BE Healthy September/October 2011

BE
WHEN DIAGNOSED WITHCANCER
should you stay in Beaumont?

September/October 2011

Going Gray

Can a

gracefully
HORSEBACK RIDING
A total-body workout

whip you into shape?

BOOT CAMP

Planning the birth
of your child

How to can your own food

DROOPING

Eliminate eyelids

On Your Mark, Get Set and Get Ready to Get

jazzed!
Saturday, October 1 Downtown Beaumont

Join the “Gift of Life” for a Celebration of Survivorship and Hope on Saturday, October 1

RIBBON
5K Run/Walk
Hosted by: Casa Olé and H-E-B

Julie Richardson Procter

7:30 am Opening Ceremony • 8:00 am Run/Walk Begins 8:00 am - 11:30 am Pink & Teal Plaza Fun Family Activities
Register online at giftoflifebmt.org or call 409.833.3663

New Orleans Luncheon and Performance
Nationally Renowned Vocalist and Las Vegas Entertainer Saturday, October 1 11:30 am • Ticket Price $75 • Beaumont Civic Center Daytime attire or running chic
Survivors Promenade of Courage led by Queen of Rhythm and Blues Breast Cancer Awareness Activist, Survivor and Speaker Extraordinaire

Tony Orlando

FEATURING

Yvonne Washington

Kathy LaTour

Proceeds will benefit the “Gift of Life” Educational Awareness Programs for breast, ovarian, and other gynecological cancers
2 September/October 2011

For SponsorshipBE HealthySETX.com or Ticket Information, Call 409.833.3663 or Visit giftoflifebmt.org |

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September/October 2011

3

Contents
BE Healthy | September/October 2011 | Volume 2, Issue 4

BE

Editorial Executive Editor DaviD Constantine Contributing Writers CatHLeen CoLe Margaret battisteLLi garDner CHeryL rose Medical Adviser Dr. garrett k. peeL Photography Contributing Photographers sCott esLinger siLvia C. MCCLain Lee e. stinson Art Director, Advertising Operations teD FisHer

17
BEAUTY GOING GRAY
How and why you should ditch the dye By Cathleen Cole

8
GET MOVING HEALTHY AS A HORSE
Horseback riding is therapy for your body and mind By Cathleen Cole

6
FITNESS BOOT CAMPS
In-your-face fitness may be just what you need By Margaret Battistelli Gardner

Manager, Advertising Operations Fran LinDsay Graphic Design rosa CLark kristen FLores georgina MonDsHine Advertising to advertise in BE Healthy 409.880.0700 Contact Us BE Healthy 380 Main street beaumont, tX 77701 409.880.0700
to disPlAy thE mAgAzinE at your business LoCation, pLease CaLL 409.838.2829 sUbmissions to subMit an event, organization or person For ConsiDeration in an upCoMing issue, subMit by usps at aDDress above.

10
SPOTLIGHT CANCER TREATMENT
When it comes to cancer treatment, should you stay or should you go? By Cheryl Rose

18
EATING RIGHT CANNING FOOD
Grandma’s techniques for putting up garden produce heats up in popularity By Cheryl Rose

A division of hearst newspapers Publisher biLL oFFiLL Copyright © 2011 the beaumont enterprise visit us online at beHealthysetX.com

15
on the cover

MEDICAL CHILD BIRTH
Deciding where and how you should deliver your child By Margaret Battistelli Gardner

be part of keeping southeast texas green! recycle this magazine.

Photography by Silvia C. McClain Shelley Tortorice, co-owner of Beaumontbased Jason’s Deli embraced her gray hair shortly after going gray in her 20s. Tortorice never dyed her locks. “I’m a firm believer that dying damages your hair,” she said. Read her story on page 17.

14 INNOVATIONS: The latest technologies right here in SE Texas
4 september/october 2011 |

22 Peel’d to the News 21 Crossfit puzzle 23 Calendar

be HealthysetX.com

THE SOUTHEAST TEXAS

AND CONSUMER EXPO

SENIOR CELEBRATION

THURSDAY , OCTOBER 27
8:30am to 2:30pm

Brought to you in part by Home Instead Senior Care

Beaumont Civic Center

CELEBRITY STYLE SHOW
Special celebrity guest models present the latest fashions from J.C. Penney – Parkdale Mall at 12pm

FREE ADMISSION! FREE PARKING!
Entertaining Presentations on the Big Stage…
BOOT SCOOTERS & HAPPY STEPPERS Enjoy several dance performances starting at 9am HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE Senior Karaoke at 10am HEAR & SEE BUDDY HOLLY, STEVIE WONDER, ELVIS National Singer/Impressionist Kevin Adams brings his Comedy/Musical Tribute Show with impressions of Sammy Davis Jr., Willie Nelson, and more at 11am

BINGO! Play for a chance to win great prizes at 1pm
PLUS … Special informative and educational presentations, games, refreshments, clowns, music, and much more! Lobby brought to you by Altus Healthcare

“home is where healing begins.”

