Medical Examiner by Daniel Pearson

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How well do you know the laws* on passing stopped school buses? We’re about to find out. It’s time for a Pop Stop Quiz. Question #1: A school bus stops for passengers on a two-lane road. What should other drivers do? (Check one.) __ Only drivers on the same side of the road as the bus should stop. __ Only drivers in the oncoming lane should stop. __ All drivers in both lanes must stop. Question #2: A school bus stops for passengers on a fourlane road without a separating median. What should other drivers do? (Check one.) __ Only drivers on the same side of the road as the bus should stop. __ Only drivers in the oncoming lane should stop. __ All drivers in both directions must stop.

QUIZ A

ccording to Columbia County EMA Director Pam Tucker, 190 bus routes drive an average of 13,325 miles every school day. Even if you don’t have school age children, you will have to make some adjustments: • First, Respect The Bus! • Don’t be a distracted driver. Turn off devices and focus on your driving.

• Try to avoid school zones, especially during opening and closing times. • Leave a few minutes early to allow for heavier traffic and bus stop delays. • Watch for school zones and slow down to the required speed limit. • Be prepared to STOP for school crossing guards and buses when

AUGUST 17, 2012

Question #3: A school bus stops for passengers on a twolane road with a center turning lane. What should other drivers do? (Check one.) __ Only drivers on the same side of the road as the bus should stop. __ Only drivers in the oncoming lane should stop. __ All drivers in both directions must stop. Question #4: A school bus stops for passengers on a road with four or more lanes and a center turning lane. What should other drivers do? (Check one.) __ Only drivers on the same side of the road as the bus should stop. __ Only drivers in the oncoming lane should stop. __ All drivers in both directions must stop.

indicated. • Slow down, particularly in neighborhoods and especially early morning when children are waiting for the bus and mid afternoon when they arrive back home. • Take a deep breath and remain calm. Sometimes you are just stuck behind the bus and you are going to be late. Accept it. Life goes on. +

Question #5: A school bus stops for passengers on a divided highway of four lanes or more with a separating median. What should other drivers do? (Check one.) __ Only drivers on the same side of the road as the bus should stop. __ Only drivers in the oncoming lane should stop. __ All drivers in both directions must stop. + Answers on page 7

* in Georgia

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AUGUST 17, 2012

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

AN OPINION

It’s not about the name anymore I

n the world of academic medicine there is nothing that quite tops ground-breaking discoveries, doing something no one has ever done before — or doing something that isn’t new in a dramatically new way. As a community, we have a front row seat for this rare phenomenon. The merger between MCG and ASU was, in immediate hindsight, not well handled at all. But the naming saga is an epoch-making textbook case in all the wrong ways to handle a situation like this. And we mean that literally: in years to come, we predict this public relations nightmare will find its way into textbooks, and MBA students all over the nation, if not the world, will study the epic disaster that Dr. Azziz and the Board of Regents have made of this process. It could have been so simple. Local MCG leaders and the Board of Regents could have accepted and endorsed the names their own studies and opinion researchers submitted. But they didn’t. That was their right and prerogative. It still could have been handled simply and easily. Azziz and the Board could have said that although they appreciate the suggested names, they opted for a name of their own choosing. But they didn’t do that either. That too, was their right and prerogative. What they have done instead is reminscent of Nixon’s “I am not a crook.” It calls to mind Clinton’s “I-did not-have-sexual relations-with-thatwoman.” And now: Georgia Regents University is a wonderful name. The best. The facts are clear: Public records, news reports aplenty, and statements from the researchers paid more than $45,000 to conduct the naming poll, all have verified that not only was University of Augusta the clear favorite, but that it had strong appeal and invoked positive impressions from

people wherever they were polled, win the crown at Wimbledon. He said state-wide and nationally. Late word “It’s like springtime in Augusta.” has it that the Regents never even Speaking of tennis back in 1999, saw the results of the commissioned the San Francisco Chronicle said survey. “Wimbledon is the Augusta National Even with all those facts widely of tennis, the cathedral.” known and widely reported, Dr. Incidentally, in the National Azziz continued to defend Georgia Geographic book The 10 Best of Regents University as though it was Everything, the list of the world’s the runaway Top 10 sporting favorite. In events includes truth, it got high the Masters along marks from with The 24 fewer than oneHours of LaMans, third of survey the Super Bowl, participants. It the Olympic — Friedrich Nietzsche ranked fourth of Games, World seven finalists Cup Soccer, NBA considered. The director of the survey Finals, the World Series, Wimbledon, has been quoted as saying the name and England’s Grand National Georgia Regents University was steeplechase. judged as “neutral to slightly negative.” Pretty rarefied company. But In other words, at best it’s a blah name. apparently we’re still a city with a Bland. Forgettable. Vanilla. At its blank slate, and so is our medical worst, it’s not considered to be a name college, although it dates back to 1828. with a positive image. Azziz himself One thing is certain: Georgia defended the unpopular name on his Health Sciences University is indeed blog by saying it’s not a bad name, it’s a a blank slate. The still-born institution “neutral” name. had only taken a few breaths on its Well, there’s a ringing endorsement. own before the merger with ASU was announced. But Dr. Azziz says that’s a good That’s where the train started to thing. A neutral name is like a blank canvas, “allowing us to create our own come off the tracks. The “proposed” merger was brand.” announced, and within a few Here is a fact: citizens of this area days several public meetings were who are world travelers will tell you scheduled that would give people the that wherever they go on this vast opportunity to offer their opinions planet — from New York to New on this new idea, to ask questions, get Zealand — when they happen to say information, and provide their input. they’re from Augusta, the response is Lo and behold, days before the first invariably the same: ah, the home of meeting was held, the merger was the Masters. already a done deal. For the general Back in 1994, tennis great Pete public there was never a “proposed” Sampras had just won his second of seven Wimbledon titles and appeared merger. Could the regents have simply thereafter on Letterman. Dave asked announced, “We have made the him about the reputation of the decision to merge MCG and ASU”? All-England Tennis Club. Sampras Sure. Instead they went through the replied, “It’s kind of like Augusta charade of calling it a proposal. They in golf. It’s prestige.” Look it up. It’s lied. They deceived. on YouTube. On another appearance Then they went to the trouble Sampras was asked what it’s like to

“I’m not upset that you lied to me. I’m upset that from now on I can’t believe you.”

of asking everyone from paid professionals to the man on the street for name suggestions, promising to take them all into consideration. As it turns out, the scenario is eerily familiar: it was another charade. Short of an absolute guarantee, they gave every indication they would pick the name from one of the top choices. They lied. They deceived. Did they need to ask for anybody’s opinion on a name for the merged institution? No. But they did. Did they need to ask for anyone’s permission to name it whatever they chose? No again. But by soliciting opinions, they did just that. In announcing a merger and calling it “proposed” when it was already a fait accompli, Dr. Azziz damaged his credibility, and so did the Board of Regents. In choosing a name that, in medical terms, is generic, Dr. Azziz and the Regents have alienated more or less everyone except themselves. Azziz and his inner circle and the Regents are the only people we have heard speak out in support of the name. Along the way Dr. Azziz created another major uproar, this time in the black community, by proposing the closure of Laney-Walker Boulevard. And he’s barely been in Augusta for two years. If Dr. Azziz is not keeping his resumé polished and in circulation, we would be shocked. That’s because the issue isn’t about the name anymore. That ship has apparently sailed. Dr. Azziz and the Board of Regents are oblivious to the clamor their decision has created. But as Nietzsche’s quote suggests, the issue now is trust. When people don’t trust you, you have lost something very profound indeed. As Thomas Paine put it, “Character is much easier kept than recovered.” +

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AUGUST 17, 2012

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

What’s your story? “Say Goodnight to Cancers Below the Waist!” Saturday September 22nd, 2012 Lake Olmstead Stadium

Run begins at 9am Registration begins at 7:30am with a Pre-Run Program 8:30am Benefiting Georgia Health Sciences University Cancer Center

Nearly all of us — even doctors and nurses — are sometimes patients. Perhaps you were recently injured playing your favorite sport, or years ago you somehow got hurt without even leaving your favorite recliner. Maybe you were diagnosed with a dreaded disease, mugged in a dark and lonely parking lot, or you stubbed your toe in the safety of your own bedroom. On the other hand, perhaps you needed medical attention 5,000 miles from home. Whatever your medical experience, we’d like to hear your story for our Medicine in the First Person feature. It can be frightening or funny, ordinary or extraordinary, just a few paragraphs long or quite a lengthy tale. We’ll publish your encounters with the medical profession as often as we receive them. + Send your submissions for Medicine in the First Person to the Augusta Medical Examiner via e-mail: info@AugustaRx.com or to PO Box 397, Augusta, GA 30903-0397. (The Medical Examiner reserves the right to accept, reject, or edit any submission at its sole discretion.)

