vol: 4 issue: 1
Heart to Heart
Essential Organ, Symbol of Caring. heart
/härt/ noun plural noun: hearts 1. a hollow muscular organ that pumps the blood through the circulatory system by rhythmic contraction and dilation. In vertebrates there may be up to four chambers (as in humans), with two atria and two ventricles. 2. the heart is regarded as the center of a person’s thoughts and emotions, esp. love or compassion.
inside: give your heart a gift this valentine’s day
Table Of Contents Page 11
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Boone Hospital Center’s mission is to improve the health of the people and communities we serve.
Jim Sinek President
Angy Littrell Director
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Ben Cornelius Communications and Marketing Manager
Jacob Luecke Media Relations Manager
Jessica G. Park Marketing Coordinator Photos By:
Dave Hoffmaster
Page 20 5...................................................... A Note From Boone Hospital President Jim Sinek 6.....................................................................................................
myBoone Health Stories
8................................................................................................................ Hospital Headlines Follow us on Facebook, Twitter Instagram and Pinterest. Please submit comments or feedback to bcc1170@bjc.org or call 573.815.3392
1600 East Broadway Columbia, MO 65201 573-815-8000 For a free subscription, call 573-815-3392 or visit myBooneHealth.com and click on the subscription link on the right side of the page.
10....................................................................................................................... Heart To Heart 11................................................................................................... Catching Up With Ashley 14....................................................................................................................
Love Your Heart
16.............................................................................................................. One Step At A Time 20...................................................................................................................... Caring Couples 22.......................................................................................................................
Made With Love
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Mood Music
26............................................................................................... One Day, Two Special Gifts 28................................................................................................... Outsmart Illness In 2014 30........................................................................... It’s Finally Here: Stewart Cancer Center BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER Winter 2014
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A Note From Jim
Loving Your Health During Heart Month
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ove. It’s one of the most beautiful words in the English language — and also one of the most complex. In the Greek language, there are multiple words used to describe the many different things we call love: the closeness of a family,
romantic feelings, a bond between friends, loving your job, loving your teammates, spiritual love. Yet, in English, we have just one word: love. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, this is a time when we are encouraged to think about love — mainly the romantic kind. And that’s a wonderful thing. However, here at Boone Hospital Center, we want to inspire this community to also think about the other kinds of love. Love your heart: The heart is the symbol of love, but it’s far more than a symbol; it’s an essential organ. So this year, why not attend
Jim Sinek President Boone Hospital Center
our Heart Fair on Feb. 20? Attendees will receive free heart health screenings and education about heart health. Get the details on the back cover. Love yourself: Depending on your age and family history, there might be a variety of important annual screenings you should be receiving. Early detection is the best tool we have for fighting cancer and other dangerous health problems. Please talk to your doctor about preventative screenings. If you don’t have a doctor, call us and we’ll help you make an appointment: 573-815-6400. Love your community: Remember to care for the wellbeing of your neighbors. Invite them to our Heart Fair and encourage them to be screened. If you are able, donate food, money or time to help every member of our community thrive. Finally, on behalf of my teammates here at Boone Hospital, I’d like to leave you with this: We love serving you. Have a wonderful heart month!
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myBoone Health Stories Visit myBooneHealth.com To Read More — And Share Your Own Story
Greeted with thoughtfulness, genuine concern and caring By Charles Crandall, Ashland
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A new mother’s gratitude: “Thank you for saving our baby” By Kyndal Riffie, Columbia
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was 32.5 weeks pregnant and at Boone Hospital, where I work, on an ordinary Monday when my coworker Nancy Schuenemeyer emailed me to ask how I was feeling. I was feeling a little “off ” that morning and thought my son’s kicks weren’t happening as often. But since I had just finished a very busy weekend, I thought it was due more to my inattentiveness than to anything bad. Throughout the day, Nancy continued to check on me and encouraged me to call my doctor or go to Labor and Delivery to get checked out. Near the end of the workday, I reluctantly went with her to L&D for fetal monitoring. Nancy knew I was refusing to call my husband since I thought I was overreacting, so she stayed with me for over two hours. In the end, my son had to be delivered that night, almost 7 1/2 weeks early and he was very, very sick. Without Nancy’s urging, I would have gone home that night — and who knows what would have happened? 6
Winter 2014 BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER
When baby Caz was born, he spent a month in the ICN being cared for by the most amazing doctors and staff. We literally trusted them with our son’s life and even though that was a very scary month, I am grateful for the time we spent getting to know his caregivers. These doctors and staff may spend their days and nights in a locked unit most people don’t ever see, but they all deserve to be recognized for the excellent care they provide. Finally, I more fully understand what “The Boone Family” means. While Caz was cared for by the ICN staff, I was cared for by my fellow employees. Not a day went by where someone at Boone didn’t make sure my husband and I were OK. From one staff member to many others, thank you for saving our baby. Thank you for making my family and me feel a part of the Boone Family. I can’t imagine getting to work with a better group of people.
n Dec. 9, 2013, I presented at the radiology department for a CT scan at 9 a.m. Upon my arrival, I was greeted by the most friendly, and caring person that I’ve had the pleasure of meeting in recent memory, with respect to my last several doctor’s appointments and evaluations. After introducing herself, it was obvious that she could tell that I was apprehensive of the pending CT scans. Rather than being indifferent or too busy, she quietly asked me to come closer to her. She had such a warm presence about her that I did, without thought. She then asked me if I was all right. I told her that I was a little nervous, which wasn’t exactly true, as I was more than a little nervous. She then put her hand my shoulder and said, “You’re going to be OK.” That one gesture, a simple, caring touch, had the most calming effect, and I believed her. For the next two hours, she periodically looked over to me and asked if I was OK and offered a smile each time. I have no words to express my most sincere gratitude for her thoughtfulness and genuine concern and caring. While I did not get her name, I won’t soon forget her. While I’m at it I would also like to commend the CT tech that took my history and prepped me for the exam (IV contrast). He was also very nice. Overall, my entire experience at Radiology was positive, but she really made a difference.
Thank you is not enough By Bobbie Galbreath Rhoades
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hank you is not enough for the staff that took care of our baby Cooper Rhoades when he was delivered there. Today is his 9th birthday and it is hard to believe that he was born nine weeks early weighing in at 3 pounds 4 ounces and 19 inches long. He spent four weeks in the NICU and came home weighing 4 pounds 9 ounces. Thank you Boone Hospital Center.
Share your story myBooneHealth.com
“I love Boone Hospital for all of my family’s needs” By Stacy Letterlough, Columbia
Boone’s Intensive Care Nursery staff “became members of our family” By Kelley Gelnar
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he nurses and doctors in the Emergency Department are always so in touch with patient needs. I never have to ask for anything twice and they are two steps ahead of any other facility! I love Boone Hospital, for all of my family’s needs. Thanks to all who give it all here!
