Medical & Health Journal 2013

February 28, 2013

Medical &Health Journal A local guide to medical and health services

A supplement to The Courier-Gazette, The Camden Herald and The Republican Journal

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Medical & Health Journal

February 28, 2013

Award-winning care ...at your convenience Our offices are now open from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. and we offer lunch time appointments!

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2 0 1 2

ROCKPORT FAMILY MEDICINE 207-701-3900

731 Commercial St. | Rockport, ME 04856 Aoife Redmond-Durow, MD Elizabeth vonFelten, MD Susan Butterworth, NP

New patients welcome!

PEN BAY PEDIATRICS 207-593-5600 7 Madelyn Ln. | Ro ckport, ME 04856 Dana Goldsmith, MD Susan McKinley, MD William Stephenson, MD Peter Vickerman, MD Rachel Rivard, PNP Scott McPherson, LCPC

New patients welcome!

Evening & weekend hours too

PEN BAY INTERNAL MEDICINE 207-593-5800

4 Glen Cove Dr. | Rockport, ME 04856 Mark Eggena, MD Cheryl Liechty, MD Archie Green, DO C. Neal Yetman, DO Denise Anderson, DO Kristin Staples, MD Kristin Dobbins, NP Jennifer Guilfoyle, NP Jennifer Dreher, NP Rachel Forbess, ANP Gunnell Leddington, LCSW

New patients welcome!

ROBERT N. MERRILL, MD 207-596-7148

821 Commercial St. | Rockport, ME 04856 Robert N. Merrill, MD Diane Batley, NP

PEN BAY FAMILY MEDICINE 207-593-5900

7 Madelyn Ln. | Rockport, ME 04856 Carrie Thackeray, MD Michael Kumin, MD Jeffrey Landfair, MD Mira-Su Thurston, PA Maud Abbess, PA

WALDOBORO FAMILY MEDICINE 207-832-5291 27 Mill St. | Waldoboro, ME 04572 Ted Mohlie, MD Jack Waterman, MD Kevin Davey, MD Nichole Kelly, FNP Laurel Reever, FNP Marie Ilvonen, LCSW

New patients welcome!

New patients welcome!

Find a Doctor: 207-596-8200 | www.pbmc.org/physicianfinder

February 28, 2013

Medical & Health Journal

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Let’s Go! promotes fruit and vegetable consumption

by Donna Ames RN, Exercise Physiologist, Pen Bay Healthcare

D

o you know what 5-2-1-0 stands for? Let’s Go! 5-2-1-0 is a free, statewide effort to promote healthy living for children, youth, and families.

The goal is to increase physical activity and healthy eating for children from birth to age 18. Let’s Go!’s simple message is “5-2-1-0 Every Dayâ€? which means: • 5 or more fruits and vegetables • 2 hours or less of recreational screen time (TVs and computers should stay out of the bedroom; No screen time under the age of 2) • 1 hour or more of physical activity • 0 sugary drinks, more water and lowfat milk

A diet rich in fruits and vegetables provides vitamins and minerals, which are important for supporting growth and development and for optimal immune function in children. High daily intakes of fruits and vegetables among adults are associated with lower rates of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes and some types of cancers. Emerging science suggests fruit and vegetable consumption may help prevent weight gain, and when total calories are controlled may be an important aid to achieving and sustaining weight loss.

It’s easy to increase the amount of fruits and vegetables in your diet. Buy fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season to minimize cost and maximize flavor. Stock up on frozen vegetables and dried, frozen and canned fruits (in water or 100% juice), so you’ll always have a supply. Plan meals around a LET’S GO!, page 12

Courier Publications, LLC Publisher of The Courier-Gazette, The Camden Herald and The Republican Journal 91 Camden St., Suite 403, Rockland, ME 04841 • 207.594.4401 Graphics Department Production Manager: Christine Dunkle

Advertising Department Sales Manager: Dave Libby

Graphic Designers: Heidi Anderson-Belcher, Dave Dailey, Debbie Post, Kathy Ryan

Sales Executives: Candy Foster, Karen Mehorter, Jody McKee, Pam Schultz, Alysha Steltzer

Table of Contents Helping a first-time mom ................4 The beat goes on ..........................4 Saturday hours .............................4 Lymphedema treatment .................5 Join a new baby group ...................6 Food for Life classes in Belfast ......6 Make a ‘Freshstart’ this year by quitting smoking ..........6 Exercise, hard work help rehab patient meet goals ...............7

You asked. . .

We heard you.

Do you enjoy the comforts of home—but not the chores that go with it?

Quarry Hill’s assisted living

We are now offering primary care services at our Belfast Family Planning location: S ++2 ) "5 *0 +! 0 %,,)N0-,/10 -%60& )0 #,/ *"+ +! 4,*"+

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Providing a safe haven for oncology patients for 25 years .....10 New faces at WCGH ....................10 An enduring tradition of care ........11 Shedding pounds after the age of 50 ......................12 Treat sleeplessness with supplements ........................13 These foods may help prevent cancer .....................14

program is everything you love about home, minus the hassle. Choose an easier, more satisfying way of life.

S + $"*"+1 ,# ,+!&1&,+0 )&(" !& "1"08 %6-"/1"+0&,+ G 01%* S !,)"0 "+1 /" Polly Beck, ANP, (left) and Chris Kramer, DO, are accepting new patients at Belfast Family Planning & Primary Care.

Call today to learn more.

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207.338.3736 147 Waldo Avenue Wentworth Building Belfast, Maine

Belfast Family Planning & Primary Care mainefamilyplanning.org

quarryhill.org We accept MaineCare and long-term care insurance, as well as private payment.

