July / August 2014
PMRC on a mission
What your body wants
Weight of a nation
VOLUME 8 ISSUE 4
contents
July / August 2014
FEATURES
DEPARTMENTS
5
Commentary
14
In the Sandbox
16
Regional Calendar
3
PMRC on a mission
6
Forming a bridge
8
What your body wants
10
Sniffle or Sneeze? No Antibiotics Please
12
A new medical care
13
Weight of a nation 1
health & parenting
Health & Parenting Ad Director Viola Gonzales
vgonzales@cnjonline.com
Graphic Designer Shawn Luscombe
sluscombe@cnjonline.com
Advertising Office 521 Pile Street Clovis, NM 88101 (575) 763-3431 (575) 762-3879 Fax www.cnjonline.com www.pntonline.com www.qcsunonline.com www.cannonconnections.com
July / August 2014 Feature Writer Alisa Boswell aboswell@pntonline.com Columnist Steve Reshetar Printed By CMI Printing
Portales, NM
Call your advertising representative today to place an ad in the next issue (575) 763-3431 Health and Parenting Magazine is published bi-monthly by Clovis News Journal 521 Pile, Clovis, New Mexico 88101 Telephone: 575.763.3431 Fax: 575.762.3879 Copyright Š 2014 by Clovis Media Inc. We reserve the right to publish and/or edit events for space and clarity. Nothing contained within Healthy You may be reprinted in whole or in part without the prior written consent of the publisher. While we strive to ensure the accuracy of the contents published in Healthy You, the publisher assumes no liability for the content contained within the publication. Please consult with a licensed health care professional before undertaking any course of treatment.
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PRMC on a mission
Staff photo: Alisa Boswell Manuel Macapinlac, a hematology and oncology specialist at Plains Regional Cancer Center, looks over patient information with oncology nurses Elssy Bingham, left, and Olivia West. Macapinlac is one of several specialty doctors Plains Regional Medical Center has brought into the local region.
By Alisa Boswell Staff writer
Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis is on a mission to provide physicians specializing in specific fields highly needed in the area. Former PRMC Administrator Hoyt Skabelund said they are accomplishing just that. “As a non-profit health care system, our goal is improve the health of individuals in our communities and take care of them and part of that is to explore every opportunity where we can expand the amount of care we bring them,”
Skabelund said. “It is very exciting to be able to offer that to our Eastern New Mexico residents.” Skabelund, who resigned as administrator last month, said General Surgeon Dr. Maria Ugarte-Martinez came to Clovis from Minnesota in 2013 and specializes in colorectal surgery, which is operating on the bowels and digestive system. Skabelund said Ugarte-Martinez is one of only three colorectal surgeons in New Mexico. “She’s been trained by the best so patients that would normally have to travel to Albuquerque or Texas
are able to come here to Clovis,” Skabelund said. “It is exciting to know that we can offer that kind of service to people right here at home.” Dr. Manuel Macapinlac, a specialist in hematology and medical oncology, was recruited in 2010 to provide patients with cancer treatment services they would have had to drive hundreds of miles to receive previously. “If you want to stay in New Mexico, the next cancer center will be 230 miles away in Albuquerque. If you want to go to Texas, you have to drive at least 110 miles to 3
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Lubbock or Amarillo,” Macapinlac considered coming to rural America a long time ago.” said. Jimmy Richards, who lives south “There’s been so many changes of Portales, has been fighting in health care since new laws have prostate cancer since 1993. He said been passed in 2009 so you don’t he used to have to drive to Texas have universal coverage anymore,” for treatment before the cancer Macapinlac said. “The drive for a lot of doctors is to go to areas where there’s no access to doctors.” Macapinlac said he wouldn’t want to be anywhere else because in rural America. He said he really feels the difference he is making in people’s lives. Macapinlac said he was practicing medicine in New York City before he came to Clovis. “When I left my (NYC) office, I just got a pat on my shoulder and ‘oh I heard you’re leaving.’ They won’t miss you much Staff photo: Alisa Boswell Manuel Macapinlac is a hematology and oncology because there are so many specialist at Plains Regional Cancer Center. cancer doctors available. But here, you’re really center opened in 2006. making an impact,” Macapinlac “I’m sure grateful they got this said. “I’ve always been trained in unit in here,” he said. “I’m grateful the big city, so I never realized that for them (the staff).” when you come to rural America Skabelund said the newest that wow, it’s so isolated. If I had addition to the PRMC crew will be known that, I probably would have Dr. Devin Wahlen, whose specialty
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is podiatric medicine. He is set to join the hospital in August. Wahlen specializes in the treatment and surgery of the foot and ankle. “We’re very excited to have him join us here. He performs very sophisticated surgeries with the foot and ankle. We’ve never had that level of training before,” Skabelund said. “Dr. Richard Stamm (Clovis podiatrist) is one of the most excited about Dr. Wahlen because he used to have to refer patients who needed that kind of care. Now, we can have that kind of specialty care right here in Clovis, so people don’t have to drive as far anymore.” Skabelund said the Clovis hospital is offering more services all the time and plans to continue to work towards doing such. “They know their work and they’re passionate about it,” Skabelund said of all the hospital’s recruits. “You realize as a human, you have no control,” Macapinlac said. “To extend their (a patient’s) life a few more days is priceless.”