“Hands down the best place to deliver!” By Amy Spoor, Mexico
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his is Miss Brinley Raelynn at 3 months! She was a Boone Baby born July 15, 2013, at 4:08 p.m. We had such an amazing experience because of the skilled team at Boone. Hands down, the best place to deliver! Words cannot ever begin to describe the love I felt as they placed her on my chest and my husband Garrett and I met our little girl for the very first time. Brinley means burnt meadow — farmers burn off the fields to make way for new life. She is our new life. Garrett’s middle name is Ray and mine is Lynn. So we put them together and gave her a little bit of us both.
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lmost three years ago, we had a baby girl who was born at Boone. She was born 14 weeks premature. She spent 71 days in the ICN at this wonderful hospital. You see, when I was 15 weeks pregnant, my water broke. It is a condition that is called pProm or preterm premature rupture of membranes. Usually women in this condition are told that the best thing to do is to terminate the pregnancy. We were given little to no hope. We chose to wait and see what would happen. I spent the next 11 weeks on bed rest.
Dr. O’Connor was our neonatologist. He helped us to prepare for the birth of our daughter. He met with us twice before she was born and gave his staff instructions that if I came in to deliver, he wanted to be called in even if he was off duty. We truly believe that without him, our daughter would not have survived. She had a very difficult first day but slowly improved every day after. I have a blog that I kept during my pregnancy and I posted a link to a Good Morning America news show that featured an article on this condition just a few weeks ago. It is very rare for a baby to survive such a trauma. I love Boone and had my first baby there too. We saw many of the nurses cry and laugh with us through our stay. They became members of our family for those 71 days and I still keep in contact with many of them. I think our daughter was one of the smallest babies they had ever seen. Her lowest weight was 1 pound, 12 ounces. She weighed 2 pounds when she was born but that included the weight of the tubes that were connected to her.
“Treated as a person, not just a body with a problem that needed fixing” By Carolyn Branch, Fulton
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just want to let all the wonderful people in the Emergency Department know how much I appreciate the care they gave me today. It was about 3:30 a.m. when I got there. I have had heart problems in the past and I was so afraid the burning pain in my stomach and chest was a heart attack. Check in was very fast and easy. I didn’t have to sit in the waiting room at all. The RN who helped me get undressed and settled was so kind and patient, just like every staff person I met during the next few miserable hours. I wished I had noticed more names so I
could send personal notes. I think the first RN was Kayla. There were several others. Everyone on the night shift was just outstanding. I want to mention also the young man who did the CT scan. He took time to clean up my bed and found fresh sheets for me before I left the CT room. And he did it all with the utmost kindness and respect. I always expect efficient, professional care from the Boone Hospital staff. My experience this morning went way beyond that. Everyone took time to recognize me as a person, not just a body with a problem that needed fixing. BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER Winter 2014
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Hospital Headlines News From Boone Hospital Center
Boone Hospital Center Recognized For Orthopedic Services
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Redonda Marshall
Cancer Patients Honored During Mizzou Football Season
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he Mizzou Tigers football team had one of the nation’s best turnaround seasons this year. That kind of success takes inspiration from a great captain. During every home football game this year, the team named one patient from the Stewart Cancer Center the honorary captain of the game. The honor helped raise awareness about cancer and provided encouragement to a courageous group of patients, many of whom were fighting ongoing battles with cancer. Thanks to the thousands of fans who cheered loudly and helped support these cancer patients. We also greatly appreciate the following patients for taking part in this special honor.
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Nicolle Blacketer: Aug. 31 vs. Murray State
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Redonda Marshall: Sept. 9 vs. Toledo
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Kim Stuart: Sept. 27 vs. Arkansas State
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Darrell Sapp: Oct. 19 vs. Florida
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Lisa Tribble: Oct. 26 vs. South Carolina
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Patty Bereswill: Nov. 2 vs. Tennessee
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Corey Bryant: Nov. 30 vs. Texas A&M
Winter 2014 BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER
ewly released government data highlights Boone Hospital Center’s success in minimizing complications following hip and knee surgery. In publishing the data in mid-December, Medicare designated only 97 hospitals nationwide that are performing better than average for either readmissions or complications following hip and knee surgery. All other hospitals were either performing at an average or below average level. “Along with the leadership of the physicians at Columbia Orthopaedic Group and the expertise of the staff at Boone Hospital Center, our team is consistently performing at a nationally leading level,” said Jim Sinek, Boone Hospital president. “This is yet another validation of our service following a year of many honors for our hospital, including being recognized for safety by Consumer Reports, clinical excellence by VHA and consumer satisfaction by PRC.” Boone Hospital is among just three Missouri hospitals — and the only in mid-Missouri — recognized as performing above average at reducing complications such as infections, blood clots and other problems. “This new recognition once again shows that the staff and physicians of the Columbia Orthopaedic Group, along with our colleagues at Boone Hospital, are committed to providing both the most advanced and safest orthopaedic treatments available,” said Dr. Mark Adams, president of Columbia Orthopaedic Group. The other two hospitals recognized by Medicare include BJC HealthCare’s Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. “It is outstanding to see two BJC HealthCare system hospitals performing at such high levels in regard to minimizing hip and knee surgery complications,” said Steve Lipstein, CEO of BJC HealthCare. “I applaud the work of the staff and physicians at Boone Hospital Center for once again helping set the bar for patient care in our state and nation.”
The latest news boone.org
Holiday Spirit Fills Boone Hospital Center Annual Heart Fair Is Thursday, Feb. 20
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oone Hospital Center presents the 14th Annual Heart Fair on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014, continuing our commitment to improving the health of the people and communities we serve. Knowing your numbers enables you to make positive changes that will help prevent the onset of chronic health conditions. Some of these important numbers include blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood glucose and body mass index (BMI). With support from the Boone Hospital Foundation, our Heart Fair provides these screenings to members of our community free of charge. Your blood test results are available immediately and reviewed one-on-one with a WELLAWARE clinician. Come learn your numbers and discover how you can lead a hearthealthy life. Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are accepted after 8 a.m. For best results, you should fast at least 8 hours before your screening. To register, call 573-815-6400 or 800-872-9008, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Helping Feed The Hungry
As a hospital that’s open 24/7 — even on holidays — our staff, physicians, patients and community always find ways to bring the spirit of the season into Boone Hospital. These efforts mean so much to those who can’t be with their families on these special days. Thanks to everyone who decked our halls, sang carols and celebrated the season with us.
Showcasing Our History Through Downton Abbey
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he popular PBS period drama Downton Abbey has often used medical themes as plot devices. Several episodes have portrayed medical care from earlier generations. As a supporter of Downton Abbey’s new season in mid-Missouri, Boone Hospital Center is reminding fans of the show just how far medical care has advanced since the Downton Abbey days. Partnering with KMOS-TV, Boone Hospital has created a series of informational advertisements that are broadcast before and after each episode of Downton Abbey. These short videos showcase archival photos from the early days of Boone Hospital in contrast to the cutting-edge care available in mid-Missouri today.