30 Community Drive, Camden Member of the Pen Bay Healthcare Family

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Medical & Health Journal

Helping a first-time mom

The beat goes on I

t’s frightening when a health professional diagnoses you with heart failure. For most people, the words “heart failure” bring on fears of an imminent death. But once you realize the diagnosis doesn’t mean your heart to going to stop beating immediately, you need to learn skills to better manage your condition and you may also want to connect with others who have the same problem.

If so, a series of five free classes known as “The Beat Goes On” will be offered by Waldo County General Hospital on Thursdays from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. beginning April 25.

These classes will be held in the second floor conference room at 125 Northport Ave.(the new green-roofed building across from the hospital).

The five classes and the instructors are: • April 25: You can do this: SelfManagement Skills for Living Well with Heart Failure by Deb Czuchra, the Nurse Practitioner in the cardiology office; • May 2: Ahhh: Managing the Stress of Heart Failure by Jo-Ann Whiting RN, the hospital’s case manager; • May 9: Pills and Me: Understanding the World of Heart Failure by Nancy Nystrom, a pharmacist at the hospital; • May 16: Eating Well with Heart Failure: Get the Low Down on Salt by Jen Nelson, Registered Dietician at the hospital; and • May 23: Pump it Up: Exercising with Heart Failure by Teri Blackadar RN. While the course is free, space is limited so register early by calling Barbara Crowley at 930-2650 or emailing her at bcrowley@wcgh.org.

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s far as Katie Bucklin is concerned, Belfast Public Health Nurse Shannon Robbins RN is a lifesaver.

When Katie found out she was pregnant, she wasn’t worried about taking care of a newborn, despite the fact she had three stepchildren ages 12, 10 and 9 who lived with her and her husband much of the time. And two of whom she was homeschooling.

After all, the youngest stepchild was only 3-months-old when she started helping to care for him and she had babysat as a teenager and loved babies.

She was in for a rude awakening, she hadn’t considered that even a 3month-old is very different from caring for a newborn or babysitting for a few hours.

Katie and her husband had talked about having the delivery of her first child be as natural as possible. That wasn’t to be. The baby was a week late and stuck when Katie had a c-section.

That was the first change from her preconceptions.

Her mother came to help for eight days and her husband was “fabulous”, but when Shannon called to set up an appointment to see if she could help Katie adjust to caring for a newborn, Katie was an emotional mess.

“I wasn’t sleeping and I was feeling like a failure. I hadn’t had Shannon a natural birth and Robbins RN Niah (the baby) was losing weight. I didn’t know if she was getting enough to eat. It was a whole whirlwind and I was feeling overwhelmed. And I was feeling bad that everybody was taking care of me,” Katie recalls a month later. “ “Shannon told me everything I was feeling was normal, even my crying was normal. She helped me with the breastfeeding and weighed Niah. I gave the baby a half a feeding and we weighed her again and she was doing well,” says Katie.

“Shannon took my blood pressure and looked at my swollen feet during the next three visits. My blood pressure

February 28, 2013

Saturday hours D Katie Bucklin and daughter Niah last June. was all right…We talked about the umbilical cord and that it was Ok. We talked about whether I was using enough diapers and we talked about burping and pumping,” says Katie.

When Niah was a month old, she started only crying when she was wet or hungry. “She was super content,” says Katie, adding that Niah then weighed 8 lbs 8 oz. and was 22-inches long.

Katie now has a very confident air around Niah and is back to taking care of all four children, her husband

and her home. She still checks in with Shannon, especially with any questions, and has her weigh Niah to make sure she is progressing.

As for her feelings about Shannon, Katie says she seemed like an angel when she showed up that first time.

“Who knew?” says Katie. “There were so many things I didn’t know and Shannon helped me with those. And she did it at my house. I didn’t have to get the baby ready to go out and I could still be in my jammies.”

oes it sometimes seem like you and your family members always get sick on Friday night or Saturday when your doctor’s office is closed? You consider going to the Emergency Room but it’s not really an emergency. On the other hand, you hate to wait until Monday to see a doctor.

That’s not a problem anymore!

If your primary care doctor is employed

by WCGH, you can call 338-9344 between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and you can be seen in Suite 202 of the Cobb Medical Building by the provider on duty.

The primary care providers who are employed by WCGH are from all five health centers, plus Drs. Ben Mailloux, Paul Mazur, Matt Molison and Steve Wilson and nurse practitioners Roberta Goff and Joanne Moesswilde.

February 28, 2013

Medical & Health Journal

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Getting treatment for lymphedema

W

ith their new space, the physical therapy department at Waldo County General Hospital is beginning a Lymphedema Treatment Program. And that is making many people happy.

Ann Hooper, Imaging Department Manager, said she has been sending breast cancer patients with lymphedema to Brunswick for treatment. Recently, she had an 80-year-old patient who couldn’t travel that far but whose arm was so swollen it was purple. “I’m delighted we’re going to have treatment here,” she said, adding “that Donna will help a lot of people.”

For Dianna Wing, who has lymphedema, being able to get treatments at Waldo County means she won’t have to take a four-hour round trip in order to have a 15- to 30-minute appointment. “I am so excited they are going to do it,” she said recently. “I’m really happy that I will get to stay in the

community for treatment.”

Lymphedema refers to swelling that usually occurs in a leg or arm. It is caused by a blockage in an individual’s lymphatic system, which prevents a person’s lymph fluid from draining well. The fluid builds up, causing swelling.

Lymphedema is most commonly caused by the removal of or damage to a person’s lymph nodes as a part of cancer treatment.

