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2601 West Main Street • Suite C • Tupelo, MS 38801 • (662)842-6325 / (800) 399-4327 North Mississippi Health Journal | 3

Hypertension puts the squeeze on more than your heart, 6 Start the new year with hearthealthy foods, 8 Cover storry: Saltillo woman finds fitness in challenge, 10 Get creative with your home gym, 13 Find your gym fit, 15 Maintain health through preventative screenings, 16 Surviving cancer goes beyond treatment, 18 Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tough work to kick the tobacco habit, 19 Resources, 19 Events, 20-21 Support Groups, 22-23

Former firefighter finds ways to maintain a healthy weight, 12

4 | North Mississippi Health Journal

The North Mississippi Health Journal is a publication of the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. Winter 2015 Editor

Leslie Criss

Reporters

Michaela Gibson Morris Ginna Parsons

Photography Adam Robison Thomas Wells Lauren Wood

Layout Design Crissy Bland

Advertising Director

Richard Crenshaw

Special Section Advertising Project Leader Amy Speck

To subscribe to the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, call (662) 678-1617. To advertise in this or other supplements of the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, call Amy Speck at (662) 678-1611 or email her at amy.speck@journalinc.com. ON THE COVER Lori Eschete dropped 90 pounds but the real transformation was from couch potato from triathlete.Left, David Haas reclaimed his fitness after a health crisis. Photos by Lauren Wood.

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North Mississippi Health Journal | 5

Under pressure Hypertension puts the squeeze on more than your heart BY MICHAELA GIBSON MORRIS DAILY JOURNAL

WHAT’S THE PROBLEM

Blood pressure measures the force of blood against the walls of the arteries when the heart is beating and when the heart is resting. A systolic blood pressure – the top number – over 140 or a diastolic blood pressure – the bottom number – of more than 90 is considered high blood pressure.

6 | North Mississippi Health Journal

FILE

The blood pressure cuff comes out nearly every time you hit the clinic for a reason. If you’re not paying attention to your numbers, you should be. Uncontrolled high blood pressure dramatically increases the risk of stroke, heart attacks and a host of other chronic health problems. Only a small minority of people have any warning signs outside their blood pressure readings, said Dr. Dwight McComb, an Amory internal medicine physician who is a certified hypertension specialist. “Just because you feel fine doesn’t means there’s no problem,” McComb said. Nationally, about a third of Americans have hypertension, and roughly a third of them don’t know they have a problem. Out of the folks who know they have high blood pressure, only about half are considered controlled. “It’s a staggering medical problem,” said Dr. Amit Prasad, a Tupelo internal medicine physician. It’s certainly higher in Mississippi and the South in general, but it’s hard to say how much higher. African-Americans seem to be at particularly high risk for high blood pressure. A 2008 study written by researchers for Jackson Heart Study – which investigates cardiovascular disease among African-Americans – found that nearly 63 percent of the 5,249 participants had high blood pressure.

By definition

HYPERTENSION – Chronically high blood pressure SYSTOLIC – the top number - measures the force of blood on the arteries as the heart beats. DIASTOLIC - the bottom number - measures the force on the arteries as the heart relaxes. MMHG - The unit of pressure measurement - millimeters of mercury. Source: National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

Range Normal Prehypertension Hypertension Stage 1 Hypertension Stage 2

By the numbers

Systolic (top) Diastolic (bottom) under 120 and under 80 120-139 or 80-89 140-159 or 90-99 at or above 160 or at or above 100 Source: National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

Over time, chronically high blood pressure overworks the heart, causes hardening of the arteries – atherosclerosis – and can damage tiny blood vessels and organs around the body. The extended extra pressure can damage tiny, delicate vessels in the kidneys and the retinas. It can cause widespread damage to the vascular system. In Mississippi, high blood pressure and diabetes are the two main causes of end stage renal disease . “We really want to prevent that,” said Dr. John Cox, a West Point internist who is certified as a hypertension specialist and kidney care specialist. “If you can control the risk factors (with lifestyle modifications and medicine) and start soon enough, a lot is preventable.” Most people are able to work with their family physician, internist or cardiologist to control high blood pressure. Some people with resistant high blood pressure may need to see a hypertension specialist.

LIFESTYLE

The first line of prevention and treatment of high blood pressure doesn’t require a prescription. Moderate exercise – a brisk 30minute walk most days of the week – and diets rich in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fats can make a dent in high blood pressure. “Lifestyle changes clearly have an impact,” Cox said. Reducing salt intake improves high blood pressure control, but it’s not just table salt people have to avoid. Canned soups, chips and other processed foods are responsible for most of the sodium people take in. “Curtailing salt intake can be a challenge,” Prasad said. For people who have diagnosed high blood pressure, these changes can impact the amount of medicine needed to control their high blood pressure. “Not as many as I’d like, but I do have patients who get off medication,” with diet and lifestyle changes, McComb said.

New research also has physicians watching people with uncontrolled hypertension for signs of sleep apnea, Prasad said. In these cases, when the sleep apnea is controlled, the blood pressure problems get much better. “High blood pressure can have secondary causes,” Prasad said. “One of those can be sleep apnea.”

MEDICINE

A generation ago, doctors had few effective medicines to control blood pressure long term, Cox said. Now they have much more effective medicines, although in many cases they need to be used together. “The average patient requires three medications,” to control their high blood pressure, Cox said. Diuretics, also called fluid pills, are among the first line medications. They work getting rid of unneeded water and salt, reducing the volume of fluid that the heart has to move through the body. ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, alpha blockers, vasodilators, nervous system inhibitors and angiotensin II blockers work on different chemical pathways to open blood vessels so more blood gets through at lower pressures. Beta blockers aim to slow down the heart. Many blood pressure medications are available as generics, but for people who are resistant, cost can become an issue, Cox said. Just as people with diabetes need to closely monitor their blood sugar at home, people with hypertension need to keep a log of their blood pressure. “Don’t assume just because you’re taking your medicine that you’re controlled,” McComb said. At-home blood pressure monitors have become much more accurate, McComb said. “It’s best to check in the morning,” McComb said. “That’s when the risk is the highest.”

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michaela.morris@journalinc.com North Mississippi Health Journal | 7

Vegetable Soup . Mocha Fudge Pie

Buttermilk Corn Muffins . Salad with Sun-Dried Cranberries and Walnuts

Start the new year with heart-healthy foods BY GINNA PARSONS DAILY JOURNAL

TUPELO – February may be National Heart Month, but there’s one kind of heart we need to keep in mind all year long: hearthealthy foods. “A heart-healthy diet involves eating foods that are low in fat, high in complex carbohydrates – like those found in fruits, vegetables and whole grains – high in fiber and low in cholesterol,” said Tish Cornelius, a registered dietitian at the North Mississippi Medical Center. To that end, Cornelius came up with what she calls the Five P’s of Heart- Healthy Living: plan, purchase, prepare, portion and perseverance. • “Plan to live healthy this year,” she said. “Plan to exercise regularly. Plan to cook healthy meals

8 | North Mississippi Health Journal

for yourself or your family vs. eating out. Plan your menu/grocery list. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. • “Purchase heart-healthy foods. Keep it fresh. Keep it simple. Choose items primarily on the outside of the grocery store. The Food Guide Pyramid foods are on the outside of the store. • “Spend time preparing meals and snacks. Prepare to take your lunch three times a week vs. eating out five times. Use lowfat methods of meal preparation – baking, broiling, grilling, roasting and poaching. Steam or grill vegetables. • “Portion control is important because even too much of a healthy food can add extra calories or weight. Use or order sauces or salad dressings on the side. Use the fork method. Dip your fork into the dressing, then into the

salad, rather than pouring dressing on top of the salad. • “Perseverance is important because you have to be consistent. My philosophy with myself and my patients is to choose two healthy goals to work on. When you achieve those, choose two more. You’ll progress to a healthier lifestyle. Lose weight, exercise more, lower your cholesterol, quit smoking – you can’t do it all at once. It’s like juggling. You have to break it down to where you can manage it.”

