YourFamily_October2022

Phoenix, Jeremy, Denise, Evan and Delaney Johnson.

enshieldfuner alhome.com

Denise Johnson has a story to tell

YF: Your Name, hometown & family background:

Denise: Denise Johnson. I grew up in Buffalo Grove IL. I came to Platteville in 1995 where I attended UW-Platteville to become a teacher. I currently live on a small farm just outside of town with my husband, Jeremy, Daughters, Delaney(16) and Phoenix(19) and my son, Evan(14). I currently teach at Neal Wilkins Early Learning Center as a 4K teacher. I have been with the district for 10 years and taught at the UW-Patteville Children’s Center, as well as did recruitment and retention work with the admissions office and the school of education prior to joining the Hillmen Family.

YF: When were you diagnosed and what was your diagnosis?

Denise: I was diagnosed in 2016 with stage 2 Breast Cancer. I had found a lump on my left breast in March and by April I was beginning treatment. The cancer was 5cm big and very close to my chest wall. I also had precancerous cells in my cervix I was scheduled for a hysterectomy prior to the breast cancer diagnosis. That was put on hold until we dealt with the breast cancer (had my hysterectomy the summer after my double mastectomy)

YF: How did you feel when you were first diagnosed?

Denise: When I was diagnosed, I was frightened, depressed and anxious about what was to come. The unknown was the scariest part

YF: How did you decide what treatment protocol to pursue?

Denise: My oncologist was an amazing Dr. He walked me through each step of treatment and why I needed to do things the way he suggested. Because my cancer was so close to my chest wall, I had 2 different rounds of chemotherapy to shrink the tumor. Had surgery been done first, I could have lost movement in my arm

and lost some of the chest wall itself. So, I had a 16 week/once a week of the strongest chemotherapy drugs, they call it the red devil. Nurses had to wear protective clothing to keep themselves safe. To this day, any red liquid turns my stomach. I worked through my entire chemotherapy protocol. I would have chemo on Thursday and come back to work on Monday. I was lucky enough to be able to do that. After the 16 weeks I was then put on another round of chemo that was 12 weeks long, every other week. In October of that following year, I was ready for surgery. I chose to have a double mastectomy to lessen the chances of reoccurrence. I opted out of reconstruction. After surgery I went through 3 months of radiation to make sure we got everything.

YF: How did you choose to share your diagnosis with your family

Denise: My husband and I made a lot of phone calls the day of my diagnosis. There was a point where I just couldnt talk anymore so Jeremy, did most of the communicating to our good friends and family. After about a week, I decided to post a message on facebook, because I wanted friends and family from afar to know. It helped me to release some of my anxiety and stress because daily I would get such comforting messages that I truly felt surrounded by an army of supporters

YF: Any words of wisdom to other cancer survivor moms or dads?

Denise: Honestly, after the initial shock of being diagnosed with cancer and losing my hair and etc., I knew in my heart the I had to keep positive and have humor or I would be taken down by this horrible disease inside my body. A positive attitude goes a long way when dealing with something like this. Keep talking about it, make jokes, laugh about what you have gone through and where you are

“I am currently almost 6 years cancer free!

I see my oncologist once a year and have been on a aromatase inhibitor since I healed from surgery.

I am living and loving life, watching my children do the things they love and learning to be a farmer!’’

now. Having support surrounding me was key! Being able to continue to work through my chemo and being surrounded by the little children I love and am blessed to teach every day, really brought my spirits up. Those families and children in my class at the time were beyond amazing through my journey and I am forever indebted to them for their love and compassion.

YF: Where are you now in your

journey with cancer?

Denise: I am currently almost 6 years cancer free!! I am still breastless and I am OK with that. I see my oncologist once a year and have been on a aromatase inhibitor since I healed from surgery and will be for another 5 years! I am living and loving life, watching my children do the things they love and learning to be a farmer!

Marilyn Housner is a 15 year survivor

My name is Marilyn Housner and I am a 15 year Breast Cancer Survivor. First of all, I would like to say that I am incredibly lucky. I survived. Too many others have fought valiantly but subsequently lost their battle with this terrible disease. I am very thankful and grateful for the wonderful support I received from family, friends and medical staff.