Be the change teach them skills they will use later in Summer is a tough time for parents life, we won’t mind near so much. as kids have way too much time on Our children are much more capable their hands and seemingly not enough of recognizing our willingness to constructive things to do. invest time in them, or not, then Why is it that many kids complain we’d like to believe. Taking time to that there’s nothing to do while other help them build a bird house is far kids have so much going on they can’t more valuing to them than buying the keep up? latest gadget that they’ll play with by As parents, one of our duties is to themselves. foster in our child a spirit of creativity Instead of so much entertainment and exploration. This can be difficult for our kids, we need to develop a and even scary as it flies against our spirit of adventure and wonder in our desire to protect them. kids. Encourage them to explore the As I’ve said numerous times before, world around them. This can be done like it or not we are modeling for our with a simple magnifying glass or kids 24/7. If all they see is us sitting binoculars. The most important part by the TV being entertained, we can is that they see you wanting to explore hardly expect them to be out creating things. and exploring. They will want to be I cannot overstate the modeling entertained and we’ll hear “there’s aspect. For their benefit you may need nothing to do”. to force yourself to change your ways. Many of us older types can Mahatma Gandhi coined the phrase, remember playing with mundane “be the change you want to see in the objects and finding a way to have fun world.” This certainly applies in this doing it. We didn’t have the devices case. kids do today and that was probably a If a parent is tired of hearing there’s blessing. nothing to do, they can affect change There are countless resources in their child by changing themselves. available with ideas to build things, Some parents may say I don’t have etc. When our grandson would come the money to encourage exploration to visit and usually bring a friend, or creativity. It doesn’t have to cost a I always made sure I had an idea of fortune and there are many helps on something to build with him. The the internet. boys always would go home with some Another pretty wise person told me item that they helped build. that people always have money for the When I visit I still see those items things they want to have money for. around. Is it more work and or time I think that’s mostly true so I would for the parent to be able to do that? encourage parents to invest in their You bet. But if we truly see it as an child; it will pay dividends down the investment and recognize that it will road.
Commentary
Steve Reshetar is the Director of the Matt 25 Hope Center in Clovis. Contact him at: director@matt25clovis.com
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Forming a bridge By Alisa Boswell Staff writer
One year after adding hospice care as one of their services, Interim HealthCare has added what their officials call the bridge between hospice and home health care. Home health care is taking care of patients with chronic illnesses from their homes after they have been released from the hospital. Patients are moved to hospice when they have six months or less to live. According to Twila Rutter, general manager of Interim, there was no in-between for those patients who have symptoms that are not going to get better but they are not ready to accept preparing for death. Interim’s new palliative care program, which teaches patients how to manage their own symptoms so they can stay at home, bridges that gap between hospice and home health, Rutter said.