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Why would anyone pay for a subscription to a free newspaper? That’s certainly a legitimate question. The answer: as a major regional medical center, patients come to Augusta hospitals and physicians from all over the Southeast. The MCGHealth Medical Center alone sees patients from every single county in Georgia, not to mention South Carolina, Florida, and beyond. Add to that the regional reach of Eisenhower Army Medical Center and both Veterans Administration hospitals, the Joseph M. Still Burn Center at Doctors Hospital, MCGHealth Children’s Medical Center, Walton Rehab and University Hospital, and it’s clear that many people seeking treatment in Augusta are not local residents. Furthermore, some of our most loyal readers are in town only occasionally. Or their treatments and visits to Augusta are only temporary. Even local residents may find it more convenient to walk to their mailbox than visit one of our many newsstands. Subscriber copies are mailed the day prior to the issue date so they will be received by most readers no later than the publication date printed on the paper. Copies are sent by First Class mail in a sealed envelope so they’ll arrive promptly and in crisp condition. Rates are $16 for a 6-month subscription (12 issues), $32 for a full year (24 issues). Complete the form below and drop it in the mail with your payment. Thank you! +

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AUGUST 17, 2012

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

Hope IS Possible

Who’s motivating our kids?

Helen Blocker-Adams ow do you define motivation, and where do you get it? It’s safe to say that all of us should take responsibility to be our own motivator. Sadly, not everyone is blessed to be surrounded by people who exhibit a positive attitude that can stimulate one’s motivation. The American Heritage College Dictionary defines motivate this way: “to move to action; to propel.”

responsibility for their bad behavior, expecting something for nothing... and the list goes on. Adults like that are sending our youth a horrible message. Yes, we need to make sure our kids understand life has its challenges and opportunities. But if what they are seeing and hearing is more negative than positive, then guess what? They will be and feel negative. I strongly believe that adults in general have let our young people down. Adults have dropped the ball. Adults in recent years have allowed themselves to get bogged down with the things of the world: chasing dreams, buying big homes many couldn’t afford, living their lives in a way that often left quality time with their children by the wayside. Although I do not have children of my own, I have watched the birth of my niece and two of her children. My niece is approaching thirty years old and I remember the day she was born like it was

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So motivation is the “act or process of inspiring, stimulating, and inciting.” “No man is an island” is an old saying that still rings true in the 21st century. An encouraging word, a pat on the back, an attaboy or attagirl, a smile, or a prophetic word are just some of the messages of inspiration that all of us at some time or another need. Some people need to hear these expressions more than others. There are two sides to the term motivation. One can be motivated to do bad deeds, like committing a crime. That kind of motivation is sprawled across the front pages of newspapers all over the world. But positive motivation from a good source is what our kids desperately need today more than ever. Where are the adults? Kids often mimic what they see adults do. Many adults walk around with a sense of helplessness, constantly complaining, not taking

yesterday. Time flies: my great niece is now eight years old and my great nephew is four. Their lives are changing and growing every day. I never miss an opportunity to try and play a positive role in their lives whenever I am with them.They are not going to hear doom and gloom or visualize a nonchalant attitude about life and what it has to offer from me. Our young children, despite what the media and negative people have to say, are very, very bright. And that is what I want to portray to them. I try to portray that attitude to everyone I am around. Our young people need positive motivation and they need it today, from adults. Parents must also play an integral role in the development of a child or youth. Beyond that, most successful and well-rounded kids have gotten motivation from their parents, family, relatives, the community at large, teachers, pastors/ ministers, just to name a few. Do you remember the African proverb “It takes a village to raise a child?” Many of us have forgotten that profound and still true saying. If positive influences are lacking, then our young are being neglected. We simply can’t afford to do that any longer. Everyone has basic needs like healthy self-esteem, love, safety, the feeling of belonging, and safety. Psychologist Abraham Maslow wrote a paper in 1943

entitled “A Theory of Human Motivation” and it explained how humans are motivated by these needs. Motivation that may come from famous singers, actors, or athletes. One such person who has dominated the news at the 2012 London Olympics is 16-year old Gabrielle (Gabby) Douglas. She is an amazing gymnast with a smile that can light up a dark room. Her personality, her personal story, her determination, focus, perseverance, dedication and focus is powerful motivation for adults and young people. I followed that young lady during the Olympics and found myself absolutely captivated by her. She’s become my new hero. She motivates me to continue in my work with young people with my Unlikely Allies Emerging Leaders Conference series. So what motivates you? And will you make a commitment to motivate our young people? + Helen Blocker Adams is President/ CEO of The HBA Group, Intl and Executive Director of the Southeast Enterprise Institute, Inc. Visit her website at www.helenblockeradams. com. If you like politics, visit her blog at www.projectlogicga.com. You can reach her via email at hba@hbagroup-intl.com Helen’s new book, Unlikely Allies: 8 Steps to Bridging Divides that Impact Leadership can be purchased by visiting www.hbagroup-intl.com or www.authorhouse.com

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AUGUST 17, 2012

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

WHAT EVERYBODY OUGHT TO KNOW ABOUT STUPID NAMES by Bad Billy Laveau At times like these, I like to quote great literary sources. “Stupid is as stupid does.” — Forrest Gump. Over the years I have accumulated weird, stupid, and otherwise awe-inspiring names. Often they were well-intended, but somehow escaped the realms of lucid thought and constructive outcome. A few examples from my list: • Tutten Gas: That name stirs up images of unsocial behavior in polite company. It could have been a flash of genius by a marketing agent for an over-thecounter flatulence suppressor. However, it is a bit humorous for what it really is: a propane gas company in Waycross, GA. • Nettles Fish Bait & BBQ: Admittedly they had great BBQ, and they did sell crickets and worms, but somehow if I was driving down the road on vacation and had a hankering for local BBQ, the fish bait reference might not exactly stimulate Pavlovian salivation. Not for me anyway. • Suton Aristotle Onassis Harris: Yep, somebody actually gave that name to a baby I delivered many years ago. Harris: that made sense because it was their last name. Aristotle Onassis? Well, that was about the time the billionaire Greek tycoon started making headlines as a friend of the Kennedys (and later married Jackie after President Kennedy was shot in Dallas). And Suton?

