NWHealth Keeping you informed and involved
SPRING 2020 INSIDE: Knee Replacement...continued Coronavirus (COVID-19) Fears and Our Mental Health Myths About Surgical Weight Loss Groundbreaking Skin Cancer Treatment Lifesaving Lung Cancer Screening Pediatric Specialties at Chappaqua Crossing 5 Benefits: Giving Birth at NWH Food is Care Recipes
I Could Kick Myself for Not Getting a New Knee Sooner “Dad,” John Maloney’s son said to him one July day in 2014, “you’re limping pretty bad. What’s going on?” John Maloney, then 57, knew things were bad, very bad, with his left knee. But he was upset that his son noticed just how bad they were. Worst of all for this family man who lived for his kids – triplets, now grown – was the look of distress on his son’s face. The fact was, “I was in constant pain. I was going up stairs one step at a time. I thought I was lifting my leg high enough, but I couldn’t, and ended up tripping. When biking, I couldn’t bend my left leg enough to pedal. Just getting in and out of the car was terrible when I had to bend my leg.” Sleep provided no relief: “All night I was changing positions because I couldn’t take the pain.” John had lived with worsening knee pain for decades. But now – boy, this was something else. “I couldn’t take it. I had no choice. I needed knee replacement surgery.” John had known he needed a knee replacement eight years earlier. But he’d waited. And waited. “People told me to put it off as long as possible because I’d just have to get another in 15 years. People said that’s how long they lasted. Plus I’m a big guy and I figured it would wear out sooner.” “And you know what? In 2014, in constant pain, and knowing I had no choice, I still put off the surgery for another five years.”
The End of Baseball A “lumberjack” is how a friend describes John. He’s an easygoing man of 62 who lives in jeans and puts family first. Life in his 20s, back in Red Hook, Brooklyn, was packed with sports – playing organized baseball, watching the Mets at Shea Stadium (with coveted season tickets), biking, hiking, golfing, and hunting with friends from Con Ed. But at age 23, during a baseball game in which he played catcher, “I was slid into.” John took a bad fall, tearing cartilage in his right knee. Despite three operations over the next ten years, the injury “slowed me down. I never regained full mobility. Baseball playing ended for me.” It wasn’t the only change. Moving to semi-rural Mahopac with his wife, John felt pain in his right knee “building up.” Con Ed had him working in the electrical underground -- “up and down ladders, in and out of trucks.” When the triplets arrived in 1992, they became the center of John’s life. “I was taking all the overtime I could get. And the knee got worse and worse. It started clicking. It was giving out on me.” John brushed aside the worsening pain. “Everything was for the kids. I worked midnights, so I was available for anything they did.” He was actively involved in his children’s football, baseball and soccer activities. He took the whole family on hikes on the forested trails near the house. They went on biking expeditions. But John paid a price: Soon, the pain in his right
knee was joined by stiffness and swelling. X-rays confirmed it was arthritis – already quite advanced. However, John refused to let the pain limit him, refused to let it prevent him from sharing with his family the activities he loved. And so, over the years, the pain sharpened and the knee grew stiffer.
“My Knee Was Killing Me.” By 2018, the kids were out of college and making their way in the world. His family urged John to have a knee replacement. “‘You have to have this operated on,’ they told me. I knew they were right. I’d become depressed. There was so much I couldn’t do anymore.” And he was pained by his family’s reactions. “It was hard on the family. They hated seeing me limping, having trouble going up and down the stairs.” But. But. But. “But for some reason, I just wasn’t ready to do it. The pain wasn’t great enough.” In May of 2018, he and his wife were in Denver, hiking the kind of rugged trail John loved. But it was no good. “It seemed like after just an hour on the trail, I had to go back. And coming down the trail killed me. Over there, those mountains are crazy!” The steep descent had John pounding with all his considerable weight on the bad knee. His wife said to John, “You have to do something now.” And that was it. It was the pain he’d been waiting for. Finally, John said what his family wanted to hear: “I’m going to see Dr. Khabie.” continued on page 2 >
I Could Kick Myself for Not Getting a New Knee Sooner
continued from front cover
Today, about a year after surgery, John is back on the trails – in Yorktown, Bear Mountain, Cold Spring, Mount Kisco. Now that he’s retired from Con Ed, there’s even more time for that. “Soon I’ll be getting my golf clubs out of the garage.” And biking is just around the corner. “This changed John’s life,” says Dr. Khabie. “He has restored function and it has brightened his outlook on life. My expectation is that this knee will last him a couple of decades, maybe longer. Possibly his whole life. This is a cuttingedge knee – the latest type of knee replacement – so it’s stronger and fits better than anything that came before.” He adds: “I wish John happy trails!” Dr. Khabie offers this advice to others: “A knee replacement for someone with bad arthritis, who is suffering, has the potential to dramatically change life for the better, such as in John’s case. At least, come see an orthopedic surgeon, have an x-ray, and explore your options.”
