- Cancer Care, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWomen diagnosed with breast cancer can face many different choices for treatment. With new advancements in technology and breast cancer therapies, it can be difficult to know what choices give the best chance for a cure and high quality of life. A lumpectomy or mastectomy? Chemo before surgery or after surgery? How will these decisions affect personal, family and career priorities? Oftentimes, there is no right or wrong answer. Each woman is at a different stage in life and every woman’s breasts mean something different to her. Although breast surgeons aim to educate and guide patients, patients must ultimately make the decisions about treatment. This model is known as “shared decision making.” For some women, identifying a personal “best” treatment may involve the support of a friend or mentor — such as volunteer with a peer-to-peer mentorship program, like Survivors Offering Support (SOS). Hospitals across the nation offer programs like SOS, which pair a newly diagnosed breast cancer patient with a breast cancer survivor to offer educated support and encouragement. SOS peer mentors don’t offer medical advice, but as breast cancer survivors themselves, they can relate to the worries and fears that women with breast cancer often experience. Here are just a few of the benefits that women with breast cancer can find from peer-to-peer mentorship programs: Support from friends or family members who survived breast cancer can be comforting, but unlike peer mentors, these people aren’t trained to remain objective. They mean well, but they don’t understand that their story is just that – their story. A woman needs to focus on her story, which peer mentors understand. Peer mentors can also help women who have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer cut through information overload, which can result from researching online for hours. Mentors can help other women turn their concerns into questions for their surgeon. These conversations empower women to make informed decisions. Knowing that she has made her decision with the support of a trusted SOS mentor can help a woman minimize second-guessing herself, which means one less thing to worry about. Connecting with a mentor makes the cancer journey less lonely. Even if women have a strong social support system, it makes a huge difference to have someone who has been through the breast cancer journey themselves. Confiding in a mentor helps cut through the loneliness that can occur during the breast cancer journey. In fact, many women form lifelong friendships through these types of programs. Going through breast cancer can be both physically and emotionally taxing. To get through rough times, women can lean on the support of their mentor. Getting to know someone who has come through a breast cancer battle on the other side can give inspiration and motivation for women in their fight against cancer. No one has to go through something like this alone. Read more about Survivors Offering Support (SOS), including the personal story of a volunteer who discovered storm chasing in her recovery from a rare form of breast cancer. Author Lorraine Tafra, MD, is a breast surgeon and the medical director of AAMC’s Rebecca Fortney Breast Center.0
- WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogZoom has made it easier for us to attend meetings and stay connected, but it may also be contributing to burnout. So, why does Zoom burn us out? A 2021 study observed video conferencing communication increased the cognitive demands of participants. This happens because users have to coordinate the conference call, create the illusion of eye contact and physical presence, read incoming messages, and process the content on the call simultaneously. Here are some practices that can help you prevent fatigue. Ground Yourself Take a moment for you. Try moisturizing your hands, having a snack, filling a water bottle, or taking a breath break before you log into your Zoom meeting. Take Breaks Schedule mini buffers between meetings. Use that time to stretch, take a lap around your house, or do a few desk exercises. It’s Okay to Cancel Advocate for your mental and emotional wellbeing because only you know what you need. Ask if you are a “need to have” or a “nice to have” at the meeting. If you don’t need to be there, it’s okay to ask for notes in lieu of attending. You can also ask someone else to take notes for you, request a recording to watch later, or ask if you can reschedule for another day. Finally, before adding another Zoom to the schedule, ask yourself a few questions: Could this be an email? Could this be a phone call? If you answer yes, it’s okay to suggest or schedule an alternative way to get the work done. Authors Anne Gotimer is manager of WellBeing and Engagement for Luminis Health.0