My battle began with non-cancer related symptoms. Thankfully, my surgeon was concerned about a shadow on the test that had not been identified by other staff. A subsequent biopsy revealed a tumor deep within my left breast tissue. I was diagnosed with Stage 2B Invasive Ductal Carcinoma A lumpectomy was performed, however, cancer was still present in the margins.

my doctor ordered gene testing. It was found that I did not carry the BRCA genes. No one in my family did. That was fifteen years ago. Since that time, genetic testing has advanced. Several years ago, based upon my family’s cancer history, new testing was performed at Finley Hospital. It was found that I carry a gene (ATM), (no not automatic teller machine), which increases your chance of getting breast cancer, as well as other types of cancer. After discussions with my doctors, as a precaution, I chose to have my right breast removed.

“I realize, every day, how lucky I am. Everyone needs to be your own advocate. Get annual tests and test yourselves. It could save your life.’’

Get annual tests and

The cancer had already begun to spread to my lymph nodes and as a precaution, all lymph nodes surrounding the tissue were removed. After discussions with my doctor, it was decided that a mastectomy would be the best course of action. Chemotherapy followed and treatments were tough. I also chose to have reconstruction surgeries. Six months following my diagnosis, my older sister was also diagnosed. Due to the family history,

Cancer is well known to my family. My father died in 1995 due to complications of leukemia. My younger brother, (Jim) died at age 32 of Esophageal Cancer; my mother died in 2003 from non-smokers Lung Cancer; and 3 years following her diagnosis, my sister lost her battle with breast cancer at age 55. The next generation is also seeing the devastation of this disease. My niece, Felicia, faced Breast Cancer 2 years ago.

I realize, every day, how lucky I am. Everyone needs to be your own advocate. Get annual tests and test yourselves. It could save your life.

Early Detection is Your Best Tool

Being aware and present in your body can help you detect signs of change and know when it’s time to see a doctor. You can add self-examinations to your list of healthy actions you can take weekly or monthly. The earlier you feel a difference, whether from a selfbreast exam, looking at your moles and freckles for any changes, or a testicular change. If you’ve never examined your body for changes, below is a basic breakdown of what to do.

• Breast Exam. The breast tissue spreads out evenly along the chest wall when lying down. Place a pillow under your right shoulder and your right arm behind your head. Using your left hand, move the pads of your fingers around your right breast, gently covering the entire breast area and armpit. Feel for any lumps or differences.

• Skin Exam. Examine your body front and back in a mirror, then look at the right and left sides with your arms raised. Use an additional mirror to examine your back and neck.

• Testicular Exam. Check one testicle at a time by gently rolling it between your fingers. Feel for hard lumps, changes in size or shape, and any painful areas.

Early detection is your best tool because cancer may be easier to treat when abnormal tissue or cancer is found early. By the time symptoms appear, cancer may have begun to spread.

Breast cancer screening in southwest Wisconsin took a giant leap forward with the addition of revolutionary 3D digital mammography technology at Southwest Health. The 3D breast imaging system produces three-dimensional views of breast tissue. It helps doctors accurately identify and classify breast tissue structures to diagnose breast cancer better and save lives.

3D Mammography is an advanced type of mammogram that can offer better cancer detection, fewer callbacks, and greater peace of mind. 3D technology has been shown to detect small breast cancers up to 15 months earlier than traditional technology. With 1 in 8 women being diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, early detection is essential.

Your greatest chance at early detection? Regularly screening with your primary care provider. They are your resource for all things health-related.

Detecting potentially life-threatening health conditions before your condition worsens is more likely with regular monitoring through blood work, screenings, and talking with your doctor. The earlier your diagnosis or symptoms are found, the higher the chances are for correct treatment and, ultimately, good outcomes.

So, how do you choose your primary care provider if you’ve never had one? There are a few steps you can take to ensure you are getting the best care at the best price for your unique needs:

1. Determine who’s in-network. You have a few different tools available to help with this task. Firstly, you can call a clinic and verify over the phone or use a helpful online tool offered by your insurance company. The back of your insurance card should have the correct URL for you.

2. Ask for Recommendations.

Just like you would if

Michelle Brant, PA-C, loves the variety rural family medicine offers and seeing ages 0-100 for preventative care and acute and chronic disease management. Pediatric care and women’s health are among her favorites in care.

Brittany Chambers, PA-C, has her undergraduate degree in nutritional sciences and a particular interest in preventative healthcare and enjoys partnering with patients to help manage their diabetes.

Brooke Shannon, PA-C, enjoys the variety of family medicine offers. She is particularly interested in dermatology and being able to visually see the improvement in a patient’s skin condition with treatment and do more hands-on work such as biopsies or excisions.

you were trying to find a mechanic or a daycare, ask your friends and neighbors where they get care! Chances are, you’ll get an excellent recommendation, sliming your search to the specifics you need.