That was the name of a patent medicine vitamin concoction favored by older men for energy and virility. And the sperm donor was a little long in the tooth. • Sayonara Okinawa Hightower: You guessed it, the first names came from words the sailor father heard when stationed in the Pacific and he liked their euphonic ring. Was it a boy or a girl stuck with that name? I can’t rightly remember that far back. Hopefully it was a girl so she would not have to fight all through life like Johnny Cash’s Boy Named Sue. • 5/8 Smith: Truly, that was his name. I’m not sure what that says about his ancestry. But it got him on the popular 1950s and 60s TV classic I’ve Got A Secret. And no, Dorothy Kilgallen did not guess his secret. • ACLU: A national radio talk show host says they started out as the American Communist Labor Union and later morphed into the American Civil Liberties Union. If that is so, did they change their objectives? You can decide that for yourself. Sometimes the ACLU doesn’t have “A CLU” about anything. Then other times, I think they are dead on. And more recently, but certain not the least stupid: • Georgia Regents University: How can you do worse than that? But what do you expect? We hire someone with a last name that is highly unfamiliar in the South. Nobody could look at Dr. Azziz’s middle eastern-

GOT A STORY?

t s e B sounding name and say, “Sounds Southern to me. His kin must be from over near Waynesboro or Blythe.” No, he sounds like he’s not from around here. Kind of like the name Georgia Regents University. Almost before his moving van left town, Azziz said Augusta lacked “the cool factor.” He is undoubtedly an intelligent man, but his name does not rate high on the Georgia Cool Meter. Maybe the Board of Regents should get him a new name. How about Dr. Clem-Bob McScraggles? Then he said the Medical College of Georgia was not recognized anywhere. I guess for the past 180 years or so that it has been here turning out highly trained doctors, innovators, and medical warriors, nobody noticed. Maybe the Joseph M. Still Burn Center, the largest burn center in the US, and developed from scratch by a classmate of mine — a graduate of the Medical College of Georgia — doesn’t amount to much. Maybe when President Eisenhower had a heart attack and bypassed Walter Reed Army Hospital and their staff and was treated by Dr. Harry Harper, an MCG staff member, that did not

e n i c i d ME

amount to much. (Back then, the Secret Service and the free world sure as hell knew where MCG was.) Maybe when Professor Raymond P. Ahlquist, MD, graced the laboratories of the Medical College of Georgia, that did not amount to much. I was privileged to attend his lectures on beta blockers. He laid the foundation for alpha and beta adrenalin blockers and antagonists that are the foundation for treatment of heart disease, hypertension, thyroid storm, migraine headaches, and numerous other serious disorders. He changed the cardiovascular world. Is there anyone out there who does not have several close friends or relatives whose lives have not been bettered by of propranolol or some other medication heralded by Dr. Ahlquist? Maybe that did not amount to much. Apparently, Dr. Azziz and the Board of Regents have not heard these few named, or many other greats from MCG. Billy Morris, not one of my most favorite people, did the right thing. He resigned from association with Georgia Regents University. I applaud him. He knows crap when he smells it and wants to distance himself. Good man.

One thing is for sure: tens of thousands of dollars were spent by theRegents researching a new and meaningful name, and then they ignored their own studies. They grabbed Georgia Regents University out of the wastebasket and now people all over the world must be awestruck by our enigmatic new name. Just to be sure you understand what I think of all this: The Board of Regents has spoken and they are stupid. Why pay for marketing studies and not listen? Why poll local citizens and not listen to them? Why poll alumni and not listen? Why poll the MCG staff and not listen? To be honest here, I do not believe all the blame should go to Dr. Azziz. No, only a committee can be that stupid. Remember the old joke: A camel is a horse designed by a committee. Why not Azziz University? At least that is someone alive and with a birth certificate. We could figure out later if he does anything worth honoring. But Georgia Regents University? To quote Col. Sherman Potter on MASH, “Horse puckey.” + Bad Billy Laveau is a retired MD with a pointed sense of humor. Bad Billy speaks and entertains at public and private events for audiences not subject to cardiac seizure secondary to overwhelming laughter and glee BadBilly@knology.net or 706306-9397

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AUGUST 17, 2012

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

Health 101 by Sandy Turner, RN, EdD, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Assistant Dean for Administration in the GHSU College of Nursing FEED A COLD... espite what the thermometer says, it’s not far from that time of year again when folks will start to get stuffy heads and runny noses. For some people a fall cold is an annual thing, while others just never do seem to get a colds. What are the symptoms of a cold? Remember, a cold is different from the flu. While the flu is caused by a virus and so are most colds, a rhino (nose) virus doesn’t affect as many parts of the body. There is an old saying in health care that a cold lasts 7 days with treatment and a week without. In other words, for the common viral cold, medications won’t really shorten the length of symptoms. There are a lot of medications that can be taken that do make the symptoms more bearable, though. But first, what should you look for? Do you have a fever? Most people’s temperatures go up naturally in the afternoon but a fever of over 100° F means the body is fighting something. It could be a virus or a bacterial infection. Is the inside of your nose red, or pale? Pale membranes usually mean allergies, red mean infection. The membranes can

be swollen or not, on one side or both. The discharge, if clear, is usually from a virus. Once bacteria infect, the discharge becomes cloudy and pus-like with white blood cells. It can become thick, yellow or green depending on how deep the infection goes into the sinuses or lungs. Are the tonsils swollent? Are they touching each other? Are they red or do they have pus on them? All of these things mean that infection has spread. A strep infection has red swollen tonsils that are so sore the person has trouble swallowing. Strep throat isn’t dangerous in itself, but it can lead to other problems, so antibiotics are needed and must be taken completely. Usually when the tonsils are swollen there are also swollen lymph nodes in the throat. These are doing their job by pulling infection out of the body and helping to get rid of the infection. So when should you seek health care? Usually it takes 3 days for a cold to incubate from the time of exposure until symptoms start. From first symptoms to a cold’s peak are usually 3 more days. Then, if you’re lucky, you start getting better. Medicines like

decongestants are helpful, except for people with high blood pressure. Any medicine with a D in it will raise the blood pressure. So get Mucinex rather than Mucinex-D. Nasal irrigations can keep the mucus cleaned out. Mucus is a perfect place to breed germs. Vitamin C and D may help some but you would need a lot of oranges to do much good. Once the cold gets going those things won’t really change the course anyway. Gargling with warm salt water – a tsp of salt in an 8oz glass of water — is soothing and helps decrease swelling in the throat. Steam in the bathroom or shower help open the sinuses up. Honey and lemon are good to try to cut a cough, but if you are diabetic you need to stay away from honey and other cough syrups unless they are sugar free. Tylenol, Motrin and Aspirin (not for children) all help bring the fever down but remember, a fever is a symptom, not the problem. Don’t overdo on the medicines to take the fever down. Some people who have higher risks should be treated early on to prevent complications. Asthmatics and diabetics run a higher risk and should see about getting antibiotics. Be proactive is best. Stay healthy by eating right, stay away from sick people, wash your hands a lot. Don’t smoke; smoking makes a lot of antibiotics ineffective. Tell your health care provider if you smoke. You may be more vulnerable to complications. + HEALTH 101 – Information to help you make positive changes in your life to improve your health by Sandy Turner, RN, EdD, Family Nurse Practitioner, Director of the Good Samaritan House, A Free Community Health Center Open Mondays 15 pm. 213 N Main St., Dearing, GA 706-556-9080.

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Editor’s note: Exceptional Living appears exclusively in the Medical Examiner each month, addressing issues that all of us can benefit from involving people with special — let’s call them exceptional — needs.