USE WEEKENDS TO COOK

Healthier eating habits will generally lead to weight loss, and Cornelius can tick off a list of reasons to lose weight, including a decrease in the risk for heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. “Sometimes 10 pounds can make a big difference in whether

someone is advanced on medication or taken off of it,” she said. Cornelius said she realizes that with today’s families, healthy cooking is not always practical, especially when both parents work outside the home and kids have extracurricular activities. “Take advantage of weekends to prepare things to get ahead and make life easier during the week,” she said. She suggested preparing lowfat soups and casseroles on the weekends and using bagged lettuces in the evenings to cut down on time needed to prepare a salad. And don’t forget variety. “Most of us eat the same recipes over and over again,” Cornelius said. “Take it a week at a time.Vary your menu. Add a different vegetable one night or a different meat for an entree.” For ideal heart-healthy lowfat eating, women who eat a normal

range of 1,500 to 1,600 calories a day should take in no more than 45 grams of fat, with less than 5 grams of saturated fat. Men eating between 1,800 and 2,000 calories a day should limit fat to 60 grams, with less than 6 grams of saturated fats. Saturated fats are those that are solid at room temperature, such as butter, margarine and the skin from animal products.

“Don’t eliminate whole food groups or deny yourself food,” she said. “Knowing you can have it takes that burden off of you. If you’re struggling with weight, you don’t want to keep a gallon of ice cream in the house. If you want ice cream, go out and buy a scoop.”

Salad with Sun-Dried Cranberries and Walnuts

1 tablespoon apple juice concentrate 11⁄4 cups nonfat buttermilk 3 tablespoons canola oil 3 egg whites, lightly beaten In a large bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda, mixing until well blended. In a separate bowl, combine the apple juice concentrate, buttermilk, oil and egg whites, mixing well. Fold the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients. Spoon the batter into prepared muffin cups. Bake at 400 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes. Makes 15 muffins. Per serving: 102 calories; 3g fat; 1mg cholesterol; 177mg sodium; 15g carbs; 1g fiber.

1 bag of salad with escarole, leaf lettuce, radicchio and endive 2 roma tomatoes 1 ⁄2 sliced cucumber 1 ⁄3 cup dried cranberries 1 ⁄2 cup walnut halves Kraft Light Done Right! Raspberry Vinaigrette dressing Place salad greens on a large serving platter. Slice tomatoes and cucumbers and place around salad. Sprinkle cranberries and walnuts on top. Dress with 1 tablespoon Raspberry Vinaigrette per serving. Makes 6 servings. Per serving: 123 calories; 4.8g fat; 0mg cholesterol; 58mg sodium; 9g carbs; 1g fiber.

Vegetable Soup 2 (14-ounce) cans no-salt-added beef broth 13⁄4 cups peeled, diced potato 2 cups chopped onion 1 cup chopped celery 1 cup sliced carrots 1 ⁄2 cup water 1 teaspoon dried leaf basil 1 ⁄2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 1 ⁄4 teaspoon salt 1 ⁄4 teaspoon dried thyme 2 bay leaves 2 (14-ounce) cans no-salt-added whole tomatoes, undrained 1 (10-ounce) package frozen whole kernel corn 1 (10-ounce) package frozen cut okra 1 (10-ounce) package frozen baby lima beans In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, combine all ingredients except the three frozen vegetables. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 45 minutes. Add frozen corn, okra and lima beans. Return the soup to a boil, reduce heat and simmer another 20 to 30 minutes. Discard bay leaves and serve warm. Makes 16 servings (8 ounces each). Per serving: 84 calories; .6g fat; 0mg cholesterol; 151mg sodium; 18g carbs; 2g fiber.

Buttermilk Corn Muffins 1 cup yellow cornmeal 1 cup all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 ⁄2 teaspoon salt 1 ⁄2 teaspoon baking soda

ginna.parsons@journalinc.com

Mocha Fudge Pie ⁄3 cup hot water 4 teaspoons instant coffee granules, divided 1 ⁄2 box light fudge brownie mix (about 2 cups) 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided 2 egg whites Vegetable cooking spray 3 ⁄4 cup 1 percent milk 3 tablespoons Kahlua or other coffeeflavored liqueur, divided 1 small box instant chocolate pudding 3 cups frozen reduced-calorie whipped topping, thawed and divided Chocolate curls or strawberries for garnish (optional) Combine hot water and 2 teaspoons coffee granules in a medium bowl and stir well. Add brownie mix, 1 teaspoon vanilla and egg whites. Stir until well blended. Pour mixture into a 9-inch pie plate coated with cooking spray. Bake at 325 degrees for 22 minutes. Let crust cool completely. In a bowl, combine milk, 2 tablespoons Kahlua, 1 teaspoon coffee granules, remaining 1 teaspoon vanilla and pudding mix in a bowl. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer for 1 minute. Gently fold in 11⁄2 cups whipped topping. Spread pudding mixture over brownie crust. Combine remaining 1 teaspoon coffee granules and remaining 1 tablespoon Kahlua in a bowl and stir well. Gently fold in remaining 11⁄2 cups whipped topping. Spread whipped topping mixture over pudding mixture. Garnish with chocolate curls or sliced strawberries. Serves 8. Nutritional info: 292 calories; 7g fat; 1mg cholesterol; 345mg sodium; 51.5g carbs; 4.4g protein; 47mg calcium. 1

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North Mississippi Health Journal | 9

Triathlete transformation Saltillo woman finds fitness in challenge

BY MICHAELA GIBSON MORRIS DAILY JOURNAL

SALTILLO – Lori Eschete shed 90 pounds and discovered an athlete within. “For a while I was ashamed of what I had let myself sink into,” said the 38-year-old Saltillo woman. “But now I am not, because without it I would be nowhere near as proud of myself for the accomplishment.” A decade ago, Eschete wouldn’t have pictured herself running a 5K, let alone competing in triathlons. “It seemed so unattainable,” said Eschete, who once weighed in at 252 pounds. “Then at some point, it became attainable. That’s what motivated me.” Now she’s competed in halfmarathons and triathlons, even winning her age division in the King of the Hill in Tupelo. Along the road from couch potato to athlete, Eschete said she learned to savor the little milestones. “The smallest accomplishment is another step forward,” Eschete said. “It’s a process.”

LONG STRUGGLE

LAUREN WOOD | DAILY JOURNAL

10 | North Mississippi Health Journal

As a teen, Eschete remembers always being self-conscious of her weight. “In cheerleading, I was always the base of the pyramid,” said Eschete, who grew up in Crown Pointe, Louisiana. When she hit college, the cycle of gain and loss intensified. Instead of the Freshman 15, she gained about 40 pounds. “I tried so many things to balance school and weight loss,” every new diet that came along from Sugarbusters to cabbage soup, Eschete said. “My friends had an intervention.”

Although she didn’t develop diabetes or high blood pressure, her weight was taking a toll on her health. “I had difficulty getting pregnant because of polycystic ovarian syndrome,” Eschete said. Obesity can contribute to the condition which interferes with the body’s ability to ovulate as well as raising the risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease. She found help through Weight Watchers and feels it helped her lay a foundation of healthy habits and being accountable. Through her success, she lost enough weight to become pregnant. But after she and husband Jai Eschete welcomed Nathan nine years ago, her weight snowballed again as she threw herself into motherhood. As her increasing weight was leaving her exhausted, miserable and depressed, her family kept encouraging her to take the first step back to good health. “My sister would not give up on me,” Eschete said. “She begged me to get up and get out.” She started by walking with Nathan in a stroller. It was the best way, initially, to balance exercise and motherhood. “Guilt over taking time away from him was a big issue,” Eschete said. She had to lose weight before she could face the scale again. When she did, she weighed in at 252 pounds. She started by walking and swimming when no one was around to see her. She drank more water, limited her carbs and increased her vegetables and protein. She focused on what she could do and on making one change at a time. “Change one thing today, and when that’s a habit you don’t have to think about, then change something else,” she said.

COURTESY PHOTOS

BECOMING AN ATHLETE

When second son Brennan arrived in December 2009, Eschete was able to keep from backsliding and was able to ramp back up to her pre-pregnancy fitness. But by 2011, she was looking for a fresh challenge. “I hit a plateau, and I needed something,” Eschete said. “I thought I’m either going to move forward or fall back.” Inspiration came in the form of a Disney Half-Marathon with sister Kerrie Ribando. They signed up in the spring of 2011 for the January 2012 event, and began training together virtually. “She was in North Carolina; I was in Saltillo,” Eschete said. “We would call and ask ‘How far did

Before

Lori Eschete, above, exits the mile-long swim during September’s White Lake International Triathlon in North Carolina. She remembers being particularly pumped as it marks her longest open water swim in a competition to date. On her way to chipping away 90 pounds, Lori Eschete of Saltillo discovered a love for triathlons.