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uring the month of November, Boone Hospital Center staff members pitched in to make a generous donation to The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri. Staff members collected 707 pounds of food and donated $350 to help people in need this winter. “The donations of food and money received went well beyond my expectations. Through our gifts we’ll be able to help feed hundreds of people in our community,” said food drive organizer Jennifer Hanes, human resources business partner. “Boone has some of the most kind and caring staff and it makes me proud to be a part of it!” The food will go to soup kitchens, emergency food pantries, shelters for the abused and homeless, and programs for low-income children and senior citizens. It all stays in mid-Missouri. BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER Winter 2014
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Heart to Heart Essential Organ, Symbol of Caring
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ou could say being a heart is a pretty thankless job. Inside you right now, your heart is doing its solitary work — pumping blood, keeping you alive. The fact that you are conscious to read this means your heart is no slouch either. In fact, it’s given you about 100,000 heartbeats during the last day. That’s amazing. But just how often do we stop to praise our hearts for all they do for us? We think right now is a great time to start. Most of the time when we commemorate our hearts, we are actually thinking about the symbol of the heart. That makes sense, because the region around our heart is where we physically feel some of life’s most powerful emotions — the excitement of new romance, the pain of separation, giving care to another, the warmth of family, the comfort of an old friend, a spiritual peace. However, as we celebrate the symbol of the heart, let’s also remember the real hearts present inside all of us. Let’s celebrate the work our heart does each day and consider how we can help keep our hearts healthy and strong. So in honor of national Heart Month and Valentines Day, here is a selection of stories honoring the importance of the heart — what it actually is and everything it stands for. 10
Winter 2014 BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER
Catching Up With Ashley Boone Procedure Helps Mother With Rare Heart Condition By Jacob Luecke
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shley DeVore has a lot to keep up with in her life. She’s a single mom to a preschool-age son. She works as a nurse in western Missouri, going on ambulance calls and treating emergency department trauma — not the easiest job. Keeping pace with such a busy life is no small task. Just ask her heart. About three years ago, at age 26, Ashley began experiencing chest pains. Over time, the pain worsened to the point where Ashley would almost pass out. And sometimes, she did pass out. Soon, Ashley couldn’t even keep up with herself. Her problem disrupted her career. It hurt her ability to be a mother. It sent her to multiple doctors, even to the Mayo Clinic in a search for answers. Then, after three years of misery and mystery, her problem was finally solved at Boone Hospital Center with a simple, common, 30-minute procedure. After so much hardship, she was amazed by the immediate transformation she felt. But before we get to that, there’s a backstory. Let’s catch up. --Ashley was just getting home from her regular ambulance crew shift when she felt a strange sensation. This was three years ago. At first, it felt like a discomfort in her chest. Then, the uncomfortable feeling traveled down her sternum, radiating to her left shoulder and down her arm. She had never felt pain like this before. She decided to go to her local emergency department — she lives in Bethany, Mo. — to have her heart examined. When the
medical staff found nothing unusual, they sent Ashley home with medicine for anxiety. But it wasn’t anxiety that was causing her chest to hurt. The next day, the pain was back again. She went back to the hospital and was sent to Kansas City to see different doctors. Again, they couldn’t find anything. Rounds of chest pains and doctors visits went on like this for months. “The pain would subside, but it would come and go,” Ashley said. “It was happening quite often.” Sometimes, the sensation in her chest made Ashley feel lightheaded. One night, after work, she passed out in her car while driving home on Interstate 35. “I found myself in the median when I came to,” she said. “Luckily enough, I didn’t have an accident.” On another day, she passed out while walking into the emergency department to have her chest pains examined. Each time this happened, doctors checked her out, ran tests and decided there was nothing they could do. BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER Winter 2014
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“My doctors basically told me at that this was something they couldn’t really do much about,” she said. “I was told this was something I was going to outgrow.” In the meantime, the pains were taking a major toll on Ashley’s life. As a single mom, she found it increasingly difficult to care for her young son Caiden. “I couldn’t get down and play with him or run around outside and do all of the fun stuff,” she said. “It was so hard; it was like I couldn’t be a good mom.” Even worse, she worried about what would happen if she passed out while home alone with her son. “It was very scary for me. Being a single mom at home by myself with him, I often wondered how I was going to get help,” she said. “I was having to teach my very small child how to dial 911 if mommy couldn’t get up, how to speak our address on the phone and rehearsing that.” Her ongoing problems disrupted her career. She had to quit her dream job — treating trauma patients in a busy emergency department — because it was causing her chest pains to flare up. She switched to a less demanding nursing position. “I wanted to advance my career, but I had to just give that idea up,” she said. “I knew my heart just couldn’t handle it.” With her nursing background, Ashley observed that her problems seemed to be connected to temporary declines in her heart rate. When she began to feel symptoms, she would take her pulse, feeling her heartbeat suddenly slow down. Various heart specialists observed this as well. At one point, she was labeled as having a disease called postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. She was given medicine to increase her blood pressure. However, the medicine just made her problems worse. Visits to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., confirmed she was misdiagnosed. There, a doctor suggested she was having coronary artery spasms. In order to treat this, Ashley needed to have her heart rate problem fixed by having a pacemaker implanted. However, she would need to find a doctor closer to home to do this procedure. “They said you’ve got to find someone who will fix this heart rate issue,” she said. Back in Kansas City, Ashley shared what she had learned with local doctors. Yet they all declined to do the pacemaker implant due to her young age — most people who receive pacemakers are over age 60. At this point, Ashley had been dealing with her problem for nearly three years. She felt like she finally had the answer in hand, making it all the more devastating to be once again staring at a dead end. She remembers crying in a doctor’s office after being told, yet again, there was nothing they could do. Then, one of Ashley’s cousins recommended that she try coming to see a cardiologist in Columbia at Boone Hospital Center. It would be a long drive, though — three hours, one-way. But after three years of suffering, Ashley was ready to try anything. --As an electrophysiologist at Boone Hospital, Dan Pierce, MD, is an expert at treating problems with heart rhythms. 12
Winter 2014 BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER
Dr. Dan Pierce is an electrophysiologist at Boone Hospital. A pacemaker, below, electronically monitors and adjusts the heart’s rhythm.
Often, this involves using an artificial pacemaker. A pacemaker is a small device — roughly the same diameter as a 50-cent piece — which electronically monitors and adjusts the heart’s rhythm. Pacemakers are generally used to help older patients who are suffering from slow heart rhythms. Fixing heart rhythm problems can lead to substantial quality of life improvements for patients. Often, patients begin feeling better almost immediately. “Many times, the next day the patient says, ‘Yes, I feel better,’” Dr. Pierce said. “And that is really one of the nice things about being a cardiologist and electrophysiologist.” But of the many patients Dr. Pierce has helped, very few had Ashley’s problem.
