Charleston Woman Magazine

WINTER 2013

COMPLIMENTARY

CELEBRATING, MOTIVATING, AND EDUCATING WOMEN

Real

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SIR BIG SPUR Mary and Ron share their “Labor of Love” for the real live Gamecock

FAITH with the FOURNELS

Daniel and Stephanie discuss the recent diagnosis of their son

Have a HEART Meet Dr. Charles Roberts and Dr. James Benner of Trident Health

Dr. Drew McPhail STRAIGHT UP

GOOSE CREEK | HANAHAN | MONCKS CORNER | MOUNT PLEASANT | NORTH CHARLESTON | SUMMERVILLE | WEST ASHLEY

In this Issue

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www.charlestonwomanonline.com

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lori Samples Duncan loriduncan86@gmail.com

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVE Lauri Truesdale info@woman2womanonline.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Kristin Kingsland Brown Lori Samples Duncan Martha Green Suzy Dodds Kuppens Jamie Lober Beth McCrary Dr. Drew McPhail

COVER PHOTO Tammy Bevins Photography

DESIGN Melissa W. Morris

From the Editor 2 Happy New Year!

Events

3 What’s Happening?

Let’s Talk

4 Do Men and Women Invest Differently?

Celebrating the Survivor in You! 6 Faith with the Fournels

All About Heart 8 10 12 13 14

Labor of Love: Meet Sir Big Spur Have a Heart Robin Workman: Heart of a Nurse Women’s Heart Health Dr. Drew McPhail: Straight Up

Health & Wellness

PHOTOGRAPHY Heather Sargent Photography Robert Patrick Image Design Tammy Bevins Photography

Find us on facebook!

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Q&A with Tricounty Radiology Breast Cancer — Is It in Your Genes?

Do I Really Need a Pap Every Year?

Chiropractic Improves Quality of Life for Pregnant Women Compassionate In Home Care Service Bluewater Imaging and Vein Center Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue

Business & Web Directory 27 Contact our Advertisers

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

Personal Note 28 My Valentine

www.charlestonwomanonline.com

I

t’s hard to believe we just celebrated our one year anniversary in Charleston this past December. This year has brought some challenges our way, but nothing we aren’t confident we can overcome. We have had many changes in our Woman 2 Woman family over the last fourteen months with more to come in 2013.

We wanted to take this time and thank you for being a great group of readers, for bringing us home with you, and for using us as a resource guide over the last year or so. Without your support, we could not exist.

A special thanks to our advertisers who took a chance on us and believed in us enough to help fulfill our vision in Charleston. We have only just begun.

We plan to bring you more stories on local businesses and more stories on inspirational people right here in your backyards.

It is the beginning of a new year, and our faith and hope is only growing stronger! We always welcome your feedback, and if you know someone who you think we should share with our readers, please give us a call.

Every effort has been made to checkout the businesses in these pages, and each of those businesses have been asked to make a commitment to you, the men and women of Greater Charleston, to provide quality products and services. I would personally recommend each company to any family member or friend of mine.

Thanks again for reading! Visit us online and like our Facebook page for some great upcoming giveaways!

Your Friend,

Lori Samples Duncan Editor-in-Chief

Philippians 3:13-14Â No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.

Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

Real

Women

Events

What’s HAPPENING? Aiken Trials March 17, Gates open at 10 a.m.

Aiken Training Track, Aiken, SC

The Trials consist of six races, the first three are a quarter of a mile and the last three are four and onehalf furlongs. Horses are as young as 2 years old and usually no older than 3 years. It is an exhibition race and no prize money is given. The sixth and last winner of the day is given the City of Aiken Trophy. The Trials will take place Saturday, March 17, at the Aiken Training Track, 538 Two Notch Road SE. Gates open at 10 a.m., opening ceremonies are at 1 p.m., with the carriage parade immediately afterward, and the first race will be at 2 p.m. Tickets in advance cost $10, along with a $10 parking charge per vehicle. At the gate, tickets cost $15, along with a $15 parking charge per vehicle. The event also includes an infield tent party, which will feature heavy hors d’oeuvres and an open bar. For more information, call (803) 648-4631 or email aikentt@bellsouth.net. www.aikentrials.com

Music of the Beatles March 23, 7:30 p.m.

North Charleston Performing Arts Center

• Wisdom Teeth • Dental Implants • Facial Cosmetic • Anesthesia

The North Charleston Pops! will touch your heartstrings and have you on your feet swaying and singing to the memorable hits of the Beatles era! This is sure to be a night of entertainment that will carry you back through your personal memory lane of the Fab Four’s many energetic and loving songs. Yesterday, I Want to Hold Your Hand, The Long and Winding Road, Penny Lane, Eleanor Rigby, Let It Be, Hey Jude and many, many more. Kentucky based musical group The Rewinders will join the North Charleston Pops! for this night to remember.

Be sure to bring your cell phone (to replace the cigarette lighter) to sway to the beat! Purchase your tickets at the website below. www.northcharlestoncoliseumpac.com

• Facial Injury • Oral Pathology

(843) 767-3310 5401 Netherby Lane Suite 500 North Charleston

www.hehroralsurgery.com

Cirque Du Soleil: Quidam March 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m., March 31 at 2 p.m.

North Charleston Coliseum

– a place for dreaming and genuine relations where all quidams, by proclaiming their individuality, can finally emerge from anonymity. www.northcharlestoncoliseumpac.com

13th Annual Kiawah Island Art and House Tour April 5, 1 – 5 p.m.

Kiawah Island

Sponsored by the member auxiliary group Gibbes, etc., this year, five stunning Kiawah Island homes in the private gated community will be opened for public viewing. Proceeds from the event benefit education, exhibition, and outreach programs at the Gibbes Museum of Art. “We are so thankful to the women of Gibbes, etc. who have supported the museum for over a decade. The Art and House Tour provides participants the rare opportunity to tour some of the finest homes on Kiawah Island,” says Executive Director Angela Mack. Through its annual tour, Gibbes, etc. has presented the Museum with over 1.25 million dollars in support of our scheduled exhibitions and outreach. www.gibbesmuseum.org

Annual Teddy Bear Picnic April 22, 1 – 3:30 p.m.

Hampton Park

Join the Charleston Parks Conservancy for its annual Teddy Bear Picnic. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy live music and entertainment. Children can participate in such activities as a dunking booth, face painting, a bubble factory and craft stations for making crowns, decorating cookies and planting seeds. The Conservancy also will have information available about its park projects, events, Educate You classes and volunteer opportunities. Children are invited to dress up their teddy bears and bring them, along with their parents, grandparents and friends! Live music and activities will get everyone up and moving. www.charlestonparksconservancy.org

Young Zoé is bored; her parents, distant and apathetic, ignore her. Her life has lost all meaning. Seeking to fill the void of her existence, she slides into an imaginary world – the world of Quidam – where she meets characters who encourage her to free her soul.

Quidam: a nameless passer-by, a solitary figure lingering on a street corner, a person rushing past and swallowed by the crowd. It could be anyone, anybody. Someone coming or going at the heart of our anonymous society. A member of the crowd, one of the silent majority. The one who cries out, sings and dreams within us all. This is the “quidam” whom this show allows to speak. This is the place that beckons www.charlestonwomanonline.com

Let’s Talk

Do Men and Women Invest Differently?

