- Cancer Care, Men's Health, Patient & Family Advisors, Women's Health, Uncategorized, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogEarl Shellner had just completed a long course of chemotherapy to treat aggressive rectal cancer when he and his family began to notice something was seriously wrong: He was experiencing frequent memory lapses. Earl found himself forgetting basic life skills, such as how to use his toothbrush or write out certain letters. “I couldn’t remember how to make a cursive S or a J,” he recalls. “I had to look it up on the Internet, how to make the curves for those letters.” His family also noticed he was telling the same stories over and over again in the same day without realizing he was repeating himself. When Earl mentioned these lapses to his medical team, they told him the problem was very likely “chemo brain,” a term describing cancer-therapy-associated cognitive deficits. Basically, the strong drugs used to treat Earl’s cancer had disrupted some of the neural pathways in his brain. Reports indicate that as many as 70 percent of patients who receive chemotherapy experience symptoms anywhere from mental “fuzziness” to memory lapses to problems following through on tasks. Rebecca Gondak, a speech language pathologist with Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Cancer Rehabilitation program, worked with Earl, practicing exercises that helped him carry out tasks like shopping for groceries and recalling names. Earl was particularly excited when he and Rebecca worked out a clue for helping him remember the name of his 14-year-old neighbor. “I learned how to use a mnemonic device,” says Earl. “When I saw the young man, I would think of a calendar and the first letters of July-August-September-October-November to spell ‘JASON.’” Now, after making significant progress on his cognitive tests, Earl has become a patient and family advisor at AAMC. In this role, he is informing medical center staff, as well as cancer patients, friends and family—everyone he can—about chemo brain. “I have given a speech to hospital administrators,” he says. “And when I am at the infusion center, I ask patients if they know about chemo brain. A lot of them don’t, so I lead them in the right direction [to get help].” Read more about chemo brain and Earl’s experience. Learn more about Cancer Rehabilitation, a certified STAR Program® at AAMC, by calling 443-481-3805.
- Wellness, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogTeko Sellman loves being alive. A tech in Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Emergency Department, he loves living every day to the fullest. So, when he found himself feeling sluggish, unmotivated and depressed last year, he knew he needed to make a change. “One day I walked up three flights of stairs and noticed I became winded and felt really tired,” said Teko. “In that moment I thought to myself ‘Only three flights? This cannot be good.’ I love being alive and want to stay around as long as I possibly can.” That was his turning point. “I was 39, and I had a pot belly. I realized my external appearance was a direct reflection of my internal reality and it had to change,” he added. Teko noticed the Energize signs posted around AAMC encouraging employees and visitors to take the stairs instead of the elevators, so he started climbing the stairs before and after his shift for exercise. “I tried my first 30-minute stair climb,” Teko said, “and instantly fell in love. After three months, I had lost 50 lbs. I started eating better and added strength training to my regimen. I look and feel healthier now than I have in many years. Three flights of stairs is just part of my warm up now.” “I believe working out and eating well makes my life better. It provides my mind, body and spirit with the motivation to achieve the unimaginable.” Teko, who works nights, finds time to run the stairs 3 to 4 days a week for 30 to 45 minutes. He varies his routine and keeps the intensity high. “I keep my exercise sessions short but intense. This allows me to fit in a workout anytime I have 15 to 20 minutes to spare. I meet a lot of interesting people on the stairs,” Teko said, “That’s one of the reasons I love doing it.” In addition to stairs, Teko works out at home by running sprints, doing yoga and Pilates and incorporating everyday objects, like those found in parks and playgrounds, into his workouts. “I use the monkey bars for pull ups, and benches for jumps and lunges. I enjoy being outside, and it reminds me of how important it is to play and have fun,” he said. Teko also keeps “danger foods” to a minimum, but doesn’t deny himself all together. “I eat small portions, prepare home-cooked meals, choose healthier options and drink a lot of water. I allow myself treats here and there as a reward for my hard work.” Teko encourages others to zero in on what they want from a fitness routine and figure out what works for them. “You must ask yourself the question: ‘What is my ultimate goal?’” he said. “Narrowing down what you really want allows you to fine tune your plan for success.” “We all possess great instincts for what works for us and what doesn’t. There’s no single plan that works for everyone, so be real with your body and true to yourself. If something does not work for you, try something else. Try a variation. Do not continue to do something that does not produce results just because you were told it works,” Teko added. In the end, Teko’s commitment to physical wellbeing comes down to his passion for living. “I believe working out and eating well makes my life better. It provides my mind, body and spirit with the motivation to achieve the unimaginable. I believe the energy I give off by looking good and feeling great attracts the same energy in return. I want to be surrounded by healthy and positive people.” AAMC offers classes, nutritional counseling and other resources through our Energize program.