When Ashley first came to Columbia, Dr. Pierce reviewed her heart monitor data. It was immediately clear what was causing Ashley’s symptoms. “She has a pretty rare problem called a sudden drop in heart rate. She might be at 100 beats per minute, but then experience a drop down to 60. Some people have problems with the quickness of that drop,” Dr. Pierce said. “Every time she had one of these spells, she just wouldn’t feel well afterwards. It was devastating to her daily life.” Dr. Pierce had only seen this problem in such a young patient a handful of times. Given the severity of Ashley’s symptoms, Dr. Pierce felt compelled to offer a pacemaker as a potential solution. Because most pacemakers are programmed to treat persistently slow heart rhythms, using one in Ashley would require activating a rarely used setting so that the device would only kick in when Ashley shakes hands with Dr. Pierce during a recent checkup appointment. her heart rate suddenly dropped. “I have my life back. That’s an amazing feeling,” Ashley said. “Several pacemakers have this feature built into them, but less than 1 percent of the time do we activate it,” Dr. Pierce said. “It’s available, but rarely used.” There were also some risks to consider. Ashley was awake the entire time, talking with Dr. Pierce. Since Ashley was young, she would have to undergo multiple “They’re not under general anesthesia for this,” he said. “It’s a small surgeries during her life to replace her pacemaker, generally comfortable procedure.” every seven years. Studies show there is a 2 percent chance of About 30 minutes later, Dr. Pierce closed the wound and it was infection during each replacement surgery. over. A long, difficult chapter of Ashley’s life was closing as well. Also, should Ashley experience a problem with the lead wires that connect the pacemaker to her heart, she would need a --complicated surgery to remove those wires. But for Ashley, the decision was simple. Her condition had It didn’t take long for Ashley to notice the difference. destroyed three years of her life. The risks were worth the chance “I felt so much better just a couple hours after they had put it to finally feel better. in,” she said. After leaving the hospital, she continued to improve. Months --later, she said the pacemaker has completely turned around her outlook on life. The change is almost unbelievable. The following Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013, Ashley arrived at Boone “Everything is great with my heart. I couldn’t be more Hospital Center for her pacemaker surgery. blessed,” she said. “I am just in disbelief that the pacemaker has From the moment she walked in the door, she was impressed made almost a 90 percent difference the way I feel. I still can tell by the hospital’s friendly staff. sometimes that my heart is irregular, or that it is a little fast, or “We had to check in very early but everyone in registration my rate is fluctuating from time to time. But this is nothing like had a smile on their face,” she said. “Everyone at Boone was just I had been feeling for the last three years.” absolutely amazing and went above and beyond my expectations.” And now, Ashley is free to catch up with the busy life that had A few hours later, Dr. Pierce opened a small incision just below been on hold for so long. She is focused on her son, her family Ashley’s left clavicle bone. He created a small pocket under her and advancing her career. skin to hold the pacemaker. Then, he used a needle to guide the She knows she can handle it all — without skipping a lead wires into a vein underneath her collarbone. This vein is like a heartbeat. highway directly to the heart. “Now that I’m feeling better, all of those opportunities have Soon, Dr. Pierce was attaching the two lead wires to Ashley’s opened back up to me,” she said. “I have my life back. That’s an heart, one to the bottom right chamber and the other to the right amazing feeling.” upper chamber. BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER Winter 2014
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Love Your Heart
Give Your Heart A Gift This Valentine’s Day Stop Smoking While we usually associate smoking with a risk for lung cancer, smoking is also a major cause of heart disease. Kicking this habit is the most impactful change you can make to your health.
Drink Alcohol in Moderation Women should limit themselves to one drink per day, two drinks for men. Especially limit sugary alcoholic drinks such as margaritas, liquor mixed with regular soda or tropical drinks.
Exercise
Inactivity is among the biggest risk factors for heart disease. Make it your goal to get 30 minutes of exercise each day or 150 minutes a week. Start slow and work your way up. Join our fitness center: boone.org/fitness
Eat More Fruits and Vegetables
Eat foods that your heart loves. Try to get five to nine servings of fruits and veggies each day. Get nutritional counseling: boone.org/nutrition
Watch Portion Sizes
When you look at your plate, fruits and veggies should cover half of the space. Split the remaining half between a lean protein and starches and grains.
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Know Your Numbers
We are providing free heart health screenings during our annual Heart Fair on Feb. 20. See the back cover for more information.
Weight Loss Obesity can be bad news for your heart. If you need to lose weight, work at it gradually, losing 1-2 pounds each week. Some people qualify for weight loss surgery which can have a profound impact. Learn more: boone.org/weightloss
Pictured above left to right: John Boyer, MD; Sanjeev Ravipudi, MD; David Brown, MD; Dan Pierce, MD; Anthony Spaedy, MD; Richard Mellitt, MD; Trung Tran, MD; Jerry Kennett, MD; John Baird, MD; James Elliott, MD; James Fairlamb, MD; William Woods, MD. Not pictured: Eric Thompson, MD, Joss Fernandez, MD, and Jason Rytlewski, MD.
See A Great Cardiologist
If you need to find a heart specialist, consider the outstanding physicians at the Missouri Heart Center. Learn about cardiology services at boone.org/cardiology or call our physician referral line for more information: 573-815-6400.
Limit Saturated and Trans Fats
Saturated fats are found predominantly in animal products, which is why lean cuts of meat and low-fat dairy are best. Trans fats are found in processed foods and bakery items and should be avoided.
Limit Refined Carbohydrates
Sugar and processed foods should be considered “sometimes” foods while basing the majority of your diet on fruits, vegetables, lean protein and whole grains.
Restrict Sodium
Seek to consume less than 2,400 milligrams per day. Cutting back on processed and fast foods and eliminating the saltshaker can make the biggest impact.
Increase Omega-3s Omega-3s are good for your heart. You can increase this through fish oil supplements, salmon, walnuts, ground flax seed and canola oil. BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER Winter 2014
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One Step At A Time Daughter’s Wedding Inspires Dad’s Amazing Recovery By Jacob Luecke
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ark Hatfield was slowly waking up from back surgery. Through the drowsy haze, he heard a voice: “Mark, can you move your foot?” Eyes still closed, he tried to move his foot. “Now, try to move your other foot,” said the voice. So Mark tried that one, too. “Mark, can you feel this?” He didn’t feel anything. “Mark, can you open your eyes?” When he opened them, he saw a nurse grasping his toes, shaking his foot. “So, you don’t feel this?” Mark felt nothing. For more than two decades Mark, 53, had experienced back pain. This year, he decided he wouldn’t put up with it anymore. He chose to have a back surgery. However, the procedure carried with it a slight risk of paralysis. Mark decided it was worth the risk and scheduled the surgery for late summer. That would give him plenty of time to rest and recover before his youngest daughter’s wedding in early November. But the unexpected happened. Back in the room, as his caregivers discovered Mark’s lack of feeling in his legs, they quickly arranged for him to be taken down for an MRI. Lying on the MRI table, Mark began to understand what was happening. “By that time, I had figured out that from my belly button down, I couldn’t move or feel anything,” he said. “I’m just laying there thinking, ‘Is this going to come back quick? Is this permanent?’”