“This changed John’s life,” says Dr. Khabie. “He has restored function and it has brightened his outlook on life. My expectation is that this knee will last him a couple of decades, maybe longer. Possibly his whole life. This is a cutting-edge knee – the latest type of knee replacement – so it’s stronger and fits better than anything that came before.” Moving Forward John and Dr. Victor Khabie, Co-Director of the Orthopedic and Spine Institute and Chief of Sports Medicine at Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH), went way back – almost 20 years. Dr. Khabie had treated all three of John’s children for sports injuries, with “amazing” results. Now Dr. Khabie ordered x-rays. The right knee showed severe damage from arthritis. “John’s prior injury to his knee cartilage set the stage for early arthritis,” explains the surgeon. “Cartilage is the cushion in your knee. If it’s damaged, there’s less cushion and your knee will wear out sooner. John’s knee was filled with arthritis – possibly the worst I’ve ever seen.” Rather than go immediately to knee replacement, Dr. Khabie first tried two non-operative treatments. That was the protocol. But cortisone shots barely helped. “I got some relief from pain but never gained any mobility,” recalls John. As for gel injections, a liquid cushion that can help up to a year (and can safely be repeated, letting a person avoid knee surgery for many years) – “no luck.” The two agreed: Nonsurgical options had failed. It was time for full knee replacement surgery.
Victor Khabie, MD
Chief, Sports Medicine Co-Chief, Orthopedic & Spine Institute Northern Westchester Hospital
“Most devices last 20-plus years,” says Dr. Khabie. “For people who are really big and put a lot of pressure on the knee replacement, the lifespan is 15 to 25 years.
But if you’re in pain and you’re suffering, you don’t want to put off something for a possible, a theoretical, possibility that you’ll need it done again. There’s a spectrum of reasons for having this surgery at a given point in time – an accumulation of things. It’s a very personal decision you need to make with your doctor.” John checked into NWH for surgery on a Friday afternoon in May of 2019. By Friday night, he was walking the hospital halls with a cane and a walker. Saturday, John walked on a mock short staircase. “I did well on stairs!” John felt good about his progress. And Northern Westchester Hospital was “great,” he says. “At night, the team nurses were very attentive, in and out of the room. You hit the buzzer, they were there in a minute.”
Really Living Again Ten days after going home, John started physical therapy. “I worked pretty hard on it, wanted to get the knee mobile again. Once it started to feel good, I was enjoying the PT – all kinds of stretching, biking, treadmill.” In June, John joined a gym, where for six months, he worked out on the NuStep recumbent cross trainer, just pedaling with his legs. Says Dr. Khabie, “John started off with a very stiff knee and graduated to a knee that’s much more limber and moves great. My instructions to him are: Just live life. Enjoy your knee. There’s no running or jogging, probably ever. But you can take long walks, walk on trails, play doubles tennis, golf and ski.” John is a new man. “I couldn’t be happier with what Dr. Khabie did. I love Dr. Khabie. He’s incredibly skilled. I’m pain-free. I feel good.”
John has just one regret: “Not doing it sooner.”