- Behavioral Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIn Anne Arundel County, one in four youth ages 12-20 reported alcohol use in the past 30 days, according to the 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey conducted by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. That’s higher than both the state and national averages. Even more troubling is parents’ role in underage drinking. “Parents are giving alcohol to their child and their child’s friends because they think it’s safer for kids to drink under parental supervision,” says Sandy Smolnicky, prevention specialist for the Anne Arundel County Health Department. “In reality, it’s illegal and dangerous for everyone involved.” A recipe for disaster Regardless of intention, providing alcohol to your child’s friends is prohibited by law. Parents can be prosecuted, fined and sued. Alcohol also puts kids at risk for sexual assault, violence, alcohol poisoning, drunk driving, addiction, and delayed brain development. But the outcomes don’t have to be extreme to warrant parents’ attention. “Your child might just wake up the next morning feeling sick or embarrassed, but you still don’t want that for them,” says Mandy Larkins, prevention education coordinator for Pathways, Anne Arundel Medical Center’s (AAMC) substance use and mental health treatment center. “With social media, kids are posting embarrassing pictures and videos online for everyone to see. These pictures don’t disappear, and they can really affect kids’ future plans.” Parents and prevention Preventing the consequences of underage drinking begins by changing the attitudes that justify it, and the perceptions that perpetuate it. That’s the idea behind the county-wide campaign, “Parents Who Host, Lose the Most,” funded by a grant from the Maryland Highway Safety Office. Aimed at addressing parents’ roles in preventing underage drinking, the campaign is promoted especially during times when parents are more likely to host parties, such as homecoming and prom seasons. “We need to change the way kids think about drinking, and that starts with parents,” says Mandy. “There’s no prescription for parenting, but there are things parents can do to create a positive, healthy culture for their kids that doesn’t involve alcohol.” Tips for parents Communication is key. Take initiative to talk to your child about the risks of drinking. Know where your child is and establish times for them to call (not text) you. Set up a contract with your child to form clear guidelines and expectations. If your child gets into trouble, maintain an open line of communication, avoid accusatory language and establish a consequence together. Offer alternatives. Engage your child in activities that don’t involve alcohol. Host alcohol-free parties and encourage other parents to do the same. To anonymously report a party, call the Anne Arundel County Police Department tip line at 443-390-8477. Encourage your child to get involved in extracurricular activities. Celebrate your child’s achievements. Be involved. Stay informed. Play an active role in your child’s life. Know your child. Choose strategies that work for their personality. Get to know your child’s friends. Get to know their parents. Educate yourself on current trends and lingo related to teen partying so you can identify warning signs when you see them. Set an example. Be aware of how you use alcohol in front of your child. If you depend on alcohol to cope with stress or have fun at social events, your child may learn to imitate those habits. If you keep alcohol in your home, ensure your child cannot access it. For more information on AAMC’s Pathways, visit PathwaysProgram.org. Contributor Mandy Larkins is a prevention education coordinator at Pathways and can be reached at 410-573-5428. Sources: Anne Arundel County Health Department Drug Free Action Alliance
- News & Press Releases, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThis week, the American Cancer Society (ACS) announced updates to its breast cancer screening guidelines for women with an average risk of breast cancer. In a statement published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, the ACS outlines the new recommendations: Women ages 45-54 should have a mammogram every year. Women age 55 and above, should be screened every other year. Previously, the ACS recommended annual mammograms for all women 40 years and older. So what does this change mean for you? Both the ACS and the US Preventive Services Task Force, which released proposed guidelines earlier this year, agree that women should talk with their doctors in order to consider individual risk factors. “Women may see the headline, but not realize the guidelines apply to those with an average risk for breast cancer,” says Daina Pack, MD, diagnostic radiologist and chief of breast imaging at The Breast Center at Anne Arundel Medical Center. “The reality is mammography remains the single best tool we have for early detection of breast cancer, and there’s no one-size-fits-all guideline or solution.” That’s why it’s important to talk with your personal physician to decide when you should start getting mammograms. Together, the two of you can discuss your overall health, family history, and other risk factors to make the best decision for you. If you need help finding a primary care provider near you, please call 443-481-5555. Contributor Daina Pack, MD, is a diagnostic radiologist and chief of breast imaging at The Breast Center at Anne Arundel Medical Center.
