, but you will need to get that information from an estate-planning attorney. Jimi Hendrix didn’t ask me for an attorney referral, but you can.

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Breast c

Local woman talks about what cancer support by providing reliable, informative resources, inspiring hope through individual and group support and offering access to medical treatments for those with limited means. All board members and volunteers provide services without compensation.

Light said it took her several years following her treatment to decide that she wanted to begin helping strangers through the Pink Alliance’s bi-monthly support group. The meetings are held the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month in the Travis B. Bryan Jr. Community Room, located inside The Bank & Trust at 2900 S. Texas Ave. in Bryan.

“It has become a passion of mine to help ladies who have been diagnosed by being involved in the Pink Alliance and serving as a Reach to Recovery volunteer,” Light said. “I don’t want anyone to travel this journey alone. I really want to be that face of survivorship.”

Meetings are free and open to all patients and survivors within the Brazos Valley, regardless of where they are receiving or received treatment. No pre-registration is required.

The meetings feature guest speakers on special interest topics for breast cancer patients and provide practical advice, information, supplies and publications.

Photo by Heather Pitts Doris Light, breast cancer survivor and Pink Alliance president

By HOLLI L. KOSTER Special to The Eagle

Doris Light was an active 43-year-old mother, with children in high school, when she received a diagnosis of Stage 1 breast cancer in 2006.

“At that age, the diagnosis was a surprise,” Light said. “I was busy living my life, taking care of my kids. It really blew me away like nothing I had ever experienced.”

Light underwent aggressive treatment – a lumpectomy, six rounds of chemotherapy and 32 radiation treatments – over the course of roughly seven months.

“It’s normal to have a little pity party when you’re diagnosed, but when I really think about it, why shouldn’t I have had cancer?” she said. “Breast cancer is getting more and more common, with one in every eight women getting diagnosed. There are eight women that live on my street.”

Now president of the local Pink Alliance, a nonprofit started in Bryan-College Station in 2007 by five breast cancer survivors, Light uses her experience with survivorship to help other women in the community.

Pink Alliance serves as the Brazos Valley’s advocate for breast health and

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Pink Alliance During the month of October – Breast Cancer Awareness Month -- Pink Alliance will host the Surviving and Thriving Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 8 at Hilton College Station & Conference Center, 801 University Drive East in College Station. The soldout event, expected to bring 800 attendees, features guest speaker Joan Lunden, breast cancer survivor, former “Good Morning America” anchor and book author.

The fundraiser and health awareness event is one of many of the organization’s initiatives, which include supplying educational materials to just-diagnosed patients in area surgeon and cancer treatment clinic offices, assisting with insurance deductibles and copayments; offering free mammograms for uninsured women, paying for diagnostic mammograms, ultrasounds and biopsies for patients with financial need; providing funds for booster injections for patients whose blood counts need to increase prior to chemotherapy, purchasing compression sleeves and mitts for patients with lymphedema; funding patient services such as transportation to medical appointments, bras, prostheses, hats and turbans; transporting patients to and from treatments and mentoring breast cancer survivors.

In 2013 Pink Alliance partnered with Health for All in hosting its inaugural Mammograms for the Brazos Valley day, which provided over 25 free mammograms to women in need. Last year 77 breast cancer patients received more than $43,000 in medical financial assistance from the alliance.

For more information on Pink Alliance, call director Patricia Gerling at 979-224-381 or visit the website at pinkalliance.org.

Getting through treatment Light said her family -- especially her husband -- made the difference in how she managed her treatment.

“It was a follow-the-leader type of situation,” she said. “They say the Internet has knowledge, but doctors have wisdom. I took myself off the Internet, but my husband would do research and spoon feed me what he thought I needed to know.”

Light said every cancer patient’s experience with treatment is different. She said she found she would make herself sick in anticipation of treatments, but suffered little illness as a direct result of the treatment.

One of the most difficult experiences for Light was the Christmas she celebrated at the end of her treatment.

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cancer awareness it’s like to survive breast cancer

“You have all these hands on you and all of this support helping you to chug along to try to get to the end,” she said, “Then, they tell you goodbye.”

But along with the difficult experiences, Light also remembers a time when prayer and good humor were in abundance – and sharing both with newly diagnosed women has become her passion.

“If you can’t laugh at certain times, the situation can really bring you down,” Light said. “The support and just interjecting humor are so important.