3. Look for Accessibility. Once you have narrowed down your list of in-network providers that come highly recommended, call and ensure they accept new patients. Not everyone has availability in their schedule. This step can help you get in for an appointment in a shorter timeframe. You can also ask about accessibility during this phone call. Does this building have any barriers that would keep you from receiving care, like a lack of wheelchair ramps, night appointments, available translators, etc.?

Choosing a primary care provider is not a decision that should be made lightly. You are trusting this person with your medical history and the future of your care.

That’s why Southwest Health continues to expand its Platteville Clinic and include more primary care providers. Recently, we have added three additional Physician Assistants to help create a healthier Southwest Wisconsin.

If you would like to start building your healthcare team from any of our providers, call the Platteville Clinic at Southwest Health at (608) 348-4330.

6934 Hwy. 81 W. • Platt eville, WI Shop: (608) 348-54 56 Ce ll: (608)

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“The best place to take a leak!’’ Dewey’s T ire Repair

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7 ways to reduce breast cancer risk

Many women are concerned about the potential for developing breast cancer in their lifetimes. Breast cancer is the second-most common cancer among women in the United States and Canada. Despite that prevalence, there are ways for women to reduce their risk for breast cancer.

While it is impossible to change family history or genetic markers like gene mutations that increase breast cancer risk, the following are seven ways women can lower their risk.

Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight. Physical activity and monitoring calories can keep weight in check. The Mayo Clinic recommends at least 150 minutes per week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic activity. Strength training at least twice a week also is recommended. Being overweight or obese increases a woman's risk for breast cancer.

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Consume a healthy diet. The link between diet and breast cancer risk is still being studied. However, research suggests that a diet high in vegetables and fruit, and calcium-rich dairy products, but low in red and processed meats may lower breast cancer risk.

Avoid or limit alcohol consumptions. Alcohol increases risk of breast cancer, even in small amounts. For those who drink, no more than one alcoholic drink a day should be the limit. The more a woman drinks, the greater her risk of developing breast cancer, states the Mayo Clinic.

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Undergo genetic counseling and testing. Women concerned about a genetic connection or family history of breast cancer can speak to their doctor about testing and counseling that could help them reduce their risk. Preventive medicines and surgeries might help those at elevated risk for breast cancer.

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Limit hormone therapy. Combination hormone replacement therapy for postmenopausal women may increase risk of breast cancer, indicates the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Similarly, taking oral contraceptives during reproductive years may increase risk. Women can speak with their physicians to weigh the pros and cons of taking such hormones.

Breastfeed children, if possible. Breastfeeding has been linked to reducing a woman's risk of developing breast cancer.

Learn to detect breast cancer. Women should get to know their bodies so they can determine if something is awry as early as possible. Early detection of breast cancer increases the chances that treatment will prove successful. Women can embrace various strategies to reduce their risk of developing breast cancer

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Potential warning signs for breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in women across the globe. According to the World Cancer Research Fund International, there more than 2.26 million new cases of breast cancer in women in 2020. Such gures are sobering, but it's important to recognize that breast cancer survival rates have improved dramatically in recent decades, providing hope to the millions of women who may be diagnosed with the disease in the years to come.

Various factors have helped to improve breast cancer survival rates, and education about the disease is certainly among them. Women are their own greatest allies against breast cancer, and learning to spot its signs and symptoms is a great rst step in the ght against this potentially deadly, yet treatable disease.

Knowing your body

The American Cancer Society urges women to take note of how their breasts normally look and feel. That knowledge is vital because it helps women recognize when something does not look or feel good to the touch with their breasts. Screening alone may not be suf cient, as the ACS notes that mammograms do not nd every breast cancer.

Signs and symptoms

When women are well acquainted with how their breasts look and feel, they're in better position to recognize any abnormalities, which may or may not be indicative of breast cancer. The ACS reports that the following are some potential warning signs of breast cancer.

 A new lump or mass: The ACS indicates that this is the most common symptom of breast cancer. A lump or mass that is cancerous is often painless, but hard and has irregular edges. However, lumps caused by breast cancer also can be soft, round and tender. Some even cause pain.

 Swelling: Some women experience swelling of all or part of a breast even if they don't detect a lump.

Dimpling: The skin on the breast may dimple. When this occurs, the skin on the breast sometimes mimics the look of an orange peel.

