It’s Life Changing I
RREVERSIBLE IS NOT a word you want to hear from your doctor, but it’s a common one if you’ve been diagnosed with Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy, or CIPN. Gary R. survived testicular cancer only to be living life in constant pain. He felt as though he was walking on pins and needles, becoming weaker and weaker every day. “I was beginning to be worried that one day I would be wheelchair bound.” Chemotherapy meds travel throughout the body and attack cancer cells. Sadly, they can also cause severe damage to healthy nerves. CIPN can begin within weeks of starting treatment and can worsen as treatment continues. A high number of really unfortunate people will be forced to endure the symptoms associated with CIPN for months, or even years, after they’ve completed chemo. When asked how CIPN was affecting his quality of life, he responded, “It was difficult to even walk up and down stairs and do other things we usually take for granted.” The most common symptoms include: • Pain, tingling, burning, weakness, or
numbness in arms, hands, legs, or feet • Sudden, sharp, stabbing, or shocking pain sensations • Loss of touch sensation • Clumsiness and trouble using hands to pick up objects or fasten clothing • Loss of balance and falling For some, their nerves will recover over time. For most, the nerve damage is irreversible. Gary had been told just that by a series of doctors and specialists. Essentially, they could cure his cancer but couldn’t fix the damage done by the drugs used to cure his cancer. Then Gary made a call to the doctors at West Knox Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine right here in Knoxville. They are using the time-tested science of acupuncture and a technology originally developed by NASA that assists in increasing blood flow and expediting recovery and healing to treat this debilitating disease. “I remember thinking ‘that’s become mighty easy for me.’ I didn’t have to hold on to the handrail or anything! It’s life changing to have this mobility back!” Again and again, we meet with patients
who were once diagnosed as “untreatable” or “incurable” but after receiving treatments are now living lives free from pain and suffering. For almost 20 years, Drs. A.J. & Monica Sarrat have been reversing the effects of CIPN and other varieties of Peripheral Neuropathy, including those caused by diabetes without invasive surgeries and medications that come with uncomfortable side effects. If you’ve recently beaten cancer only to find that you’re living a life in constant pain and discomfort or you’re struggling with the same symptoms as a result of either Idiopathic Neuropathy or Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy, the incredible team at West Knox Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine can help! Call 865-275-2444 now to schedule a consultation.
West Knox Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine 9125 Cross Park Drive Suite 150 Knoxville, TN 37923 865.275.2444 www.WestKnoxAcupuncture.com
Random Acts of Flowers’ Volunteer Spirit
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H E G R OW T H O F Random Acts of Flowers since its beginning in 2008 has been quite remarkable. During the past 12 years, Random Acts of Flowers has delivered more than 139,000 bouquets of re-purposed flowers to individuals in healthcare facilities here in the Greater Knoxville area. With a staff of just three full-time employees, the only way Random Acts of Flowers can create and deliver this many personal moments of kindness is thanks to its dedicated, funloving, and hard-working volunteer base. During the past 12 months, even with all of the Covid-19 challenges, Random Acts of Flowers volunteers still were able to put in more than 6,500 hours into delivering hope by collecting flower donations from grocery stores, florists, and events around the area sorting and preparing the flowers, repurposing them into beautiful individual bouquets, and delivering them to local healthcare facilities. Volunteers come to Random Acts of Flowers for a variety of reasons: Some volunteer to enjoy the comradery of being with others that enjoy giving back to the community; some volunteer as part of a corporate day of service; some find floral arranging therapeutic; some volunteer in honor of a friend or family member that received one of our bouquets;
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Volunteers engaged in making bouquets.
Flowers that were donated to RAF and collected by a volunteer.
and some volunteer because they themselves have been the recipient of a Random Acts of Flower bouquet! Whatever the reason for their participation, our volunteers are critical to our being able to carry out our mission of delivering hope and personal moments of kindness to those in our local healthcare community that most need one. During the past few months, more and more healthcare facilities have opened back up to receiving floral deliveries from Random Acts of Flowers, and the volunteers are eager to increase the deliveries of floral bouquets and smiles back to pre-Covid levels. The focus of the volunteers in 2021 has been - and continues to be - to engage in activities that help others in a time of need and to continue
to put forth their best efforts to ensure that Random Acts of Flowers maintains its minimal environmental footprint. As Random Acts of Flowers continues to increase its output and grow, there is always room for more volunteers. Even if you have never worked with flowers or made a bouquet, not to worry! Experienced volunteers teach and train newcomers until they are comfortable and confident. Come join the fun and know that your effort is making someone else’s day better! For more information about becoming a Random Acts of Flowers volunteer, visit www.RAFKnoxville.org, send an email to info@rafknoxville.org, or call the workshop at 865-633-9082.
