February Quad Cities Healthy Cells 2012 by Healthy Cells Magazine

QUAD CITIES area Promoting Healthier Living in Your Community • Physical • Emotional

FEBRUARY 2012

FREE

HealthyCells www.healthycellsmagazine.com

M A G A Z I N E

• Nutritional

Hospice

Experts in End-of-Life Care page 18 Hospice Care

Financial Health Following the Death of a Spouse page 12

QC Families Find Ways to Save on Medical Costs page 16

Are Your Vitamins Feeding You or Cheating You? page 24

Leading the way for

cancer patients.

NURSE NAVIGATORS (563) 421-1909

www.genesishealth.com/cancer

Trust your heart

to our experts.

(563) 421-3900

www.genesishealth.com/heart

Join us for our Heart Program and Complimentary Luncheon!

Wednesday, February 29th at 11 a.m.

11am to noon – Craig Sommers, Executive Director, Genesis Heart Institute will present “What ’s new in Cardiac Care ” Noon – Luncheon, FREE with your advance reservation. Call Bob or Karen at (563) 391-3430. Our continued care programs –

Tours of our campus will be available following lunch.

Services include: ♥ meals ♥ activities ♥ transportation ♥ security ♥ housekeeping ♥ maintenance ♥ and much more!

Independent Living

You ’ll love all that we have to offer at Ridgecrest Village.

Assisted Living, including a memory loss neighborhood 24-hour Nursing Care

"The Good Life" includes: healthy diet, proper health care, and staying socially active. Without our health, we have nothing. Ridgecrest cares about your health.

4130 Northwest Boulevard Davenport, IA www.ridgecrestvillage.org Not-for-profit • Locally owned

Your Life. Your Health. Your Choice. Celebrating 10 Years of Outpatient Services in the Quad City Area Physical Therapy

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Occupational Therapy

Hand to Shoulder Rehab Specialists Pulmonary Rehabilitation Sleep Studies

Midwest Therapy

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Expect the best:

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February 2012 — Quad Cities — Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 3

FEBRUARY

2012 Volume 3, Issue 2

Health Tips: Beating the Flu this Season

This Month’s Cover Story:

Emotional: Hiker Tackles Another Journey

Heartland Hospice,

Nutritional: Busting Heart Disease Myths

Physical: Finding Relief from Inner Ear Disorders

Professional Planning: Financial Health Following the Death of a Spouse

Healthy Teeth: What Makes Invisalign Different?

Healthcare Costs: Beating the Healthcare Squeeze

Self Image: We Have Body, Mind, and Spirit

Whole Foods: Are Your Vitamins Feeding You or Cheating You?

Love And Support: How I Flunked Hospice!

Connection: Beloved: Strengthening Relationships Through Pictures

Vascular Screening: Silent Killer Vascular Disease

Disability Employment: Making Success Happen

Healthy Background: Important Clues About Your Risk for Disease

Healthy Aging: Don’t Forget to Care for Your Eyes as You Age

Personalized Service: Hearing aids

Experts in End-of-Life Care

page 18

For advertising information, contact Nicole Ward, Account Executive at 563-271-0389, nicole@healthycellsmagazine.com or Laurie Hutcheson, owner at 563-650-1876, QCHealthycells@gmail.com Healthy Cells Magazine is a division of: 1711 W. Detweiller Dr., Peoria, IL 61615 • Ph: 309-681-4418 Fax: 309-691-2187 info@limelightlink.com Mission: The objective of Healthy Cells Magazine is to promote a stronger health-conscious community by means of offering education and support through the cooperative efforts among esteemed health and fitness professionals in The Quad Cities. Healthy Cells Magazine is intended to heighten awareness of health and fitness information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for medical attention. See your healthcare professional for medical advice and treatment. The opinions, statements, and claims expressed by the columnists, advertisers, and contributors to Healthy Cells Magazine are not necessarily those of the editors or publisher. Healthy Cells Magazine is available FREE in high traffic locations throughout the Quad Cities, including medical facilities and other waiting rooms. Healthy Cells Magazine welcomes contributions pertaining to healthier living in the Quad Cities. Limelight Communications, Inc. assumes no responsibility for their publication or return. Solicitations for articles shall pertain to physical, emotional, and nutritional health only.

“I wish to thank all of the advertisers who make this magazine possible. They believe enough in providing positive health information to the public that they are willing to pay for it so you won’t have to.” Laurie Hutcheson

health tips

Beating the Flu this Season Submitted by Heartland Health Care

veryday you are exposing yourself to bacteria, and viruses in the workplace, at school, through public transportation, with other family members and even in your own home that can cause you to get sick. Flu season typically begins in November and can last until May. It is estimated that as many as 20% of the U.S. population will get the flu each year. The elderly, newborns and people with certain chronic illnesses are particularly susceptible to complications with the flu. Determining if you have caught a cold or the flu can be tricky, but certain symptoms can differentiate between the conditions. If symptoms seem like the flu, contact a doctor right away, as a test can be done to confirm the illness. Symptoms can include: • Nausea and vomiting. • Fever with the flu can last 3 or 4 days. Fever with a cold is rare in older children and adults. • Headaches can appear suddenly or be severe when accompanied by the flu. Headache is rare with a cold. • Muscle aches can be severe with the flu. • Tiredness and weakness is often extreme with the flu and can last 2 or more weeks. Mild tiredness and weakness is associated with a cold. • Extreme exhaustion can occur with the flu, sometimes suddenly. • Runny nose, sneezing and sore throat are often a cold symptom and only sometimes a flu symptom. • While cough with the flu can become severe, a mild hacking with a cold is more common. There are also steps that you can take to prevent yourself from contracting the flu: • Get a flu shot - Yearly flu vaccinations begin around September and continue through flu season. Those who should get vaccinated each year include children (6 months-19 years), pregnant women, people 50 years or older, people with certain chronic medical conditions and those living in long-term care. • Get plenty of rest • Wash your hands regularly • Keep your immune system strong

This health tip was brought to you by HCR Manor Care. With 60,000 caregivers nationwide, the HCR ManorCare centers and agencies are preeminent care providers in their communities. Quality care for patients and residents is provided through a network of more than 500 skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers, assisted living facilities, outpatient rehabilitation clinics and hospice and home health care agencies. These locations operate primarily under the respected Heartland, ManorCare Health Services and Arden Courts names. This information is for personal, noncommercial use only. For permission to reprint multiple copies, please contact our corporate office at 800-736-4427.

February 2012 — Quad Cities — Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 5

emotional

Hiker Tackles Another Journey By Craig Cooper, Genesis Health System

even times before, Joe Seier had tackled The Barr Trail, a spectacular route up Pikes Peak near Colorado Springs. None of those treks felt like the eighth. “I knew I couldn’t feel so bad just because I was a year older. I’d never had any trouble before but that time I felt terrible. I was exhausted to the point of being on my knees at the end. I knew something had to be wrong,’’ said the 54-year-old Seier, who is a supervisor in Engineering and Maintenance at Genesis Medical Center, Davenport. Instead of taking seven or eight hours, which was normal for his other trips to the summit, Seier needed more than 10 hours and the fatigue consumed him. What he didn’t know was that his fatigue was caused by anemia. The internal chaos, including the bleeding that was causing the anemia, was the result of a tumor the size of a tennis ball in his colon. Page 6 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Quad Cities — February 2012

“I was one of those guys who knew about colonoscopy but had never wanted to have it done. I can tell you now that I shouldn’t have put it off and I’d be the first to say that no one should put it off when they turn 50 years old.”

“That last climb of The Barr Trail (in the summer of 2010) probably saved my life,’’ Seier said. “I probably wouldn’t have known anything was wrong if I hadn’t felt so badly that day.’’ When he returned to Davenport, Seier make the decision that probably saved his life. He made an appointment with his primary care physician. He was checked out. The tumor was discovered after blood screening and a colonoscopy. “After the surgery, the surgeon said that if I had waited six months more, we’d be having an entirely different conversation,’’ Seier said. “I took that to mean that I probably wouldn’t have survived. “I was one of those guys who knew about colonoscopy but had never wanted to have it done. I can tell you now that I shouldn’t have put it off and I’d be the first to say that no one should put it off when they turn 50 years old.” The tumor was removed, and Seier began a 12-treatment regimen of chemotherapy. He also qualified for a clinical trial. He received care from a team of professionals who don’t only treat cancers, but treat people. And, it all was available close to home from the Genesis Cancer Care Institute. “At every stage in my treatment, I thought everyone was terrific. They knew what needed to be done, and they were always looking out for my safety as a patient,’’ Seier said. “It was all here for me at Genesis.