While Dianna is thrilled that she will be able to get her treatments close to home, she is even more excited that people Hills may become aware of lymphedema and know what they have. “It affects your daily life,” said Dianna. “It’s frustrating not to know what you have. I couldn’t be happier that people will have a resource so they can get treatment early to minimize the affects and will learn how to manage it.”

While Dianna was born with primary

lymphedema, the more common type of lymphedema is secondary lymphedema.

It most often develops from cancer treatments, including when lymph nodes are removed during breast cancer surgery or from radiation therapy to a lymph node region. The swelling can occur within days, months or years after surgery.

The most common symptoms of lymphedema are swelling, a heavy sensation in the arms or legs, skin tightness, decreased flexibility in the hand, wrist or ankle, difficulty fitting into clothing in a specific area, or a tightfitting bracelet, watch or ring that wasn’t tight before.

There is no cure for lymphedema.

The treatment focuses on reducing the swelling and controlling the pain.

Donna Hills, a physical therapist at the hospital, will oversee the Lymphedema Treatment Program at Waldo County General Hospital. She recently completed training and became certified at the Norton School in Chicago.

She learned how to use a special

light massage technique to manually encourage the flow of the lymph fluid out of the affected area by stretching the tissue. Similarly, she will teach patients light exercises that they can use to LYMPHEDEMA, page 11

Your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health are our primary focus. You can choose from a full menu of holistic therapies. We also provide onsite laboratory facilities and a natural pharmacy for your convenience. Call today for an appointment.

Meet Our Practitioners: Dr. Deb Moskowitz, ND Naturopathic Medicine

Dr. Barb MacDonald, ND, MSOM, LAC Naturopathic Medicine, Acupuncture

Amy Jenner, M.Ac., Dipl.Ac., L.Ac. Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine

Tami Rogers, CHT, RMT Clinical Hypnotherapist, Energy Medicine

Susan Hamill, CHT Colon Hydrotherapy, Detox Programs, Medicine Foods

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Medical & Health Journal

February 28, 2013

Food for Life classes in Belfast F Join a new baby group

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re you the parent of a child under the age of one? Do you sometimes crave an opportunity to get out of the house and to talk with another adult?

Would you like to hear ideas, coping strategies and childcare tips from other parents?

Waldo County General Hospital is starting a “New Moms or Dads & Babies” group that will meet the second and fourth Tuesday of each month from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. It’s a free group, with snacks provided, and you are encouraged to bring your baby with you.

The group will meet in Suite 103 in the new building across the street from the hospital. For more information, call Shannon Robbins RN at 338-3368.

ood for Life nutrition and cooking classes will be offered in the Education Center at Waldo County General Hospital on four Wednesdays, March 6, 13, 20 & 27 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Participants will get to sample a number of recipes.

The classes will be taught by MiMi McGee of Appleton, who has a Culinary Arts degree from Johnson & Wales University and is a Food for Life cooking instructor for The Cancer Project.

The Cancer Project is a program of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a national non-profit led by physicians that works to promote disease prevention and survival through a growing outreach program that focuses on comprehensive plant-based nutrition education for the public and health care communities.

The four classes are: • Introduction to How Foods Fight Cancer: Numerous students have shown that a diet built from plant foods offers the most cancer-fighting protection of any diet plan. In this class, you will learn about the right food choices that can help reduce the risk of developing cancer as well as overcome the disease after it has been diagnosed.

MiMi McGee • Fueling Up on Low-Fat, High-Fiber Foods: Steering clear of meat, dairy products, fried foods and other fatty fair is an important first step in preventing and surviving cancer. In this class, you will learn how to prepare delicious, low-fat dishes made from whole grains, legumes, vegetables and fruits.

• Discovering Dairy and Meat Alternatives: When cancer researchers started to search for links between diet and cancer, one of the most noticeable findings was that people who avoided meat and diary products were much less likely to develop the disease. In this class, you will explore a variety of vegetarian sources of protein, all of which are low in fat, high in fiber and loaded with cancer-fighting nutrients.

• Cancer-Fighting Compounds and Health Weight Control: Studies have shown that slimmer people are less likely to develop cancer and trimming excess weight may also improve survival after cancer has been diagnosed. In this class, you will learn about healthy dishes loaded with immune-boosting nutrients, along with how to easily and naturally maintain a health weight and a cancer-fighting nutritional regimen.

The cost of the four-class series is $80 per person. Scholarships are available for patients in cancer treatment or caregivers for patients in cancer treatment. To sign up or to get more information, call Barbara Crowley at 930-2650 or email her at: bcrowley@wcgh.org. For more information, visit: info@cancerproject. org.

Make a ‘Freshstart’ this year by quitting smoking

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o help people who believe this is the right time for them to quit smoking, the American Cancer Society’s quitsmoking program, Freshstart, is being offered at no charge on Thursdays, March 14, 21, 28 and April 4, starting at 5 pm until 6:30 pm at Waldo County General Hospital. The classes will be in the green roofed building across the street from the hospital in the second floor conference room.

This program is free and addresses the variety of reasons people smoke: physical addiction, habit and psychological dependency.

Space is limited to 12 participants.

For more information or to register for these free classes, call 930-2650 and leave your name and telephone number.

The classes are sponsored

by Waldo County General Hospital.

February 28, 2013

Medical & Health Journal

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Exercise, hard work help rehab patient meet goals N

Norma Sawyer

orma Sawyer, 71, of Searsport is a selfdescribed workaholic. In most situations that didn’t serve her particularly well.

“Someone has to tell me to stop. In fact, that’s why I started smoking. I would sit down and have a cup of coffee and a cigarette as a break,” she says, adding that she worked mostly factory jobs. “I spent 40 years smoking a pack a day. I quit two and a half years ago.”

