Lexington Woman Magazine

Volume V

CELEBRATING, MOTIVATING, AND EDUCATING

Real WOMEN

Hima Dalal

From Bombay, India to Lexington, SC

Nikki Haley

In Step with Nikki

Julie McDowell Working Mother of Multiples

Cayce, Chapin, Columbia, Irmo, Lexington, West Columbia, and White Knoll

In this Issue

Volume V

CELEBRATING, MOTIVATING, AND EDUCATING

6

Real WOMEN

22

26

50

From the Editor 3 Hima Dalal

From Bombay, India to Lexington, SC

Things we love about

Nikki Haley

In Step with Nikki

Julie McDowell Working Mother of Multiples

4 Summer recipes I love!

Lexington

Cayce, Chapin, Columbia, Irmo, Lexington, West Columbia, and White Knoll

Volume V

Editor-In-Chief:

Lori Samples Duncan (ld@woman2woman.sc)

Project Coordinator: Lauri Truesdale

Let’s Talk

6 8 9 10 12 14 16

Cruisin’ for Success 2009 Future Lexington women to look for!

Let freedom reign Proverbs 31 woman – Jean Jones Lexington Woman loves Lexington sports!

The female brain Those Dam Lexington Walkers

Contributing Writers: Mark Crumpton Dr. Brianna Davis Lori Samples Duncan Dr. Carol French Robert D. Phillips, PhD Janice Walker Pinnington Gale Porterfield Gayle Rozantine, PhD Lilliana Rustici Elaine Samples Alexander R. Smythe, M.D. Jody Truesdale

Cover Photo:

Clark Berry Photography

Health & Wellness

17 Gretchan Reynolds, Envision Family Eyecare 18 Lexington Women’s Care 20 Creativity as therapy 22 Brittani Bunce, Healthsource 24 Who do you trust to take care of the senior in your family?

26 From Bombay, India to Lexington, SC 28 Introducing Sneh Patel of Vital Energy 29 Keeping healthy skin 30 Hospice Care Charity Thrift Store 32 Do you want your life back?

34 Edna Cox, Carolina Nutrition Consultants, Inc. 36 Rules to follow to raise a cavity free child

Publication Layout and Ad Design: Melissa Wates

Photography:

Pets

37 Cats and heartworm disease: a story you may not have heard!

Clark Berry Photography (Clark pictured left)

Chris Varnadoe

Woman 2 Woman Enterprises

PO Box 85282 | Lexington, SC 29073 (803) 808.0866 | www.woman2woman.sc Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication. However, the publisher cannot assume responsibility for errors or omissions. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. © 2009

Services

38 Delores Wingard Steinhauser on what’s blooming at Wingard’s

Spotlight on Chapin

40 Styling in Chapin 41 Nutritional cleansing for health, healing, and weight loss

Kid’s Stuff

44 Working mother of multiples 47 The Studio 48 Sunburst Gymnastics www.lexingtonwoman.sc

In this Issue Professional

50 In step with Nikki 51 Designing women 53 Pro Corps, Inc

Celebrating the Survivor in You

54 About our Survivor section 56 Amanda Bowden 58 Melissa Kyzer 60 What does it mean to be a thriving cancer survivor?

Web & Business Directory 86 A Personal Note 88

Look for the silhouette throughout the magazine for articles on women who were a part of Cruisin’ for Success 2009! photo by Clark Berry Photography

Lexington Men

love Lexington Woman!

Call To Advertise With Us

(803) 808-0866

www.woman2woman.sc

woman2woman@woman2woman.sc P.O. Box 85282 | Lexington, SC 29073 A special thanks to the Brookland-Cayce coaching staff and Coach Jody Truesdale (not pictured)

“We know what an exceptional business you are, let us get help you get that message to Lexington women” Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women

From the Editor

W

elcome to Lexington Woman!

This publication is truly meant to simplify your life! It is our desire to bring to Lexington a “Best of the Best” right from the mouths of real women. Each of the businesses within these pages have made a personal commitment to you “The Lexington Woman,” to conduct themselves in a way that would make you want to personally refer them, their products, services, or talents to your mother, sister, grandmother, best friend, or any other person in need of their expertise.

This edition is all about local women who are successful in their individual fields, and we wanted to celebrate this Independence Day by highlighting several of them for you. These articles are meant to real women. Take a closer look at some of the women who are providing you with quality services and products.

Celebrate, Motivate, Inspire, and Educate

We will continue to bring to you services, products, and professionals who are dependable, customer service oriented businesses, making Lexington Woman your premiere resource guide to help assist you with the demands of everyday life.

We appreciate the support of our readers as well as our clients, and we would ask that you let our advertisers know you are simplifying your life with Lexington Woman! These businesses are committed to you the Lexington Woman. Don’t forget to show them your support.

We always want to hear your feedback. Please email us or write to us about your own personal experience with our advertisers.

In this Survivor section, you will read the stories of survival of two local women that will inspire you and show you the courage and resilience of the human spirit. You will also see pictures of some of our previous events with local survivors where we truly enjoyed ourselves and simply celebrated these women for being so generous and sharing their courage and strength with us. If you or someone you know is a survivor, contact us about sharing your story with others.

We are planning several exciting events in the near future, and you can find out more information about those on our website and within these pages.

We look forward to finding new ways to make Lexington Woman more and more comprehensive for you. If you would like to nominate a local business person for a featured article please email me at ld@woman2woman.sc.

Sit back and enjoy Volume 5 of Lexington Woman.

Your friend,

Lori Samples Duncan

ld@woman2woman.sc (Look us up on Facebook!) photo by Clark Berry Photography

www.lexingtonwoman.sc

Things We Love about

Lexington

Summer recipes I love!

by Lori Samples Duncan

I

chose two recipes to share with you from the SCBH Nurses Alumnae Cookbook that I personally have made for my family this summer. These reminded me of summers past at family reunions where inevitably my older sister Peggy would make her famous macaroni salad, and one of my aunts would make a Million Dollar Pie. I was so excited when I made these recipes, I called my sister and reminisced for hours about picnics past. I hope you enjoy them with your family.

The SCBH Alumnae is made up of graduates from the School of Nursing. The three year diploma program was in operation from 1914-1966. The practical nursing program opened in 1966 and closed in 1983.

The recipes in their cookbook were contributed by a large number of these nurses, most of whom are now retired. The book is $20.00 and all proceeds will be used to provide scholarship awards to senior nursing students who qualify. Email us if you would like one for yourself, and we will be happy to put you in touch with one of these fine women.

Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women

Classic Macaroni Salad (Mary G. Gardner ‘51)

Million Dollar Pie (Clara Long Thomas ‘57)

1 cup Hellmann’s Real Mayonaise 2 T vinegar 1 T prepared mustard 1 tsp sugar 1 tsp salt ½ tsp pepper 1 cup elbow macaroni ‘cooked’ 1 cup celery sliced 1 cup green and red pepper ½ cup onions chopped

1-9 oz container of cool whip ¼ c lemon juice 1 can of condensed milk 1 can crushed pineapple drained 1 pkg fresh frozen coconut 1 cup chopped nuts 1 cup cracker crumb crusts 1 small bottle maraschino cherries, finely chopped

In large bowl, combine mayo, vinegar, prepared mustard, sugar, salt and pepper together. Mix well add cooked macaroni celery, green and red peppers and onions. Toss ingredients to coat well. Cover and chill.

Beat milk and lemon juice until thickened. Fold in cool whip, drain crushed pineapple and mix with pecans and coconut. Mix it all together and pour into two pie shells. Sprinkle chopped cherries over the top Refrigerate 3-4 hours.

RADISSON HOTEL COLUMBIA AND CONFERENCE CENTER

www.lexingtonwoman.sc

Let’s Talk

Cruisin’ for Success 2009

by Lori Samples Duncan

photo by Clark Berry Photography

O

Celebrating our third year in Lexington, we wanted to host an event that would be a night of fun and great company. It was a “ladies only” event, and we had a blast. We have chosen several women who were a part of the cruise to feature in this edition. I hope you enjoy reading about the great ladies who showed up as much as we enjoyed spending a few hours with them. I want to thank each of those ladies for hopping on board, leaving the world behind for a couple of hours and making the cruise such a special night.

Let’s do it again next year! So many talented and unique women showed up that I want to share a few more of them in the October edition of Lexington Woman. Pick up your copy to read about Debbie Summers, Lori Moraz, and Ashley McGuinn.

photos by Clark Berry Photography

n May 28th over 50 local ladies joined me for one of the best events Lexington Woman has ever hosted, our “Cruisin’ for Success Boat Tour.” We spent two hours cruising around Lake Murray on the Southern Patriot. Clark Berry was on site to photograph the evening and a host of fabulous Lexington women showed up to support Lexington Woman. Chemo with Style provided refreshments, and Dupre Catering put together a delicious menu that was complimented by Bliss Gourmet Cupcakery cupcakes…mmmm delicious.

Heidi Black of Bringing You Baskets also provided wonderful fudge, and the weather was beautiful.

** Look for the silhouette throughout the magazine for articles on women who were a part of the cruise!

Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women

The Southern Patriot is a splendid all wooden boat that was perfect for our evening. Joy Downs, the owner of The Southern Patriot, and her crew were first class and extremely helpful. Please check out their ad on page 7, or visit their website at www.LakeMurrayTours.com. They truly will make your special event unique and memorable.

The name Southern Patriot, along with the red, white and blue themed colors just seemed to fit the moment and the mood. Of course, Independence Day is a reminder of all we have to be thankful for, and all the freedoms that we as Americans cherish. It is also a reminder of how far we as women have come and how lucky we are to live in this day and age, where what you can accomplish isn’t dictated by the color of your skin or an X or Y chromosome. If you only believe it, you can achieve it.

I want to take a moment to say a special thanks to all of our service men and women who make the Fourth of July such an important part of who we are, past and present.

Local law enforcement and firefighters also play a major roll in our every day freedoms.

We appreciate you all. As we pulled back into the dock at Lake Murray Marina, I felt compelled to belt out an a cappella version of “The Star Spangled Banner.” As I looked around at all the lovely faces and the beauty of Lake Murray, my heart filled with gratitude for all those who have given their lives for those freedoms, and those who are still fighting to keep us free. Let us never take for granted the sacrifice freedom requires.

Let’s Talk

You are incredible!! I didn’t know you had that lovely voice along with all your other attributes. Thank you again for a wonderful evening with a bevy of beautiful women.

- Shirley Keels

photo by Clark Berry Photography

I wanted to thank you for a great evening! The food was wonderful and so was the company...it was fun getting to know the other women and making great contacts.... hope we get to do this again! Also your singing was phenomenal! I got goose gumps! I think you should sing several songs at all the events!

photo by Clark Berry Photography

- Shelley Nutt

I really enjoyed meeting so many fascinating women.

I also enjoyed seeing so many women I hadn’t seen in awhile, it was just a wonderful night out with Ladies of Lexington. Great food and great company, I truly enjoyed myself.

- Jean Jones

Lake Murray Tours

photo by Clark Berry Photography

(803) 749-8594 1600 • Marina Road, Irmo, SC • www.lakemurraytours.com

Welcome Aboard!

The Southern Patriot is a 65 foot double deck cruise boat located on beautiful Lake Murray, South Carolina just a few miles north west of Columbia. The Southern Patriot can carry up to 100 passengers and is suitable for any type of event.

Southern Patriot

Available for: Anniversaries • Business Events • Family Reunions • Neighborhood Groups • Senior Citizen Groups • Birthday Parties • Wedding Events • School Groups • Luncheons • Meetings • Fundraisers www.lexingtonwoman.sc

Let’s Talk

Future Lexington women to look for!

Mary Katherine Grubbs

M

ary Katherine Grubbs “Kaytie” is a well-rounded young lady who possesses many talents. Kaytie is a sixth grade honors student at Fulmer Middle School in West Columbia, SC. She was awarded the President’s achievement award for academic excellence in 2008. Kaytie has written well over 70 poems since she began artistic writing in the second grade. Most recently, a selection of Kaytie’s poems was printed by the State Newspaper’s poetry contest from hundreds of other middle school contestants in the April and May Neighbor’s editions. Kaytie also has a love for singing, drawing, reading, and sports. Kaytie plays third base on a 12U travel softball team, plays volleyball at Fulmer Middle School, and is an art student of Michele McNinch. Kaytie would like to pursue a career in writing and sports journalism in the future. She dreams of sharing her talent and love of songs, art, and poetry with the world one day.

In the meantime, Kaytie would like to share with the readers one of her most recently recognized awarded poems.

Take Me To… Hills rolling up and down Up and down Leaves dancing upon the breeze I’m going to a place A place far, far away Where nobody knows my name Or what I have to say Somewhere

Where I can be different Never to be the same To see the beautiful mountains The alone and the lost planes Take me to that place So very far away Where I can Just sit and glance Into this bright and sunny day

Amy Darlene Rankin

A

my Darlene Rankin is a bright, fun-loving, mature 13-year-old young lady. She is a rising 8th grader at Carolina Springs Middle School, who throughout her education, has been a straight A student. She participated in the Duke TIP Scholar program.

She has a great love of music. She is 1st chair flute student in the Carolina Springs Middle School Band

Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women

and was awarded the high honor of 6th Grade Band Student of the Year by the band director. Last summer, she auditioned for, and was accepted into the TriDAC summer music program to play the flute. She has taken piano lessons for 5 years, and just truly enjoys music. As a 7th grader, Amy was a member of the Carolina Springs Middle School volleyball team, and the volleyball club team, the Jets. Amy is considered a leader among her peers as well as her teachers.

Amy has set goals of attending college and hopes to become either a teacher or a lawyer one day to help people in her community.

Amy, her sister, Elizabeth, and parents are members at Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church, and the Country Club of Lexington.

Jordan Ashley Truesdale

C

ongratulations to Jordan Ashley Truesdale for graduating cum laude from the University of South Carolina on May 8, 2009. Jordan received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism, Public Relations and a minor in Sports and Entertainment Management.

She was selected as a Who’s Who in College and Universities. Jordan was also nominated for USC Woman of the Year and received the prestigious Caroliniana award, for a senior who gives back greatly to their university and community. Jordan attended USC on an academic scholarship and made Dean’s list every semester. She was a member of the Kappa Delta sorority, Sorority Council, worked for the Carolina Alumni Association and interned for Gamecock Sports Properties.

Jordan has accepted a full time position with ISP Sports/Gamecock Sports Properties. ISP Sports is America’s home for college sports and is the country’s largest and fastest growing multimedia rightsholder company. With an office in Williams Brice Stadium, Jordan is ready for a successful journey representing her beloved university and all gamecock sports. Way to go Jordan!

Know a young lady who should be featured here?

If you know any local young ladies who are working hard toward their future goals, please email your submissions to ld@woman2woman.sc for consideration in our next issue.

Let’s Talk

Let freedom reign

by Pastor Mark Crumpton, Lexington Church of God

I

ndependence Day celebrates the birthday of the United States of America, founded July 4th 1776, with the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As we celebrate Independence Day I can’t help but also remember Memorial Day as I think about the price that freedom cost, all of the bloodshed that has allowed us today this freedom. As a prior service man myself, I am proud of our men and women of the armed forces, those who bravely accepted the call to serve and defend the freedom that blood has bought. Freedom has always come at the price of blood. Without someone who loves his fellow man enough to sacrifice himself in a time of need there would be no freedom.

finished,” and breathed his last to allow us freedom today, freedom from sin and death.

Below is an example of the True Freedom we have in Christ. Paul and Silas were beaten down, thrown into a helpless situation, and imprisoned; yet their Freedom couldn’t be taken away. They “Let Freedom Reign.”

Jesus said this in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” Then he went on to say in John 15:14, “You are My friends.”

Acts 16:23-26: “And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.”

Independence Day began over 2000 years ago on a hill called Golgotha, where a man named Jesus displayed this great love for his friends as He willingly carried His own cross to the top of that hill. It was there that freedom was bought, again with blood, and it was there that the declaration of independence was made by Christ himself as he said, “It is

For all those who may be reading this today, I want you to know that there is a real freedom in Christ, a freedom that can’t be taken away, a freedom that can’t be silenced or chained up. There is a real freedom in Christ that allows us to sing even in the midnight hour; in our darkest hours of life when we feel like our backs are against the wall and

we are chained down. But when we are in Christ we have a freedom that will force even the strongest of our prison bars to be shaken loose and the doors that have kept us back to be opened again.

John 8:36: “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”

Rejoice, today and celebrate the freedom that Christ died to give you. Don’t give up where you are today but rejoice in the Lord and watch as the doors of doom and prison are turned into doors of opportunity and life.

