SUMMER 2013
COMPLIMENTARY
CELEBRATING, MOTIVATING, AND EDUCATING WOMEN
Real
TM
CHANGING BREAST CARE inMeetthe Lowcountry Dr. Beaty and Dr. Fiorini of The Breast Place
A PAGEANT QUEEN and More Meet Keyla Childs, Miss South Carolina Teen USA of 2011
GOOSE CREEK | HANAHAN | MONCKS CORNER | MOUNT PLEASANT | NORTH CHARLESTON | SUMMERVILLE | WEST ASHLEY
In this Issue
8
14
www.charlestonwomanonline.com
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lori Samples Duncan loriduncan86@gmail.com
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVE Melissa Cooper and Crystal Poston info@woman2womanonline.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Laura Deprill Lori Samples Duncan Jennifer Fiorini, MD, FACS Tom Hynes Beth McCrary Beth Messervy Elaine Samples Rachel-Elise Weems
DESIGN Melissa W. Morris
PHOTOGRAPHY Clark Berry Photography Tammy Bevins Photography
Celebrating the Survivor in You!
From the Editor
2 Breast Cancer Awareness!
Events
3 What’s Happening?
Let’s Talk
4 5 6 8
Pageants, Passion and a Purpose Learning is Spelled F-U-N Harmony in the Workplace Keyla Childs: A Pageant Queen and More
10 13 14
Know the Glow Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy Changing Breast Care in the Lowcountry
Professional
16 Financial Etiquette Dos and Don’ts
Health & Wellness
18 20 22 24
More than Skin Deep 15 Minutes Could Save Your Life... Trident Earns Highest Three-star Rating for Bypass Surgery Introducing Dr. Denice Swasty of Swasty Orthodontics
Business & Web Directory 27 Contact our Advertisers
Personal Note Find us on facebook!
Charleston Woman Magazine Woman 2 Woman Publishing (803) 785-4475 602 Northwood Road Lexington, SC 29072
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication. However, the publisher cannot assume responsibility for errors or omissions. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. © 2013
28 Who Will You Smile at Today?
Don’t Forget October is
Breast Cancer Awareness Month! www.charlestonwomanonline.com
I
t is once again my pleasure to bring you the new issue of Charleston Woman Magazine. This issue is packed with great information about local businesses and local people. We always want to celebrate, motivate, educate, and inspire you. On the cover is two doctors who have helped hundreds of people maybe thousands and with October fast approaching we wanted you to raise awareness and introduce you to The Breast Place in a more intimate way. Our survivor article in this issue is about a family with two little boys who faced a life altering illness and how they found the strength to go through it and a desire to help others avoid it. If you know someone with children please share this issue and this article with them. It could save their life. It is our goal in every single issue of Charleston Woman to bring you the best of the best businesses. Each of these companies has made a commitment to you “The Charleston Woman” to provide you with quality services, products, and a quality experience with their establishment. If you have a business you would like to see featured please feel free to email us. We always love to have your feedback. It’s back to school and welcome fall and we are glad you have chosen to spend a few minutes of your busy life with us. Psss… Ladies and Gents.. are you ready for some FOOTBALL???? Enjoy!
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Lori Samples Duncan Editor-in-Chief
Celebrating, Motivating and Educating
Real
Women
Events
What’s HAPPENING? Pawleys Island Festival of Music and Art September 19 – October 13 The Reserve Golf Club of Pawleys Island Pawleys Island
Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr., originally of the Fifth Dimension, will headline the performance events slated for October 1-13 at the Reserve Golf Club of Pawleys Island. The Festival kicks off with the Wearable Art Luncheon on September 19th at Tommy Bahama Restaurant in The Market Common. On Saturday, September 28-29, Chalk Under the Oaks will be held at Huntington State Park across from the Atalaya Arts & Crafts Festival. Beginning October 4, the 14th Annual Pawleys Island Wine Gala fundraiser starts the 2 week performances. Followed on Saturday, October 5th- the Plein Air Art Exhibiton held at various locations in Pawleys Island from 10am-4pm. Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. are the Festival headliners entertaining with sounds of the 70’s and 80’s on Saturday, October 5th. Sunday, October 6th brings CCU Graduate and local vocalist, Elise Testone, to the lowcountry for a collaborative fundraiser with “Teach My People”. The second
week provides talent from such entertainers as Emile Pandolfi, Vivace, Mac Arnold and The Movin’Out Band. The Festival ends on Sunday, October 13th with a Gospel Brunch helping raise funds and awareness for Miss Ruby’s Kids and the Pawleys Island Festival of Music and Art. For more information, ticket prices, times and dates, visit the website below or call Festival offices at (843) 626-8911. www.pawleysmusic.com
2013 Taste of Charleston September 29 Boone Hall Plantation, Mt. Pleasant
The Greater Charleston Restaurant Association proudly announces the “Taste of Charleston.” The three-day celebration of Lowcountry cuisine is being hosted by the Greater Charleston Restaurant Association and will feature some of Charleston’s finest, nationally-renowned chefs. Bring your family and friends and join us for the “Taste of Charleston” at Boone Hall Plantation. Plenty of free parking inside Boone Hall Plantation. Rain or
Fight Hard. Laugh Loud. Treatment for women, by women.
shine. No pets or coolers, please. Call (843) 577-4030 for more information.
Coastal Carolina Fair October 31-November 10 Exchange Park Fairgrounds, Ladson
The vision of the Coastal Carolina Fair is to be the ‘cleanest, safest, most enjoyable fair anywhere’ and its objective is to promote Agriculture, Industry, Commerce and the Educational and Recreational facilities of the counties of Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester and Colleton and surrounding areas. The Coastal Carolina Fair is owned and operated by the Exchange Club of Charleston, one of the oldest and largest service clubs in South Carolina and presently the largest Exchange Club in the nation with over 265 members who volunteer more than 10,000 man-hours each year to bring you the Fair. Come out and see all the new improvements and attractions that make The Exchange Club of Charleston so proud! www.coastalcarolinafair.org
SURVIVE.
Specializing in malignant and benign breast disease.
Jennifer Beatty, DO, FACS Jennifer Fiorini, MD, FACS
MOUNT PLEASANT LOCATION 1300 Hospital Drive, Suite 130
NORTH CHARLESTON LOCATION 2910 Tricom Street
www.charlestonwomanonline.com
Let’s Talk
Pageants, Passion, and a
PURPOSE by Amy Pittsenbarger photo by Tammy Bevins Photography
B
Brooks Hearn Crom
Crom graduated from the University of South Carolina’s Honors College with a degree in Public Relations. She entered the Miss Summerville pageant on a whim in 2007, during a time in her life she was in need of scholarship money for graduate school tuition, performed dancing as her talent, and won! She says that her training and time in pageants helped prepare her for high-pressure situations. Miss Summerville is a preliminary of the Miss South Carolina and Miss America organizations, which award scholarships to titleholders. After winning Miss Summerville, Crom entered the Miss South Carolina pageant, where she received the “overall academic award and a scholarship for promoting [her] platform which was child abuse prevention.” Crom also won a community spirit award, “just for getting out there and doing sales for the program book,” which benefitted the scholarship fund.
Crom put her scholarship money from her pageants towards pursuing a Master’s degree in Public Administration with a non-profit administration emphasis at the College of Charleston. At first glance, her degree has nothing to do with a career in sales management. But Crom says that’s simply not true! “Since the Wingate is owned by Charleston Southern [University], what we are doing is working with a university as well as a business, so I am blending both of my degrees,” clarifies Crom.