young and old
or somewhere in between

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| September/October 2011 5

BEHealthySETX.com

fitness

W
6 September/October 2011 |

‘Boot camp’-style exercise programs are tough, but they can transform your mind, body and soul.
By Margaret Battistelli Gardner tion program where it originated. We’re not talking your run-of-the-mill exercise routine either. Boot camp-style programs are hardcore, intensive regimes that take place over a period of weeks and often are run by current or former military personnel. They can be run by a gym or as part of an independent business. Participants sign up for a multi-week course, often committing to attend sessions three or four times a week. Lumberton Fitness Center, for example, has an eight-week program that focuses on cardio and weight-training exercises. World Gym in Beaumont does something similar. Both are designed for people of all fitness levels, all of whom can expect to see weight loss and toning results.

e’ve all seen the scene over and over: Richard Gere facedown in the mud doing pushups while Louis Gossett Jr. looms over him, growling and trying his best to break the young cadet he calls Mayo-naise.

But these days the term “boot camp” could just as likely refer to a civilian exercise routine as to the military inducBE HealthySETX.com

“Women wanting to lose weight will see a great benefit,” said Linda Robins from World Gym. “The more you have to lose, the more you will lose. It gives your metabolism a boost, burns fat and builds muscle, and it fine-tunes your body for calorie burn.” LFC’s Cindy Daniel said boot campstyle programs are motivational in that they challenge people in ways less intense programs cannot. Challenge — to push yourself, to grow, to change — is at the heart of every boot camp fitness program. But it goes deeper than that. In 2007, Luis Hall-Valdez founded Lamar University Physical Training, which then outgrew its connection to the school and became Transformation Challenge Physical Training. Hall-Valdez and his team of physical training instruc-

photography by SCOTT ESLINGER

In-Your-Face Fitness

The Body/Spirit Connection
“A lot of programs play up to people’s physical weaknesses, where you don’t have a lot of self confidence. They say buy this or take this, lose weight and get your self-confidence back and you can go through life happy. Not true. If you don’t like yourself, then you don’t like yourself at whatever shape or fitness level you’re at. We have people who come into the program and before phase one is over, they’re posting on Facebook that it’s no longer about fitness. They say things like, ‘If I lose weight that’s an extra perk. I just want to accomplish this.’ They get the confidence from within themselves.” — PCPT instructor Burton Earl

your throat,” he said, the program does focus on spiritual growth and he does happily share his own life story and the difference his Christian beliefs have made in it. “We’re not going to give Both Hall-Valdez and Josh Cherry, founder of Delta Life Boot Camp (which has you any gimmicks. We’re locations in Beaumont and Vidor, among not going to make you other places), feel that the accountability that comes with the financial and time inany promises. We can’t vestments of boot camp programs is a great even guarantee you motivator. On the Delta Life website, Cherry writes, results. But we’re going “You never know how much your body and to be here and give you mind can accomplish until faced with the challenge. … By creating a community of the best accountability people all trying to better themselves and you can get. And in the holding each other accountable we can accomplish even the most ambitious goals.” end, it’s up to you.” Still, Hall-Valdez said, he and his instructors and those at other boot camps can only do so much. Real results — physical, mental, spiritual — only come as the result of hard work, consistency and determination. “By the time you get to phase three, it’s still not over,” he said. “What we give you is only a foundation for what you have to do for the rest of your life. You have to keep it up. Now you’re an influence of a healthy lifestyle to your family and friends. And you have to keep it up.” • Transformation Challenge Physical Training, or TCPT, trainees begin their final one-mile run of the training program on a recent Friday eventing at Bulldog Stadium in Nederland.
BEHealthySETX.com | September/October 2011 7

tors (PTIs) lead teams in Mid-County and Beaumont through an intense 10- to 12week program that’s broken down into three phases. The first, Discipline & Basic Mechanics, “gives you the shock and awe of the instructors in your face,” Hall-Valdez said, “and [participants] learn basic exercises and military commands; it moves quick.” The second phase, Advanced Conditioning, features sessions with names like “Dark Week,” “No Mercy,” “Spartan Week” and “Rite of Passage.” According to Hall-Valdez, it really puts participants to the test and begins to break down barriers between them. “It forces people to unite,” he said. “Nothing builds camaraderie better than a common struggle.” In phase three, instructors lighten up a bit and let participants see their more human side. This phase culminates in one “synergistic event called ‘The Crossover,’” where participants’ family members are welcome to attend and share in their loved ones’ accomplishments. It’s a rough road, to be sure. And participants no doubt see physical results that include weight loss, toning, better endurance, etc. But ask Valdez-Hall to describe TCPT, and it isn’t the physical he focuses on. “The main purpose is to transform lives, break down your barriers, and transform you physically, mentally and spiritually,” he said. “It’s not just an exercise program. It’s a program that changes people from the inside out.” TCPT is affiliated currently with Triumph Church Mid-County, and Hall-Valdez is quick to point out that it is a faith-based program. While he won’t “shove Jesus down

get moving

Healthy asa Horse

By Cathleen Cole

Horseback riding offers a total-body workout.