“It would have made no sense for me to be anywhere but at Genesis. I would believe that even if I wasn’t an employee.’’ Seier was touched by multiple aspects of the comprehensive care at the Genesis Cancer Care Institute. In addition to having the latest cancer-fighting technology, the team of cancer professionals also offers education, support and compassion. “I would have my chemo treatments on Friday. I would go home with another drug, and it would be pumped into me all weekend. I was hooked up to the portable pump all weekend. By Sunday, when I could get it off, I wanted to get it off as quickly as possible because the drug made me so sick. The people at Genesis would literally drop what they were doing to unhook me because they understood how important it was to me,’’ he said. “Sometimes it is just a simple thing that makes a difference to patients.’’ Genesis Cancer Care Institute participates in dozens of clinical trials. Seier was part of a clinical trial testing the effectiveness of Celebrex, the osteoarthritis pain medication, to reduce the recurrence of colon polyps. Seier is a cancer success story. He is working, feeling well and is already planning a big trip for next summer. To Colorado. He’ll tackle The Barr Trail again.

Care in Our Community Alzheimer’s Support Group for Families in our Center and the Community Caring for Loved Ones with Memory Impairments at Heartland Health Care Center – Moline February 21, 2012 • 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm The support group meets on the third Tuesday of every month at Heartland Health Care Center – Moline at 5:00pm. We serve a light supper and the discussion or speakers begin at 5:30 pm. The meeting is a great way to locate resources, make friends and learn from others. For more information and to RSVP please call Denise Musgrove, LPN Unit Manager at 309.764.6744 by February 20, 2012.

Heartland Health Care Center – Moline 833 16th Avenue • Moline, IL 61265 MET11.1003

February 2012 — Quad Cities — Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 7

nutritional

Busting Heart Disease Myths By Janet Macon, MS, RD, LD, Hy-Vee Registered Dietitian

ebruary hosts two important events: Valentine’s Day and National Heart Month. In 2012, heart disease retains the dark title is has held for the past 85 years: the number-one killer of American men and women. This is a good month to examine a few common misconceptions about our most popular vital organ. Heart disease only affects older people. Perhaps this was true for past generations, but times have changed. Heart risk can start in childhood as life-long eating and exercise habits are established. Plaque can start accumulating in preteen arteries, putting them at risk for early heart disease. The National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute estimates that 10-13% of American children have elevated cholesterol (200 mg/ dL or greater) and at least half of them will still have it as adults. The American Heart Association recommends routine cholesterol screenings beginning at age 20. Heart disease runs in my family, so I’ll probably get it too. Genes can carry the risk for heart disease, but you do not have to resign yourself to that fate. Prioritize the risk factors you can control. 1. I f you smoke, stop. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor about options that may make quitting easier. 2. Examine your diet. Start by keeping a journal of everything you eat or drink for one week. Then, contact your nearest Hy-Vee dietitian to inquire about heart-healthy diet changes that may help you. 3. L ist three physical activities that you enjoy; find a way to work one or two of them into your daily routine. Page 8 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Quad Cities — February 2012

“The American Heart Association

recommends routine cholesterol screenings beginning at age 20.” 4. H ave your blood pressure checked regularly by your health care provider, pharmacist or dietitian. My blood pressure tends to run high, but I feel fine so I don’t worry about it. High blood pressure often has no symptoms, earning it the ominous nickname, “the silent killer.” It inflicts its damage quietly. Untreated high blood pressure can damage the heart, kidneys, arteries and blood vessels, bones, eyes and brain. The damage it inflicts throughout the body may be the first noticeable symptom. A diet high in fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy, whole grains and nuts and seeds can play a role in helping to reduce elevated blood pressure. Information is not intended as medical advice. Consult your health care provider for individual guidance.

A ll of the physicians in this practice are certified specialists in the health care of women. We are practicing our specialty together to give you the best possible medical care when you need it and hope that you will feel comfortable and secure with the treatment you receive. After hours – Reach our physician on call: (563)355-1853 open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily, Monday thru Friday www.obgyngroup.com

Personalized Healthcare for Today’s Women Welcoming New Patients

OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY SPECIALIST, P.C. Paul Revere Square • 2322 East Kimberly Road • Davenport, Iowa 52807 Phone: 563.355.1853 • Fax: 563.355.0327

February 2012 — Quad Cities — Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 9

physical

Why is The Room Spinning?

Finding Relief from Inner Ear Disorders By Warren Wright, OTR-L, CHT, Midwest Therapy Center

o you or a family member or friend suffer from frequent dizziness, unsteadiness, nausea, or vertigo? Can you relate to these questions from local patients?

• I’m a 30-something female and I was involved in a car accident a couple years ago that has caused dizziness that has never gone away. Immediately after the accident my doctor put me on medications to reduce my dizziness and I’ve continued taking them ever since. Sometimes I have had to miss work and I frequently experience anxiety when driving and other daily activities. I even have problems with dizziness while rolling over in bed or getting out of bed in the mornings – all this has frustrated me for all these months. Recently I moved to the Quad Cities and met with my new family doctor. He suggested Midwest Therapy as an answer to my problems. I sure hope you can help me find relief!

care

• I ’m what some would call a “senior citizen” (in my 70’s) and I get dizzy just rolling over or getting out of bed! My wife tells me it’s just old age and I should learn to live with it but I don’t like hearing that. Is she right? Sitting at the edge of the bed and using furniture to move me throughout the house is exhausting as I work to prevent myself from falling- not to mention embarrassing. Every time I lean over and tie my shoes or get out of a chair, the room starts spinning. My young neighbor was telling me that his doctor had sent him to Midwest Therapy for similar problems he was having awhile back and got 100% relief – no dizzy spells since. Do you think you could help me get my life back to normal if I tried therapy? Vestibular or inner ear disorder symptoms usually start when a person rolls over in bed, or while getting out of bed. That feeling that the room is spinning and won’t stop. Some people will get nauseous,

“We for the family you about”

care

Our Services Include But Are Not Limited To: • We are available for 1 hour and up to 24 hours, seven days a week • Laundry / bed changes • Medication set-up and reminders • Light Housekeeping • Relief care for family members • Transportation • Total or assisted personal care • Shopping / running errands • Post hospital care or assistance after an accident or illness • Meal planning and preparation

Call for a: F re e C onsu ltation • F re e S c re e n i ng • F re e A ssessme nt

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Page 10 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Quad Cities — February 2012

240 N. Bluff Blvd., Ste #101B Clinton, IA 52732 563.242.2308 • 563.659.5516 Toll Free 1.888.942.2308 3111 Avenue of the Cities, Moline, IL 309.736.7414 137 S. State St., Suite 349,Geneseo, IL 61254 309-944-3727 1698 Iowa Drive, LeClaire, IA 52753 563.289.5229 • Toll Free 1.800.339.5229 Fax 563.289.3444 Muscatine, IA 563-263-0530

others will feel off balance. Most symptoms last less than 2 minutes, but the nausea or light headed feeling can last for hours. It’s a scary feeling that some try to live with, while others search through multiple doctor visits and costly tests. Others, like these examples above, look to therapy for relief. The most common form of dizziness is Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo ( BPPV). This simply means a non-life threatening, quick change of position that makes you dizzy. It most often occurs spontaneously after the age of 50. Positional Vertigo can also occur in younger people as a result of head trauma or infection. Episodes can disappear or they can randomly reoccur. Activities that involve a change in head position such as, bending over to tie shoes, rolling over or getting out of bed, or even looking up into the sky can bring on symptoms. SYMPTOMS MAY INCLUDE: • Dizziness/Vertigo • Nausea • Inability to focus • Feeling faint The issue with positional vertigo is in the inner ear, which is comprised of 3 semicircular canals. These canals contain fluid and hair-like sensors that monitor movement and maintain balance. The movement of this fluid allows the brain to sense rotation of the head. The fluid contains crystals, called otoconia or “ear rocks.” These otoconia usually dissolve in the canals of the ear. However, some may become trapped in the canals and send a false signal to the brain. As a result, dizziness or vertigo occurs. One way to diagnose BPPV is through positional testing. These are simple tests that may be performed at your doctor’s office or you may be referred to a physical or occupational therapist for an evaluation. The test usually takes only a few minutes to complete and the purpose of these tests are to reproduce the symptoms. Once the diagnosis is clear, a repositioning maneuver may be necessary as well as some exercises. There are different repositioning manuevers that involve specific head and trunk manuevers that should be done by a qualified professional. The exercises are simple and are completed daily until symptoms resolve. Modification of activities and diet may also be needed. Your physician may prescribe medication to reduce the symptoms but this may not resolve your vertigo. Some people have resolution of symptoms after one therapy visit, while others may take longer. It’s important to work carefully with your therapist for full resolution of symptoms. Positional vertigo is an annoying condition that can be disruptive to your daily life and result in lost productivity, but it is a treatable condition. You don’t have to live with the symptoms. It is often overlooked as “old age” or something that will go away on its own. It is rarely dangerous except for the risk of falls. It’s important to first contact your physician and be clear about your symptoms. He may simply suggest

a visit to a qualified therapist. It’s important to find a therapist that is experienced in diagnosing and treating this condition. If you have further questions about positional vertigo or other inner ear disorders, you can speak with one of Midwest Therapy’s specialists at 563-326-1400. Our team is experienced, enthusiastic, and has been recognized for our commitment to improving the quality of life by enhancing standards of patient care. We are waiting to assist you at 4 convenient QCA locations: • VISIT US AT OUR NEW LOCATION at 3740 Utica Ridge in Bettendorf, • 1647 Lincoln Way in Clinton, • 1820 West 3rd Street in Davenport, and • 4360 7th Street in Moline Visit our website at www.Midwest-Therapy.com Midwest Therapy Centers is a Division of Braaten Health LLC, serving the Quad City Area for more than 10 years. Remember: It’s Your Life. Your Health. Your Choice. February 2012 — Quad Cities — Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 11