“It seemed so unattainable,” said Eschete, who once weighed in at 252 pounds. “Then at some point, it became attainable. That’s what motivated me.” you run?’” Before the race, Eschete had never run more than a 5K at one time. After, she was hooked. On the bus ride back after the halfmarathon, her sister asked what’s next? Eschete suggested a triathlon. “She really didn’t take me seriously,” Eschete said, until she sent

her sister the confirmation for the June 2013 King of the Hill triathlon in Tupelo. The race includes a halfmile swim, a 26-mile bike ride and a 5K run. Eschete fell in love with the multi-sport challenge. She’s working toward a 1⁄2 Ironman Triathlon, where competitors have a 1.2 mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run. “You train for each one individually,” Eschete said. “It’s difficult to prepare to do it all in one day.” The two events have changed a tradition. “Now girls’ trips revolve around races,” Eschete said. These days Eschete mixes up her early morning workouts with running and cross-training three

days a week. The other days she works in bike riding and swimming. Saturdays are reserved for long rides or uns. Workouts are more intense during the triathlon season, and she has a plan B when the weather nixes outdoor plans. The whole family gets in on the act, too. She and husband Jai take more leisurely bike rides with the boys, now 8 and 5. Since June 2013, she has maintained a healthy body-mass index score. She’d still like to lose a few more pounds, but it’s not about a number any more. “My focus is on becoming faster, stronger,” Eschete said. “My biggest competitor is myself.”

michaela.morris@journalinc.com North Mississippi Health Journal | 11

Former firefighter finds ways to maintain a healthy weight BY MICHAELA GIBSON MORRIS DAILY JOURNAL

TUPELO – When a health crisis sidelined David Haas, the pounds piled on. His work as a firefighter and carpenter had kept him strong and covered his less--than-perfect eating habits. Then in 1996, Haas was participating in Combat Challenge competition at the Tupelo Fire Department when kidneys shut down as the creatinine levels shot up because of the intense effort. “I got four or five feet from the finish line, I didn’t want to stop,” Haas said. He ended up on dialysis for two days, and his kidneys slowly came back online. The doctor told him no exercise for at least a year.

12 | North Mississippi Health Journal

“It took me a decade to fully recover,” said Haas, who officially retired in 1999. Without the physical exertion of firefighting and carpentry work, Haas started piling on the pounds. In 2008, he weighed in at 255 during a visit to the doctor’s office. “I kind of embarrassed myself,” Haas said. He was able to take off about 20 pounds by cutting back on his own, but he stalled and needed some help. Weight Watchers helped him adjust his portion sizes and eating habits. He started walking on the treadmill. “It’s all about intake and activity,” Haas said. When he got down to 190 pounds, he started running, which he hadn’t done since his days as a firefighter. He started

slowly, alternating laps walking and running. Little by little, he ran more than he walked. “I just built up,” Haas said, and it wasn’t long before he hit his goal weight. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. In the summer of 2013, his weight crept back up to 195 and losing again was harder. “It was really tough,” Haas said. “It was hard to get back in that losing mindset.” So he looked closely at his diet and went back to Weight Watchers. “I cut back drastically on red meat, white flour and sugar,” Haas said. “My big challenge was sugar addiction.” These days, he runs with his dog Isabelle three to four days a week. When the weather doesn’t

allow for a run outside, he uses a rower or exercise bike to log the miles. “Now I know I have to do some kind of cardio to keep it off,” Haas said. “It’s temple upkeep.” He still fields questions about how weight loss has changed how he feels. “Imagine going into the weight room and picking up those weights,” Haas said. “I’m not carrying 75 to 80 pounds around all day any more. I have a lot more energy.” His advice to others staring down a large weight loss is simple. “You’ve got to start somewhere,” Haas said. “You don’t have to run, but you have to do something.”

michaela.morris@journalinc.com

LAUREN WOOD | DAILY JOURNAL

It took David Haas nearly 10 years to recover his fitness after a health crisis. Through ups and downs, the Tupelo man has learned to focus on exercise and a healthy diet to maintain his hard fought success.

Get creative with your home gym

Inexpensive, everyday items can build a workout for the whole family

There’s no place like home to get fit. For some folks, a formal fitness center membership isn’t in the cards because of time, distance or budget constraints. It’s possible to build a home gym using inexpensive fitness equipment or retasking ordinary items. The Daily Journal enlisted help from HealthWorks! Children’s Health Education Center and high flying kid motivators Tracey Williams, Kim Burleson and Stephanie Faulconer to create a list of low-cost, high-creativity fitness options that adults and kids can put to work. Unlike treadmills, elliptical machines and free weight sets, which can cost hundreds, these suggestions can easily be tucked away when the gym is closed. They can also be safely used by smaller exercisers so the whole family can get fit together.

Michaela Gibson Morris

Exerbands $7-15. These flexible bands that come with handles or without can be used to add resistance to arm and leg exercises. The lightweight bands won’t crush your toes if you drop them or weigh down your luggage on trips.

Hula hoops $3-8. Fun cardio workout that will challenge your waist and hips. They also can be put to use in obstacle courses.

Stability Ball. Under $20. These balls can give you a platform for challenging ab work. Use them as a chair while working or watching TV to keep a core workout going. Water bottles with handles. Under $2. Great stand-in for hand weights. You can adjust the water levels as you get stronger. If you don’t have a matched set in the cupboard, you can probably find some in the deep discount bin. Free substitute Matching cans from the cupboard.

Pool noodles. Under $5. Pool noodles, which you probably already have in a closet or toy box, won’t add much resistance, but they can be used as a focal point for body twisting exercises. Pool noodles can do heavy lifting in creating obstacle courses to jump over, crawl under and run around. Using skewers, you can create hurdles or a belly crawl in the yard. When you’re done, get a little cardio with a pool noodle sword fight.

Jump ropes $3-5. This classic can’t be beat for delivering an effective cardio workout and folding up small.

North Mississippi Health Journal | 13

Small steps, persistent effort can help Although the road to a healthier life can take many routes, there are some guidelines that are helpful no matter if you’re trying to lose weight, quit smoking or control your blood pressure. Here’s some wisdom culled from health professionals around Northeast Mississippi: GET GOOD COACHING. Expert advice can help you find the right path forward. • Check in with your health care provider. From starting an exercise program to controlling your blood sugar, your doctor or nurse practitioner can steer you toward a healthy, sustainable lifestyle. • Be wary of fads and promises of quick fixes. CREATE REALISTIC GOALS, backed up with specific actions. •Write it down. Journal your exercise, food or your blood pressure readings. It will help you see where things went right and where things went wrong. • Consider tracking success in

14 | North Mississippi Health Journal

multiple ways. Weight loss can be measured in pounds or inches. DON’T TRY TO DO EVERYTHING at once. • Focus on small changes. • As you unpack bad habits, replace them with healthy ones. You may have more success long term if you replace your afternoon candy bar with a piece of fruit, instead of skipping the snack. SURROUND YOURSELF with people who understand and encourage your aims. • Partnering with a friend for exercise increases accountability. • Support groups can help trouble shoot thorny health problems (See page xx for a list of Northeast Mississippi health-related support groups.) IF YOU SLIP, don’t give up. • Let go of perfect. Focus on the little successes that will build to a sustainable healthy life. • The path to success is rarely straight. Try, try again.

Find your gym fit BY MICHAELA GIBSON MORRIS DAILY JOURNAL

If your running shoes don’t fit, it’s a good bet you’ll get a blister. If your fitness center doesn’t fit, it’s easy to end up back on the couch. Fortunately, Northeast Mississippians have an increasingly broad range of choices from full service fitness centers to 24-hour access gyms to dedicated centers focused on single fitness discipline. Exercisers and athletes have choices to fit varied schedules, interests and ability levels. One of the single most important factors is convenience, said Cory Lee, who owns Pro Fitness centers in Mooreville and Mantachie and CrossFitWhite Horse in Mantachie. Having to drive more than 20 minutes to the gym is difficult for most people to sustain. “Over time, you’re going to get tired of that,” Lee said. “Excuses can creep in easily.”

INVESTMENT

Investing in a fitness center membership can give you access to more equipment than you would have at home, a dedicated space for exercise and connections with other people who are focused on fitness. All the fitness centers offer staff guidance, and personal training sessions are available at most. Traditional gyms offer cardio and strength training machines and free weights. Typically, they do not offer aerobics or other group exercise classes. Many centers around the region offer 24-hour access for members. Hospital-affiliated health centers are among the largest in the area, offering a wide range of cardio and strength training machines, free weights, indoor walking tracks, exercise classes, nutrition counseling and healthrelated classes. Several in the area also have indoor pools and offer water aerobics and swim lessons. Other fitness centers around the area offer a mix of services, giving members access to fitness equipment, classes and other amenities. There’s typically a great variety of group classes so exercisers can sample everything from yoga to Zumba.