Exceptional Living

Dream team by Naomi D. Williams, MPH, CHES, CIC®

Watching the Olympics this year did something to me. I stayed up way past my bedtime, I was yelling at the television rooting the teams on (as if they could hear me and that would cause them to go faster), and I was a tad emotional during some of the award ceremonies. I was overwhelmed with the stories of trials, triumph, and victory, and even more in awe of the team camaraderie Have you ever heard of the Dream Team? If you’re a sports fan I’m sure you have and if you’re an Olympics watcher it would have been hard to miss hearing the term this year. Whether you refer to the 1992 Jordan, Johnson, and Bird basketball team or the most recent 2012 Bryant, Wade, Durant team, there were many dream teams, in my view, highlighted during the Olympics. Starting with the U.S. men’s 4x100 swimming relay, the dynamic volleyball duo of Misty MayTreanor and Kerri Walsh, the women’s 4x100 track team, and not to leave out the Fab 5 gymnastic team and the women’s soccer team, there is an endless amount of inspiration, admiration, hard work, victories and personal bests enveloped within these select groups. They train hard and push themselves beyond what they think is possible for them. They keep their eye on the prize and work to be the best in what they do. I’ve been inspired, again, to recruit and build a Dream Team for my child. Now, I’m not trying to get him to the Olympics (just yet), but wanting to have the right players on our team to take him to his best. We already have a myriad of physician specialists, an awesome pharmacist, therapists, family and friends, who are all part of our team and involved in routine care, yet I want to expand and refine it. As I see it, not everyone on our team has the vision, desire, work ethic or belief to reach the goals set. With that knowledge I know the importance of recruiting not only those who are good at what they do, but those who embrace our vision. As I work to mold our Dream Team, these are some of the characteristics of the kind of Dream Team player I look for: (1) embrace the concept of “No ‘I’ in TEAM” (2) Trust and listen to the coach (3) Trust teammates (4) Think outside the box (5) Open communication. As we enter into a new season and kids are going back to school, you may be considering building your own Dream Team. Whether looking to go back to school, change careers, venture to into a business, reach a new fitness level or help your child reach their full potential, it’s essential to have likeminded people with you along the way. Know that everyone will not believe in your dreams and goals, and that’s okay. Alienation isn’t always necessary, yet aligning oneself with those who can provide guidance, encouragement, and constructive criticism is vital to staying the course and reaching the goal. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day nor was it built by one person. Map out the course, set the pace, brace for bumps in the road, and work with the team to git ’er done! + Naomi Williams is a health educator by training, an entrepreneur by nature, mom, and advocate of the best kid ever, Noah Samuel.

AUGUST 17, 2012

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

Pop Stop Quiz answers

eady to fail? Unless you’re some kind of road rules genius, the Medical Examiner predicts you’re not going to score very well on the Pop Stop Quiz. Here’s a clue: all the correct answers are the same, with just one exception. That should be all the help you need. With the exception of a divided highway, all traffic in both directions must stop when a school bus stops for passengers. That means if you’re driving down one of our broad roadways like Columbia, Peach Orchard, Wrightsboro or Belair Roads

— a road that, with four thru lanes, a suicide lane and maybe two right turn lanes, could be as many as seven lanes wide — Georgia law says you must stop, even if the bus is as many as five lanes away from you going in the opposite direction. It’s not an issue just for

parents of school-age kids. It becomes an issue for every person who drives. Violators are subject to a mandatory court appearance, a fine up to $1,000.00, and six points on your license. Beyond that, it’s a vitally important issue of safety. Accidents do happen. In two fatal Columbia County school bus accidents that come to mind over roughly the past decade, one victim was a 5year old girl, the other death was a 2-year old boy. Every driver has an obligation to help ensure such terrible tragedies do not occur. +

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Around town: • Barney’s Pharmacy, 2604 Peach Orchard Rd. • Birth Control Source, 1944 Walton Way • ASU Student Bookstore • Blue Sky Kitchen, 990 Broad Street • Columbia County Library, main branch lobby, Ronald Reagan Drive, Evans • Enterprise Mill (North Tower), 1450 Greene Street, Augusta • Daniel Village Barber Shop, Wrightsboro Road at Ohio Ave. • Hartley’s Uniforms, 1010 Druid Park Ave, Augusta • International Uniforms, 1216 Broad Street, Augusta • Marshall Family Y, Belair Rd, Evans • Mellow Mushroom, 12th and Broad Streets, Augusta • Southside Family Y, Tobacco Road, Augusta • Surrey Center, Surrey Center Pharmacy, Highland Avenue, Augusta • Top-Notch Car Wash, 512 N. Belair Road, Evans • Wild Wing Cafe, 3035 Washington Road, Augusta

Plus... 500+ doctors offices throughout the area for staff and waiting rooms, as well as nurses stations and waiting rooms of area hospitals.

AUGUST 17, 2012

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

EDITOR’S NOTE: Very little if anything about healthcare is inexpensive, and that includes medicine. Tiny pills can command large prices. Over-the-counter medications may be less expensive, but are they also less effective? Find the answers to lots of your drug store questions in this column written by Augusta pharmacists Chris and Lee Davidson exclusively for the Medical Examiner.

WHAT RESIDES IN YOUR HAIR? As kids start back to school, there will be plenty of things being shared by the students. Pencils and paper are on the good end of this spectrum. The other end features coughs and colds as well as that perennial favorite, head lice. As friends share combs, brushes and hats, there is going to be a huge incidence of head lice transmission from student to student. School nurses will be on the lookout and ready to send a student home until the infestation can be controlled. Luckily there are over-thecounter remedies for head lice that work well the majority of the time when properly used. Proper use is the key. One must treat the head of the infected individual to kill both the live bugs as well as the eggs (nits) that attach to the base of hair strands. If even one nit is missed the child will be sent home from school. To be successful in treating head lice, the home must be treated too, including bedding, favorite stuffed animals and chairs on which the child likes to sit. Bedding spray can be purchased at a pharmacy for non-washable items such as mattresses and chairs. The best option for sheets and pillowcases is to wash them in hot water and detergent. While there is a stigma attached to head lice in this country, the contracting of head lice does not indicate a low level of personal hygiene or a low social status. Anyone can contract head lice if in close proximity to another child that has an active infestation. Head lice can live for thirty days on the skin with eggs being viable for two weeks. This means that contact with a chair on which an infected child’s head rested a week ago can be the source of transmission. One good point is that while problematic for children and families, head lice do not carry diseases like other types of lice a person can contract. This may be of some comfort when

an infestation is discovered since head lice can spread through a family home with incredible ease. Over-the-counter products include Nix and Rid. Nix is the preferred agent for most treatment guidelines. It should be applied as directed and then the hair checked for nits. Plastic combs are included in over-the-counter kits, but there are metal combs you can buy to remove the nits too. The metal combs have been proven more effective in removing nits. Before using the comb apply olive oil to the hair or run the comb through beeswax to make the nits easier to remove. There is also literature showing that some dishwashing detergents can dissolve the glue nits use to attach themselves to hair. Combing all of the hair, especially around the ears and the top of the neck, is still required to prevent re-infestation. Prescription items are required for resistant infestations that have developed the ability to survive basic drug therapy. There are topical products using lindane or malathion that have been around for several years that can be prescribed by your child’s physician for resistant cases. There is also a new product this year named Sklice that uses ivermectin to treat head lice. To prevent a greater incident of drug-resistant head lice, these products should only be used for infestations that have not been controlled by less harsh chemicals. There is also a fairly new product that is safe for children over 6 months of age called Ulefsia. While the other prescription treatments utilize pesticides, this product simply suffocates the lice. I cannot stress strongly enough that proper technique is key to a good outcome on the first try. + Questions about this article or suggestions for future columns can be sent to us at cjdlpdrph@bellsouth.net Written for the Medical Examiner by Augusta pharmacists Chris and Lee Davidson (cjdlpdrph@bellsouth.net )

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AUGUST 17, 2012

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

Don’t Lick the Beaters and other interesting food facts

by dietetic interns with University Hospital’s Augusta Area Dietetic Internship Program

Shop like a pro packaging. • Most individually packaged snacks cost more per unit. Buy larger packages, then store in reusable containers at home in one-serving portion sizes for easy, portion-controlled snacks. • Don’t buy into the myth that healthy eating is too expensive. Items that will run up your bill the most are processed and convenience foods, which are often loaded with preservatives, sodium, and trans fats.