We sing a song in our church that says, “This Joy that I have, the world didn’t give it to me, and the world can’t take it away.” What a powerful truth. Don’t let your current situation have your freedom; remember it doesn’t have the power to take it from you. Praise God!!! “Let Freedom Reign” John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (KJV) Pastor Mark Crumpton, Lexington Church of God 1228 S. Lake Drive, Lexington, www.LexCOG.org

photos by Clark Berry Photography

www.lexingtonwoman.sc

Let’s Talk

Proverbs 31 woman – Jean Jones

by Lori Samples Duncan

S

ometimes in life, you meet people who change who you are. Jean Jones is such a woman − a mother, a wife, a grandmother, a professional woman. She works at the Town of Springdale. Jean is always willing to go out of her way to help someone.

She has a knack for decorating and baking.

She can make a run down room look like a fairy tale, and she can make a mean lemon pound cake.

At Christmas, it isn’t uncommon to get a goody bag of fresh baked treats, or gifts that are suited perfectly to your individual personality. She is always willing to organize a menu or a reception for someone who has won her affection for no apparent reason at all, other than she just felt the desire to help them.

Jean is such a giving and loving person.When needed, she shows up.

photo by Clark Berry Photography

Jean Jones

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She is the mother of two sons who reside with their families in Lexington County, Richard Wright of Richard Wright Jr.’s Paint and Body Shop and David Jones who is a state trooper. Jean is proud of her family, and I believe she and her husband Bimbo are perfectly suited for one another. Bimbo ‘Gene’ Jones works at Discount Tires in

West Columbia. I believe between the two of them, they know everyone in Lexington!

Jean is such a giving and loving person.

When needed, she shows up. She oversees the nursery at her church, and all the children love her. Many times, she can be found with a little one in her arms sleeping peacefully at the close of service and a jealous one close by waiting their turn. I asked her granddaughter Kimberly Wright to share something with us about her grandmother.

This is what she had to say: “My Nana is very giving. She is always there for me when I need her and for anyone else who does, as well.”

Last year, I hired her to make a special cake for our annual Survivor photo shoot. When I tried to pay her for the cake, she would not take my money. Now anyone who bakes knows what a time consuming process it is. Especially, when that cake is made from scratch. It is almost as if her hands are touched by a healthy dose of God’s love, and each cake she bakes has a little extra something in it. I have seen her pull off elaborate mouth watering wedding cakes or lovely first year birthday celebration cakes. At an

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803-996-5530 903 North Lake Drive, Lexington (look for the black awning) 10 Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women

Let’s Talk

It is almost as if her hands are touched by a healthy dose of God’s love, and each cake she bakes has a little extra something in it.

October fest cake bid, she is sure to bring in a high bounty for one of her creations, and at any local event there is almost always someone who has tasted a Jean Jones cake.

Jean is an incredible friend and so much more. I remember when we first met her − sitting by my bed and praying for my unborn child and me, when complications forced an early delivery. I admit to being prejudiced as the beneficiary of so many of her prayers.

She is so special to my family that I wanted to share her with yours.

There is a scripture that reminds me of Jean and her selfless acts of love for her family and for those she sometimes doesn’t even know.

Proverbs 31:10-31 10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he

One of Jean’s many delicious creations (2008 Survivor Photo Shoot) shall have no need of spoil. 12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. 13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. 14She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar. 15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. 16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. 17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. 18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. 19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. 20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. 21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

her clothing is silk and purple. 23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land 24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. 25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. 26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. 27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. 28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. 29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. 30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. 31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Jean is such a woman − a wife of character, a devoted homemaker, a generous neighbor, an influential teacher, an effective mother, and an excellent person.

She maketh herself coverings of tapestry;

Do you know a local Proverbs 31 woman?

If you know someone who exemplifies the characteristics of a Proverbs 31 woman and would like to nominate them for consideration in one of our next issues, please send a short essay to us at ld@woman2woman.sc.

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Palmetto STYLES

HAIR S AL ON

9 9 6 - 5 5 3 2 •117 E. Main S tr ee t • Lexingt on www.lexingtonwoman.sc 11

Let’s Talk

Lexington Woman loves Lexington sports!

Meet two of our newest coaches from White Knoll High School Coach Emily

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2W: Tell us about your family.

Coach Emily: I do not have any kids of my own and I’m not married, however I am in a serious relationship with a wonderful woman.

W2W: Share with us a little about your background. Tell us a little bit about your past successes and how you will build on that?

Coach Emily: I was born in Georgetown, SC but was raised in Waterloo, IA. My dad got a job at John Deere when I was 4 or 5.

He moved us to Iowa, and that is where I developed my passion for wrestling. I was a state qualifier in Iowa and spent one year in Georgia, where I placed 3rd in the state. I did my college wrestling at UT-Chattanooga. During my time there I was a member of three Southern Conference Championship teams.

Before I came to White Knoll High School, I coached at Red Bank HS in Chattanooga, TN. While there I produced six state place winners, one state champion, two NHSCA High School All-Americans and one NHSCA High School National Champion.

I plan to use all of my experiences from high school, college, and what I have learned throughout my years from various mentors, to help me develop a solid foundation that will take us to the next level.

This was by far the best decision I have ever made.

Stay tuned because the best is yet to come.

Coach Emily W2W: What were some of your first impressions of the school?

Coach Emily: When I pulled up over the hill and took a look at the school, I could not believe what I saw. I had to pinch myself because I thought it was a dream. The facilities here are second to none. The wrestling room easily holds three full mats. There are not many high school or college programs in the entire nation that can fit three full mats in their room. It truly was a blessing for me to be able to teach and coach at White Knoll High School.

W2W: Tell me a little bit about the young men you have been coaching.

Coach Emily: I would have to say that this group of young men is a coach’s dream. They listen, they’re hard nosed, and they are disciplined. They are mentally tough enough to take anything I throw at them and they keep coming back.

WKHS wrestling team in action Coach Emily: This was by far the most successful year for White Knoll Wrestling as a whole ever. Brandon Proveaux placed 4th in the state and was elected to the North/South All-Star match. We beat the 2008 defending state champions (Summerville) in the first round of the state playoffs. Asa Gossett and Chris Sayers achieved High School All-American status by placing 3rd and 8th respectively at the NHSCA High School Nationals, and I was voted Region 5-4A Coach of the Year. These were tremendous achievements, and I’m extremely proud of these young men for what they did. All I asked the guys to do was listen to me and work as hard as they could, and we would get the respect they deserved. I’d say they did a pretty good job of doing that.

Sometimes when I say practice is over they look at me like I’m crazy and they tell me, “Coach we want some more.”

W2W: Where do you see the wrestling program in three years?

Coach Emily: In three years, I hope to see us hoisting up the state championship trophy.

We’re knocking on the door right now and it shouldn’t be too long before that door has to open up and we wrestle our way in.

W2W: I know that White Knoll had a great season this past wrestling season. Can you share some of that year with us and tell us what your vision is for your wrestling program this year?

W2W: How can the White Knoll community help you be successful at White Knoll High School?

Coach Emily: Continue to support this program by coming out to the matches and

12 Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women

Let’s Talk participating in our fundraisers. We cannot achieve our goals without your help.

W2W: Any thoughts on what makes a great wrestling program or great wrestler?

Coach Emily: What makes a great wrestling program is dedicated young men and supportive parents.

I have both of those. I have the best set of parents that a coach could ask for. They show up at every fundraiser, help me with logistics, and most of all, they support me and trust me to help mold their boys into fine young men.

W2W: What is the best piece of advise you were ever given?

Coach Emily: Be patient − when it’s my time I will know.

W2W: What female has played a major role in your success?

Coach Emily: Without a doubt, it would be my mother. She has always been there at my matches, and if she couldn’t be there, she was right by the phone to get the results. She has traveled all over the county with my dad to either watch me wrestle or watch me coach. When they were living in Georgia, she flew all the way up to Iowa to watch me wrestle at state my senior year. After I lost in the first round, we were in the car driving and I looked at her and said, “Mom I screwed up.” She looked back at me and lovingly said, “Yes you did!!!”

Right then I knew how much she really loved me and how well she knew my abilities.

W2W: Since you have been with us a year, tell us what you love about Lexington?

Coach Emily: This is just a fantastic place to teach and coach. It’s the small town atmosphere I have been looking for. When this community knows that you are giving their kids 110% they give it right back to you and then some. This was by far the best decision I have ever made. Stay tuned because the best is yet to come.

Coach Gordon Walters

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2W: Coach Walters, we are excited to welcome you to Lexington and specifically to White Knoll High School. Tell us about your family.

Coach Walters: My wife, Stephanie, and I have two girls − Maddie (14 years old) and Avery (2 months old) and two boys − Knox (12 years old) and Chatham (2 years old).

W2W: Share with us a little about your background. Tell us a little bit about your past successes and how you will build on that.

Coach Walters: I am a Dean’s List graduate of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

At my last three schools my staff and I led each team to the best season in school his-

will be coaching?

Coach Walters: White Knoll has incredible facilities and is a tremendous academic school, but the people are what make White Knoll special.

W2W: Tell us what your vision is for your football team this year and in the next several years.

Coach Walters: We want to lay down the foundation for the future of the White Knoll football program. Our goal is not only to be renowned in South Carolina for producing great football players, but also great students.

Our goal is that our players receive a well rounded high school experience while training them for success in life. To me, it

Our goal is not only to be renowned in South Carolina for producing great football players, but also great students. photo by Chris Varnadoe

Coach Walters tory. We have helped produce 16 ACC or SEC players, over 20 more players at D1-AA schools, and over 80 at all other institutions in the last 12 years. We intend to continue that success here at White Knoll.

W2W: What are some of your first impressions of the school and the young men you

is just as important for a player to know how to tie a tie, function in a formal atmosphere, properly shake a future employer’s hand, play a musical instrument and have an appreciation for the arts as it is to be able to throw or catch a football. The more well rounded a student is, the greater their chance for success.

Do you know a local “good guy” who should be featured in upcoming issues of Lexington Woman?

Please send us a detailed essay explaining why you feel your nominee deserves to be featured as our next “Local Man of the Hour.” Emails can be sent to our editor at ld@woman2woman.sc. We will notify you by email if your ‘good guy’ is chosen.

www.lexingtonwoman.sc 13

Let’s Talk

The female brain

by Dr. Gayle Rozantine, PhD, B.C.S.M.

H

ave you ever wondered why women and men are so different? Although more than 99 percent of female and male genetic coding is identical, the difference of less than one percent genetic variation influences every cell in our bodies, creating important differences in a woman’s perceptions, thoughts, feelings, and behavior. So what is so different about a female and a male brain?

Male and female brains start developing differently in the mother’s womb. Until the eighth week, every fetal brain looks like a female brain. In the eighth week, a huge surge of testosterone in the male brain destroys some of the cells in the communication centers and stimulates the growth of more cells in the sex and aggression centers.

In contrast, the female brain sprouts more connections in the communication centers and areas of the brain that process emotions. So male and female brains are very different from the time babies are born, and their brains determine the differences in impulses, values, and behavior. Because of her larger communication center, a girl will grow up to be more talkative and to use

many more forms of communication than her brother.

ers, including parents, compelling boys to investigate their environments.

By the time a baby girl is a few weeks old, she studies every face that appears in front of her. By three months, her skills in making eye contact and mutual gazing have increased by 400 percent. Baby girls are born interested in emotional expression and are confused by a lack of expression. That is why the unresponsive, expressionless face of a depressed mother has such a negative impact on a girl’s developing sense of self. Boy babies are not so interested in faces or making eye contact. They are more interested in lights and moving objects. Their testosterone-affected male brains are less sensitive to the emotional reactions of oth-

From an early age, girls are interested in preserving social harmony. They prefer to avoid conflict because it is not in keeping with their need to stay connected, to gain

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Have you ever wondered why men and women are so different?

Let’s Talk approval, and to nurture. Girls typically try to influence others without telling them what to do and use language to promote consensus. They tend to join in cooperative efforts, making decisions with the least possible conflict or show of status. Boys, on the other hand, use language to issue commands, accomplish tasks, and dominate others. They often ignore others’ suggestions and interrupt when others are speaking. They are motivated by competition and are not concerned about avoiding conflict.

These differences affect the way girls and boys develop, leading to important differences in women and men.

When girls and boys first enter the teen years, there is virtually no difference in their mathematical and scientific abilities. However, as estrogen begins to flood the female brain, girls begin to focus on their emotions and on communication, talking on the phone and spending hours at the mall with friends. At the same time, the male brain is being flooded with testosterone, causing boys to become more competitive and less interested in communicating. While girls become less interested in solitary pursuits, boys are content to spend hours in their rooms with video games or the computer.

Our brain determines the way we see, hear, smell, taste, and feel the world. It profoundly affects our perception and shapes our reality. Adult women and men have the same

Women are usually better at expressing emotions and remembering the details of emotional events. number of brain cells, but male brains are about 9 percent larger, even after correcting for body size. This means that a woman’s brain cells are more densely arranged in a smaller skull. Women and men use different circuits and different areas of the brain to process language, solve problems, and experience and store strong emotions. Women have 11 percent more neurons in the brain centers for language and hearing than men. They also have a larger hippocampus, an area of the brain important in emotion and memory formation. This means that women are usually better at expressing emotions and remembering the details of emotional events. By contrast, the brain space devoted to sexual drive, action, and aggression in men is two and a half times that of women. On average, a man has sexual thoughts many times during an average day, while women usually think of sex only once a day. Men have a larger amygdala, the part of the primitive brain that registers fear and triggers aggression. This accounts for

a man’s tendency to become angry quickly.

In women, conflict registers as stress in the deeper areas of the female brain. This accounts for the tendency of many women to try anything to defuse conflict.

The female brain has many unique abilities. Women have outstanding verbal and social skills, making them extraordinary communicators and loyal friends. They are very intuitive and have an exquisite ability to read faces and tone of voice, which makes them empathic and understanding of the emotional states of others. They are excellent mediators and are able to defuse anger and restore peace in the face of conflict. All of this is hardwired into the female brain, creating talents that make them uniquely different from men.

About the Author Dr. Gayle Rozantine Visit www.quietawakening.com, and sign up for Dr. Gayle Rozantine’s Stress Management newsletter. You will be amazed at the insight she offers and how quickly you can find ways to alleviate your own stressful situation. For even more help, try one of her relaxation cds available online.

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www.lexingtonwoman.sc 15

Let’s Talk

Those Dam Lexington Walkers

by Lori Samples Duncan

W

e would like to invite you to join us at 9am on September 12, 2009 at the Lake Murray Dam walkway for the launching of the new addition to our website — Those Dam Lexington Walkers. This site will allow you to log on and set up an accountability partner or partners who will meet you at the Lake Murray Dam to walk. You can park your cars on opposite sides of the Dam, if you have to start out walking just one way.

We can keep each other motivated, and I believe it will motivate others to join us as well.

It doesn’t matter if you are a long time walker, or if you are a novice, we want you to log on and find a partner and keep each other motivated. We will have t-shirts to give away, cold water and much more.

You deserve a little “you” time.

Let’s get moving together. I promise you will meet some wonderful people and you’ll be glad you are a Dam Lexington Walker!

Visit our website, www.lexingtonwoman.sc for more details.

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16 Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women

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Health & Wellness

Gretchan Reynolds, Envision Family EyeCare The woman behind the man

W

2W: First, tell us a little about you.

How long have you and Bill been

married?

Gretchan: I have been married to Bill for 16 years. We have three children who are everything to the both of us! Along with Dr. Nate Jensen we opened Envision Family EyeCare in July of 2008.

W2W: Where did you guys meet ?

Gretchan: We both were raised in a small town in Idaho, where everyone knew each other, but did not become close friends until High School.

W2W: What was your influence in helping him decide to open his own practice?

Gretchan: Bill has always totally dedicated himself to everything he has done and I felt he would be successful with his own business. When he and Nate approached me about opening Envision Family EyeCare, I told them to, “Go for it.” I knew their combination of personality and professionalism would create a successful business environment. They are great with their patients from young to old!

W2W: When the office first opened, what was your role?

Gretchan, her husband Bill, and their three children Gretchan: I had been a stay at home mom for ten years; so my role at first was part time to gain some experience in the optometry profession. I have since transitioned to full time and handle most business aspects of the practice. I enjoy working with our patients, staff, Dr. Bill and Dr. Nate.

W2W: How has managing the office changed that dynamic since the practice first opened?

Gretchan: Since we started from the ground up it was very slow at first. We are now seeing more and more patients monthly. There is always a new challenge.

W2W: As a busy mom of three children how do you manage all their activities and help

Dr. Bill and Dr. Nate with the office as well?