Contemplating knee replacement? Visit nwhorthoandspine.org
NWHealth Keeping you informed and involved
NWHealth is published by Northern Westchester Hospital to provide community members with useful and relevant health and wellness information. Northern Westchester Hospital 400 East Main Street Mount Kisco, NY 10549 nwhc.net Main Number: Find a Physician: Volunteer:
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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Fears and Our Mental Health The coronavirus is on everyone’s mind. It’s impacting how we work, learn and connect with one another. It’s also the top story on all major news outlets. All of this has many of us feeling scared, nervous or anxious. Unfortunately, that can make things worse, taking a toll on our mental health. Here are some tips to support your emotional health and wellbeing, and help you, and those you love, cope. Rachel Merchan, LCSW Social Worker 1. Consider a news detox
4. Ask for support
A never-ending stream of information and misinformation from a variety of sources may contribute to the rising sense of panic we feel when thinking about coronavirus. Consider taking a break from, or reducing, the number of updates you consume. See how you feel after taking a pause from the news for a few hours, or a day, and go from there. If you must search, seek trustworthy sources – the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cdc.gov or your local health department.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, unable to manage your emotions or struggling to function, it’s time to seek help. Let friends and family members know you’re having a hard time and seek professional support.
2. Make decreasing stress a priority Find ways to de-stress, such as listening to music, a deep breathing exercise or guided meditation, stretching, or a walk outside.
3. Understand the root of your concerns Ask yourself: What am I most worried about? Fear often stems from the unknown. Try to understand why you are afraid, and then seek reliable sources of information to address your concerns, such as the CDC, or your healthcare provider. This can also be an important starting point when discussing the coronavirus with loved ones who are afraid. Open and honest communication can go a long way in helping us feel heard and understood.
5. Acknowledge what you can control There’s still a lot we don’t know about coronavirus. It’s okay, normal and expected to feel uncertain and scared. However, staying in that scary, uncertain space long-term isn’t good for us. Think about taking action in a safe way: whether it’s learning the facts, sharing your knowledge with others or letting loved ones know you are available for support. Treat others with respect, whether you are a patient, care provider or community member. Acknowledge that we’re all in this together. We will get through this as a community and become stronger, together.
Take care of each other and take care of yourself and wash your hands.
Debunking the Top 5 Myths About Surgical Weight Loss Myth 1: If you’re obese, you don’t need bariatric surgery. To lose the weight, diet and work out.
Myth 4: Women can’t have children after weight-loss surgery.
Obesity is probably one of the most misunderstood conditions in the world. It’s an energy-storage disease: a problem with the body’s central regulator. Obesity occurs when your body’s regulator is set too high, and that elevated “set-point” drives you to consume more food to produce the energy to meet this increased demand. Exercise and low-calorie diets produce short-term changes that make only a slight difference. But bariatric surgery changes your gastrointestinal tract and set-point, so you get full faster, feel less hungry, and therefore can lose significant weight.
Big myth! In fact, surgical weight loss boosts fertility since the leading cause of infertility in women is obesity. Polycystic ovary syndrome, a common cause of infertility, is associated with obesity. And obese pregnant women have a higher rate of miscarriage and diabetes.
Myth 2: Bariatric surgery is dangerous. As with any surgery, there are risks, but the risks of being obese are significant, including cardiovascular disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, sleep apnea, and dementia.
Myth 3. I’m too young/old for the surgery. Obesity is a serious disease that affects you physically and emotionally, no matter how old you are. For teens, obesity not only increases the risk of the health problems noted above, but also affects mood, self-esteem, the ability to concentrate, and even make friends. The good news is that surgical weight loss is very successful in adolescent patients, helping them physically and emotionally. The surgery can also be safe and effective for older obese patients, many of whom are functionally impaired, meaning they have radically limited their activities because of their condition. At Northern Westchester Hospital, I’ve seen Mitchell Roslin, MD patients who are in their seventies. Director of Bariatric Surgery Northern Westchester Hospital
Myth 5: After surgery, you’ll have a large scar, lose your hair, and may gain your weight back. We do minimally invasive surgery through small incisions, so scarring is minimal – four to six tiny marks. As for hair loss, there’s some truth to this. Some patients undergo hormonal changes after surgery and might experience thinning hair. However, you won’t go bald. As for gaining weight back after surgery, this depends on the person. If you have the surgery and refuse to develop healthier habits, it’s possible you’ll regain weight. That’s why it’s important to exercise regularly – three to five times a week – and to choose foods that make you feel full, don’t drive up your sugar level, are nutritious, and take longer to digest. At Northern Westchester Hospital, a registered bariatric dietitian helps you stay on track with healthy eating. We also offer support groups to help patients make healthier decisions about post-surgery eating.