For some, walking into a grocery store seeking healthy choices can feel like walking into a hardware store looking for the sharpest nail. The tediousness of such a task would cause most people to reject the idea altogether. Learning a few simple tips and guidelines can help you conquer your grocery shopping anxieties and fill your pantry with healthier, more affordable items. Make a List • People who make lists tend to spend more money per visit, but have to return less often for forgotten items. • Plan meals for the following week, and check the pantry for things already stocked to prevent duplicating. • Plan your meals when you are hungry—they will be more interesting. But shop when you’re full—you won’t make impulsive buys. • Create a list from your meal plans, placing like items in categories (meats, frozen foods, fresh produce, dairy, etc.), for

getting in and out of the store more quickly. If you know your grocery store, you can even put the categories in the order that you would find them in the store. Avoid Costly Mistakes • Usually the most expensive items are placed at eye level. Look high and low to find better deals. • Compare nutrition facts on name brands vs. store brands. Sometimes the only difference is a familiar name or prettier

Navigate for Nutrition • Do most of your shopping around the perimeter of the store. This is where the freshest, most unadulterated foods are found. • Limit products that have “hydrogenated” or “partially hydrogenated oils” in the ingredients list or “trans fats,” on the nutrition facts label. These contribute to the “bad” cholesterol in the body. • USDA guidelines suggest making half your grains whole, so if you buy a loaf of bread and a box of pasta, make sure at

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least one of them says “whole wheat” as the first item in the ingredients list. • Focus on lots of fruits and vegetables. If you can’t get fresh ones, go for frozen. If canned is your only option, try to get veggies that say “no added salt,” and fruits packaged in their own juice, not heavy syrup.

Remember, eating healthy starts with shopping healthy, but it isn’t as hard as it sounds. With a little planning and practice, you will soon be navigating the grocery aisles like a pro! + — by Crystal Walker Dietetic intern

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AUGUST 17, 2012

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

Sleeping apart Editor’s note: This article is by Bill Atkinson, former CEO of Trinity Hospital (then St. Joseph Hospital), and the author of the comprehensive 2009 Medical Examiner series on the founding of the Augusta area’s major healthcare providers. This is the second in a two-part series.

o much for the plan. As you recall from the article “Sleeping Together” (Medical Examiner, August 3), my wife Nancy and I pledged to stay together until, well, forever. We did what we could to make that happen. But before long her independence collapsed around me and she had to have more intense care than I could give. Although she expressed some misgivings, I think she saw it coming and was helpful in the process. She moved out of our apartment and into an asissted living setting. Was the move as bad as I had expected? After almost 60 years the space beside me was like an empty tomb. I hated it. It was worse than I expected. I think the cruelest part was the feeling of guilt, the sensation of having somehow failed her. I had promised. I wanted to sleep with her. That was 18 months ago. We still live apart and despite seeing her every day it is not the same. Nancy’s problem is an anomaly which causes the degeneration of the cells of her frontal and temporal lobes. Insidious. Apparently it has been coming on for maybe the last ten years. As of today Nancy is in a nursing home. She does not move independently. She does not talk. She is vulnerable to infections, skin breakdown and breathing deficiencies. Her mind is amazingly lucid. She is basically apathetic to her problem. There is no — Nathaniel Hawthorne treatment. I asked a counselor if she had seen an FTD (frontotemporal dementia) victim die. She said yes and preferred not to discuss it. I hate the thought. So what is the moral to the story? The most logical conclusion is to pontificate about the importance and permanance of marriage. So what is new? What is new is the startling increase in separations of married couples due to the shredding of their marriage by some form of neurological condition requiring two beds. Despite our experience, talking about it and planning for it are still not bad advice. Good luck. +

“Those who love one another should rest on the same pillow.”

Editor’s note: Author Bill Atkinson will begin a regular column in our next issue (September 7) with tales of his experiences as major hospital administrator in Augusta and elsewhere.

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MEDICAL EXAMINER

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AUGUST 17, 2012

The blog spot — Posted August 11, 2012 at more-distractible.org, in which the physician author expounds upon unthinking GPS-like medical devices and software invading the doctor-patient relationship. Excerpted and edited.

BAD DIRECTIONS

11 +

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

“ Primary care physicians are not simply “nonspecialists.”

I recently saw a woman in the office who, for “bronchitis” (i.e. a loose cough likely caused by a virus), got an antibiotic from another physician. Two days after starting her antibiotic she developed severe diarrhea and abdominal cramps. She was a sick pup, presumably with colitis caused by Clostridium Difficile, a nasty bug that likes to take over the colon when other bacteria are killed off by broad-spectrum antibiotics. Experience tells me that she probably would have gotten over her “bronchitis” without any antibiotic, sparing her the pleasure of abdominal cramps and near-dehydration (not to mention the joy of Flagyl, the nasty antibiotic I had to prescribe for her colitis). The other physician was addressing her immediate concern, the loose cough, not considering the big picture of her health. This is like GPS sending me [across country] to buy a sweatshirt at Wal-Mart. Technology [unlike medicine] doesn’t have to live with the consequence of its advice. So what should primary care be in this post-GPS world? I think primary care has made itself far too small: becoming the treaters of coughs, the followers of protocols, and the keepers of the patient record. In truth, I would gladly give up these mundane jobs, and I fear my professional societies will fight for my right to hold on to them. Primary care physicians are not simply “non-specialists.” We have a unique position in care – one that is growing in its importance with impending reform. 1. We have a long-term relationship with our patients. We know them as well as anyone, and so can give advice based on that personal knowledge, and will be by their side with the consequences of their medical decisions, good or bad. 2. We have a unique position of communication. We can explain the “GPS” results, keeping them out of danger and explaining the best path to everyone’s goal: lots of birthdays. 3. We are neutral. I don’t get paid more (unlike the specialist, drug company, or hospital) when my patients utilize our system. I don’t benefit when my patients get sick. I want to keep them around for a long, long time, caring for their children and grandchildren. In the past, my patients relied entirely on me for all of their medical direction. They were largely in the dark about care, and could not get information from any other source. So I ended up giving them turn-by-turn directions, nagging them whenever they chose to go another route. The Internet changed everything, giving them access to both factual information and advice. Is that really a bad thing? Do I really want to tell my patients things they could read on their own? Do I really want to force them to come to my office for things they could get without me? Why not instead take on the role of the friendly local who knows the roads + better than the GPS? Instead of fighting this change in direction, let’s embrace the chance to go down a new road. It seems like a much better direction to me. +

”

Editor’s note: is there a favorite web log you enjoy reading that is in any way related to health and wellness? Send us the link and we may feature it here in a future issue. Send your suggestion to to info@AugustaRx.com.

If life gives you melons, you might be dyslexic.