Canter around an arena on a graceful Arabian. Trot through a pasture on a high-stepping American Saddlebred. Cut a cow from a herd on an agile American Quarter Horse. Fly over a fence on a sturdy Thoroughbred. Horseback riding is not just about moseying along a bridle path. Equestrian sports offer workouts for the rider as well as the horse.
“It really builds your core strength,” said Angie Arrington Morrill, an amateur equestrienne who started riding 19 years ago. “It’s a full-body workout.”

A full-body workout

Angie Arrington Morrill and Don’t Be Krewel (Elvis), a Half-Arabian show horse.
8 September/October 2011 | BE HealthySETX.com

Morrill co-owns Chris Morrill Training Center in Beaumont with her husband, professional horse trainer Chris Morrill. Morrill co-owns Chris Morrill Training Center in Beaumont with her husband, professional horse trainer Chris Morrill. The facility specializes in English saddle-seat riding and caters to Arabian and Half-Arabian

photography by LEE E. STINSON

Other riding disciplines offer good workouts too. In hunt seat, riders must be perfectly balanced and have strong leg muscles to urge their horses over jumps and stay on. Dressage riders must also have strong legs and hold their upper bodies straight and still, even though they don’t take their horses over jumps. In western riding, reining, roping, cutting and barrel racing are physically demanding on the horses and riders. And riding isn’t the only physical work involved with horses. You have to groom them, tack and un-tack them and, after a hard ride, you have to rinse and walk them so they can cool down. If you own a barn and care for the horses, the list of aerobic benefits increases immensely! At a gym, people plug into music and watch TV to get their minds off doing the exercises, Morrill noted. “The thing about riding horses is it keeps you engaged the whole time,” she said. “It’s fun. It keeps your mind on the riding and the horse – and as a plus you get a full-body workout.”

show horses and their owners.strength — particularly from the abdominal core, lower back and leg muscles.

The American Hippotherapy Association Inc. promotes the use of the movement of the horse as a treatment strategy in physical, occupational and speechlanguage therapy sessions for people living with disabilities. (Hippos is the Greek word for horse.) According to the association, hippotherapy has been shown to improve muscle tone, balance, posture, coordination and motor development as well as emotional well-being. “There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man,” said British politician and states-

Horse therapy

man Winston Churchill. Celebrity stylist and TV personality Carson Kressley credits his emotional stability to his American Saddlebred horses and riding. “For me, it’s cheaper than a psychiatrist and more fun,” he joked in a promotional video. Morrill concurs with these sentiments. “Horses know when you’re upset and have had a bad day,” she said. “They can help calm you down. They can give you that moment that you’ve been looking for all day to relax and have fun.” Gwen Abshire can attest to the positive effects horses can have since they helped her daughter, Brooke Dodd. “She had an attitude,” Abshire said of her then 11-year-old. Dodd was active in sports and the band, but she was not passionate about anything. However, she had always loved horses. So as a family, they made the decision to buy her a horse. “It changed her life,” Abshire said. “This gave her purpose.” The family built a small barn and a riding arena on their property in Pineland and eventually bought a second horse. Dodd, now 17, takes care of her two American Quarter Horses by herself. She competes in local, regional and national competitions in western pleasure classes, which keeps her focused on her riding. It also allows her to build friendships with people who share her passion for horses. “She has met the most wonderful group of friends,” Abshire noted. Dodd, a senior in high school, plans to attend Texas A&M University on an equine scholarship, and with her horse experience and straight-A report cards, she’ll likely get there. Abshire credits her daughter’s “Cinderella story” to the horse they bought six years ago that started it all. “It empowered her,” Abshire explained. “This is something that will be her passion for the rest of her life.” •

photography by ROBERT MIJARES Brooke Dodd and her quarter horse.

Riders Up!

Horseback riding provides an aerobic workout that will: • Strengthen core abdominal, lower back, leg and arm muscles • Improve balance, coordination and flexibility • Provide a fun way to exercise with a four-legged friend You can check the phone directory for a riding stable in your area, but here are a few that can help get you started: Chris Morrill Training Center 1904 Moore Road Beaumont, TX 77713 409.363.0006 chrismorrilltrainingcenter.com Tailgate Stables 4066 Tolivar Canal Road Beaumont, TX 77713 409.898.7920 Terra Bella Stables 15379 U.S. Highway 90 Beaumont, TX 77713 409.860.4084 terrabellastables.com

Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon Fellow-Am College of Surgeons

THANK-YOU FOR YOUR VOTES!

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2927 Park Plaza Phone (409) 983-5178 Port Arthur, Texas 77642 Fax (409) 983-6078 And Special Thanks to my Office Staff, Anesthetists, OR, Floor Nurses, and Physiotherapists.