For more information on breast cancer, visit pinkalliance.org and www. nationalbreastcancer.org.

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Photo contributed by Doris Light

Doris Light poses with her goldendoodles, (left to right) Flash, a 3-year-old rescue dog and Knox, 5. Light is a rescue/foster volunteer with the Doodle Rescue Collective in New Jersey.

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e Photo contributed by Doris Light

Doris Light (right) stands with her mother, Mary McDonald.

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Life after breast cancer Metro Creative Connection The moment a person receives a breast cancer diagnosis, his or her life changes immeasurably.

The roller coaster of emotions begins, and suddenly this person is thrust into a schedule of doctor’s appointments, treatments and visits from friends and family.

The World Cancer Research Fund International says breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women and men and is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women in 140 of 184 countries worldwide. Despite that prevalence, the five-year relative survival rate for women diagnosed with localized breast cancer (cancer that has not spread to the lymph nodes or outside the breast) is 98.5 percent, says the American Cancer Society. Survival odds increase as more is learned about breast cancer and more people take preventative measures, including routine screenings. Today, there are nearly three million breast cancer survivors living in the United States.

Breast cancer treatments may last anywhere from six months to a year. Adjusting after treatment may not come so easily at first. But adjustments are easier with time, and many cancer survivors continue to live life to the fullest in much the same way they did prior to their diagnosis.

When treatment ends, patients often still have fears about the cancer, wondering if all of the cancerous cells have been destroyed and worrying about recurrence. But focusing on the present and all of the things you now can do with health on your side is a great way to put your fears behind you.

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Many cancer survivors must still visit their doctors after treatments end. Doctors still want to monitor patients closely, so be sure to go to all follow-up appointments and discuss any symptoms or feelings you may be having. Side effects may continue long after radiation or chemotherapy has ended. Your doctor may have suggestions for coping with certain side effects or will be able to prescribe medications to offset these effects. Follow-up appointments should gradually decrease the longer you have been cancer-free.

It’s not uncommon to feel differently after cancer treatment, as your body has been through quite a lot. Many women still experience fatigue, and sleep or normal rest doesn’t seem to make it abate.

Realize this is normal, and how long it will last differs from person to person. It can take months or years for you to experience your “new normal.” Things do not happen overnight. While your hair may grow back quickly, it may take some time for you to feel like yourself again.

Exercise routines or other lifestyle changes may help you overcome fatigue or make it more manageable.

Speaking with others who have survived breast cancer can help.

Join a support group or reach out to others through social media.

Getting a first-hand account of what can be expected the first year after treatment can assuage anxiety.

October 6, 2015 | 7

Explaining diskectomy and its risks

A 59-year-old person was treated in physical therapy for lower back pain. The back pain was due to risks associated with a back surgery procedure. The surgery performed was a minimally invasive diskectomy. Leon Bradway Prior to surgery Physical Therapy the individual was having back pain and radiating numbness and tinging down the leg. After surgery the leg symptoms were gone, but the local back pain remained. The back pain progressively got worse after surgery, which eventually limited trunk movements and the ability to function at work. What happened after surgery?

Who is the health care provider of choice to assist your surgeon on why the increase in pain and what is the next step to full recovery? Let’s look into what happened post-surgery. A little background on what diskectomy surgery is.

Diskectomy is a surgical procedure

to remove the damaged portion of a herniated disk in your spine.

A herniated disk can irritate or compress nearby nerves and cause pain, numbness or weakness. These symptoms can affect your neck or back or may radiate down your arms or legs. Diskectomy works best on radiating symptoms. It’s less helpful for actual back pain or neck pain. Most people who have back pain or neck pain find relief with more-conservative treatments, such as pain management and/ or physical therapy.

Your doctor may suggest diskectomy if conservative, nonsurgical treatments haven’t worked or if your symptoms worsen. There are several ways to perform a diskectomy.

Many surgeons now prefer minimally invasive diskectomy, which uses small incisions and a tiny video camera for viewing.

Your surgeron may recommend diskectomy if: • You have trouble standing or walking because of nerve weakness.

• Conservative treatment, such as medication or physical therapy, fails to

improve your symptoms after six weeks.

Dedicated to being your preferred provider • A disk fragment of medical equipment & supplies lodges in your spinal canal, pressing on a nerve.

• Pain radiating into your buttocks, legs, arms or chest becomes too much to manage.

