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This week’s edition of Our Health takes a look at Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital’s employees of the year, and a Heights marathoner who is 52 and still going strong.
3915 Dacoma, Suite E (713) 344.0764
www.IntegrityFuneral.com
Memorial Hermann’s Employees of the Year 3B ¡ Marathoner Felix Lugo 7B
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Saturday, January 10, 2015 • Page 1B
Before, during and after Coming back strong after joint replacement surgery
Preferred Health DIreCtory
Chiropractic Care
For The Leader Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital From pre-surgical education sessions to postoperative follow-up, Caroline Kihunah, RN-BC, helps people who choose joint replacement navigate the entire process – before, during and after surgery – at the Memorial Hermann Joint Center at Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital. “Having a knee or hip joint replaced isn’t as disruptive to an individual’s lifestyle as it used to be,� said Kihunah, the nurse navigator at the Joint Center at Memorial Hermann Northwest. “Technology has improved dramatically over the last decade, and minimally invasive surgical approaches help patients recover faster.� Kihunah’s patients have different goals than most who come to the hospital. “They’ve elected to take a break from their normal activities to take care of themselves and improve their lives,� she said. “Most have lived with pain caused by arthritis and other joint disorders for years before seeking joint replacement. They’ve tried various conservative treatments, ranging from overthe-counter and prescription medications to topical agents, physical therapy and alternative treatments. It’s my job to help them through every step of the joint replacement process and ensure a smooth and safe recovery.� Kihunah’s first encounter with patients at the Joint Center takes place during the preoperative educational class one to two weeks before the scheduled surgery. During the session, she explains how to prepare for surgery, what to expect during the recovery period and postoperative limitations the patient may experience. A team that also includes a physical therapist, dietitian and case manager provides education on the importance of maintaining regular exercise before surgery, physical therapy after surgery, how to control postoperative pain to maximize the benefits of therapy and how to take precautions to avoid dislocations and injury. “Most have a lot of questions because they are eager to understand the joint replacement process,� Kihunah said. “I forge a relationship early on so they’re comfortable with me, which makes them more inclined to ask questions throughout the process. Our goal is to get them back to daily life as quickly as possible after surgery.� Memorial Hermann Northwest has twice been recognized with The Joint Commission Gold Seal of ApprovalŽ for knee replacement and hip replacement surgery. “Ours was the first Joint Commission-certified orthopedic joint center in the Memorial Hermann Health System – and for a couple of years the only one,� Kihunah said. “I was very proud that our hospital led the way. We have a dedicated nursing and therapy team and affiliated surgeons are inspiring with a great bedside manner. We’re a small unit, and we all work together.� Many people view joint pain and loss of joint mobility as an inevitable part of aging. Not so. Today’s synthetic joints are designed to replace painfully arthritic joints and may last as long as 25 years. Although the majority of patients Kihunah sees are in their 60s, younger patients are more apt to go forward with the surgery knowing that the chance of needing a new replacement later is less. Modern joint replacements are made of very high-density polyethylene
In-Line Chiropractic Care,P.A. 1919 North Loop West Suite 180 Tel: 713-699-3200 www.drsharongilbertdc.com
Dental Care
Lawton
Mark E. Lawton, D.D.S., P.A. General Dentistry 7938 Antoine Drive Houston, Texas 77088 Tel: 281-447-2186 Mark.LawtonDDS@sbcglobal.net
Oak Forest Dental Group and Orthodontics 1354 West 43rd Street, Suite C Houston, TX 77018 713-263-7913 oakforestdentalgroup.com
Contributed photo Caroline Kihunah, RN-BC, helps people who choose joint replacement navigate the entire process.
plastic; an alloy of five different metals makes up the metal components. Together, they provide superior hardness and wear resistance. While metal on polyethylene will show wear over time, it has the longest-term data available for joint replacement. In addition to the instructional class before surgery, the Joint Center holds group physical therapy and recovery classes. “Everyone in the pre-surgical class begins therapy together, which helps create a feeling of camaraderie,� said Kihunah, who follows up on patients after discharge from the hospital. “We aim to make recovery as speedy and safe as possible, and to provide exceptional physical and emotional care that extends through the transition back home.� To learn more about joint pain treatment options, visit jointpain.memorialhermann.org or call 713-272-1888.