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“A lot of families making that decision to stop chemo (therapy) is very difficult to do,” she said. “This program (palliative) allows us to really fill that gap between a patient that we know is just going to get sicker and sicker but they may not meet the home health requirements.” Rutter said patients are only allowed to be kept on home health for 60 days but they can stay in the palliative program longer depending on their circumstances. “The palliative program is really to help patients and their families make that cross over from home health into hospice,” she said. “It may take any amount of time.” Rakel Cockrell, registered nurse and director of health care services, said as an alternative to medication, the palliative care program teaches patients things like relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and tensing and relaxing muscles, as well as other alternatives to help with pain. “Those symptoms aren’t going to go away,” Cockrell said. “So
what we are trying to do is teach the patients and their family how to manage those symptoms rather than running to the hospital every time they have that symptom, so teaching them what to do and managing their suffering.” Michele Garrett, palliative care nurse, said that nurses in the program are in constant communication with the patient’s doctor so that their doctor will know what is going on and so the nurses can get the patient whatever they need, such as medication or treatment. Linda Laman, a hospice nurse and another director of health care services, said when it is time for a patient to transition from palliative to hospice, she and Garrett will go talk to the patient and their family together. “Dealing with the hospice patients on that level varies,” Laman said. “You’ve got your patients that have agreed, have decided that they’re at end of life and they’re ready for whatever comes to them. Many of them
appreciated that. I think they take better care of him then (some of) the doctors do.” She laughed. Janet Pierce said she and her husband, who have been married for more than 60 years, are not ready to be apart yet because they have only known life with each other. But that’s the beauty of the palliative care program, according to Interim nurses, that you can deal with your illness at home but you haven’t reached that point of having to prepare for “end of Staff photo: Alisa Boswell life.” Paliative care nurse Michele Garrett takes the blood pressure of one of her patients, Jack Pierce, “There’s never any who has been fighting a lung condition. push, no, you have to go back to palliative and friends and their surroundings have a really high faith level and (or) no, you have to that their most comfortable in.” lean on their faith to help them go to hospice; we try to let them Clovis resident Jack Pierce, who at this time. Others come into make the decisions on their own is now in the palliative program, the hospice program, feeling that by informing them of all their said he is grateful for the program they’re comfortable with it but options,” Laman said. and for the staff members who are then they hear about a treatment a part of it. that might help (so they go back “One Saturday night, I had to to the palliative program). There’s call them when never a problem if they want to his (Jack’s) heart come or go. If they are ready for rate was up and end of life, we are there for them they told me and we will do everything we can what to do,” to keep them comfortable or safe said Pierce’s in their own homes.” wife, Janet. And that’s the entire point of “Afterwards, the home health, palliative and they called every hospice services, according to hour to check Rutter is to allow “people to pass on him. I really away at home among their family 7
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What your body needs broccoli, cauliflower and lettuces, you’re not getting the nutrients out of it that people used to.” Healthy eating is often a hot topic in today’s world with Moretta said along with environmental impacts to soil a new diet being offered around every corner. But whatever depleting nutrients in food, cooking foods at a certain a person’s goal with dieting, the question remains, what do temperature can also deplete the amount of nutrients in our bodies really need to operate in a healthy way? them. According to local health food store operators, the Nahmens said the deficiency they see most in their store human body needs a variety of vitamins, minerals and is a vitamin D3 deficiency. nutrients that most She said a lot of customers Americans aren’t getting have come in to buy D3 with their diets anymore. vitamins after having “I definitely think been prescribed it by their that you look at the doctors. statistics of Americans She said vitamin D2 and you’ll see 75 to 80 comes from food while percent of Americans are vitamin D3 comes from overweight,” said Makin’ the sun. It Natural Manager Nahmens said many Jennifer Moretta. “Because people are deficient in this they eat so much fast food particular vitamin because because it’s convenient, with many people’s jobs people don’t eat a properly being indoors, people well-balanced diet. So are not outside enough in order to help your and when people are body achieve its optimal outside, they tend to wear goal, taking a good, solid sunscreen. multi-vitamin to help She said being vitamin supplement what you’re D3 deficient can cause not getting in your diet is depression as well as weak a good idea.” bones. Sales Associate Christine “If I were to describe Nahmens said multiD3, it would be calcium Staff photo: Alisa Boswell vitamins contain vitamins and magnesium are In June, Bill Bargman, owner of Paradise Market in Clovis, A, B, C and D as well as a minerals that help in the talked to Clovis residents at the Clovis library about nutrition variety of the minerals and formation (of bones) and D3 and gluten-free diets. antioxidants a person’s body would be the glue that holds needs. it together,” Nahmens said. She said some multi-vitamins include additional She said D3 also helps women with hormone and ingredients, such as acidophilus and food enzymes, to gear menstruation problems. them more specifically toward age group or gender. Nahmens said she has seen people come into the store “Even the things that people eat that are healthy, because with such severe vitamin D3 deficiencies that their doctors our soil is so depleted, a lot of the minerals and vitamins have prescribed them 10 times that of the normal intake that we would normally have gotten decades ago, we do for the average person. not get now,” Moretta said. “So even though you’re eating By Alisa Boswell Staff writer
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Staff photo: Alisa Boswell Makin' It Natural Manager Jennifer Moretta stocks one of the store's many brands of Vitamin D3. Moretta and other store associates said they see Vitamin D3 deficiencies in customers more than any other deficiency.
According to Bill Bargman, the owner of Paradise Market, a Clovis grocery store known for selling organic food, what the human body could do without is gluten. Gluten is a protein composite found in wheat and related grains. “Gluten is the big buzz word now days,” Bargman said. “Gluten is the bad stuff people are trying to get away from.” Bargman said he is no expert on healthy eating but he opened his store two years ago because he saw a need for more grocery stores that sell organic and gluten-free food.