Gretchan: I am still trying to figure out how to balance everything. Some days are easier than others. Our staff is very understanding when it comes to my schedule and the children. My children have also been great at adjusting to mommy working. Thankfully, we have a wonderful staff that works well, ensuring that Envision Family EyeCare will be successful!

W2W: What do you personally love about Lexington?

Gretchan: Lexington is a friendly community. It has a lot to offer. Great Schools for our children and a great town to grow our business in!

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803.996.2020 ∙ www.EnvisionFamilyEyeCare.com 5166 Sunset Blvd, Suite J ∙ Lexington, SC 29072 www.lexingtonwoman.sc 17

Health & Wellness

Lexington Women’s Care

by Lori Samples Duncan

F

inding out I was pregnant with baby number four was probably one of the biggest shocks of my life. I had continued to see my gynecologist in Georgia after moving to Lexington because a three-hour drive once a year just seemed to make more sense than finding a new doctor in Lexington. A baby certainly changed my way of thinking.

In my three previous pregnancies, each one came with their own set of issues. Honestly, I was frightened about the prospect of another baby at age 33 and what that would mean to my health and most importantly my baby’s health.

I never trusted healthcare to a big booklet filled with names and addresses. I relied

heavily on my husband’s employer, Southeastern Freight Lines’, human resources director, Mrs. Barbra Williams. Mrs. Williams gave me names of doctors and dentists when I first arrived in Lexington. I wanted to hear it from someone who had actually been in their offices. Now that I have other friends in Lexington and some who had only recently given birth, I started to pick their brains. Four out of the five women I asked suggested Lexington Women’s Care.

Each of those women had a great experience, and I called the office to ask one other question, “Do you have midwives in your practice?”

In my experience, midwives are very personable and having a midwife in the delivery room lends itself to a more pleasurable

Lexington Women’s Care afforded me dignity, respect and choices. experience than what I have had previously with just a doctor.

Lexington Women’s Care did indeed have midwives, and I was easily able to make an appointment as a new patient without any problems.

Lexington Women’s Care afforded me dignity, respect and choices. I chose previously

A History of Caring James E. Estes, M.D. G. Patrick Gallery, M.D. William E. Plyler, M.D. O. Henderson Powell, M.D. Robert W. Silverio II, M.D. Valerie A. Skinner, M.D. David J. Stallard Jr., M.D. Frederick B. Thompson, M.D. Miriam A. Wilcox, M.D. Pamela Alligood, CNM Marie Bridges, CNM Deborah Holland, CNM Beverly Nedbalek, CNM Terre Shankle, CNM Jessica Simmons, CNM Misty Sawyer, CFNP Susan Wells, PA-C Kristy Wolff, CFNP

• Nine physicians and six certified midwives • 25-year history in Lexington County • Comprehensive gynecologic and obstetric services including well-woman care and pre-conception counseling • Lexington Medical Center voted “Best Place to Have a Baby”

by Palmetto Parent

ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS.

www.lexingtonwomenscare.com West Columbia: 2728 Sunset Blvd., Ste. 201

(803) 936-8100

18 Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women

Irmo: 7033 St. Andrews Rd., Ste. 305

(803) 749-9920

Health & Wellness not to have an epidural. I seemed to have had a quicker recovery without one. I answered many questions about previous births and left the office feeling like they cared about my personal and comprehensive needs as a patient.

I was able to see the midwives my entire pregnancy and truly felt their caring expertise saved the life of my unborn child. Ryan is my little miracle in so many ways.

The careful attention that my midwife paid to my specific set of circumstances is what helped bring Ryan into this world. I had gestational diabetes, and I was hypertensive. Therefore, I delivered him at exactly 36 weeks because my own health was being jeopardized.

It was at this time I had an opportunity to meet Dr. Skinner and many of the other physicians at the hospital.

The thought of going through labor with a ‘new’ doctor upset me. After all, I am the woman who drove for four years to Atlanta to see my old gynecologist. It was Dr. Skinner herself and the midwives that made this transition a seamless one. A week long stay at Lexington Medical before giving birth gave me a chance to see every doctor from Lexington Women’s Care at least once before delivery. Dr. Skinner delivered Ryan on January 20, 2007 alongside one of my midwives. Ryan was and still is a beautiful baby boy. I continue to see my midwives for annual visits and I always enjoy seeing the new faces in the office that are going through their own journey of childbirth.

The nursing staff is still my favorite in town.

I promise that these women have a magic touch; I never felt the needle go in when she was drawing blood!

If you are looking for an OBGYN, I personally recommend Lexington Women’s Care.

I was able to see the midwives my entire pregnancy and truly felt their caring expertise saved the life of my unborn child. Ryan is my little miracle in so many ways.

From the financial aspect to the delivery room I received quality care and service.

They are not just a Lexington Woman advertiser; they are my doctors.

photos by Clark Berry Photography

Thanks for inviting Reliant Hospice to the Cruisin’ for Success event last week. Tammy, Tiffany, Mitzi and I had a blast! Great time for networking, great food and fellowship!

Thanks again!

- Ashleigh White www.lexingtonwoman.sc 19

Health & Wellness

Creativity as therapy

by Bob Phillips, Ph.D.

M

ost experienced therapists have learned that no matter how smart, insightful, creative or caring their comments and insights are if the information does not match up with the needs and reality of the client the information will tend to fall on deaf ears. A therapist will frequently stare in disbelief as the client dismisses or even ignores a well thought out and potentially life changing bit of feedback. Yet that same client can suddenly become excited and work hard on ideas that are perceived as deeply felt insights or new and creative ideas.

The client learns how to explore the problem with both the conscious and the subconscious mind.

Beginning about forty years ago a small group of therapist began to explore ways of using the client’s own creative and healing abilities in the therapy process. Teaching a client how to ask themselves the right questions and then helping them find ways

of exploring how to best use these new insights make up a major part of this new form of therapy. While there are several types of therapy available this new form of training/ treatment gives many people a new and effective way of finding effective self-generated ways of understanding and changing their lives.

understanding of the best solution for the problem. It may take two to four sessions to fully explore a problem. Very frequently the most important issue is not the issue that the client expected. When this happens it is amazing to see how quickly the resolution comes once the person’s energy is focused on the truly most important problem or issue.

This newer form of therapy looks like a combination of curiosity, creative processing, meditation and plain old fashioned hard work. The client learns how to explore the problem with both the conscious and the subconscious mind. This very fertile and creative process utilizes the mind and body together so the client is tapping into a very strong and personalized form of therapy This process follows a basic plan, the same plan that has been used to describe the creative process for several years. First, the client is asked to review the problem. Second, the client begins a self-exploration of the problem at both the conscience and subconscious levels. Third, the client begins to physically respond with subtle and involuntary hand responses that mirror the internal changes and explorations. Fourth, the client begins to become aware of the true meaning of the symptoms and experiences a growing

One client in her late thirties utilized this form of therapy to discover that she was not angry with her fiancé as she had thought for almost three moths. She discovered that she was actually angry with herself because she had been unable to attend a good friend’s funeral. She was wrong in her believing that the symptoms were the problem. In her second session of this new therapy she “discovered” what the real source of her anger was. Another client used her creative therapy session to find and reconnect with a child part of her that was still controlling how she related to her mother. Unlike most other therapies this newer form takes only as long as the creative process needs. Less time, less money and more personalized solutions.

Bob Phillips, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist in West Columbia, S.C. He can be reached at (803) 360-9698.

Creative Therapy • Self-work to change emotions and patterns • Learn how to heal with your own creative strength • Professional psychological service • Wellness and positive psychology

Robert D. Phillips, Ph.D. 20 Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women

(803) 360-9698 By appointment only

We wouldn’t have been voted best hospital ten straight years without people like Nina.

For ten consecutive years, readers of The State newspaper have voted us the area’s best hospital. But a hospital is only bricks and mortar; it’s the people working here who have earned us that honor, dedicated people such as Nina, our volunteer coordinator. Thanks Nina, and thanks to more than 5,000 of our Lexington Medical Center employees, each committed to serving the people in our community with the highest degree of excellence.

www.lexmed.com www.lexingtonwoman.sc 21

Health & Wellness

Brittani Bunce, HealthSource The woman behind the man — by Lori Samples Duncan

B

rittani Bunce is Dr. Adam Bunce’s other half. She is a lovely young woman full of life. Brittani seems to enjoy everything she does. Her smile is infectious, and her inner beauty rivals her outer beauty. In addition to being instrumental in Dr. Bunce’s HealthSource Chiropractic and Progressive Rehab practice, Brittani is also a middle school teacher for Lexington District One. Here is what Brittani had to say about helping Adam achieve his success with HealthSource of Lexington: W2W: First, how long have you and Adam been married?

Brittani: We started getting to know each other through emails in September of 2006, laid eyes on one another in November and began dating. Eight months later, on June 28th, we were engaged. Nine months after that, we were married on March 22, 2008.

We have been married for about a year and 4 months now. It has been the happiest year of my life!

W2W: How did you guys meet?

Brittani: Adam gives credit to an online social community known as MySpace; however, I give the credit to a coozie. I was watch-

I am super pumped about the way this program is going to change the lives of its members forever.

W2W: What was your influence in helping him decide to open his own practice?

Brittani: Adam had a practice in Hartsville, SC when we met. When we got engaged, we decided we would like to live in the Columbia area. Lexington turned out to be the perfect location for HealthSource Chiropractic and Progressive Rehab.

photo by Clark Berry Photography

Brittani Bunce ing a football game with my friend Meg and her boyfriend Alex. Alex was one of Adam’s high school friends and he was using one of Adam’s business coozies. I inquired about its origin and learned of this wonderful man by the name of Graham Adam Bunce. Of course, my next step was to check out his picture on MySpace! The rest is history. I still have the coozie.

W2W: When the office first opened what was your role?

Brittani: WOW, that is a loaded question!!! I was a chiropractic assistant, office manager, receptionist, custodian, copy maker, interior design specialist ... how long do we have?

Hahaha!!! Seriously, when we opened it was just the two of us, so we really did everything as a team. It was pretty stressful, but I believe it made us even closer.

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Call and ask about our FREE 19-Point Women’s Back Pain Solution Examination! (x-rays included) G. Adam Bunce, DC 803.520.4615 • www.HealthSourceChiro.com 5225-B Sunset Boulevard, Lexington, SC 29072

22 Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women

Health & Wellness

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W2W: How has your role changed since you are teaching and he now has a very friendly and capable staff?

Brittani: We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful staff!!

Tracye, Hamilton and Erin are such hard workers and they are so invested in seeing our patients make progress in a big way. Not only that, they make being in the office FUN!! Honestly, it was really hard for me to think about leaving the office to return to the classroom in August because we had put so much into making the practice successful. When I met Tracye, I had no doubts she was the perfect person to take over. Our staff is the best and one of the greatest blessings God has given us throughout this journey.

W2W: What is one thing you do to help him operate his practice more efficiently?

Brittani: Currently my job is to implement the HealthSource Weight Loss System. I am super pumped about the way this

Our staff is the best and one of the greatest blessings God has given us throughout this journey. program is going to change the lives of its members forever.

There is nothing like it around and we are happy to offer it.

W2W: What do you both love about Lexington?

Brittani: I think the more pressing question is what is there NOT to love about Lexington?

It is such a beautiful town with even more beautiful people. It is the perfect place to start a family.

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Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same. –Francesca Reigler www.lexingtonwoman.sc 23

Health & Wellness

Who do you trust to take care of the senior in your family?

by Jody Truesdale

T

hree facts: 1) In 2000 there were approximately 35,000,000 seniors 65 or older in America. By 2030 that number is expected to be 72,000,000, more than doubling the population of seniors in America.

2) 80% of seniors have at least one chronic health condition, 50% have at least two chronic health problems. 3) While people over 65 are expected to increase at a rate of

kindness, patience, goodness, self control, faithfulness, peace and gentleness represent the qualities Suzanne, Veronica, Melba and Betsy live when working with the residents at Agape Senior. While each woman contributes to the residents of Agape from different positions throughout the company, they all have a heart for the residents. Each lady started their career at Agape Senior as

Melba Allard,Veronica McMahan, Betsy Sippel, and Suzanne Tarrant 2.3%, the number of family members available to care for them will only increase at a rate of 0.8%.

As the above mentioned facts attest, the picture for seniors in the future is extremely serious. With the explosion of the senior population and the dwindling number of family members to care for them, who do you trust to take care of the senior in your family? Let me introduce four women and one company that truly have a heart for seniors: Suzanne Tarrant, Veronica McMahan, Melba Allard, Betsy Sippel and Agape Senior. If you go to Agape’s website, you will notice their logo is a nine pointed star. Each point represents one of the “fruits of the Spirit” mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23. Those fruits: joy, love,

life enrichment directors. As their careers continued, they each moved into positions of executive directors or marketing of assisted living communities within the differ-

While people over 65 are expected to increase at a rate of 2.3%, the number of family members available to care for them will only increase at a rate of 0.8%.

24 Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women

ent Agape locations. As their professional careers grew, they continued to keep the mission of providing the best quality and delivery of service to the residents utmost in their minds and actions. Suzanne Tarrant, now the Regional President of the Midlands, came to Agape Senior in 1999, Agape’s first year of existence. She has seen Agape Senior grow from a single, 44 bed assisted living community to a state-wide, fully integrated senior health care company.

Agape Senior provides its residents with a full continuum of care including assisted living, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, physician, therapy, pharmacy services, home medical equipment, hospice care, insurance, real estate and ambulance service.

As Agape grew, each woman found her own niche within the company. Veronica McMahan, now the Executive Director of Agape Community Hospice has been in senior care since 1989. She joined Agape Senior in 2004 and quickly rose to her current position as Executive Director. She prays every morning for the opportunity to serve others, her patients, their families and the staff at the hospice. Her statement of having a “passion for senior adults and their care” is a noble and echoing theme at Agape Senior.

Betsy Sippel joined Agape in 2003 as a Life Enrichment assistant at The Tree, Agape’s Alzheimer and dementia facility in West Columbia. She too was rapidly promoted to her current position of Executive Director of Agape Senior Community in West Columbia. Betsy truly feels blessed to be in her position and often says, “The residents are our priority. If we offer exceptional care, we will always have the opportunity to serve seniors in our community.”

Melba Allard joined Agape in 2001, was a past Executive Director of a facility and is currently the Regional Vice President of Marketing. As an integral part of the Agape Senior family, Melba strives to enrich the

Health & Wellness

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lives of Agape residents by providing an environment with warmth, compassion and love. Melba and the Agape team are tailored to meet the needs of each resident by encouraging genuine friendships between residents and care-giving staff. Melba strives to promote a sense of “home” to the residents at Agape by ensuring beautiful surroundings in each of the facilities.

Each of these women arrived at Agape Senior under different circumstances. That is how life is. But they all had the same desire, the same passion: to serve seniors, to give them the best life possible in their “golden

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years.” Throughout their professional careers at Agape words like passion, quality, prayer, service, warmth, compassion and love are constantly on their lips and in their hearts. These women truly are called to be where they are, Agape Senior. Suzanne says it best when she commented, “As the Regional President of the Midlands, I am proud to be working with these incredible women whose unique focus is on our residents’ quality of care. Each of them brings unique gifts and perspectives that help me ask questions like, ‘Is there a different way we could be doing this?’ ‘Are we doing enough?’”

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7/9/09 4:35:22 PM

Suzanne’s quote truly sums up Agape Senior’s heart for its residents, “Are we doing enough?” As Suzanne, Veronica, Betsy, Melba and Agape Senior strive to provide the finest care for seniors, go back to the three facts at the beginning of this article and ask yourself the question again. Who do you trust to take care of the senior in your family?

Statistics: US Census Data, The Center on an Aging Society, Georgetown University.

Dr. Steven J. Hutchinson, DMD Jennifer P. Hutchinson, RDH Cosmetic | Restorative | Preventive

(803) 359-0566 209 West Main Street | Lexington, South Carolina 29072

Now Accepting New Patients www.lexingtonwoman.sc 25

Health & Wellness

From Bombay, India to Lexington, SC Hima Dalal of Vital Energy — by Elaine Samples

I

f you are an avid reader of Lexington Woman or a person who frequents our fashion shows and other events around town, the name Hima Dalal probably registers some recognition. We featured Hima in a previous edition for her work with fibromyalgia patients, have discussed her work with breast cancer patients and other various forms of cancer. When I met Hima two years ago, it was obvious that she was passionate about her work. She told me of her plans for a new facility and wellness center and over the last two years, I have had the opportunity to watch as she achieved that dream.

Hima graduated as an occupational therapist in 1980 in Bombay India. It has always been her desire to help people with various types of physical problems. As a child, she was not

and her own compassionate spirit, gave her an opportunity to see beautiful results.