Celebrating, Motivating and Educating
Real
Crom says that though she has only been working at the Wingate by Wyndham for a short time, she loves it already. Explaining that the job ties in with her PR/communications background, Crom says that the opportunities for networking in the local community are her favorite aspect of her job. “[I’m responsible] for groups, events, banquet sales… I am doing some marketing as well,” says Crom. Women
rooks Hearn Crom, a South Carolina native, works for Wingate by Wyndham in Charleston, SC as their Sales Manager. Crom attributes her success thus far in her career to several factors, including her faith, educational opportunities, and her pageant experience. She says that she feels the Wingate staff is “very guest-minded”-a sign of a truly successful hotel. “I think ultimately Guest Services are what makes or breaks a hotel, and I think this [Wingate] staff is very focused on that,” explains Crom. Crom says that her experience of growing up in a small town allows her a unique perspective on the interactions she performs as part of her job now. “I love Summerville. I love the level of community involvement and support and the fact that you can see the same people at every event,” she says. Crom served as a board member for Sculpture in the South (my term just ended in July! J). This past March, she assisted The Ark (an Alzheimer’s Respite Care group) with their Dancing with the Stars event, in honor of her grandfather who passed away in 2010 from Alzheimer’s. Child abuse and trafficking prevention is also an issue that remains near and dear to
Crom’s heart. She is currently involved with a local child advocacy center as well as an organization that works to prevent human trafficking. Brooks Crom is a perfect example of what a true pageant participant should be. She encourages the girls she mentors to get as involved in the community as possible. Crom has worked with fundraising events for organizations from the Children’s Miracle Network to the Summerville Miracle League alongside the local titleholders. She wants to impress upon people that “pageants are not all they seem.” She still volunteers with the Miss Summerville pageant, to help give future generations of girls the opportunities she received. “[Pageants give] young women the opportunity to advance themselves and gain real life experience they can use in the career world,” Crom explains. Spoken like a true winner, Ms. Crom!
Let’s Talk
Learning is Spelled F-U-N at the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry!
I
t’s that time again, parents. School Time. Alarm clocks, school books, and out the door to the bus stop… and wait! Don’t forget to make time for a healthy breakfast.
There’s always plenty to do, but, come Fall, we see our focus turn once more to education – and how to make it fun. This is the Children’s Musuem of the Lowcountry’s specialty: we make learning fun. With nine interactive exhibits, including a two-story Medieval Castle, a pirate ship and a dedicated Art Room, we encourage your children to explore the arts, sciences and humanities through their own hands-on experiences. One of our most popular exhibits is Water Wise. Yes, little ones deck out in smocks to get wet on purpose! In one room, your child can race boats down raging rapids, brew up a rain storm, irrigate
fields, drive under a lake, light up Charleston and just splash around. Children love to use their problem solving skills to explore how to move a boat through our lock system modeled after the Pinopolis Dam and Lock near Moncks Corner. During your visit, be sure to engage your little one in our interactive water cycle! When children press the Evaporation button on the control panel, the sun “heats” the lake and liquid water turns to water vapor (simulated by Styrofoam pellets) that travels up to the cloud. Children are then prompted to use the Condensation button to move the cloud across the lake and over to the mountains. By choosing the
su mm e r c a m p s
There’s always plenty to do, but, come Fall, we see our focus turn once more to education – and how to make it fun. Precipitation button, children can make it rain! As the rain comes off the mountain, children may operate the hydroelectric dams to light up the map of Charleston and sur-
rounding areas. This exhibit shows children not only the importance of water in everyday life, but also how much fun it provides. The Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization with a mission is to spark imagination, stimulate curiosity and encourage problem solving through the power of play in families from all backgrounds with young children. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 per person, $8 for SC Residents and free for children less than 12 months of age. For more information please visit our website, www. explorecml.org.
SIBLINGS RECEIVE 25% OFF*
*must be same week & same time.
may 20 - augu./ŗõûŗąŗ " .ŗ÷ĕõô half day & full day options available different theme each week playtime, crafts, stories & more pricing starts at $150 visit
www.explorecml.org for details
25 ann street ą downtown charleston ýù÷ÿýú÷.8962
www.charlestonwomanonline.com
Let’s Talk
HARMONY IN THE WORKPLACE Great teams don’t compete with each other….they complete each other
by Beth Messervy
W
hen I started to work for Dr. Martin in May 2011, he asked all of us to fill out personality profiles so that we could discover our strengths and weaknesses. Using Patrick Leoncini’s The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, he used the results to guide us through several team building exercises in order to figure out how our personalities could work together in the best way possible.
I have to admit that, at first, I thought the exercises were a bit cliché. But after sitting down with my new fellow co-workers, going through our personality profiles, and figuring out how our personalities could work together for the better, I realized why Dr. Martin took the time to have us complete it. It turns out that we all are of like minds: intelligent, humorous and personable with a common strong work ethic and good teamanship skills. As Becky Miller, one of our Physicians Assistants puts it, “Happiness fosters good teamanship and good teamanship fosters happiness.”
ment each others strengths and weaknesses.”
Martha Green, our second Physician’s Assistant, adds, “We all have different personalities and bring something unique to the table but we complement each other,” and Whitney Giavelli, one of our nurses, also includes, “We compli-
We are a relatively small practice, which I appreciate both as a patient and as an employee. Before I started working here and was coming to the practice as an obstetrical patient, I loved that all of the staff knew my name and remembered
You see, we are not just co-workers. We are a family. “We truly enjoy each others company, laugh every day, share our ups and downs, support each other and we are a great team,” says Karla Winningham, our office manager, all-around problem solver, and ovarian cancer survivor. I started working here when Karla was going through chemotherapy, and it was amazing to see how everyone pulled together to take care of her and try to fill her shoes during her brief absence….no easy task!
special details about my pregnancy. They made me feel like more than just a chart number. As an employee, I enjoy reciprocating that personal touch to the patients. Our positive and caring attitudes are well received by our patients, and it translates into a great experience for them. “I am very picky and demanding with my medical care, and I don’t shy away from admitting it. Yet, I couldn’t appreciate this place more than I do! If I didn’t know any different, I would really think Martha Green is a dear friend, that’s how comfortable and at ease she makes me feel each and every time I make it there. I love all the staff. They are very friendly, personable and efficient,” says patient Iulia Iordachescu Phillips. “Everyone at the office is very friendly and welcoming. I felt like I’d know everyone in the office for years after only a few visits. I don’t
believe you can get any better personalized care then from this office,” says patient Jessica Shealy. Not only do we work well together, we play well together, too. It is important for us to get together outside of the office on a monthly basis to strengthen the bond between us. Whether it is for a painting party, our kids’ or spouses’ birthday parties, a day or weekend at the lake, or even a 5 day vacation to a tropical paradise, we enjoy activities outside of the office. Kim Colson, our clinical trials coordinator, says, “I do not consider my coworkers just coworkers...but a family and also my best group of friends. We all have a connection that enables us to enjoy working together every day as well as love each others company outside the office. It’s overwhelming how supportive everyone in the office is of each other.”
‘I do not consider my coworkers just coworkers...but a family and also my best group of friends.’