- Plastic Surgery & Skin CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWinter is right around the corner. That means it’s time to pack away your shorts and t-shirts for sweaters and scarfs. And just like you would protect your body from the cold temperatures, it’s important that you remember to protect your skin too. The truth of the matter is our skin is our largest organ system and our first layer of defense from the outside world. It’s easy to forget that the skin is constantly resurfacing itself and it’s important to take care of it because it’s interacting with the environment at all times. Let’s debunk some of the misconceptions when it comes to taking care of your skin during the colder months of the year: Myth: I need to apply moisturizer, lots of it. Yes, you should moisturize. However, you should be cautious with some moisturizers that have a high percentage of alcohol as this could further dry your skin. Try using moisturizers with hyaluronic acids or natural oils, like avocado oil, as these can really help hydrate your skin. Myth: I don’t need sunscreen. Even when it’s cloudy, up to 80 percent of the sun’s UV radiation reaches the earth. Clouds will not protect you and snow reflects light and, over time, this can contribute to sunburn, wrinkles and even skin cancer. You should be using at least SPF30 sunscreen every day, even if you work inside an office. Don’t forget to protect your ears and lips because skin cancers can develop on these areas too. Myth: I should exfoliate my dry, flaky skin. A lot of people like to exfoliate in the winter to address dry, flaky skin, but that can irritate and dry out your skin even more. Before exfoliating, try using a good moisturizer first. Winter skincare doesn’t need to be intimidating. It is best to just continue your regular skincare routine and make small adjustments as needed along the way. For people with sensitive, dry skin, small changes – like keeping your showers short, showering in warm (not hot) water or using gentle soaps – can help prevent over drying your skin during the cold winter months. If you’re exploring new skincare products, consider consulting with a professional. There are medical offices, like Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Plastic Surgery, who offer a variety of services and products, including skincare, to help you look and feel your best. Skincare is really an investment into your future and the time to prevent wrinkles and skin cancer is when you’re young. However, it’s never too late and never too early to start taking care of your skin. READ MORE: What’s the best way to have younger-looking skin? Luminis Health Plastic Surgery offers nonsurgical and surgical cosmetic procedures to women and men. Choosing cosmetic plastic surgery is a deeply personal choice. To learn more about what’s the best fit for you, check out www.luminishealth.org/en/services/plastic-surgery.0
- Senior CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogImagine this: You’re in a room with several objects on a table — pens, books, clothes. A family member or friend is standing right in front of you saying something directly to you, making eye contact and gesturing as part of the conversation but you can’t comprehend what the person is saying. The person leaves the room and you feel confused because you couldn’t hear what was said. All you could hear were the hundreds of thoughts crossing your mind. You feel disoriented. You walk towards the table and reach for one of the books but somehow can’t completely feel the old, wrinkled texture of the cover that hugs the pages inside of it. As you place the book back on the table, you accidentally knock over some of the pens. You didn’t see them because your peripheral vision is impaired. The person that was talking to you before walks back in the room and asks, “have you folded the clothes yet like I had asked you to?” No. Because you weren’t aware of this. You saw the person’s lips move, but you didn’t understand what they were saying. That’s what it can feel like to live with dementia. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, dementia is a general term to refer to a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. Dementia is an overall term used to describe symptoms that have an impact on memory, performance of daily activities, communication abilities and all five senses. Although symptoms differ greatly from case to case, at least two of the following core mental functions must be greatly impaired in order to be considered dementia: memory; communication and language; ability to focus and pay attention; reasoning and judgement; and visual perception. READ MORE: Understanding adult speech therapy Alzheimer’s disease, the sixth leading cause of death in the country, is the most common type of dementia, accounting for 60 to 80 percent of cases. In fact, an estimated 5.7 million Americans of all ages have Alzheimer’s. This number includes nearly 5.5 million people age 65 and older and about 200,000 individuals under age 65. Today, someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s every 65 seconds. By mid-century, statistics project this will change to every 33 seconds. There are some risk factors you can’t change, like age and genetics. And while many dementias are progressive — meaning symptoms start out slowly and gradually get worse — research shows there are steps you can take for risk reduction and prevention. Monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol: Your brain is sustained by one of your body’s richest networks of blood vessels. Something that damages blood vessels in your body can also harm blood vessels in your brain, depriving brain cells of vital food and oxygen. These changes can cause faster decline or make impairments more severe. Manage or avoid diabetes and don’t smoke: You can help protect your brain as you would protect your heart. Take steps to keep your blood pressure and blood sugar within the recommended limits. And don’t smoke. Be more mentally engaged in life: This includes mental and social activities. Mentally challenging activities — like learning a new skill or hobby — can have short and long-term benefits for your brain. Similarly, engaging socially is associated with reduced rates of disability, mortality