professional planning

Financial Health Following the Death of a Spouse By Karen Goodall, CSA, Vice President and Senior Trust Officer, Northwest Bank & Trust Company

situation for many families. Not only is Opel having to adjust to her life without her husband, she also needs to educate herself about her current and future financial picture. The period immediately following the loss of a spouse is usually the worst time for making financial decisions or drastic changes. During the first few months after losing a spouse it is important to focus on the following financial tasks: • Keep paying your regular bills • Make sure you understand how your healthcare works • Collect on any life insurance policies and put the money in a money market account for now. The surviving spouse may feel pressured to make decisions regarding the life insurance proceeds. Individuals may try to sell them annuities, life insurance policies, or investments, but now is not the time to make that decision. Until you are able to do an analysis of your existing assets and debts, and income and expenses, you will not know how to invest the money. After a few months it is time to work on the next set of financial tasks: • Organize your financial documents • Inventory all of your assets • Prepare a list of your current liabilities as well as your monthly expenses • Take a look at your current income from Social Security, pensions and investments. These may have changed since the death of your spouse • Lastly, take a look at your new short and long term goals. Chances are you may find that your goals have changed as well.

eet the Smith family. The Smiths are your typical multi-generational family with very diverse financial and estate planning needs based on their ages and stations in life. In each edition of Healthy Cells this year, readers will be introduced to various members of the Smith family, and learn how they went about solving their financial and estate planning needs. This month we would like to introduce you to Grandma Opel. Opel, age 78, was recently widowed and she finds herself suddenly faced with a staggering number of questions and decisions to make about her financial situation. Opel and George were married for over 55 years. While Opel spent the majority of her time raising their children and taking care of the household, George managed all of their finances. He did everything from paying bills to managing their investments. This is a very common Page 12 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Quad Cities — February 2012

Now that you have all of this information put together, what do you do with it? Your goal is to develop a financial plan that will allow you to live comfortably and without the worry that your money will run out. We recommend putting together a financial support group. Just as your family and friends became your emotional support group, you should interview various professionals who can help you put together a plan that is right for you. Look for someone who does not earn any type of commission on investments they recommend for you. That way you know they are making suggestions based on your best interests and not theirs. They should help you put together goals and a strategy to meet those goals. Going forward on an annual basis, they should meet with you to discuss how your assets have done and compare your returns to appropriate benchmarks. At your annual meeting, they should also discuss any changes that have occurred in your life that might affect your future goals and income needs.

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Come and learn from Dr. Angel Hong how to prepare healthy dishes with asian diet on Saturday Feb 25th. Call for reservation, seats are limited! 309-736-5403

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drs.illinois.gov/success We recommend starting with your bank’s trust department. A Trustee is a fiduciary and held to a higher standard. That means they must make decisions that are in your best interests. They include staff members who are financial planners, asset portfolio managers and relationship officers. They will be able to help you to determine your tolerance for risk, and your short term income needs in order to meet daily expenses. After looking at your long term goals, they can make recommendations as to how to invest the money so that it will continue to provide you with the resources you will need while keeping in mind your tolerance for risk. In addition, bank trust departments can also pay your monthly bills for you and provide you with a detailed statement showing all income and expenses that have occurred in your account. Lastly, they will coordinate all of your income and expense information and work with your tax preparer at year end in order to complete your tax return. Grief affects each of us in different ways. Putting together a financial strategy can provide a widow with comfort and peace of mind. Northwest Bank’s Investment Management Group has the ability and knowledge to help you make the decisions that are right for you. Call us today. Planning. Saving. Growing. Giving.

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February 2012 — Quad Cities — Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 13

healthy teeth

What Makes Invisalign Different? By Byrum Family Dentistry

here are many questions about Invisalign and how it can benefit patients. Let us help clear up any questions you may have.

What is Invisalign and how does it work? Over the course of treatment, you will be supplied with a series of aligners. Each aligner will make slight adjustments to tooth position, a process that is mapped out in advance by your doctor, specifically for your situation. When the aligners are placed on the teeth, they cause the teeth to gradually shift from their current position. After approximately two weeks, you will begin using the next set of aligners, which will continue the teeth straightening process. What are the benefits of Invisalign? Invisalign aligners are virtually invisible. No one may even notice that you’re wearing them, making Invisalign a seamless fit with your lifestyle. Invisalign aligners are removable. For the best results and a timely outcome, aligners should be worn for 20 to 22 hours per day. However, unlike with braces, you have the flexibility to remove your aligners to eat and drink what you want during treatment. And you can also remove the aligners to brush and floss as you normally would, for fresh breath and good oral hygiene. There are no metal brackets or wires that could cause irritation to your mouth, an advantage over traditional braces. Plus, since your office visits during treatment don’t involve metal or wire adjustments, you’ll likely spend less time in the doctor’s chair. Invisalign allows you to view your virtual results and treatment plan before you start so you can see how your straight teeth will look when your treatment is complete. Instead of imagining how much better it can be, you’ll be able to see it for yourself. How long will treatment take? The length of treatment depends on the severity of your case and can only be determined by your doctor; however, the average case takes about 12 months for adults. The length of time necessary for a teen patient may vary and can be determined by your doctor. If my teeth have shifted after having braces, can Invisalign fix this? A number of Invisalign patients have undergone a previous treatment involving braces at some point in their past, often Page 14 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Quad Cities — February 2012

during their youth. Adults can usually have the shifting that occurs after braces corrected, without having to go through the trauma and social awkwardness of wearing metal braces. How much does Invisalign cost? We know cost is a big question for anyone considering orthodontic work. In most cases, Invisalign treatment is comparable to the cost of traditional braces. However, as with other medical treatments, only your doctor can determine the cost, based on your specific needs. Other factors may include your treatment goals, the difficulty of your case, how long you are in treatment, where you live, your orthodontic insurance coverage, and additional factors determined by your dentist or orthodontist. In the U.S., the cost of Invisalign treatment ranges from $3,500 to $8,000, with the national average at about $5,000. If you think Invisalign may be right for you, schedule an appointment with Byrum Family Dentistry today at 563-332-7734.

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February 2012 — Quad Cities — Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 15

healthcare costs

“Beating the Healthcare Squeeze QC families find ways to save on medical costs.” By Mississippi Valley Health Network

or one Moline family, when healthcare costs exceed their mortgage payments, any opportunity to save is money in the bank. Lisa and Jeremy Larson* appear to make a healthy living: he is self-employed in financial services, and she’s a partner in a two-person IT consultant firm. They have four healthy but rambunctious children, and their healthcare expenses are staggering. “Between premiums, deductibles, and co-pays, health care costs more than our mortgage. And we live in a five-bedroom house that includes offices for both our businesses,” says Jeremy. “Being self-employed, we feel the pain of increasing health care costs, but at least we are working. I can’t imagine how the

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Page 16 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Quad Cities — February 2012

economy and unemployment are affecting those who can’t afford to get sick.” How much pain? The Larson’s pay just over $1,000 a month in premiums, plus they have a $5,000 family deductible. If someone gets sick – and with four kids under 14, someone will – it is easy for the Larson’s to spend at least $17,000 per year on health care. (When you add glasses, braces and regular dental care for all six of them, breaking through the $20,000 mark is routine.) Last year, Lisa had a simple bladder procedure. Even though she was careful to check prices beforehand and choose her least expensive alternative – an ambulatory surgery center – the Larson’s paid about $2,000 out of pocket that wasn’t covered by health insurance. “You think you are covered and then you get the bills. Until you meet the deductible, it’s all out of pocket, and even after meeting it, we still pay a percentage. It becomes a lot of money,” says Lisa. “And it’s all after-tax dollars for us because we’re self-employed. We can’t have flex-spend or health care savings accounts.” Red ink rising The Larsons feel the impact of rising health insurance premiums more directly than people who get insurance through their employer, but everyone is affected. Average premiums for family coverage have increased 113% since 2001, according to the Kaiser/HRET survey of Employer-sponsored Health Benefits, 2001-2011. In comparison, wages have increased over the same period by 34%.