INTENSE FOCUS

For exercisers looking for intense focus on a particular disci-

pline, fitness centers dedicated to specific types of exercise, especially yoga and CrossFit, are becoming more widely available in the region. Dedicated yoga centers offer a broad range of classes in different styles of exercise form that originated in India in a quiet meditative atmosphere. It focuses on the mind-body-spirit connection. “It’s a total atmosphere for wellness,” said Kristi Paxton, owner of Tupelo’s Pure Yoga, which also offers B-Fit classes. CrossFit centers are independently owned and managed, but nationally affiliated. CrossFit programs focus on high intensity freeweight lifting, basic gymnastics and metabolic conditioning. Workouts can be scaled up or down based on participants’ fitness levels. “It is definitely a fresh challenge,” Lee said. In CrossFit gyms, which are called “boxes,” there’s typically a lot of friendly competition and comradery. “If you miss a class, you’re going to get some texts,” Lee said. No matter how effective an exercise program is, it’s important to find something that pumps you up, instead of dragging you down. “If it’s not something you like, you’re not going to stick with it,” Lee said. Here’s a brief run down of fitness facilities around Northeast Mississippi compiled by the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. TUPELO/LEE COUNTY • ATC Fitness, Tupelo, (662) 269-3969, 24-hour access, fitness machines, free weights. • Anytime Fitness (662) 844-1235, Tupelo; 844-1236, East Tupelo 24-hour access, fitness machines, free weights, classes. • CrossFit of Tupelo, (662) 304-2335; Offers classes for adults, beginners and kids. • North Lee CrossFit, (662) 322-9919 • NMMC Wellness Center, (662) 3774141, Madison Street, Tupelo, hospital-affiliated center, indoor pool, racquetball, basketball and day spa. • Premiere Fitness , (662) 842-5239, includes women-only Premiere Lady and co-ed Premiere Athletix facilities. 24-hour access, fitness machines, free weights, classes. • Pro Fitness 24/7, Mooreville, (662) 282-4949, 24-hour access, fitness machines, free weights, nutritional services.

Northeast Mississippi offers range of fitness options

• Pure Yoga, Tupelo, (662) 231-1150, beginner through advanced yoga classes, private lessons and B-Fit and other classes; boutique offers yoga clothing, accessories. • Shanti Yoga, Tupelo, (662) 321-1285, offers a range of classes for every body. • SNAP Fitness, (662) 844-7627, Tupelo, 869-3181, Saltillo, 24-hour access, fitness machines, free weights. • Tupelo Aquatic Center, (662) 8403768, city-owned indoor pool. Lap swimming, exercise classes, senior activities, paddle boarding. ABERDEEN • Pioneer Wellness Center, 369-8480, hospital-affiliated center. AMORY • Anytime Fitness, (662) 257-6330, Amory, 24-hour access, fitness machines, free weights, classes. • Curves, (662) 256-4002, women-only, 30-minute strength and cardio circuit training program. • Gilmore Sports and Wellness Center, (662) 256-6127, hospital-affiliated center, indoor pool. BALDWYN • NMMC Wellness Center, (662) 3657873, hospital-affiliated center. BOONEVILLE • Zone Fitness, (662) 720-1065, 24-hour access, cardio and strength machines, free weights. CORINTH • Corinth Sportsplex, (662) 287-4417, city-owned center, fitness machines, free weights, classes, indoor pool. • Corinth Wellness Center, (662) 2875556, fitness machines, free weights, classes, indoor pool. • Zone Fitness, (662) 286-0060, 24-hour access, fitness machines, free weights and classes. FULTON/MANTACHIE • Anytime Fitness, Fulton, (662) 8627737, 24-hour access, fitness machines, free weights. • Blast Off CrossFit, (662) 231-7190, Classes for adults; instruction available for beginners. • CrossFit White Horse/ProFitness 24/7, Mantachie, (662) 282-4949; CrossFitaffiliated center and 24-hour access gym, fitness machines, free weights, nutritional services. • Power Zone, Fulton, (662) 862-7523, 24-hour access, fitness equipment, free weights, classes. IUKA • NMMC Wellness Center, (662) 4231980, hospital-affiliated center.

• The Lion’s Den Muscle and Fitness Center, (662) 424-3058, 24-hour access, fitness machines, free weights. NEW ALBANY • Anytime Fitness, (662) 534-4009, 24hour access, fitness machines, free weights. • Baptist Healthplex, (662) 538-4194, hospital-affiliated center, indoor pool, racquetball courts, basketball. OXFORD • Anytime Fitness, (662) 259-2296, 24hour access, fitness machines, free weights. • CrossFit 38655 (662) 380-5014, Crossfit, gymnastics and mobility classes. • Ice Core Fitness, (662) 816-2673 offers group classes and private sessions including cardio, pilates, Gyrotonic exercise method and BarreAmped. • Oxford CrossFit, (662) 801-6004 offers Crossfit, TRX, martial arts and boxing. • Pure Barre Oxford, (662) 638-5272, Offers barre-based classes • Rebel Elite Fitness, 662-202-8435, 24hour access, fitness machines, free weights • SNAP Fitness, two locations, (662) 259-2296 and (662) 550-4800. 24hour access, fitness machines, free weights and classes. • YMCA Oxford, (662) 232-8788, fitness machines, free weights, children’s programs, classes. PONTOTOC • NMMC Wellness Center, (662) 4891335, hospital-affiliated center. RIPLEY • Tippah County Wellness Center, (662) 837-7656, hospital-affiliated center, indoor pool. • Total Body Gym, (662) 512-6060, 24hour access, fitness machines, free weights, group classes, mixed martial arts classes. STARKVILLE • Anytime Fitness, (662) 546-4299, 24hour access, fitness machines, free weights. • Starkville Athletic Club, (662) 3234455, fitness machines, free weights, personal training services. • Starkville CrossFit, (662) 341-6189 • Wellness Connection of OCH, (662) 323-9355, hospital-affiliated center, indoor pool. WEST POINT • Anytime Fitness, (662) 492-5877, 24hour access, fitness machines, free weights. • NMMC-West Point, 495-9355, hospital-affiliated center, racquetball court.

North Mississippi Health Journal | 15

This resolution could save your life

ost people make New Year’s resolutions to exercise more, lose the holiday pounds and to be overall healthier. One important way you can maintain a healthier you is through preventative screenings. One very important preventative health screening you shouldn’t avoid is a colonoscopy. Of cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the U.S. – but it doesn’t have to be. If everybody aged 50 or older had regular screening tests, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that as many as 60 percent of deaths from colorectal cancer could be prevented.

UNCONTROLLABLE FACTORS

Colorectal cancer affects people of all racial and ethnic groups, and is the third most common cancer for men and women. Although the exact cause of most colorectal cancers

Dr. Benjamin Boatright Gilmore Memorial Regional Medical Center, Amory, gastroenterologist is unknown, some conditions may increase a person’s risk of developing colorectal cancer, including: • Age. According to the American Cancer Society, more than nine out of 10 people diagnosed with colorectal cancer are at least 50 years old. • A personal history of colorectal polyps or cancer, or inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease). • A family history of colorectal cancer. • Inherited syndromes, such as familial adenomatous polyposis and hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer.

LOWER YOUR RISK

Precancerous polyps, which are abnormal growths, can be present in the colon for years

SYMPTOMS

People with colorectal cancer don’t always experience symptoms, especially in the early stages. If there are symptoms, they may include one or more of the following: • A change in bowel habits that lasts more than a few days, such as bloody stools, diarrhea, constipation or narrowing of the stool. • Stomach pain or cramps that don’t go away. • Unexplained weight loss. These symptoms are often caused by conditions other than colorectal cancer, but it’s important to talk to your doctor to determine the cause. before cancer develops. Someone could have polyps or even be in the early stages of colorectal cancer and experience no symptoms – that’s why it’s so important to have regular screenings. Colorectal screening makes it possible for us to find and remove polyps before they become cancerous. It also allows us to find cancer at the earliest stages, when it’s most treatable.