In 1981 Hima moved to Cleveland, Ohio, to join her family and worked at different facilities in the Cleveland area. She pioneered a program for breast cancer patients to receive rehab before breast reconstruction. She was involved for several years treating breast cancer patients and became a spokesperson for breast cancer recovery for the Ohio region. If another facility had a difficulty or a problem they needed help with, they relied upon Hima. She worked closely with the medical staff at Case Western Reserve University Hospital who came from Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and helped more than 2000 females go through that process. She was also involved at the Ohio cancer center where they helped patients from all over the world, as a part of cancer rehabilitation. Hima used the bio-

Growing up in India gave her extended exposure to different types of therapy and techniques to aid the body in the healing process. photo by Clark Berry Photography

Hima Dalal only interested in conventional medicine, but in alternative forms such as yoga and acupuncture. ‘I was always leaning toward spiritual healing as well,’ says Hima. Growing up in India gave her extended exposure to different types of therapy and techniques to aid the body in the healing process. Taking what she knew from conventional therapy methods and marrying those with Reki, emotional healing, psychological healing,

feedback relaxation techniques and physical rehabilitation and operated a support group for those patients. While in Cleveland, Hima also pioneered a back rehab program for acute and chronic pain patients and women who worked in factories and overused their joints, where they could educate themselves about how the back works and how to relax, along with the various forms of therapy and how to listen to your body and its limits.

In 1995, her family decided to go back to

26 Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women

India. At that time, she was able to realize a dream of hers through founding an overall wellness clinic, which included a fitness center, weight loss center, outpatient rehab center, and sports rehabilitation. Her clientele was a blend of children who participated on the national Olympic team, several schools who came for general fitness and sports fitness, soccer players, various sports teams, cricket, ATP ITF tennis tournament players, and the general house wife. A total wellness approach, Hima and her staff were able to use different modalities, relaxation techniques, and personal fitness along with therapy, laser traction, and all of the latest technology, in addition to the 5000 year old spiritual healing practices. The center had a television show, a regular newspaper question/answer session, and a radio talk show.

They were able to use the various media avenues to educate people in smaller towns in India (i.e., the proper time to visit a doctor, other times during which a therapist is appropriate, and still others when home remedies were sufficient).

In 2002, her family went to Columbia, which was very different from the active lifestyle they had enjoyed in Bombay. After an adjustment period of a few months, they were able to embrace the slower pace and begin to really enjoy the people along the way. Says Hima, “We have just been growing from that point. I started my private practice with one patient that I treated from home. Word of mouth referrals were vital. I treated a patient who had been in a car accident ten or twelve years ago in Charleston, crushing almost every bone in one side of her body. We were able to break through the scar tissue after six or seven sessions, and then began with aqua therapy to make her strong. She told a friend, who told another, and it grew from there… We now have a building that provides a complete wellness center, Reki massage, occupational therapy, fitness, physical therapy and the hydro works pool that includes an underwater treadmill. It has been a blessing that offers wonderful results.”

Health & Wellness

Hima also uses hydrotherapy with an underwater treadmill and power hose treatment to help with sensory deficit of autistic children.

Helping all ages, Hima’s youngest patient is now two months old. Her practice has been very successful at treating diagnosis of fibromyalgia, arthritis, rotator cuff repair, postural issues in children and adults, migraines, using hydrotherapy to help with the sensory deficit of autistic children and begin treating breast cancer patients as soon as the breast is removed. Hima is skilled at myofascial release, cranio-sacral therapy which addresses chronic and acute pain, women’s issues, birthing injuries, etc.

Hydrotherapy Hima also uses hydrotherapy with an underwater treadmill and power hose treatment to help with sensory deficit of autistic children. Her treatment scope varies from treating sports injuries to geriatric patient on an underwater treadmill to treating breast cancer patient as soon as they had breast removal surgery.

When asked what she loves about practicing in Lexington, Hima responded, “People here are very warm, they have welcomed us so well, and hold us so close to their heart.

They appreciate us…this is my destiny.”

photos by Clark Berry Photography

I had a fantastic time, what great company, great food, great weather.

- L. Gobbi

Our goal is to achieve mental and physical wellness through our combination of Complementary/Alternative therapies with traditional Occupational Therapy.

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE: • Occupational Therapy

• Cosmetic Laser Treatment for Skin Care

• Physical Therapy

• Weight Loss/Toning

• Reiki Therapy

• Ayurvedic Diet

• Pediatric Therapy

• Pre-natal/Post-natal Exercises

• Therapeutic Massage

• Aqua Therapy and Aqua Detox

• Yoga Fitness

• Myofascial Release Treatment and Craniosacral Therapy Center

• Personal Fitness

Hima N. Dalal

Occupational Therapist Reiki and Myofascial Release Consultant Sports Personal Fitness Consultant

www.vitalenergytherapy.com

803.359.1551

163 Charter Oak Road Lexington, SC 29072

www.lexingtonwoman.sc 27

Health & Wellness

Introducing Sneh Patel of Vital Energy

by Elaine Samples

W

2W: First of all tell us about your educational back ground?

Sneh: I have a Bachelors Degree from the University of South Carolina with a major in Exercise Science and a minor in Public Health.

helped Vital Energy see patients after therapy to help them to gain more strength and maintain their fitness. Also, I help clients who want to prevent medical conditions associated with obesity, cholesterol, diabetes, and hypertension, but, most importantly, to maintain their youth.

woman who really cares about us. She has consideration for what I have to say in the practice and makes me feel like I am as big of a part of Vital Energy as she is. A lot of people ponder as to how we are able to live and work together, but I genuinely love it! We are friends, more than mother and daughter. We each brighten the other’s day. I am looking forward to a long partnership, as we continue to work together.

We are friends, more than mother and daughter.

I am looking forward to a long partnership, as we continue to work together.

W2W: What is your favorite success story?

Sneh: My favorite success story is of a girl whose name I would like to keep anonymous.

She weighed 200 pounds and wore a size 14.

When I started working with her, she had a lot of medical problems and no stamina.

It was difficult for her to walk even for five minutes without running out of breath. She has worked hard, is up to an hour of walking with no problems, has lost sixty pounds and wears a size EIGHT! She has completely revamped her diet and exercises 6 times each week – three times of training with me and three additional workouts on her own.

Sneh Patel

W2W: How has Vital Energy changed since you became a part of that vision?

Sneh: The case load at Vital Energy has doubled in size. We have a beautiful place.

W2W: What has your own set of qualifications and abilities brought to the Vital Energy family?

Sneh: My degree in exercise science has

W2W: What is it like working with your mom every day?

Sneh: My mom is probably the best person I could ever work with. She is a humble

photo by Clark Berry Photography

W2W: What do you love about Lexington?

Sneh: Lexington is a very welcoming city – I enjoy the smiling faces. People here are kind and helpful. Lexington is open for all new ideas - a growing town that is also nice to grow in.

I had not been on the Southern Patriot in years, and I will not wait that long to go back again. It was so much fun. I appreciate the spirits from Chemo With Style. It was a perfect night for spending time with some really great Lexington women.

- M. Night tography photo by Clark Berry Pho

28 Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women

Health & Wellness

Keeping healthy skin

by Lilliana Rustici

k ladies (and gentlemen) let’s all think about what we already know about having healthy skin. It is summer time and we all want to look sun kissed…well almost all of us. Let’s talk about that.

broad-spectrum sunscreen will give you 95% protection from the sun’s harmful rays.

My goal is to have my clients leave fully rejuvenated and properly educated in the care of their skin.

photo by Clark Berry Photography

Lilliana Rustici We all know that a burn is bad! However, a tan is not good either. A tan is your body’s way of telling you that it is traumatized. That is the stratum germinativum layer of your skin going into overdrive to protect the dermal layer from being injured. Unfortunately, steady tanning, whether in the sun or in a tanning bed, is going to break through that defense and start breaking down your collagen. That, in time, is going to give you wrinkles, hyper pigmentation (brown spots) dull hue, possible increase in broken capillaries and loss of elasticity.

Aren’t you glad you started reading this article?

A very important product that we all need to be using is topical Vitamin C. Pure L-ascorbic acid (in a bottle all by itself, if it is mixed with something else, it will be a derivative and not as effective) is what will fight free radicals. Vitamin C along with a

Lilliana’s

The basics are that we need to cleanse, tone, vitamin c serum, moisturize and sunscreen. Always use your Vitamin C serum in the a.m. along with your sunscreen.

Make sure that you are using products that have good quality ingredients. (Avoid products that have fillers and perfumes in it.)

Professional services are a must in keeping your skin in top notch condition. Monthly or quarterly facials are a great way to keep the muscles toned and your skin properly exfoliated, hydrated and moisturized.

Skin Care & Spa

Where Beautiful, Healthy Skin Begins...

“

It is my commitment to provide personal attention and

“

O

outstanding service to every client

Lilliana Rustici LICENSED ESTHETICIAN

At Lilliana’s Skin care and spa, my goal is to have my clients leave totally rejuvenated and properly educated in the care of their skin. For a complete list of services, please visit my website at www.Lillianaskincare.com

Microdermabrasion with Oxygen

Have a Great Skin Day!

European Facials • Light Therapy

Lilliana Rustici is a licensed esthetician who graduated from Esthetics International in Columbia, SC in May 2003. She opened her business in August of 2003 and has continued to serve a large radius of Clients, some as far as Seneca, SC. Her clients vary in age from preteen to mature clients. She visits her hometown in Italy yearly and continues to educate herself with the latest European procedures.

Peels • Head to Toe Waxing Teeth Whitening

803.808.1819

403-F EAST MAIN STREET • LEXINGTON www.lillianaskincare.com www.lexingtonwoman.sc 29

Health & Wellness

Hospice Care Charity Thrift Store

by Gale Porterfield

I

visited an extraordinary Thrift Store today. I casually walked in thinking I would peruse “just another second-hand store” but upon entering, I quickly realized that I was mistaken.

As soon as I walked in, I was greeted by a warm “hello” and friendly smile. Behind the counter was Carol who immediately made me feel welcomed. I spent the next few minutes walking around and winding my way by neatly stacked shelves and tables. I saw a wide array of books, display counters with carefully placed jewelry, and vignettes of tables adorned with floral arrangements and sparkling crystal glassware. The soft music in the background accented by the delicate ringing of wind chimes evoked the feeling that I was in a high-end boutique.

come in and help with setting up the store on a gratis basis. Drawing from a wealth of experience, she proceeded to help organize, stage and market the thrift store turning it into a charming, warm retail store. With the help of many enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers, The “Hospice Care Charity, Inc. Thrift Store” opened on October 17, 2008. Carol’s hard work and dedication later became a full-time position as manager of the store.

One thing I learned about this particular thrift store is that they are truly in the business of “giving.” Proceeds made from sales go into a fund to help meet the special needs of hospice patient families. When needs are identified by the hospice team, financial assistance is given to help pay for items not covered under the Hospice Medicare

Hospice Care Charity Thrift Store After I had taken in the racks of clothing ranging from women’s to infants and looking at the neatly paired, color-coordinated shoes, I walked to the front to meet the person who had taken such care in helping to set up this store. That’s when I met Carol the warm friendly person who greeted me as I entered the store and who helped transform this outof-the-way thrift store into a place of sentimental treasures, antiques with stories to tell and an opportunity to bless people in need.

I asked Carol, “What brought you here?”

She said that she wanted to continue to contribute and spend her time doing something worthwhile. When she heard about the opportunity with the Hospice Charity Thrift Store, she could not pass it up. She offered to

Benefit, items such as phone bills, electric bills, sitters, food, medications not related the hospice diagnoses and supplies. What a wonderful thing to do for families ravaged with grief, exhaustion and many times, isolation. The generosity of Hospice Care of Tri-County does not stop here. Many of the items that don’t sell are donated to thirdworld countries. Some “gently-used” items donated continue to bless others outside of the four walls of the store. The thrift store offers services such as free delivery in the local area and will pick up items on an “as needed” basis. They accept things such as household items, furniture, books, videos, gently-used clothing, fabric, linens, pictures, etc.

As the operations of the store continues to

30 Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women

grow so does the need for more volunteers.

If you are a people person who is not afraid of physical work, can sort clothing, arrange shelves, answer the phone, or simply want to make a difference in someone’s life, please give them a call.

In closing, I asked Carol why she spends 6 days a week sweeping a concrete floor, unpacking boxes, going through hundreds of items a day and she said, “It is very rewarding.” When I asked in what way, she gave an example about a grandmother who was on a limited income but was expecting her first grandchild. When she came in and saw how nice the items were arranged, the good condition and fair pricing, she shared how she was able to buys gifts for her grandchild. I completely understood why she does this.

One of the definitions of the word “thrift” is ‘careful management.’ That is absolutely apropos to Hospice Care Charity, Inc. Thrift Store. There are a few more words that come to mind when I think of this store - dignity, pride and respect. I’ve been to many thrift stores, consignment shops, recycle stores, etc. but very few display the attitude that I saw here. Each item was placed with deliberate care and done so to create a warm, inviting shopping experience. I know that “dignity, pride and respect are things that are paramount in the hospice message and that message permeates throughout the store.

Carol summed it up by saying, “When customers leave, they leave with more than just a bag of items. They leave with a good experience.” So, if you need fabric for a sewing project, an extra set of glasses or a comfy chair, stop by the Hospice Care Charities Thrift Store; or perhaps you just have an abundance of items you would like to share after cleaning out closets or doing a little organizing yourself. Not only will you feel better about your newly organized space you will be helping to meet the needs of someone else.

The Hospice Care Charity, Inc. Thrift Store—1217 Sunset Blvd. in West Columbia, (803) 528-1790.

HOSPICE CARE OF TRI-COUNTY Another Service of Medical Services of America

With so many choices for hospice services in the Midlands, choose Hospice Care of Tri-County a trusted leader in quality care

It’s About Living

• Local Offices and Staff • Timely Response and Dependable Service • Same Day Admissions • Medicare and Medicaid Certified • JCAHO Accredited • Experts in Pain Control • Community Outreach and Education • Award-Winning Administrator • Chemo With Style • Life Span Consulting • GRACE Program • Hospice Charity Thrift Store • Palliative Care Program

Affiliate Companies: • Medi-Home Medical Supplies and Equipment • Tri-County Home Health • HELP Line • Sunrise Diabetic Supplies • Medi-Home Infusion • Medi-Home Private Care

(803) 400-1177 • (800) 894-7541 166 Stoneridge Drive, Suite 100 | Columbia SC 29210

HOSPICE OFFICE LOCATIONS

Camden (803) 432-1195 (877) 675-4368

Sumter (803) 905-7720 (888) 900-6334

Providing Quality Care to the Midlands for 13 Years

Columbia (803) 400-1177 (800) 894-7541

Newberry (803) 321-0341 (866) 469-6334

Orangeburg (803) 535-0537 (800) 620-3597

www.lexingtonwoman.sc 31

Health and Wellness

CWH Spotlights

Do you want your life back?

Alexander R. Smythe, M.D. For over 25 years, Dr. Smythe has practiced obstetrics & gynecology and maternal fetal medicine in Columbia.

by Alexander R. Smythe, M.D.

A

bnormal uterine bleeding can occur at any age of a woman’s life.

When the menstrual cycles are starting early in the teen years, a young girl’s periods are often irregular because she is not ovu-

I returned to the gym the very next day. Fast forward a year later…I am period- free and pain-free all because of NOVASURE! I no longer have to worry about embarrassing accidents while I’m out.

past years, a D&C (an operation to clean out the uterus) was frequently done and if this did not work, a hysterectomy would be necessary. Novasure endometrial ablation is one of the easiest and simplest solution to this problem. A device is inserted into the uterus and literally within 90 seconds the procedure is finished. This can be done in the office under local anesthesia and mild sedation. You can literally be back at work the next day with no prolonged disability.

Tammi O’Cain is a patient of mine and had the NOVASURE procedure done in our office. Tammi states “I returned to the gym the very next day. Fast forward a year later…I am period- free and pain-free all because of NOVASURE! I no longer worry about embarrassing accidents while I’m out. I can take classes at the gym, play with my children and plan vacations without the menacing thoughts of ‘what if I start my period?’ and ‘is this pad going to be enough?’

lating in a normal fashion. Once ovulation is occurring on a regular monthly basis, then her periods are much more normal and the bleeding is not as heavy and painful. Later in life after the childbearing years are over and a woman is having very heavy menstrual cycles, this can be a very disrupting problem. Sporting events, children’s activities, even daily work routines are often disrupted by heavy menstrual bleeding while passing clots with severe cramps. In 32 Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women

He is a founding partner of Columbia Women’s Healthcare and SC Clinical Research Center. One of his patients described him perfectly “caring skills as well as curing ones”.