Diskectomy is considered a safe procedure. But as with any surgery, diskectomy carries a risk of complications. Potential complications include: • Bleeding Ask us about REBATES! • Infection Score your touchdown with Altus Medical Equipment today!

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• Injury to the protective layer surrounding the spine Leon Bradway is a doctor of physical therapy and director of the Sports, Back This individual received a clinical and Pain Management Clinic. See www. examination that showed ongoing bvphysicaltherapy.com. injury to the protective layers

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Preparing for your mammography visit Metro Creative Connection

Annual mammograms are widely recommended for women beginning at age 40. Some estimates suggest that more than 48 million mammography screenings are performed in the United States every year.

Whether it is a woman’s first mammography or her twentieth, preparing for the appointment can ease anxiety and make the experience go more smoothly. The following are some guidelines to consider when preparing for a mammography visit.

Choose a reputable and certified facility. Select a radiology center that is certified by the FDA, which means it meets current standards and is safe.

Many women also prefer to select a facility that is covered by their health insurance. Plans usually allow for one mammogram screening per year.

Time your visit. Schedule the mammogram to take place one week after your menstrual period if you have not reached menopause. Breasts are less likely to be tender at this time.

Also, schedule your visit for a time when you are not likely to feel rushed or stressed. Early in the day works best for many.

Dress for the occasion. Two-piece ensembles enable you to only remove your shirt and bra for the examination.

A blouse that opens in the front may be optimal. Some facilities require you to

wear a paper gown for the exam.

Watch your grooming practices.

You’ll be advised to abstain from wearing powder, perfume, deodorant, ointment and lotions on the chest or around the area. These substances may look like an abnormalities on the mammogram image, potentially resulting in false positive diagnoses.

Take an OTC pain medication.

Mammograms are not necessarily painful, but they can put pressure on the breasts, which creates discomfort.

Breasts are compressed between a plastic plate and the imaging machine.

This spreads out the tissue and helps create a clearer picture. If your breasts are tender, medications like

acetaminophen or ibuprofen taken an hour before the appointment may ease discomfort.

Expect a short visit. Mammogram appointments typically last around 30 minutes. The technician will mark any moles or birthmarks around the breasts so they can be ignored on the imaging. You’ll be asked to hold your breath as the images are taken. If the images are acceptable, you are free to go. But new images may be needed in some instances.

Mammograms are now a routine part of women’s preventative health care. The procedure is simple and appointments are quick and relatively painless.

Breast self-exam guidelines

detect breast abnormalities. Doctors Cover the entire breast in circular motions. The pattern taken doesn’t and nurses will use similar breast matter so long as it covers the entire examination techniques during routine breast. All tissue, from the front to examinations. the back of the breast, should be felt.

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In addition to scheduling clinical screenings and mammograms, women should routinely examine and massage their breasts to detect any abnormalities. These breast selfexams can be an important part of early breast cancer detection.

Although many women are aware that they should become familiar with their bodies, many are unsure about just how frequently they should conduct breast examinations. Experts at Johns Hopkins Medical center advise adult women of all ages to perform self-examinations at least once a month. That’s because 40 percent of diagnosed breast cancers are first detected by women who feel a lump. Establishing a regular breast self-exam schedule is very important.

Begin by looking at the breasts in a mirror. Note the size and appearance of the breasts, and pay attention to any changes that are normal parts of hormonal changes associated with menstruation. Breasts should be evenly shaped without distortion or swelling.

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The same pattern and procedure should be conducted while standing up. Many women find this easiest to do while in the shower.

Changes that should cause concern include dimpling, puckering or bulging of the skin. Inverted nipples or nipples that have changed position, as well as any rash or redness, should be noted.

In addition, the same examination should be done with arms raised over the head.

The breasts should be felt while both lying down and standing up. Use the right hand to manipulate the left breast and vice versa. Use a firm touch with the first few fingers of the hand.

It is important not to panic if something is detected. Not every lump is breast cancer.

And bumps may actually be normal parts of the breast, as certain areas can feel different than others. But bring any concerns to the attention of your doctor.

Breast self-exams are a healthy habit to adopt.

When used in conjunction with regular medical care and mammography, self-exams can be yet another tool in helping to

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Interactive Caregiving

®

Makes Every Moment Matter Interactive Caregiving® is the unique way our Comfort Keepers® deliver care to our clients. It centers on four interrelated aspects – engagement of the mind, an active body, proper nutrition, and safety. A plan of Care which addresses these aspects, together, will enhance quality of life and ultimately, independence.