For more information, visit nwhsurgicalweightloss.org
Groundbreaking Treatment for Skin Cancer Everyone Should Know About While skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., effective treatments combined with early detection make it very treatable. Now, a new non-invasive treatment offers benefits to skin cancer patients never possible before, while matching the very high permanent cure rates of conventional methods. Read on as Ashwatha Narayana, Chairman of Radiation Oncology at Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH), discusses cutting-edge High Dose Rate Brachytherapy, now available at NWH. Traditionally, skin cancers have been treated either with Moh’s surgery, in which the cancerous tissue is removed, or by conventional radiation. Both methods offer superb success rates of 96 to 99 percent. However, now a third option – High Dose Rate Brachytherapy (HDRBT) – offers a unique cosmetic advantage that’s particularly valuable as skin cancers mainly develop on the parts of our bodies most exposed to sun – the face, head and neck. To appreciate this advantage, let’s first look at Moh’s surgery. In this procedure, “the cancer is cut out, leaving behind a hole which the surgeon fills with skin from somewhere else on your body,” explains Dr. Narayana. “This forms a scar.” If the procedure is on your face or neck, the scar can be quite noticeable. Now let’s look at conventional radiation for skin cancer. In this therapy, not only is the tumor radiated, but so are its “margins,” or edges. “Included is normal tissue that may have microscopic cancerous cells that have crept into that area.” As a result, a wide area is radiated – sometimes causing the skin to thin or break, to get a bit darker or lighter, to develop red streaks, or to appear scarred or wrinkled. If this happens on your face, it is often highly visible. By contrast, HDRBT involves radiating much smaller margins around the tumor. “Its rays are intense, more concentrated. So it’s as effective at the edges of the tumor as it is at the center. Whereas conventional radiation diffuses – gets weaker toward the edges – so its radiation field must be extended. If we’re treating a tumor near the eye with conventional radiation, its wider field of radiation creates the risk of blindness, or of damaging the lens, or of the breakdown of surrounding tissue. But with concentrated HDRBT, these risks significantly diminish.”
Here, patients experience the warmth of a community hospital, yet receive a level of cancer care that’s first-rate.” Adds the doctor: “The beauty of HDRBT is that we’re not damaging healthy tissue. Not only is that safer for the skin and all the underlying tissue it encloses and protects, but there is minimal to no scarring. The cosmetic benefit is especially valuable if you have skin cancer near the lips, nose or eyes.”
Ashwatha Narayana, MD
Chairman, Radiation Oncology Northern Westchester Hospital
And the new treatment offers patients a second unique benefit: It’s fast. “Patients who have this procedure avoid spending six
to eight hours at their dermatologist’s office having Moh’s surgery. Nor do they need to spend six weeks traveling to and from conventional radiation treatments. Instead, after just two weeks of fifteen-minute treatments with High Dose Rate Brachytherapy, treatment is complete. Dr. Narayana also recommends the new radiation therapy for elderly patients who might not tolerate surgery. “In Westchester County, we have a high population of older community members with skin cancer. Last week, I treated a 93-yearold woman with a large basal cell carcinoma on her eyelid. Because of her age, anesthesia and post-surgical healing may have been challenging. Using HDRBT, I was able to remove the tumor, and she’s having a very smooth recovery.” There are times, however, that Dr. Narayana may recommend Moh’s surgery or conventional radiation therapy for a skin cancer: “If you have a large lesion on a leg, let’s say, and there’s no issue regarding scarring. Or if a tumor has come back a second time. That’s why it’s important to talk to your doctor about all your treatment options.” Currently, Northern Westchester Hospital is the only community hospital in Westchester offering HDRBT for skin cancer. “There’s this myth that community hospitals can’t provide the most advanced cancer care. But that’s simply not the case.”