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everal years ago, a book titled Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus was quite popular. As the title suggests, the book argues that men and women are vastly different from each other, particularly in their emotional needs and in the way they communicate. While not everyone agrees with the notion that men and women might as well be from different planets, most of us would probably concur that the two genders frequently behave differently — and this divergence in behavior may also show up in the way that we invest.

In fact, various studies and anecdotal evidence suggests these differences in the way that men and women invest: Men tend to trade more often than women.

Men seem to buy and sell investments more frequently than women. This difference could result in an advantage for women investors. For one thing, if women do trade less, they may incur fewer commission charges, fees and other expenses, all of which can eat into investment returns. Also, by holding investments longer, women may be able to take better advantage of market rallies. During the 2008-2009 financial crisis, for example, men were more likely than women to sell shares of stock at market lows, which led to bigger losses among male traders — and fewer gains when some of the stock values began to rise again — according to a study

by Vanguard, a mutual fund company.

Men tend to invest more aggressively than women. Perhaps not surprisingly, men seem to be more willing to take risks with their investments. This trait can be both positive and negative. On the positive side, risk is associated with reward, so the more aggressive the investment, the greater the potential for growth. On the negative side, taking too much risk pretty much speaks for itself. Ideally, all investors — men and women — should stick with investments that fit their individual risk tolerance.

Women are more likely to look at the “big picture.” Although both men and women investors want information, women seem to take a more “holistic” approach — that is, instead of focusing strictly on performance statistics, they tend

Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

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to delve deeper into their investments’ background, competitive environment and other factors. This quest for additional knowledge may help explain why all-female investment clubs have achieved greater returns than allmale clubs, according to a study by the National Association of Investors Corp., which represents thousands of investment clubs across the country.

a financial professional, as you invest through the years.

Contact Ken York of Edward Jones to learn more about your investment options. Call (843) 824-5595 or visit www.edwardjones.com.

Women are more likely to look at the ‘big picture.’

Men may be more optimistic about the financial markets. Some studies show that men are more optimistic about key economic indicators and future stock market performance. Optimism can be a valuable asset when it comes to investing; if you have confidence in the future, you’re more likely to invest for it, and to continue investing. On the other hand, false optimism may lead to over-confidence, which can have negative results for investors.

Neither men nor women have a monopoly on positive investment behaviors; each gender can probably learn something from the other. Ultimately, of course, it’s your decision-making, not your x- or y-chromosomes, that will determine your ability to make progress toward your long-term goals. So educate yourself about your choices, and get the help you need from

Women

Attention Hat Ladies!

AIKEN HORSE TRIALS HAT CONTEST Please submit your hat photo to Charleston Woman Magazine by February 25, 2013.

All entries will be judged by a panel of hat experts. The top five finalists will be our guests at the Aiken Horse Trials for final judging.

The winner will be featured in the summer issues of Aiken Woman, Lexington Woman, Midlands Woman and Charleston Woman Magazines.

Send your entry photo to info@lexingtonwomanonline.com.

Ken York, AAMS速 Financial Advisor

587 College Park Road Ladson, SC 29456 843-824-5595

www.edwardjones.com

www.charlestonwomanonline.com

FAITH with the Fournels

by Beth McCrary

photo by Robert Patrick Image Design

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!

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entered a quiet cul-de-sac in a Lexington subdivision to meet with the Fournel family just one day after Christmas. It would be the second time in 9 months that I would write an article about a local child being diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor. It was hard to fathom that this was possible just a year into my new venture doing freelance writing for Charleston Woman Magazine.

I was nervous. Even though we have numerous mutual friends, I had never met Daniel and Stephanie Fournel. Not even a month had passed since their son Nathaniel’s surgeries and diagnosis with a brain tumor. Everything was still so very new and raw. As I entered their home, still decorated for Christmas, I immediately felt a connection with Stephanie and Daniel Fournel. It was a connection born of a shared faith and determination to trust God’s plan for our children’s lives. This is their story.

Just after Thanksgiving of this past year, Daniel Fournel noticed abnormal movement of his son’s left eye. He suggested to his wife Stephanie that they schedule a thorough vision exam for Nathaniel. They never suspected anything such as a brain tumor. They would later learn that Nathaniel had been experiencing occasional episodes of double vision three weeks prior to the exam.

The eye exam on November 27th revealed swelling of the optic nerve, therefore Nathaniel was referred to a neuro-ophthalmologist and an MRI was ordered. The MRI was scheduled for 6:30 am on November 29th. By 10:00 am, the Fournels were called to Dr. Bruce Cope’s office to hear the results of the MRI and it was news no parent ever wants to hear. The Fournels were able to see God at work immediately when Dr. Cope offered to pray with them and then in his own words, “bulldogged” to get Nathaniel in immediately with

Dr. Lenwood Smith, a Pediatric Neurosurgeon at Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital for a consultation. Options were discussed and surgery to biopsy the tumor was scheduled for December 3rd.

While most families were preparing for the upcoming holidays, the Fournels waited for biopsy results from the pathology department. The results confirmed a cancerous tumor.

Nathaniel, age 13, was diagnosed with Localized Pineal Germinoma. The good news is that this type of cancer has a 90% cure rate and the Fournels feel confident that their son will have a full recovery.

They have decided to remain local for Nathaniel’s treatment. “We believe Nathaniel has a great team providing him the care he needs at Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital. We believe that ‘The Great Physician’ is the leader of the team.”

also be participating in a sister study to evaluate the neuro-psychological effects of his treatment.

Nathaniel is currently on intermittent homebound from 8th grade at Pleasant Hill Middle School while undergoing treatment. When he is feeling up to it and his blood counts are not too low, he will be able

‘Everyone we have met throughout our lives and moving here was all part of God’s plan to prepare us for Nathaniel’s diagnosis.’

Nathaniel’s course of treatment will consist of four 21 day cycles of chemotherapy. He is receiving two different chemo drugs, and both of these are infused through a port-acath he had placed during one of his surgeries while in the hospital.

At the end of his chemo treatment he will have more MRI’s, a possible second look surgery and will go through a radiation treatment plan that is also part of the study protocols. Nathaniel is participating in a study for localized CNS (Central Nervous System) tumors and will

to attend school. He is an active member of First Baptist Church of Lexington and swims year round for Palmetto Aquatics along with his younger brother, Braden.

While not originally from Lexington, the Fournels are overwhelmed with the outpouring of support from the community. Several awareness and fundraising events are in the works for Nathaniel by a group of friends who formed a committee. “My husband and I have both said that you never want to be that family who needs all of the support that we have received, but we feel absolutely blessed to be in community of such strong faith

and compassion. Everyone we have met throughout our lives and moving here was all part of God’s plan to prepare us for Nathaniel’s diagnosis. The outpouring of prayers and love has been amazing. Every prayer that is prayed helps to provide our family a sense of peace!

We could never say thank you to everyone, but we are extremely thankful!”

The Fournels are taking things one day at a time and prioritizing, knowing that some things are just not that important.

Both Stephanie and Daniel are continuing to juggle work outside the home and parenting both of their boys as Nathaniel battles against brain cancer.

Stephanie is also in school fulltime pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice. “We want to share that through all of this, Nathaniel has been strong, courageous and extremely positive. He has not once complained of his situation and we, as parents have been amazed by his strength.”

I think we can all learn a lot from the Fournel family and their faith.

To follow Nathaniel’s journey and to find more information about fundraising events, visit www. swim4nathaniel.com.