SERVICES

Companion Care • Personal Care Light Housekeeping In-Home Safety Solutions

(979) 764-3076

244 Southwest Parkway East • College Station, TX 77840

w w w. s e n i o r c a r e c o l l e g e s t a t i o n . c o m

October 6, 2015 | 9

CALENDAR Ongoing

Sit and Fit Chair Exercises - Gentle work out while sitting in a chair. Features fat-burning aerobics and weight lifting.

Seniors meet at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station, every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, from noon to 1 p.m. For more details, contact 979-764-6351 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Line Dancing - Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station, holds line dancing for seniors on Tuesdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and on Fridays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. For more information, contact 979-764-6351, 979764-6371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Bluegrass Jam Session – Bluegrass Jam Session is from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesdays at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station. All levels. Bring string instruments and a friend. For more details, contact 979764-6351 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Friday Bridge - Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station, offers bridge for seniors on Fridays from 9 to 11:30 a.m. For more, contact 979-764-6351 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Learn how to play 42 dominoes Learn the game of 42 every Wednesday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station. Contact Southwood Community Center at 979-764-6351 or mrodgers@cstx.gov for more information.

42 dominoes - Seniors meet every Thursday to play 42 at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. For more details, contact 979-7646351 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Bible study – Bible study is held for seniors at 9:15 a.m. every Thursday at Lincoln Center, 1000 Eleanor St. in College Station. Contact 979-764-3779 or awilliams@cstx.gov for more information.

Learn to play Maj Jongg - Seniors interested in learning the game will meet at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station on Thursdays from 9 to 11:30 a.m. For more information, call 764-6371 or email mrodgers @cstx.gov.

Game Night - Seniors are invited to Game Night from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays

10 | October 6, 2015

at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station.

Table games and dominoes provided or bring your own favorite game. Meet friends and enjoy a fun game night. For more information contact College Station Parks and Recreation Department, Senior Services at 979-764-6371 or mrodgers@ cstx.gov.

Line dance workshop for beginners – Seniors are invited to a free line dance workshop for beginners, held from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on the first through third Monday of each month, at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station. Learn the steps and terminology.

No registration necessary. Call 764-6351 or email mrodgers@cstx.gov for more information.

Dominoes - Brazos County Senior Citizens Association, 1402 Bristol St. in Bryan, plays dominoes all day on Tuesdays and Fridays and from noon to closing Wednesdays. Sack lunch for those playing dominoes from 11:30 a.m. to noon Wednesdays. For more details: 979-8226873/ www.brazoscountyseniorcitizens. weebly.com.

Bridge – Brazos County Senior Citizens Association, 1402 Bristol St. in Bryan, plays Bridge from 12:30 p.m. until closing on Tuesdays; noon to closing on Thursdays; and 12:20 p.m. to closing Fridays. Partner needed Tuesdays and Thursdays. For more details: 979-822-6873 or www. brazoscountyseniorcitizens.weebly.com.

Games - Brazos County Senior Citizens Association, 1402 Bristol St. in Bryan, plays board games, Scrabble and other card games on Tuesdays.

For more details: 979-822-6873/ www. brazoscountyseniorcitizens.weebly.com.

Bible study - Brazos County Senior Citizens Association, 1402 Bristol St. in Bryan, holds Bible study 9:15 to 9:45 a.m. on Wednesdays. For more information, call 979-822-6873 or visit www. brazoscountyseniorcitizens.weebly.com.

Exercise class - Brazos County Senior Citizens Association, 1402 Bristol St. in Bryan, holds exercise class 9:45 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays. For more details, call 979-822-6873 or visit www. brazoscountyseniorcitizens.weebly.com.

Bingo - Brazos County Senior Citizens Association, 1402 Bristol St. in Bryan, plays Bingo 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays.

For more details: 979-822-6873 or www.

brazoscountyseniorcitizens.weebly.com.

Canasta - Brazos County Senior Citizens Association, 1402 Bristol St. in Bryan, plays Canasta from 11:30 a.m. to closing on Thursdays. For more details, call 979-822-6873 or visit www. brazoscountyseniorcitizens.weebly.com.