To learn more about Dr. Narayana visit nwhcancercenter.org/DrNarayana
An Option for Many Patients Dr. Narayana’s 83-year-old patient had a cancerous lesion on the edge of his ear. It was getting bigger and had begun to ache. He also had a cardiac problem and was on a blood thinner. Dr. Narayana discussed options with his patient. Moh’s surgery would involve a sixhour procedure during which the doctor would use tissue from the man’s thigh to fill the hole left by surgery. Dr. Narayana was frank with his patient: The cosmetic result would “not be perfect.” Meanwhile, conventional radiation would require radiating a large part of the ear. And there were transportation issues that made radiation sessions Monday through Friday for six weeks very difficult. “For him,” says Dr. Narayana, “advanced High Dose Rate Brachytherapy was a great option. After six brief sessions, the lesion was gone, with no bleeding.” Scarring was non-existent. “If you saw him one month after the procedure, it was as if he’d never had it!”
What You Need to Know About Lifesaving Lung Cancer Screening Lung cancer is a silent killer. In its early stages, it has no symptoms and can spread without warning. That’s why lung cancer screening for people who are high-risk is so important: They often feel perfectly healthy. “Often, people don’t develop symptoms until the disease has either spread or grown too large to cure,” notes Dr. Darren I. Rohan, Westchester Regional Director of the Thoracic Surgery Program at Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH). “That’s why it’s critical that those at high-risk are screened.” Anyone who currently smokes or has a long history of smoking may be considered highrisk, and should speak with their doctor about the need to be screened. “If you’re between the ages of 55 and 77 and have smoked a pack of cigarettes a day for thirty years and are still smoking, or have quit within the last fifteen years, you’re considered high-risk – even if you feel fine,” Dr. Rohan says. “Also, be sure to speak to your doctor if you have more advanced symptoms, like a chronic cough, pneumonia, bloody sputum, unexplained weight loss, or chest pain.” Although lung cancer kills more people in the United States than does any other cancer, screening saves lives. Research shows that if a person’s lung cancer is detected at an earlier stage, their five-year survival rate can increase from four percent to fifty-five percent, according to the American Lung Association. Patients are screened with a noninvasive lowdose CT scan, which only takes a minute. Says Dr. Rohan, “It’s a very sensitive test for diagnosing lung cancer. If we see something that’s concerning, we’ll do a needle biopsy or a bronchoscopy, which
is done by inserting a thin tube down the throat and into the lungs. If it’s cancer, we’ll do a positron emission tomography, or PET scan, to determine whether it’s in an early stage or if it’s a more advanced cancer.”
Darren I. Rohan, MD
Westchester Regional Director Thoracic Surgery Program Northwell Health
If the cancer is in the early stages, the most advanced treatment option is minimally invasive robotic surgery. “The da Vinci robot enables me to move surgical instruments more precisely, protecting
the surrounding healthy tissue. In addition, I’m able to make tiny incisions, so there’s less bleeding and pain for the patient. Recovery from robotic surgery takes two to three weeks, compared with six to eight weeks with traditional open surgery.” NWH also offers advanced ablation techniques, which use image guidance to insert a needle through the skin into the tumor. Other options include burning or freezing the tumor; or stereotactic radiosurgery, which uses radiation without an incision. “Treatment depends on the patient – what he or she feels most comfortable with. Some patients have advanced lung disease, very bad emphysema, or heart disease, and surgery is too risky.” If the patient is too high-risk, the cancer is too advanced or the patient doesn’t want surgery, an option is immunotherapy, a newer treatment. “Immunotherapy is a targeted treatment that revs up the immune system so it’s better able to fight the cancer,” explains Dr. Rohan. It’s been remarkably effective. I have patients who are in complete remission. It’s a wonderful advancement in the treatment of lung cancer.”
Immunotherapy isn’t the only way that NWH is advancing its cancer care. “We have top-rated cancer specialists, state-of-the-art technology, leading-edge clinical trials and a full range of support programs. Our patients also have access to the leading minds in cancer across the entire Northwell Health System. Patients who want the most advanced cancer care don’t need to travel to New York City.”