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Before long, he would wonder what this meant for the wedding, just two months away.
Life-Altering
Over the next several days, Mark learned just how much things had changed. As he went for additional tests and exams, caregivers would use a mechanical lift to move him from the bed to a wheelchair. He realized he couldn’t even sit up without assistance. Mark is the mayor of Marceline, Mo. He is also an executive vice president at a large local company. He began to question how this sudden paralysis would change his life. “It was life-altering,” he said. “I had no clue how long it was going to be, if I was going to get it back, or how much I was going to get back.” He began meeting with Physical Therapist Jennifer Dixon. During their first session together, Jennifer encouraged Mark to think of a goal he would like to achieve. “It helps patients if they have something specific in mind that they want to be able to do after they leave the hospital,” Jennifer said. “It can be a great motivation.” Looking ahead to his daughter’s wedding, Mark knew exactly what he wanted to do. “I told them my goal was to walk my daughter down the aisle,” he said. It was an incredibly ambitious goal. Going from nearly complete paralysis to walking in eight weeks would be extremely challenging. Perhaps impossible. But Mark was determined, so they decided to take it one step at a time and see what happened.
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First Step
Over the next few weeks, Mark and his therapists worked on the fundamental skills he would need to begin to walk again. During one session, Mark practiced just sitting in his bed as he and Jennifer hit a balloon back and forth. The game was designed to help him relearn to balance his torso. After being transferred from acute care to a rehabilitation floor, Mark began working extensively with Physical Therapist Meghann Figg and Occupational Therapist David White. Over time, Mark gradually discovered he was regaining some of the movement he had lost. At first, it was wiggling his toes. On another day, his therapists noted that he could move his feet. Later, he moved his knees. And on it went. “Every time we saw even a little improvement, it was a celebration, and my care team was right there celebrating with me,” Mark said. “I can’t describe how much that motivated me and kept me going.” About a month into Mark’s recovery — halfway to the wedding — Meghann decided to put Mark in a LiteGate device. This system uses straps to hold a patient’s weight while he or she stands upright. “Even though it was holding almost all of his weight, it helps because he could get a feel for what it was like to stand again,” Meghann said. As Mark stood there, Meghann coached him through the motions of taking a step. Mark gently lifted his foot and placed it forward. It was his first step. His therapists cheered. “It really registered that, hey, I’m going to be able to stand up again,” he said. “I was able to take that step, and they were there cheering me on and showing me how.”
Practice Makes Perfect
As the wedding neared, Mark continued to improve. He began walking using parallel bars for support. He steadily increased his distance. 18
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The more they worked together, the stronger the bond grew between Mark and his therapists. “I called them my team, but I also called them my family,” Mark said. “They just became part of my family.” Each day, Mark drew inspiration from the upcoming wedding. Therapy often left him exhausted. He was occasionally tempted to ask for a day off, but then he would think of his daughter — the day she was born, watching her grow, cheering for her through sports, seeing her graduate from college. He was always there for her. More than anything, he wanted to be there for her once more on her wedding day. “My last act as dad was to walk her down the aisle and place her hand into her future husband’s hand,” he said. “That was my job. That was my privilege of being her dad. It was very important to me.” These thoughts motivated him, and he kept going. Eventually, he learned to walk using a walker, and later started using a cane. As the wedding day drew closer, his therapists doubled their efforts. They met with the bride-to-be, who works as a nurse in Boone Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, to find out exactly what it would take to get Mark safely down the aisle. What kind of dress would she be wearing? How long is the aisle? Was the church carpeted? Would he have to wear fancy shoes? Where there any obstacles he would have to avoid? With these questions answered, they set out to recreate the wedding procession during their therapy sessions. They put sheets on the hospital floor so Mark could practice walking on a material that resembled the cloth at the church. Then, during a memorable therapy session, Mark’s daughter brought the slip from her wedding dress to the hospital. Meghann wanted to make sure that as Mark walked down the aisle, he wouldn’t get caught on the dress. However, they needed a stand-in for the bride, so Jennifer put on the slip. She then linked
“It helps patients if they have something specific in mind that they want to be able to do after they leave the hospital.” — Physical Therapist Jennifer Dixon arms with Mark and walked slowly through the hospital halls as Meghann closely observed his movements. It caused a bit of a sensation. “People would just stop. It had to be quite a sight,” Mark said. “The fact they were all willing to do that for me; I don’t even know how you put into words. It’s so far above and beyond just doing physical therapy.” Then, two days before the wedding, Mark was discharged from the hospital. But it wasn’t a goodbye. Mark and his family invited his therapists David, Jennifer and Meghann to come to the wedding. “They are my three new family members,” Mark said. “They had to be there.”
Wedding March
On the morning of the wedding, the therapists arrived early at Crossroads Christian Church in Macon. They helped Mark warm up in the church’s fellowship hall. As the time for the ceremony approached, Mark stood with his daughter behind the church doors, waiting for their cue. It was an emotional moment, they hugged and cried together. It was an exciting time for the therapists as well. They sat among the other guests, waiting anxiously for the ceremony to begin. Were their preparations enough? Was Mark really ready for this? As the doors swung open, Mark and the bride-to-be began their progression. Immediately, there was a problem. Mark’s cane became tangled on a burlap decoration on the floor. While Mark and the wedding guests in the church had no idea there was a problem, two people in the audience quickly saw what was happening — Meghann and Jennifer. “We were just watching as he was moving forward, but the cane wasn’t coming with him,” Jennifer said. They tried signaling to other guests who would have easily performed the untangle. When that didn’t work, Jennifer sprung from her seat and dashed to Mark’s side. She bent down and quickly freed the cane — saving the day. And they were off. Mark walked down the aisle, passed his daughter to her groom, sat beside his wife and enjoyed the wedding. He had done it. “It was something I will never forget,” he said. “I don’t know that anything has touched me more than that. It was such an accomplishment and it was such a satisfying event. There were a lot of prayers answered.”