Potluck luncheon - Brazos County Senior Citizens Association, 1402 Bristol St. in Bryan, has a potluck luncheon 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Fridays. For more, call 979-822-6873 or visit www. brazoscountyseniorcitizens.weebly.com.

One-on-one computer help - Held 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays and Saturdays at Larry J. Ringer Library, 1818 Harvey Mitchell Pkwy. S. in College Station. Contact the Reference Desk to schedule a 30-minute session, at 979-764-3416. For more information, visit www.bcslibrary.org.

Oct. 7

Computer Club For Seniors: “Security & Preventive Measures” The Computer Club is open to all seniors interested in learning more about the computer world. The meetings are held at Carter’s Creek Training Room, at 2200 North Forest Parkway in College Station at 9:30 a.m. No pre-registration needed. For more information contact College Station Parks and Recreation Department, Senior Services at 979-764-6371 or mrodgers@ cstx.gov.

Oct. 8

Surviving and Thriving - Pink Alliance will host the Surviving and Thriving Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. at Hilton College Station & Conference Center, 801 University Drive East in College Station. For more information, visit survivingandthriving.org.

Oct. 10

American Heart Association’s annual Brazos County Heart Walk – Heart Walk will be held at Pebble Creek Elementary.

Registration will be held at 8 a.m. Walk begins at 9 a.m. For more information, visit www.heartwalk.org.

Oct. 12

Beginning Bridge Class - Learn the game of bridge. Designed for beginners and taught in a fun way. This six-week class will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Oct.

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12 to Nov. 16 at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station. Cost is $25. Register at rectrac. cstx.gov or visit the College Station Parks and Recreation Department, at 1000 Krenek Tap Road. Call 979-764-3486 for more information.

Oct. 13

“Flu Vaccine Myths” presentation – Held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Senior Circle, 1651 Rock Prairie Road, second floor, in College Station. Free. Bring your own lunch. Senior Circle will provide drinks and a dessert. RSVP at 979-764-5107 or seniorcircle@csmedcenter.com.

Oct. 14

Free Help for IPad Users - Bring your iPad to class. Learn how to get the most out of your iPad. Class size limited. Class meets at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station, from 9 to 10 a.m. RSVP by calling 979-7646351 or email mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Free Help for Tablet Computer Users - Bring your tablet to class. Learn how to get the most out of technology. Class size limited. Class meets at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. RSVP by calling 979-764-6351 or email mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Oct. 15

Fall Senior Dance - Enjoy an evening of dancing at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station from 7 to 9 p.m. Free. Live DJ and light refreshments served. For more information contact College Station Parks and Recreation Department, Senior Services at 979-764-6371 or mrodgers@ cstx.gov.

Movie & Popcorn: “War Horse” Seniors are invited to enjoy a free movie and popcorn at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station. Movie begins at 1 p.m. Contact Southwood Community Center at 979764-6351 or email mrodgers@cstx.gov for more information.

Travel Show on “UK by Rail” – Held at

See Calendar page 11 T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

Calendar

Oct. 20

from page 10 10 a.m. at Senior Circle, 1651 Rock Prairie Road, second floor, in College Station.

Free. For more information and to RSVP, contact 979-764-5107 or seniorcircle@ csmedcenter.com.

Oct. 19

Beginning Computer 101 Class Participants will start with the basics and progress to software, email, creating and saving files and how to search on the Internet. Class meets on Monday and Wednesday for two weeks from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station.

Cost is $45. Register at rectrac.cstx.gov or visit the College Station Parks and Recreation Department, at 1000 Krenek Tap Road. Call 979-764-3486 for more information.

Intermediate Computer 102 Class - A continuation from Computer 101.

Learn more helpful tips and tools. Class meets for two weeks on Monday and Wednesday from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station. Cost is $45. Register at rectrac.cstx.gov or visit the College Station Parks and Recreation Department, at 1000 Krenek Tap Road.

Call 979-764-3486 for more information.

Portrait Drawing Class - Learn to draw portraits. Basic drawing supplies required.

Class meets for six weeks at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station, on Mondays from 1to 4 p.m.

Cost is $45. Register at rectrac.cstx.gov or visit the College Station Parks and Recreation Department, at 1000 Krenek Tap Road.

Call 979-764-3486 for more information.

The Westerners - Meets from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. at the Party Room at Wings n’ More, at the intersection of Texas Avenue and Deacon in College Station.