From THE Bookshelf We live in an age when depression seems to be as common as the common cold, and that’s common. Here at the sprawling Medical Examiner World Headquarters complex, we often hear the word used incorrectly. People who haven’t been diagnosed will say they’re suffering from or have been battling depression. Absent the official diagnosis, we would say what they are actually experiencing is discouragement. There is a huge difference. However, in the world inhabited by David D. Burns, M.D., there isn’t always a difference. D. Burns has written a small library of books centered on one theme: whether you’re just discouraged or you’ve been diagnosed with clinical depression, there are nonpharmaceutical things you can do —and lots of them — to enhance your moods. Note the title: Feeling Good. Note the subtitle: The New Mood Therapy. And down at the bottom, possibly too small to read at this size, is the sub-subtitle: The Clinically Proven Drug-free Treatment for Depression. Here’s a reader review from Amazon: “I have been dealing with anxiety and depression

for many years and have read just about every type of book imaginable. The only reason I’m writing this review is that I found this book to be the best overall work I have ever read in the realm of self-help psychology. “One of the greatest parts about the book is that Dr. Burns’ model of cognitive behavioral therapy is very thorough, yet it is easy to understand and incorporate into one’s daily living. He recommends cognitive behavioral therapy as the first line defense in dealing with mood disorders. However, the beauty of the book lies in the fact that Dr. Burns does not

simply dismiss psychotropic medications. He clearly states that medications in addition to his therapeutic techniques are wholly appropriate for many people. In fact, in this updated edition he goes into detail about the different classes and types of drug options available on the market today. This approach is refreshing for someone who is benefitting from the use of medication and wanting to incorporate cognitive behavioral therapy into their recovery without having to read a book which outright dismisses the role of medication in treatment. “Also of special significance is his list of 10 Cognitive Distortions. Here, he lays out a plan for recognizing faulty thinking, how these thoughts affect our moods, and how to correct these distortions. “In summation, Dr. Burns’ book is a practical encapsulation of the ideas and theories of some of the great pioneers in the field of mental health such as Drs. Abraham Low, Albert Ellis, and Aaron Beck.” +

Feeling Good - The New Mood Therapy by David D. Burns, M.D., a whopping 736 pages, published in 1999 by Harper.

the

Clipping File Free AC Does fanning yourself in a hot environment expend enough energy to generate heat and actually make you even hotter? Scientists with nothing better to do computed that a human body at rest is generating about 100 watts of energy. Waving a fan increases that expenditure by only a single watt while doubling your heat loss. So waving a fan is a good investment in cooling. However, an even better option is a porch swing. With a single push, a person can sail back and forth, enjoying a breeze while essentially at complete rest. All this data was reported earlier this month in the Wall Street Journal and came from E. Steri Phinney, a professor of theoretical astrophysics at California Institute of Technology. Seriously. You are such a liar! Good job! Lying is almost a universal nono. But let the person who has never told a lie raise their hand. That’s a lie!

Excuse us. Someone raised their hand. Where were we? Oh yes, that everyone lies. We even lie to ourselves. We tell ourselves we look younger than we really are, for example. Is that bad? Psychologists say it can be, although they don’t call it lying. They call it self-deception. What can be good about lying to — I mean self-deceiving — yourself? For starters, it’s better than self-deceiving someone else. But seriously, folks, here are examples of good self-deception and bad self-deception, according to yet another article in the Wall Street Journal. A person is preparing for an important presentation, perhaps a sales pitch to potential clients or a speech at a meeting of an organization. If the message of self-deception is “I know more than anyone here,” the net result may be an attitude that comes off as arrogant and unappealing. On the other hand, “I am a great public speaker” might

make the speaker feel better and more confident during the presentation. Persuading yourself that you’re good can actually make you better, say researchers at the University of British Columbia, an unfortunately named institution obviously based out in the woods somewhere. (What about BC Regents U?) The same self-deception can give an athlete the confidence to train with winning as a goal, not merely competing. On the other hand, some self-deceptions can be harmful to health. “I don’t need as much sleep as other people,” as one example, can lead to chronic sleep deprivation. It would be better to respond to a bad night with, “I’ll be okay today, but I don’t want to make a habit of this.” “I work better under pressure” is another selfdeceptive excuse for simple procrastination. Those of us who tell that lie should really put a stop to that — tomorrow for sure. +

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AUGUST 17, 2012

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

THE EXAMiNERS

THE MYSTERY WORD

The whole historic It’s like a legacy of “Medical death in the College of Georgia,” gone. family.

by Dan Pearson

It’s like they inherited something of great value It’s like and squandered it. cancer surgery.

Uh.. I think you lost me there.

You know, when the heir hits it..

The Mystery Word for this issue: MATCHOS

tion a c a v n o s i Word y r e t s y M e Th

Simply unscramble the letters, then begin exploring our ads. When you find the correctly spelled word hidden in one of our ads — enter at AugustaRx.com

EXAMINER CROSSWORD

PUZZLE

ACROSS 1. Macon county 5. Oxidant beginning 9. Map collection 14. Lake feeding Niagara Falls 15. Part of verb to be 16. Monetary inducement 17. Wine country valley 18. _______ Field 19. Raise doubts or objections 20. English public school 21. Express fluently 23. Sixth MCG president 25. Sphere 26. Kroc Center namesake 27. Type of reading? 28. Data 32. Baby doc 35. Roman censor 36. Observed 37. Command to a horse 38. Olmstead Stadium, for one 41. Grand ___ 42. Permits 44. Stout pole 45. Druid Hills school 47. Son of 39-D 48. Atmosphere 49. Cavalier’s univ. 50. Police _____ 52. Controversial, contentious 56. Contemptible 60. Implement 61. Behaved 62. English court 63. Root of the taro 64. Baron 65. Poor, as an excuse 66. What caused flooding last week 67. Church table 68. Giant of Norse mythology 69. Stable attendant (especially in India)

VISIT WWW.AUGUSTARX.COM TO ENTER! 1

Click on “Reader Contests”

48 50

QUOTATION PUZZLE 28

35 38

26 32

41 46

T G H T A E L N U N H O N F Y E E T C Y Y U N E E E ’ W R U L A O G E V D R O A N O D O

— Eric Hoffer

DIRECTIONS: Recreate a timeless nugget of wisdom by using the letters in each vertical column to fill the boxes above. Once any letter is used, cross it out

in the lower half of the puzzle. Letters may be used only once. Black squares

Solution p. 14

DOWN 1. Author of The Devil and Daniel Webster 2. Angry 3. Two-legged support 4. Cheap restaurant 5. The office of an abbot 6. Nervous system prefix 7. Exam 8. MAOI follower 9. Former Idol judge 10. Lattice 11. Bean type 12. Adjoin 13. Withered 22. Castrated rooster 24. Castle building material 27. Building in downtown Augusta 29. Finding ______ 30. Phobia 31. Solely 32. Look at amorously 33. The Secret Life of _____

indicate spaces between words, and words may extend onto a second line.

34. Japanese wooden clog 35. Excellently 39. Father of 47-A 40. Hindu mother goddess 43. Writ of summons 46. Week beginning? 49. Kidney to bladder pipe 51. Duck with soft down 52. Fragrant resin 53. USA _____ 54. Containing iodine 55. Dolly (1996-2003) 56. Info 57. Lynx’ league (abbrev.) 58. Quick!!! 59. Display a big smile

Solution on page 14.

9 5 4 4 1 8 2 4 5 1 4 4 3 9 6 5 1 8 6 7 4

X A M I N E R

8 7

1 4

S U D O K U

DIRECTIONS: Every line, vertical and horizontal, and all nine 9-square boxes must each contain the numbers 1 though 9. Solution on page 14.

Use the letters provided at bottom to create words to solve the puzzle. All the listed letters following 1 are the 1st letters of each word; the letters following 2 are 2nd letters of each word, and so on. Try solving words with letter clues and entering unique and minimal choice numbers (such as 5 thru 8 in this puzzle). A sample is shown. Solution on page 14.

T 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 5

1 2 3 4 5 S 1 2 3 4 5

K 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

1 2 1

1 2 3 4 5 1

A 3 4 5

— Groucho Marx

1.BAAAFFFLLT 2.LLRRIANII 3.NMURIKKI 4.OIAEEEEE 5.NSSWT 6.A

SAMPLE:

1. ILB 2. SLO 3. VI 4. NE 5. D =

L 1

O 2

V 3

E 4

I 1

S 2

B 1

L 2

I 3

N 4

D 5

WORDS NUMBER

All Mystery Word finders will be eligible to win by random drawing. We’ll announce the winner in our next issue!