He said he has been learning more and more about healthy eating from his customers ever since. Bargman added that since opening the business, he has lost 30 pounds just from cutting processed/packaged foods out of his diet. He said with people becoming more aware of the dangers of a gluten-filled diet, many name brand products are now providing gluten-free products. “By and large, what I’m hearing from my customers is when they get away from gluten, they feel better,” Bargman said. 9
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Sniffle or Sneeze? No Antibiotics Please By The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Antibiotics kill bacteria, not viruses. And colds, flu and most sore throats are caused by viruses. Antibiotics don’t touch viruses — never have, never will. And it’s not really news. It’s a long-documented medical fact. But tell that to parents seeking relief for a child’s runny nose. Research shows that most Americans have either missed the message about appropriate antibiotic use or they simply don’t believe it. It’s a case of mistaken popular belief winning out over fact. According to public opinion research, there is a perception that “antibiotics cure everything.” Americans believe in the power of antibiotics so much that many patients go to the doctor expecting to get a prescription. And they do. Why? Physicians often are too pressured for time to engage in lengthy explanations 10 health & parenting
of why antibiotics won’t work. And, when the diagnosis is uncertain — as many symptoms for viral and bacterial infections are similar — doctors are
more likely to yield to patient demands for antibiotics. Risk of antibioticresistance The problem is, taking antibiotics when they are not needed can do more harm than good. Widespread inappropriate use of antibiotics is fueling an increase in drugresistant bacteria. And sick individuals
make the patient feel better, yield a quicker recovery or keep others from getting sick. A less obvious consequence of antibiotic overuse is the boost it gives to drug-resistant diseasecausing bacteria. Almost every type of bacteria has become stronger and less responsive to antibiotic treatment when it really is needed. These antibiotic-resistant bacteria can quickly spread to family members, school mates and co-workers — threatening the community with a new strain of infectious disease that is more difficult to cure and more expensive to treat. antibiotics. According to The most obvious the Centers for consequence of Disease Control and inappropriate antibiotic Prevention, antibiotic use is its effect on resistance is one of the the sick patient. world’s most pressing When antibiotics are public health problems. incorrectly used to treat Americans of all ages children or adults with can lower this risk by viral infections, such talking to their doctors as colds and flu, they and using antibiotics aren’t getting the best appropriately during care for their condition. this cold and flu A course of antibiotics season. won’t fight the virus, aren’t the only people who can suffer the consequences. Families and entire communities feel the impact when disease-causing germs become resistant to
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A new medical care
Staff photo: Tony Bullocks
Staff photo: Tony Bullocks
Clinic Ambassador Becky Black of Melrose signs in a patient Tuesday. Black has been with the Melrose Clinic since it opened in February.
Melrose Clinic Manager Joy Garner of Clovis registers a patient for lab tests and to be transported. The clinic averages 50 patients a week and is open Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to Noon.
Did you know? According to the American Heart Association, relaxation that calms tension in the mind and body can be a great way for men and women to combat stress. Deep breathing is one relaxation technique that's simple and effective when done the right way. The AHA recommends that men and women looking to relax through deep breathing should first sit in a comfortable position 12 health & parenting
with their feet on the floor and hands in their lap (lying down is also acceptable). Once they have gotten in position, men and women can close their eyes and picture themselves in a peaceful place, holding the scene in their mind, all the while inhaling and exhaling slowly and deeply. This slow breathing should continue for at least 10 minutes.
Weight of a nation By The Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Ever cringe when you step on the scale? Now, think of the entire country stepping on that scale. Imagine the weight of the nation. Obesity is a common, serious, and costly health problem. Obesity is common. Healthy People 2020, which outlines the nation’s health goals for 2020, has set a target obesity prevalence of 30.6 percent for adults and 14.6 percent for children. However, according to the most recent NHANES data in 2009-2010, about 36 percent of U.S. adults ages 20 and over were obese, and about 17 percent of children ages 2 to 19 years old were obese. Additionally, some adult populations are more affected by obesity than others. Non-Hispanic blacks are most likely to be obese (44.1 percent), followed by Hispanics (37.9 percent) and non-Hispanic whites (32.6 percent).
Obesity is serious. Research has shown that obese people are at higher risk for developing heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, some cancers, high blood pressure, stroke, and sleeping and breathing problems among other conditions. Some of these are the leading causes of death in the U.S. In addition to being at risk for developing some of these same health problems, children tend to also experience social and psychological effects like discrimination and low self-esteem. Moreover, obese children are more likely to become obese adults. Obesity is costly. Obesity and its associated health problems have a significant economic impact on the U.S. health care system. In 2008 dollars, medical care costs for obesity were about $147 billion. On average, medical spending for obese people was $1429 (42%) greater than spending for people of normal weight in 2006.