Celebrating, Motivating and Educating
Real
Women
Let’s Talk The source of our inspiration and motivation is the man behind the scrubs—Dr. Martin. We are all very lucky enough to have such an amazing person as our leader. “Dr. Martin is a very genuine person. He cares very much about his patients as well as his staff/family! I’ve never worked for someone as caring as he is in EVERYTHING he does,� says Tracie Tackett, our insurance and referrals specialist.
Being a woman isn’t easy, especially when you’re dealing with certain health issues that interfere with your daily routine. We are here to listen and help with female problems such as: ‡ Urinary incontinence: Sudden, unplanned urine leakage can really dampen your day. New outpatient procedures can help restore \RXU ERG\ DQG FRQÀGHQFH ‡ +HDY\ SHULRGV Cryoablation, a unique and minimally invasive procedure, can be SHUIRUPHG LQ RXU RIÀFH WR UHWXUQ \RX WR \RXU normal activities quickly. ‡ 3URODSVH 7KH WLVVXHV RI \RXU SHOYLF à RRU can weaken over time, causing this uncomfortable condition. We offer several different procedures to correct prolapse and get you back to your normal self.
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“I’ve worked several places, and it really is great to be appreciated by your boss. Dr. Martin really does appreciate all the hard work we all do, our dedication to the practice and our patients. He is such a giving, compassionate, and caring person. He has been there for me at my darkest time of need when I was sick along with my coworkers. I truly am blessed to have been chosen to come work for him,â€? said Karla. Dr. Martin is more than just a doctor or a boss. He is a leader. He challenges us to think outside the box whether it is in regards to figuring out what is going on under the microscope or coming up with creative ways to participate in community activities. Michelle Timmons, Dr. Martin’s nurse for over 15 years, says, “I have learned so much from him over the years he is such a great teacher. It is wonderful to know that he still loves what he does. I love this man!â€? In preparations for this article, I asked each of my co-workers to send me a few words as to why we work so well together to provide excellent patient care. We were all blown away by Dr. Martin’s words, which brought tears to our eyes‌as well as to his: “I have always tried to lead my practice by providing the best care possible for my patients and supporting and respecting my
staff. I have always felt no one is any better than anyone else and that our patients get the best care when we all respect and care for each other and fulfill our responsibilities to the best of our ability. When that happens, everything else tends to fall into place. If you want to be the best you can be, you have to surround yourself with the best people. I feel that I have done that. I work with two excellent Physicians Assistants who have demonstrated their talents in the field of womens health with unwavering reliability. Their dedication to excellence and caring is unsurpassed. I learn from them daily and they add a very valuable asset to our practice. I am lucky enough to have three fabulous nurses who not only care about the patients health, but strive to make each day a blessing to those they come in contact with. Michelle is more than just my nurse and right hand; she is a steady force always with a smile who makes me a more complete physician. My administrative staff works tirelessly to keep a steady office flow by responding to inquiries, phone calls and the like with a pleasant attitude and a servant spirit. They are the first and the last people a patient sees; it is comforting to know that a patient’s visit starts and ends with a smile from my girls up front. I feel that being a doctor is what God called me to do, and serving in this capacity brings me rewards that words cannot describe. Working in this office is so wonderful because I love the people I work with, and I enjoy providing care to the patients who come to our office each day.� Whether at work or at play, at Dr. Martin’s office, it’s always a great day. www.charlestonwomanonline.com
KEYLA CHILDS: A Pageant Queen and More
photos by Tammy Bevins Photography
Celebrating, Motivating and Educating
Real
Women
Let’s Talk
K
eyla Childs is a beautiful young lady, and she was Miss South Carolina Teen USA for 2011. In pageants since she was a child, she won her first big title in 1995 as Baby Miss South Carolina. Keyla’s beauty is more than skin deep, however, a result of her parents’ influence and her own spirit of volunteerism and kindness toward others that she learned growing up in Summerville. “I do not consider myself a pageant mom,” Keyla’s mother Debbie Childs says. “I just do things for my girls that they enjoy, I don’t push them into doing anything they don’t want to do.” Childs herself was a tomboy, she recalls. “I played softball until I was in my 20’s, and I raced dirt bikes,” She says. “I have always told my girls that they have to be involved in something—I did not want them just sitting around the house.” “I do exercise a lot,” Keyla says. “Riding my horse or playing with the dogs, or out with my friends at the beach.” Her life is more than pageants, she says. “I don’t like to be labeled as a pageant girl—I do them so that I can do more in the community, doing volunteer work and getting involved, meeting more people.” That helpful nature is also influenced by Keyla’s father Kenneth Childs, who works a regular job and also serves as a paramedic on the weekends.
with my friends, I get dirty and covered in mud sometimes,” She says. “Another thing my parents taught me is that even though we have our beliefs and opinions, do not try to force someone to believe what you believe,” She says. “Do not ever offend someone because they will definitely have different beliefs than you.” So what’s next for Keyla? She isn’t sure, but several good opportunities are possible in the near future, she says.
‘I definitely watch how hard my parents work, and it motivates me to work hard and be able to have everything I need and not be dependent on anyone.
“Usually he is gone all weekend working paramedic shifts,” Keyla says. “I definitely watch how hard my parents work, and it motivates me to work hard and be able to have everything I need and not be dependent on anyone.” Other than her pageant career, Keyla does seem to be just a regular Lowcountry girl, though her interests tend more toward her mother’s tomboy roots. “I love to go hunting, fishing, I spend time
“I auditioned for a part on a TV show for the CMT network, I’m waiting to hear back about that,” she reveals. “If I don’t make it into that show then I will be trying out for the Miss South Carolina Pageant. I am trying to figure out if I will stay here or move to California like I have been planning to.” Whichever route she chooses, Keyla says college is in the plans.
“If I move out to California I’ll be attending the New York Film Academy, after winning the teen pageant I got five different scholarships, so if I stay here I’ll be going to Newberry.” A big Gamecock fan despite not heading there as a student, Keyla says one member of the current USC student body is someone she might see soon. “The current Miss South Carolina goes to USC and she crowned me when I won in Charleston and for Miss Teen South Carolina, so I call her my good luck charm,” Keyla says. “Hopefully she will be crowning me again this year if I compete.” www.charlestonwomanonline.com
Know the GLOW by Beth McCrary
photos by Clark Berry Photography
10
Real WomenWoma n c e l e b r a t e s t h e s u r v i vo r i n yo u Charleston
Celebrating, Motivating and Educating
Celebrating the
Survivor in You!
L
ooking back at photographs of their boys, Jayme and Jeff Porter of Lexington wish they had known. They wish they had known that the white glow reflected by a camera flash in their son’s eye was a sign of a serious eye disease. Not until both of their young sons were diagnosed with retinoblastoma eye cancer were they able to look back and see the glow.