But, her work ethic served her well in the cardiac rehab program at Waldo County General Hospital.

When Norma joined the cardiac rehab phase II program in August, her goals were to have a straight back and be able to walk without her cane for a long distance. She was suffering with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, high blood pressure, dizzy spells and osteoporosis. She’d had one kidney removed due to stage 3 cancer and the second one wasn’t working very well, and she’d had two cardiac stents inserted at different times due to her clogged arteries.

By the time she finished the program, Norma was walking without pain and was breathing better. And she’d gained back an inch in height. Norma explains that she used to be 5’ 5” tall. Then five years ago, she

Dr. August C. Schwenk BOARD CERTIFIED GYNECOLOGIST MASTER DEGREE IN SURGERY MEMBER SOCIETY OF PELVIC RECONSTRUCTION SURGEONS A recent popular TV show featured a segment referred to as “The Last Taboo in Gynecology”, a reference to the problem of pelvic prolapse and incontinence. The audience of women were asked, “How many of you “leak” when laughing, coughing, sneezing, straining, etc.”, and over half the crowd raised their hands. Obviously an enormous problem for many women; pelvic prolapse resulting in leaking can be a life altering situation, embarrassing, and making many activities difficult. But, the good part is, there are now new, up to date solutions both surgical and non-surgical.

Dr. Schwenk recently completed several surgical teaching seminars at the Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital involving female urology problems and incontinence. Additionally, he also just completed another course this February in Advanced Minimally Invasive Surgery for Gynecologists. This was a totally immersive experience with the most recent technology available to the gynecological surgeon. In this course, Dr. Schwenk learned tips, pearls, and techniques to optimize maximum patient safety, minimize and better manage any complications in female stress incontinence, excessive vaginal bleeding, vaginal prolapse, cancer therapy and ovarian tumors.

Dr. Schwenk is a specialist in female health care, surgical gynecology and advanced medical/surgical management of female incontinence.

He is now accepting new patients for consultations, second opinions and cancer screenings in his private practice at the Waldo County General Hospital, Belfast, Maine and can be reached at 338-4449.

started losing about an inch a year and was down to 5’ 1”when she started the cardiac rehab program.

“Now I’m 5’2” with eyes of blue,” said Norma. “I used to have a cane that I depended on and I would have to stop and rest often. I even used a walker sometimes. Not now. And I’ve kept my weight down a little and I’m breathing better.”

So how did she accomplish all this in just 12 weeks? Norma says it’s mostly about exercise. “I come to the program and exercise for an hour three days a week and I swim at the Y for an hour five days a week. I used to be twisted like a pretzel, but now I’ve straightened up my muscles.”

She explains that on the three days when she goes to cardiac rehab, she weights in, signs in and gets hooked up so the nurse can monitor her heart. She then bikes, lifts light weights and stretches for an hour.

Norma says she has also learned that she needs to drink 32 ounces of water per day and “go easy on the salt.” That is not what she had been doing prior to cardiac rehab. In fact, at one point she thought she REHAB, page 13

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Medical & Health Journal

February 28, 2013

Working to Make Our Community O The Family Wellness Fair provided free health screenings and tips for healthier living.

We provided 50 free cholesterol and glucose screenings during Diabetes Awareness Month and 22 free mammograms during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

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class tips t 850 m

Our community access television show, “Journey to Health� provided 36 segments with helpful tips for living healthier lives.

rs Our staff donated 238 ja

jars of jelly to Bangor n; Savings Bank’s collectio

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and $448 to local r food cupboards during ou food drive; provided ilies Christmas gifts to 25 fam with 63 children; and ds collected over 500 poun d of items to aid hygiene an cleanliness for the local soap closet.

A Yoga for Senior class was started.

Hula-hooping class

To learn more about these and ou To learn more about these and activities, our other call community wellness community wellness activities, call 930-6745.

February 28, 2013

Medical & Health Journal

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One y of the f Healthiest in America Journey to Health provided

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classes and health tips to more than 850 community members.

If your primary care doctor is employed by WCGH, you can call 3389344 between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and you can be seen in Suite 202 of the Cobb Medical Building by the provider on duty.

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raise scholarhips and awareness about diabetes education.

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$13 million in uncompensated care.

se and our other ties, call 930-6745.

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Medical & Health Journal

Providing a safe haven for oncology patients for 25 years

M

uch has changed in the world of cancer treatments over the past 25 years, the biggest of which for Waldo County residents may be the ability to get their chemotherapy close to home.

It was April of 1987 when Waldo County General Hospital (WCGH) held a press conference to announce the opening of an oncology clinic that would be staffed by afulltime nurse, Brenda Burgess, RN and Dr. John Gage as a satellite clinic for Eastern Maine Medical Center.

At that time, Dr. Gage said he expected the new service to help 30 to 60 patients a year, who would otherwise have to travel to Bangor for treatments. He said the availability of a local center would enable patients to have a closer relationship with their physician, better pain management and greater proximity to the local Hospice volunteers.

In fact, the doctor said the lengthy round trip to Bangor had actually dissuaded some patients from accepting chemotherapy as a treatment.

That first oncology clinic was one room on the second floor furnished with a bed, a chair, and a sink.

Three patients received their cancer treatments at WCGH that year.

Over the next 13 years, the clinic moved into bigger spaces twice, before in 2001 it was moved to four treatment rooms and an office area on the first floor of the hospital. The staff was thrilled at the expansion and thought they had a permanent home. Not so.

In 2011, the oncology and infusion clinic was moved into a suite with three private rooms and four other treatment chairs in a light-filled open space with windows.

There is even a desk and chair for each staff member.