AUGUST 17, 2012

13 +

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

Family talks help aging relatives The Patient’s Perspective by Kathy Crist Summer celebrations and family gatherings afford a comfortable setting to initiate a dialogue Kathy Crist between seniors and their children about current and future health, financial and legal issues. In bringing up the wellbeing of senior family members, it’s important to keep the conversation relaxed so as not to overwhelm or distance anyone. If the elderly parent(s) or relative is capable of participating, he or she should be involved in the open discussion. Respect, love and sensitivity are vital in the conversations about a senior loved one’s care. The following is a list of topics and questions to address with an elderly loved one(s): Financial • What is the loved one’s overall financial situation? Will there be a need for supplemental income? How will family members help with any current and future financial needs?

• Compile a list of financial assets and their value (include Social Security and pension deposits, annuities, stocks, interests, IRAs, CDs, etc.). • Create a list of debts and financial payments (include mortgages, car payments, insurance, etc.). • Keep a list of all financial and investment institutions (including safety deposit boxes) with account numbers, access details and contact information. • Consult with a financial advisor to discuss financial planning, transferring of assets, tax issues, etc. Legal • Make sure the loved one has an up-to-date will or trust, living will and other advance health directives including a durable medical power of attorney and financial power of attorney. • If needed, consult with an elder care attorney or family attorney skilled in estate planning, healthcare planning, etc. Medical • Assess the loved one’s current health and discuss any necessary doctor visits. • Compile a list of current prescriptions and over-thecounter medications. Note

any allergies and medication interactions to avoid. • Document details of prescription plans, long-term care insurance, Medicare, etc. • Discuss your loved one’s wishes and healthcare decisions in case he or she becomes incapacitated or unable to make decisions. • Create a list of all medical providers with key contact information Living Arrangements • Discuss options for when your loved one needs in-home care or cannot live alone. Caregiving Roles • Who will be the principal caregiver and who will share responsibilities (doctor visits, medication supervision, etc.)? • How can family members appropriately share information and express feelings? • Develop a plan for involving timely caregiving help. Openly discussing an older family member’s possible future needs today will lessen stress and tension once additional care is needed. With a commitment to supportive concern and communication, caring for an aging loved one can bring a sense of love and unity to any family. +

Kathy Crist, co-owner of Right at Home of the CSRA is available to discuss your family care giving needs. Right at Home is dedicated to helping the elderly by providing private-duty care giving services. Right at Home serves Augusta, North Augusta, Aiken and surrounding areas in SC. If you have further concerns about caring for a loved one, please contact them at 803-278-0250 or on the web at www.rightathome.net/csra.

Who:

CSRA Parkinson Support Group

What: Patrick C. Smith, Jr. will be speaking on elder law issues and answering questions, especially those related to medicare and medicaid. When:

Tuesday, August 28, 2012 at 6:00 pm

Where:

St. John Towers Dining Room, 724 Greene Street Augusta, GA

JULY TUESDAY

Contact: Eva Erwin (706) 364-1662 Note:

This event is free and open to the public.

by Marcia Ribble

ome health questions remain just that, questions, even with quite a lot of medical attention. My platelets and their appearing/disappearing act fall into that category. So far in the past year I’ve had three IV treatments to increase my number of platelets before I had my three eye surgeries, and the treatments increased the platelet count from around 50,000 to 130,000. But shortly thereafter the platelet count dropped back down again, so for each of my V-NUS closures, I had a treatment for four days with 40 mg per day of the steroid dexamethezone. Those treatments brought the platelet count up to 80,000, but it promptly dropped again after the surgeries. The numbers settled in at around 30,000, which is pretty low, but not quite life threatening—yet. This week they were all the way up to 73,000, and I’m not sure if they are going up or coming down. They seem to have some kind of independence from whatever I’m doing or not doing, going up and down at will. Affected by the drugs, they are nonetheless independent of them except within a short time frame. All of my doctors are aware now of my meandering platelet counts. The doctors and I are far more interactive now than they were when this all started a year and a half ago. The platelet counts affect all of my other health issues, so it’s not just the hematological oncologist who needed to be aware of them. The erratic nature of the platelets lately can cause problems in many different areas of the body. Eyes, ears, nose and throat; mouth, esophagus, and the rest of the digestive system; bones; brain; skin and other tissues—every system in the body is dependent on blood flow and the ability of the platelets to stop bleeding. So what have we learned? That after almost twenty years of fairly consistent platelet counts from 80,000 to 100,000 which were below normal but not worrisome,

Talk is cheap. Not talking can be deadly.

somewhere in my system a platelet gobbler is eating up my platelets. What that is, we don’t know. At least we have a term for what it’s called when platelets are being destroyed: ideopathic thrombocytopenia. That means a platelet gobbler of unknown origin. Now we are at a point where the costs, both physical and monetary, are beginning to call into question the wisdom of continuing treatments before surgeries or dental work or after accidents. The alternative is trying to find a reason for why this is occurring in the first place, a discovery which would allow us to find a long term solution less damaging to my body. Is this caused by an out of whack immune system? So far this is the assumption behind the treatment with steroids. But there could be other causes. Is there internal bleeding somewhere that we’re unaware of which is using up my platelets faster than they can be replaced? Is my spleen the naughty culprit, busily gobbling up platelets because they’ve been marked as intruders? Is the bone marrow itself defective in some way? We have many questions. What we don’t have is conclusive answers. At least not yet. + Marcia Ribble received her PhD in English at Michigan State and recently retired from the University of Cincinnati where she taught composition. She taught writing at the college level and loves giving voice to people who have been silenced. She can be reached with comments, suggestions, etc., at marciaribble@hotmail.com.

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AUGUST 17, 2012

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

THE MYSTERY SOLVED The Mystery Word in our last issue was: STOMACH vacation

on s i d r o W y r The Myste

...carefully hidden (on the skeeter) in the page 7 ad for JURY PEST CONTROL

Congratulations to Jeffrey Burns, who scores a $20 Wild Wing Cafe gift certificate, two free movie passes courtesy of Health Center Credit Union, a free Top Notch Car Wash gift card, and anything else we may be able to scrape together on short notice. Win this stuff! The new Mystery Word is on p. 12. Start looking!

The Celebrated MYSTERY WORD CONTEST ...wherein we hide (with fiendish cleverness) a simple word. All you have to do is unscramble the word (found on page 12), then be the first to find it concealed within one of our ads. Click in to the contest link at www.AugustaRx.com and enter. If we pick you in our random drawing of correct entries you’ll score our goodie package: gift certificates from Wild Wing Cafe, Top Notch Car Wash, Cheddar’s, and movie passes from Health Center Credit Union! SEVEN SIMPLE RULES: 1. Unscramble and find the designated word hidden within one of the ads in this issue. 2. Visit the Reader Contests page at www.AugustaRx.com. 3. Tell us what you found and where you found it. 4. If you’re right and you’re the one we pick at random, you win. (WInners within the past six months are ineligible.) 5. Prizes awarded to winners may vary from issue to issue. 6. A photo ID may be required to claim some prizes. 7. Other entrants may win a lesser prize at the sole discretion of the publisher.

The new scrambled Mystery Word is found on page 12

EXAMINER CLASSIFIEDS and Internet service. Please contact 706589-0238 ask for May.