At first Jayme and Jeff thought their youngest son had a lazy eye. They mentioned to Jamison’s pediatrician at his 9 month well check-up that his left eyed drifted out. They were told to bring it up again at his 12 month well check-up if they still noticed it. Three months later his left eye was considerably worse and Jamison was referred to a local pediatric ophthalmologist. Dr. Cheeseman of University Specialty Clinics immediately ordered a CT scan and ultrasound for the next morning. In order to be scheduled for an early morning scan, Jamison had to be inpatient and was admitted for his first of many hospital stays. On November 11, 2010, the Porters received the devastating diagnosis of bilateral retinoblastoma for their 14 month old son. Retinoblastoma is the most common type of eye cancer in kids and can be life-threatening to the retina within the back of the eye. It is generally diagnosed in babies age 4-24 months, although it can be found at earlier or later ages. Three days later the Porters were on a plane to Philadelphia for a new patient appointment with Dr. Carol Shields, the ocular oncologist of Shields and Shields at Wills Eye Hospital. Dr. Shields confirmed the diagnosis of retinoblastoma and sent Jamison to his first appointment with Dr. Ann-Marie Leahey, an oncologist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Jamie recalls discussing chemotherapy options with Dr. Leahey just 5 days after learning her son had cancer. The stage of advancement of the cancer would determine how aggressive the chemo would be. “The first goal is to save the life, then the eyes, then the vision.” Jamison had his first of 13 examinations under anesthesia (EUA) and received his first round of chemo on November 17th. He also received cryotherapy and laser therapy, freezing and heating during the EUA. His regimen of chemotherapy drugs
They wish they had known that the white glow reflected by a camera flash in their son’s eye was a sign of a serious eye disease. included Vincristine, Carboplatin, and Etoposide which he received once a month for six months on the Wednesdays and Thursdays after his EUA’s. That first week after learning their child had cancer remains a blur to Jayme and Jeff. It was filled with various appointments every day, Monday through Friday, that included blood draws and collecting saliva samples from both Jayme and Jeff to complete genetic testing. Several months later, April 13, 2011 proved to be a bittersweet day for the Porters. They were given the news that Jamison was now stable after 5 months of treatment, but they were also told that his cancer was hereditary and that Jeff was a silent carrier of the mutation with no fam-
ily history. Due to the knowledge of the genetic mutation, there was a 50% chance of their older son Cole having the mutation. Previous local eye exams for Cole had been clear, but Jayme and Jeff had to know if Cole, like his younger brother, had retinoblastoma. Genetic testing revealed that Cole did have the mutation and he was scheduled to have a EUA along with Jamison on September 12, 2011. Cole’s new patient appointment with Dr. Shields was difficult and emotional as he was 3 ½ and knew words. Examination of his right eye was clear, but Dr. Shields saw a small lesion on the left eye. At first the Porters were told Cole would not require chemo and were heartbroken to later be told it would be the best treatment option since he had the genetic mutation. www.charlestonwomanonline.com
11
Celebrating the
Survivor in You! Having seen the effects of chemo on Jamison, the Porters were relieved that Cole’s treatment would be less aggressive due to the staging of the cancer. Cole received chemo once a month for six months and handled it much better than Jamison, although he now has a few longterm side effects. The Porters received wonderful news that Cole’s tumor was stable in November of 2011. He completed his chemo on February 2, 2012. Since their journey with retinoblastoma cancer began, the Porter boys have traveled to Children’s
For most of their young lives, battling cancer is all that Cole, age 5 and Jamison, age 3 have known. Hospital in Philadelphia a combined total of 13 times to receive examinations under anesthesia and their chemotherapy regimens. With retinoblastoma, they will not be considered to be cured or in remission for many years out. The chance for reoccurrence is high, so for now they are stable. Also, due to the mutation they have, they are at a higher risk for secondary cancers. They are both currently on a every 5th month follow up schedule for MRI’s and EUA’s. For most of their young lives, battling cancer is all that Cole, age 5 and Jamison, age 3 have known. Jayme and Jeff openly discuss their cancer with them in order to prepare them for their futures. “They need to know to always protect themselves from the sun and to let us know if they are feeling bad or if something is bothering them.” Despite all they have been through,
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Celebrating, Motivating and Educating
Real
Women
they are typical little boys. They love trains, animals and playing outside. Cole just completed 4 year old kindergarten at Rocky Creek Elementary School and Jamison is enrolled to attend there in the fall. Both boys have Individualized Education Plans in place due to their cancer. Cole’s is related to the side effects of chemo and Jamison’s is because of his low vision. “Their battle is still on-going, but they appear to be healthy, so their battle is only known if we share what they have been through.” Family members fighting cancer has been a part of Jayme and Jeff ’s life since the day they were married in the cancer unit of St. Francis Hospital in Greenville, SC. They moved up their original wedding date from May of 2006 to December 23, 2005 so that Jeff ’s mother could see them get married. Jayme also knows firsthand what it’s like to live with a chronic disease. She was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 14 and is continuing to learn how to balance her own care with that of her two young sons. Jayme Porter‘s personal goal is for everyone to “Know the Glow”. Parents need to know to take pictures of their young children in low light with a flash, with a real camera and with the red eye turned off. Childhood cancer is scary, so it is important to be proactive and be aware of changes in our children. As parents, we must trust our instincts and remember the earlier the diagnosis, the better the prognosis. The Porters help raise awareness of retinoblastoma through volunteering for TKE – Through Kyle’s Eyes Foundation. Visit www.kylelograsso.org for more information.
Beth McCrary is a freelance writer living in Lexington, SC. She shares the Porters passion for advocacy for their children’s health and well-being.
Celebrating the
Survivor in You!
Breast Reconstruction AFTER MASTECTOMY
by Dr. Jennifer Fiorini, MD, FACS
M
odern treatment of breast cancer has allowed many women life-saving therapy while having minimal surgery, often only requiring a small lump to be surgically removed from the breast. But for others their disease, breast size, their shape, or personal preferences lead them to having more extensive surgical intervention, such as a mastectomy (removal of all breast tissue from one or both
For patients facing mastectomy, the discussion of reconstruction options should occur long before any operation. For most patients, the reconstruction can be performed at the same time as the mastectomy, so that a woman awakens from surgery with her reconstructed breasts. Even for the patients who do not have the option of immediate reconstruction, a detailed early discussion of reconstruction options allows her to know what to expect later on in her journey. The first step in the decision making process is a full understanding of what the options are, and the risks and benefits of each. We now know that for patients whose tumor does not affect the nipple, nipple-sparing mastectomy is an oncologically-safe option. This
procedure allows the removal of the breast glandular tissue while saving the skin envelope and nipple areolar complex. The major benefit of nipple-sparing mastectomy is the best-possible cosmetic effect after reconstruction, with minimal scars and the most natural appearing result, without significant increase in risk of cancer recurrence. Nipple-sparing mastectomy is not an option for women who have disease in close proximity to the nipple areolar complex. It also is not feasible for women whose breasts are extremely large or ptotic (droopy). Women who are smokers or have other risk factors for poor wound healing are not ideal candidates for nipple-sparing mastectomy due to increased risk for necrosis or death of the nipple skin. Nipple-sparing mastectomy can be combined with either implantbased or natural-tissue reconstruction. Implant reconstruction replaces the breast tissue with either a silicone or saline filled implant.
Natural tissue reconstruction uses the patient’s own fatty tissue from the abdominal wall or buttock to replace the missing breast tissue. Fortunately, both of these options are available in the Charleston area. For women facing the loss of one or both breasts, knowing that a cosmetically pleasing outcome is possible reduces one of the stresses of dealing with breast disease. Getting to that outcome requires the close cooperation of her breast surgeon and plastic/reconstructive surgeon long before the trip to the operating room begins. These options are not just reserved for celebrities, but available to local Charleston-area women everyday. Be sure your surgeon gives you the same attention she would to Angelina Jolie.