“Curing skills “translates into confidence for his patients. This reinforces his “caring skills” which includes listening, compassion, humor and a very personable manner.

He & his wife, Gwen, have 4 children and 6 grandchildren. He enjoys hunting, golf and spending time at Lake Wateree.

Shirley Keels For over 25 years Shirley has worked in health care in Columbia-in medical offices and in-patient facilities. She has served as Administrator of Columbia Women’s Healthcare since it’s inception in 1998 and SC Clinical Research in 2001.

In our office, our employees believe in making people feel special. She states, “The key to being a successful leader is getting others around you involved-making them know their efforts are important.

Her philosophy is “Do what you love and do it with integrity and honesty”.

columbiawhc.com (803) 254-3230

Shirley is the widow of Joseph Keels Jr., CPA, who died in 2000 with cancer. She has 2 sons and 2 grandchildren. She enjoys shopping, cooking, and reading.

Craving quality care?

Take care of that craving and we’ll take care of you.

tending to the unique nature of women

columbiawhc.com (803) 254-3230

1301 Taylor Street, Suite 6-J, Columbia, SC 29201

803-254-3230 columbiawhc.com

www.lexingtonwoman.sc 33

Health and Wellness

Edna Cox

Carolina Nutrition Consultants, Inc.

W

2W: How long have you been in business with Carolina Nutrition Consultants, Inc. (CNC)?

Edna: In May we celebrated twenty years in business! When I studied dietetics at Winthrop University, my dream was to have a private practice and help individual clients meet their weight management or other nutrition goals. Nutrition counseling was not yet a widely accepted concept. Healthcare facilities, however, needed the services of a registered dietitian, so I first began my practice consulting with a variety of healthcare facilities. Today, our staff of 30 dietitians provide consultation to senior living communities, assisted living facilities, skilled nursing homes, dialysis centers, adolescent crisis centers, wellness centers and programs. We have expanded throughout South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee, with our home office being right here in Lexington.

During the last 6 years we have added Nutrition counseling services. We accept referrals from physicians, psychologists or clients themselves contact our office. Counseling services include weight management, diabetes management, heart health, eating disorders, allergies, nutrition for the family and

I emphasize small steps that lead to permanent lifestyle changes. education, complete budget and cost control reviews, and focus on the nutritionally high risk residents. In many settings, particularly the senior living communities, chefs are employed. Our consultants assist the chef with enhancing dining services to offer restaurant style menus and service and still meet the clients nutritional and medical needs. photo by Clark Berry Photography

Edna Cox wellness. Depending on the needs of our clients, the counseling sessions may be in the comfort of our office or we offer the flexibility of meeting them in their office.

W2W: What is your role with assisted living and similar facilities?

Edna: Our services to health care facilities are diverse. To name a few, we develop menus to meet the clients’ needs, conduct training and

W2W: What is your vision for your company’s future?

Edna: An industry trend is to keep individuals at home or in the community longer.

Home Care Agencies are a new area of expansion for us. We offer training to the caregivers and provide guidance to the agencies on healthy and safe home food preparation and meeting special diet concerns. Our Registered Dietitians will be available for client consultation and will make home visits when needed. Nourishing food and proper nutrition are an integral part of keeping an

Registered Dietitians will help you achieve your personal health goals for your Physical and Emotional Well Being Carolina Nutrition Consultants, Inc. offers individual nutrition counseling for: • Weight Loss • Heart Health • Bariatric Surgery • Diabetes Management

• Digestive Disorders • Eating Disorders • Senior Nutrition • Health & Wellness

“Nutrition Designed for the Lifestyle you Desire” 34 Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women

Call (803) 996-0312 to schedule an appointment in our office or for your convenience in the comfort of your office.

4881 B Sunset Blvd Lexington, SC 29072

FEEL BETTER

Learn more at www.CNConWeb.com

LOOK BETTER

LIVE BETTER

Health and Wellness individual more independent and healthier to achieve their goal of living at home as long as possible.

Now, finally, it is the right time to continue to grow our Nutrition Counseling Services.

The public recognizes the relation between good nutrition, good health and longevity.

One unique aspect of our weight management program is that we actually measure a client’s caloric expenditure. In our office we have equipment that we use to measure to complete this test and measurement. The Registered dietitian uses this information to develop a customized meal plan for each client and to make suggestions for an activity and exercise plan.

Recently, we helped one of our clients achieve her goal of losing fifty pounds. Using this equipment, we measured her calorie needs and provided her with printed information that showed the number of calories her body needed to maintain her current weight or lose weight. We were also able to show her how a moderate increase in her activity level would help with her weight loss. Through periodic testing she was able to better understand her body’s needs while seeing visible results. We also measured her body fat so she could see the transformation from fat tissue to more muscle during the twelve weeks she worked with our program.

W2W: How did you go about making your

dream a reality?

Edna: Persistence and many hours of work!

I enjoy having my own business and am passionate about nutrition and health. But I never really planned to have this business, employees, and the rest. My goal when I started consulting with healthcare facilities was to work less! After the first three years, the business had tripled in size and the rest evolved.

Timing is the key factor in making my initial dream and interest of Nutrition counseling a reality. The importance of nutrition in wellness and disease prevention and management is finally recognized and accepted by mainstream medicine. It is now the norm for a physician to refer a newly diagnosed diabetic for nutrition education, or a patient that needs to lose weight for nutrition counseling in an effort to prevent the onset of diabetes and/or heart disease. So the hours of promoting nutrition and health are making a difference. If we can make a small difference for one person every day it’s worth it! If you do what you love, you’ll love what you do!

W2W: I can see how passionate you are about helping people live healthier lives.

What do you love about this career?

Edna: Nutrition is so dynamic. We are constantly learning new information and transforming that information so that our clients are able to understand it. I enjoy guiding individuals in making the best nutritional

I enjoy guiding individuals in making the best nutritional choices, while not depriving themselves in any way. choices, while not depriving themselves in any way. Like most people, I love food and that love is both social and emotional. I enjoy educating our clients so that they can make food work for them, whether they are residents in health care facilities or individuals living at home.

W2W: What do you find the most challenging?

Edna: Until recently, the public did not recognize the importance of nutrition in prevention and wellness. As I said earlier, it is just now becoming mainstream. When people hear the word DIET, they think it’s a “four letter word” and think of a temporary, short term situation. I emphasize small steps that lead to permanent lifestyle changes. The changes, of course are about food choices, but also promote increased activity. We don’t have any quick fixes. Selling the fact that weight management and good nutritional health is pretty basic isn’t all that glamorous and it can be a hard sell to some.

We Are Looking for Six Women Who

Need to Lose 100 lbs or more!

Creative Therapy

You must pass a physical and be willing to work hard

Call 808.0866 or 359.1551 for more details www.lexingtonwoman.sc 35

Health & Wellness

Rules to follow to raise a cavity free child

by Dr. Carol French

P

arents need to understand that children are born cavity free. Since parents are with the child everyday and the dentist only twice a year, parents ARE their child’s primary dental health care provider!

Because dental decay is an infectious process, it is paramount that parents avoid transmission of cavity-forming bacteria by being cavity-free themselves because inevi-

Parents ARE their child’s primary dental health care provider! tably they will share the same drink or food or even blow on the child’s food to cool it.

delivery. Cavities are the result of an infectious disease spread primarily from the mother or primary caregiver to the child.

☑ Take your child to the dentist every 6 months beginning at no later than 12 months of age.

and tortilla, crackers, cookies, cakes, cereals, chewing gum, etc.) ☑ Rinse with an anti-cavity fluoride rinse before bedtime every night starting about age 6, if your child can rinse and spit reliably. DO NOT use if your child swallows any of this product.

☑ Avoid nursing bottles, “sippy” cups, straws, spouts, sports bottles, etc., after the age of 12 months unless they contain ONLY plain water. ☑ Brush after breakfast and before bed time everyday. Brushing after lunch or after school is good, too. Floss before bed time every night.

Here are a few guidelines to follow for raising a cavity free child:

☑ Drink plain water between meals and after dinner. Save the soda, sweet tea, fruit juices, Gatorade type products, etc. for meal times only.

☑ Parents MUST assist and supervise with brushing and flossing and with a child’s food choices into adolescence.

☑ Eat only healthy snacks (i.e. fresh fruits, vegetables, cheese, or water, etc.) between meals and in the evening.

☑ Parents and caregivers, have your teeth checked before conception and before

☑ Avoid sugars and starches as snack foods between meals (i.e., candy, chips potato

There is no end to the questions children have about their bodies and health. Your child’s dental home should be one that nurtures their desire to learn.

We welcome your child to a new dental experience.

After all, knowledge is still the very best medicine.

36 Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women

(803) 781-2511 www.drcarolfrench.com

Ryan and Colton Duncan brush their way to being cavity free!

Pediatric Dentistry Dr. Carol French Board Certified Diplomate, ABPD #1 Thames Valley ~ Irmo, SC 29063

Pets

Cats and heartworm disease: a story you may not have heard!

by Dr. Briana Davis

H

eartworm infection is endemic in Lexington County, and it’s not just in dogs; your cat is at risk too! A recent veterinary study in the Southeast found that over 25% of cats had contracted heartworm disease, and of those cats more than 28% were ‘indoor-only’ cats. Heartworms are spread by mosquitoes who inject microscopic heartworm larva into your cat or dog when bitten. In dogs, the larva migrates through the lungs to the heart where they mature into adults. In cats, however, the heartworm

A recent veterinary study in the Southeast found that over 25% of cats had contracted heartworm disease... larva migrates to the lungs and dies causing severe irritation; few heartworms actually make it to the heart. This irritation leads to

heartworm prevention. Call today for an appointment and more information or visit our website at www.gracepets.com.

Lexington welcomes its newest veterinarian, Dr. Brianna Davis, at Grace Animal Hospital!

Dr. Brianna Davis heartworm associated respiratory disease (HARD), often mistaken for feline asthma or bronchitis. The good news is heartworm disease in cats is 100% preventable. The veterinarians at Grace Animal Hospital recommend monthly heartworm prevention for your dog AND cat, even if they are ‘indoor-only.’ We offer both topical and oral

After practicing away from home for a few years, Dr. Briana Davis, a South Carolina native, moved back to the area to be closer to family. Dr. Davis enjoys working with small and large animals and has a professional interest in disease prevention, nutrition, dermatology, pediatrics and geriatrics. She received awards from both the Small and Large Animal Medicine Services at the University Of Georgia College Of Veterinary Medicine, and is a member of the South Carolina Association of Veterinarians and the American Veterinary Medical Association. She shares her small farm with a menagerie of rescued dogs, cats and horses. Join Dr. Tim Loonam, Dr. Jacinda DeRoy and the staff of Grace Animal Hospital in welcoming Dr. Briana Davis, now accepting new patients.

"Complete, Compassionate Care From Your Other Family Doctor"

Grace Animal Hospital

and Pet Lodge

Small Animal Medicine and Surgery

Goats, Sheep and Llama Services

Small Animal Dentistry

Nutrition and Retail Products

Equine Services

Referral and Consultation Services

Pharmacy and Laboratory Behavior and Training Consulation

Pet Lodge

Tim Loonam, DVM Owner/Veterinarian

803.808.PETS (7387) | www.gracepets.com 147 Charter Oak Road | Lexington, SC 29072 www.lexingtonwoman.sc 37

Services

Delores Wingard Steinhauser on what’s blooming at Wingard’s

by Lori Samples Duncan

W

ingard’s Nursery is a name most Lexington families are familiar with, a landmark of sorts. The name is synonymous with fresh plants, beautiful gift ideas and educational training for green thumb “want to be’s” like me. Delores Wingard Steinhauser is a wealth of information about everything Wingard’s. I wanted to share more than just what plants were in season for this edition. I wanted to share one of the women who help to make Wingard’s a household name.

W2W: Tell us a little about how Wingard’s Nursery came to be?

Delores: My parents got into propagating azaleas for their own yard in the 1960’s.

When I was in sixth grade, they had grown more than they could use, so I painted a sign “Azaleas for Sale 50 Cents.” We put them beside the road and people stopped in to buy them. My parents worked full time and took care of the azaleas after work. The business grew and they began to diversify. My Dad retired from SCE&G in 1983, and he and my Mom put their energy full-time into developing the business.

W2W: What is your vision for your future

a retail greenhouse so that we can offer a wider variety of plants in cold weather.

photo by Clark Berry Photography

Delores Wingard Steinhauser for Wingard’s Nursery?

Delores: We want to help our customers create a lush and colorful outdoor environment. We will continue to build on my parents’ legacy of offering a broad selection of quality plant material by a knowledgeable, friendly and helpful staff. We’re looking into

W2W: As technology continues to influence the ways we do business what steps have you and your family taken to keep Wingard’s “moving with the times?”

Delores: The first thing we did when my husband and I bought Wingard’s from my parents was to put in a point-of-sale system. Every plant in our inventory can be tracked for cost, quantity sold, quantity on hand, quantity on order, profit margin, etc.

We also put up a web-site, which is under continuous improvement. And, we send out a monthly email newsletter to our customers with helpful tips and information about upcoming events. These innovations have been recognized by the industry. We were named one of the Top 100 Revolutionary Garden Centers by Today’s Garden Center, a global industry trade magazine, in 2007 and 2008. The successful transition of our business from one generation to the next was featured as a cover story in the same magazine in December, 2007. Our latest venture is WingardsTV.Com. We make high definition video recordings of all of our workshops

There’s always something blooming at Wingard’s.

1403 N. Lake Drive • Lexington, SC 29072 • 803-359-9091 • www.wingardsnursery.com 38 Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women

Services and load them on the internet. It’s a convenient way for us to share our expertise with our customers.

W2W: Share with our readers a little about the gift shop. Who used to live in that house, oh and please tell us about the tree directly behind it?

Delores: The Gift Shoppe is in my grandparents’ home, Herbert and Ethel Wingard. The house is around 100 years old. We use three rooms and the front porch as gift shop space. My sister, Gail Buff, manages the gift shop. Gail and her husband Wayne have a great eye for garden art, so we carry the types of things they have displayed in their own yard. We have a great time buying things we like and things we think our customers will like. Besides outdoor dĂŠcor, we also carry a wide variety of “indoorâ€? items related to nature, from lemon verbena hand lotion, to colorful tiles, to nightlights, to mechanical butterflies. Two years ago we designed and sold a Lake Murray Christmas Ornament. It was so successful we decided to make a series of limited edition Lake Murray ornaments.

The 2009 ornament, entitled “Purple Martins on Lake Murray,� will be available in September. Oh, since you asked about the tree behind the house, it is a pecan tree. There are actually five large old pecan trees on the grounds. My dad picks up the pecans when they drop in the fall, and he and my mom crack and shell them by hand to sell at the nursery.

You can’t get fresher pecans.

W2W: How does running a family owned business influence the community and your family personally?

Delores: We love playing a significant role in the greater Lexington community. We want kids to grow up going to Wingard’s with their parents and remembering the beauty of our place and the fun they had at our family-oriented events. We’ve also been able to use our business as a way to support arts in the community. My husband, Wally, and I both have a passion for music and

the arts. We host a customer appreciation event every fall, called Art in the Garden. Local artists are invited to display and sell their works, and we bring in musical acts as entertainment. We have also used this event as a fundraiser for Lexington Interfaith Community Services (LICS) and were able to donate $10,000 last year as a result.

W2W: What is something you love about your work?

Delores: Spending all day surrounded by flowers.

W2W: What do you find the most challenging?

Delores: Before we bought the business my parents said, “Are you sure you want to do this? This is hard work.� I said, “We’ve always worked hard at whatever we do. Why would running a garden center be any different?� Well, I didn’t realize that by “hard work� they meant physically hard work. This job is definitely taxing. I think the physical nature of the job and the extreme temperatures have been the hardest thing to get used to.

W2W: Tell me one of your favorite moments with a customer?

Delores: My favorite moments are when customers come in and ask about my parents and tell me how much they appreciated them and their help over the years. My parents didn’t set out to create a big business. This business developed out of their love of plants and their desire to help others enjoy them just as much as they did. It’s hard to find those kinds of businesses today.

W2W: What do you love about Lexington?

Delores: I lived away from home for 30 years in places where no one knew me or my family, where the name “Wingard� had no meaning. I love living in the place where my ancestors settled in the 1700s. There’s so much family history here for me.

It gives me a sense of belonging.