Are non-smokers or marijuana smokers at risk? “Even if you smoked a little, you’re at a higher risk than those who never smoked at all.” Additionally, while researchers still don’t know the precise risks for long-term marijuana smokers, Dr. Rohan points out that the habit must be taken into
consideration. “We do know the risk of lung cancer is elevated. Any type of inhalation is not a good thing.” Similarly, Dr. Rohan suspects vaping will also elevate risk, but says that researchers don’t yet have the long-term data to pinpoint by how much. Of course, even lifetime non-smokers sometimes get lung cancer. Exposure to second-hand smoke, asbestos, or a family history of lung cancer can all increase risk. For the safest approach, speak to your doctor about any of the above risk factors. If your physician recommends a lung cancer screening, don’t delay.
Find out if lung cancer screening is right for you, call 1 (833) 586-4727.
FREE Smoking Cessation Program at NWH We work with you until you succeed. Together, we create an individualized plan to help you quit smoking/vaping once and for all. This effective program includes weekly group meetings; proven strategies for behavior modification; nicotine replacement therapies as needed; plus caring one-on-one support. No matter how long you’ve smoked, no matter how many times you’ve quit and started again, no matter the stresses in your life, our stateof-the-art program can set you free from nicotine’s hold. Many participants are cigarette-free for years. What’s more, you continue benefiting from the program’s support as long as you need it, even for years. Call now. The sooner you quit, the greater your body’s ability to heal. You can do it. And it’s FREE. Quit smoking today. Call (914) 666-1868 to register for our Smoking Cessation Program.
Pediatric Specialties at Chappaqua Crossing As a proud member of Northwell Health, we’ve been able to expand our ability to bring top-rated pediatric specialists, state-of-the-art technology, and a full range of support programs to Westchester, so that our smallest community members can get the best care right near home. It’s our mission for every child in our care to grow up happy, healthy and fit. Check out our wide range of pediatric specialties available at our Chappaqua Crossing campus at 480 North Bedford Road, Chappaqua.
Pediatric Weight Management Dr. Nadia Saldanha
If your child is struggling with weight issues, they are not alone. In fact, more than one third of children and adolescents in the U.S. are overweight or obese. Being obese puts children and adolescents at a higher risk for chronic health problems, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems. We take a clinical, evidence-based approach to weight management. Together, we’ll work on lifestyle changes that help set children and adolescents up for long term success. To learn more, call (914) 458-8796.
Pediatric Rheumatology Dr. Katherine Steigerwald
Pediatric Endocrinology Dr. Joann Dimartino-Nardi
Every child is unique and children don’t all develop in the same way. If you’re concerned that your child may not be developing or starting puberty, we’re here to help. We’ll help improve the overall quality of health and well-being of your child. To learn more, call (914) 458-8800.
Pediatric Cardiology
Dr. Diane Kerstein & Dr. David Crowe We care for children of all ages with cardiac issues ranging from complex congenital heart disease to complaints of palpitations, chest pain, and syncope. We evaluate and treat cardiac issues that arise during pregnancy or are present in infancy, childhood, and beyond. To learn more, call (914) 458-8751.
Our pediatric rheumatologist is an expert at caring for children with rheumatic disorders of the immune system. If your child is complaining of pain in the joints, muscles, bones, or tendons, or is exhibiting symptoms of arthritis or an autoimmune disorder, your pediatrician may recommend a pediatric rheumatologist. We provide the unique developmental, educational and nutritional care that your child needs. To learn more, call (914) 458-8812.
Pediatric Surgery Dr. Whitney McBride
We understand the unique surgical challenges that come with treating our tiniest patients. We’re dedicated to bringing you peace of mind as we provide your children exceptional care that includes compassion, technical excellence and state-of-the-art surgical methods. To schedule an appointment, please call (914) 458-8812.
Pediatric Rehabilitation Pediatric Gastroenterology Dr. Natasha Mendez
We offer the most advanced diagnostic and therapeutic techniques to diagnose and treat pediatric gastrointestinal and nutritional disorders. As we work to help your child feel better, we’ll also partner with you to help you better understand the ins and outs of your child’s recovery. To learn more, call (914) 458-8796.