Beth McCrary is a freelance writer from Lexington, SC. She is passionate about sharing survivor stories.

www.charlestonwomanonline.com

M

ary Snelling has been a Gamecock fan for as long as she can remember.

Her passion for the University of South Carolina began as a small child while attending athletic events with her parents and their friends.

Mary would go on to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1976 and a Masters in Health Education in 1979 from USC and to this day is a faithful Gamecock supporter.

Mary, a life-long Aiken resident, and her husband Ron Albertelli are season ticket holders in football, baseball and men’s and women’s basketball. They would probably have tickets to other sports but the commute from their Aiken home in their RV gets long and they don’t travel simply or lightly. Every time they make the trip from Aiken to Columbia or wherever the Gamecocks play on the road, they have a traveling companion.

Labor of LOVE Meet SIR BIG SPUR

Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

Real

Women

by Beth McCrary

photos by Heather Sargent Photography

All About Heart Their traveling companion is a 7 pound Old English, black breasted, red Gamecock. Sir Big Spur is a real live Gamecock that Mary and Ron have been bringing to Gamecock sporting events since Ray Tanner’s first year as head baseball coach in 1997. At a promotional dinner that Mary won with Coach Tanner she asked for permission to bring the live Gamecock to the baseball games. Coach Tanner’s response was, “If it is not between the white lines, it is okay with me.”

Back in those days, seats were not assigned at Sarge Frye Field. Mary and Ron were able to commandeer seats by the first base dugout so that the players and fans could see the Gamecock perched on top of the dugout. Sir Big Spur quickly became a fan favorite as the real live Gamecock mascot.

About 7 years ago, former athletic director Eric Hyman put together a committee to get fans more involved in football and one of the recommendations was to ask Mary and Ron to bring Sir Big Spur to football games. “The first year we rolled the Gamecock down George Rogers Boulevard in a dog carrier on a luggage carrier and carried a goal post to put him on in the stadium. We have gotten much more creative as time has evolved.”

While transporting and managing SBS is relatively easy as compared to a steer, hog, or tiger, there have been challenges over the years such as time management. Before Mary retired, she would frequently work 10-12 hour days before heading to Columbia for mid-week baseball games. Most of the time Sir Big Spur travels in their RV. As they have added more “color” to the show, they now pull a trailer behind the RV with their convertible VW which pulls a trailer with SBS’s remote controlled car. It can also be challenging to find appropriate parking and out of state travel gets very expensive. Because they can’t just jump in the car and stay in a hotel with a live bird, trav-

‘He stuck one of his spurs in the tire and broke it off. That spur has never grown back, so he is a one spur Gamecock.’ eling takes lots of planning and coordination.

Part of the planning includes Sir Big Spur’s special diet. It consists of a combination of cracked corn, laying mash, cat fish food and wild bird seeds. These foods give him the best combination of nutrients to keep him healthy and his feathers beautiful.

While Mary does not keep track of exactly how many appearances Sir Big Spur has made over the years, she can tell you he has been to many, many baseball games. Baseball is her and Ron’s favorite sport and they think it is Sir Big Spur’s as well. “He crows more at baseball so that might be an indicator of his desires.” Sir Big Spur’s appearances also include every home football game for the past 7 years, most away games, SEC baseball tournaments, several trips to the College World Series in Omaha, every USC bowl game and parade, the SEC Championship game, fan fests, fan appreciation events, nursing home and school visits, USC soccer games, Christmas parades and both baseball National Championship parades down Main Street in Columbia. Mary adds, “If the University asks us or allows us, we are there.”

Mary guesses that Sir Big Spur’s appearances include over 100 on national television including football games, bowl games, and CWS games. Recently, he was featured in ESPN, The Magazine and on

ESPN’s Game Day that was filmed on the historic Horseshoe in Columbia.

One of Mary’s most memorable appearances with Sir Big Spur took place several years ago in Tennessee. “A woman asked us to carry the ashes of her dead husband onto the field. She had the ashes in a baggie in her purse and she spread them on the cart. I spent the night trying not to get them on me.” Mary also recounts the time before a Georgia game when SBS picked a fight with the chicken he saw in the hub cap of the RV. “It was a hot day and we had put him in the shade near the RV and gone inside. We heard this loud thumping, ran outside and SBS was really having a fight with the “other” chicken. He stuck one of his spurs in the tire and broke it off. We had to put a band-aide on his leg for the game that night.

That spur has never grown back, so he is a one spur Gamecock.”

Sir Big Spur can be petted and held by fans. Mary’s husband Ron spends about one half of every football game letting the students have their picture made while holding the Gamecock. Sudden movements spook him, so they are careful to hand him to people who want to hold him or pet him.

Mary and Ron get a wide variety of responses to Sir Big Spur. “For the most part, children love SBS and want to pet him. Many adults also love him but are more measured in their responses. We get some really crazy questions and some demon-

strate a lack of knowledge about our university’s mascot. So we see one of our roles as education. For example, we are frequently asked if the Gamecock is a boy or a girl, does he lay eggs, what makes his feathers so shiny, what does he eat, etc. My all time favorite question came from a boy about 11 years old – Does the chicken fart?”

Mary and Ron only use one Gamecock at a time. The current one is Sir Big Spur III. Mary received her first Gamecock as a birthday gift from her Dad. He got the unique gift from a co-worker and thought it would make a fitting one for Mary because of her great love for the Gamecocks. Sir Big Spur was originally named Cocky-DoodleLou after Coach Lou Holtz. Mary changed his name during the last year the original bird was on tour to reflect the name of the original mascot prior to Cocky. “We were trying to use a name with historical meaning that would continue no matter the name of the football coach.”

Mary and Ron could write volumes about all of their experiences with Sir Big Spur. They love the University of South Carolina and view carrying SBS to Gamecock sporting events as a labor of love. Their goal is to show the uniqueness of the University to the nation.

Beth McCrary is a freelance writer who lives Lexington, SC and a 1985 graduate of the University of South Carolina. www.charlestonwomanonline.com

All About Heart

Have a HEART

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recently had the privilege of sitting down with two of Trident Health’s fine cardiothoracic surgeons — Dr. Charles Roberts and Dr. James Benner. They were a pleasure to meet. With February being heart month, we wanted to see if these doctors had any words of wisdom for our readers.

Dr. Roberts warned the key to achieving great outcomes is early intervention and finding problems before they become too complicated.

Taking care of the heart before there is hardening in the arteries and blockages is also important to prevention. He was also excited about the fact that now with more sophisticated equipment and technology, many patients who would not have undergone surgery before can have positive outcomes.

Following “The American Way,” I asked to see if there were shortcuts we could take to keep our hearts healthy, but Dr. Roberts says a healthy lifestyle is the only real way to improve heart health. That includes a heart healthy diet and exercise. He has a quiet, steady way of speaking that lent itself to an automatic feeling of confidence in his words. I would imagine if, heaven forbid, I were to ever find myself in his operating room, I would be calmed by his presence and knowledge of the heart.

eating healthy and exercising improves even bad heart health.

According to Dr. Benner, one of the exciting things about where we are today versus twenty years ago is the ability to deal with a more high risk patient. In the past, surgery was only done on basically healthy people, because anyone else was too high risk. (I think the last statement might be misunderstood — not sure this is what Dr. Benner actually said.) Now, doctors can operate on “90 year olds and have favorable outcomes.” Dr. Benner shared, “Even seeing patients that are

“Again, the most important factor I can stress comes back to exercise. I tell my patients I would much rather have you cheat on your diet.”