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409-729-9114
| September/October 2011 9

cancer

The Big “C” (Choice)
By Cheryl Rose

Should you stay or should you go if you get a positive diagnosis for cancer? With nationally ranked University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center an hour’s drive away, patients must decide whether local is best

ne day last March, Sandy Fertitta went to Houston to have a fun day of shopping, fine dining and also stop in for her annual mammogram. The otherwise ordinary day went topsy-turvy when the image showed a suspicious mass in her breast tissue. It didn’t look good.
When it’s You “God paves the way for your journey,” Fertitta said. She does not think it is a coincidence that just a few weeks before her abnormal mammogram, she had met and befriended Beaumont surgical oncologist Dr. Garrett Peel. She’d also just joined the board of directors of the Julie Rogers “Gift of Life” Program.
10 September/October 2011 |

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After receiving the breast cancer diagnosis, Fertitta met with Peel to consider her options. She elected to have the tissue from both breast removed, but with a surgical technique that would spare the outer skin and nipple. Peel performed the surgery, with plastic surgeon Dr. Mark Larson standing by to perform the reconstruction. When she went for a recent checkup with her medical oncologist, Dr. Robert Birdwell, it was a jubilant moment when he said, “I’ll see you next April.” Fertitta believes that faith, early detection and great physicians provided a miracle. “I believe being in Beaumont was a blessing,” she said adamantly. “Being able to have my family, friends and priests — all of them there for me, at the hospital with me, was a blessing. We have the technology and skilled physicians right here. I can attest to the fact personally. I am so glad I stayed. I made the right decision.” The Quality Quotient With the No. 1 cancer hospital in the nation in Houston, perhaps it isn’t surprising that 30 to 40 percent of cancer patients (as tracked by Baptist Beaumont

Hospital) elect to leave Southeast Texas for treatment. Do they need to? In almost all cases, the local medical community’s answer is no. “We have excellent surgeons in Beaumont for lung, breast, colon, gastrointestinal, bone, urological, kidney, skin and most brain cancers,” explained Peel, who chose to bring his practice, Previty Clinic, to Beaumont two years ago after completing his training at Mayo Clinic. “Beaumont offers advanced surgical, radiation and oncological technologies, world-class physicians and facilities, giving our patients the most modern cancer care available anywhere in the world. It is an exciting time for Southeast Texas and our patients.” Birdwell, who has practiced in the area for 25 years with Texas Oncology, said that breakthroughs in cancer treatments have accelerated rapidly in the last 10 years. Southeast Texas hospitals and physicians have acted promptly to bring the latest advances to our area, he assured. Stateof-the-art X-ray equipment, sophisticated forms of radiation therapy and the latest chemotherapy protocols as soon as they

BE HealthySETX.com

are FDA-approved are examples of available treatments, he said. “Seventy to 80 percent of patients can be treated equally as well here as in Houston, but in a much more convenient center with a better quality of life during the treatment, without the drive, traffic, parking and time commitment,” he said. “Whether palliative or curative, treating the cancer is the main goal. But the person’s quality of life during that time is also a goal.” Relationships Matter Retiree Gerald Obenhaus said for him, the decision was very simple. When he learned a year ago that he had kidney cancer that had spread to his lungs, his urologist told him the first decision he would have to make was whether to stay in Beaumont or go to Houston. Obenhaus said he has never regretted his decision to stay local. “I know every situation is different, but I’m very pleased with my decision,” the Orange resident said. “I was very confident in my doctors and very pleased with the medical facilities, with the side benefit of not having to travel to Houston, especially on days I wasn’t feeling well.” Obenhaus and Susan Berndt, a Beaumont breast cancer survivor, both cited personal knowledge or familiarity with their physicians as a key factor in their decision to get their care locally. Both

mentioned the accessibility and individualized care provided by their physicians as a distinct advantage of staying within the community. However, when BISD schoolteacher Kristie White received her diagnosis of Stage 2 Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2006, her immediate decision was to go to Houston. “I didn’t even question it,” she remembered. “I said I was going to Houston. I’d always heard that the doctors there are better, everything there is better. It’s a bigger city with more doctors so they must know more.” White’s two best friends, both nurses at Christus Hospital - St. Elizabeth, persuaded her to meet Birdwell before going to Houston. “I said I’d meet him, but then I’m still going to Houston,” White said. “But it wasn’t 10 minutes after meeting him that I decided to stay here.” White, who had a four-month-old baby at the time, was convinced she would receive the same treatment without the rigorous travel by staying in Beaumont. She also doubts now whether she would have found the same bedside manner and caring investment in the whole family shown by her local medical team at a large city hospital. Road to Referral There are some forms of cancer or types of treatment that are not available in Southeast Texas, and when a patient >>

When to Go
For certain conditions, the specialized treatments are not available in Southeast Texas. The following forms of cancers or treatments require attending a tertiary care facility, which is a term designating a hospital or center that has highly-specialized doctors and advanced critical-care support. Bone Marrow Transplants Pediatric Cancers Surgical Oncology for: •Esophagus •Gynecological cancers, certain kinds •Head and Neck •Liver •Pancreas •Rare Sarcomas

According to statistics provided by the Texas Cancer Registry, the incidence of cancer in Southeast Texas is above the national and state average. Jefferson and Orange Counties rates are trending downward; however, Hardin County’s rate is rising.