And the number of patients receiving their treatment close to home has jumped from those three in 1987 to 4,143 patient visits so far in 2012. And while a doctor from Eastern Maine used to visit WCGH twice a month, the present oncologist from Brunswick, Dr. Betsy Connelly, is in Waldo County two days a week.

While Brenda Burgess RN was the only nurse in 1987, the staff has grown to nine nurses and two secretaries.

Except for a brief stint when she left to work for Waldo County Home Health and Hospice, Brenda has been at the clinic from the start and has seen many encouraging changes, especially in the treatment of side effects from chemotherapy.

In 1987, chemo patients would spend a great deal of time suffering from nausea

February 28, 2013

New faces at WCGH D

uring the past year, Waldo County General Hospital has added some top-notch new specialists and primary care physicians. They include: • Dr. Karen Miller, an Otolaryngologist (ENT), who came onboard July 2. She previously practiced in Machias and was the Chief of Surgery at Down East Community Hospital.

Longtime oncology nurse Brenda Burgess RN talks with Ella Rumney while she is receiving her treatment. and not being able to eat. Chemo still causes nausea for many people but there is medication to deal with it. In fact, some patients today even eat while they are getting their chemotherapy.

The medical practice is also better at suspending treatments when a patient has unpleasant side effects, until the side effects can be controlled.

Another helpful change is the Port-A-Cath.

It is surgically placed in the patient’s chest so IVs can be put into it instead of having needles constantly poking the patient.

One symptom that can’t yet be controlled is hair loss, but there are ways to help a patient deal with it, such as the Look Good, Feel Better program, hats, and wigs. But in contrast to the days when no one even spoke the word cancer, there are patients now who don’t want to cover up their bald head.

One thing that has not changed at the hospital’s oncology clinic, according to Brenda, is that it remains a “safe haven.” She says patients know “they can say what they want— they can cry, they can laugh, they can talk about their fears and what they might miss.

Because we are a small clinic, we get to know our patients better than a bigger institution does.”

“When patients come in with a cancer diagnosis, they are scared and their anxiety level is very high. We try to bring them back down,” she explains. “Cancer patients have a lot to deal with: the disease and their treatment, work, insurance coverage, their family, money and travel. We have patients we share with clinics in Florida, North Carolina, and Texas,

and we try and make the transition as easy as possible.”

Patient Navigator Kim Lenfestey, who joined the oncology team nearly two years ago, has been a big help. “She is a social worker and has a different knowledge base than we have. She can help with the mental health aspect and the social service part of it,” says Brenda. “As our patient load has grown, our ability to keep abreast of available community resources has decreased, but she is totally up to date and can really help our patients.”

Also helpful in that respect are CarePartners and MedAccess, two very effective financial assistance programs.

Brenda says cancer treatments are so costly and most patients have either had to cut back on work or are out of work altogether and consequently don’t then have their health insurance benefits. As an example, Brenda mentions a patient who needed three prescriptions to help alleviate her nausea. She didn’t have the $4 for the co-pay on each of the prescriptions, but MedAccess was able to help her get the medications at no cost.

As for why there are many more cancer patients now than in the past, Brenda says she sees two reasons: first, patients are being diagnosed sooner, and second, even when the cancer cannot be cured, it can be controlled for years. “Sometimes the chemo is to slow tumor growth and sometimes we can reduce it,” she says, adding there are patients they have been treating for 20 years.

“After all these years, we are still that safe haven,” says Brenda, “for the patients and for their families.”

• Dr. Lars Ellison, a urologist at PenBay Medical Center, started seeing patients at Waldo County for several days a month.

• Dr. Patrick Santiago, a Cardiologist, who arrived in September.

He came to Belfast from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, where he was the Medical Director of Cardiology at Lee’s Summit Medical Center and a member of Midwest Heart and Vascular Associates, a group of 36 cardiologists and four surgeons.

• Dr. Bernadette Stevenson, who is board certified in Family Medicine, graduated from the Maine Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency in August in June and joined the staff at the Stockton Springs Regional Health Center in September.

• Edie Konesni, PA, started seeing patients at the Arthur Jewell Community Health Center in April. She previously worked at the Islesboro Health Center for a number of years.

February 28, 2013

Medical & Health Journal

Page 11

An enduring tradition of care B

ack in 1920, many Camden folks were in need of access to affordable health care.

Consequently, a group of ladies met together at the YMCA on October 10, 1920 for the ”purpose of having a public health nurse for Camden.”

After raising funds in the community, Camden District Nursing Association hired Helen Cobb as the “original” District Nurse to make visits in the homes of patients. Madeline Richards, Frances Grisson and Rose Blake served held the position of District Nurse during the early years.

The high standard of nursing care established by these women continues now, 92 years later, as the organization continues to fulfill its mission of providing nursing care to patients in their homes, regardless of ability to pay. Over the years, some changes have been made, including an expansion of the service area from Camden only to the surrounding towns of Rockport, Lincolnville and Hope, but administration and funding

Board of Directors of Camden Area District Nursing Association are: (L-R) front: Bob McKeown, Pres., Julie Clement, Brenda Richardson, Elaine Davis VP, Ann Feeney, RN, Nursing Director; back: Linda Annis, Sheila McFarland, Julia Libby, Chris Hardy, Sec., Chris McIntosh, Treas., John Long. Missing from the photo is Rosemary Winslow. have always been community-based in the towns served.

The current member of the Board

of Directors representing Camden is Elaine Davis (Vice President). The Rockport members are: Brenda

Richardson, Julie Clement and Chris McIntosh (Treasurer). Board members from Lincolnville are: Rosemary Winslow, Sheila McFarland and Julia Libby. The Hope contingent is: Chris Hardy, (Secretary) and Linda Annis.