“(2011’s) nine percent increase in premiums is especially painful for workers and employers struggling through a weak recovery,” Kaiser President and CEO Drew Altman, Ph.D. said. The Kaiser report went on to point out that employers are passing more than just the increases along to workers. While premiums went up 113%, workers’ contributions went up 131%. Budget for the premium package The days are gone when simply paying health insurance premiums and automatically going to your doctor and the local hospital for treatment is enough for peace of mind. “It’s really time that patients exercise their power and ask questions about how much their procedures cost and determine if there is a more economical way to receive treatment without compromising quality,” advises Michael Patterson, CEO and president of Mississippi Valley Surgery Center (MVSC), Davenport. MVSC is a Quad City area ambulatory surgery center that offers surgical procedures on an outpatient basis, which means patients recover at home. “The MVSC and its practice partners in the Mississippi Valley Health Network are trained to employ minimally invasive procedures that mean smaller incisions and faster healing, all while ensuring quality of care. “We also believe in delivering quality healthcare value. Patients do not incur significant hospitalization costs because the Mississippi Valley Surgery Center is an outpatient facility. Patients recover at home, healing quickly and return to life as soon as possible,” adds Patterson. As surgical techniques have improved in recent years, more procedures are being performed at Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASC). And procedures performed at an ASC cost significantly less than the same procedures performed in a hospital setting, according to a November 2006 US GAO Congressional Committee’s report on Medicare. “That’s good news for working families and also for seniors,” adds Patterson. “If we can minimize costs, patients pay less. For example, seniors often pay less for a procedure performed at the MVSC than at a hospital because we are actually paid 59% of the rate paid to hospitals. Since the Medicare consumer is responsible for paying 20% coinsurance, the lower the charges, the smaller the bills for seniors who do not have supplementary insurance.” Employers are also looking carefully at incentives for employees to help minimize health care costs. New kinds of benefit plans will be a major change for employees used to company benefit plans that take care of health-care costs effortlessly. The Kaiser Family Foundation reports that millions of workers are already enrolled in consumer-driven plans, about equally divided between high-deductible plans that qualify for a Health Saving Account (HSA) and plans with a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA). The high deductibles that come with these plans are offset by tax-preferred savings options from which employees can pay for their out-of-pocket medical expenses. People insured under these plans pay directly for a greater share of their health care – and they have incentives to minimize the cost. Healthy living for healthy savings In general, as health care costs increase and the political debates heat up, experts predict that employees and their families will need to take greater responsibility for their lifestyles and the costs associated with illness. As one Forbes health care expert put it, “Companies are going to encourage employees to look after their own health and will use the lever of insurance…if you want to smoke and eat a sugary diet, go ahead, but insurance coverage will kick in at a higher level.”

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feature story

Heartland Hospice

Experts in End-of-Life Care By Hollie Lantz-Gushanas, RN, Hospice Care Consultant

Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Team

eartland Hospice feels honored to be recognized in this month’s edition of Healthy Cells magazine. We have been serving the community since opening the doors in 2002. Heartland is owned by HCR-Manorcare, a leading nationwide healthcare company based in Toledo, Ohio. To date, Heartland has had the privilege to serve over 4000 patients, as well as their families in our community. Due to the rising need of hospice care, Heartland has expanded the coverage area. Heartland has the capability to serve the following counties in Iowa: Scott, Clinton, Jackson, Jones, Cedar, Johnson and Muscatine. Heartland also serves the following counties in Illinois: Rock Island, Mercer, Whiteside, Henry and Knox County. What is Hospice? Hospice is a philosophy of care that focuses on quality of life and management of symptoms at the end of life. Hospice is a benefit that is paid for by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance companies. Hospice care is intended for those who are no longer benefit-

Page 18 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Quad Cities — February 2012

ing from curative treatments. Hospice manages physical symptoms, as well as focuses on the emotional and spiritual needs of patients and their families. The Hospice team is made up of Nurses, Home Health Aides, Social Workers, Chaplains, Physicians, Volunteers, Massage Therapists, Music Therapists, Pet Therapists and Bereavement services. Hospice care has been around since the 11th century, but the movement of modern hospice care in the United States wasn’t until 1971. (Dame) Cicely Saunders, a British Registered Nurse, was responsible for evolving the idea of hospice care. Saunders personal journey led her into Medical Social Work. It was through her exposure to a dying polish refugee, that she recognized hospice care was so much more than just controlling the physical symptoms. She continued her education to become a physician and opened her own hospice in 1967. Florence Wald, the Dean of Yale School of Nursing had taken an interest to Saunders’ work after hearing her speak. Wald worked closely with Saunders over the next month before bringing the ideas of modern hospice to the United States, opening Hospice, Inc. in 1971.

Hospice care is intended for many patients with a variety of disease processes, including, but not limited to; Heart disease, Lung disease, Kidney disease, Dementia, HIV/ AIDS and ALS. Studies show that Cancer patients make up less than 25% of the hospice population. Studies also show that patients that receive hospice care live, on average, approximately 29 days longer than individuals that do not receive hospice care. The use of hospice care reduces Medicare costs by approximately $2309 per patient. Hospice strives to provide care in the patient’s home, wherever that “home” may be. This is viewed as an alternative to costly, lengthy hospital stays. Why Heartland Hospice? Hospice care is a choice. This means that patients and their families have the power to decide which agency enters their lives. Hospice care is meant to be an intimate, personal experience. We are entering your home and sharing your final journey with you. Heartland finds this time to be a sacred time for patients and their families. This is a time for reflection, for making memories and for finding closure. Hospice care is about searching for those moments that can be cherished forever. We seek to find ways to bring joy during a time that isn’t always viewed as “joyess”. I’d like to share some examples of the joy we have brought to people’s lives. Kathryn Russell, RN, Director of Professional Services, entered a patient’s home to do an admission, just one day after this particular patient found out she was no longer a candidate for treatment for her cancer. The patient shared with her that she had a “bucket list”. One

item on the agenda was to take a road trip through many southern states, as she was a fan of good Cajun food and Barbeque, as well as blues, country and jazz music. The patient sought out to achieve this goal as soon as possible, in fact, she intended on leaving with her daughter the following day. Some hospice companies may have said, “That sounds great! Enjoy your trip and we will get you all set up with hospice when you return.” At Heartland, we had a better idea. Kathi worked diligently to coordinate a route for the patient and her daughter. Kathi ensured that there would be a hospice that was just a phone call away throughout her entire trip. All of the participating hospices knew this patient’s history and prepared to be “Heartland partners” along the way, to ensure this woman and her daughter could experience the road trip of a lifetime! Kathy ensured that the patient had the phone numbers and supplies that she needed to have an enjoyable trip that was free from worry, stress and February 2012 — Quad Cities — Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 19

feature story

continued

anxiety. Needless to say, that patient left the next morning and had a wonderful trip, thanks to Kathi and her dedication. Kathy Patrick, Medical Social Worker, made a huge impression on a patient and his wife. This patient had shared his love for a particular meal, but his wife was unable to make it to his liking. His wife felt defeated, as she was not able to fulfill one of his wishes. When Kathy heard the story, she stepped up and said, “I know how to make that!” Kathy worked her normal day, then ran home to change her clothes. She returned to the patient’s home and cooked the exact meal that he wanted, with his wife at her side. To Kathy, it seemed like a simple task. She felt happy to make him smile and had fun cooking for them. Little did she know, it created a memory that his wife will cherish forever. One staff member said it best, “I have celebrated milestones with patients and their families and have cried at their funerals. I have helped arrange a trip to Disney World so a mother could create one last memory with her children. I hosted a birthday party for a 75 year old German immigrant that had never had one before. I have received far more from hospice patients than I have given, and I am humbled by the privilege to care for them.” How do I know that it is time for Hospice? People who may be eligible for and benefit from hospice care may demonstrate some of these symptoms:

• Unintentional weight loss • Excessive sleeping throughout the day for long periods • Multiple hospital visits/stays in the past six months • Excessive swelling of the legs and ankles, even when feet are propped up • Difficulty breathing, even at rest or with increased oxygen levels • Weakness during activities of daily living • Frequent changes in medicaions • Pain that is poorly controlled • Loss of interest in activities • Not “bouncing back” after an illness • Not responding to current treatments or therapy • Loss of appetite • Confusion • Wounds that aren’t healing • Loss of speech • Infections • Difficulty sleeping through the night due to pain or other symptoms such as shortness of breath Anyone can call Heartland Hospice to receive information about our services. We offer support to patients and families 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Please don’t hesitate to reach out for help. We, at Heartland Hospice, would be honored to care for you or your loved one. Please call 1-866-216-5708 or 563-359-3540 for more information.