The Cutting Edge
What’s new in cancer treatment? According to medical oncologist Dr. Robert Birdwell, the good news is that in the last 10 to 15 years there are many more options for treatment. “In the mid‘90s, we really started to get breakthroughs and then it’s just accelerated,” he said. Here are some examples available locally:
photography by GuiSeppe BARRAnCo Healthcare professionals from across Southeast Texas meet regularly to discuss cancer patients and treatment options. This regular conference has helped reduce wait time for patients to receive their results from one month to one week in most cases.

is given prior to surgery to attempt to shrink the cancer so the surgery may be less invasive. Adjuvant is given after surgery to destroy any microscopic cells that may be present after the tumor is removed, attempting to reduce the rate of reoccurrence and lengthen survival. Clinical Trials

High Dose Radiation (HDR) Often associated with major medical centers, clinical trials are also available in Southeast With this therapy, physicians can treat a Texas. Clinical trials are rigorously controlled smaller area with a higher dose of radiation for tests for drugs and therapies that are not yet a shorter period of time than is possible with FDA-approved. Dr. Scott McKenney, a medical external beam radiation. oncologist with Texas Oncology, implemented Provenge the clinical trials in Southeast Texas about 10 A treatment for advanced prostate cancers that years ago, associated with U.S. Oncology, which treats 25 percent of cancer patients throughout stimulates the immune system. the country. There isn’t a clinical trial for every Neoadjuvant and situation – some are more general and some Adjuvant Chemotherapy are very specific. Some may be tweaking or Both these chemotherapies are administered bettering an existing therapy, others may be to improve the success of surgery. Neoadjuvant entirely new experimental treatments.
BeHealthySeTX.com | September/october 2011 11

get the exam
The Julie Rogers “Gift of Life” Program screens men who are at least 45 years of age (40 if African-American or if there is a family history of prostate cancer), have limited income and do not have medical insurance, Medicare B, Medicaid or are underinsured. For more information or to register for these free screenings, please call the Prostate Hotline at 409.861.5940 or toll-free at 877.720.GIFT (4438).

Be a man,

2011 Free “Gift of Life” Prostate Cancer Screenings:
photography by Dave Ryan

Sept. 10 Orange, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Baptist Orange Hospital Professional Bldg. Sept. 17 Port Arthur, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Carl Parker Center Sept. 24 Beaumont, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Baptist Beaumont Hospital

Cancer survivor Michael Coffield celebrates at a recent Julie Rogers Gift of Life Program on Crockett Street in downtown Beaumont.

needs to be referred to Houston or elsewhere, local physicians do not hesitate. “We do work very closely with MD Anderson, Methodist and St. Luke’s because there are conditions where the special expertise is only available in the tertiary centers,” Birdwell explained. Pancreatic cancer is an example where the surgery is very difficult and requires a specially trained surgeon, he explained. For a pancreatic surgeon to be really good, Birdwell said, he/ she would need to perform four to five surgeries a week, and there just aren’t that many cases in Southeast Texas. Peel, who is also the Division Chief of Cancer Surgery at Beaumont Baptist Hospital, further explained that if there is a lack in our medical community, it isn’t technology or equipment, but a specialized doctor. For example, the community would need a population of near one million to support a thoracic-esophageal surgeon, and again, the incidence of this particular cancer is not that high in Southeast Texas. “Patients who have pancreas, esophageal, head and neck, certain gynecological, liver cancers, rare sarcomas and certain brain cancers require their surgeries at a specialized tertiary care center,” Peel said. Best at Breast Though the Texas Cancer Registry ranked breast cancer the third most common cancer in Jefferson County from 2004-2008 (behind lung and prostate cancer), Southeast Texas has developed special strategies for this disease. Rapid response to new diagnosis, nurse navigators and a team approach to physician care are examples of how the medical
12 September/October 2011 | Be HealthySeTX.com