Also on the Board are Bob McKeown (President), Executive Director of Quarry Hill and John Long, Director of Long Funeral Home.

The Board sincerely thanks all of its donors, individuals and businesses, who continue year after year to support the concept of certain personal home care services. Our four registered nurses , Ann Feeney, Director; Judi Lydon, Fran Sims and Barbara Forti, along with per diem nurses Roe Chiacchio and Paukline Wilder, work cooperatively with an individual’s physician to check vital signs, draw blood, pre-pour medications, bathe, offer foot care, etc., at a cost not exceeding $25 per visit.

Please contact our office at 207230-6272 for further information.

LYMPHEDEMA, from page 5 encourage the movement of the fluid.

In other cases, she will wrap the affected limb, also to encourage the fluid to flow back out of the limb and toward the trunk of the body to find an alternative route through the lymph vessels.

For new patients, she will work for five days in a row to drain the fluid and then bandage the area. After that, the patients will learn to do their own bandaging and to use a compression garment, which compresses the affected limb, again to reduce the swelling at first and later to prevent the limb from swelling in the future.

And as Dianna knows, it is good to catch the problem early.

Donna became interested in running the Lymphedema Treatment Program because of a young family member who two years ago had swelling in her leg, which turned out to be lymphedema.

Fortunately, it was a fairly mild case and the family member is able to keep it under control through the use of compression garments and exercises.

Donna wants to be able to do the same for her patients.

If you have questions about lymphedema treatment or wish to make an appointment, with a referral from your physician, please contact the Rehab.

Services Dept. at WCGH at 338-9316.

Friends, Family & Fun

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Page 12

Medical & Health Journal

February 28, 2013

Shedding pounds after the age of 50 L

osing some weight is a goal for many people regardless of age. While youngsters and young adults might be able to get away with a few extra pounds without suffering any significant consequences, older adults carrying some extra weight might be putting their overall health at considerable risk.

Shedding weight after the age of 50 is not always easy. As a person ages, muscle mass tends to dwindle while body fat has a tendency to increase. Since fat burns fewer calories than muscle, weight gain as a person ages is bound to happen. But that doesn’t mean such weight gain is inevitable. In fact, men and women willing to make certain changes with regard to diet and exercise can shed pounds after 50 while preventing future weight gain.

DIET Men and women need fewer calories as they age.

For example, men and women in their 40s may need as many as 200 calories more per day than they will when they reach their 50s. Counting calories might seem difficult, so men and women in their 50s and older who don’t think they can count calories can try to eat more low-calorie foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Consuming fewer calories often requires changing dietary habits, not only with regard to what you’re eating but also how you’re eating and even how you shop for food. Men and women used to dining out for lunch every day can start bringing their own lunches so they can gain greater control of their daily caloric intake. For LET’S GO!, from page 3 vegetable main dish or include a green salad with your dinner. Top foods like cereal and salads with fruits. Try fruits and vegetables with low fat dips and dressings. Finally, encourage children to eat fruits and vegetables as a snack.

When your child asks for seconds at meal time, offer them only seconds on the fruit or vegetable that you are serving.

One way to help your children learn to like a variety of foods is to plan, prepare and eat meals as a family as often as possible. In our busy fast food world, many families have moved away from this time-honored tradition. New research shows that families who regularly eat meals together have healthier kids.

Here are some additional tips on how to increase fruit and veggie consumption: 1. Try the three bite rule. Offer new fruits and veggies different ways and try at least three bites each time. It can take seven to ten tries before you like a new food.

2. Make a fruit smoothie for a snack.

It is a great way to get several servings of fruit at one time.

3. Add veggies to foods that you already make. These include pasta, soups,

Muscle-strengthening activities, including yoga, can help men and women over 50 lose weight and keep the weight off. those who find they’re frequently too exhausted to cook each night, they can prepare meals in advance to have healthy, homemade meals waiting instead of always ordering takeout or delivery. When shopping for food, people should avoid doing so on an empty stomach so they’re less inclined to buy unhealthy snacks.

EXERCISE Exercise is another essential component to shedding pounds after 50, though men and women over 50 should always consult a physician before they begin a new exercise regimen. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention points out that regular exercise can

casseroles, pizza, rice, etc. Chopped or shredded veggies like spinach, carrots, cabbage, or broccoli can be added to many foods without altering the flavor.

4. Wash and chop fruits and veggies.

Keep them on hand so they are ready to grab and eat.

5. Enjoy your veggies fresh and lightly steamed or stir fried. Most people prefer crunchy foods over mushy ones.

6. Be a good role model for your family. Your children are more likely to develop a taste for foods that they see you eating.

Here’s a tasty recipe (at right) to make with your kids for dessert or a snack.

Donna Ames, RN, works with Pen Bay Healthcare Pediatrics and Let’s Go! Knox County to encourage children to adopt healthy eating and exercise habits. For more info on Let’s Go!, visit www.letsgo. org.

Pen Bay Healthcare Pen Bay Healthcare is a not-for-profit family of services which includes Pen Bay Medical Center, the largest community hospital in Midcoast Maine, as well as Pen Bay Physicians & Associates, Kno-Wal-Lin Home Care and Hospice, Quarry Hill Retirement Community

help older men and women prevent the onset of a host of ailments, including heart disease and diabetes. In addition, the CDC notes that regular physical activity as one ages helps muscles grow stronger, which increases the chances that an individual will be able to perform necessary daily activities without the assistance of others. Maintaining that independence into older adulthood is a goal for many men and women, and it’s a goal that’s far more realistic for men and women who exercise than it is for those who don’t.