HOMES, APARTMENTS, ROOMMATES, LAND, ETC. FOR SALE Brand new contemporary townhome/end unit in The Vista on Hwy 1, minutes from MCG. 1450 sqft. Two bdrm, two baths, office. Walk-in closets, lots of upgrades. Hardwood throughout, custom tiled kitchen/bathrooms. Floor to ceiling windows, pristine condition. Ready today. $125K - OBO. 803-5078991. WEST AUGUSTA Two bedroom townhome, quiet & clean units close to ASU, GHSU and hospitals. $645/mo. Call 706951-3598. 11112

GETAWAY 14 acres natural wooded with beautiful rocky creek flowing through. Available immediately to enjoy while planning future devel. Hiking trails cleared, hunting, fishing, golf near outstanding Glascock school system. Call owner: 706-798-4359 81712

HOUSE FOR SALE 3 bedroom, 2 full bath, 2-car garage. Off Dyess Pkwy near Ft. Gordon. $99,900. Call 706-3395548 or 706-210-4334 TOWNHOME large furnished room (dresser, bed, night stand, linens) for rent with private bathroom in convenient and very nice neighborhood near Doctors Hosp. $445 a month includes utilities

TOWNHOME Great location, everything new, 2 master suites, sunroom, all appliances. $98,000 (706) 504-4023 HOMESBYOWNER.COM Sell • Buy • Rentals • 706.564.5885 WEST AUGUSTA Luxury 3 BR / 2 BA Townhouse, 1-car attached garage located off Pleasant Home Road $725 /mo 706-228-4655 TOWNHOME 3 bedroom, 3 full bath townhome. 2 master suites, like new, end unit with extra parking, single garage, covered patio, $125,000. 706-799-0394

SERVICES HOME HEALTH CHECK-UP Biological and chemical contamination will make you sick. Help your doctor! We Cure Sick Homes. 706-772-9898 www.commandonow.com LAWN MAINTENANCE COMPANY Allow us to give you more free time. Try us out with one free visit! Contact us today: Total Turf Care 706-225-2550 or totalturfcare@yahoo.com

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OVERWEIGHT PEOPLE WANTED! Try our bold new formula for weight loss, mood enhancement and energy. 100% natural, pharmacist-tested and recommended. Visit www.weightlossbyfrank.com to request FREE 2-day trial. Serious inquiries only. (706) 373-8867 after 5 pm. or e-mail f.wadford@comcast.net

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NOTICE! ATTENTION! If any current or past employer has failed to pay you min. wage or time and a half overtime pay, you may be entitled to an order from US Federal Court awarding you twice the amount of your unpaid wages plus atty. fees. For info, call Arthur H. Shealy, Attorney at Law, 803-278-5149, 1010 Plantation Rd, North Augusta SC 29841. You may be entitled to a similar award for unpaid wages if your employer required you to perform duties during your lunch hour, before clocking in, or after clocking out.

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AUGUST 17, 2012

15 +

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

THE BEST MEDICINE ha... ha...

A young man had completed medical school. He went back home to his small hometown to work with his father, the long-time town doctor. They went out the first day to make house calls. As they went up to the first house the father said, “Watch me so you’ll know what to do.” Inside, a woman was confined to bed and she looked terrible. The old doctor checked her out. He was making notes when he dropped his pen to the floor. He picked it up and then told the woman she needed to quit cleaning and working so hard in

her house, she just needed rest. When they got outside, the son asked his father how he knew she was cleaning too much. The old doctor said that when he dropped his pen, the floor was so clean there wasn’t a speck of dust anywhere. When they arrived at the next house, the father told his son it was his turn to examine the patient. At this house too, the woman was in bed, looking terrible. The young doctor took her blood pressure and pulse, asked a few questions, and made some notes. Then he dropped his pen and reached down to pick it up. Straightening up, he told the woman that she was doing too much church work, and needed to cut down and get more rest. When the two doctors went outside, the old doctor asked his son how he knew she was doing too much church work. The young one said, “Well, when I bent down to pick up my pen I saw the preacher under the bed.” +

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AUGUST 17, 2012

AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER

FISCAL HEALTH

The Money Doctor

Thoughtful Cash Management

If simple cash is the investment alternative you are considering, then you must ask yourself, “What is the ultimate purpose of my portfolio?” Most likely your answer is to preserve your capital and make a little on the way. Too often emphasis is placed on the ‘make a little on the way’ rather than the ‘preserve’. Preserve in this sense does not mean maintain a constant dollar amount. Rather, preserve in this sense means preserve purchasing power (i.e. making sure you can maintain your current standard of living into the future). Given current interest rates and the high likelihood of above average future inflation, this desire to preserve capital and make a little on the way becomes increasingly difficult. The two accompanying charts from JP Morgan tell a very interesting story. The first (below) shows that $100,000 invested in a six month CD in 2006 (prior to the economic downturn) would have generated annual interest income of $5,240. That same amount invested in 2011 would have generated only $419. That is a drop in effective yield from nearly 5% to less than 1%. This is

only half of the equation though. The second, and more important, question you must ask is: what is the level of inflation? If you are in a deflationary environment like Japan has experienced over the last 20 years, a 1% return on cash is acceptable (you still have a positive real return). However, with double-digit inflation like we saw in this country in the 70s, then even a 10% yield on cash may not be enough to keep up with rising costs. Currently inflation is running around 3%, so savers are losing about 3% a year in purchasing power on $1 after taxes and inflation. The second chart (right) shows just how much cash the average household is holding and when they generally tend to hoard cash. It is interesting to note that when the financial markets are doing best (the point of maximum financial risk) cash levels are at low points (i.e. the late 90s and mid 2000s). When financial markets are doing poorly (the point of maximum financial opportunity) cash levels are at high points (i.e. 2002-2003 and 2008-2009). Businesses also have very large stockpiles. With cash essentially paying nothing and generating negative real returns after inflation, both individuals and businesses must find somewhere to put their capital in order to do the old “preserve their capital and make a little on the way.” In

the business world, we’re seeing shareholders get more and more aggressive with companies that are sitting on large piles of cash. Companies will respond with increased capital/business investment, dividend payments, and share buybacks; all positives for portfolios with an income focus. While there is a place in the portfolio for cash, we feel this is a very important concept to understand for your long-term money. The Fed is punishing savers by design with its 0% Fed Funds rate and countries will continue to run the printing presses to pay off their debts. We want our readers to fully understand the costs/benefits and have a thoughtful process for investing your capital based on the goals you are trying to accomplish. So bottom line, what should you hold cash for? One, a reserve fund. Typically this should be 6 to 8 months of your

by Bill Cleveland, CPA and certified financial planner (CFP) with Preston & Cleveland Wealth Management, LLC (www.preston-cleveland.com) in Augusta and Atlanta. Medical Economics magazine has called him one of the 150 Best Financial Advisors for Doctors in the nation.

expenses. Two, any other short term goals or projects over the next several years. If you are at or near retirement, hold cash or conservative fixed income investments for one to two years of needed withdrawals. You do not want to be in the position of having to sell risky assets in a down market. Over and above that there are better options. Investing on a monthly basis, also called dollar cost averaging, is the best thing you can do if you are accumulating funds for retirement. Research shows that volatility actually

will increase your wealth over time as you are able to buy some months at prices better than others. Pay down debt. We want all of our clients to be debt free by the time they retire. Paying off debt at 3% or 4% is a much better option than holding cash at or near 0% (assuming you still have your reserve fund). There are no right or wrong answers, but having a thoughtful process for managing your cash based on the goals you are trying to accomplish will be important over the next several years. +

CODE: cake0453

EVANS:(706) 855-1616 AIKEN: (803) 226-0034 COMING SOON TO SOUTH AUGUSTA!

8/31/12.

“Serving the Medical, Dental and Education Communities since 1976” Visit us at any of our 5 locations or at www.hccu.coop 706 434 1600

Thursday evenings:

Wine & Tapas

A sterling selection of Chef Heinz’ unique culinary skills and Augusta’s most extensive wine list. $25 per person Friday evenings:

Specialty Martinis Half price

There is no substitute for hard work. — Thomas A. Edison

La Maison ON TELFAIR

Augusta’s special occasion restaurant GOURMET CUISINE FINE WINES EXCELLENT SERVICE INVITING ATMOSPHERE WE LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING YOU SOON Celebrating Chef Heinz’ 20 years at La Maison

Chef Heinz welcomes you

706.722.4805 • 404 Telfair Street • New Hours: Tue - Sat: 5:00 pm until • www.LaMaisonTelfair.com