community is approaching breast cancer, explained Dr. Sanjay Ayirookuzhi, a medical oncologist. Ayirookuzhi, Peel and Birdwell all emphasized that a newly diagnosed patient is a priority. Peel said he is personally committed to trying to diagnosis and treat breast cancer within 14 days. “There is so much anxiety that occurs after receiving a bad mammogram or biopsy, we’ve found that a fast response is therapeutic,” he said. Birdwell said breast cancer treatment is the most structured, most team-organized cancer they treat at Texas Oncology, a collaborative venture with the Mamie McFaddin Ward Cancer Ward at Christus Hospital. “Breast cancer has the most options,” he said. “In some ways, it is the most complicated cancer because you can do so much. It lends itself to a multi-disciplinary approach. These breast programs weren’t around five years ago. Now, by the time I see a new breast cancer patient, I know her history, I’ve seen her tests, we’ve all talked about her and it’s just invaluable. This is much more efficient.” Peel is also a proponent of coordinating the medical personnel involved in diagnosis and treatment, and is implementing this strategy at the Charline & Sidney “Chief” Dauphin Cancer Screening & Prevention Center where he is the medical director. “We know Mayo Clinic and MD Anderson are successful not only because they have highly skilled providers, but also because they use a team approach to patient care which is what we are building in Beaumont,” he said. How to Judge How do patients make a choice about physicians, hospitals, Houston vs. Beaumont? For physician information, Ayirookuzhi pointed to the Texas Medical Board Web page, which provides information on all physicians regarding their training, honors, years in practice and more. Birdwell noted the certifications Christus Hospital – Saint Elizabeth has earned as a comprehensive community cancer center and as a breast center program of excellence. Additionally, treatment location options will expand when the Altus Cancer Center opens this fall in Beaumont. But for Robin Cooper, a current breast cancer patient and recent arrival in Beaumont, it came down to prayer and research. “I really had no idea what hospital was best,” she said. “What was going through my mind was to partner with a hospital and a team of surgeons who really cared about me, not just the condition. It makes a difference when your surgeon, oncologist and nurses look at you, and want your input.” Patient Welfare the Primary Goal Ultimately, the decision to stay or go rests with the patient, and the local physicians respect those choices. All three oncologists mentioned frequent interaction with MD Anderson and other centers for when referrals are necessary or even sharing patients that maintain a physician in Houston but receive treatment in Beaumont. The prevailing concern is the patient’s welfare. Peel believes it is a benefit to have MD Anderson nearby. “There will always be a role for MD Anderson for support and collaboration,” he said. “MD Anderson needs to be seen as a partner in how we treat our patients. But as we see cancer patients living longer, requiring long-term treatment, long-term surveillance, the patients of Southeast Texas need to have the confidence that their doctors and their hospitals are equipped to offer the most modern cancer care in the world.” •

Breast cancer survivors and Gift of Life supporters gather at the foot of the downtown library for a celebratory balloon release.

Breast Cancer Awareness Events
Oct. 1 The Julie Rogers “Gift of Life” Program Events • Julie Richardson Procter 5K Ribbon Run/Walk Hosted by Casa Olé & H-E-B 7:30 a.m. Opening Ceremony 8:00 a.m. Race Begins (In front of City Hall) • BRA-vo! Applause for the Cause Kickoff 10:00 a.m. Beaumont Civic Center • All That Jazz with Tony Orlando and New Orleans Style Luncheon 11:30 a.m. Beaumont Civic Center Oct 3-31 BRA-vo! Applause for the Cause Exhibit at Art Museum of Southeast Texas Oct. 21 National Mammography Day Oct. 29 Making Strides 5K Breast Cancer Walk Benefiting the American Cancer Society Crockett Street, 409.835.2139 to register

Based on data collection, the Texas Cancer Registry predicts an estimated 1,173 new cancer cases and 467 cancer deaths in Jefferson County in 2011.

“Make Our Home Your Home”
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Assisted Living for the Elderly

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photography by GuISEPPE BARRANCO 13

medical guide

SE Texas Medical
Innovations
Upper eyelid rejuvenation
Text by Dr. William O’Mara
Cosmetic upper eyelid surgery, also known as upper blepharoplasty, remains one of the most common facial plastic surgical procedures performed every year in this country. Excessive upper eyelid skin is often one of the first things a patient will notice as an early sign of aging. This usually occurs during the mid

Did you know that Beaumont has some of the most innovative surgical and medical treatments available anywhere? The medical community of Southeast Texas is comprised of highly trained, skillful physicians available to make a difference in your care. Each edition, with the help of Medical Adviser Dr. Garrett Peel, we will introduce you to some of these innovative procedures.

Text by Dr. Mark Bonnen

Partial breast radiation therapy
left by my tumor. There was a slim tube that was connected to it and was left outside my breast. For five days, I went to the clinic and was given radiation by connecting the tube on my chest to the radiation device. I was alone in the room with the radiation technician watching me on a camera. It took about 20- or 30-minutes each day. On the fifth day, the balloon and catheter were removed and I was done!” Dr. Prestidge says that the FDA approved PBI in 2002, and he has performed more than 500 procedures on women like Susan who were diagnosed early and met the criteria for the treatment. “This device allows for a cure rate that looks as good as radiating the entire breast, and does not effect the surrounding tissue, lungs, or heart like external radiation can.” Since it was approved by the FDA in 2002, PBI has been used to treat over 100,000 cancer patients. The five-year follow-up data shows no local recurrences of the disease and 82 percent of the patients had good or excellent cosmetic results. Susan is just a few months out from her diagnosis and her treatment, but she says she can’t imagine the experience any other way. She said, “The diagnosis was a surprise, but the fast treatment time allowed me to address the problem and get it taken care of instead of drawing out the experience for months, as would happen if I had the more traditional therapy. I was able to stay active; didn’t miss much work; continued to care for my four children and even drove myself to therapy each day. I go back in six months for another mammogram and then once a year for the next five years. All in all, I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.” Dr. Mark Bonnen is Medical Director of Radiation Oncology at the Julie and Ben Rogers Cancer Institute at Baptist Beaumont Hospital. •

