Finding Peace in the Final Hours

Volunteer End-of-Life Doulas Offer Support to Hospice Patients and Their Loved Ones

For Sissy Vaughn and her family, having an end-of-life doula at their father’s side helped ease their minds. “I had lost my mother only six weeks before,” explains Ms. Vaughn. “We have a large family, and my mother was always the one to keep us relaxed during difficult times.” To serve as a calming presence for the family and Ms. Vaughn’s father, end-of-life doula Elaine Gardner traveled to their home to be with them during their time of need. “Having her there helped us to cope with everything,” says Ms. Vaughn. “She was someone to talk to, laugh with and cry with. She sat with my father and held his hand through his final hours.”

Ms. Gardner is one of 90 specially trained doulas who volunteer with Gilchrist Hospice Care’s End-of-Life Doula program. Since the program was developed in December 2009, doulas have served as a guiding presence for nearly 1,000 patients and their families through the final hours of life. Doulas stay by the bedsides of hospice patients in a range of settings from private homes and long-term care facilities to the Gilchrist centers located in Baltimore and Howard Counties.

Many reasons prompt families to utilize Gilchrist’s end-of-life doula services. In some cases, family members are unable to be at their loved one’s side or simply need additional support. Doulas are often called to be with a patient when loved ones face travel constraints. Or, if patients request that their family members not be present in the room when they die, having a doula present can be a compromise, offering family members peace of mind when they can’t be there themselves.

“The program has had an extremely positive response so far, both from our doula volunteers and the families of those who have died,” says Deborah Geffen-Jones, Volunteer Services Manager at Gilchrist. “We are thankful to all of our doulas who are strongly dedicated to offering comfort to our clients during such critical and emotional times.”

Learn More

For additional information about the services provided by Gilchrist Hospice Care, visit http://gilchristhospice.org.

To view all of our stories from April's Living Healthy, Living Well please click here.

Recipe: Berry Blast Smoothie

If you're craving something sweet, but don't want to load up on calories, go for berries! This smoothie combines the natural sweetness of four different berries along with the creaminess of low-fat yogurt to create a satisfying snack for your entire family. It's also packed with vitamin C, dietary fiber and antioxidants. Here's to your health!

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups blueberries
• 2 cups raspberries
• 2 cups strawberries
• 2 cups blackberries
• 1 cup 100% cran-raspberry juice
• 1 cup low-fat blueberry yogurt
• 2 cups ice

DIRECTIONS:

Place all items into blender and blend until smooth. Serve immediately.

Recipe courtesy of www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov.

Kick Start Your Spring Fitness Routine

Long winter days are fading into warmer weather, which may mean there's an end in sight for your spring fever. Perhaps you're ready to get outside and stretch your legs, hoping to lose some of your winter weight. Before you dust off your running shoes, read some of these helpful hints to ease back into a fitness routine.

1. Slow and steady wins the race. If you've had a sedentary winter, try walking a few times a week before gradually adding more activity. By slowly adding intensity to your workouts, you'll help to avoid injuries.
2. Two is better than one. Find a partner you can work out with each day. Whether it's your best friend, next door neighbor or your dog, having someone to exercise with holds you accountable to yourself and to your partner.
3. Keep a journal. Start writing down your workout activities. You might include the day of the week you worked out, amount of time you exercised, the activity you took part in and how you were feeling that day. This allows you to go back to see what activities worked best for you and also helps you track your progress.
4. Have fun! Be sure to integrate activities that you enjoy such as biking, hiking or swimming. This will help ensure you keep on the workout track without getting bored with your routine.

Be sure to see your physician before starting any new workout routine. To find a primary care physician, visit www.gbmc.org or call 443-849-GBMC (4262).

In Sickness and In Health

A honeymoon filled with chemotherapy and radiation wasn’t exactly what Phil Kenney had hoped for himself and his new bride, Linda. However, that’s exactly how they spent the weeks following their wedding.

It all started in March 2010, when Mr. Kenney was diagnosed with stage IV tonsil cancer. After learning of his diagnosis, Mr. Kenney proposed to Linda, his girlfriend of more than 20 years. On April 17, 2010, one short month after the proposal, the couple was married in a full Catholic wedding. Instead of taking a tropical honeymoon, the following six weeks were spent at GBMC as Mr. Kenney began treatment. He had been referred to GBMC’s Sandra & Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute, where he could seek the help of head and neck specialists at the Milton J. Dance, Jr., Head and Neck Center. Though it was 300 miles round-trip from the couple’s home in Frostburg, Maryland, they knew that GBMC is where Phil could best receive the comprehensive care he needed.

“I was first seen on a Monday and had a complete care plan by Wednesday,” says Mr. Kenney. After that, he knew he wasn’t going anywhere else. “GBMC offered me all the care I needed under one roof. As a patient, it’s very reassuring to know that all of your doctors and nurses are coordinating your care to help give you the best results possible.”

During  the weeks of  Mr. Kenney’s treatment, he and Linda stayed at the Hope Lodge, a low-cost residence run by the American Cancer Society for cancer patients undergoing treatment more than 40 miles from their homes. Once he had recovered from surgery, his schedule consisted of radiation therapy twice daily on GBMC’s state-of-the-art RapidArc Linear Accelerator and chemotherapy at the Infusion Center once a week. Like all of GBMC’s cancer patients, he also had access to the support of his surgical team, along with other extensively trained oncology professionals like speech pathologists, social workers, voice and swallowing experts, patient navigators, radiation and medical oncologists and a specialized oncology dietitian.