When coupled with a healthy, low-calorie diet, routine exercise can help men and women over 50 shed extra weight and keep the weight off once it’s gone. According to the CDC, older adults need at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, every week and muscle-strengthening activities on 2 more days a week. These muscle-strengthening activities should work all the major muscle groups, including the legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms. Muscle-strengthening activities include lifting weights, working out with resistance bands, exercise such as push-ups and sit-ups that use body weight for resistance, and yoga. Even gardening that involves digging and shoveling can be considered a musclestrengthening activity.

Weight gain is often an expected side effect of aging. But men and women don’t have to gain weight as they get older. Some simple dietary changes and a commitment to routine exercise is all it takes to shed weight after 50 and keep that weight off once it’s gone.

Fresh Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Tortilla Chips (makes 4-6 servings) Salsa: 2 kiwis, peeled and chopped 1 large apple, peeled, cored, and chopped 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced 1 large banana, peeled and chopped 1 cup blueberries Juice of 1 lime Mix fruit together and toss with lime juice. Enjoy with cinnamon tortilla chips!

Chips: 4 whole wheat tortillas Cooking oil spray 2 teaspoons sugar mixed with ½ teaspoon cinnamon.

Spread tortillas out on a flat surface. Spray sparingly with cooking oil spray.

Lightly sprinkle tortillas with cinnamon and sugar mixture. Using a pizza cutter, slice each tortilla into wedges. You can usually get 6-8 wedges to a circle depending on tortilla size. Spread onto a baking sheet and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 6-8 minutes or until crisp and lightly browned. Yum! and the Knox Center for Long Term Care. Through these organizations, and with a staff of more than 100 outstanding physicians and more than 1,500 healthcare professionals, we are able to provide the people of Midcoast

Maine with a continuum of both routine and specialty patient-centered medical services. Pen Bay Healthcare is a member of the MaineHealth system.

For more information, please visit www. penbayhealthcare.org.

February 28, 2013

Medical & Health Journal

Page 13

Treat sleeplessness with supplements

M

illions of people around the world battle insomnia. Sleeplessness may be a byproduct of different conditions, and treatment may depend on the underlying cause of the insomnia. Many people find using all-natural supplement therapy is enough to ward off sleeplessness.

Insomnia is more prevalent among elderly individuals and women. Elderly people are more likely than younger ones to have medical conditions that may cause pain at night or to take medication that can interfere with a good night’s rest. Some research suggests that men lose about 80 percent of their deep sleep between the ages of 16 and 50. For women, hormonal events often trigger sleeplessness. These can include menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. Individuals who are over the age of 50 may be more prone to anxiety, grief and depression which can cause sleeplessness.

Although there are many different medications, be it prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs, to alleviate symptoms of sleeplessness, some people prefer to not take these medications due to the risk of dependency or the side effects associated with them. Hypnotics, which include the brand name Ambien, have been linked to morning drowsiness and even temporary amnesia, where individuals walk around, drive or even cook while under the medication and are unaware of what they are doing.

Those who are looking for more natural approaches can use the following vitamins

and minerals in conjunction with good sleep hygiene.

• Calcium and magnesium combination: Calcium and magnesium have been shown to relax the central nervous system, helping the body drift into sleep. According to Dr. William Sears, calcium helps the brain use the amino acid tryptophan to manufacture the sleep-inducing substance melatonin. It is important to note that a balanced ratio of calcium to magnesium helps calcium work properly. It is recommended to take 500 mg of calcium and 250 mg of magnesium once per day, later in the evening. This can be done after dinner or a few hours before going to bed for best results.

• Vitamin B6: Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, is a water-soluble vitamin required for the synthesis of the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine. It also helps with myelin formation. Those who are deficient in B6 find the peripheral nerves, skin, mucous membranes and the central nervous system can be affected. Taking 50 mg of vitamin B6 daily can help in the production of serotonin and promote sleep. It is believed to work well for people who struggle to stay asleep through the night.

• Vitamin B12 and vitamin B5 combination: Taking 25 milligrams of B12, especially when supplemented with vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), can be a successful sleeplessness remedy. Vitamin B12 deficiency is quite common and is a factor for many patients who suffer from insomnia, especially seniors.

Vitamin B5 may also relieve stress.

REHAB, from page 7

water and not using too much salt so she can return to working on the gardens at the local campground this summer.

For more information about Waldo County General Hospital’s cardiac rehab program, call Mary Hanrahan RN at 9302545.

was having a heart attack but it turned out that she was severely dehydrated.

Norma has now finished the program, but she says she plans to keep on going to the Y and swimming, exercising, drinking

Camden Area District Nursing Association We enthusias cally thank the many businesses and residents of the Communi es of Camden, Rockport, Lincolnville and Hope who have been suppor ng our mission of home nursing visits since 1920.

Monitoring Meds – Wound Care – Vital Signs – Foot Care To learn more please call 230-6272

• 5-HTP: Serotonin is a key neurotransmitter involved in sleep and mood, and 5-HTP, or 5-hydroxytroptophan, is a precursor to serotonin. In several doubleblind clinical studies, 5-HTP decreased the time required to get to sleep and to decrease the number of awakenings, according to HolisticOnline. It is recommended to take 100 to 300 mg, around 45 minutes before retiring for bed.

• Melatonin: Although melatonin is the go-to supplement for sleeplessness because of its direct relationship with sleep onset and circadian rhythm in the body, some research indicates that melatonin supplementation may only be effective for those who are deficient in this hormone.