I would like to relate a story that illustrates how some of the wonderful new technology in radiation therapy is changing the lives of our patients. Susan is a 45-year old mother of four who teaches school, and lives about 50 miles north of Beaumont. After a recent breast cancer diagnosis, she was sent to an oncologist to learn about her options. Dr. Bradley Prestidge is a radiation oncologist with South Texas Radiation Therapy, the group of physicians that provides radiation therapy at the Julie and Ben Rogers Cancer Center where Susan was treated. He explains what happens when surgeons talk with patients about their cancer and their options. “There is a decision tree that patients must go through when they are being treated for breast cancer. The first decision is whether they want to keep the breast or not. The trend for the last decade has been breast conservation. This is where the surgeon removes the tumor by performing a lumpectomy. Then the patient is given some sort of treatment, like radiation to sterilize any cells left behind. We then discuss which kind of radiation they prefer. The traditional standard of care has been whole breast radiation delivered via an external beam. However internal radiation or PBI, where the radiation is directed directly to the cancerous site, has been around for over 15 years and has been shown to be very effective,” he explained. Susan was fortunate in that her tumor met the criteria for receiving internal radiation. Her oncologist told her about 5-day Targeted PBI Radiation Therapy. PBI delivers radiation directly into the cavity left by the tumor. This means that the radiation goes directly to the spot where the cancer is most likely to recur. Susan explains, “My surgeon inserted a balloon-like object in the area
14 September/October 2011 |

to late 40’s of life. In healthy individuals, I perform this procedure in the office setting using only a local anesthetic. The excessive upper eyelid skin is first carefully marked for excision. The skin and soft tissue is then removed and the edges are carefully sewn together in the crease of the upper eyelid. This normally takes approximately 45 minutes. Contrary to what people may hear, there is usually no postoperative pain. Sutures are removed after 7 days, and by this time, most minor bruising will have resolved. The goal of upper blepharoplasty is to provide more youthful, and less tired appearing eyes. This procedure, which is easily tolerated and easy to recover from, can make a dramatic difference in one’s appearance with very little down time. Dr. O’Mara is a facial plastic surgeon whose practice is dedicated solely to plastic surgery and rejuvenation of the face and neck. •

After upper eyelid rejuvenation

Before upper eyelid rejuvenation

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Preparing for your ‘Birth’ Day’
Do you know where you’ll bring your child into the world? Or what questions you should ask to help you decide?
“I don’t know why we don’t talk about the pain of childbirth anymore. When I was young, that was the big horror of life… you knew you were going to grow up and have to go through the pain of childbirth.
With women today, they actually seem surprised that it hurts.” That’s Amy LeLeux, a certified registered nurse at CHRISTUS Hospital-St. Elizabeth in Beaumont, talking about how important it is for expectant moms to educate themselves about every aspect of childbirth before they settle in to actually do it. One of the biggest decisions a mom-tobe needs to make is where to give birth. And while there might seem to be a lot to consider when it’s time to make that decision, it really boils down to a few areas of concern. First and foremost, medical professionals agree, is safety. “Look at the competency of the medical staff,” said Sandra Bridges, a nurse practitioner at UTMB Beaumont. “Get information on how quick the facility was to deal with infants born prematurely or with a birth defect.” LeLeux and her team members at CHRISTUS Hospital-St. Elizabeth agree. It’s important that delivery room staff are properly certified — and diverse enough to cover every area of labor and delivery, and even post-natal issues. “You’re not always going to need something extra, but in case you do, you want it to be available to you,” said Ruthie Robinson, division director of women and children’s services at CHRISTUS Hospital-

medical guide

By Margaret Battistelli Gardner St. Elizabeth. “You want to be somewhere where you can trust your caregivers to do the right thing in any situation and take care of you in any situation.” But beyond that, expectant moms need to think about the type of birth experience they want and the overall feel of the delivery areas they consider. “Check out the friendliness of the staff,” UTMB’s Bridges suggests. But there’s more to it than that. Lumberton resident Laura Wright gave birth to her first child, Juniper, in March. She had a well-thought-out birth plan that involved a warm, nurturing environment; a midwife; no pain medication or induction of labor; and a >>

“You want to be somewhere where you can trust your caregivers to do the right thing in any situation and take care of you in any situation.”
Ruthie Robinson, Division Director of Women and Children’s Service
BEHealthySETX.com | September/October 2011 15

C-section only as a very last resort in the case of complications. She spent months researching options and mulling her choices. “People I talked to seemed surprised that I had a birth plan and knew how I wanted things to go, in general, before I even called them,” Wright said. “I guess a lot of women just show up and let people tell them how it’s going to go. I wanted things to be as natural and trauma-free as possible for the baby and me.” Not having had much luck in locating a midwife or home-birth specialist in the area, Wright chose to deliver at UTMB in Galveston with a midwife who was backedup by hospital staff and resources — and who was respectful of Mom’s birth plan. It wasn’t a water birth with incense and mood lighting, Wright said, but open lines of communication and the obvious respect the midwife and other staff had for her preferences made for a good experience, she added. “Of course I wouldn’t have done anything to put the baby in danger, but I did want the staff to understand that I wanted certain interventions only in case of an emergency, not as a matter of convenience,” she said. “The midwife talked through everything with me, made recommendations and explained why she was making them.” The CHRISTUS Hospital-St. Elizabeth staff, of course, recommends giving