 Pain: Pain on the breast or nipple could indicate breast cancer.

 Retraction: Some women with breast cancer experience retraction, which occurs when the nipple turns inward.

 Skin abnormalities: Breast cancer may cause the skin on the breast to redden, dry out, ake, or thicken.

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Swollen lymph nodes: Some women with breast cancer experience swelling of the lymph nodes under the arm or near the collarbone. The presence of any of these symptoms merits a trip to the doctor. Women with these symptoms should not immediately assume they have breast cancer, as the ACS notes that various symptoms of breast cancer also are indicative of non-cancerous conditions that affect the breasts. Only a physician can diagnose breast cancer, which underscores the importance of reporting symptoms to a doctor immediately.

Ben:

Pro le by Lisa Ban eld

Who

What

Ben: An Engineer

YF: What

grown up?

Ben: Physician Assistant

YF: Who is your favorite teacher?

Ben: Mr. Serres

YF: What is your favorite classroom

subject?

Ben: Human Biology

YF: What advice would you give to incoming Freshmen?

Ben: Take in each year, because high school goes by fast

YF: What is your best memory of high school?

Ben: Basketball game days, riding on the bus to and from the game with my friends.

Homemade tomato sauce adds zest to meals

Tomato-based sauces have many names among Italians. “Sugo” is a word that broadly defines “sauce,” and can be applied to tomato-based varieties. “Ragú” implies that the sauce was reduced to obtain a more concentrated flavor profile after cooking it for hours. Marinara originated in Naples and means “sailorstyle.” It is a classic sugo made from a few simple ingredients. An alternative to simmered sugo is salsa, which is made quickly with pureed tomatoes and does not contain meat or vegetables. It’s ideal as a summer dressing for pasta and needn’t be cooked for long.

It’s relatively easy to make homemade tomato sauce, and by doing so one can save quite a bit of money over the jarred varieties sold at supermarkets. The freshness of homemade sauce cannot be replicated - especially if the sugo is made with your garden tomatoes. For those new to homemade sauce, this recipe for “Sugo di Pomodoro” from “Nick Stellino’s Family Kitchen” (G.P Putnam’s Sons) is a fine place to start.

Recipe Sugo di Pomodoro (Tomato Sauce)

6 tablespoons olive oil

6 whole garlic cloves, peeled

1 cup finely chopped onion

¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 28-ounce can peeled Italian tomatoes with basil, drained and chopped, juice reserved (see tip below)

12 fresh basil leaves, or 1¼ teaspoons dried ¼ teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon salt (see tip below)

In a 3-quart saucepan, heat the oil, garlic, onion, and red pepper flakes over medium-high heat. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring well. Reduce heat to mediumlow and cook for 10 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, basil, oregano, and salt. Stir well and cook 5 minutes over medium heat.

Add the reserved tomato juice, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

When the sauce has finished cooking, let it cool to room temperature, and then process to a smooth consistency in a food processor. You may notice that the color changes slightly in the processor; do not worrythis is normal, and it will not affect the flavor. The sauce can be frozen for up to a month.

Chef’s tips: The best canned tomatoes to use in this sauce are those packed in Italy; the American product tends to be too tart. If you use American tomatoes, add ½ teaspoon sugar when you are cooking them.

This is a basic sauce used mainly to prepare other sauces. If you want to use it over pasta, you might add a bit more salt, according to your taste.

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Tips To Keep

(Family Features)

Costumes and candy make Halloween a highly anticipated event for children and adults alike, but the holiday can be particularly spooky for pets. Some of the same things that bring humans joy on All Hallows Eve can lead to poisoning, stress or anxiety, which may cause four-legged family members to run away or react aggressively.

To help ensure Halloween is fun for every member of the family, take note of these safety tips from the experts at VCA Animal Hospitals, which has more than 1,000 locations across North America that cared for more than 4.5 million pets last year. Talk to your veterinarian if you need assistance dealing with pet anxiety.

Create a safe space for your pet at home. If your neighborhood is particularly busy on Halloween and the sidewalks are over owing with exuberant trick-or-treaters, it may be best to leave your pet at home. Pets can be thrown off by extra people on the street or at the door in frightening costumes, which could lead to uncommon reactions such as growling or biting if they feel threatened. Even if your pets are mellow and enjoy greeting guests, consider keeping them inside as you sit by yourself near the door or outside to greet trick-or-treaters as they

Pets Safe This Halloween

Make sure your pet’s costume does not interfere with vision or hearing. Also beware of small parts, like buttons or loose strings, that could be chewed off and swallowed.