Page 20 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Quad Cities — February 2012

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We Have Body, Mind and Spirit Out of these three which one is the most powerful? By Dr. Ilesh Kurani MD, QC Medical Group and Weight Clinic

Page 22 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Quad Cities — February 2012

Is it Body, Mind or Spirit? Most people would answer or believe that it is Mind, which is not true. Spirit is the correct answer. To understand that, let us look at this finger, which is part of the body. The mind tells the finger(body) to move and finger moves , and when the mind commands the finger not to move, then finger(body) cannot move without mind’s permission. So this shows that mind is more powerful than the body. But at the moment where the spirit leaves the system, then mind and body cannot function without it. The spirit is the life energy for the body and mind to function. At night time, when the body and mind are resting in deep sleep, what runs the system? It is the spirit (subconscious mind) that runs the system. If the spirit takes a rest, then that is called death. This way we can understand that spirit works for us 24x7, not just for a week , a month, or a year, but for our whole life, since first breath we took as a baby till we take last breath at death. It is the most powerful energy in our system, but because it is invisible, we do not appreciate that. Spirit pervades the mind, enlightens it, and in turn the mind pervades the body and enlightens us with its energy. When we die, the spirit merges with the universal energy, which is sometimes referred to as: God, Mother Nature, Nature, Supreme Power, Higher Spirit, Heavenly Father, Angle, Master, Messenger and so on. We will know what happens to us at death when it’s our time. Now according to physics, the law of energy says that energy cannot be created nor it can be destroyed. This is spiritual energy, and definitely continues to exist in some form that we cannot see. For example, in a cell phone the phone itself is a body, the application that runs on the phone is the mind and battery represents the spirit (the source of energy). When the battery runs out, we say the cell phone is dead. Just because the cell phone is dead it does not mean that the network connection it is using is dead and not in existence. When you call someone, before signal goes to other phone , that signal travels invisibly, hundreds of miles to the satellite and comes back in a fraction of second. The network connection continues to remain on. Same way the connection between the spirit and the universe is always on but because we cannot see it, we never appreciate it; same way we cannot see the connection between the cell phone and the satellite. Once we understand how that network between the universe and the spirit works then we can resolve so many problems that the body and mind go throughout life and we canmake positive changes in our life. The brain, which is the part of the body, when it thinks, we call it “thoughts.” Out of a thousand thoughts, the thought that goes through the mind again and again with higher frequency and higher intensity, that thought then becomes the feeling. Now that feeling comes out as a word (at this stage where the thought becomes the word). Once the same feeling goes to the spirit (subconscious mind) again and again, that feeling becomes emotion/passion, which in turn becomes an action or comes out as a manifestation or realization or experience or deed (at this stage the same thought becomes an action). Why is that the thought which reaches to spirit level becomes action or manifestation? The spirit is like a mirror. When you stand in front of the mirror it will show you what is shown to the mirror. If you smile, it will show you smile instantly. If you make funny faces, it will show you funny faces. The same way when the body / mind thinks and feels the thought, then instantly that feeling/ thought is projected on the spirit as an image. For

example, right now if I tell you not to think of white elephant, you will instantly create an image of white elephant. Here, in spite of my telling you not to think of white elephant, not only you thought of it but made an image of it. The reason is, mind does not have an image for “Don’t.” There is no way that the mind can put a cross off or a blank screen on white elephant image. At this time, I am telling you not to think of that white elephant going through a small town behind which three small kids are walking. Did you realize that you made a movie in your mind in spite of me telling you not to think of it? The same way whenever we think of anything, we are continuously making a movie of our thoughts, subconsciously. Do you know why we make this movie without our knowledge? You had not realized that you make movies in your head, until I told you, so you have not been making this movie for yourself, or for others. YOU HAVE BEEN MAKING THIS MOVIE FOR THE UNIVERSE TO SEE IT, SO IT CAN GIVE BACK TO YOU WHAT YOU CREATING THE IMAGE OF. That’s the way this network connection between the spirit and universe works. It is the way the spiritual energy software works just like all other software in the world runs on the image. Let us take another example when your husband or wife starts talking about a topic that you don’t want to talk about at that time, you smartly change the topic and try to bring another topic, to divert the attention of your husband or wife from the topic that you don’t want to talk about. What you are doing here is, changing the movie reel that is running on his/her mind to a new movie reel of yours, and he/she will start talking about the new topic that you put into his/her mind by changing the movie reel. When you keep saying passionately with frustration and emotions that “I can’t lose weight, or I don’t want to be fat,” you are creating an image/movie of yourself of being fat. The universe is looking at that image/movie and understands that you want to be fat and it will make sure that you will remain fat, by giving you enough money, resources, bad habits and taste for the unhealthy food. It will also make sure that your body, surroundings, people, circumstances, and situation contribute to fulfill your image of your becoming fat. Universe does not look at the word “ Don’t” as it has no image, but looks at your image of being fat. So instead of thinking of what you don’t want to be, you need to start thinking of what you want or what you want to be. And you should also think passionately and emotionally, so that whatever your desire is, it will be projected on the spirit clearly as an image or as a movie for universe to see it and give it back to you as manifestation or action. Worrying is nothing but thinking of things that you don’t want in life, and dreaming is nothing but thinking of things that you want in life. It is the same process, but the images created on the spirit are complete opposite. If you keep focusing on the things that you don’t want then it is going to happen for the same reason. So you might as well focus on the things that you want in life, and universe will give it to you soon or later depending on how clearly you create your image/movie of your desire for the universe to see and understand. So from now on, keep saying I want to be THINNER, HEALTHIER AND HAPPIER. Go for positive imaginations and visualizations and believe it and behave like as if it is happening, and nature will make it happen for you. To learn more about weight loss and how your mind and spirit help fuel your weight loss, call and make an appointment with QC Medical Group and Weight Loss Clinic at 309-517-1180 and is located at 4350 7th St, Ste B, Moline, IL. You can also learn more about Mind, Body and Spirit from Dr. Kurani by visiting his blog at Http://powerofzeroandfreewill.blogspot.com.

February 2012 — Quad Cities — Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 23

whole foods

Are Your Vitamins Feeding You or Cheating You? By Karen DeVault, RN, BCHHP, Holistic Alternatives LLC

n 2010, the retail value sales of Vitamin D alone reached $591 million worldwide. According to the Nutrition Business Journal, retail sales of nutritional supplements was a whopping $9.4 billion in 2009. So it’s obvious that people love vitamins! More and more people are taking their health into their own hands hoping to stave off doctor bills and prescription costs, but do they know exactly what these vitamins are or even more important, what they are not? Simply put, vitamins either come from food or chemicals. The word synthetic means, “pertaining to compounds formed through a chemical process by human agency, as opposed to those of natural origin.” The word isolates means, “to set or place apart; detach or separate so as to be alone.” Most of the retail vitamins sold today are synthetic, isolated vitamins. Then there are crystalline vitamins, which may come from a food source, however the process of extraction to create this isolated group involves the use of substances such as chemicals, solvents and high levels of heat. Become familiar then with the processing techniques that your vitamin company uses to manufacture their products. Be careful that labels such as “natural”, “pure”, “organic”, or even “vitamin complex” do not fool you. You’d be surprised how many “natural” vitamins never even break down. The word “organic” simply means that it contains a carbon molecule, which could be a synthetic substance. The word “pure” can be a product that is the pure essence of a chemical, and the term “vitamin complex” could be any product containing a minute quantity of the co-factors found in a particular food source. The co-factors (enzymes, antioxidants, trace minerals and other factors) are what gives the vitamin its function. Vitamins in nature are never isolated, rather they are in a complex that contain these co-factors. While a synthetic version of a vitamin can have the same molecular structure of its natural counterpart, they contain none of the co-factors and worse, they are chemically produced therefore they do not feed the body. Also, vitamins in food are never found in high doses, rather they are in much smaller quantities but because of their complex nature, their function is far superior to that of the isolated version. I know you will agree with me that to be healthy you must consume food not chemicals, so then let me ask, why should your vitamins be Page 24 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Quad Cities — February 2012

any different? Would you be surprised if I told you that isolated vitamins can actually create nutritional deficiencies instead of correcting them? This is because your body has to pull from its reserves the rest of that vitamin’s complex (the co-factors) in order for the vitamin to be used. Over time then, you can become deficient in that particular vitamin. Also, synthetic vitamins act more like a drug than a nutrient as they “force” the body to react, which is of no surprise since they’re chemicals. These chemicals are toxic to our bodies, and while our bodies were amazingly created, they certainly do not have the ability to turn a chemical into a nutrient. In contrast, when we take a whole food product that has been properly manufactured, it contains living elements that actually feed the body, which enables the body to make any necessary changes. Since the FDA does not require expiration dates on vitamins, many companies don’t include them, yet when you shop for perishable items isn’t the expiration date the first thing you look for? If you are currently taking a “whole food” product, here are some things to consider. Where does the company obtain their food and how was it grown? Does it come from GMO seeds? When is the food harvested? The time of harvest is crucial for nutrient content. Consider how the soil is cared for because the food is only as healthy as the soil in which it is grown. If they claim it’s organic, is it “certified” organic? How do they manufacture their product? Is it subjected to high heat? Do they list preservatives, colors, additives, sugars, artificial sweeteners, or fillers on the label? Are isolated vitamins added because some of the natural vitamins were destroyed during the manufacturing process? Keep in mind that vitamin companies are not regulated so they can make whatever claims they want. It’s up to you, the consumer, to be well informed. Karen DeVault is the owner of Holistic Alternatives, LLC. She is a Registered Nurse and Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner who specializes in Whole Food Nutrition and Essential Oil Techniques (Raindrop; Emotional Release and Neuro-Auricular). Her office is located on Kimberly Rd. in Bettendorf. Her number is 563-340-5999. Look for her ad in this magazine. Web site: www.KarensHolisticAlternatives.com Email: holistic.alternatives@yahoo.com These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Karen does not diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. Her services are not intended as a substitute for regular medical care.