The most effective way to reduce your risk of colorectal cancer is by having regular colorectal cancer screening tests beginning at age 50. Some studies have also shown that you may lower your risk of developing colorectal cancer by: • Exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight. • Eating a diet low in animal fats and high in vegetables, fruits and whole-grain products. • Limiting alcohol consumption and avoiding smoking. If you’re 50 or older, don’t delay: Talk to your doctor about colorectal screening and how often you should be tested. The best way to protect yourself against colorectal cancer is by catching it in the precancerous stages, and the best way to do that is through screening. Don’t wait until National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March, get screened today. Dr. Benjamin Boatright is a gastroenterologist at Gilmore Memorial Regional Medical Center’s Amory Gastroenterology Clinic.

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The long haul

Surviving cancer goes be-

BY MICHAELA GIBSON MORRIS DAILY JOURNAL

No one is truly prepared to hear“I’m sorry, you have cancer.” However, cancer survivors are claiming more birthdays than ever before. In the 1950s, only 35 percent of those diagnosed with cancer in the United States made it five years. Now 66 percent make it five years or more. “In 1971, there were three million cancer survivors,” said Allen Linton, one of two cancer nurse navigators at Baptist Memorial Cancer Center in Oxford. “Now there are 14 million.” For the long haul, the survivors who do the best are the ones who fight to live and to maintain their sense of self. “You can’t let it consume everything about you,” said NMMC Cancer Center social worker Cindy Edwards. The battle against cancer can sharpen your appreciation for life, survivors said. “It makes you stop and smell the roses,” said Judy Hester, who is a 26-year breast cancer survivor and co-founder ofWomen First Resource Center in Tupelo. It’s important to seek out reliable information during the initial diagnosis and beyond. “That really helps them see past the original diagnosis,” Edwards said.

REACH OUT

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Staying strong and having a positive attitude doesn’t mean cancer survivors can’t lean on others, said cancer survivor Donna Kingsley, who also serves as the facilitator for the American Cancer Society-sponsored “I Can Cope” support group that meets monthly in Tupelo. “A network of close friends and family can help,” Kingsley said. “A lot of them find peace with Christ; they give their burden to God.” Often survivors find they need support groups more after their treatment ends. It can be disconcerting for survivors who have been cocooned in care to be without the constant reassurance that comes with active treatment. It can be a scary transition, Edwards said. Support groups offer another

18 | North Mississippi Health Journal

layer of support and understanding. Connecting with other cancer survivors – in person, by phone or online – opens up new networks. “It’s a pool of knowledge and experience,” Abraham said. “We’ve walked the walk.” Although there can be tears, most people say they are uplifted by their cancer support groups. “We believe in laughing,” Abraham said.

STAY VIGILANT

It’s vitally important that survivors remain vigilant about their annual follow-up appointments for the rest of their lives. In addition to the risk of cancer coming back, there are potential complications from treatment that have to be monitored for years. “Survivorship is the rest of your life,” Linton said. “When you leave active care, you’re not finished. You need a plan.” Keeping those follow-up appointments year after year can be difficult. “Diagnosis – that’s the easy part,” said Hester, who has 23 1/2 years as a survivor. “It’s the yearly checkups that are the hard part.” There’s no right way to handle the emotional toll. Support groups may be helpful for some; talking to a trusted friend one on one may be another. For most people, there’s a mixture of laughter and tears. “Everybody has to figure out their own path to put it in perspective,” Linton said. However, just like ignoring a lump doesn’t make a tumor go away, it can be equally destructive to ignore the emotional and spiritual turbulence. Cancer can take an emotional and spiritual toll. Any cancer diagnosis forces people to confront their own mortality in a very concrete way. “You don’t want to let it fester,” Edwards said. “You don’t want to be in denial.” Many survivors find a great sense of accomplishment in joining the fight against cancer through events like Relay for Life or Race for the Cure “It helps to know that besides fighting your own personal battle you can also help others in their fight against cancer,” Kingsley said. “There is strength in numbers and when the survivors meet together for a cause, it is joyful and a bond that we all share.”

Breaking through It’s tough work to kick the tobacco habit Tobacco addiction is one of the strongest addictions and one of the most difficult to break. Many folks try to quit several times before making the breakthrough. Here are some tips from Northeast Mississippi experts. • Plan for success. Before you quit, take time to think about why you smoke or dip, why you want to quit and how you are going to put desire into action. Quitters have to address the physical addiction to nicotine and the habit of tobacco use. • Connect with your health care provider. Prescription medications combined with nicotine replacement therapy can increase your odds of success. • Taper down to reduce nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Try dropping 20 percent a week for at least three weeks before

Nicotine replacement therapies, like gum, can help address the physical withdrawl symptoms for quitters. quitting. • Remind yourself everyday of why you want to quit smoking. • Be prepared for cravings. Have a set of coping skills and strategies that work. Toothpicks, straws and sugarfree gum and mints can be helpful. • Remove as much temptation as

possible. Get rid of the cigarettes, lighters and chew. • Limit alcohol and caffeine. Drink plenty of water. • Surround yourself with people who support your decision. • Anticipate high-risk situations. What are you going to do when you

revisit situations where you used to smoke? • Check out these free services: NMMC Tobacco Cessation program: (662) 377-5787 Mississippi Quitline (800) 7848669 www.quitlinems.com

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Resources |

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS AMERICAN RED CROSS offers CPR/AED/First Aid classes at its Westside Drive office in Tupelo. Call (662) 842-6101. ANGER MANAGEMENT CLASSES are offered 6 to 7 p.m. every Tuesday at Cedar Grove United Pentecostal Church on North Veterans Boulevard in Tupelo. Call (662) 844-9637. AUTISM CENTER OF NORTH MISSISSIPPI provides free assessments and early intervention for children with autism. Services offered on a sliding scale. Call (662) 840-0974 or visit www.autismcenternms.com. HEALTH HELP offers free assistance for parents with Medicaid and CHIPS. Trained counselors at Mississippi Health Advocacy Partnership offer help and guidance in determining eligibility and other issues. The program also offers assistance for adults who may qualify for federal programs or insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Call (877) 314-3843. NATIONAL COUNCIL ON ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG DEPENDENCY provides free confidential information, assessments and treatment referrals for people struggling with addiction. Maintains listings of area support group meetings. Call (662) 841-0403. NURSE LINK, a free health care information service provided by NMMC, connects callers with a registered nurse from 4 p.m. to midnight Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to midnight weekends and holidays. Call (800) 882-6274. |

FITNESS

ONGOING

BEGINNER YOGA is offered at 9:30 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. Tuesdays at the Yoga Center in Tupelo. All classes are based on donation. Pay what you can afford to pay. Call (662) 372-3233. JAZZERCISE is offered at 9 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, at the Tupelo Furniture Market Mississippi Building on Coley Road. Cost is $32 a month. Contact Sherry Reppert at (662) 205-4585, (662) 255-2696 or jazzreppert@yahoo.com. SWIMMING AND WATER ACTIVITIES are available at the Tupelo Aquatic Center at Veterans Park. Call (662) 840-3768. T’AI CHI CHIH is offered at 9 a.m. Saturdays at Lee Acres Park in Tupelo. Described as a moving meditation, the series of 19 movements improve balance, physical fitness, flexibility and stamina. Free. Call (662) 2315519.

20 | North Mississippi Health Journal

FREE CLINICS

ANTONE TANNEHILL GOOD SAMARITAN FREE CLINIC provides health care to working or temporarily unemployed Lee County residents who cannot afford insurance but are not eligible for government programs at its Magazine Street clinic. Medications are provided through the clinic pharmacy. Clinics are offered Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Wednesday morning and afternoon. Call (662) 844-3733. AGAPE HEALTH SERVICES provides health care to those without insurance. at its 505 North St., New Albany Clinic from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the second Saturday of the month. More information available at www.agapehs.org. CATCH KIDS offers school-based and community clinics where children 18 and under can be seen free of charge in Lee, Chickasaw and Pontotoc counties. Medications are provided without cost to patients through arrangements with local pharmacies. Call (662) 377-2194. Community clinics are: • 5 to 7 p.m. Mondays at 1616 N. Green St., Tupelo and Baptist Association Building in Pontotoc. • 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Morning Star Baptist Church in Tupelo. • 5 to 7 p.m. Thursdays at 1616 N. Green St., Tupelo and 203 Main St., Okolona. OXFORD MEDICAL MINISTRIES provides free health care to workers living in Lafayette and Yalobusha counties who can’t afford or don’t have access to health insurance, but make too much for public assistance. Call (662) 234-1374. REGIONAL REHABILITATION CENTER provides long-term outpatient, therapeutic rehabilitation services free of charge to individuals with disabilities in Tupelo. Call (662) 842-1891. TREE OF LIFE FREE CLINIC offers free medical services to anyone without Medicaid, Medicare or private health insurance at 4:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month and 9 a.m. the third Saturday of the month at its 541 W. Main St. building in Tupelo. Basic dental care – extractions only – identified through the regular medical clinic. Call (662) 841-8777. |