When asked to share words of wisdom from an influential woman in his life, Dr. Roberts chose his mother, Carey Roberts. “She would always say, ‘Nurture the Nature.’ This can be applied to what we do as well. Everybody can do something to stay healthy.” So, even if you have drawn the bad gene straw, there is good news:

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— Dr. James Benner higher risk, mortality rates have continued to drop over the last ten years.”

As to the single most important thing someone can do to improve their heart health, exercise is key.

“If you exercise and stay fit, then those branches (of the arteries) are going to stay strong and you will be okay. Now when you get a block-

Women

Dr. James Benner

All About Heart

by Lori Samples Duncan

age in main arteries, you are going to have a problem getting blood to go where it is supposed to — whether it is in your brain, in your heart, or in your legs,” warns Dr. Benner. “If you exercise, even a small amount can increase blood flow because your oxygen level increases while you exercise, delivering more blood. Some of the patients I see have horrible disease, but with no symptoms.”

Dr. Benner says people in their 70s and 80s who have had heart disease since their 50s are starving out symptoms and heart attacks with exercise.

patients. If he could share one thing with our reader, what would it be?

“You know smoking is probably the biggest thing that causes detriment because it really ages the arteries. Even if you exercise and watch what you eat, tobacco really destroys things that are hard to get back.”

“Again, the most important factor I can stress comes back to exercise. I tell my patients I would much rather have you cheat on your diet; you can have your frozen yogurt once a week if that is what makes you happy. People go to restaurants and they are normally with family, and it’s okay to do that on occasion.

“She would always say, ‘Nurture the Nature.’ This can be applied to what we do as well. Everybody can do something to stay healthy.”

— Dr. Charles Roberts

Dr. Charles Roberts

Of course, we asked him about a special woman in his life, and being the father of six children, his answer does not disappoint, “My wife, Veronica. We graduated and came up here and started the process together. She has been my office manager, so for 14 years, she has been running my practice and taking care of the patients. She ran the office and I worked at the hospital. We also saw patients, and that was where our time was spent together. In fact, being a part of the practice is all my kids have ever known. After school, they would come to the office. Veronica is such a strong component and the center of our family, allowing me to do what I need to do in order to bring home the bacon.”

I asked Dr. Benner one last question, as Dr. Roberts had already returned to seeing

Just don’t make it an everyday thing. But then you have to get out and exercise. Go walk on a treadmill or do some shopping.”

You heard it here, guys and gals. Just eating right isn’t enough. Exercise … Exercise... Exercise… As women, we are so busy taking care of the other important people in our lives. I am going to encourage my family as a whole to do more to have a healthy heart and heed Dr. Benner’s and Dr. Roberts’ advice. I would ask that each of you take the time to do something for yourself today and tomorrow. And the next day. We deserve to be here for a long time. All of us do.

For more information on heart health, visit Trident Health online at www.tridenthealthsystem.com/our-services/heart.

www.charlestonwomanonline.com

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ROBIN WORKMAN Heart of a Nurse

by Lori Samples Duncan

W

e’ve often heard it said that behind every great man, there is a woman. Robin Workman, Registered Nurse, has been critical to the success of Dr. Charles Roberts and Dr. James Benner at Trident Medical Center. Initially I was going to include her in the article on the doctors, but after meeting Robin I realized she merited her own page.

She sees patients as part of her extended family. Robin describes her work as a privilege to help others.

“I get to see them (patients) when they are diagnosed, at the time of surgery, and then when they go home. I tell them to call me if they have any questions. They come back with family members, and I get to know those people, too. I have patients we have seen for the past twelve years. That, in itself, is just special.”

Robin lost her mother to heart disease at an early age, and she takes special care with her female clients to talk to them about their fears and any questions they may have.

She understands the absolute life and death nature of what her patients are going through. Often she asks herself, “Is this a person with small children.” Robin says she tries to tailor each conversation to the specific needs of that patient.

Because she is a nurse, often her patients feel comfortable sharing their fears with her when the doc-

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Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

tor has left the room. This gives Robin an opportunity to help them assure them they can call her with questions even after they leave the hospital.

Seeing a woman who has had surgery and is now out of ICU, “I love to go into a room and see them fixing their hair, putting their lipstick on, putting their blush on. Because I know, when they put their makeup on, or their lipstick on, or their mascara on, I know that we have turned a very important corner.

They are saying “you know I have come through this battle and I am going to make it.” (In that moment) I know that they can see it and to me that is a very powerful thing.”

As much as Robin wants every patient to be successful when they return home, she says that is one of her biggest challenges. “Trying to get patients to follow the plan we have put in place to help them get healthy is a challenge. To try to get our patients to stop smoking, to

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take their medicine, and to come to their appointments, that is a challenge as well. We spend a lot of time educating them,” on a healthy life style so they can be more successful on their own.

But the reward is great when Robin sees a patient who returns who has taken all the advice she has been given and made a change, “Women are very dear to me so, when I see that woman who champions (heart disease), who made it, who has gone through heart surgery, who has lost weight, who now exercises, who quit smoking, and I call them and they say I feel marvelous today!” Then I know they are going to champion the cause with their spouse, with their sisters, and with their church. That is how I think we are starting to make a difference.”

Robin is your first line of defense.

She is the one who will hold your hand before the doctor comes in, answer your questions, and validate your fears. She knows what it

is to be the loved one on the other side of the bed, she knows how you can change the lives of all the people around you, if she can help you be successful. She has all the tools you need to get healthy, and she wants to share them with you. She is probably one of the most important people in the process. Guess what? She really wants to help you.

Robin Workman knows you are more than a number on a hallway door or an insurance claim. She knows you are someone’s loved one. She knows that every patient’s needs are a little different and she tries her best to meet each of those needs by supporting the surgeons she works with. She thinks of the little things, and for heart month we want to celebrate her and all “the little things” she does for the women of Charleston.

“They may forget your name, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou

All About Heart

Women’s HEART Health

by Jamie Lober

H

eart health is just another area where women are different than men. “We see the typical chest pain in Hollywood where someone grabs their chest but women have atypical symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, back, neck or belly pain or feeling unwell,” said Kelly McLain, nurse practitioner with the cardiology department at the Medical University of South Carolina. The biggest point to get across is that women should know their risk factors. “There are modifiable risk factors like smoking, exercise, healthy eating habits, controlling cholesterol and blood pressure and then there are things like family history and gender that we cannot change,” said McLain.

The idea is to focus on the factors we can change and act early. “Over fifty percent of women do not call 911 when they feel like they are having symptoms of a heart attack, usually because they are too concerned with what else is going on or taking care of other people,” said McLain. Screenings are your best defense. “Everyone should have their cholesterol checked by at least age twenty, have their blood pressure checked at least once a year if everything is okay and if they are being treated for blood pressure, to keep a blood pressure log at home,” said McLain. There are tests available for premature or early heart disease. “We do a calcium scoring which is a low radiation CAT scan of the chest that lets us know if there is plaque build-up and we also do a triple vascular screening where we look at the carotid arteries in the neck as well as the abdominal aorta, lower extremities in the legs and evaluate if there are early signs of stenosis or plaque there,” said McLain.