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love and support

How I Flunked Hospice! Testimonial of Liz Keimig, a former hospice patient who shares her experience, strength and hope about hospice care. By Sally Hogue, Professional Service Representative, Beacon of Hope Hospice

Liz reviews the ropes of being a Beacon of Hope hospice volunteer with Terri Lilienthal, Volunteer Coordinator.

retired language arts and religion teacher at St. Paul’s school, Liz Keimig uses a red pen and checklist attitude when discussing how she “flunked” hospice. When patients no longer qualify for the hospice benefit, we often say they “graduate”. This term means they have improved over a period of time and the hospice team along with care plan documentation determines their condition is not at a plateau or in decline. Statistically hospice patients live one month longer than those terminally ill and not on hospice because: 1. Medications get managed 2. Diet improves with socialization 3. Stress is reduced when they talk with some one 4. Family dynamics and communications improve Page 26 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Quad Cities — February 2012

How I Was Eligible: In 1996 Liz was diagnosed with Stage 2 ovarian cancer which later went to Stage 4. After a few surgeries because she was chemo resistant her outcome was uncertain. Liz recalls, “When I found out I was alive in the recovery room, I thought well there are other possible outcomes!” How I Chose Hospice: Liz explains, “My doctor chose hospice for me, and the initial conversation was positive. I knew it was in God’s hands and whatever happened, happened. It did help that I had experienced hospice before with my mother many years ago but it was relatively new in the area.

In Pain? Call Today! “I believe hospice was part of the miracle in helping me get better. It enabled me to stay positive and I became more aware that it was going to be okay.” She had metastasis breast cancer and I remember a hospice volunteer playing cards with her. It was a positive experience for the family. Hospice met me at school on my lunch breaks to talk about my mother. Ironically this same hospice volunteer became my volunteer! For me hospice care was like getting gold. Doing hospice means getting a loving and caring support system for you.” What ways hospice helped my family: Liz shares, “At the time I was sick it was difficult for my husband to support my illness. He’s of German stock and sometimes emotions were difficult to express. I stayed at my brothers for a couple of weeks after my hospitalization. The social worker had them all attend my visits so we made it a family thing. For a while with all of the attention, it was like living at the spa!” Liz recalls that the social worker, chaplain, and the nurse were so special. They helped her get ready for a friend’s funeral in Cedar Rapids, even coming in early on their own time. “I had wonderful discussions with the hospice chaplain. We talked about God, afterlife, and my opinions; it was how I felt about death. Some people don’t want to talk about death…in the beginning I found I could not discuss it with my husband or kids. It was so helpful when the hospice social worker talked to the kids and introduced them to hospice care,” says Liz. How I flunked hospice: Liz states, “Day by day I went in the opposite direction and I just got better. When I was first assigned to hospice the doctor said I had 6-12 months to live. I was on service a few months when the doctor said in good faith he could not reassign me. I believe hospice was part of the miracle in helping me get better. It enabled me to stay positive and I became more aware that it was going to be okay. Today I have no signs of cancer and I believe hospice was a great part of my recovery. I knew on my first cancer-free anniversary that things were going to be better. There were times I wished I were on hospice because I got so much care! I had never experienced that much loving care in my life.”

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How I give back: Liz humbly responds, “Hopefully I give back by being willing to share myself with other people. Through being a hospice volunteer I have sat with people, attended death visits, and walked the journey with them. I know having a presence, especially when people are alone, taking some candy, and letting people talk really helps.” If I could send one message: Liz says, “Allow the love of hospice to come into your life and be there for you. It is not a frightening experience as you are reassured that they want to be with you, walk by your side, and encourage you. Hospice helped me look at life in a different manner, more positive. I really don’t believe Hospice means death. It can be a vital instrument in a person’s life. Although not everyone has the fortune that I have, they are not alone. So that’s what I want… is to help people to not feel alone.” For more information, contact Beacon of Hope Hospice at 563391-6933 or visit us at www.yourtrustedpartner.com.

The Real Skinny On The Real HCG Diet Seminar Tuesday February 7th - 6:30PM At District Drugs Education Center $25 event ( Full reimbursement if you fill an HCG Diet Prescription at District Drugs) Payment is due with your reservation. Seating is Limited. RSVP to DistrictDrugs@gmail.com ( subject HCG Seminar) or call 309-786-8431. * Please Note Reservation Fee is Non-Refundable* February 2012 — Quad Cities — Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 27

connection

Beloved: Strengthening Relationships Through Pictures By Shuva Rahim, Accent Photographics

Why do you take pictures? It’s a question with multiple answers. I get to meet wonderful people. I’m allowed to capture special moments in their lives. And I use these moments to tell extraordinary stories about them. In the 4 years I’ve been in business, I have seen my art make an impact on people’s lives. One client’s photos resulted in a long-lost classmate to get in touch with her after she posted the images on Facebook. And a family I photographed whose son underwent a lifeextending procedure planted the seed for one of my brides to register as a bone marrow donor. In 2010, I was compelled to go deeper. According to Dr. Robert Epstein – longtime psychology researcher who taught a relationship science course at the University of California-San Diego and is a contributing editor of Scientific American Mind – about half of first marriages, two-thirds of second marriages and three-fourths of third marriages fail in this country. Think about that. Relationships are the most important things we have. Yet the odds of staying together are low. Epstein says marriages fail in large part because we enter into relationships with highly unrealistic expectations and poor skills for maintaining them. The idea of photography – my art – helping change the divorce rate sound crazy. Or is it? BELOVED We always celebrate milestones: A graduation. An engagement. A wedding. The birth of a new baby. Rarely do we celebrate staying together. We celebrate anniversaries, but never try to capture the relationship. Until now. Last year, I introduced Beloved – an un-staged exclusive session created for couples that have been together for at least 3 years. Beloved is capturing who couples are – not what they look like. Shannon and Abby Moran have been married for more than 10 years. They have 3 young children and run a business together. Their Beloved session, with just the two in their home ¬ – no children present – allowed them to spend time together in a unique way. “A Beloved session is more than a photo shoot – it’s an experience!” Abby said. “What a treasure it is to have had these authentic, intimate, loving moments captured!” W.K. and Nancy Junker felt the same way. They have been married more than 30 years, have fun together and find themselves laughing a lot. “What surprised me most about the session was how well it went. I was surprised by how easy it was, how comfortable,” Nancy said. “These photos were different because we got to just be ourselves. We didn’t have to pose. We were laughing. I mean, it was real. They weren’t forced smiles.” Page 28 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Quad Cities — February 2012

Beloved isn’t a fix-it session. It’s not a session for couples on the verge of breaking up. It is for couples that remain together, but don’t always have the time for each other. Which is why Beloved exists. It’s like a great first date for couples who have been together for a long time, a chance to show the person you’re with how much they mean to you. More than 15 couples in the Iowa City, Quad-Cities and Cedar Rapids areas have had an experience with Beloved. And with each session the photos they loved most weren’t posed, but ones showing a connection. When Daren and Curtis Harris, together for more than 7 years, did the Beloved session they already considered themselves very close. Beloved elevated their relationship to a new level of appreciation when I asked them to tell each other during the session how much they love each other. “You have started something between Curtis and I,” Daren told me. “The ‘I love you more than...’ We have kept it up and it is now a part of our day. Your time with us made a difference in how we communicate with each other now.” Are my sessions going to guarantee a long, happy relationship? Absolutely not. What they can create is a memorable, fun experience couples will cherish for years – and... perhaps one that can influence how their children view them and affect relationships for future generations. Imagine that. Shuva Rahim is a lifestyle photographer and owner of Accent Photographics, based in Davenport and Iowa City. She specializes in photographing young families, couples in love, and business professionals. You can follow Shuva on her blog (www.shuvarahim.com), Facebook (www. facebook.com/accentphotographics) or Twitter (www.twitter.com/shuvarahim). To learn more about Beloved contact her at shuva@accentphotographics.com, or at (563) 528-2035 or (319) 512-9344.

vascular screening

Silent Killer Vascular Disease By Advanced Imaging Center

ou probably have heard a lot about heart disease and how to prevent it. But do you also know that there are other vascular areas of your body that could become diseased and put you at risk of premature death? Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) can happen in other places of the body beside the heart. The hardening of the arteries happens over time and is usually asymptomatic (without symptoms). It isn’t until you begin to experience acute and severe symptoms, stroke, or even sudden death that vascular disease becomes evident. That is why vascular disease is considered a silent killer. Stroke is primarily caused by vascular disease and is a leading cause of disability in the US according to the Centers for Disease Control. “Someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds. Every four minutes someone dies of stroke” (2011, www. cdc.gov). Most strokes occur when the blood vessels in the brain become very narrow or blocked, restricting the flow of blood to the brain. Blood clots or plaque from other areas of the body, such as the neck or heart, can be swept away to the brain, causing a blockage. Depending on the part of the brain affected, the disruption in blood flow can lead to paralysis, brain dysfunction, and even death. Another vascular silent killer is an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA). An aortic aneurysm is a ballooning of the artery that leads from the heart and courses through the chest and abdomen. This is a very large artery that carries a lot of blood feeding the lower half of the body. When an aneurysm bursts, it is fatal approximately 90% of the time. Since there are almost no symptoms with an AAA, most individuals with this problem have no clue they have it. Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a third vascular disease that can also have serious complications. About 40% of individuals with PAD don’t have any symptoms. This disease usually affects the legs but can affect the arms, as well. PAD can cause significant pain and, in the worst case, can lead to amputation of a limb. Smoking is a strong contributor to vascular disease. Smokers are at an increased risk of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm by a margin of 3 to 1 over non-smokers! Other risk factors that contribute to vascular disease include: high blood pressure, cardiac disease, diabetes, high cholesterol levels or family history of AAA. Vascular disease can also be a factor in kidney disease. Often there are no warning signs that you may have a partially blocked carotid artery in your neck or an aneurysm in your abdomen. A family history of cardiovascular disease or aortic aneurysm may be the only clue that you could be at risk for vascular disease. Vascular screening is the only way for asymptomatic individuals to learn about their vascular health. Fortunately, low-cost and noninvasive tests are available to anyone wishing to know their vascular health status.