The purpose of The Westerners is “to stimulate interest and research in western frontier history.” The program for this evening will be presented by Jennifer Korolenko, speaking on “Sharp and the Taos School: Painting Evocative Portraits of Natives in the New American West.” Attendees are encouraged to wear western or Texas attire. Join at 6:30 p.m. for a social time.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. For dinner reservations, contact Georgianne Bigam, trail boss, at 979-846-7619, or email BrazosCorral@gmail.com.

Oct. 21

Exploring History Luncheon: “Veterans Day Plans for Veteran’s Park” with Steve Beachy - The College Station Historic Preservation Committee and the College Station Parks and Recreation Department present monthly lectures with lunch on the history of the community. The luncheons are held at Aldersgate Church, at 2201 Earl Rudder Fwy S. A reservation is necessary for lunch; the cost is $5. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. Speaker will begin at noon. Reserve on the Friday before the luncheon at 979-764-6351 or mrodgers@ cstx.gov.

“Learning More About DNA Part II” The group shares an interest in computer genealogical information and meets on the third Wednesday of the month at Carter Creek Training Room at 2200 N. Forest Parkway from 9:30 to 11 a.m. No registration is required. Open to all older adults. For more information contact College Station Parks and Recreation Department, Senior Services at 979-7646371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Oct. 22

Senior Fall Fest: “Wear your costume” - Seniors are invited to enjoy free food, live entertainment, door prizes, cake walk and best costume contest.

Held from 5 to 7 p.m. at Veterans ParkAmerican Pavilion.

No registration is required. Open to all older adults. For more information contact College Station Parks and Recreation Department, Senior Services at 979-764-6371 or mrodgers@ cstx.gov.

Oct. 24

Household Hazardous Waste & Computer Collection Event - Properly dispose of hazardous waste at the University Services Building from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information: twinoakshhw.

com or 979-764-3809.

Oct. 26

College Station Senior Advisory Committee Meeting - The Senior Advisory Committee meets on the last Monday of each month at Southwood Community Center from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Visitors are welcome. Contact Southwood Community Center at 979-764-6351 or email mrodgers@cstx.gov for more information.

Oct. 29

Oktoberfest – Watercrest, at 3801 E. Crest Dr. in Bryan, is holding its Oktoberfest event at 5 p.m. Enjoy games, prizes, Ommpapa music, German foods such as bratwurst and sauerkraut. Free. RSVP at 979-703-7088.

Oct. 30

BINGO & Birthday Celebration Seniors are invited on the last Friday of each month to celebrate birthdays for that month with cake and bingo. Held at 1 p.m. at Southwood Community Center, 1520 Rock Prairie Road in College Station.

Contact Southwood Community Center at 979-764-6351 or mrodgers@cstx.gov for more details.

Genealogy Computer User Group:

A litte help; a lot of life!

Yoga for Seniors Class A gentle and effective way to maintain wellness, improve balance and increase flexibility. Class offered for six weeks at Southwood Community Center on Mondays from 9 to 10 a.m.

Cost is $45. Register at rectrac.cstx.gov or visit the College Station Parks and Recreation Department, at 1000 Krenek Tap Road.

Call 979-764-3486 for more information.

Assisted Living at Crestview provides a helping hand when needed, along with hospitality and engaging social activities—all in a homelike setting.

At Crestview, we keep life on the sunny side!

CRESTVIEW A N M RC H E A LT H Y L I V I N G C O M M U N I T Y

888.392.8765 • 2505 E. Villa Maria Rd. Bryan, TX mrccrestview.org Follow us at Crestview Healthy Living Community

T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

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O c t o b e r 6 , 2 0 1 5 | 11

CELEBRATING OUR SURVIVORS

Julie Jones Fowler

Julie is celebrating four years as a breast cancer survivor…

And we’re celebrating with her.

As one of a select group of NAPBC-Accredited Breast Centers across the nation, the Breast Center at St. Joseph embraces the full spectrum of care.

With the highest level of expertise, multiple treatment options, advanced technology, and compassionate care for breast cancer under one roof, our breast center team cares for the entire person – emotional, mental, physical and spiritual.

Trust your care to Brazos Valley’s Nationally Accredited Breast Center of Excellence.

Call our Nurse Navigator today to schedule your no-obligation consultation.

979.776.3983

EXPERT CARE, CLOSER TO HOME. 12 | October 6, 2015

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