Dr. Jennifer Fiorini, MD, FACS is a breast cancer surgeon at The Breast Place located in Mount Pleasant and North Charleston. Call (843) 797-1941 to make an appointment or visit www. thebreastplacesc.com to learn more.
www.charlestonwomanonline.com
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Changing Breast Care
IN THE LOWCOUNTRY by Dr. Jennifer Fiorini, MD, FACS
“W
e look at our patients, and we see ourselves,” says Dr. Jennifer Fiorini, MD, FACS. “We are working mothers, balancing our professional lives with our roles as wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, and community members. Our patients are doing all of those things and battling breast cancer – we are amazed by the strength our patients display, but we understand that the other responsibilities of life continue.”
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Celebrating, Motivating and Educating
Real
Women
Celebrating the The Breast Place, a surgical practice specializing in benign and malignant breast disease, started in October 2011 by Dr. Jennifer Beatty, DO, FACS. A general surgeon who treated breast cancer as well as the full spectrum of surgical patients, Dr. Beatty chose to limit her practice to breast disease in order to be able to spend more time with her patients in the office and less time on hospital rounds. “Many people would be surprised to learn how little time a breast surgeon spends in the operating room compared to the time it takes to counsel a patient in the office, explain a diagnosis, offer every option available, coordinate with other physicians, offer that shoulder to cry on, and hold a patient’s child while she gets dressed after an exam. That kind of relationship is not made in meeting a surgeon once for ten minutes, but that is the kind of care our patients deserve.” Beatty, a Seabrook Island resident, came to Charleston in 2005 with her husband Tim, and emergency room physician. After medical school in Kansas City and residency in Pittsburgh, she served in the United States Navy as Director of the Breast Clinic at Charleston Naval Hospital. In 2007 she deployed with the Marines to Iraq for nine months as a trauma surgeon, and returned with a renewed focus on the person behind the illness, and a desire to start a family. Five years later, she is a mother of three and dedicated breast surgeon. The practice was joined in March of 2012 by Dr. Fiorini, who also had been practicing general surgery. “When I started my practice at Trident hospital in 2006 my goal was ultimately to have a breast-specialty practice. After the birth of my second child in 2011, it was a good time for me to re-prioritize my professional goals. I immediately identified with the mission Dr. Beatty had for The Breast Place, to address the existing gap in compassionate and comprehensive care for breast care in the Lowcountry.” Fiorini came to Charleston in 1996 to attend the Medical University of South Carolina for medical school and for surgery residency. Her eldest son is 21 and a student at Trident Technical College. She met her husband Ryan, a biotechnology executive, at MUSC when he was working on his PhD research. Their son Nicholas is now two years old, and another baby is on the way expected in January. Dr. Beatty and Dr. Fiorini had worked in the same hospital system for years, attended local
Survivor in You!
cancer conferences together, even covered for each other’s maternity leaves. “We knew we shared the same expectations for the care of our patients and the same values for work-family balance. Working together made sense on so many levels.”
with a tummy-tuck procedure and used to reconstruct the breast. “Many patients are candidates for nipple-sparing surgery now and their reconstruction looks so natural that only their doctors know that they had a cancer operation,” says Dr. Beatty.
The Breast Place certainly has a different feel than you would expect from a surgery practice. Patients immediately notice the more feminine décor and light-hearted slogans on the wall reminding patients “I pink I can, I pink I can” and “I’m too sexy for my hair.” The staff becomes the patient’s cheer squad, and every success and every set-back is felt by the entire team. Luckily, they have many more successes than stumbles.
Their practice has not been without controversy though. “We raised the expectations for breast cancer care in this community. We firmly believe that each of our patients deserves to hear all of the options for her treatment. We have chosen not to work with physicians who do not communicate well with our patients, and we are active members of multiple tumors boards where the care of women across the community is reviewed and improved.”
‘I’m very passionate about making patients feel beautiful again.’
Since breast cancer is survivable by more than 90% of patients, the physicians at The Breast Place encourage patients to consider the aesthetics of their surgical choices from the beginning. Any the options are many. “I’m very passionate about making patients feel beautiful again,” Beatty says. “Many women avoid getting mammograms or refuse treatment because their mother or aunt have a deformity from breast cancer in the past. We have to treat not only a woman’s disease, but also her fears.” “Specializing in breast disease has allowed us the time to seek additional training specific to breast surgery. Dr. Beatty and I have each attended courses in oncoplastic breast surgery, which focuses on performing cancer-curing breast surgery with the best possible cosmetic outcome,” says Dr. Fiorini. “This means that lumpectomies do not need to leave an ugly defect in the breast, when with a little more work the breast tissue that is saved can be re-arranged to fill in the deficit and leave a normal looking breast behind.”
In addition to the cosmetic techniques they can offer, the physicians at The Breast Place are also quick to include a plastic surgeon in their operative plans. Working with numerous plastic surgeons in the lowcountry, their patients have a wide range of surgical options before them. Lumpectomies can be combined with breast reductions or breast lift procedures, and mastectomies can be combined breast implants for reconstruction, or with natural tissue reconstruction where fat is taken off of the abdomen
Dr. Beatty has proven she is willing to stand up for her patients. She fought against a state Medicaid rule that kept a male patient from having access to breast cancer treatment. She has advocated on many occasions for military members and military families’ access to state of the art care and services. She is a volunteer with Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic and has offered her services a no charge to some of their needy patients. Dr. Fiorini also serves the community as the President of the Board of Directors for Susan G Komen for the Cure Lowcountry Affiliate. “It is a lot of work at times, but it is so worth it to see the money raised at the Race and other fundraisers going to actually save lives of real South Carolina women. One of our grantees told me recently that every life saved is not just one person affected, but it is a child who still has a mother, a school that still has a favorite teacher, an entire community touched.” Dr. Beatty and Dr. Fiorini look forward to continuing to serve the needs of women throughout the lowcountry. Women (and men) see them for all varieties of breast concerns, from undiagnosed breast lumps and nipple discharge, to abnormal mammograms or biopsies. They evaluate and counsel patients at elevated risk of breast cancer due to family history and offer genetic testing for the breast and ovarian cancer gene (BRCA) in their office. They are currently seeing patients in North Charleston, West Ashley, and Mount Pleasant. www.charlestonwomanonline.com
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Professional photo by Tammy Bevins Photography
Financial Etiquette
DOs and DON’Ts
T Ken York
is the season for graduations, weddings, family reunions, vacations and gift giving galore. If your packed summer event schedule is taking a toll on your financial health, it’s important to set expectations with your family and friends before hosting that block party together or pitching in on a graduation gift for your niece.
Talking about money with family members and friends can feel awkward, but in some instances, not talking about financial expectations upfront can create stress and tension down the road. It could also leave you with a larger dent in your pocketbook than you expected. Practicing good financial etiquette can help you smooth the way and minimize complicated financial situations. Establishing a summer budget and knowing what you can – and cannot – afford to spend, is the first step. The next is clearly and proactively communicating your financial boundaries to other involved parties. To help you get started, here are a few tips on how to approach some common financial discussions with grace. Going out for dinner Before you make a reservation or stop somewhere for a bite to eat as a group, discuss your
price range preference, and reach an agreement on whether to split the bill evenly or ask for separate tabs. If you are on a tight budget, simply say so. Most people will understand and agree to separate tabs at an affordable location. Celebrating milestones Birthdays, weddings, graduations and other events can quickly become costly. Look at your budget and determine what you can afford to spend on gifts and travel expenses before the invitations start rolling in. Also use your budget as a guide to your decisions on when to decline an invitation to an out of state wedding or other expensive event. Giving gifts If you plan to go in on a large gift with someone else, be clear about your spending range before the shopping begins. If you’re the one purchasing the gift, it’s important that the total cost of the gift doesn’t put a financial strain on your short-term finances. It may be unlikely, but if the other party unexpectedly can’t reimburse you for their portion, your financial stability could be compromised.