However, it may be effective for the elderly person who naturally produces less melatonin as he or she ages. A report titled, “Melatonin in elderly patients with insomnia: A systematic review,” found there is sufficient evidence that low doses of melatonin improve initial sleep quality in selected elderly insomniacs. Melatonin doses ranged from 0.5 mg to 6 mg, and most participants took a single dose 30

to 120 minutes before bedtime. However, larger, randomized controlled trials with less strict inclusion criteria are necessary to yield evidence of effectiveness in geriatric patients who suffer from insomnia before widespread use can be advocated.

Sleeplessness is something that can cause anything from mere annoyance to a long-term health problem. Older adults who are more prone to insomnia can consider a number of natural remedies to help get a better night’s rest.

Cosmetic & Family Dentistry Robert E. Day, DDS, FAGD Committed to Excellence...Because We Care Most Insurance Accepted 236-8891 • 44 Mechanic St., Camden www.DrRobertDay.com

Page 14

Medical & Health Journal

February 28, 2013

These foods may help prevent cancer C

ancer is a potentially deadly disease that does not discriminate based on a person’s age, sex, ethnicity, or social status.

Though anyone can get cancer, the National Institute on Aging notes that a person’s risk of getting cancer increases with age, even if that person has no family history of cancer. That reality highlights the importance of routine cancer screenings for men and women age 50 and older.

While screenings are an important part of detecting and treating cancer, those over 50 should know they can take certain measures to possibly prevent the onset of cancer. For example, including certain foods as part of a regular diet may be effective at preventing cancer. Though there’s no way to guarantee a person won’t get cancer, the following foods may help lower the risk.

• Blueberries: Blueberries may help prevent the onset of neck and mouth cancers. That’s because blueberries are rich in antioxidants, which the American

4

Institute for Cancer Research notes can protect cells from being damaged.

• Coffee: Though studies about the efficacy of coffee as a potentially preventive agent against cancer are

four

ongoing, some studies have found that both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee can lower a person’s risk of developing colon, endometrial and prostate cancer.

Maine Dermatology Skin Center Is excited to announce the addition of a licensed aesthetician, Skye Swartz, to our practice.

To celebrate, we are offering special winter pricing and packages on skin peels!*

Acupuncturists

Sets of Skills & Experience

We are Maine Coast Acupuncture Alliance Eileen Murray, MAc, LAc: (207) 576-5360 Mary O’Herin, LAc: (207) 319-3119 Jolinda Rockett, MAc, LAc, CCH, RN: (207) 691-6920 Abi Morrison, MAc, LAc: (207) 594-4766

We are dedicated professionals putting your health above all. www.MaineCoastAcupunctureAlliance.com

• Whole grains: Whole grains can help men and women control their weight, as they are lower in calories than more traditional options. But studies have shown that whole grains, which can be found in whole-grain and whole-wheat pastas, can also reduce your risk of colon cancer.

• Tomatoes: Tomatoes are loaded with lycopene, a carotenoid that numerous studies have indicated can reduce incidence of cancer, cardiovascular disease and macular degeneration. These studies have based their findings on tomato consumption and not on the use of lycopene supplements, which may or may not be effective at preventing cancer. Cooked tomatoes can improve the body’s ability to absorb lycopene, further enhancing its ability to protect the body against cancer.

• Fatty fish: Fatty fish, including salmon, that is full of omega-3 fatty acids has been linked to a host medical benefits, including lowering a person’s risk of cancer and heart disease.

• Buy three peels and get your fourth peel free.

• New client bring-a-friend discount: Come with a friend and you will each receive 25% off your first peel.

• Loyal client/existing client discount: Refer a friend and, if they purchase a peel, you will receive $50 off your next peel.

• All skin care products 25% off the day of your peel.

Medical grade skin peels are an affordable way to help you achieve a healthier, more youthful appearance with little to no down-time. Skye can help you determine the best peel for your particular skin concerns. Treatments are performed in a state-of-art medical facility under the supervision of board-certified dermatologist, Charmaine Jenson, DO, FAOCD.

Call Maine Dermatology today at (207) 230-1007 to schedule!

Now introducing

skin care line! *exclusions may apply

February 28, 2013

Medical & Health Journal

Page 27

We invite you to our office to experience our warm atmosphere and compassionate team.

After surgery ION CT

OM

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at our state-of-the-artt

C

choose to recover

FOR

or hospitalization,

E R S AT

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We are excited to offer you and your family the latest in orthodontic treatments that lead to a healthy bite and beautiful smile that is uniquely yours.

skilled nursing and rehabilitation center where our team of medical professionals is committed to restoring your strength and vitality— so you can get back to living life.

Conveniently located on Route 1 Rockport.

You want quality

of life.

That’s why we deliver quality of care.

Call us today to schedule a free exam by Dr. Doug Laliberte &

230-6116

Embrace your best smile

quarryhill.org 30 Community Drive, Camden Member of the Pen Bay Healthcare Family

(207) 470 - 7466 www.GraniteCoastOrtho.com

The road to recovery now has a fast lane.

We know you’re eager to get back home to the daily activities and routines you enjoy. With our ShortStay services, staff members are focused on your speedy recovery. They can identify and meet your post-hospital needs and will collaborate with your personal physicians to provide therapies best suited to your unique needs. Our comfortable rooms, dining and common areas even bring a little bit of home to your stay.

We know Harbor Hill Center Windward Gardens you’ve been through a lot.

Let us help you your speedy recovery.

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Belfast, HarborME Hill04915 Center 207-338-5307 2 Footbridge Road

Camden, ME 04843 Windward Gardens 207-236-4197 105 Mechanic Street

Belfast, ME 04915 207-338-5307

Camden, ME 04843 207-236-4197

We understand care, we practice compassion.

We understand care, we practice compassion.

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Page 28

Medical & Health Journal

February 28, 2013

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