Lifestyle modifications with diet and exercise are invaluable. “You can sit down with an exercise phys-

iologist that helps you look at your likes and dislikes and prescribe a good exercise regimen while being monitored,” said McLain. Focus on fruits and vegetables. “The more colorful, bright and cheery you can make your plate the better as opposed to everything being brown or white,” said McLain. Smoking cessation can make a difference.

“We also do a lot of advanced cholesterol testing to look at not just the cholesterol content but the particle numbers which have proven to be more predictive of cardiovascular risk than a routine cholesterol test,” said McLain.

foods, less processed or canned foods and daily exercise can lower blood pressure as much as a medication. Being proactive can have a positive impact. If you had a family member that was affected by heart disease you may want to take lifestyle modifications more seriously and start screening earlier.

It is a myth that heart disease affects mostly older men. “We know

that more women have died from heart disease since 1994 than men and it kills more women than all cancers combined,” said McLain.

A lot of patients in their thirties, forties and fifties have had stents or bypass surgery which makes clinicians promote starting preventive measures in childhood. “Keeping up with all of your doctors visits and being proactive is the best,” said McLain.

Another variable you can try to gain control of is blood pressure. “The ideal recommendation is for blood pressure to be less than 140/90 and in special populations like diabetics we know that a little bit lower is better and they should be tightly controlled with blood pressure around 120/80,” said McLain.

Studies show low sodium

‘The more colorful, bright and cheery you can make your plate the better as opposed to everything being brown or white.’ www.charlestonwomanonline.com

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Dr. Drew McPhail STRAIGHT UP

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Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

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I

have had more than one opportunity to sit down with Dr. Drew McPhail. A committed family man, he literally lights up when he talks about his wife and children.

As to how he balances work and family, “I just make sure that since my children are my number one priority, I make time for them. Every morning I drive my kids to school. I could be at work earlier in the morning. I could get here at 6:30 and start working. Instead, I get them in the car and make that ride to school in the morning with my 2 children and my neighbors’ child. I also make sure that I get home at a reasonable hour, around 7, so that I can spend that time with them. We lay down and read and do other things. Whenever I am not out of town for seminars, we make sure we do things with the family and make it a priority. It is an easy thing to do, to just stay focused on the job, and there are times I do that, but you have to think about the big picture. The best thing is family.”

is looking for ways to offer more comprehensive healthcare to each individual he treats.

I find it fascinating that even after opening his practice here in Summerville, Dr. McPhail strives to gain more knowledge about the ways he can help someone. Most of us were just waiting on that degree and hoping to never have to step foot in another classroom; this isn’t the case with Dr. McPhail. His commitment to continuing his education is apparent in his patients, who tell us that they drive from various other counties and parts of the state to see Dr. McPhail.

There is a long list of patient feedback on his website as well that say things such as, “I can now sleep without medication”, and “I am now pain free.”

‘I just make sure that since my children are my number one priority, I make time for them.’

I like to visit with a physician or anyone for that matter, who truly loves his family.

Maybe that is just the woman in me. The reason you are reading this article though, is not because of what a nice guy, or what a great husband and father, Dr. McPhail appears to be. The reason I choose to write this article is because on both occasions that I visited with him, what struck me about Dr. Drew McPhail was his commitment to his patients.

by Lori Samples Duncan photo by Tammy Bevins Photography

If you know much about chiropractors, you know that the profession requires a great deal of education. Dr. McPhail started out getting his Bachelor’s degree from Valdosta State, in Georgia, and then attended Life University for a year before transferring to Parker College of Chiropractic in Dallas, Texas. Even though he could have stopped there, Dr. McPhail has continued his education by attending numerous seminars and various other professional training. He spends approximately sixteen weekends a year attending trainings to help better the health of his patients.

He could go play golf or spend an extra day with the family he so enjoys being with. Instead, he

When you find someone who is passionate about their work, chances are you find someone who is good at what they do. There is no doubt that Dr. Drew will continue to be successful. He simply won’t allow himself not to be. I was very excited to learn about some of the ways he is helping diabetic patients and other folks with varying degrees of neuropathy with a new technology he introduced in Summerville. This is his latest venture.

In an upcoming issue of Charleston Woman, you will be hearing from some of Dr. McPhail’s scoliosis patients about how he has helped them avoid surgery in many cases.

The reason there is so much to talk about is, in part, because of Dr. McPhail’s own search for therapies and treatments that give his patients the best opportunity for optimal results. If you are looking for someone to help you with a myriad of ways to get to the bottom of what ails you, you might want to give Dr. McPhail a call. Or, if you would like to know more about how Dr. Drew McPhail can help you, please visit him online at www.drmcphail.info.

www.charlestonwomanonline.com

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Let’s Talk

Q&A with Tricounty Radiology

T

ricounty Radiology Associates is dedicated to providing a remarkable patient experience. Because they know an imaging procedure can be stressful and expensive, the team at Tricounty Radiology Associates makes every effort to view its business from the patient’s point-of-view, making every effort to ensure that services are performed as quickly and cost effectively as possible.

We sat down with Tricounty Radiology Associates to ask some common questions that potential patients may have about its facilities.

W2W: Why is it less expensive to come to Tricounty Radiology Associates vs. a Hospital?

TRA: Tricounty Radiology Associates is a freestanding outpatient imaging facility, so we are able to get better contracted rates with all insurance providers. Hospitals have large overheads and are not able to acquire these low rates which means higher cost to you, the patient. Also, don’t get confused by an MRI or CT machine

located in a doctor’s practice. If the practice is owned by a hospital group, you are paying a hospital rate even if you are not physically at the hospital. In addition, we bill globally. This means the radiologist’s interpretation of the scan and the study you had performed are on one bill. When having a scan performed at a hospital-owned facility, you will receive two bills.

One from the hospital and one from the radiology company who is reading your study. Across the board for all insurances we are significantly less than a hospital and offer a sizeable discount for patients without insurance. Your Money… Your Choice!

W2W: Do I have a choice when choosing my Imaging Provider?

TRA: The answer is yes! All patients have a choice where to have their imaging studies performed.

Many factors are taken into consideration when making this important decision such as convenience, cost, quality of service, and whether the facility is in network with a patient’s insurance. Many patients will go where their provider suggests. If your provider’s practice is hospital owned or has its own imaging equipment, that provider will most likely recommend the facility in which it is affiliated. Ultimately, this is just a recommendation. You always have

Do I have a choice when choosing my Imaging Provider?

The answer is yes! All patients have a choice where to have their imaging studies performed. the right to choose the facility that best suits your needs. Become an informed healthcare consumer and research your options. Feel comfortable asking your provider questions about your options. The choice is yours!

W2W: Are you able to accommodate same day/ next day appointments?

TRA: When a patient has been referred for a study they are usually in pain, scared, and ready to be seen right away. Who wants to worry for two weeks about the possibilities of a scan? We have three convenient locations, North Charleston, Summerville, and West Ashley, so we are able to accommodate same day/ next day appointments. In most locations we open early, stay late, and are open on the weekends to work with your schedule. We also guarantee that the report will be faxed to your doctor’s office within 24 hours of your exam.

W2W: Most of my family lives in the Upstate and can’t take advantage of the value that you offer because of the distance. Do you have any recommendations for an imaging group that could help them?

TRA: In addition to the local imaging centers mentioned above, we are part of a larger network of imaging facilities that represents 14 locations throughout South Carolina. Please feel free to visit our website to view locations in other parts of South Carolina, www.scdiag.com. Our parent company also maintains facilities in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, North Carolina and Virginia. You can find specific locations in those states at www. mqimaging.com. All of our centers operate with similar quality and value imaging services for their local communities.

www.charlestonwomanonline.com

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Fight Hard. Laugh Loud.