When travelling with others, agree upfront on a budget and who will pay for what before you hit the road.
Co-hosting an event Whether you’re hosting a barbeque with the neighbors, a family reunion funded by all the siblings or your child’s wedding with your ex-spouse, it’s important to discuss the budget for the event and how the costs will be divided before the planning begins. What’s more, if someone is donating their time - for example, to clean their house or create the floral arrangements for the event - factor the
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Celebrating, Motivating and Educating
Real
Women
going rate for their services and the number of hours the task will take and give credit where credit is due unless they ask you to handle it otherwise. Doing so will help all parties feel recognized and appreciated for their time or financial contributions. Planning a vacation When travelling with others, agree upfront on a budget and who will pay for what before you hit the road. If you are booking the trip in advance – and cannot book accommodations or other aspects of the trip separately – ask your fellow travellers for reimbursement upfront so that you’re not left feeling cheated or financially strained afterward. If you are the one responsible for reimbursing someone else, do so before you depart for your destination. It will make it easier for everyone in your group to relax and have a good time. Keep In Mind With today’s busy lifestyles, details can easily get lost in the shuffle. When planning larger group events or trips, consider creating a shared document that outlines the proposed budget and who is responsible for what costs and when payments are due. This will help minimize misunderstandings, making these events less stressful – and more enjoyable – for everyone involved.
Ken York, AAMS is a Financial Advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. in N. Charleston, SC. He specializes in fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies. To contact him/her, visit www.AmeripriseAdvisors.com/Ken.York. Brokerage, investment and financial advisory services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. Some products and services may not be available in all jurisdictions or to all clients. © 2013 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. File # 679694
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Health & Wellness
More than SKIN DEEP
by Rachel-Elise Weems photo by Tammy Bevins Photography
F
or many women, varicose veins may feel like an unavoidable right of passage into midlife. What they might not realize is that beneath the surface of those creeping bluish lines lies an issue that may be harmful to more than their vanity. It could be a red flag to a more serious medical condition known as chronic venous insufficiency.
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Celebrating, Motivating and Educating
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Women
Chronic venous insufficiency (or CVI) is a condition in which valves in leg veins restrict blood from traveling back to the heart. As a result, the blood pools in the legs causing those dreaded raised or spidery lines. But beyond appearances, CVI can also be the source of severe pain and discomfort. “A lot of people have varicose veins or venous insufficiency and they do not see it,” said Dr. Richard Clinton, M.D. of Bluewater Imaging and Vein Center in Summerville, S.C. According to Clinton, these conditions can cause pain, swelling and ulcerations in the legs. Many people either cannot explain or mistakenly attribute their discomfort to a long day on their feet or even aging, unaware of the real culprit of their symptoms. In addition to such discomforts, an individual might begin experiencing low energy or an inexplicable zap in their physical endurance. “They used to be an active person and they cannot figure out why they cannot work all day,” said Clinton. Suffering professionals, like nurses, teachers and postal workers, often struggle to maintain stamina on the job. Mothers feel unable to keep up or play with their children in the afternoon. But regardless of changes to their sleep, diet or exercise routines, nothing seems to make a difference. “We try to educate people and tell them that sometimes their fatigue and edema and things like that are not just caused by age; it is an actual medical problem that is happening that they can get fixed,” explained Clinton. “And when they get it fixed, it is really almost instantaneous improvement.” It was that knowledge and a vision
of healing that enabled Clinton to design a women’s center that specialized in both imaging and vein therapy. Rather than separating the two, Clinton’s background in radiology allowed him to recognize the opportunity for a program that incorporated both. Out of the 30 million Americans who suffer from varicose veins or CVI*, 70 percent are females over the age of 40 – the same age group that most utilizes mammography and breast diagnoses. To Clinton, it was the perfect match. But its unique combination of services isn’t the only thing that sets Bluewater apart from other practices. A loving husband and father to a daughter himself, Clinton understands the value of prioritizing relationships in a center devoted to women. “I think what separates us are our personal relationships with the patients,” Clinton explained. “If the patient goes to a hospital or a larger facility, they will never meet the radiologist; and if they do, it is very brief and is fairly impersonal.” Clinton’s own personal office connects directly to the clinic’s conference room so he can more easily meet with and consult his mammogram patients. “I go in and talk to them and let them know what is going on,” said Clinton. “When they are here, they know what the deal is and we try to get them in really fast so their stress levels are low.” Whatever the need a patient at Bluewater Imaging and Vein Center may find themselves facing – whether it be related to mammography, breast diagnosis, ultra sound or vein therapy – they know they can expect dependable, professional treatment with a personal, caring touch.
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Health & Wellness
15 Minutes Could Save Your Life…
K
atherine, age 51, and her husband spent many long hours and years of hard work to make their small business successful. They decided it was time to reprioritize by devoting more time focusing on their family, their health and enjoying life.
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Both got CT cardiac scoring exams at Tricounty Radiology. While Robert’s cardiac score was a modest 21, Katherine’s was higher at 119. For a woman, this put Katherine in the 90th percentile (worst 10% for her age group). The score came as a shock to her, despite the fact that her sister had her first heart attack at age 47 and her mother had a heart attack at age 55. As a successful proprietor and seemingly healthy individual, perhaps she felt invincible. The truth of the matter is the score can range from 0 to more than 400, and any score over 100 is associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Katherine was seven times more likely to experi-
ence a heart event than her husband, Robert.
Celebrating, Motivating and Educating
Real
In today’s age mammograms, colonoscopies and annual physicals have become second nature to most people, but what are you doing to screen your heart? Surprisingly, breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in females over the age of 55. Heart disease is the number one cause of the death for females throughout the world. More women die from heart disease than from cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Alzheimer’s and accidents combined. However, this silent killer does not just affect females. It is
Women
also the leading cause of death in males in the United States. 1 in every 4 deaths in men is related to heart disease. Coronary artery disease, also called coronary heart disease, or simply, heart disease is a result of plaque buildup in your arteries, which decreases blood flow and increases the risk for heart attack and stroke if the plaque becomes unstable and ruptures.. However, many people underestimate the threat that coronary artery disease poses to their health and are unaware of the screening tools available. If your doctor thinks you
Women have unique risk factors for heart disease. have coronary artery disease, CT cardiac scoring exam is an increasingly popular preliminary screening tool. CT cardiac scoring is an affordable, non-invasive evaluation for the amount of calcification within the coronary arteries. The CT cardiac scoring exam takes literally 15 minutes to perform. The clinical purpose of this exam is to
Health & Wellness
What is Your Score?