Our pediatric physical and occupational therapists provide comprehensive rehabilitation services to your children from preemies to teens. We specialize in treating patients with neurologic and orthopedic conditions, neuromuscular delays, concussions and sports injuries. We’ll work collaboratively with your child’s pediatricians, physiatrists, teachers and other clinicians. To learn more, call (914) 458-8763.
5 Things I Was SO Happy to Have When I Gave Birth at NWH By Hannah R., patient at NWH My birth plan was simple. I expected to have a natural birth in the hospital with which my doctor was affiliated, without any real complications. After all, my pregnancy had been smooth. I was healthy, worked out five times a week, and hadn’t experienced any unexpected symptoms or concerns. But if there’s one thing I learned from my pregnancy experience, it’s that childbirth is unpredictable. When I reached a week past my due date, a surprising reality hit me: I was most likely going to be induced. Now I started to grow concerned: What if there are complications during delivery? How can I get the best possible care for my baby? How can I make sure I am there for my child every step of the way?
That’s how I found myself contemplating something that was definitely not in my birth plan: switching hospitals at 41 weeks pregnant. As I faced induction, and the possibility of a cesarean section, it became increasingly important for me to be in a place where my baby and I could receive the best care should we need it. For me, that meant giving birth in a facility with a Level III NICU – a facility capable of caring for high-risk infants. A friend recommended Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH), and I reached out to Lorraine Owens, Mother-Baby Navigator for the labor and delivery team. Lorraine walked me through the induction process and gave me a tour of the hospital.
challenging—process, the peace offered by a private room helped to ease my nerves and make the transition into parenthood as smooth as possible. The room was so relaxing, in fact, that my husband and I often joked that we felt like we were staying at a hotel instead of a hospital!
4. Boarding with baby I appreciated the options of having Henry stay in the room with us or be cared for in the nursery. Since I planned to breastfeed, I preferred my son to stay in the room. I also wanted him there so he could receive all the benefits of skin-to-skin contact, which is so important in those early days after birth. That said, it meant a lot to me to know that, if I were to experience any complications with my own recovery, he could go to the nursery and receive excellent care there as well. Fortunately, we were able to keep our son in the room with us, and the nurses repeatedly checked in to make sure we were all doing well.
5. Friendly faces all around Perhaps the best part of my experience at NWH was the great care I received from the nursing staff. Not only did they do all they could to put me at ease and tend to me and Henry, but they also helped my husband. After almost 12 hours of labor and delivery, I was so exhausted that I fell asleep shortly after our son was born. Left alone to care for our hours-old infant, my husband was understandably nervous. The nurses continually checked on him and helped him adapt to his first Daddy moments. They showed my husband how to change our baby’s diapers, and, later, how to assist with breastfeeding and rock Henry to sleep. As we cared for our newborn, the nurses made sure my husband and I didn’t forget to care for ourselves as well, reminding us to eat, rest, and stay hydrated. We couldn’t have asked for better care as we adjusted to our first days as a new and happily growing family.
In the process, Lorraine introduced me to several things I hadn’t thought about, but which made all the difference in my childbirth experience: 1. A level III NICU When my doctor began talking to me about induction, I was scared. However, knowing that I was at a facility with a state-of-the-art Level III NICU, the highest level NICU a community hospital can offer, gave me a sense of comfort as I faced the unknown. I knew that whatever happened, my baby would have access to board-certified neonatologists and highly trained nurses who could provide 24-hour care if needed. It was also meaningful to me that, should my baby require medical assistance, my husband and I could be right by my baby’s side every step of the way.
2. A guiding hand Before contacting Northern Westchester Hospital, I had never heard of a Mother-Baby Navigator. I had no idea how much support Lorraine would provide. She prepared me for admission, delivery, and bringing little Henry home. She explained everything, from how my induction would work, and the security procedures the hospital uses to keep infants safe to the Hospital’s newborn classes and all the other resources available to us for support after going home. After meeting with Lorraine, I went from feeling frightened about my potential induction to feeling informed about the process. I began to relax and focus on the excitement of meeting my baby boy.