HEALTHY EDUCATION BARIATRIC EDUCATION SEMINARS are held each month at the NMMC Bariatric Clinic and the NMMC Wellness Center, both in Tupelo. Covers issues involved in morbid obesity and bariatric surgery. Speaker is surgeon

Dr. Terry Pinson. Call (662) 377-7546 or (866) 908-9465. DIABETES EDUCATION CLASSES are offered through area hospital to aid people with managing their blood sugar and reducing the risk for complications from diabetes. • Baptist Memorial-Union County in New Albany, (662) 538-2297 or (662) 538-2199. • NMMC Diabetes Treatment Center in Tupelo, (662) 377-2500. HEALTHWORKS! CHILDREN’S EDUCATION CENTER is open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Located at the corner of Robert E. Lee and Industrial drives in Tupelo. General admission is $5. Call (662) 377-5437 or www.healthworkskidsms.org TOBACCO CESSATION classes are available free through NMMC-Tupelo Community Health Department. Call (800) 843-3375. A WOMAN’S PLACE LUNCHTIME LEARNING SERIES is offered monthly through the NMMC Spirit of Women and Health Care Foundation of North Mississippi. The programs, which are usually held in the First Baptist Church fellowship hall in Tupelo, cover a variety of health topics. Lunch is provided for $5 for those who preregister. Call (800) 843-3375. |

PREGNANCY/ PARENTING

ONGOING

FREE CAR SEAT INSPECTIONS will be offered by certified safety specialists at Oktibbeha County Hospital in Starkville. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (662) 615-3364. INFANT CPR CLASSES are offered at 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at North Mississippi Medical Center Women’s Hospital in Tupelo. Call (662) 377-4934 or (800) 843-3375. HOSPITALS WITH MATERNITY SERVICES offer a number of classes on pregnancy, newborn care, breastfeeding and preparing siblings and grandparents for a new baby. • Baptist Memorial-North Mississippi, Oxford - (662) 513-1602 • Baptist Memorial-Union County, New Albany - (662) 538-2397 • Gilmore Memorial Hospital, Amory (662) 256-6204 • Magnolia Regional Health Center, Corinth - (662) 293-2265. • NMMC Women’s Hospital, Tupelo (662) 377-4956 • NMMC-West Point - (662) 4952292 • Oktibbeha County Hospital, Starkville - Call (662) 615-3364 NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI BIRTHING PROJECT offers support for pregnant

women by pairing them with volunteer mentors and offering pregnancy and life-management related classes. Call (662) 255-8283 or email tonihill@birthingprojectusa.org. PARENTING CLASSES will be offered weekly at the Family Resource Center of Northeast Mississippi on Magazine Street in Tupelo. Childcare provided. Marriage education, fathers-only parenting and parenting during divorce classes also available. Call (662) 8440013. PARENTING CLASSES are offered from 6 to 7 p.m. every Tuesday at Cedar Grove United Pentecostal Church on North Veterans Boulevard in Tupelo. Call (662) 844-9637. FREE WEEKLY PARENTING AND FATHERHOOD CLASSES for ages 16 to 21 at Families First Building behind the Mantachie Clinic. Call (662) 282-4661. |

EVENTS

ONGOING

HEALTHWORKS! KIDS NIGHT will be offered 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 16, Feb. 20, March 20, April 17, May 8 at the children’s health education center in Tupelo. Staff-supervised activities and dinner provided for kids ages 4-12. Before noon, registration is $15 a child; after noon registration is $22 a child. Discount for members. Call (662) 377-5437. HIP HOPPERS, a story and activity time for preschool children and their grownups, at HealthWorks! children’s health education in Tupelo. Upcoming dates include Jan. 12 and 26, Feb. 9 and 23, March 16 and 30, April 13 and 27, May 11, June 1 and 15; program begins at 10 a.m. General admission $5 for 2 and up. Free to members. Call (662) 377-5437. HEALTHWORKS! HOME SCHOOL PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND NUTRITION CLASSES will be offered twice a month during the spring semester for pre-K through 8th-grade students at the Tupelo center. Visit healthworkskidsms.org or call (662) 377-5437 for spring syllabus and pricing. PLAY TIME WITH TCT: 5:30 p.m.-20 minutes after TCT performance, Feb. 7, March 21 and May 2, HealthWorks!, Tupelo. Children ages 4-12 will play games and work on arts and crafts while parents go to TCT. Dinner and healthy snack provided. $30/child, $15/sibling. (662) 8441935.

JAN. 20

“PUNCTUATE YOUR HEALTH/ORTHOPEDICS” will be the topic for the Lunchtime Learning Series at noon Jan. 20 at the fellowship hall at First Baptist Church in Tupelo. Cost is $5 for lunch; pre-registration required by calling (800) 843-3375.

Resources JAN. 22

“TAKE A TIME OUT” AT SUMMIT CENTER featuring football official Sarah Thomas will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Summit Center in Tupelo. Cost is $25 and includes dinner. Tickets on sale through Jan. 16. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for shopping and exhibits.

JAN. 28

BOY SCOUT DAY will be Jan. 28 at HealthWorks! Children’s Health Education Center. Open to Cub Scouts and Webelos. Cost is $9 a scout; free to chaperones.

JAN. 31

HEALTHWORKS! 6TH BIRTHDAY PARTY from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 31 at the children’s health education center in Tupelo. Free admission. Call (662) 377-5437.

FEB. 12

BACK BOOT CAMP, a free educational class, will be held at noon Feb. 12 in the NMMC Wellness Center classroom in Tupelo. A representative from the NMMC Spine Center will discuss treatment options for back and neck pain, spine surgery options. Call (800) 843-3375. DESSERT WITH THE DOCS: “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus” with Drs. Jay Dey and Brandy Patterson will begin at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at the Gift of Life Conference Center at Midtown Pointe in Tupelo. Call (800) 843-3375.

STARTING MARCH 2

LIGHTEN UP-RUNNING IS FUN will offer a 10-week course for 8 to 13 year olds to train for the Tie Dye Invitational on May 16. The group will meet Mondays from 4 to 6 p.m. except for March 9. Cost is $85 a runner. Call (662) 377-5437.

MARCH 10

HEALTHWORKS! SPRING BREAK CAMP will be offered from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on March 10 for children 5 to 8. Cost will be $30 a child, discount to members. Stay and Play until 3:30 option available for additional $15. Call (662) 3775437.

MARCH 12

HEALTHWORKS! SPRING BREAK CAMP will be offered from 8:30 to 3:30 p.m. on March 12 for kids 8 to 12.

MARCH 17

“PUNCTUATE YOUR HEALTH/DIGESTIVE HEALTH” will be the topic for the Lunchtime Learning Series at noon March 17 at the fellowship hall at First Baptist Church in Tupelo. Cost is $5 for lunch; pre-registration required by calling (800) 843-3375.

MARCH 24

JOINT REPLACEMENT SEMINAR will be offered at 5 p.m. March 24, at the NMMC-Tupelo Wellness Center classroom in Tupelo. The seminar will cover common causes of chronic hip and knee pain, how to select an orthopedic surgeon, questions to ask, and what to expect before, during and after surgery. Call (800) 843 3375.

APRIL 16

BACK BOOT CAMP, a free educational class, will be held at noon April 16 in the NMMC Wellness Center classroom in Tupelo. A representative from the NMMC Spine Center will discuss options for back and neck pain, spine surgery options. Call (800) 843-3375.

APRIL 18

DAY OF DANCE, a free, family friendly event, will be held in Fairpark in downtown Tupelo from 4 to 6 p.m. April 18. Call (800) 843-3375.

APRIL 18

TUPELO SUPER SPRINT TRIATHLON will begin at 8 a.m. April 18 at the Tupelo Aquatic Center. Race includes 300 meter pool swim, 10 mile bike ride and 2 mile run around Veterans Park. Registration is at racesonline.com. Contact Aaron Ford at (662)416-3909.

APRIL 28

MAY 17 AND 18

TAKE A SWING AT CANCER BENEFIT GOLF TOURNAMENT organized by the Health Care Foundation to benefit the NMMC Cancer Patient Assistance Fund, will be May 17 and 18 at Old Waverly in West Point. For registration information, call (662) 377-3613.