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Spotlight on Chapin

Styling in Chapin

by Jody Truesdale

“R

unning around like a chicken with my head cut off.” Have you ever heard that old saying, or felt it? Too often today so many people are so busy pleasing other people or taking orders, or working on a deadline that they forget to take some time for themselves. There is something about a new hairstyle that makes me feel… well, new and rejuvenated. I love the fact that I can sit in a salon chair and literally be pampered the way I WANT. When you walk into Palmetto Hair Studio at Merle Norman in Chapin, you will find the professionals there are truly ready to pamper you from start to finish. Palmetto Hair Studio is a full service salon that caters to the entire family.

Whether hubby wants a quick cut, or you need a new color and look to spice up your life, they can do it all! Kelly Outz, the owner, Dena Borden and Krystal Lindler are the professionals at Palmetto Hair Studio, and they are ready to make you look and feel brand new!

With over 50 years combined experience Kelly, Dena and Krystal are on top of all the latest styles, techniques and processes to make you look and feel like a rock star, princess or movie star; you simply have to let them work their magic! These ladies use

Dena Borden

Krystal Lindler

the finest products, Merle Norman, Redken and Paul Mitchell to name a few, and the latest techniques to give you the finest quality, best makeover or hair style in the industry today. Kelly specializes in wedding, prom and pageant makeovers and Merle Norman makeovers. Dena, a master barber and cosmetologist loves to help her customers feel better about themselves. She accomplishes this with highlighting techniques, including foiling for color, new styles and a real passion for pleasing her customers. Krystal specializes in formal styling and has dubbed herself the “Diva of the Updo’s!” She can give you a new style, color or wax. Your wish is their command!

Kelly Outz

In addition to the passion for making you look beautiful, Kelly, Dena and Krystal are extremely community oriented. Kelly donates regularly to Relay for Life, Chapin Women’s Club and Hannah House. Dena has a passion for Jump Rope for Heart and St. Jude’s Children Hospital and Locks of Love. Krystal donates her time and services to Chapin Women’s Club, Children’s Miracle Network and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

So the next time you are tired, worn down from the stresses of life, or just need a new look, go see Kelly, Dena or Krystal at Palmetto Hair Studio in Chapin. They will start you on a new look, a new path, a new you!

Palmetto Hair Studio

@ Merle Norman

Services For The Entire Family — Open Since 2004 CUTS • PERMS • COLOR • FORMAL STYLES FACIAL WAXING • MERLE NORMAN PRODUCTS Hair Products: Redken • Big Sexy • Alfaparf • Bainde Terre 803.345.0348 | 803.945.0348 | 1209 B Chapin Road | Chapin, SC 40 Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women

Spotlight on Chapin

Nutritional cleansing for health, healing, and weight loss

by Janice Walker Pinnington, Nutritional Consultant

N

utritional cleansing is similar to bathing on the inside - it washes away the impurities that are clogging and damaging our cells.

By cleansing excess waste, our cells can function freely and take in nutrients to help optimize health and wellness.

Vegetables and fruits are sprayed with heavy chemicals to kill pests and insects, but in turn, enter our bodies through ingestion.

Dairy, poultry, and meat sources are laden with hormones and antibiotics. Farm-raised fish are often injected with antibiotics and pesticides to help ward off infection from over-crowded holding pens.

Our foods are filled with additives, colorings, artificial sweeteners, binding agents, and chemicals. Toxic air pollutants have

Nutritional cleansing is about ‘dejunking’ the system at the cellular level.

Janice Walker Pinnington

been linked to cancer, respiratory illness, and nervous system damage. Forty-six percent of U.S. lakes are too polluted for swimming, fishing, or aquatic life.

Think about this; we are surrounded by toxins in our food, our air, and our water.

In addition, as a layer of protection, our bodies produce fat cells to bind with these toxins in an effort to keep them from entering our

organs and major systems.

Nutritional cleansing is about releasing the body of toxins and waste material - the very things that can damage our cells, cause free radicals and weight gain, promote illness, and cause pre-mature aging.

However, when our cells are freed from the burden of toxins, remarkable things can happen: • we feel energized • pounds and inches melt away - and stay away • concentration and focus heighten • our immune systems get stronger • athletic performance improves Nutritional cleansing is about “dejunking” the system at the cellular level. Once the body becomes more efficient and healthy, the natural result is health, healing, and weight loss.

For more information on nutritional cleansing and personalized solutions, please contact Jan Walker Pinnington, at 803-781-2570 or visit her website at www.NutritiousDining.com.

photos by Clark Berry Photography

www.lexingtonwoman.sc 41

Services

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Enter to win Two Free Nights at Country Inn & Suites in Savannah, Georgia To show appreciation for our readers, we’re giving you the chance to get away for a few days in one of the best locations in the Southeast. We know you’re all busy women (and men), so you’ll even get to choose the dates of your stay at Country Inn & Suites (see their ad below).

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42 Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women

“

We’re in control — of our days, our business, our income, our destiny.

“

We’re not just earning a living.

We’re building a life.

www.sfyourstyle.com

Call 803.935.3725 today and ask Julie about becoming a State Farm agent!

7 Technology Circle | Suite 400 | Columbia, SC 29203 | julie.mcdowell.jfqi@statefarm.com

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STATE FARM IS THERE.® www.lexingtonwoman.sc 43

Kid’s Stuff

Working mother of multiples

by Lori Samples Duncan

J

ulie McDowell is a busy regional recruiter for State Farm Insurance Company and the mother of twin girls, Whitlie and Weslen. Julie is full of energy, and I have rarely been in her presence when she is totally still. As a mother of four myself, people constantly tell me, “I don’t know how you do it.”

That statement always amazes me, yet when I see a mother of multiples, I myself shake my head and wonder…how do they do it? We asked Julie to share with us a little about her own experience with multiples. Here is what she had to say: W2W: When did the doctor tell you there were two?

Julie: This is a multi-faceted question! I have always been a practical jokester, so many friends and co-workers of mine took it upon themselves to always poke fun of the overly voluptuous pregnant goddess that I was becoming. Many people made comments such as, “Oh my, are you sure that your doctor estimated your due date right? You MUST be having a BIG boy!” Of course, my favorite, “You look like you are about to bust any minute now”…and I was only 5 months pregnant!

I continued to wear high heels while pregnant, and passed out at work one day. I went

to the Doctor around 18 weeks and they listened to the baby’s heartbeat. My husband made the statement that he thought he heard two heartbeats and he was reassured that it was my heartbeat in the background. The nurse kind of shook the heart monitor and said that it could be broke and went to get another one. Well, the second heart monitor did the same thing!! So, we just chalked it up to two broken heart monitors!

To finally answer your question, the doctor actually told us at five months that there were two babies and could be three! I was 23 weeks pregnant when we learned the news of twin girls! After the onset of food poisoning while in Atlanta for business, bed rest due to the swelling, with laptop in tow and the early stages of pre-eclampsia…the twins were delivered the first day of the 32nd week.

I had nine weeks to prepare for the arrival of two babies.

W2W: What was your reaction when you found out?

Julie: My reaction was a combination of shock, happiness and “Petite women don’t have twins! How am I going to do this?”

With tears flowing, I wailed so loud I am very sure everyone in the doctor’s office heard me.

Now, my reaction to having twins is that I would be bored with a ‘singleton’. People who know me and my personality, I think can attest to that statement.

W2W: What about your husband, Eric?

What did he say when you told him?

Julie: Eric was actually in the room with me.

He did not say a word. All I remember are two sweet little tears streaming down his face. His hand became a permanent indenture in my shoulder. He would not let me go!

When we found out it was two girls, I think he slowly realized that he would have a different kind of fishing and hunting partner − little girls can wear camouflage as well! I do not think he really knew what those tears meant until those little girls were born.

His Dad is a twin. So, I think he takes full responsibility for the twins we were blessed with.

Now, my reaction to having twins is that I would be bored with a ‘singleton.’

Julie McDowell with twin daughters Whitlie and Weslen 44 Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women

Kid’s Stuff W2W: What was it like bringing home two babies at once?

Julie: Wow! What a question! I have been told many times, since these were my first children, that I really did not know the difference of having only one baby. I had been given two babies and I was to take care of them both. This is the only thing I knew!

Bringing home two babies required a great deal of organization. Thank goodness that is my nature. We would go through 18 bottles a day. That included washing, sterilizing, refrigerating and feeding 18 times a day!

Since the girls were premature, we were advised not to leave the house very often. So we spent the summer of 2007 inside. There was no beginning or ending to the day. It was a constant circle. I would feed both babies at the same time to regulate their schedule. They were sleeping through the night by the time they were 3 months old.

Bringing home two babies at once required help from mommy’s secret weapon which was Super Nonnie!! My mother had to help wash clothes, bottles, blankets and clean the house. She would come over at 7am and allow Mommy a couple hours of sleep and a shower. Sometimes, I would go for 2 or 3 days without a shower − I would just forget or maybe it was I was too tired to remember?

My husband, Eric, was working during the day and feeding babies at night. Our ritual was that I would get up every two hours, make the bottles, go get a baby and rotate each baby with him throughout the night.

He and I would both feed them together − it was our bonding time as a family. Sometimes I would feed both of them so he could get a complete night of rest. I was running on some special adrenaline!

I can also share with you a funny story to which I think many women can relate. I remember one day in particular, that I just needed TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE!!!

When my husband came home, I was dressed and ready to go. I was not sure where, but I was going somewhere!! So, I decided to go to the local grocery store for THREE HOURS!! I walked around and looked at every spice on the spice rack and everything in the freezer section. Anything to get me out of the house!!

I arrived back home and opened the door very quietly, anxiously awaiting screaming and colic time!! Well….much to my surprise and frustration, I arrived back to my husband laying in the recliner sound asleep with two preemie babies lying on their daddy just as peaceful as ever. One was lying across Eric’s chest and the other one was lying in between his legs. Unbelievable! Why wouldn’t they ever do that with me?? As my husband awoke he said, “Not a problem, they have been as sweet as can be! You were speaking of what? Colic? Didn’t see it.”

W2W: Did you nurse?

Julie: This is an interesting question. I really did not think about nursing before the babies were born. Since the girls were seven weeks premature, I had no choice. With the help of the lactation nurse (I had her cell phone number and would call ALL of the time!), I was able to give the girls the natural nutrients that they needed to be healthy babies.

Lexington Twins

Weslen and Whitlie McDowell

I did nurse for six months. This is literally all that I did. I am very proud of this accomplishment and is what I consider an act of extreme discipline, hard work and dedication.

W2W: How soon were you able to go back to work?

Julie: I will always consider myself blessed to have spent six months with my children.

The first week back to work, I flew to Bloomington, IL which is where our Corporate Office is located. I was gone for one whole week and was just fine. My husband emailed me a picture of the girls strapped onto our 4wheeler with their winter coats and hats on.

They were very colicky between 5-9pm, and he became very creative and it worked! Eric handled it just fine by riding them around our property during this time. Why didn’t I think of that? I was ready to come back to State Farm at this point, and the best part about it is that I came back to a career that I truly love!

W2W: How do you manage a hectic career and a family?

Julie: Time is flying by, and I do not want to miss a second with my family, yet I still want to be the most successful businesswoman that I can be. I was told by a very dear Agency Field Executive when the girls were born and

Jared and Jenna Williams

Callie and Khloe Lee

Tradd and Jackson Burton www.lexingtonwoman.sc 45

Kid’s Stuff

..Take help when it is offered, make time for yourself and your marriage, treat each child as an individual not as a twin...

I seemed stressed trying to balance it all. She told me, “God first, family second, and State Farm third.” I do not think she meant that State Farm (which we all consider part of our families) was really considered last on our priority list, but that if we were to live spiritually and secure our families, we would be able to be the best performers at our jobs. Because we were steadfast and secure with God and our family, we could give our all to the job we do at State Farm.

To answer frankly, I do not know how I do it. Every day is a different day. I try to plan my week on Sunday night. I take a look at everything going on that week and try to plan accordingly. Prioritizing is something I do very well. Dinner is probably my most difficult task. I try to prepare meals the night before or maybe skip lunch so I can get home early to get something on the stove.

My career is non-stop. I do travel a good bit and my husband assumes the household responsibility sometimes it seems without a hitch. I do have to plan the meals, diapers, laundry etc. before I go out of town. I get the house situated before I leave and then re-situated when I return. Overall, my husband and my mother make it happen. The teachers at the girls’ school have to laugh, because they know when Mommy is out of town. Daddy dresses them to his own taste, which

is sometimes cuter than how I dress them, and brings the appropriate bows for the teachers at school to do their hair. Eric says he is not even going to attempt the hair-do!

W2W: What advice would you give to a mother of multiples?

Julie: The best advice I could give to a mother of multiples is to take help when it is offered, make time for yourself and your marriage, treat each child as an individual not as a twin, as best as you can, and simply smile when someone asks you for the millionth time, “Aww… Are they twins?”

W2W: What resources are out there for moms of multiples?

Julie: The BEST resource for the mothers of twins is a support group called the Greater Columbia Area of Mothers of Twins Club. We are a group of women who are mothers of multiples going through the same life experience. We meet once every month, and have an ongoing online discussion board with multiple issues and challenges, play dates and events. I absolutely love the women associated with this group.

Also, there are many retail stores that offer a twin discount.

All you have to do is ask!

State Farm® Agency Recruiter Julie McDowell can be reached at (803) 935-3725 or julie.mcdowell. jfqi@statefarm.com.

46 Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women

Congratulations to the Gilbert FFA Chapter Poultry Judging Team!

They won 1st place at SC state FFA convention. (left to right) Zachary Taylor, Austin Drafts, Shelby Townsend, Joseph Crim, Reta Miller, Bailey Oliger, and Jesse Blount.

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Kid’s Stuff

The Studio

Children are like wet cement.Whatever falls on them makes an impression.

by Lori Samples Duncan

L

ooking for a gift for a grandmother who has everything is not an easy feat. Now, I am not saying that my mother is hard to please, not at all. It is simply hard to choose a gift for her because she has many things.

A couple of years ago, Lauri Truesdale discovered a place in Lexington called The Studio. It is the perfect place to find a gift for the woman or man in your life that has everything. The Studio has the kind of gifts that parents and grandparents never get tired of receiving. They have the kind of gifts that don’t end up in a box or on a shelf. At The Studio, your children can paint plates, mugs, piggy banks, or use their fingerprints and their handprints to decorate Christmas platters, Thanksgiving platter, or a father’s day mug.

One year, I took all four of my children to The Studio. Karen Petta suggested for my mom a large mixing bowl that we decorated with each of my children’s fingerprints, handprints, and palm prints. Karen embellished the prints with vines and outlines that made the bowl look as if fruit were painted on it. It was a huge hit, so much that we went

Working Studio and Gift Shop

back and made one for their South Carolina Nana too.

I asked my mom what she loved about the mixing bowl. “I love that my grandchildren made it for me. That when they are not with me and I use it, I see their little fingerprints and handprints and I remember they touched this clay. They must have thought of me as they were dipping their hands in paint and pressing tiny fingers to the bowl. I love that I can see how they have grown just by looking at this bowl.�

- Dr. Haim Ginott Tucker Chapman at Disney on Ice with a visiting Flat Stanley

Not only did we score mega points for an awesome gift they got to paint, the kids got to be creative in the process. It wasn’t a chore for them to make this gift. It is something they look forward to doing again.

Go by The Studio to see Karen and her staff.

They will help you choose the perfect gift.

They also offer summer camps and special occasion workshops. While you are there, pick up a gift for an expectant mother − one that every new mother will open with watering eyes and a soft maternal sigh.

Children are the world’s most valuable resource and its best hope for the future.

- John Fitzgerald Kennedy

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Kid’s Stuff

Sunburst Gymnastics

G

ymnastics is so much more than the Olympics or World Championships you are used to watching every so often on your television. Gymnastics has so many different facets, most people do not even know how common it really is. Every sport has its roots, somewhere, in gymnastics; it is the foundation of sport, and fitness. Rolling, jumping and running are aspects of all sports. Gymnastics encompasses these basic movements. No better foundation can be laid than that of gymnastics. Almost every country in the world includes some sort of gymnastics program not only into their youth physical fitness programs but in the corporate program as well. Sunburst Gymnastics deals with the youth physical fitness side of gymnastics.

The basics of gymnastics provide a solid foundation for becoming physically fit and preparing to participate in other activities and sports.

Our children today have gotten away from being physically fit. As a result of that, children today have become more sedentary and overweight. Today’s children are considered the most inactive generation in history.

Approximately one in five kids is overweight, a percentage that has more than doubled in the last 30 years. Childhood obesity is considered the most common nutritional disorder of U.S. children. (American Obesity Association) Obese children and adolescents are more likely to become obese as adults. One study found that approximately 80 percent of children who were overweight at 10-15 years old were obese adults at age 25. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Gymnastics clubs are a fun and safe environment and many already have fitness-related activities and classes. The basics of gymnastics provide a solid foundation for becoming physically fit and preparing to participate in other activities and sports.