Treatment for women, by women.

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

Know the Risks!

In honor of Heart Month, do your heart a favor and learn the risk factors for heart disease!

Some symptoms include: uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back; pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach; shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort; and breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness. Learn more at www.heart.org.

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Women

Health & Wellness

BREAST CANCER — Is It in Your Genes?

O

ne of the first factors we think of as contributing to a woman’s risk of breast cancer is her family history, but did you know that less than 10% of breast cancers are due to a genetic risk?

“The vast majority of my breast cancer patients do not have a family history of breast cancer,” said Dr. Jennifer Fiorini, MD, FACS, “They had a false sense of security believing that since there is no breast cancer in their family that they were not at risk.”

Data show that the more than 90% of breast cancers are spontaneous, so why do physicians ask about family history?

“Though it is rare, the risk of breast and other cancers go up so dramatically in those with the genetic mutation that it is important to identify those individuals so that they can be treated appropriately,” Dr. Fiorini says.

The mutation she speaks of is in the BRCA genes, and leads to the abnormality known as Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syn-

drome (HBOCS). It is present in less than 1% of the general population, so screening for the mutation has not been recommended unless a patient’s family history or personal history of cancer clue their physicians in to an elevated risk.

When a mutation is identified, however, it means that person has up to an 80% risk of developing breast cancer in her lifetime. In addition, the BRCA associated cancers tend to occur earlier (younger age), and are more likely to be the more aggressive type of breast cancer known as “triple negative.”

HBOCS also increases a woman’s risk of breast cancer up to 40% lifetime risk.

The gene mutation is just as likely to be passed along male relatives as females, so a woman’s paternal family history is just as important as the history on her mother’s side.

Dr. Jennifer Fiorini (left) and Dr. Jennifer Beatty are surgeons specializing in malignant and benign breast disease at The Breast Place.

Many people do not know that men can get breast cancer and carrying the BRCA gene mutation increases a man’s risk of breast cancer in addition to prostate cancer.

“The management of a patient with HBOCS is complex, but it most importantly focuses on patient education,” explains Dr. Jennifer Beatty, DO, FACS. “Once we carefully explain the risk, our patients deal with their condition in one of several ways, depending on her age and her personal preference.”

“Some of my patients request to have their breast tissue surgically removed and replaced with breast reconstruction surgery to reduce their risk as much as possible. Other women are more comfortable just being monitored closely with more frequent mammograms and breast MRIs, while others can take a medication in the form of a pill

which lowers their risk of cancer by blocking their body’s hormone stimulation of the breast tissue.”

“And those who are done having children,” adds Dr. Beatty, “are encouraged to consider having their ovaries removed to prevent ovarian cancer.”

Current recommendations for HBOCS testing depend on a woman’s history and her family history. A woman diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 50, or diagnosed with breast cancer in both breasts should be offered testing. Also women with two family members with breast cancer, or a combination of breast and ovarian cancers in her family should be offered testing.

“We offer genetic testing to all of our cancer patients at The Breast Place who have the right indications for testing, but women in the general population who might be at high risk due to their family history are encouraged to have that conversation with their primary care physician or gynecologist,” says Dr. Fiorini. “For those who do not have a primary physician, we are happy to see them at The Breast Place and help them make the decision for or against testing.”

For those who meet the qualifications, genetic testing for the BRCA mutation is covered by most insurance companies. If you have questions about your risk, discuss with your doctor or call The Breast Place at 797-1941. They are now accepting new patients. www.charlestonwomanonline.com

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Health & Wellness

Do I Really Need a Pap Every Year?

by Martha Green, PA-C

W

omen seem to be talking about this topic more and more. Conversations probably start from something read in a magazine or something that they have seen on TV. It is a valid question. There is published data regarding the topic. The answer largely depends on many factors including age and sexual history.

The Pap smear, a screening test for cervical disease, is only one small part of a full annual exam, otherwise known as the “yearly.” During your annual exam, your healthcare provider does so much more than just a pap. The visit is usually focused on preventative measures and screening for various disease processes such as heart disease, bone loss, pregnancy prevention and many more.

Depending on certain risk factors and a woman’s age, she may not need a Pap to screen for cervical abnormalities. However, the American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology recommends that every woman should see their OBGYN every year for a complete physical exam and to discuss health issues. Regularly scheduled yearly exams are the best way to stay healthy. Talk to your healthcare provider before you decide to forgo your pap smears during your annual exams.

Other items that may be discussed during your yearly exam:

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Breast exam and breast cancer screenings: Your provider checks your breasts at your annual exam, but we also encourage monthly self-exams and regular annual mammograms.

#1 cause of death in South Carolina. They are the #1 killer of women and more deadly than all forms of cancer. We give you the tools that you need to live a heart-healthy lifestyle.

Preconception counseling: Planning before conception significantly increases the health of you and your baby.

Immunizations, including those for prevention of cervical cancer, pertussis, and the flu: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of care!

Discussion of abnormal and painful menses: We will evaluate the possible causes and help you find the best treatment for your symptoms.

Screening for ovarian masses: The large majority of ovarian masses are benign, but proper evaluation is critical in making that determination.

Management of menopausal symptoms and use of hormone replacements or supplements: There are many safe and effective ways of managing menopause. We are here to help you find the best one for your body.

Contraception: When it is desired, we help determine which method of contraception is best. We do not believe in a “one size fits all” approach to birth control. Each patient has different needs, and we work hard to find the right type of birth control for her.

Screening and prevention of heart disease: Heart disease and strokes are the

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Discussion of depression/ anxiety: Not only can depression and anxiety interfere with your daily routines, they also have many physical health implications. Our providers are happy to discuss options to manage your depression and anxiety.

Smoking cessation counseling: We all know that smoking is one

of the worst things that you can do for yourself. It causes numerous diseases such as heart disease, lung cancer, COPD, and other forms of cancer. Our providers will give you the tools and motivation to help you quit!

Weight loss counseling: Obesity, another leading health problem amongst women, increases your risk of diabetes, heart disease, and strokes just to mention a few. We offer weight loss counseling to put you on the path towards a healthier you.

Bone loss prevention: In the United States, more than 40 million people either already have osteoporosis or are at high risk due to low bone mass, and women are at a higher risk of developing the disease. It is much better to prevent a possible fracture than to deal with the consequences of one.

We offer several options for bone loss prevention.

Call the office of James T. Martin, Jr., MD to schedule your annual exam today with one of our friendly providers — (843) 572-7123.

For Quality Compassionate Caregiving You Can Trust...

Look For The Green Umbrella Elder Care Management and Support Services • Needs Assessment • Home Care • Care Coordination

Suzy Dodds Kuppens, RN BSN

www.home-care-plus.com

(843) 628-3642

1036 eWall Street, Mt. Pleasant www.charlestonwomanonline.com

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Health & Wellness

CHIROPRACTIC IMPROVES

QUALITY of LIFE for Pregnant Women

by Dr. Drew McPhail Dr. Drew McPhail

T

he birth of a child is the most important and memorable experience in a person’s life. We celebrate many things, graduation, marriage, advancement in employment, and the successes of loved ones and friends, but none surmount the memories of the birth of a child. We all can recall at exactly what time, where, and what we were doing the day that little bundle of joy came into our world, because childbirth is the most amazing and joyous event that we can experience. Now for the 9 months prior to this special delivery, they can be a different story.

