Community
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Give Your Elf a Break: A Printable Sick Note from Luminis Health
Blog
After almost three weeks of late-night mischief, does your elf need a night off? Maybe it’s the rainy weather, too many cookies or all the back-and-forth trips to the North Pole. Whatever the reason, every elf deserves a little rest, and we’ve got just the thing: a printable sick note. Whether your elf has come down with “North Pole Sniffles” or is recovering from an "oops" moment, like a tumble off the Christmas tree, this note lets them relax guilt-free. Want to make your elf’s sick day extra special? Here are some creative ideas: Create a cozy tissue bed for your elf to rest on. Set up a “recovery station” with mini marshmallow “medicine” and a candy cane “thermometer.” Add a small blanket, a teacup-sized hot cocoa, or even a tiny book for them to “read” while they recuperate. At Luminis Health, we’re all about keeping the magic alive for families while helping you navigate the busy holiday season. Download your printable sick note below and let your holiday helper get the rest they deserve—after all, being naughty can be exhausting! Download the Elf Sick Note. P.S. If you or your family are feeling under the weather this winter, Luminis Health is here for you. Visit LuminisHealth.org to learn more about our primary care, emergency services, and virtual healthcare option, CareConnectNow.
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News & Press Releases
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Bringing Holiday Warmth and Joy to Families of Premature Babies with Handmade Hats
Blog
You could call it a special delivery for the holidays. Pam Crosby, a devoted knitter and the mother of a Luminis Health nurse, handcrafts tiny hats for each major holiday to brighten the lives of babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. For families facing the challenges of a NICU stay with their newborns, Crosby’s creations bring comfort and a touch of celebration to an otherwise stressful time. Each piece – whether a costume for Halloween, a bunny bonnet for Easter, or a tiny Santa hat for Christmas – offers warmth, charm, and holiday spirit, helping families to feel more at home during the holidays while their little ones are in the NICU. Pam Crosby, who has been knitting for the NICU babies for ten years, says her goal is to provide comfort and support to these families during their NICU stay. "I know how stressful this experience can be for families, especially around the holidays when everyone longs to be at home with their loved ones," says Crosby. “Creating these little hats and costumes is my way of providing a little bit of joy into their lives. I also do this in honor of the NICU staff — especially my daughter Rachel Frazetti, who shows so much dedication and compassion for their patients every day.” To celebrate their first Christmas, the NICU staff carefully dressed the resident babies in holiday themed hats. The dedicated team then celebrated with a special visit from Santa Claus, who proclaimed them ‘Santa babies’ and confirmed they were all on the nice list, while also capturing memories for families. “On behalf of the entire team, we express our heartfelt gratitude to Pam Crosby for knitting more than 700 hats and costumes over the past decade,” said Sharon Mooney, clinical nursing director of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. “Seeing the tears of joy in families’ eyes when they see their little one dressed up for the holidays is truly heartwarming. We couldn’t achieve this without the support of our amazing volunteers and dedicated staff who care for our premature babies and their families.” The Frank Family Birth Center at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center welcomes approximately 5,000 babies each year. The Level III NICU, known as “Teddy’s Place,” provides specialized care each year for approximately 800 premature babies and high-need infants who need extra support and care at birth. Consistently recognized by U.S. News & World Report and Newsweek, the Annapolis hospital ranks among America’s best for maternity care.
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Cancer Care, Wellness
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Sandra’s Story: Finding Hope Amid Cervical Cancer
Blog
Sandra Massey’s journey with cervical cancer began more than 30 years ago. As a mother of two young daughters, she worried that cancer could take her away from her children—just as she lost her father to cancer at the age of 11.
Doctors suggested surgery to remove her cervix, but Sandra hoped to have more children and was not open to that option. Instead, in 1989, she underwent a cone biopsy. Since then, she has been diligent about visiting her doctor every year and staying up to date on screenings. She also welcomed two more children.
Despite her commitment to her health, the cancer returned. In June 2023, Sandra received the news that she had stage 4 cervical cancer. “It felt like my life was turned upside down,” Sandra recalls.