identify asymptomatic patients at moderate to high risk for cardiac events. Your primary care physician may order this exam if you are not under the care of a cardiologist but meet the three or more following risk factors: • women ages 55 to 75, • men ages 45 to 75 • those who are at risk due to family history of heart disease, • history of smoking, • high stress lifestyle, • sedentary lifestyle, • obesity • hypertension • high cholesterol. Additionally, women have unique risk factors for heart disease. These
Calcium Score
Implication
Risk for Coronary Artery Disease
0
No identifiable plaque
Very low, generally less than 5%
1-10
Minimal identifiable plaque
Very unlikely, less than 10%
11-100
Definite, at least mild atherosclerotic plaque
Mild or minimal coronary narrowings
101-400
Definite, at least moderate atherosclerotic plaque
Mild coronary artery disease highly likely, significant narrowings possible
400 or higher
Extensive atherosclerotic plaque
High likelihood of at least one significant cornorary narrowing
risk factors include menopause and estrogen loss, hormone replacement therapy, birth control pills and pregnancy related problems. Your primary care physician can review your results with you and determine if your coronary artery disease progression can be treated with behavior modification or if you should be referred to a specialist. It is difficult for some to address concerns that are not visible. Studies show that patients who see the buildup of plaque in their coronary arteries are two and a half times more likely to be compliant with their cholesterol lowering (statin) medications and three times more likely to lose weight than an indi-
vidual whose results showed little to no evidence of coronary artery disease. Tricounty Radiology offers this service to patients at a cost of $99 as most insurance plans do not currently cover the cost of this exam. Other facilities may charge you a similar price for the exam but you will receive an additional bill from a radiology group that must be compensated to determine the results. Tricounty Radiology’s total charge of $99 includes the interpretation from one of their board certified radiologists. This test can be performed our North Charleston, Summerville and West Ashley locations.
If you fall into the risk category, discuss going to Tricounty Radiology for a CT cardiac scoring exam with your physician. In the time it took you to read this article, you could take a major step toward securing your heart health for years to come. The old adage is “knowledge is power.” Can you think of better way that you can spend 15 minutes yet gain so much knowledge that can positively impact your health and longevity? Don’t wait until you have a heart attack or stroke to determine the extent of the calcium build up in your coronary arteries. Remember…15 minutes could save your life! Wondering what happened to Katherine? ..... She was placed on a strict risk factor reduction plan by her doctor. A second CT cardiac scoring exam 15 months after her first, revealed a score of 43—a 63% drop!
Tricounty Radiology is a network of ACR-accredited independent diagnostic imaging facilities in the tricounty area. They offer high-field MRI, open MRI, CT, Ultrasound, Dexa and X-Ray services in a friendly, outpatient setting for 60% less than the cost of area hospitals.
www.charlestonwomanonline.com
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Health & Wellness
Trident Earns Highest Three-star Rating for Bypass Surgery
W
hen he first met his wife nearly four decades ago, David Smith would tease her and say she owed him 1,000 kisses for giving him a hard time. “I haven’t collected them all,” the 57-year-old says as he smiles at her at their Summerville home. “Not yet.” With his successful quadruple bypass this April, he still has a chance. For that, he thanks the Lord and the heart team at Trident Medical Center (TMC) and Palmetto Cardiovascular & Thoracic Associates. In fact, TMC has a proven record for quality in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery and was recently awarded the highest possible rating for the procedure – three stars – by the prestigious Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) as a result of its analysis of the 2012 data. “The STS results are based on clinical outcomes and place Trident Medical Center in the top 15 percent of hospitals in the country with heart surgery programs,” says Dr. James Benner, Trident Health’s medical director of cardiovascular surgery. The rating reflects the “excellent work and commitment to patients” shown by the entire heart team, which includes the surgical nurses and support staff, the intensive care unit, cardiac catheterization specialists, respiratory therapists and many others. Last fall, Trident Health recruited Dr. Charles Roberts to the Lowcountry from Virginia to join Dr. Benner and the TMC heart team. The hospital where Dr. Roberts’ previously worked also received a three-star rating for CABG surgery for 2012. Each program had a 100 percent patient survival rate for the year.
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Celebrating, Motivating and Educating
“The operation has been done for over 50 years, so the techniques are very well established,” says Dr. Roberts, who operated on Mr. Smith and who has been doing heart surgery for nearly two decades. “There are always risks in heart surgery, but you have to minimize the risks, and that’s where experience helps.” Mr. Smith openly discusses the habits that led to the blockages in his coronary arteries. He smoked his first cigarette at age 7 and was hooked by 13. And while he has stayed physically active through the years as a martial arts instructor, home painter and comedian, he and his wife admit that their diet became heavy with fried restaurant food once their children were grown. Three people in his immediate family had died from heart attacks, and there were times when he would be short of breath. Yet, Mr. Smith didn’t realize the extent
‘I was walking around like a time bomb that could go off at any time.’ —David Smith, Cardiac Patient
Real
Women
of his own heart problems until other medical issues surfaced. By the time he had a cardiac work-up, he had unknowingly experienced a small heart attack. Even so, Mr. Smith was reluctant to go through with bypass surgery. It took Dr. Roberts’ confidence to convince him. “He said, ‘You can live a long life if you get this surgery done.’” Dr. Roberts also remembers their talk. “He had life-threatening blockages in his heart and coronary bypass was the best treatment of that. Naturally, he was apprehensive, but he did beautifully through his surgery, and his recovery was very rapid.” A man of faith, Mr. Smith told his wife, Mellie, that he wanted her to be reading the Bible to him af-
ter surgery. She was there with their three children in the hospital room, reading Psalm 23 when he woke up. He checked out of TMC four days later, and that Sunday, the couple was at their church, World Overcomers Ministries in North Charleston, to the surprise of Pastor Thomas Riley’s wife, Annette, who teased that she didn’t have time to get a card. “I was walking around like a time bomb that could go off at any time,” says Mr. Smith, who stopped smoking and now strives to take care of his body. “I feel like a 7-year-old now. I don’t have any problem doing things I want to do.” To contact Palmetto Cardiovascular & Thoracic Associates, please call 843-553-5616.
www.charlestonwomanonline.com
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Introducing Dr. Denice Swasty of SWASTY ORTHODONTICS
by Elaine Samples
photos by Tammy Bevins Photography
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Celebrating, Motivating and Educating
Real
Women
Health & Wellness
I
t has been said that a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. I personally think that a way to a woman’s heart is through her smile: if you can make me laugh, I can forgive a lot of things. And in order to smile with confidence, some of us need a little help. At Swasty Orthodontics, they realize that every patient has different needs and that orthodontic treatment is highly personal.
‘We are a family business and we treat everyone like they are a part of our family.’