During pregnancy a woman’s body goes through many changes. Physically the body prepares for the carriage and delivery of the baby.

Hormonally there are so many changes that I would need several issues to explain. Emotionally the mind never stops. Thoughts of are we ready to take on this responsibility, can we afford the additional expense, am I going to be a good parent are just a few of the myriad of emotions that pregnant women can go through. Those thoughts/ emotions can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression.

Chiropractic care can reduce and eliminate the occurrence and severity of these conditions associated with pregnancy. In a recent study published by the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal, & Family Health on Feb. 4, 2013, Chiropractic care improved the quality of life for pregnant patients. The authors note that “It has been estimated that approximately 76% of chiropractors practicing in the United States provide chiropractic adjustments to pregnant women to address pregnancy-related com-

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Celebrating, Motivating and Educating

plaints, and to some extent ‘wellness care’.”

The study included pregnant women with an average age of 33 years and a mean gestation period of 20 weeks were studied for the improvement of their quality of life and patient satisfaction. The women suffered from a variety of symptoms including neck pain, leg pain, low back pain, and extremity/shoulder pain. Chiropractic for wellness was also reviewed during the study.

The study used the PROMIS-29 research assessment tool for analyzing the collected data from the pregnant patients. PROMIS-29 uses quality of life values like depression, anxiety, physical function, pain interference, fatigue, satisfaction with social roles and activities, and satisfaction in participation in social roles, to assess quality of life, and place a numerical value on the outcome.

The study showed a wide variety of improvements in many areas that the women were previously having

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Women

problems. 50% of the women improved in the area of fear and anxiety. 16% improved with depression and sadness. 33% improved in the fatigue domain, and 16% expressed more fatigue. Pain interference improved for 67% of the patients, and satisfaction with social roles improved for 50% of the pregnant women.

The study reinforces the use of chiropractic care for pregnant women. Chiropractic care improves the quality of life with a reduction in pain, fatigue, depression, and anxiety while increasing physical function and satisfaction in social roles.

Dr. Drew K. McPhail is a practicing Chiropractic Physician at McPhail Chiropractic with over 7 years experience.

He is a nationally recognized author of 2 books and has written many articles.

Dr. McPhail is a certified Scoliosis specialist by CLEAR Institute for Scoliosis.

If you have any questions, or would like more information on this topic, contact Dr. McPhail at 1709 Old Trolley Road, Summerville, SC 29485, (843) 873-2225, drmcphail@drmcphail.com or visit www.DrMcPhail.com.

Health & Wellness

COMPASSIONATE

In Home Care Service

by Suzy Dodds Kuppens, RN photos by Tammy Bevins Photography

Suzy Dodds Kuppens, RN

A

s a registered nurse of 30 something years with professional clinical experience in home care, and care management I would have to say that my personal experience with my father is what inspired me to create Home Care Plus. I envisioned an eldercare management and in home care service that was truly dedicated to hiring an experienced staff yes but more importantly a compassionate staff. There are certain qualities that I look for in a caregiver that are essential in order to offer the support and peace of mind that adult children are desperately looking for as they face the trials and tribulations of caring for their aging parents.

Through Home Care Plus, I have the opportunity to reach out to others that are facing the same fears...

Though there were many hardships, the hardest thing for me about this experience was the role reversal. And I see it every day with our clients and their grown children. My father along with my mother raised 7 children, provided for us. He took care of me as a child and as a grown adult and as I grew in to adulthood, married and had children of my own – my father was always there for me. He was a very wise man – witty, fun loving.

He was college educated, a WWII veteran, Purple Heart and bronze star recipient. Having him now dependent on me was another knock on the head reminding me of what life is all about. I missed having my

Suzy working with the Home Care Plus staff father, my dad who I could always rely on.

My family realized they could not manage the caregiving alone. We brought in outside help but not without a lot of trial and error in our search for the right caregivers; it was difficult finding someone who understood they needed to take care of our Mother, although physically independent at the age of 80 at the time, our Mother needed more than anything emotional support and of course help with the physical care my father required. Through Home Care Plus, I have the opportunity to reach out to others that are facing the same

fears and frustrations that my family faced in caring for my father.

Through Home Care Plus we can offer the knowledge, expertise and a support system to relieve the family caregiver of the never ending tasks of keeping their aging parent safe and content.

In hindsight, I would have relished every moment I had as my father’s caregiver. In the midst of the turmoil, it was easy to lose sight of the fact that it was truly an honor to have had the opportunity, the knowledge and the means to take care of my father and keep him safe and surrounded by his family during his final days. You can’t do

it alone there are just not enough hours in the day.

My greatest struggle was with the question of whether I should be a nurse or a daughter, and I often worried if I was making the right decisions regarding his care. Hospice was my saving grace. Once they came I was finally able to be a daughter again. I am very fortunate to be one of seven children raised to value family. My family shared the tasks they faced during this trying time and supported each other throughout the process.

We helped each other keep our sanity when everything felt like it was falling apart. www.charlestonwomanonline.com

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Health & Wellness

Bluewater Imaging and Vein Center

B

luewater Imaging and Vein Center was designed by Dr. Richard Clinton to fill a much needed gap in the medical community of Summerville and the surrounding areas. Bluewater Imaging offers women a beautiful, state of the art outpatient imaging facility that is all about convenience and comfort, without sacrificing expert, experienced medical care. Dr. Clinton had the patient in mind when he choose an easy to access office with parking in front of the door and selected the most friendly, helpful staff to ensure the patient has the best experience during their examinations or procedures.

Bluewater Imaging is the only privately owned outpatient imaging facility in the area which offers mammography, ultrasound, and bone density scans. Private ownership results in a significant financial benefit to the patient, since outpatient facilities owned by hospitals still bill as hospitals. Bluewater also accepts all insurance carriers.

In addition, Bluewater Imaging offers a complete vein care service to women and men who suffer from varicose veins, reticular veins, and spider veins. Most people consider varicose veins a cosmetic problem, and that is why it is one of the most untreated medical problems in the country. Varicose veins are the result from venous valvular insufficiency which, not only leads to the visible varicose veins that we are all familiar with, but also causes lower extremity pain, swelling, restless leg, skin discoloration, and ulceration. These problems can be debilitating and serious. Venous insufficiency is a progressive disease and needs to be treated at an early stage. Most insurance companies will pay for treatment if the evaluating physician takes the time to document the problem correctly. Dr. Clinton will work with your insurance company to ensure you are receiving your appropriate benefits.

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University of Tennessee medical school and completed his internship at Methodist/Le Bonheur Hospital in Memphis, TN. He moved to Florida for his residency at the University of Florida-Shands and his fellowship at the Mayo Clinic. Following his fellowship, he moved to a regional hospital in southeast Georgia where he developed the MRI service and created the Interventional Radiology service. He served on the medical executive committee for three years. As Dr. Clinton’s family grew, he decided to relocate to the Lowcountry. Prior to creating Bluewater Imaging and Vein Center, Dr. Clinton worked in an outpatient facility in Mt. Pleasant.