3. A private affair Having a private hospital room gave my family time to bond after birth. I found this privacy especially important during breastfeeding. For a firsttime mother, nursing can be difficult, and I appreciated the space to focus on feeding Henry. As my son and I adjusted to this new—and sometimes
To learn more about the maternity experience at NWH, visit nwhc.net/maternity
Enjoy Spring’s Bounty with these Fuss-Free Meals!
Jacqueline G. Horne, RD, CDN, Clinical Registered Dietitian Northern Westchester Hospital HOORAY! After many long months, the first seasonal crop you can buy locally is available right now at your market or farm stand. You’re no longer limited to fruits and vegetables transported from Mexico and California. That’s a big deal for you and your family. Local foods often retain more nutrients than foods that travel long distances to reach you, which are frequently picked before they’re ripe. Consider: Broccoli picked and eaten during its natural growing season contains double the vitamin C. So visit the farm markets already opening up and check out the “local” section of your supermarket and hey, maybe visit a nearby farm or two. Eating local is easier than you may think! Your family gets all the benefits – vibrant taste, no external ripening agent, often higher levels of nutrients – from food grown within 100 miles from the point of sale or consumption.
Here’s a taste of spring-fresh stars and great ways to cook them: ✔ While RAMPS look like small scallions, they deliver a garlicky-onion kick. Add finely sliced raw to salads; grill, roast or sauté as a side dish; use them to add flavor to polenta, scrambled eggs, soups and stir-fries. ✔ FAVA BEANS’ nutty taste and buttery texture pairs with thyme and garlic as a perfect accompaniment to simple roast chicken. High in protein and heart-healthy folate, they’re loaded with soluble fiber that helps lower cholesterol and aids digestion. ✔ High in vitamin K that supports bone health and blood clotting, ASPARAGUS is great in stir-fries and salad. Fold into cooked couscous with parsley, lemon and tomato. Yum! ✔ Add fresh-picked tummy-soothing MINT to Greek yogurt with berries. (Maybe early summer’s tiny, intensely flavorful strawberries.) ✔ Early-spring MOREL MUSHROOMS add a rich smoky meatiness to sauce. Great with milder-tasting meats like pork. ✔ Turn spring PEAS into luscious split pea soup. Peas are high in protein and in antioxidants good for the immune system.
Cream of Asparagus Soup Recipe courtesy of Skinny Taste
Ingredients 2 lbs asparagus, 2 bunches, tough ends snapped off 1 Tbsp unsalted butter 1 medium onion, chopped 6 cups reduced sodium chicken broth 2 Tbsp low fat sour cream Kosher salt and fresh pepper, to taste
Nutrition Facts
Serves 6 Serving size: 1¼ cups Calories Carbohydrates: Protein: Fat: Sodium: Fiber:
Directions 1. In large pot, melt butter over low heat. 2. Add onion, sauté until soft, about 2 min. 3. Cut asparagus in half and add to pot with chicken broth and black pepper. 4. Bring to boil, cover, cook low about 20 minutes or until asparagus is very tender. 5. Remove from heat, add sour cream; using hand-held blender, puree until smooth.
Strawberry Rhubarb Crunch Recipe courtesy All Recipes Ingredients
4 cups chopped fresh rhubarb 1 pint strawberries, hulled and sliced 1 Tbsp honey 1 cup rolled oats ½ cup packed brown sugar ¼ cup butter 1 tsp ground cinnamon Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 2. In medium bowl, stir together rhubarb, strawberries, honey. 3. Transfer to shallow baking dish. 4. Stir together oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon. 5. Mix in butter until crumbly. 6. Spread over top of fruit and bake for 40 mins.
Nutrition Facts Serves 18 Serving size: 2x2 square Calories Carbohydrates: Protein: Fiber: Sodium: Fat:
236 38.6 g 3g 4.2 g 64 mg 8.9 g
For more delicious and nutritious recipes, please visit nwhc.net/recipes
81 10 g 6g 3g 576 mg 4g