Dr. Denise Swasty and the Swasty Orthodontics staff Dr. Denise Swasty grew up in a family of six daughters. When Dr. Swasty’s younger sister had her braces taken off, she cried…not because she was sad, but because she was so happy with her smile. “That incident really kind of steered me into orthodontics,” says Dr. Swasty, “because it was not just ‘Oh, I got my tooth fixed;’ it was ‘Oh my gosh!!! look at how I look now - this is amazing.” It was like changing someone’s life versus doing a root canal. In orthodontics, we are not repairing something that is broken; we are transforming people, which is really amazing! Not many fields have the opportunity to help transform their clients by drastically improving their look and helping them to feel really good about themselves. “Sometimes you forget during the process where your patient started from and you get to the end, take the braces off, look at the pictures
from the beginning, and you think, ‘Wow! This is amazing!’ It is a really great, feel good medical field to be in… We are improving self-esteem and changing people’s lives. When you go for job interviews, all things being equal, when someone has a beautiful smile and someone has really crooked teeth, well guess who gets that job? We can really improve people’s lives for decades afterwards, which is wonderful. Not many people can claim that.” Dr. Swasty says that it is best to see a child at age seven for their first exam. There are certain things that the orthodontist looks for that, if caught at this age, can be corrected without surgery. If you have a question as a parent, you can make an appointment for a free exam and, as Dr. Swasty notes, “there are really no downsides to getting checked out. If everything looks good, then I am going to suggest that we wait
until all of the permanent teeth are in at age 11 or 12. Some reasons we might start treatment early include anything that could traumatize the teeth or surrounding structure. Say someone has their front teeth sticking way out and it is past a specific point (over 6 millimeters); if they fall they will hit their teeth and their nose instead of their chin and their nose. Then they break their front teeth. In those cases where the child has a severe overbite, we like to catch that early. There are certain things we are looking for, but it has to be severe and it has to be in one of those categories where you are at a higher risk for traumatizing the teeth, or it would require surgery to correct it as an adult.” Dr. Swasty met her husband, Matt, while she was doing her residency in San Francisco. They literally bumped into each other on a sidewalk and the rest, as they say, is his-
tory. They have a five year old son, Tristan. When she was pregnant with Tristan, she and her Matt began to discuss where a good place would be to raise their son. While they loved Charlotte, they really wanted a place where they could mountain bike. So, they started looking for coastal areas where they could enjoy more of an outdoor lifestyle and stumbled upon Dr. Barvadeire’s practice about five years ago. “Before I knew it,” recalls Dr. Swasty, “I had my son and was moving and taking over ownership of her practice all within two months.” A true “family practice,” Dr. Swasty sees patients while her husband runs the administrative aspects of the business. “We are a family business and we treat everyone like they are a part of our family. If we would not do something to our kid, we will not do it to yours,” expresses Dr. Swasty. Check out their upscale and technically-advanced offices located in Summerville and Hanahan. They offer a variety of orthodontic services in a friendly, welcoming environment. To learn more, visit them on the web at www.smileteamsc.com. www.charlestonwomanonline.com
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Celebrating, Motivating and Educating
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Women
Business & Web Directory Adoption Services A Chosen Child Adoption Services.............. 17 www.accadoptionservices.com
Financial York and Associates, LLC............................... 17 www.AmeripriseAdvisors.com/Ken.York.
Art & Entertainment Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry.......... 5 www.explorecml.org
Health Services Back2Health Physical Medicine Clinic......IFC www.goosecreekchiropractics.com
Auto Care Holt Transmission Service............................. 17 www.holttransservice.com
BeWell Home Services.................................... 27 www.bewellhomeservices.org
Bakery Hummingbird Bakery Café............................ 17 www.hummingbirdbakerycafe.com Eye Care 20/20 Vision Center........................................ 19 www.2020visioncenter.yolasite.com
Bluewater Imaging & Vein Center................ 19 www.bluewaterimagingandvein.com James T. Martin, Jr, MD Obstetrics and Gynecology................................................. 7 www.jmartinmd.com Swasty Orthodontics....................................... 25 www.smileteamsc.com
Total Family Wellness..................................... 27 www.scfamilywellness.com Tricounty Radiology Associates.................... 21 www.scdiag.com The Breast Place................................................. 3 www.thebreastplacesc.com Trident Health.................................................BC www.tridenthealthsystem.com Hotel Wingate by Wyndham.................................... 26 www.charlestonwingate.com, www.lexingtonwingate.com Photography Tammy Bevins Photography....................... IBC www.tammybevinsphotography.com
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A Personal Note
I
think I will change the title of this article to “Update on the Duncan Children.” Thank you for giving me a voice to emote about my everyday life. I hope this page in Charleston Woman Magazine assures you my life is just as busy and sometimes stressful as yours, but there is always time to take a few moments and be grateful for all that we have been entrusted with — especially our children. Trey finished his Junior year at WKHS. He is looking at colleges and has spent a week of his summer at Palmetto Boys State. He came home with a desire to make a difference in the state of South Carolina. I am so proud of all his accomplishments in the past three years. I would list them here, but you would think I was bragging — and I would be. It is hard to not be proud as a parent when your children make the right choices. Recently he led the music for our praise and worship team at church. It is a blessing to see him growing in his faith as he becomes a man. He is loved. Proud, yes, but I am also humbled every time I start to think on the goodness of God and how He has brought us so many blessings in the form of each of our children. Abby and I have grown closer as she gets older. Sometimes her wisdom for a young woman astounds me. I look back at pictures of myself when I was younger and I think, “Why didn’t I appreciate the woman I was at twenty? She wasn’t so bad. She certainly didn’t have some of my current flaws… Her eyes were bright, she was always positive, and though she wasn’t perfect, she was pretty ok.” I want to give that to Abby. I want to teach her not to be too hard on herself now. Just enjoy who you are in this moment. Life will take you places you don’t want to or even mean to go, and those things will change you, some of those roads will make you wiser… some more appreciative… some a little distrustful… but all of them will make you the woman God intended for you to become someday if you allow Him. I hope she knows how I love the young woman she has become and is becoming. Colton the encourager is strong and independent. I have said this to you before. He was my easiest pregnancy and the easiest delivery. He has a mind of his own and there is no changing it. He has a deep rooted love of his father. I watch the way he looks at my husband and I think, I hope he always looks at his dad that way. A wise man once said to me, “Children always have their mothers and mothers have their children, but children belong to their fathers.” Blessed are the children who have good fathers. Colton has a strong constant faith and the world is simple to him. You don’t buy things you already have. You don’t change routines and plans unless you are vacationing or having company. He has rules that he lives by. He is learning to make choices. I am so pleased those choices are governed by his sense of right and wrong. He is kind to everyone and very accepting of new friends. He is bothered by injustice in any form. I remember when he learned about slavery at school. He came home outraged. He
said, “Mom, did you know people used to be treated differently based on the color of their skin?” What a wonderful gift to have been ignorant to the prejudices of the world until a history lesson. Every fiber of my being tells me my son Colton will be a family man. “Colton, do you know how much I love you?” Ryan is my cuddle bunny. He is my long legged six year old who Dr. Reynolds says will probably be the tallest Duncan boy. He still wants “cuddle time” every day. I thank God for giving me a little one who still loves to be held. Ryan isn’t afraid to make friends from complete strangers at a park or wear something other kids might not be wearing yet. His name means “little King” and I may have made the mistake of telling him this a few years ago. Trust me when I tell you he believes in his birthright. There is a kindness in Ryan. From the time he was only four he has talked about having a family one day and being a dad. He loves to laugh and his big brother Colton is his best friend. He has helped me see the world in a different light. He was never supposed to live past a few hours. They scheduled me for genetic counseling and a level two ultrasound, but God had other plans for the Duncan household. I am so thankful that even tests are wrong sometimes. He graduated kindergarten this year and is ready for first grade. I am not sure I am. I asked him recently, “Ryan, do you know that I love you?” “Yes.” He answered very matter of factly. “How do you know?” I asked. I am always intrigued by the way his mind thinks. “Because you smile every time you look at me.” Oh joy! My prayer today is that I smile every time I look at each of them. That no matter what life is throwing at me with both barrels I can see the face of my children, and affirm that they are loved. After all, according to Ryan, it only takes a smile. Who will you smile at today?
God Bless,
Lori Samples Duncan
We love because he first loved us. —1 John 4:19
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