Keep treats away from pets. Resist the temptation to share Halloween candy with your pet. In fact, keep all candy safely out of reach. Chocolate, candy or gum arti cially sweetened with xylitol can be dangerous for dogs. Plus, cellophane or foil wrappers can cause problems if swallowed. Even natural treats like caramel apples should be off limits as eating items not normally on the menu can cause upset stomachs, GI blockages or pancreatitis.

knock or ring the doorbell. Otherwise, consider keeping your pet in a room away from the frenzy with a TV, radio or white noise machine to dull the sounds.

Be cautious when taking your pet trick-or-treating. If you do decide to venture out with your pet, make sure he or she is always close to you on a secure leash (avoid retractable leashes). Observe your surroundings and assess people – especially friendly, excited children – approaching you and

your pet, because physical contact from strangers in costumes may instigate a fearful or aggressive reaction.

Consider skipping the costume. It’s best not to dress up your pets for Halloween, but if you choose to, it’s important for pets to wear safe, comfortable costumes. They should be loose enough to provide freedom of movement but not loose enough to be a tripping hazard. On the other hand, costumes that are too tight can restrict breathing and make movement dif cult.

Decorate with safety in mind. Festive decorations help set the mood, but they can also create health risks for your pet. While non-toxic, pumpkin and pumpkin seeds can upset stomachs, especially when consumed in large quantities. Lit candles in JackO-Lanterns may pose re hazards if toppled by a curious four-legged friend. Decorative lights can brighten your porch but should be kept out of your pet’s reach as nibbling on electrical cords can cause electrocution.

To learn more, visit vcahospitals.com, where you can search for additional tips to make Halloween safe and fun for your furry friends.

Carve Out More Family Time This Halloween

Watch scary movies. Whether you relive your own youth by introducing your kids to the classics or explore more contemporary icks, gathering the group around the screen for a frighteningly fun movie night can appeal to the whole family. With so many

options available, you can easily nd something ageappropriate for your little ones – just be sure to add some seasonal snacks to make the night complete. Find more ideas to inspire quality time with family this Halloween at pumpkinmasters.com.

Happy Tails

Adventures of Oz

(Family Features)

By the time Halloween rolls around, many families are deep into the hustle and bustle of the school year. The holiday provides a great opportunity to focus on family and spend some quality time together.

Shared experiences bring loved ones closer, and Halloween is a perfect time for doing something with the people in your life who matter most, whether it’s your immediate family, college family, friends, siblings or extended family.

These family-friendly activities can help you create some special spooky memories this Halloween with your friends and loved ones:

Visit local attractions. Many communities offer seasonal events or destinations where you can nd all kinds of family fun while enjoying a refreshing autumn afternoon. Some popular examples include corn mazes, pumpkin patches and haunted houses. You might also nd other attractions such as hayrides and petting zoos.

Decorate pumpkins. Designing the perfect jack-o’lantern or pumpkin creation can be fun for the whole family. Toddlers and younger children can express their creativity through painting, stickers and accessory kits while older children and young adults may nd carving kits to be more their style. Consider the options from Pumpkin Masters, which creates new products every year so you can always nd something fresh each Halloween. For example, Premium Sticker Patterns make it easy to peel, stick and carve with pattern transfer sheets while options like Mummy Carving and Decorating Kit or Unicorn Decorating let little creatures in on the fun.

Go trick-or-treating together. Participating in this age-old tradition as a family can make for a fun evening of joy and laughter. You can also incorporate numerous teachable moments, including reminders about safety around strangers and when crossing the street, practicing manners like please and thank you or taking turns ringing doorbells with friends or siblings.

Submitted by Lynn Wolf

The hot days seem to be disappearing quickly. The big talking picture box on the wall keeps talking about “temperatures dropping”, I hope it’s as great as when food is dropping!

There have been a few more leaves blowing through the yard, and I love chasing them! It seems like there are more and more falling every day. My brother Micky and I like to bring them in the house and put them in a pile, but the humans do not like it!

I love the nice fresh breeze that blows through the windows. The humans leave the windows open all day, so we just snuggle up and hog the couches while they are away. Now if they would only leave treats for us to snack on all day, we would be all set!

Photos courtesy of Getty Images

THE BEST PREV ENTI ON IS Ear ly Detection

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