Bluewater Imaging has a comprehensive ultrasound department providing exams ranging from thyroid and vascular exams to fetal evaluation and abdomen studies. A complete list of ultrasound procedures are also provided and include guided biopsies of breast, thyroid, liver, and soft tissue masses. Cyst aspirations are provided, as well as, paracentesis and thoracentesis. Dr. Clinton performs PICC line inser-

they will only pay a small copay for service rather that a percentage of the whole bill, like they would in a hospital owned facility. For patients without insurance, there are huge financial benefits to staying out of the hospital.”

As part of the comprehensive ultrasound service Bluewater Imaging is providing, Dr. Clinton is working hard to educate parents and doctors as to the benefits of performing “ultrasound first” on pediatric patients, before CT is performed and in some cases before x-ray. An ultrasound diagnosis can eliminate the need for CT, and the harmful effects of radiation are eliminated with ultrasound. While a single CT exposes a child to only a small amount of radiation, children are particularly susceptible to the effects of radiation, and the effects of radiation are cumulative over the patient’s lifetime.

Most people consider varicose veins a cosmetic problem, and that is why it is one of the most untreated medical problems in the country.

Dr. Clinton graduated from the

“I looked at a lot of locations for Bluewater Imaging before deciding on my current office,” states Dr. Clinton.

“Given the services I provide, the location in Summerville couldn’t be better. I wanted to choose an exciting, growing community that would benefit from the services I provide. The people needed a privately owned imaging center.

Paying hospital fees for exams and procedures is absolutely not necessary for a lot of Radiological services, and we are so much easier to access by phone and by car.”

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Women

tion and maintenance, ultrasound guided pain procedures, including joint and facet injections, and state of the art wound care.

“I am attempting to provide patients with a non-hospital option for exams and procedures that are hard to find outside the hospital.

This will make it easier for the referring doctor to facilitate an exam for a patient, and it will give the patient an affordable option, since

Dr. Clinton is currently in the early stages of developing a fund to assist uninsured Lowcountry women pay for comprehensive breast care.

For more information, visit www.

BluewaterImagingandVein.com.

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Health & Wellness

Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue What is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia (FM) is characterized by chronic or intermittent muscle pain, particularly at “trigger points”, fatigue and poor sleep. Patients report cognitive and mood changes in fibromyalgia and often digestive symptoms such as irritable bowel syndrome. The ratio of females to males with fibromyalgia is 9:1 and at least 3% of the population has symptoms with usual onset between 20 and 50 years of age.

What is Chronic Fatigue?

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is also a mystery; the fatigue is not like the normal ups and downs of everyday life. The patient is too tired for normal activities and the profound weakness associated with chronic fatigue syndrome does not go away with a few go steals your energy and vigor over months and sometimes years.

FM/CFS These two conditions are now considered to be variants of the same underlying dysfunction and are referred to as FM/CFS. The cause of FM/CFS is unknown, but it is not contagious and does not usually go away. Serotonin, the neurotransmitter involved in the sensation of pain, is known to be involved. Chronic low-grade infections, particularly fungal, are also present in many patients. And of course, the stress

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of not being able to perform normal daily tasks exacerbates the symptoms.

SUCCESS STORY

Evaluating the Patient The integrative practitioners in our clinic expect that physical and psychological symptoms may have common metabolic and functional sources. This approach to evaluation and treatment presumes that, as with any chronic condition, multiple underlying factors are responsible:

I had fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue syndrome (FM/CFS) and suffered with digestive problems, varying degrees of pain, anxiety, depression, etc., for more than 13 years. Every evening after work I was exhausted. Some days I wasn’t able to go to work. Now, I have been mostly symptom-free for more than three years and have lots of energy.

...the fatigue is not like the normal ups and downs of everyday life.

After trying the drug route, I researched non-drug solutions and found out many existed. My niece, who had recovered from fibromyalgia, recommended I walk every day, eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, drink lots of filtered water, avoid refined sugars and take natural sleep aids. That helped. What helped even more was a seminar I attended on fibromyalgia. I learned about the yeast connection. I did have a yeast overgrowth plus a bacterial infection in my gastrointestinal tract. I discovered I was sensitive to house dust, certain foods, molds and chemicals. Also, I had hypothyroidism and some hormonal and mineral deficiencies.

digestion, inflammation, immune reactions, hormone levels, oxidative stress, detoxification capacity, as well as the psychological and spiritual state of the individual. In our clinic a clinical assessment of the patient’s symptoms, a thorough medical history and appropriate laboratory testing are the foundation for an effective treatment plan.

Women

Call Back2Health Physical Medicine at Goose Creek today at (843) 4757037 to schedule a free consultation to see if they can help you!

Within a few weeks of starting treatment for the yeast and bacterial problems, I started feeling better than I had felt in years. I found out that eating organically grown foods and meats free of antibiotics and growth hormones is important.

Also, vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements played a role in my recovery. If you are among the millions of people who suffer from these illnesses, remember there is hope. It isn’t the diagnosis that you should be concerned with but rather the things you can change.

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A Personal Note

W

e have rolled into the New Year without much of a fuss at the Duncan home. Three of our children have already celebrated their birthday in the last four weeks. Trent and I celebrate our birthdays in February, and on the 17th of this year marks our 18th wedding anniversary! Now some of you reading this will be celebrating year thirty or fifty so it doesn’t seem like much of an accomplishment to you, but for me, I feel accomplished.

I met my husband 19 years ago while we were living in the same apartment complex. He was the only man to ever kiss me without permission. (Remember when a guy would ask, “May I kiss you goodnight?”) Trent didn’t ask. He just kissed me goodnight after our first date. I was pleasantly surprised as it turns out, and I agreed to see him again the next day.

Within six months he had asked me to marry him, and on February 17th, I said “I do” in a courthouse in Winder, Georgia. It wasn’t the big fancy wedding that I dreamed of, but we had all we needed. It was just us, a retiring judge, a witness, and a whole lot of love coming together on that day, to make a vow before God that I never intend to break. The judge cried, and I cried. She said it was the last wedding ceremony she would ever perform. I thought it was sweet. We held hands as we left the courthouse and ran through the drizzling rain to our Camaro. ( I loved that car).

We didn’t go on a honeymoon. We were young, naïve, so happy and pretty broke. We went straight to a little rental property that was owned by my older brother and began moving in.

I remember the first time I ever cooked him fried chicken. It was so brown and pretty on the outside, and when he took a bite, it was cold and pink! I could have killed him that day from Salmonella poisoning! I cried, but he laughed and told me not to worry about it. We dumped the chicken in the trash, and he took me out to dinner. Needless to say, that was my first and last attempt at fried chicken.

We have been through a lot in eighteen years. It hasn’t always been easy to love each other. A friend’s father, on his fiftieth wedding anniversary, said, “The secret to a long and happy marriage is never falling out of love with each other at the same time.” I think that was a wise statement. I believe marriage takes 110% from each party. Sometimes the joys of moving toward a destination is not in arriving but the journey itself.

Trent was born on Valentine’s Day. After eighteen years, four children, a move to another state, losing my father, and losing his mother, I am happy to say he is the only man I have ever truly loved. He still makes me blush when he smiles at me, and says, “ I love you”. He never leaves home without kissing me goodbye. I love him with my whole heart and hope to spend at least eighteen more years with him.

Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary to my Valentine, Trent Duncan, and Happy Heart Month to all of you and your loved ones!

Your Friend,

Lori Samples Duncan

photo by Robert Patrick Image Design

arriage 2 Years of M with Trey) (and pregnant

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18 Years of Marriage 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.

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