Vascular screening exams using ultrasound are convenient, non-invasive painless tests that can be performed either individually or as a package. The three screening exams available to anyone without a physician’s order are: • Carotid (neck arteries) • Aortic aneurysm (abdomin) • Peripheral arterial (leg vessels) Knowing the status of your vascular health is important for anyone over age 55, or if you have a family history of cardiovascular disease or AAA. Additionally, healthy lifestyle choices such as increasing your level of exercise, healthy eating, and quitting smoking are all positive ways to increase your quality of life. Don’t let the silent killer get you! Advanced Imaging Center, Moline, offers vascular screenings without a physician’s order. Insurance does not cover these screening tests. Call (309) 762-1072 for more information or to make your appointment today. www.qcradiology.com February 2012 — Quad Cities — Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 29

disability employment

Making Success Happen By The Illinois Department of Human Services

aniel Tate is a proud member of the team at Lowe’s Home Improvement in Belleville, Illinois. He does everything from loading heavy appliances to watering plants. He is regarded by his store manager, Pam Thurston, as, “a good employee who always comes to work with a good attitude and a smile on his face.” By all measures, Daniel is a success at his job. But, as Daniel will tell you, success has a much deeper meaning to him. “Success is job satisfaction and feeling great about my job, not just a paycheck. Success is my living independently in my own apartment, not in a group home.” And the success that Daniel speaks of has happened, in part, because of the services provided to him through the Division of Rehabilitation Services. Daniel has always been a hard worker. Before his work at Lowe’s, he was working as a dinning hall attendant at Scott Air Force Base in Belleville, Illinois, with assistance from Challenge Unlimited, a community rehabilitation provider who works with DRS. He was also living in a group home. Daniel liked his job, but wanted to have more independence and further his work skills. Page 30 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Quad Cities — February 2012

DRS worked with Daniel and Challenge Unlimited to provide vocational counseling and job placement services. The result was a great job match and a terrific employment outcome for both Daniel and Lowe’s. Daniel was also able to receive assistance with living more independently. “I was living in a group home and now I live in my own apartment. Everything has completely changed!” Daniel also sees the value he brings to Lowe’s. “I fit in Lowe’s Company well and I like being part of their team. They love me to death!” So much so that Lowe’s recently named him “Employee of the Month”. Working together makes success happen; just ask Daniel Tate. If you or someone you know has a disability and is having trouble finding or keeping a job, or is interested in furthering their career goals we can help. To learn more, call 1-877-761-9780 Voice, 1-866-264-2149 TTY, 1-866-588-0401 VP, or go to our website at drs.illinois.gov/success. Please see our ad on page 13.

At our age, why would we choose inflated health care costs? Get the surgery you need - even on fixed income. At Mississippi Valley Surgery Center, our seniors often pay less out-of-pocket for the same procedure than in a hospital. Why? Because we’re an outpatient facility. We perform minimally-invasive surgical techniques and our patients recover at home. No expensive hospitalization adds up to savings for you. Don’t let expensive insurance premiums, high deductibles or the fear of lost time from work or life keep you from getting the treatment you need. You can save money and receive great care: It’s what healthcare should be.™ Call Mississippi Valley Surgery Center for a free referral to one of our specialists:

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healthy background

Important Clues About Your Risk for Disease

ost of us know that we can reduce our risk of disease by eating a healthy diet, getting enough exercise, and not smoking. But did you know that your family history might be one of the strongest influences on your risk of developing Heart Disease, Stroke, Diabetes, or Cancer? Even though you cannot change your genetic makeup, knowing your family history can help you reduce your risk of developing health problems. Family History and Your Risk of Disease Family members share their genes, as well as their environment, lifestyles and habits. Everyone can recognize traits that run in their family, such as curly hair, dimples, leanness or athletic ability. Risks for diseases such as asthma, diabetes, cancer, and heart disease also run in families. Page 32 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Quad Cities — February 2012

Everyone’s family history of disease is different. The key features of a family history that may increase risk are: • D iseases that occur at an earlier age than expected (10 to 20 years before most people get the disease) • Disease in more than one close relative • D isease that does not usually affect a certain gender (for example, breast cancer in a male) • C ertain combinations of diseases within a family (for example, breast and ovarian cancer, or heart disease and diabetes) If your family has one or more of these features, your family history may hold important clues about your risk for disease.

Using Family History to Promote Your Health People with a family history of disease may have the most to gain from lifestyle changes and screening tests. You can’t change your genes, but you can change unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking, inactivity, and poor eating habits. In many cases, Adopting a Healthier Lifestyle can reduce your risk for diseases that run in your family. Screening tests (such as Mammograms and Colorectal Cancer Screening) can detect diseases like cancers at an early stage when they are most treatable. Screening tests can also detect disease risk factors like High Cholesterol and High Blood Pressure, which can be treated to reduce the chances of getting disease.

“Knowing your family history can help you reduce your risk of developing health problems.” Learning About Your Family History To learn about your family history: ask questions, talk at family gatherings, and look at death certificates and family medical records, if possible. Collect information about your grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, siblings, and children. The type of information to collect includes major medical conditions and causes of death, age of disease onset and age at death, and ethnic background. Write down the information and share it with your doctor. Your doctor may assess your disease risk based on your family history and other risk factors, recommend lifestyle changes to help prevent disease, and prescribe screening tests to detect disease early. If your doctor notices a pattern of disease in your family, it may be a sign of an inherited form of disease that is passed on from generation to generation. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who can help determine whether you have an inherited form of disease. Genetic testing may also help determine if you or your family members are at risk. Even with inherited forms of disease, steps can be taken to reduce your risk. What If You Have No Family History? Even if you don’t have a history of a particular health problem in your family, you could still be at risk. This is because your lifestyle, personal medical history, and other factors influence your chances of getting a disease. You may be unaware of disease in some family members or you could have family members who died young, before they had a chance to develop chronic conditions such as Heart Disease, Stroke, Diabetes, or Cancer. Being aware of your family health history is an important part of a lifelong wellness plan.

Families are unique, including their financial issues.

Families can be made up of all types of people – and each of them has their individual needs when it comes to their finances. Many families in the Quad Cities have placed their trust in us because they value the relationship. They like the time we take to understand their goals and the efforts we make to help meet them. They appreciate our expertise and attention. It’s all part of our commitment to excellence. Call or visit us today for answers about how we can help your family. Investment Management

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February 2012 — Quad Cities — Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 33

healthy aging

Baby Boomers Don’t Forget to Care for Your Eyes as You Age

he baby boomer generation makes up an estimated 76 million people – roughly one-fourth of the U.S. population. This means that either you or someone you love is part of this aging group. According to Eye on the Boomer, a recent survey by the Ocular Nutrition Society, almost as many baby boomers say they worry about losing their vision as those that say they worry about having heart disease or cancer. What’s more, 78 percent of those surveyed ranked vision as the most important of the five senses. Yet, more than half of the survey respondents ages 45-65 said they don’t typically have a recommended annual eye exam, and even fewer are aware of important nutrients that can play a key role in eye health. Experts recommend that disease prevention, including lifestyle modification, attention to dietary intake and vitamin supplementation, must become a greater focus of primary vision care. Studies indicate that proper nutrition promotes healthy eyes, however many American diets are found to be deficient of the critical nutrients that help protect eye health. “If people are at risk for heart disease, they typically make lifestyle modifications,” says Dr. Jeffrey Anshel, president of the Ocular Nutrition Society. “This survey found that people are just as concerned about their eyes, but do not know the simple steps they can incorporate into their daily lives to take care of them.”

are often not in the mix – and for many people, they should be. While more than half of those surveyed are taking supplements to protect their joints, bones or heart health, only 18 percent say they take supplements to support their eye health. “As we grow older, the need for certain vitamins and nutrients to support the eye increases. The survey revealed low awareness of these essential nutrients,” says Anshel of nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, lutein and zeaxanthin. He adds that there is a “need for greater education on the lifestyle modifications that baby boomers can incorporate into their daily lives, including proper nutrition, to help safeguard eye health as they age.” To help protect eye health as they age, Anshel recommends people aged 45-65 take the following steps: • Stop smoking, exercise regularly and wear sunglasses with UV protection. • Make an annual appointment with an eye doctor. • Eat foods rich in eye healthy nutrients, such as tuna or salmon for omega-3s and spinach, kale and broccoli containing lutein and zeaxanthin. • To help overcome shortfalls in the diet, consider a vitamin supplement specifically formulated for eye health.