Moving Forward
Today, Mark is continuing to make progress. He is proud to report he can walk four laps around the track at his local YMCA. He is working half days at his job, spending the other half in outpatient physical therapy. Looking back at the events of 2013, it’s amazing how far he has come. In little more than two months, he experienced his darkest hour and his finest achievement. “You have events in your life that just shake you to your bones. When I woke up and I couldn’t feel or move my legs, I can’t think of anything in my life that shook me more than that,” he said. “But then when I got my daughter down the aisle, I can’t think of anything that was more fulfilling.” He said he is continually amazed when he reflects on the care he received at Boone Hospital. “I just can’t stress how much Boone employees give of themselves to help us get better. They do an unbelievable job,” he said. “That’s something I never want to forget, ever. They poured their hearts out to help me continue on with my life.” But the story isn’t over. Mark has a new goal in mind. And he’s working toward it each day. “My absolute final goal is to get back to where I was, walking with no assistance whatsoever,” he said. “I’m getting a lot closer.” BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER Winter 2014
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Caring Couples The Joy Of Serving Patients Beside The One You Love Photo Essay By Dave Hoffmaster
The Patels Dr. Mitesh Patel, MD, Boone Hospital Pain Management Clinic Dr. Shilpa Patel, MD, Boone Pulmonary Medicine How they met During their first year of medical school in Bangalore, India, Shilpa’s motorcycle broke down in a rainstorm. Mitesh stopped to help her clean the sparkplug and get her bike started. That was the first time they spoke to each other.
kids Twin boys, 2
why it’s great to work together It’s great to be able to have lunch together. Mitesh usually walks over to Shilpa’s clinic where they can eat and talk.
“That’s the only time we have that is our time, otherwise, we are always with the kids,” Shilpa said.
why they love boone hospital They love the people they work with, appreciate Boone Hospital’s great reputation in the community and are proud to be able to provide the region’s most advanced treatment options.
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The Bernards Austin Bernard, MRI Technologist Dr. Sarah Franken Bernard, MD, Ob/Gyn at Columbia Women’s Care How they met They were introduced by a coworker at Boone Hospital and later began chatting on dating website Match.com. They were married on New Years Eve, Dec. 31, 2013.
why it’s great to work together With both of them serving patients at Boone Hospital, they have opportunities to see each other during the day, whether it’s meeting up for a meal or spending a few minutes together during break.
“I love working at Boone so we can have cafeteria dates and I can hang out with him in the MRI department while I’m waiting to deliver a baby,” Dr. Franken Bernard said.
why they love boone hospital The Bernards love serving alongside the care team and compassionate staff members at Boone Hospital. “We love all the staff at Boone,” Dr. Franken Bernard said. “It is a pleasure working with such talented capable people who take such great care of patients.”
The Stobles Ed Stobie, Laboratory medical technologist Kathy Stobie, Post-anesthesia recovery nurse How they met They met in college. Although they went to different schools in the St. Louis area, they had mutual friends. The first time Kathy saw Ed, he was carrying books for genetics and organic chemistry. “I thought, man, he’s smart,” she said. “But then I dropped both classes,” remembered Ed, with a laugh.
kids Two daughters and three grandkids
why it’s great to work together They have lots of joint friends from the hospital who enjoy discussing medical topics. That means there is always plenty in common to talk about at parties.
why they love boone hospital They said they enjoy serving at a hospital that provides “big-city” quality care in a friendly setting. “It still has a small town atmosphere, it has a personal touch to it,” Ed said. “We feel like we’re part of the family.”
Made With Love
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Consider These Healthy Ideas This Valentine’s Day
ave you ever noticed how each holiday, year round, has its own iconic sweet treat? Halloween has candy corn, Easter has Peeps, Christmas has candy canes, and not to be left out of the festivities, Valentine’s Day has Sweetheart candies. Whether you like each of those sweets or not, the holiday wouldn’t feel complete until you’ve at least seen them make an appearance at the supermarket or your holiday party. Say what you wish, but Easter is not Easter until someone has made a joke about Peeps. Not surprisingly, with each of these holidays comes a news article on how to stay healthy despite all the temptations. Most
dietitians, rightly so, will remind everyone to enjoy these treats in moderation. My motto is, “There are no bad foods, only bad portion sizes.” However, I’m going to take a slightly different approach this Valentine’s Day. Each year, Valentine’s Day shares the month of February with Heart Month, a time we remind everyone to get their cholesterol, blood pressure and weight checked as a way to make sure their ticker keeps on ticking. And really, what better way to say “Be my Valentine” than by helping your loved keep his or her heart in peak condition? With that in mind, here are some ideas for both happy and healthy Valentine’s Day gifts.
Instead of sweets, give a bottle of dry red wine, which is high in good cholesterol-boosting antioxidants and resveratrol.
Purchase, or make your own faux-flower arrangement out of fruit. Plan an activity as a way to spend the day or evening together. Try ice skating or hiking if you are comfortable in the cold. Bowling, rock climbing or dancing if you are not.
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Make a meal at home together. Try a dish that includes omega-3 rich salmon and greens such as kale, spinach or dark green lettuces that are packed with vitamins. Trade a box of chocolates for a mug of hot cocoa. Two tablespoons of unsweetened hot cocoa has been shown to pack flavanols that may help improve blood pressure and flow. Try this recipe for your special someone.
Hot Chocolate (makes 4 servings) Ingredients 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder ½ cup sugar 1/16 teaspoon salt (pinch) 1/3 cup boiling water 3 ½ cups skim or 1 percent milk 2-3 cinnamon sticks (optional) ¾ teaspoon pure vanilla extract Directions Add the cocoa, sugar, salt and water to a small saucepan and bring to a simmer for 2 minutes, stirring regularly to mix ingredients well. Add in the milk and cinnamon sticks and heat until hot, but just before boiling. Mix in vanilla extract and divide between mugs.
Mood Music
Musical Caregivers Lift Spirits, Create Environment For Healing By Jessica G. Park
Among the 2,000 employees at Boone Hospital Center, there are countless artists: photographers, painters, artisans, musicians. These three caregivers make up a tiny fraction of that number, but they use music in a big way, bringing it to work with them to connect with patients and make it part of the healing process.
Jill Bacon: The Singing Chauffeur
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atient transporter Jill Bacon is called up to a unit for a discharge. These are her favorite calls — assisting people who are able to return home. In her hospital room, a spry 90-yearold woman is ready to go, perched in a wheelchair with a bouquet of trumpet lilies on her lap. She smiles and laughs with her nurses. It’s a happy occasion. “I can’t believe you’re 90! You don’t look a day over 74!” Jill tells the woman, as she escorts her to the main entrance. And to the tune of Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York,” Jill begins to sing, her strong voice reverberating through the hospital lobby: Start spreading the news You’re leaving today No more tests, no more treatments No more X-rays 24
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Jill can’t remember the first time she sang to a patient: “The music was already there, inside of me. “Growing up, my family was almost like the Von Trapp family,” she says, referring to the singing family depicted in “The Sound of Music.” “We sang in the car all the time.” Jill plays guitar, banjo, mandolin and some piano. She and a friend have been running a songwriting business, We’re Playing Your Song, since the ‘90s, specializing in composing custom songs for birthdays or special occasions, a skill that Jill brought with her when she began working at Boone Hospital Center eight years ago. Jill escorts patients by bed or wheelchair between admissions, hospital rooms, X-ray and screenings, or to a loved one in a waiting car outside the main entrance. “I help patients during those few minutes when they’re not getting their blood drawn or having a procedure. All I can do is be as kind and as spirit-lifting as I can.”