What are the reasons for the increased obesity we see in children today? Lifestyle factors are surely to blame. Many young people today follow a very sedentary lifestyle. Leisure time is so often spent watching televi-

sion and DVD movies, playing computer games, surfing the web, or chatting on the internet, rather than outdoor play and activities. Sunburst Gymnastics is out to change this trend. Partnering up with our governing body, USA Gymnastics (based in Indianapolis, IN), Sunburst is committed to helping the youth in our community understand the importance of physical fitness not only as something that can be fun and enjoyable, but necessary to lead a more healthy lifestyle.

A gymnastics club is like a fitness center for kids—a safe place where they participate in fun and entertaining activities that serve as the beginning of healthy lifestyle habits that will last for a lifetime.

Mike & Cassandra Krotchko Cassandra Krotchko: Grew up teaching and coaching gymnastics in her Mom’s gym along with her other brothers and sisters.

A real gymnastics family. Candy developed her teams to many State, Regional and National titles before joining forces with her now husband, Mike. Now the two of them are starting their own gymnastics family (they have 3 boys, ages 5½ , 3½ and 1 year).

“Mike and I have the same goals when it comes to coaching gymnastics. We love to develop talent and love to teach the child/

Preschool, Parent/Child, Girls/Boys Classes • Tumbling • Birthday Parties

(803) 359 - 2420

1156 South Lake Drive • Lexington, SC 48 Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women

www.sunburstsc.com

Kid’s Stuff athlete how to become a positive force in today’s world. Through gymnastics, we can teach our athletes how to become leaders in society.”

USA Gymnastics Professional Member, USA Gymnastics Safety Certified, United States Elite Coaches Association member, USA Gymnastics Talent Opportunity Program (TOPs) coach, Owner/Co-Director of Sunburst Gymnastics Academy

Mike Krotchko: A gymnast himself since the age of 10 and former NCAA gymnast for the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh under the guidance of Ken Allen (2008 USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award winner) and Casey Edwards (former US National Team member). “It was during my college years that I decided to become a gymnastics coach and give back to the youth

We love to develop talent and love to teach the child/athlete how to become a positive force in today’s world.

what has been given to me through all my gymnastics life. Being around such inspirational coaches led me to realize that I can make a difference in the lives of the children I coach.”

Dutch Fork High School girls Track and Field team recently became 4A State Champions. Congratulations, ladies!

Mike has been coaching gymnastics since 1985. Along with numerous State, Regional and National titles that his gymnasts have obtained through the years, he is most proud of coaching Kayla Hoffman, 2 time US National Team member and currently competing for the University of Alabama.

“There are talented children everywhere, we have to find them and then teach them how to use their potential, that’s what it’s all about.”

USA Gymnastics Professional Member, USA Gymnastics Safety Certified, United States Elite Coaches Association member, USA Gymnastics Talent Opportunity Program (TOPs) coach, Owner/Co-Director of Sunburst Gymnastics Academy

The Pleasant Hill Middle School boys basketball Team recently won the Palmetto Athletic Conference. Good job, guys!

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www.lexingtonwoman.sc 49

Professional

In step with Nikki

I

t wasn’t that long ago that we profiled Lexington’s own Nikki Haley, an accomplished legislator, businesswoman, wife and mother. Nikki – no surprise to anyone who knows her – is back in the news these days, having recently announced her bid to become the first female governor of South Carolina.

stem from those things that make up who we are, gender being one of them. That said, this race isn’t about me being a woman. It’s not about the other candidates being men.

It’s about who can best tackle the considerable challenges facing South Carolina – and who can help our state to capitalize on the opportunities we have as well.”

When asked to elaborate on those challenges, Nikki ticked through a list that you’d think would intimidate most people. Not Nikki – she seems to relish the undeniably difficult road ahead.

photo by Clark Berry Photography

Nikki Haley

“Spending, the focus has to start there. Job growth. We have so much to offer in this state in terms of resources to get our economy moving again, we have to do a better job of harnessing them. Education. Everyone in South Carolina deserves the same education that our kids are blessed to receive in Lexington. Our tax structure has to be reformed.

The way it is now does serious damage to our small businesses, we have to make it be flatter, we have to make it fairer. And accountability is key. Every vote cast in the State House needs to be on the record. Those votes belong to the people – they’re your votes. We need to treat them that way.”

This is, of course no small thing, but in talking to Nikki you understand very quickly that she’s not running to be the first woman to live in the Governor’s mansion – she’s running because she believes with everything she’s got that she’s the right person for our time.

Nikki Haley’s rise through the rough-andtumble world of South Carolina politics has been rapid and not without its share of controversy, at least when it comes to a few high profile disagreements she’s had with some of the more entrenched leaders in the General Assembly. But for Nikki, those battles have always been first, last, and always about the policy.

“Of course I’m proud to be a woman in politics,” she says. “As in every walk of life, there are both challenges and opportunities that

“The way I look at it is this: if I believe something is right, I will stand and fight for it to the end,” she said. “I will always – always

50 Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women

– give others the chance to join me in doing the right thing. But if they choose wrong, I’m going to call them out on it. We can’t afford not to. Government works for the people – not the other way around.”

Probably the best example of this philosophy in action is this past year’s movement to embrace on-the-record voting in the General Assembly. Prior to the changes that Nikki brought about, South Carolinians could only see how their Representatives voted eight percent of the time. In the Senate, it was even worse, with 99 percent of the votes going unrecorded.

“Every single member of the legislature is there to represent the people – not themselves, not special interests, not the House or Senate Leadership. How can the people possibly measure what kind of job we’re doing if they don’t know how we’re voting? The answer is they can’t,” Haley said.

Nikki’s bill to put votes on the record garnered a great deal of support from a fairly diverse cross section of South Carolinians – the grassroots, the media, the Governor – yet not the legislative Leadership. Eventually, public support was enough to get a rule change that, for the first time ever, put all budget votes in the legislature on the record.

But that victory didn’t come without a personal price – Leadership stripped Nikki of her subcommittee Chairmanship and position as Majority Whip.

“Yes, that burned but I know I was doing my job to protect the people’s interests,” she said. “I respect my colleagues and believe many of them arrive in Columbia with the best intentions to serve. But I’m also very aware of who I work for and it’s not anyone in that State House.”

Professional

Designing women

I

would like to introduce you to Lifestyles Design Studio’s team, Tina Grimes and Kelli Limehouse. The two have been friends for over 20 years. Somewhere along in their friendship, they realized they shared a passion for design. In the last five years, they have had the opportunity to work together on some amazing projects. Kelli and Tina extend a personal invitation to you, our reader to drop by 403 East Main Street in Lexington to view a full array of furniture and accessories that would compliment your next project.

They take great pride in building lasting relationships with their clients. Chan Boyer from Spence Plantation, had this to say about Tina and Kelli: “they have great style and are extremely easy to work with. They were completely honest with me in helping me make choices. Their advice has been invaluable on my projects including my master bedroom and sunroom addition, just to name a few.”

With a combined experience of fifteen years, Tina and Kelli have been involved with the

Kelli Limehouse and Tina Grimes design projects of churches, law and business offices, as well as several Parade of Homes. They have worked for several local builders, from floor plans to furnishing their community’s model home. They agree one really fun project was assisting Ted Stambolitis, owner of Flight Deck in Lexington, with the re-model of his restaurant.

Some of the design services they offer include space planning (furniture placement), custom window treatments and bedding.

There are thousands of fabrics to choose from and they can special order any piece

of furniture for you. Before you begin any project or remodel visit Tina and Kelli and find something special while you are there.

They will gladly come to your home to help you create a personal space that reflects your own style and personality. No project is too big or small.

We asked Tina and Kelli what they loved about Lexington, and they said: “We love that Lexington is a growing and thriving community yet still maintains the small town feel. We also love that businesses in the area are so willing to support each other.”

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“Come experience our unique mix of furnishings and accessories” www.lexingtonwoman.sc 51

52 Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women

Professional

Pro Corps, Inc.

S

mall business owners face many obstacles on a daily basis. Not only do you have to please your customer, recruit and train employees, and manage vendors’ relationships, you have to navigate a quagmire of employment related regulatory issues. Pro Corps, Inc, is a locally owned and operated company who provides integrated business services to cost effectively manage critical human resource responsibilities and employer risks. Our staff specializes in managing and processing payroll, benefits, regulatory compliance, and workers compensation insurance claims administration for clients with 2-100 employees.

New legislation is passed daily which poses potential liability for your business. This has been especially prevalent recently with the

new administration. Our staff is updated daily with new legal requirements to help present solutions allowing you to remain complaint. We mitigate the costs of doing business freeing the small business owner to focus on core business practices- product development and production, sales, marketing and servicing your customer- and increase the bottom line.

The small business owner benefits by • Controlling Costs • Ensuring compliance with State and Federal Regulation • Simplifying claims management for • Worker’s Compensation • Reducing Accounting costs • Managing and Controlling Risk

• Offering daily human resource and regulatory guidance for employees Employees benefit by • Access to and design of Comprehensive benefits programs • Payroll that is on-time accurate • Direct Deposit options Our products are bundled on a per pay-period basis. You free yourself of administrative hassles and focus on earning new business and retaining current relationships with your customers.

Contact us for a complimentary review of your current services and quote for future administration freedom.

ProCorps, Inc.

Locally owned and operated since 1997

Administrators of Human Resources • Human Resources Consulting

• Worker’s Compensation Administration

• Payroll Management

• Regulatory Compliance

• Benefits Design and Administration

• Employment Tax Credit Consulting

(803) 356-5558 • www.procorps.com • 5070 Augusta Road • Lexington, SC 29072

Tomato Palms LLC ®

Commercial Recycling Services

Nancy Ogburn, President

Office: 803.781.6363 • Cell: 803.331.6626 124 Signal Lane, Irmo www.tomatopalms.com Email: nogburn@tomatopalms.com

Call 803-996-9364 or 866-952-LOGO (5646) www.midlandspromomktg.com www.lexingtonwoman.sc 53

L e x i n g t o n Wo m a n c e l e b r a t e s t h e s u r v i vo r i n yo u

2007 Survivor Photo Shoot

I

n every edition of Lexington Woman, we want to celebrate the Survivor in you.

This tradition started in October of 2007 with our first ever Survivor Photo Shoot.

This was an incredible event where we had a chance to observe the difference a positive attitude, prayer, and a whole lot of faith can make in someone’s life.

Since that time, we have hosted many other Survivor events and will continue that tradition with our Second Annual Surviving the Holiday Fashion Show in November. Visit us online for details.

Many times in life, all you need to take the next step forward is to know that someone else has had the courage to go there first.

That is what “Celebrating the Survivor in You” is all about. The stories you will read about two amazing women in this edition will show you that you can be a survivor too.

Though we know it is no respecter of persons, cancer may not have knocked at your door. Regardless of your circumstances, or the struggles you personally are facing, I believe these women will encourage you and motivate you to be a survivor as well. Eleanor Roosevelt said it best when she said,

54 Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women

photos by Clark Berry Photography

“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I have lived through this horror.

I can take the next thing that comes along.’

You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”

Mandy Bowden, Melissa Kyzer, and a host of others have had the courage to do the impossible. Now they know the truth about themselves. They are Survivors!

Surviving the Holidays Fashion Show, November 2008 Learn more and see other photos at www.chemowithstyle.com

“Chemo with Style” was founded in November, 2005 by Paulette Criscione and Terry Vann-Shon and through all the heart felt volunteers who have dedicated their time and belief in this class to help others. It's a class that invites all types of cancer survivors to participate in a fun evening to learn about different headwear fashions and other personal appearance tips. It helps to retore their sense of worth, which is crucial to help with their fight against cancer. The class meets every other month, and since its beginning, it has helped many people. This class is no cost to the survivor. Visit www.chemowithstyle.com for our class schedule.

The “Chemo With Style” events have been made possible by the donations of many caring, loving people.

Sponsors: South Carolina Oncology Associates Hospice Care of Tri-County “Chemo With Style” Volunteers

Paulette Criscione and Terry Vann-Schon

Graciously accepting Donations Please call Terry Vann-Schon

Contact Terry Vann-Schon for more information 803.400.1177 | 166 Stoneridge Drive, Suite 100 | Columbia, SC 29210 | www.chemowithstyle.com “Chemo with Style” is a © copyrighted program with Hospice Care of Tri-County.www.lexingtonwoman.sc 55

Celebrating the

Survivor in You

Amanda Bowden

Wife, Mother, Cancer Survivor, and Ta-tini

M

andy Bowden of Lexington is one of our featured cancer survivors for this edition, Mandy has participated in many of our survivor photo shoots and was a model for our first annual Surviving the Holiday fashion show this last November.

Mandy is the stay at home mom of two boys.

Mandy shines from the inside out like so many survivors I have met. It is my pleasure to feature her in this edition of Lexington Woman.

W2W: Since your diagnosis what has kept you grounded...how are you able to hold it together...where do you find strength?

Mandy: Now more than ever, I think that it helps to operate under the knowledge that things could always be worse. There are people everywhere, struggling and suffering for one reason or another, who get through life crises. This fact alone has helped keep me grounded. Just pulling into the huge crowded parking lot of the cancer center will remind you that you are not the only one fighting cancer. I was also able to keep it together knowing that I’d rather something be wrong with me health wise than my husband or one of my children.

When I put it in that perspective, I was just grateful that it was me and thought “Okay, I can do this.”

W2W: Did you learn anything from it...if were you able to somehow find a rainbow or make lemonade?

Mandy: I definitely feel a new purpose now that I have survived breast cancer. I have been fortunate enough to bond with 4 other young survivor friends and we have been a huge support to each other. We call ourselves The Ta-tinis and we pride ourselves in the fact that all 5 of us fought cancer with double mastectomies and chemo. We have already held one successful fundraiser and plan to hold more in the future. We feel like we have first hand information needed by thousands of women like us and that we can inspire and help others. We are in the process of writing a book together. We have the proposal prepared and are exploring publishers. We are also working on forming our own nonprofit to benefit young breast cancer patients and moms. I feel like God has a plan for us to help others through what we have been through and I am excited about our ideas.

W2W: What was the toughest moment for you?

Mandy: There have been a lot of tough moments during cancer treatment, like seeing surgery scars for the first time after surgery and learning that I would lose my hair. How-

photos by Clark Berry Photography

Mandy and her son (above) Surviving the Holidays Fashion Show model (right) 56 Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women

ever, I think my toughest moment would be when I found out that I had a recurrence of cancer 9 months into my treatment. I think this was even more difficult than my initial diagnosis of breast cancer. I didn’t even know this was a possibility. This definitely shook my confidence level and changed my course of treatment. I was doing everything possible to fight the cancer and it was growing again, right before my eyes. That was scary.

W2W: How has having cancer changed your philosophy on life?

Mandy: It’s so easy to get hung up on unimportant things in life and stress out about things that just aren’t worth it in the grand scheme of things. I think having cancer has definitely helped me put things in perspective. It may not always be responsible to “live for the day,” but I feel like I tend to lean more towards that way nowadays.

W2W: Is there a particular song that makes you feel strong or smile? A poem?

Mandy: I loved the saying “Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.” I think that you can’t wait for your problems to be over to be happy, you have to learn to be happy in spite of them.

I think having cancer has definitely helped me put things in perspective.

It may not always be responsible to ‘live for the day,’ but I feel like I tend to lean more towards that way nowadays.

Celebrating the

W2W: Is there is a thank you that you would like to publicly express?

Mandy: I had more people reaching out to help me than I could ever thank. I was so humbled by the kindness showed to me by friends and neighbors and even people that I didn’t know. Thank you to everyone. “In the end, only kindness matters.”

W2W: Did something funny ever happen with your wig... a wig story, or a chemo story that made you laugh?

Mandy: When I was wearing different wigs and scarves on a daily basis, it was pretty funny if my husband was meeting me later in the day. He leaves pretty early for work, so he wouldn’t know what I was “wearing”

2008 Survivor Photo Shoot/Chemo with Style Reunion

for the day. If he was meeting me at our son’s preschool program he would have to call to know what he was looking for in the audience so he could find me!

W2W: How has having cancer affected your relationship with your family?

Mandy: One positive experience with cancer is that it can bring people closer together. My family lives in a different state. My mom was here for about every surgery I had, helping to take care of me and my family. My boys were 2 and 4 when I was diagnosed and have learned a lot at an early age about what cancer is. My husband and I have become even closer than we already were. My mom, my husband, and my 2 boys, and me I liked to call “the home team.”

photos by Angie Roper Photography

W2W: Would you like to say something to your doctors/nurses/people at treatment facilities?