Vitamin supplements can be used for your eyes, too While people take a variety of different supplements to support their health, vitamins specifically formulated to help protect the eyes

To learn more about the Eye on the Boomer survey as well as eye health, please visit ocularnutritionsociety.org.

Page 34 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Quad Cities — February 2012

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Q: What is Invisalign and how does it work? A: Over the course of treatment, you will be supplied with a series of

aligners. Each aligner will make slight adjustments to tooth position, a process that is mapped out in advance by your doctor, specifically for your situation. When the aligners are placed on the teeth, they cause the teeth to gradually shift from their current position.

Q: What are the benefits of Invisalign? A: Invisalign aligners are virtually invisible are removable. Unlike with

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braces, you have the flexibility to remove your aligners to eat and drink what you want during treatment. And you can also remove the aligners to brush and floss as you normally would. There are no metal brackets or wires that could cause irritation to your mouth. Plus, since your office visits during treatment don’t involve metal or wire adjustments, you’ll likely spend less time in the doctor’s chair. Invisalign allows you to view your virtual results and treatment plan before you start so you can see how your straight teeth will look when your treatment is complete.

Q: How long will treatment take? A: The length of treatment depends on the severity of your case and

can only be determined by your doctor; however, the average case takes about 12 months for adults. The length of time necessary for a teen patient may vary and can be determined by your doctor.

Free Consultations and Exam. Save $350 now on your Invisalign. February 2012 — Quad Cities — Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 35

personalized service

Hearing Aids: Do You Buy Them Online or Do You Buy Them From a Local Audiologist? How Do You Decide? By Audiology Consultants

t is becoming more and more common to check the internet for better deals on products these days, but is it really a better deal for all products? It is fairly easy to purchase a jacket online from a store you are familiar with but what about purchasing a hearing aid? What are you going to miss by not going to an Audiologist? That is what will be answered in this article. Although I am writing as an Audiologist it would be difficult to tell you exactly what services you would receive from every Audiologist when purchasing hearing aids. So I will be telling you what we, Audiology Consultants, provide for services during the hearing aid purchasing process and then compare those services to the services you would receive from an online hearing aid purchase. The first step to purchasing a hearing aid is to have your hearing evaluated. Here at Audiology Consultants we perform a complete hearing evaluation. A complete hearing evaluation would include otoscopy or visual inspection of the ear canal and eardrum, air conduction, bone conduction, speech recognition testing and word discrimination testing performed in a sound proof booth. A complete evaluation will let us know when you can hear tones at a very quiet level as well as how well you can understand speech with no visual ques. A tympanogram may also be completed to evaluate the function of your middle ear and eardrum. These tests will allow us to determine if you are a candidate for hearing aids and what kind would work the best for you. As Audiologists we are also trained to identify any possible medical concerns that we would have with regards to your hearing loss and may also recommend that you see a physician prior to pursuing hearing aids. Common causes for a referral to your physician are ear wax or ear infections. The FDA also requires a hearing evaluation and medical clearance from a physician within six months of being fit with a hearing aid. We would request that medical clearance from your physician by sending them a copy of your hearing evaluation. At this point we would discuss hearing aid options with you. There are two main decisions to be made when picking out a hearing aid, the style or how the hearing aid will look and the technology in the hearing aid itself. We will discuss with you the different styles and explain what will and what won’t work for your hearing loss. Not every hearing aid is made for every hearing loss. We can also show you an actual model of the hearing aid you chose. The technology in the hearing aids will be based off your lifestyle and needs for the hearing aids. This is also what determines the cost of the hearing aids. We will help you pick a hearing Page 36 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Quad Cities — February 2012

aid that will work for your hearing loss and your budget. We will use our knowledge and experiences with the hearing aids to best fit you. If you are still undecided if you are ready for a hearing aid, in most cases we are able to provide you with a demo to try. This will give you the opportunity to try some of the best technology on the market and decide if the benefits of the hearing aids outweigh the cost. We do require a small deposit to demo the hearing aids, which is fully refundable, so there is no cost to you to try them. When you first receive your new hearing aids we will take the time to go over all the details including, cleaning, care, batteries, warranties, your trial period and how to get them in your ears. We will make sure that you are able to care for them before you leave the office. We also will make sure that they fit properly and will be comfortable for you to wear. During that first visit we may also make initial adjustments to the hearing aids if needed, one common reason is for any feedback or whistling. During this visit we will also use a Real Ear Verification system to verify that your hearing aids are working properly in your ear canal. The hearing aids are programmed through the computer but this system will verify how they are working with the natural resonance of your ear canal. If we see that the hearing aids need to be adjusted we would make those needed changes to ensure that the hearing aids are working their best for you.

Once you have received your hearing aids and are experiencing all those sounds you haven’t heard in a while we will always be there for you when you have any questions. Whether it is through an appointment, phone call, email or you just drop in. We are also here to service the hearing aids for cleanings every six months, make adjustments when needed or if the hearing aids stop working properly. There are times where some charges will apply to the services; we do our best to discuss these charges with you prior to doing the service we would charge for. We try our best to inform you ahead of time so that you don’t have any unexpected charges coming your way. During the entire hearing aid purchasing process you will be one on one with an Audiologist. We also do our best to make sure that you see the same Audiologist every time you come into one of our offices. That way we have a great opportunity to get to know you and your family better and build a relationship with you. We will be here to help you through the hearing aid process with whatever you need during the lifetime of your hearing aids. If you purchase a set of hearing aids from the internet they may or may not offer an online hearing evaluation. If you chose to take an online hearing evaluation you are not receiving a complete hearing evaluation, you will be receiving a screening. A screening only takes into account a few frequencies and does not include speech testing or bone conduction testing. That is not enough information to properly fit a hearing aid. There is also no way for you to look into your own ears and see if there is wax or an infection. Your hearing loss may be caused by a treatable medical condition and the internet test will not be able to tell you that you need to see your physician. Which means you may spend money on hearing aids when you don’t actually need them. The internet sites do not discuss the different options for hearing aids with but only ask you what you would want. As I mentioned earlier, not every hearing aid is made for every hearing loss. You may like how a certain hearing aid looks but it may not be an appropriate fit for you. You don’t want to spend money on hearing aids that are not going to help you. You also may not be aware that you are not purchasing a hearing aid but a personal amplifier. A personal amplifier does not work the same way that a hearing aid does. We recommend calling an Audiologist to discuss this difference. When you receive the hearing aids from online it is up to you to read the instruction book and learn to take care of them. You also have to learn from pictures how to put the hearing aids in your ears. No one is there to help you and show you what you may be doing wrong. When you get them what do you do if they don’t seem to sound right? Or if you have feedback or that whistling? At that point you are calling the company you ordered from and possibly having to send them back to the company for adjustments. That can take a lot of time out of your trial period if you have one. There is also no way to use a Real Ear Verification system to ensure that your hearing aids are working properly in your ear canal. When it comes to making adjustments in the hearing aids you may have to send them back to the company every time you need a change made and hope that it comes back the way you wanted it. That could mean a lot of time without your hearing aids. If you ordered your hearing aids from a site that does not offer adjustments what do you do when you need them? You would then need to find a local Audiologist to make those adjustments. Unfortunately, not every Audiologist works with every hearing aid brand out there. This could mean that you purchased a hearing aid that you can’t get serviced in your area. If you can have them adjusted at a local Audiologist’s office you will be looking at charges for the services that they provide to you. These charges will be discussed with you prior to the services being completed.

When the hearing aids need cleaning or are not working properly you can take them to an Audiologist in your area but it is recommended to call ahead and check what charges you will be expected to pay. You can expect charges no matter where you take them since you didn’t purchase the hearing aids through that Audiologist. They may be able to offer a plan that you would purchase that would cover those costs for a year or two. This would be a topic to discuss with a local Audiologist prior to purchasing your hearing aids from the internet. Good chances you will find out that it doesn’t save money in the long run to purchase from the internet. When you purchase from the internet you lose that one on one personal experience you get at the Audiologist’s office. You are also missing out on all the knowledge and experience we have to share with you. If we have not had good success with a hearing aid we are not going to recommend it for you. We are familiar with the products we work with and know what will work and won’t work with your hearing loss. We are here to help you make a good investment for your hearing loss. We truly want you to hear your family and friends and have a better enjoyment in life. Please give us a call if you would like to start the hearing aid purchasing process or if you would just like to ask us questions about hearing aids. We are here to help you with your hearing needs. For more information about Audiology Consultants, P.C., call 563355-7712 or visit www.audiologyconsultants.com.

February 2012 — Quad Cities — Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 37

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For more information visit www.genesishealth.com/wound or call (563) 421-1585. Page 38 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Quad Cities — February 2012

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