MAY 19

LUNCHTIME LEARNING SERIES will focus on dementia at noon May 19 at the fellowship hall at First Baptist Church in Tupelo. Cost is $5 for lunch; pre-registration required by calling (800) 843-3375.

MAY 26

Treating Digestive Diseases for Patients in North Mississippi Don’t Ignore These Symptoms Heartburn | Acid Reflux | Diarrhea Constipation | Loss of Appetite Weight Loss | Nausea Stomach Pain | Difficulty Swallowing Stephen T. Amann, M.D. John B. Averette, M.D. Christopher H. Decker, M.D. Barney J. Guyton, M.D. Roger L. Huey, M.D. Noel K. Hunt, M.D. C. Allen Justice, M.D. W. Garrett Ogg, M.D. Samuel C. Pace, M.D. John O. Phillips, M.D. Ashley L. Vaughn, CFNP Cara L. Harris, FNP-C W. Carl Kellum, Jr., M.D., 1952-2006

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Support Groups ACTS – ALCOHOL CHEMICAL TREATMENT SERIES – is a curriculumbased self-help, recovery and educational program for anyone wanting to recover from alcohol or drugs, and their families. ACTS meets from 6 to 7 p.m. every Tuesday at Cedar Grove United Pentecostal Church on North Veterans Boulevard, Tupelo. ACTS is free. Call 844-9637. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS is a fellowship of men and women working to solve their common problem of alcoholism. There are no dues or fees. • Tupelo: 38 meetings are offered. Call (662) 844-0374 or visit www.aamississippi.org for listings. • There are also meetings in Aberdeen, Ackerman, Amory, Ashland, Belmont, Booneville, Bruce, Calhoun City, Corinth, Fulton, Holly Springs, Houlka, Houston, Iuka, Mooreville, New Albany, Oxford, Pontotoc, Starkville, Ripley, Saltillo and West Point. Call (800) 344-2666. FOR A LISTING OF ADDICTION SUPPORT GROUPS around Northeast Mississippi, call the National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependency at 841-0403 or check www.msncadd.net. ADDICTION HELP – Narconon, an international organization of treatment centers, drug education and prevention services, provides free consultations from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week for those with drug addictions. Call (800) 556-8885. AL-ANON is a fellowship of friends and relatives of alcoholics. The group has meetings at several locations: • American Legion Building, Fairground Circle, New Albany, 8 p.m. Mondays. • Cornerstone Methodist Church, Tupelo, 5:30 p.m. Mondays. Call (662) 871-687-1811 or (662) 871-8068. • Calvary Baptist Church, Tupelo, noon Wednesday and Friday. • First Presbyterian Church, Tupelo 8 p.m. Tuesdays. • Easy Does It Group, noon Thursdays at Brooks Center at Fulton Methodist Church. Call Bob W. (662) 401-8094. • Peace Seekers Family Group, noon Wednesday and Friday at Calvary Baptist Church, Tupelo. Call (662) 401-8094 or (847) 902-6267. • How It Works group, St. James Catholic Church, Tupelo, 8 p.m. Wednesdays. • Solution Seekers – Adult Children of Alcoholics meets at noon Mondays at Calvary Baptist Church fellowship hall, Tupelo. Call Nancy P. at (847) 902-6267. Groups also meet in Belmont, Corinth and Oxford. ALS CONNECTIONS SUPPORT GROUP meets at noon the second Tuesday of the month in the conference room at Longtown Medical Park in Tupelo. Sponsored by the ALS Association

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Louisiana-Mississippi Chapter. Open to patients, family members, caregivers. Call Brandi Nickles at (601) 364-3326 or Jasmyne Searcy at (662) 377-7215. ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUPS for family members and friends of those with the disease meet in: • West Point: Quarterly at NMMCWest Point. Call Brenda Johnson at (662) 495-2339 or (800) 843-3375. • Tupelo: 6 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at the Cedars Health Center Activity Room. Call Terri at (662) 844-1441. AUTISM AND OTHERS DISABILITIES FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP meets 2 to 4 p.m. the last Saturday of the month in Northeast Mississippi. Call Pam Coleman at (662) 401-0178 for location. BARIATRIC SUPPORT GROUP will meet at 6 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month in the cafeteria conference room at Baptist Memorial HospitalNorth Mississippi, Oxford. Call Becky Wilson at (662) 513-9671. BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP meets 10 a.m. the fourth Wednesday of the month at Darlington Oaks on Skeet Drive in Verona. Call Community Hospice at (662) 566-4011. CELEBRATE RECOVERY is a Biblebased group open to those struggling with addiction, anger issues, grief, guilt, shame, financial loss, abuse, eating disorders or compulsive behaviors. Groups meet at: • 7 p.m. Fridays in the youth building at West Jackson Street Baptist Church, Tupelo. Contact Neil Naron at (662) 891-1773 or Susan Naron at 871-3872. • 6 p.m. Saturdays at NorthStar Church, 112 Bauhaus, Saltillo. Call (662) 869-7778 or email cr@thenorthstarchurch .com. THE COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS a support group for families who have suffered the death of a child of any age, is open to parents, step-parents, grandparents and siblings. Information is at www.compassionatefriends.org. • Tupelo group meets at 6 p.m. the fourth Thursday of the month at NMMC Wellness Center. Call Dave Jensen at (662) 842-1327 or (662) 231-1305 or Jamie Harris at (662) 213-2776 or (662) 842-3174. • West Point group meets at 6 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at NMMC-West Point. Call Michele Rowe at (662) 495-2337. Parents, step-parents, grandparents and siblings are invited to attend. Information is at www.compassionatefriends.org. CPAP SUPPORT GROUP will meet every other month at the Reggie White Sleep Disorder Center in Tupelo. The next meeting will be Open to anyone who uses a CPAP machine for sleep apnea or other disorders. Group meets every other month. Call (662) 407-0864.

CROSSROADS MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SUPPORT GROUP meets at 11:30 a.m. the third Wednesday of the month at the MSU Extension Office behind Crossroads Arena in Corinth. Sponsored by the MS Foundation. Contact Joy Forsyth 462-7325 or joycforsyth@ frontiernet.net. DIABETES SUPPORT GROUPS meet in: • Booneville: 6 p.m. the third Thursday of the month at the George E. Allen Library. Call Kitti Parman at (662) 377-2500 or (800) 843-3375. • Iuka: 6 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month except June, July and August, at NMMC-Iuka. • Oxford: Noon the second Thursday of the month in the Magnolia Auditorium at Baptist Memorial HospitalNorth Mississippi. Lunch available for $3. Call (662) 513-1506. • Starkville: 5:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at Oktibbeha County Hospital educational facility. Call Nicky Yeatman at (662) 615-2668. • Tupelo: 11 a.m. the second Thursday of the month at the NMMC Wellness Center in Tupelo. Sponsored by the NMMC Diabetes Treatment Center. Call (662) 377-2500 or (800) 843-3375. • West Point: meets quarterly at NMMC-West Point. Remaining 2012 meetings: 6 p.m. . Contact Ginger Carver at (662) 495-2213. THE DISABILITY SUPPORT GROUP meets at 2 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at LIFE office, Cliff Gookin Boulevard, Tupelo. People with all types of physical and mental disabilities are welcome. Call Wayne Lauderdale or Emily Word at (662) 844-6633. A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUPPORT GROUP meets at 3:30 p.m. the first Thursday of the month at the Lee County Family Resource Center in Tupelo. Child care available. Call (662) 844-0013. A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUPPORT GROUP meets at 6 p.m. every Thursday. Call (800) 527-7233 for location. Child care is provided. FACE IT FOOD ALLERGY SUPPORT GROUP meets the first Friday and third Monday of the month. Focused on parents of children with food allergies, but open to others with medical conditions that require food avoidance. Contact Amelia at (662) 3227434 or faceittupelo@live.com for locations and times. FIBROMYALGIA SUPPORT GROUP-TUPELO meets at 6 p.m. on the fourth Monday of the month at the Women First Resource Center 215 N. Gloster, Suite D, in Tupelo. Call 842-5725. GRAY MATTERS SUPPORT GROUP for anyone diagnosed with a brain tumor and their caregivers meets the last Tuesday of the month at the NMMC Cancer Center in Tupelo. Call Cindy Edwards at (662) 377-4049 or (800) 843-3375. GRIEF SUPPORT GROUPS meet in:

• Fulton: 1 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of the month at MSU Extension Office in Fulton. Free and open to anyone in need. Call the Rev. Danny Rushing of Gentiva Hospice at (662) 844-2417. • New Albany: 1 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the First United Methodist Church. Call the Rev. Danny Rushing of Gentiva Hospice at (662) 844-2417. • Oxford: 6 p.m. the second Tuesday and at noon the fourth Wednesday of the month at Azalea Gardens in Oxford. Sponsored by North Mississippi Hospice of Oxford. Call Olevia Partlow at (662) 234-0140. • Tupelo: 7 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of the month at Gentiva Hospice in Spanish Village, Suite 105, Thomas Street. Free and open to anyone in need. Call the Rev. Danny Rushing at (662) 844-2417. • Tupelo: 6 p.m. the first Thursday of the month in the NMMC North Education Center Room 2. Call Jamie Grissom, NMMC Hospice bereavement coordinator, at (662) 377-3612 or (800) 843-3375. LA LECHE LEAGUE OF LEE COUNTY offers mother-to-mother support for breastfeeding. The group meets at 11 a.m. the first Thursday of the month. All pregnant and breastfeeding mothers are invited to attend. Other LLL services include a lending library and 24-hour telephone help. For information about meeting location or help with a breastfeeding concern please call Toni at (662) 255-8283. LUPUS SUPPORT is available in Northeast Mississippi. Sponsored by the Lupus Foundation of America. Open to anyone interested in lupus. Contact Michelle Harris at (662) 825-0224 or (662) 256-2604. MAN-TO-MAN SUPPORT GROUP for prostate cancer meets at 6 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month in at NMMC East Tower first floor Diabetes Treatment Center classroom. Contact Gail Denton at (662) 377-3522 or (800) 843-3375. MENDED HEARTS, a support group for people who have had heart-bypass surgery, heart disease or other physical ailments of the heart, meet in: • Corinth: 6 p.m. the second Monday of the month in the basement conference center at Magnolia Regional Health Center in Corinth. Next meetings in September. Contact Barbara Williams at (662) 293-1086. • Oxford: Noon the second Wednesday of the month at in the Magnolia room at Baptist Memorial HospitalNorth Mississippi in Oxford. Call Marian Leggett at (662) 259-2856 • Tupelo: 5:45 p.m. the last Thursday of each month at Room 21 of the NMMC East Tower Education Center. Dinner available for $11; RSVP required for dinner. Call Frances Cobb at (662) 840-4335 to register.

Support Groups MENTAL HEALTH FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP meets at 10 a.m. the second and fourth Saturday of the month at North Mississippi RC on Highway 7 in Oxford. The group is designed for family members of people with serious mental illness. Call (800) 3570388 or visit www.nami.org. MISSISSIPPI CHAPTER OF PARENTS OF BLIND CHILDREN will meet at 9 a.m. the last Saturday of the month at the Harden House office on North Gloster Street in Tupelo. Contact Pat Sartain at (662) 871-8262. MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SUPPORT GROUP-TUPELO meets at 6:30 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at the NMMC Wellness Center in Tupelo. Contact Allison Holloway at (662) 231-5829, Karan Woods at (662) 231-9160 or (800) 843-3375. NAMI CONNECTION, a weekly recovery group for people living with mental illness, meets Sundays at 3:30 p.m. at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi in Oxford. Call (800) 3570388 or visit www.nami.org. NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS, a community-based association of recovering drug addicts, meets in Lee County. • Tupelo group meets at the Salvation Army on Carnation Street at 6 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sundays. • Mooreville group meets at 4:30 p.m. Sunday and 6 p.m. Wednesday at Living Waters Community Church on County Road 1554. • Groups also meet in Ackerman, Amory, Booneville, Bruce, Corinth, Mooreville, New Albany, Oxford, Pontotoc, Ripley and Starkville. Call (662) 841-9998 or toll-free (866) 841-9998 for more information. NEW MOMS SUPPORT GROUP meets at 10:30 a.m. Fridays at the Breast Feeding Resource Center at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi. Open to all new moms. Call (662) 513-1602. THE NORTH MS PEDIATRIC CANCER SUPPORT GROUP (PECANS) meets at 6 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month at the food court of the Mall of

Barnes Crossing in Tupelo. Call Teresa Farris at (662) 791-1228. NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI DOWN SYNDROME SOCIETY offers support and information resources for families of children with Down Syndrome. The group hosts the Buddy Walk in October. Call (662) 871-2387 or (662) 869-3211, e-mail nemdss@bellsouth.net or visit www.nemdss.org. OXFORD REACH TO RECOVERY BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP meets at 6 p.m. the first Monday of February, April, June, August, November and December at Azalea Gardens in Oxford. In October, they participate in a reception for breast cancer survivors hosted by Baptist Memorial at the Cancer and Diagnostic Center. Sponsored by the American Cancer Society. Call Mary Chrestman at (662) 234-7507. PARKINSON’S DISEASE SUPPORT GROUP-TUPELO meets at 3 p.m. the first Sunday of the month at NMMC Wellness Center in Tupelo. Contact Ginger Gore or Amanda Allen at (662) 377-3729.MichaelaSecond Chance Transplant Awareness Group meets at 6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month, except for June, at McAlister’s Deli, Tupelo. Call Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency, Tupelo office (662) 841-1960. A SEXUAL ADDICTION SUPPORT GROUP meets in Tupelo. Call (662) 841-0403. A SEXUAL ASSAULT SUPPORT GROUP meets at 1 p.m. every Wednesday. Call (800) 527-7233 for location. SISTERS NETWORK, Tupelo chapter of the African-American breast cancer survivor’s support group, meets at 5:30 p.m. the first Monday of the month at the Link Centre in Tupelo. Call Norma Derring at (662) 842-3440. STEPPING STONES CANCER SUPPORT GROUP meets at 4 p.m. the last Monday of the month at NMMC Cancer Center. Open to cancer survivors and their caregivers. Call social worker Cindy Edwards at (662)377-4049 or (800) 843-3375. STROKE SUPPORT GROUPS meet in: • Tupelo at 5 p.m. the third Tuesday

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of the month in NMMC East Tower Room 21. Call Stacy Scruggs at (662) 377-4058. • Starkville at regularly at the OCH Regional education room. For more info, call the speech language pathology department at (662) 615-3020. SURVIVORS OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE SUPPORT GROUP meets at 1 p.m. Wednesdays. Call (800) 527-7233 for location. T.A.A.P. (TEEN ADDICTION AWARENESS PROGRAM) is a free 10-week program offered by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence building, 200 N. Spring St., Tupelo. The program, which meets for 90 minutes once a week, is open to teens age 13-18. There will be educational sessions on every aspect of drug and alcohol use and abuse. Call NCADD at (662) 841-0403 or www.ncadd.net. TOPS, A WEIGHT LOSS SUPPORT GROUP, has four chapters meeting in Northeast Mississippi. Fees are $28 for annual membership; $14 for spouses and teens. Call area captain Tina Evans at (662) 369-7151, state coordinator Pat Harris at (662) 3860249 or (800) 932-8677 or visit www.tops.org. • Tupelo: 4:30 p.m. Thursdays at Salvation Army Building at 527 Carnation St. Call Ann Ivy at (662) 566-2816 or (662) 397-4998. • Aberdeen: 5 p.m. Tuesdays at

Southside Baptist Church on Meridian Street. Call Grace Guin at (662) 3694431. • Corinth: 4:45 p.m. Tuesdays at Church of the Crossroads on U.S. Highway 72 East Annex. Call Betty Jones at (662) 286-3020. • Corinth: 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Waldron Street Christian Church on East Waldron Street. Call Heather Johnson at (662) 415-2517. TUPELO LOST CHORDS CLUB meets at noon the fourth Thursday of the month at the Longtown Medical Park conference room in Tupelo. The club is open to all laryngectomees, spouses of laryngectomees and interested professionals. Call Lisa Renfroe at (662) 377-3248. WEIGHT LOSS SUPPORT GROUP will meet at 6 p.m. the first Thursday of the month at NMMC Wellness Center in Tupelo. The group provides education and emotional support for those considering or have gone through bariatric surgery. Contact registered nurse Cherri Cox at (662) 377-7546 or (866) 908-9465. WOMEN WITH CANCER SUPPORT GROUP, sponsored by the Women First Resource Center, is available in Amory. Call (662) 325-0721. WOMEN WITH CANCER SUPPORT GROUP meets at 6 p.m. the third Monday of each month at the Women First Resource Center, 215 N. Gloster, Suite D, in Tupelo. Call (662) 842-5725.

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Call Anytime: (662) 841-8477 | Toll Free: 877-841-8477 W W W. C O M F O RT K E E P E R S . C O M North Mississippi Health Journal | 23