and depression. There are countless ways to stay socially active. Think about joining a club, volunteering or getting involved in your community. Take care of your diet: What you eat can affect brain health through its effect on heart health. Current evidence suggests that heart-healthy eating patterns, like the Mediterranean diet, may help protect the brain. This diet includes minor intake of red meat and a higher consumption of whole grains; fruits and vegetables; fish and shellfish; nuts; olive oil; and other healthy fats. Be active: There are endless benefits of regular physical exercise, including lowering the risk for some types of dementia. Evidence shows exercise may directly benefit brain cells by increasing blood and oxygen flow to the brain. Dementia is always a tough topic to talk about, especially as there aren’t any recent developments in diagnosis or treatment. However, there are ways you can help take care of your health or that of a loved one. If you think you or someone you care about is showing signs of dementia, contact your doctor. Early diagnosis gives you a higher chance to seek treatment and plan for your future. Author Scott Eden, MD, is a practicing family medicine physician at Anne Arundel Medical Group Chesapeake Family Medicine in Annapolis. He can be reached at 443-481-4080. Originally published June 25, 2018. Last updated June 17, 2019.0
- Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogRebecca “Becky” Benner has always been incredibly active. An avid gardener, she loves to dig, load up wheelbarrows and get her hands dirty. She enjoys cooking and baking too. Her life was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with left tonsillar cancer in December 2021. The cancer had metastasized to her cervical lymph nodes. Before starting treatment, Becky’s oncologist referred her to Debra Piccirillo, speech language pathologist (SLP) at Luminis Health Physical Therapy in Annapolis. Debra assessed her swallowing skills and began Becky’s swallowing therapy. Prior to and throughout her radiation treatments, Becky practiced exercises to help to improve her ability to swallow. This work also protected her airway throughout the radiation treatments. Radiation may have long-term effects on swallowing abilities, so these exercises became a necessary daily routine indefinitely. Her care team performed a baseline modified barium swallow (MBS) study, an X-ray procedure performed that provides a look at the anatomic structures in the head and neck. This is essential to make sure these areas are working properly while chewing, drinking, and swallowing, and can help a care team make additional suggestions to keep swallowing safe. Debra quickly realized the need to refer her to physical therapy (PT) to address the impact of swelling on Becky’s health and swallowing skills. Becky describes her chemotherapy and radiation treatments as her “Big Adventure.” When she began treatment, she saw a sharp decline in her energy, balance and general strength. She went from being an active walker to needing support while moving around her house. Cancer-related fatigue and decline in strength and balance are real consequences of cancer treatment, especially in older adults who have a smaller reserve due to other medical diagnoses. Becky was extremely motivated to get back to her prior level of physical function. With physical therapy, she started making gradual progress. Her family provided excellent support, taking turns bringing her to therapy and encouraging her to practice exercises and strategies at home. At the beginning of May 2022, she needed a walker to walk and was able to stand on one leg for just a second. Her physical therapist, Runzun Shetye, provided walking and standing exercises to help with her mobility, as well as introducing lymphedema-reducing strategies. By December 2022, she was able to walk in her garden without any assistance, push a wheelbarrow filled with garden and yard trimmings, and was able to stand on one leg for 60 seconds! Becky also experienced significant pain and changes in her swallowing function, also known as dysphagia, requiring her to alter her diet to foods that were easier to manage. She found swallowing to require more effort, compared to pre-radiation where eating and drinking were automatic. She worked with an oncology dietician who assisted with optimal intake and food choices which helped her. Becky continues to have some difficulty with eating certain types of meats, pastas and breads and still does her numerous swallowing and jaw exercises. Her doctors and therapists continue to collaborate to provide the best care for her. Becky is building her physical endurance every day and has returned to gardening at her home and in the community and to volunteer work in the community. Becky recaps her “Big Adventure,” “I’ve really appreciated the exercises for my mouth and for balance and equilibrium. Debra and Runzun answered my questions, gently encouraged new exercises or resources to aid or speed recovery, accepted my occasional lack of progress, and, most importantly, allowed me to vent!”0
How can we help?
Common Searches
Common Searches
Log in with MyChart
Access personalized site features & view your health records.
Learn more about MyChartDon’t have a MyChart account?
Your Account
Go to MyChart
Messages
Billing Summary
Find Care
Schedule Appointment
My Care Team
My Record
Appointments
Medications
Insurance Summary
Log in with MyChart
Access personalized site features & view your health records.
Learn more about MyChartDon’t have a MyChart account?