- Cancer Care, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogA diagnosis of breast cancer often leads women to reevaluate their nutrition and health practices. Some may reflect on what diet or lifestyle habits they have that may have increased their risk of getting cancer. No food or diet can prevent you from getting breast cancer, but some foods may make your body the healthiest it can be by boosting your immunity and keeping your risk for breast cancer minimized. Breast cancer is less common in countries where the typical diet is plant based and low in total fat. More research is needed to better understand the effect of diet on breast cancer risk, but it is clear that calories do count and fat is a major source of calories. Overweight women are believed to be at higher risk for breast cancer because the extra fat cells make estrogen, which can cause extra breast cell growth. This extra growth may increase the risk of breast cancer. I recommend you implement these strategies to reduce your risk: Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables (more than five cups per day). Fruits and vegetables have higher nutrient content, lower fat and higher fiber compared to animal products. Consider buying one new fruit or vegetable at every grocery shopping trip. Also, substitute zucchini noodles for pasta, and add vegetables with pesto. Add new vegetables to familiar recipes where vegetables are already present, such as stews, soups, chili, enchiladas, or pasta salads. Add broccoli, tomatoes, or squash to scrambled eggs or omelets. Plus, freeze grapes and berries in single serving containers for a cool treat. Limit your fat intake. Try to make your fat intake less than 20 percent of your total calories per day. To do this use flavored vinegars instead of regular salad dressings. Remember olive oil is a healthier oil, but it still has 120 calories per tablespoon just like all other oils so try a spray bottle to dispense. Use broth, bullion or juice instead of oil or butter, and omit fried foods, heavy sauces, gravies, and cheeses. Mix up your protein options. Some research suggests there may be a link between eating red meat and breast cancer. Most of the concern is about processed meats and beef given extra hormones and antibiotics. You can use lentils or beans as your main dish, such as chili, or three-bean salad or in enchiladas. Legumes also contain protective phytochemicals, fiber and folate. Try fish, chicken, nut butters, eggs and tofu as alternate protein sources. Add healthy choices to your diet and make positive behavior changes. Eating more fiber can make you feel full longer, making you less likely to overeat. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are ideal sources. Choose high fiber cereal with more than 5 grams or more per serving. Add kidney, black or pinto beans into soups and salads. Consider buying organic. There is a concern that chemicals used to grow food may cause health problems, including increasing breast cancer risk. To reduce your exposure to pesticides, you may want to buy organically grown produce and dairy products. Choose small portions. Meat portions should be 3 ounces—the size of a deck of cards—eaten one or two times per day. Two-thirds of your plate should be composed of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and/or beans. Move more. Being physically active is one of the best things you can do for your health. Aim for 30 minutes most days of the week, with strength training at least twice per week. Making healthy lifestyle choices has benefits at any age. Maintaining healthy weight, eating a well-balanced diet, being more active and aware of your health can be physically and mentally rewarding at any point in life. Author By Ann Caldwell and Maureen Shackelford, nutritionists and registered dietitians at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach them call 443-481-5555.
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