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funny PAGES Vicki Jacoby
www.InTheSandboxComics.blogspot.com
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Regional
Calendar
Support Groups
Al-Anon Fellowship - 6 p.m., Sundays, Mental Health
Resources, 1100 W. 21st Street. Information: 762-3970. Open to families and friends of alcoholics. Friendly Group.
Al-Anon: Live and Let Live -
6:30p.m., Mondays, Highland Baptist Church, 2210 N. Main. Open to friends and families of alcoholics. Information: 769-6028.
Al-Anon Serenity Circle Group - 6:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Presbyterian Church, 108 South Ave. F, Portales. Information: 769-6028. Alcoholics Anonymous: The Fellowship Group - Noon
and 7:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, 1119 Thornton St. Information: 769-6052.
Alcoholics Anonymous: The Portales Lamplighters Group Call for more information : 575-607-6611
Twisted Sisters Alcoholics Anonymous:
6-7:30 p.m. Mondays, 421 N. Industrial Dr. Information: 356-2813.
Batterers Intervention - Men: 3 and 6 p.m., Wednesdays, Hartley House, 900 Main St., Clovis. Women: 6 p.m. Roosevelt General Hospital Conference room, 42121 U.S. 70, Portales. Information: 762-0050 or 356-4720.
Bereavement Group -
2-3 p.m., second and fourth Thursday, Plains Regional Healthplex, 2217 Dillon Street. Support group for people whose loved ones have died and who would like help coping with grief, loss and living again after loss. Information: 769-7399.
Building).
Hospice of the Sandias Grief and Bereavement Support Group - 6 - 7 p.m. Every first and third Thursday
of each month. These groups are open to anyone who has experienced grief from a significant loss or who is anticipating a loss whether the grief is professional or personal. Information: Yolanda Vela Clovis Group meets 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. every 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month at Wheatfields 4701 N Prince Street, Clovis.
Moms Against Meth - Last Wednesday of the month, 517 W. 21st St., New Life Assembly of God. Information: 763-3221. NM Survivors of Homicide - 7 p.m., first Monday, at the office of Dr. Farkas, 116 W. 11th St. Information: Jennifer 799-0863. Narcotics Anonymous: Open Hands Group - 2 p.m., Saturdays, TeamBuilders, 414 Mitchell St., use rear door. Information: Wesley, 762-8128. New Life Gluten-Free Support Group - 10 a.m. -noon,
second Saturday, Salvation Army Church, 2nd and Gidding Streets. Information: Cindy Lawson 769-3337 or 714-4458.
S.A.D. Support Against Drugs - 7 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, Clovis-Carver Public Library, 701 North Main St. Support group for parents and family members whose children or loved ones are on drugs. Information: Wanda Norwood at 769-7717. Survivors Group of N.A. - 9 p.m., Fridays., Regular nonsmoking meeting. 1223 W. Ivy, Old La Casa Building, Portales.
Cancer Support Group - Meets every other Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. This group is open to cancer survivors and Caregivers. Group meets at Roosevelt General Hospital, 42121 US Highway 70, Portales. Call People Living Through Cancer for more information: 1-888-441-4439
Temple Watchers - 10:30 a.m., weigh-in, 11 a.m. to noon
Celebrate Recovery - 7 p.m., Tuesdays, Faith Christian
The We Group of NA - 6 p.m., Mondays, Wednesdays and
Family Church. Information: 762-7751.
Children’s Domestic Violence Survivors Group - 6 p.m., Thursdays, Hartley House, 900 Main St. Ages 4 and older. Domestic Violence Survivors Group -
6 p.m., Thursdays, Hartley House, 900 Main St. Information: 762-0050.
Emotions Anonymous - 7:30 p.m., Thursdays, Mental Health Resources, 1100 W. 21st St. Support group for anxiety, depression, emotional stress. Information: 763-4355. Get Well Group of N.A. - 9 p.m., Saturdays, Regular nonsmoking meeting. 1223 W. Ivy, Portales (Old La Casa 16 health & parenting
meeting, Thursdays. Free weight-loss support group for women. First Baptist Church, 302 Gidding St. Information: 769-9744.
Fridays, Church of the Brethren, Manana and Acoma (across from Stansells). Enter north side of the church. Information: Ben L. 791-5906 or Sharmon L. 791-5836.
Self-help Take Off Pounds Sensibly NM 3 - Noon, Wednesdays, First United Methodist Church, 1501 Sycamore St., east door. Information: 309-4049.