John, a patient returning from a screening, is quiet as Jill guides his chair into an elevator, cautioning him beforehand about a slight bump he’ll feel as they cross the threshold. “John,” Jill addresses him on the ride up. “I have a song for you. Would you like to hear it?” “Yes,” he says softly. As Jill sings an improvised song about the screening he just had, John immediately smiles and laughs. She doesn’t miss a beat when she prepares him for another bump as they exit the elevator. She sings the warning. Jill often sets her songs to the tune of standards and oldies pop hits, incorporating the patient’s name and their next destination. “When I have a patient named Mrs. Robinson, I can’t help myself. I have to do Simon and Garfunkel,” she says. Patients who have been in Jill’s care often request nurses call “the singing chauffeur” to escort them, not just for her musical chops but also her upbeat attitude and attentiveness. She receives thank-you cards from discharged patients and has been invited by families to sing at funerals. Visitors who hear Jill singing stop her to ask if she can visit a loved one’s room and sing a favorite song. “I know it sounds cheesy, but how many people can go to their job every day and feel like they make a difference? I can. Music reaches people. It’s a huge way to connect.”
Nancy Robertson: Sing-Along Therapy
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cannot remember not having music in my life,” says Nancy Robertson, recreational therapist on the Rehab unit. “Music is my life.” Nancy grew up in a musical family. Her mother played piano and sang. Her father was also a singer, and both parents encouraged their three children to take up singing and playing instruments. Nancy plays the French horn, piano, and guitar, holds three degrees in music, and serves as the music minister at Saint Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Columbia. She’s also served as band and choir director. And
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when she’s not composing and arranging music, she teaches music lessons for piano, guitar and French horn students. Nancy’s primary role on the Rehab unit is to arrange activities for patients, whose stays can last from a few days to a few months. In addition to organizing arts and crafts projects, games and trivia nights, Nancy conducts two musical activities each week in the unit’s communal dining area. On Tuesday evenings, she brings in her acoustic guitar and hands out lyrics sheets for a folk song sing-along. Patients sing along with Nancy to “Home on the Range” or a crowd favorite: Hank Williams’ “ Your Cheatin’ Heart.” On Friday nights, Nancy sets up an electronic keyboard for a game of Name That Tune. She distributes copies of a typed list of classic songs she’ll be playing in the evening’s game, though not in the order in which the players will hear them. She plays a few notes of a popular song from the ‘20s, until a patient identifies it as “The Charleston.” If enough people know the song, Nancy says, she and the group will sing it through to the end. Nancy first joined Boone Hospital Center in 2005, as an assistant recreational therapist on the Skilled Nursing Unit until it closed, then returned in 2009 in her present role. She splits her workweek between the hospital and St. Andrews and says her job on the rehab unit resonates well with her other job as a church music director: “I see my job in recreational therapy as a ministry to people. I’m glad that I get to use music as part of my job. I love interacting with patients and helping them interact with each other. My favorite part is seeing the activity make a difference. “It’s amazing, especially with people recovering from stroke who have aphasia. Somebody that hasn’t spoken three words to me will come to a Tuesday night sing-along
and can sing every word of ‘She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain When She Comes.’ It’s incredible to see patients respond to music they know.” Nancy is quick to point out that her musical activities benefit everyone on the unit, spiritually as well as neurologically. “These musical activities are just a nice change of pace for our patients. It takes their mind off their illness. It can help to tap your toes, sing along with everyone else or simply listen. It’s just a fun thing.” When asked what other musical activities she would like to see happen, Nancy says, “I’d like to organize a Boone Hospital band! You have an experienced band director right here. I’d love to find out who else plays orchestra instruments here.”
Emily Lain: You Can Do This, Too.
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or most of her life, whenever Patient Care Technician Emily Lain heard a favorite song on the radio, she imagined playing along on stage to an enthusiastic crowd. “But I never felt the courage to get up and play in front of someone,” she says. “I only had this daydream.” Emily has been with Boone Hospital Center for 24 years. She’s been playing the saxophone for three. Her dream began its realization in 2010, when her husband John presented her with a saxophone. Emily began taking lessons with saxophonist and music instructor Jack Falby and performed in her first recital at Palen Music Center in Columbia. “After recitals, grandparents came up and talked to me. They’d say ‘I always wanted to
play an instrument.’ I’d tell them ‘Don’t let age stand in the way. You can do this, too.’” It wasn’t long before Emily began talking about her new hobby while caring for patients on the Rehab unit. “When they find out I’m 62 years old and a saxophone student, they look at me and say ‘Really? How did you come to do this at an advanced age?’ I tell them I’ve worked hard at it.” Emily’s patients soon requested that she bring in her saxophone and play for them. Her story can be inspirational on a unit where patients work hard to regain motor, speech and occupational skills. And she admits to her own share of hurdles and setbacks along the way. “Learning to play is hard. I didn’t simply go and take a lesson. But my experience taught me to not give up, to meet these challenges and face them straight on. Keep going and do the best you can.” In 2012, Emily and her instructor, Jack, planned a concert in the hospital’s new Healing Garden. A spring storm forced the show indoors, but the duo played to a standing-room-only crowd of coworkers, family and visitors. Emily’s colleagues were delighted to see a new side of her and asked her to perform again. Her repeat performance came in November 2013, when she organized a Veteran’s Day concert in the hospital and assembled a band with Jack, and three other Boone Hospital Center caregivers: Nancy Robertson, Barb Miles and Betty Lathrop. The quintet played patriotic songs, including a medley of anthems for every branch of the U.S. military. Jill Bacon dropped by with her guitar to play and sing a couple of songs. After recognizing and thanking veterans in the audience, Emily performed a few solos, including her favorite – Percy Sledge’s “When a Man Loves a Woman.” The crowd grew. And so did the applause. These concerts were milestones for her growth not just as a musician, but as a more confident person. “Performing has taken me from being a wallflower, someone just standing in the background, and brought me out front.” But what truly made Emily feel like a star was the moment a patient approached her after the Veteran’s Day show. “He told me the music had taken him away from the pain and worry of being in the hospital. It helped him escape for a little while. Hearing that was really cool.” BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER Winter 2014
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One Day, Two Special Gifts
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Newborn Daughter Helps Dad Pop The Question
hauna Stafford was expecting an exciting day on the morning of Tuesday, Oct. 8, as she arrived at Boone Hospital Center to give birth to her first child. But she only knew half of what was coming that day. Just before 2 p.m., she and boyfriend Bruce Gilbert welcomed their daughter, Kinsley Taylor. She was a perfect baby, weighing 8 pounds, .08 ounces. She was 22 inches long. Shortly after Kinsley’s birth, Bruce put his plan into action. He had secretly packed an engagement ring in his hospital bag. He wanted his new daughter to help him pop the question. Bruce’s cousin had made a special onesie for Kinsley emblazoned with the phrase “Mommy, Will you marry my Daddy?” Attached to the onesie is a sentimental toy ring the couple won on a trip earlier in their relationship. “After we had our baby, I told our nurse what would happen and asked her if she could help us get the onesie on,” Bruce said. “She said, ‘Oh yeah, definitely.” When their nurse, Marla Owen, RN, took Kinsley out of the room for standard testing, she dressed the newborn in the
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special onesie. She then swaddled Kinsley for scrub tech Tami Held to bring back to her mother. When Shauna unswaddled her daughter, it took her a moment to understand what was happening — then she saw Bruce down on one knee. “I read it, but it didn’t quite click, then I saw my whole family standing up with cameras. And he’s down on the floor crying, and I just covered my face and bawled like a baby,” she said. She said yes. One day later, Shauna said it was certainly a day to remember. “It was very eventful,” she said. “It’s a day we won’t forget.”