The day after her diagnosis, she met with Dr. Nicholas Lambrou, Chief of Gynecologic Oncology. “It was meant to be,” Sandra says of meeting Dr. Lambrou. “He and his team gave me so much hope when I needed it most.”
Sandra’s treatment plan involved receiving chemotherapy every three weeks for about five months. Then she transitioned to maintenance infusions using immunotherapy.
Throughout treatment, Sandra’s four children and three grandchildren provided support. They accompanied her to appointments and ensured she had meals and snacks to help maintain her strength and weight.
Today, Sandra continues to work in sales and cherishes every moment with her family. “My grandchildren are the light of my life,” she says. Recently, they enjoyed a Sunday outing together, watching a movie and trying a new restaurant—a tradition they uphold nearly every weekend.
Sandra’s resilience and the support of her loved ones have been instrumental in her journey.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer, please visit our webpage at Luminis Health Gynecologic Oncology or call 443-481-3493 to schedule an appointment today.
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Location
232136
tel:(410) 643-4524
1630 Main Street, Ste 204, Chester, MD 21619
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Surgery, Wellness
General Page Tier 3
Managing Chronic Back and Neck Pain
Blog
If you’re one of the millions of people suffering from chronic back and neck pain, figuring out how to get relief can feel like, well.....a pain in the neck! From lifestyle changes to medications, several approaches can help. But when chronic back and neck pain interferes with your daily life and keeps you from the activities you love, it may be time to talk to your doctor about other options, including surgery. Understanding your options for treatment and working with a specialist who will build a treatment plan just for you can make the process less overwhelming.
Understanding causes of chronic back and neck pain
The CDC says nearly 40 percent of U.S. adults report having back pain. Neck pain impacts fewer people but is still common, affecting 15 percent of the population. Pain can range from dull and constant to sharp and sudden, and typically, lifestyle changes and traditional therapies help.
However, chronic back and neck pain — which lasts for months or even years — is usually caused by a specific event like an accident or fall, or changes in the spine due to age or a medical condition, and often requires surgery.
The right treatment for you depends on the cause of your pain. Your doctor will conduct a full examination, including diagnostic tests like X-rays and scans, to better pinpoint the source of your pain, so they can best treat it.
Lifestyle changes
In some cases, you can improve back and neck pain with lifestyle changes, such as:
Eating an anti-inflammatory diet that includes calcium and vitamin D for strong bones
Maintaining a healthy body weight to reduce stress and strain on your neck and spine
Practicing good posture when sitting or standing
Sleeping on your side with a pillow between your knees
Staying active with regular exercise to increase strength and balance
Wearing comfortable shoes with a low heel
If pain limits your daily activities, a physical or occupational therapist can help you learn how to move safely. And while bed rest may seem like a good idea when you don’t feel your best, it’s important to note that it can make back and neck pain worse.
Traditional and complementary approaches
Your doctor may recommend additional back and neck pain treatment, including over-the-counter pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, pain medications or muscle relaxers. In addition to traditional treatments, you may also benefit from complementary approaches such as tai chi and yoga.
Surgery
If you’ve tried everything else and are still in pain, surgery may provide relief. Surgical approaches to relieve neck and back pain range from minimally invasive to more complex open surgeries, and include:
Fusing portions of the spine
Removing bone spurs of the vertebrae of your spine
Removing part of a herniated disc to relieve pressure
Replacing damaged discs
Stimulating the spinal cord
Widening areas of the spine to relieve pressure on nerves
Before surgery, one of our neurosurgeons will give you a thorough evaluation to make sure you’re a good candidate. They’ll review your medical history, the cause of your pain, your symptoms and your level of support after surgery. Your doctor will review the risks and benefits of the procedure with you so you can make an informed choice. Each surgery is tailored to the individual and their lifestyle and activity goals.
Expert care for your chronic pain is within reach
If you haven’t been able to find relief from chronic back or neck pain, reach out to Luminis Health Neurosurgery today. We’re ready to help you find relief from your pain and get you back to feeling your best.
Authors
Dr. Christopher Taleghani is internationally recognized as a leading minimally invasive surgeon specializing in complex spine and brain conditions. At Luminis Health, Dr. Taleghani treats disorders of the brain, nervous system, and spinal nerves.
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