Mandy: I made a point to personally thank all of my doctors that treated me. I could not have asked for a better team of professionals and wanted them to know how grateful I am.

Survivor in You

W2W: If there is something you can tell other people going through this, what would it be?

Mandy: God has a purpose for you to go through this - it is not for nothing! You just have to be willing to see it. Let others help you because they really want to.

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Celebrating the

Survivor in You

Melissa Kyzer

Real Estate Extraordinaire and Cancer Survivor — by Lori Duncan

I

will likely never forget the email that came from Melissa Kyzer to me in the Summer of 2008. My friend and a Lexington Woman advertiser, this dear woman that supported so much every aspect of my vision for this publication, had cancer, had surgery, and was cancer free before I even knew of her diagnosis. She said to me that day, “Lori, I had no idea when you shared with me about the Survivor section of your magazine that I would one day be a cancer survivor.” I asked Melissa that day if she would share her story with us, and she agreed.

Almost a year later, we have an opportunity to tell you a little about her journey. I hope you are as inspired by her as we are.

W2W: Since your diagnosis, what has kept you grounded...how are you able to hold it together...where do you find strength?

Melissa: Just living a daily life has kept me grounded. After being diagnosed, I felt so out of control and suddenly my routine was disrupted, everything was changed. Taking care of my home and family and getting back to work was how I held it together. I had a strong need for life to be “normal” again. Doing the things I did prior to being diagnosed took me there. I found strength in my family and friends cheering me on and in my deep faith in Christ. I know nothing will touch me that isn’t filtered through His hands. He was my source of strength. I kept telling myself to hold on to the Rock. In my mind, I could see the swells of big, deep waves washing around the lighthouse that is firmly grounded on the strength of a huge rock. I just held on.

W2W: Did you learn anything from it...were you able to somehow find a rainbow or make lemonade?

Melissa: From this experience, I have learned how truly precious life is. With three little words − “You have cancer” − you begin to feel your life slip away. I’ve learned to hold on and don’t take a single hour for granted.

W2W: What was the toughest moment for you?

Melissa: My toughest moment came the evening I was diagnosed. My husband called his

photos by Clark Berry Photography

Melissa Kyzer as a model at 2008 Surviving the Holidays Fashion Show (right) parents to give them the news and when I walked into the room where he was, he was crying and trying to relay all the information to them. It was at that moment the realization of how this was affecting my loved ones hit me. This wasn’t my problem it was our problem. I think I cried harder that night than any other time in my life.

W2W: The most enlightening?

Melissa: The most enlightening time for me was at my post surgery follow up visit to Dr. Truesdale. He said the cancer had not left my kidney. It was encapsulated and they removed it all. He said my prognosis was excellent and he wanted me to live “like it never happened.” It was a tremendous thing to hear.

W2W: Do you feel now like you can conquer anything?

Melissa: I don’t feel like I can conquer anything, but I do feel like my work on earth isn’t finished. And until the Lord turns off the lights, I will be around.

W2W: How has having cancer changed your philosophy on life?

58 Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women

Melissa: Having cancer hasn’t changed my philosophy on life, most of us know we need to appreciate every day and enjoy the little things, but having had cancer brings all those things into a clearer, sharper focus. I get up in the morning and I am honestly and truly thankful to be able to make my own coffee and be able to go to work. It causes you to see life and living as a gift because it can change so quickly.

W2W: Is there a particular song that makes you feel strong or smile? A poem?

Melissa: Definitely a song gave me strength.

The chorus goes like this: “The anchor holds, though the ship is battered, The anchor holds, though the sails are torn.

I have fallen on my knees, as I faced the raging seas.

The anchor holds, in spite of the storm.”

W2W: Was there insight from a friend that helped make a dark day seem brighter?

Melissa: A few of my closest friends brought me a gift following surgery. It contained a pair of very sexy, glittery high heels, a denim mini skirt and an invitation for a girls night

Celebrating the

I get up in the morning and I am honestly and truly thankful to be able to make my own coffee and be able to go to work.

It causes you to see life and living as a gift because it can change so quickly. that even though my cancer diagnosis became theirs too, they knew I would get well, our friendship would survive, and we would celebrate that survival and stick together. A strand of six is stronger than a strand of one or two. We’ll be together to support each other so when the waves of life come crashing down, together, we will survive.

W2W: Would you like to say something to your doctors/nurses/people at treatment facilities?

Melissa: There are three medical professionals who had a tremendous impact on me.

The first is Deborah Hassler. She went above and beyond what a typical caretaker would do. My cancer was actually found by accident. I had been having some gastrointestinal problems and a week after the symptoms occurred, she wanted me back for a follow up. During that exam she said to me, “Something is just not right.” So instead of telling me to come back if my symptoms got worse, she insisted on a CT scan of my abdomen.

I even argued with her, insisting I was fine.

Deborah wasn’t having it and, because of her insistence and gut feeling, my kidney cancer was discovered before it could spread. I feel as though I owe my life to her. As it turned out, the tummy problems had nothing to do with the cancer. Boy, is she good.

The second medical professional who never saw me as a patient but gave me advice as a friend was Dr. JD Whithead. After having been given two treatment options and being so confused, JD shared his medical knowledge and helped direct me to the choice of radical nephrectomy, which as it turned out was the absolute best decision for me.

In Loving Memory

The third medical professional was Dr. Bruce Truesdale, who performed the surgery. He was kind, compassionate, and always made me feel as though he had sincere concern for me and for my family. His skill as a surgeon is unsurpassed. He performed the surgery perfectly and I have a lovely little line on my side instead of a railroad track. I know each and every decision he made was made in my best interest.

On April 22, 2009, Ms Rosa I. Williams went to heaven she was an ovarian cancer survivor for many years. She was born on August 12, 1955. Ms Rosa changed the lives of many people and has a special place in many hearts.

2008 Survivor Bird Release

What beautiful examples of what medical professionals should be – my sincere thanks to all of them.

W2W: Is there a thank you that you would like to publicly express?

Melissa: I want to thank my husband, Tillman, my daughters, Lacy and Lane, and their husbands, and my girlfriends. I couldn’t have gone through this without you. I love you all.

W2W: How has having cancer affected your relationship with your family?

Melissa: Having had cancer has caused all of us to realize that life is precious and we cannot take any opportunity for granted. It has made me understand how much my family loves me. To have a husband and daughters sit for hours to be sure they were there when I woke up, bathing me, rubbing my feet with lotion, administering meds, sleepless nights.

They did it all and always with gentleness and compassion. We don’t take each other for granted anymore.

W2W: What would you tell other people who are going through this?

Melissa: The only thing I could say to someone going through this is hold on to the Rock. When all the medical part gets so complicated and you feel confused and out of control, just hold on. He will light your path. Sometimes you feel as though you can’t really see where you are going, keep putting on foot in front of the other. Hold His hand, and He will lead you. Just hold on.

2008 Surviving the Holidays Fashion Show

photos by Clark Berry Photography

out on the town when I recovered. They also included a copy of Lexington Woman magazine that pictured several cancer survivors and a heading that read “Celebrating the Survivor in You.” I never told them this, but I know it must have been very difficult having a friend that you love have cancer. By giving me that fight bag, they were letting me know

Survivor in You

www.lexingtonwoman.sc 59

Celebrating the

Survivor in You

What does it mean to be a thriving cancer survivor?

by Dr. Gayle Rozantine, PhD, B.C.S.M.

A

fter the diagnosis of breast cancer, a woman experiences a range of negative feelings. Her initial reaction is usually shock, numbness, and denial, followed by fear, sadness, anger, guilt, and helplessness.

Where she has spent most of her time taking care of others prior to her diagnosis, for the first time in her life, she must stop taking care of everyone else and take care of herself.

But this crash course in self care is usually an ordeal. Her treatment typically involves numerous appointments with health care professionals, surgery, and treatments which may include chemotherapy, radiation, or both. The process leaves most women feeling that they have lost control of their lives.

The months after treatment has ended are a time of transition. She will continue to meet with her doctors and other health care providers for follow-up treatment, and she will begin to go back to her normal activities.

She may look fine and physically she may feel fine. Everybody is relieved that things are back to normal again — everybody except the survivor. She may still feel anxious.

Little things that would not have bothered her before now seem frightening. A slight headache or a bruise may cause her to question whether she is really recovering. After the diagnosis of breast cancer, a woman often feels that their body has betrayed her.

She may feel afraid that she cannot trust her body to be healthy again. And just about the time she thinks things are settling down and she is about to forget about it, she may see something in the news about a risk factor or a new treatment and the fear will return.

Over time, although her fears and negative memories will recur occasionally, she will become less anxious. Her fears will become a smaller part of her life instead of being in the center of it.

What does it mean to be a “thriving cancer survivor?” A thriving survivor learns that it is important to take control of her life. She starts by developing a self-care routine that will not only improves her physical health,

but will also improve her mental, emotional, spiritual life as well. She realizes that taking care of herself is not “being selfish” but is an essential part of living a healthy and balanced life.

What are some of the important steps in creating a self-care regimen? First and foremost, a thriving survivor learns to be kind to herself. She focuses on things she can do and wants to do, instead of things she thinks she should do. She takes time for the activities she enjoys. She learns to pace herself and to stop before she gets tired, especially in the first months following treatment.

A thriving survivor sets her priorities and takes one thing at a time. She realizes that she does not have to be Supermom or Wonder Woman. Making a list and dividing it into manageable parts keep her from feeling overwhelmed. She solves her problems in an organized fashion. Keeping a journal can help to organize her thoughts. Identifying the problem and writing it down can help clear her mind. Listing her options, both pros and cons, will prepare her to develop a plan for solving the problem. After developing a plan, she will then list the steps needed to carry out her plan. This approach will help her feel more in control of her life.

A thriving survivor talks about her concerns.

She lets others know what she is thinking and feeling. Participation in a cancer survivor’s group may give her a chance to both give and derive support from others by reaching out to those facing the same situation. A thriving survivor is not afraid to say no. Refusing in a polite but firm way is another way of staying in control of her life. She focuses on the positive and realizes that, while she may have setbacks, thinking about her successes is much better for her than dwelling on the negatives.

A thriving survivor takes care of her body.

She gets enough exercise. Thirty minutes or more of moderate exercise will improve her

60 Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women

health and help her get rid of tension and frustration in a positive way. She eats nutritious foods, five or more servings of fruit and vegetables each day. She limits her intake of alcohol and high fat foods. She gets enough sleep to feel rested, which increases her ability to cope. A thriving survivor learns stress management techniques. Learning to relax will help her cope with the stresses of everyday life, as well as the stresses associated with the diagnosis and treatments for breast cancer. Breast cancer patients who use relaxation techniques report a reduction in treatment related symptoms like nausea and pain and less anxiety, depression, and irritability.

Survivors who learned relaxation techniques report overall improvement in their mental, emotional, and physical health and in quality of life.

...a thriving survivor learns to be kind to herself.

Surviving the diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer is a traumatic experience for most women. It challenges their faith and tests their desire and ability to fight for their lives. After successfully completing the ordeals of diagnosis, surgery, and treatment, thriving survivors feel proud of themselves for their courage and perseverance. For many survivors, cancer is a wake-up call which helps them recognize what they need to change to create a more satisfying life.

Thriving survivors are no longer willing to waste time in unrewarding jobs or destructive relationships. They prefer to move forward, leaving bad relationships behind and focusing on improving good relationships.

Thriving cancer survivors see their lives more clearly, change their priorities, make lifestyle changes, and live in the present, creating more rewarding and enjoyable lives.

www.lexingtonwoman.sc 61

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Palmetto Comprehensive Dentistry..............................25

Dining

The Backyard CafĂŠ...........................................................14 www.thebackyardcafe.net

photo by Clark Berry Photography

62 Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women

Pro Corps, Inc..................................................................53 www.procorps.com

Insurance

State Farm.........................................................................43 www.sfyourstyle.com

Business & Web Directory Interior Design Studio

Photography

Jewelry

Cynthia Pace Photography................. Inside Back Cover www.cynthiapacephotography.com

Lifestyles Design Studio..................................................51 The Chapman Company.................................................10 www.thechapmancompany.com

Medical Billing

Globalpundits...................................................................16 www.globalpundits.com

Medical Staffing

Lifeline Healthcare Professionals...................................23

Mortgage Service

Clark Berry Photography..................Inside Front Cover www.clarkberry.com

Promotional Marketing

Midlands Promotional Marketing.................................53 www.midlandspromomktg.com

Salon

Charlie Mack....................................................................15 www.thesalonatcharliemack.com Palmetto Hair Studio.......................................................40

Carolina Mortgage...........................................................61 www.carolinamortgage.sc

Palmetto Styles.................................................................11

New Homes

Retreat Salon and Spa......................................................16 www.retreatsalonandspa.com

McGuinn Homes.............................................................52 www.mcguinngroup.com

Nursery

Wingards Nursery...........................................................38 www.wingardsnursery.com

Nutrition Consultant

Carolina Nutrition Consultants, Inc.............................34 www.CNConWeb.com

OB/GYN

Columbia Women’s Healthcare......................................33 www.columbiawhc.com Lexington Women’s Care................................................18 www.lexingtonwomenscare.com

Pediatric Dentist

Dr. Carol French..............................................................36 www.drcarolfrench.com

Salon and Spa

Skin Care

Lilliana’s Skin Care and Spa............................................29 www.lillianaskincare.com

Therapy

Creative Therapy..............................................................20 www.mytherapycentercolumbia.com

Travel and Entertainment

Colonial Life Arena.........................................................49 www.coloniallifearena.com Lake Murray Tours............................................................7 www.lakemurraytours.com Lexington County Recreation and Aging Commission....................................................4 www.lcrac.com

www.lexingtonwoman.sc 63

A Personal Note

A

s I sit pen in hand ready to wow you with some new revelation for the Summer of 2009 I have only the natural order of my life to share with you. I am amazed that this year has brought so many milestones for us all.

My oldest son, Trey is anxiously waiting the much-anticipated 8th grade year. He has joined an elite group of 7th graders as a Duke Junior Scholar.

Colton has finished Kindergarten. I cried. He seems so grown up, and constantly reminds me that he is not a baby anymore. He is reading well and loves summer break.

Ryan has learned that he can communicate more effectively when pitch and inflection are used. He is also determined to have more of my attention than anyone else in our house.

Abby will begin middle school this year and she is so excited about what this new chapter of her life will mean. I am not nearly as enthusiastic. They just seem to grow up so fast. Sometimes I wish I could keep them all four and with me at all times.

One of our staff, Lauri Truesdale, has had a daughter graduate from University of South Carolina and begin a new chapter of her life, while her youngest faces the challenge of a new school in the fall. Her daughter, Sarah, will be sophomore in high school this year, and so many possibilities for her future are making themselves known.

One of my sales reps in Georgia has had a daughter begin college this year and her youngest will follow suit at the end of next year. She is empty nesting while she works on Gwinnett Woman.

Melissa Wates, our lovely graphic designer, has also had some exciting news just recently. She has become engaged and we are excited about her nuptials next year.

We ourselves have passed another milestone with this edition of Lexington Woman, Volume 5.

You our reader have demanded more and we are striving to make that a possibility offering you five editions next year and a subscription opportunity.

I don’t want to sound redundant when I say I appreciate you all. I just do. Each woman and man who reads this publication, each doctor’s office who distributes it, each nail salon or plastic surgeon, every single advertiser, were it not for you there would be no Lexington Woman. You make this publication by being fabulous and interesting. Please continue to support our advertisers with your business, especially in these uncertain economic times. They have invested in you. I encourage you to invest in them.

When Trent and I came to Lexington, I thought it was for a job promotion for my husband. I was being a good supportive wife, leaving my family and cleaving to my husband.

I believe after eight years that it was for more than that. I believe that God divinely appointed us to Lexington because of all of you. It is such a blessing to live and raise a family in this community of people. I am amazed at His goodness.

Keep fostering that environment, and let’s make an effort as strong and difference making women to perform random acts of kindness and do it often. Let’s continue to support each other in our struggles and in our successes. I appreciate you all.

Lori Samples Duncan Philippians 4:19

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

64 Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women

Cynthia Pace Photography “An Artist Celebrating God’s Creations...”

Authentic Heirloom and Signature Oil Portraits A beautiful Heirloom or Signature portrait is a once in a lifetime opportunity to capture the charm of your child during these most precious years.

Call now to schedule your design consultation and see which style is right for you.

803.765.9700

1247 Sumter St., Suite 100 Columbia, SC 29201

www.cynthiapacephotography.com