The Kenneys left every Friday afternoon for a brief stay at their home in Frostburg before returning to Baltimore on Sundays. “Being able to stay at the Hope Lodge was a lifesaver,” says Mrs. Kenney. “We knew that GBMC had the best services for head and neck cancer, and being able to stay nearby made our decision even easier.”

Mr. Kenney is back home in Frostburg after completing his treatments, but the care he received at GBMC has made a lasting impression on him and his wife.

“It’s been quite a journey, but everyone at GBMC has made it as pleasant as could be,” says Mrs. Kenney. “Every step of Phil’s care was laid out for us, and all our questions and concerns were addressed. The care he’s received has been a true blessing.”

For more information about the Sandra & Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute, call 443-849-GBMC (4262) or visit www.gbmc.org.

Women: Know Your Risk for Heart Disease

According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of American women. Cardiovascular disease is responsible for nearly 1/3 of all female deaths in the United States. Considering these statistics, all women should take preventative measures against cardiovascular disease.

The following lifestyle tips can help reduce your risk of heart disease:

Watch your diet. Eat fruits and vegetables, whole grain, high fiber foods and fish, and limit saturated fat. Limit alcohol to one drink per day and sodium intake to one teaspoon, 2500 mg, a day.

Maintain a healthy weight. Keep track of calories and don’t over-eat.

Exercise regularly. Try to get at least 20-25 minutes of aerobic activity most days of the week.

Know your blood pressure. An optimal blood pressure is 120/80 or lower. Symptoms of heart disease in women are most often chest pressure and breathlessness, but can also be atypical symptoms such as fatigue.

Keep your cholesterol in check. High levels of LDL cholesterol and low levels of HDL cholesterol can allow the buildup of artery-clogging plaque, which could lead to heart attack. Your physician can check your levels through routine blood work and develop an appropriate treatment plan for high cholesterol.

Although all women should take steps to prevent heart disease, some may be at higher risk than others. Diabetics, smokers and individuals with a close relative who has had coronary disease at 65 years of age or younger  are at increased risk for coronary disease themselves.

“Remember, coronary artery disease is a dynamic process,” explains Margaret Brennan, MD, cardiologist at Johns Hopkins Cardiology at GBMC. “Positive changes you make today in your diet, activity or a smoking habit have immediate and long-lasting benefits on your level of risk.”

If you think you may be at risk for heart disease, call 443-849-GBMC (4262) to find a cardiologist who is right for you.

Decoding Doctor Jargon

With so many acronyms floating around the world of healthcare, it’s no wonder the average patient needs a little help understanding information. Doctors can routinely used medical jargon when speaking to a patient without thinking twice. Unfortunately, some patients don’t pipe up and ask questions which can lead to misunderstandings and sometimes poor healthcare decisions.

To help you understand your doctor at your next visit, we’re helping you decode some of the most common medical terms you wish your doctor would have explained.

CBC: Complete Blood Count. This test measures several things, but most importantly looks at white blood cell count (which can be higher in the presence of a bacterial infection.)

BMP: Basic Metabolic Panel. This test includes levels of sodium, potassium, calcium, glucose and measures kidney function.

LFT: Liver Function Test. Higher than normal levels may indicate damage from infections or medications.

LDL: Low Density Lipoprotien. This is also known as bad cholesterol.

CT Scan: Computerized Tomography. This test combines a series of X-ray views taken from different angles to produce cross-sectional images of the bones and soft tissue.

MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging. This test uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to make pictures of organs and structures inside the body.

PET Scan: Positron Emission Tomography. This is a unique type of imaging test that allows doctors to see how organs and tissues inside your body are actually functioning.

To find a primary care physician at GBMC for you and your family, visit www.gbmc.org/mydoctor.

The Truth Behind Varicose Veins

For many women, varicose veins are a cosmetic annoyance. These gnarled, enlarged veins affect areas of your legs and feet and can sometimes be accompanied by aching pain and discomfort.

Many times varicose veins appear and cause no pain at all. They’re dark blue or purple in color and look twisted and bulging. However, they are sometimes accompanied by achy or heavy feeling legs, burning, throbbing, swelling and sometimes itching.

They can appear for a variety of reasons, but most commonly come from age or pregnancy. As we get older, veins lose their elasticity causing them to stretch. The valves become weak, allowing blood that should be moving to the heart to flow backwards and pool in the vein causing them to become varicose. Some pregnant women develop them because they have increased blood volume in their body, but decreased flow of blood to the legs.

There are other risk factors that may contribute to the development of varicose veins. Women are more likely to develop them than men because of hormonal changes. Family history may also be a factor. If your family members had varicose veins, you’re more likely to develop them. Additionally, obesity and sitting or standing for long periods of time can also increase your risk.

Fortunately, treatment for varicose veins doesn’t mean a long hospital stay or prolonged recovery time. There are a few options to help decrease varicose veins or help them disappear completely.

• Self Care: Losing weight, exercising and elevating your legs can ease pain and prevent them from getting worse.
• Compression Stockings: These stockings are worn daily and steadily squeeze legs helping veins and leg muscles to move blood more efficiently.
• Laser Surgery: Physicians are using new laser treatments to close off smaller varicose veins. The laser sends a strong burst of light onto the vein, which makes it slowly fade and disappear.
• Catheter-Assisted Surgery: In this treatment, your doctor will insert a thin tube (catheter) into the enlarged vein and heats the tip of the catheter. As the catheter is pulled out, the heat destroys the vein causing it to collapse and seal shut.
• Vein Stripping: This procedure involves removing a long vein through a small incision.

When it comes to treatments for varicose veins, there are many options. Be sure to consult your doctor before thinking about any of these treatments so you can learn more about the side effects and potential health risks.