The couple plans to take their time with wedding planning and enjoy the moment with their new family. Kinsley also has a half brother, age 5. Shauna and Bruce said their care at the Boone Family Birthplace was great, especially the nurse who helped Bruce carry out his proposal plan. “Marla is awesome,” Bruce said. “She went above and beyond.” Marla said she enjoyed being part of their doubly special day. “I have never experienced anything like that. It was so cool,” she said. “They are just a sweet fun couple and the whole family is amazing. It was just so happy.” By Jacob Luecke
Outsmart Illness In 2014 The influenza season is well underway. During this time of year, it’s worth it to take special precautions against illness. Altering your daily routine in little ways and taking some extra time to focus on wellness can make a big difference to your health. We hope you find these tips to be helpful. Let’s all work on staying healthy in 2014!
Get vaccinated against the flu. This is a very effective method for staying healthy while influenza is in our community. While we recommend people get vaccinated before the end of December, if you haven’t done this yet, there is no better time than right now.
Try zinc lozenges. If you get a scratchy throat, zinc lozenges can relieve cold symptoms faster.
By Pamela Jones RN, BSN
Drink black or green tea with lemon and honey. Drinking hot tea while breathing in the steam stimulates the cilia — the hair follicles in the nose — to move out germs more efficiently. Lemon thins mucus and honey is antibacterial.
Consume enough protein. Diets that are too low in protein can deplete the immune system. The current recommendation for protein intake is at least 60 grams per day for adult women and at least 75 grams per day for adult men, depending on age, activity level and if they need to gain or lose weight.
Slowly exhale. When walking past a person who is sneezing or coughing, slowly exhale until you’re past them. This helps you avoid inhaling contaminated air. 28
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Get a massage for your immune system!
Consume enough water.
Massage increases circulation which boosts immunity by nourishing cells with more oxygen-filled blood.
The urge to drink water can decrease in colder months, but the need for water is still important. Consuming enough fluids will eliminate toxins from your lymph system which keeps your immune system functioning properly.
Pamper your nose. The job of your nose is to filter allergens, bacteria and viruses floating in the air. By using saline nasal rinses, you can help flush germs and clear secretions in your upper airway.
Eat your fruits and vegetables. Eating five or more fruits and vegetables each day will provide many vitamins and minerals necessary for your immune system to function properly. Try to choose more vegetables than fruit.
Sanitize your brushes. Think about the items you may reuse every day and consider cleaning or replacing them (cosmetics and make up brushes, toothbrushes, hair brushes, hand towels). A quick swipe of an alcohol wipe on a tube of lipstick, or washing make up brushes in an antibacterial soap can support a healthy immune system.
Sanitize your space. You can sanitize commonly touched items (cell phones, grocery carts, keyboards, gym equipment) to help prevent the spread of germs. Remember, rhinoviruses — causing cold and flu symptoms — can live on surfaces for up to 48 hours!
z zz Sleep. Research shows that adults need 7-8 hours of sleep to stimulate an immune response from our natural killer cells which are the cells that attack viruses.
Make homemade sani-wipes. Fold or cut paper towels or napkins and put them into a wipe container. Use 1½ cups of warm water, add 1 tablespoon of coconut oil, and 1 tablespoon of alcohol. Add three drops of lavender oil if you like. Then mix well and pour the mixture into the container of napkins to saturate them. Makes two containers.
Humidity. Dry air in the winter can cause your lips, mouth and nose to become dry and cracked. Cracked skin can be an entry point for bacteria and viruses. Consider a humidifier to help keep moisture in the air.
References: Patz, A. (2013, December). Live healthy. Health 27(10).; CDC. (2013, November 22). Seasonal Influenza. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/flu/; CDC. (2012, October). Nutrition for everyone: protein. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/everyone/basics/protein.html BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER Winter 2014
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Make a donation Boone.org/foundation
It’s Finally Here Stewart Cancer Center Inpatient Treatment Unit Is Now Open
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he new Stewart Cancer Center inpatient treatment unit officially opened for patients on Monday, Jan. 6. With 32 private patient rooms, the new unit is a wonderful upgrade for cancer patients and their families. The new rooms feature large windows that allow lots of natural light into patient rooms. Each room is also built to accommodate family members and includes a pull-out couch for a loved one who wishes to spend the night at the patient’s side. The unit is filled with nature-inspired artwork, creating a calm environment for healing. The project was completed in collaboration with Virginia and Norm Stewart. Norm is the Hall of Fame former head coach of the University of Missouri basketball team. He is also a cancer survivor.
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With this project, the Stewarts are working to improve the cancer care available in midMissouri and raise awareness of the need to be screened for cancer. They have also worked hand-in-hand with the Boone Hospital Foundation to help raise money to enhance cancer care at Boone Hospital. On Nov. 1, the foundation held the Stewart Cancer Center Gala and raised more than $92,000. Overall, more than 280 people have donated nearly $150,000 toward the Stewart Cancer Center. Until the day cancer is finally defeated, the Boone Hospital Foundation will be working continually to provide funding to support the best possible cancer care for mid-Missouri. For more information on how you can help, visit boone.org/foundation or call 573-815-2800.
Top: Virginia and Norm Stewart address the audience at the Stewart Cancer Center Gala. Above: Mary Beck visits patient Lois Stolee at the Stewart Cancer Center.
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