Finding what’s lasting A look inside meditation with Diamond Way Buddhist Center By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com Tucked away on West 34 Street in an unassuming office complex next door to the Foam Store is an oasis of calm in Oak Forest – the Diamond Way Buddhist Center Houston, 2217 W 34th Street, Suite D. Recently relocated from Oak Forest Drive, the center has also had a home in Garden Oaks some years back as well as in Friendswood which is where Oak Forest resident Beth Williams got involved with it in the 1990s. Diamond Way is part of the Karma Kagyu lineage, one of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Teachings are passed down orally. “Meditation is our main emphasis,� said Williams. “We don’t worship or idolize a Bud-
Contributed Photo Jim King in meditation at Diamond Way.
TAKE THE FIRST STEP
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dha.� For Williams, and fellow practitioner Misty Cornell, the center is about idealism and friendship. The people who come to their meditation sessions on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 5 p.m. do not pay a fee to the non-profit. Instead members of the 108 Club fund the expenses of the center on a voluntary basis. The number 108 is a lucky number in Buddhism – the Buddhist mala or rosary is usually 108 beads. The free meditation at Diamond Way doesn’t require any special clothes or complex rituals and is guided by a group leader in English. The leader, who also gives a 10 minute talk about a concept of Buddhism before the meditation, changes from week to week. “This encourages others to not just be a consumer of Buddhism, but a producer of it,� said Williams. The meditation itself lasts for about 20 minutes and includes the body (in the use of mala beads), speech (the mantra or chanting) and visualization, which Williams said is more like confidence in your endeavor. “Meditation comes in different forms,� said Cornell, who notes that others interested in meditation may only follow their breaths or pursue it solely for relaxation. “This is our truth. It’s more intensive, like dipping a dirty sock into water over and over until it becomes clean.� Cornell said that while most people who come to the center are interested in exploring Buddhist teachings, they see all kinds of people, from students working on a school paper to those looking for ways to alleviate their stress. About 10 to 15 people typically attend each session. “Our goal is to find what’s lasting,� said Williams, “Not your emotions, not your new car, or your changing body.� “We have material things of course,� she said. “We just strive not to be attached to them. You want to keep what you love. When See Meditation, P. 2B
Welcome to 2015, Josiah
The Heights Modern Dentistry 1911 Taylor Street, Suite D Houston, TX 77007 713-868-4488 theheightsmoderndentistry.com
Health Insurance
Simply HealthInsurance Serving the Heights Tel: 281-916-1447 Office/Text/Fax)
Physical therapy
Jennifer Klein Physical Therapy 1212 Columbia Street Houston, TX 77008 713-203-0787 www.jenniferkleinphysicaltherapy.com
Major Hospitals
Memorial Hermann Northwest 1635 North Loop West Houston, Texas 77008 Tel: 713-867-2000 memorialhermann.org Physician Referral 713.222.CARE
Pharmacy
Claude’s Pharmacy Contributed Photo The first baby born at Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital for 2015 was Josiah Brooks Miller at 10:17 a.m., a 6 pound, 6 oz baby boy.
LOOK INSIDE. Memorial Hermann North West names Physician and Employee of the year. Find it • 3B
5740 W. Little York Houston, Texas 77091 Tel: 281-447-7648 claudespharmacy@hotmail.com
Urgent Care
Doctors Express 1074 Yale Street, Suite 200 713-861-6060 www.DoctorsExpressHeights.com
Contact a Memorial Hermann Joint Center. And start living pain free. Staying active is key to staying healthy. That’s why Joint Center specialists use the most advanced treatments to get you moving again. From new prescription options, to minimally invasive surgical interventions, our affiliated body of experts is ready to help you find the best path to the life you want to live.
Call 713.272.1888 or visit jointpain.memorialhermann.org for more information or to make an appointment.