birth in a hospital, citing that one in 10 newborns require resuscitation. CHRISTUS Hospital-St. Elizabeth has revamped its labor and delivery area — called the Center for New Life — to create a warmer, more welcoming feel meant to appeal to women who want to eschew the traditionally harsher environment of a delivery room. Robinson said staff at the center work closely with women who have a birth plan, sticking to it as long as the circumstances of the labor allow. Women who prefer to use midwives and deliver somewhere other than a hospital should, again, be careful to check credentials. “If you chose to deliver outside of a facility, you need to look at the credentials, and make sure they’re verified credentials. Just because someone has some letters after their name doesn’t mean they are licensed,” said Denise Birdwell, director of the neonatal intensive care unit at the center. “Twenty years ago,” Robinson said,

“just about anyone could call themselves a midwife. “Now, a certified midwife won’t deliver high-risk pregnancies at home. She’ll take low-risk women and monitor the labor very carefully, have a back-up physician and be prepared to get you to a facility if a problem arises.” Wherever a woman decides to give birth, she should be sure to tour the facility, meet some of the staff and utilize any pre-labor resources that might be available. CHRISTUS Hospital-St. Elizabeth, for example, offers online preregistration and an array of classes related to childbirth and childcare. Topics include breastfeeding, what (really) to expect during labor and delivery and what to do once you bring the baby home. That kind of pre-labor education not only arms moms-to-be with important information, but getting to know the staff and facility can go a long way toward creating a comfortable birthing experience in a secure setting — and that makes it a bit easier to transition from pregnancy to parenthood with as little drama as possible. •

Lumberton resident Laura Wright and her newborn, Juniper.

A new room at CHRISTUS-St. Elizabeth’s Center for New Life.

The Center for New Life at CHRISTUS-St. Elizabeth
The Center for New Life has been updated to include warmer colors, soothing artwork and myriad touches that make a more welcoming environment for the mom-to-be and her family. They include private rooms with plasma TVs, cozy couches that convert to comfortable beds, and Jacuzzi tubs. Most
16 September/October 2011 | BE HealthySETX.com

medical equipment is strategically hidden in cabinets to ensure that the rooms feel more like home than hospital. Moms can opt to have family members stay with them in the room where they do through labor and delivery, as well as rest up afterwards. Except for cases where special treatment is needed, newborns stay in the rooms with Mom 24/7.

There’s something about an octogenarian with raven-black tresses that makes you question the hair color’s authenticity. It’s true that lots of people have the motto “dye until you die” but perhaps they should rethink that mantra. If treated right, gray hair can be gorgeous.
helley Tortorice, coowner of Beaumontbased Jason’s Deli, had very light blond hair when she was young that turned ash blond in her teens. She started going gray when she was about 20, starting with a streak at her temple. It was very noticeable, but it was a natural look because her hair was so light. In her early 30s, she started to get more gray hair, but it came in uniformly – not in patches. “I was really lucky,” she said. Tortorice never dyed her locks. “I’m a firm believer that dying damages your hair,” she said. Besides, she thought it looked pretty good. “It looked like natural highlights,” she noted. Some people tell her that she should color her gray hair. She ignores their advice. “That’s just me,” Tortorice tells them. She uses Aveda Blue Malva Shampoo to enhance her hair’s color. It’s very important to use it for every shampoo in the summertime, she advised, when the sun has the tendency to turn gray hair yellow. “I always shampoo twice,” she said. The first time gets the dirt and oil out, she explained. The second time removes the brassy tones.

Going Gray Gracefully

S

By Cathleen Cole
Does Tortorice like her gray hair? “I do,” she claimed. “It’s me.” As long as it’s clean and healthy, she’s happy. She never wanted to dye her hair, and she never will. “I just don’t really want to,” she said. “I’m not a fool-with-my-hair kind of person.”

Gorgeous gray

Ditching the dye

Judy Kennedy, a math professor at Lamar University, had dark brown hair when she was younger. She started going gray when she was about 20. “I saw my first few strands and yanked them out,” she said. “That didn’t work for long.” Kennedy started dying her hair dark brown in her mid-30s. She later lightened the color up a bit, but she wasn’t pleased. “I was never happy with the way it looked,” she said. “Then, of course, there are the roots.” She started dying in the first place because she thought the gray looked dull and unattractive. “It made me feel old,” she explained. She ditched the dye when she was in her early 50s. “It was just too much of an effort,” she said. By then, her natural hair color was all gray. “What the heck,” she thought. “I’m 53. I’ll look old.” She cut her hair short and let the new growth come in gray.

Stylist Alicia Taylor, owner of Hot Headz Hair Studio in Beaumont, recently started going gray. She’s not covering it with color. Instead, she’s highlighting the rest of her hair. Eventually, she will let all the natural gray come through. “I like the way the gray frames my face,” she said. “It’s a natural highlight.” Her tip for keeping gray hair pretty is to use what’s called a violet shampoo, which tones and maintains blond or gray hair by neutralizing brassy or yellow tones. “We find that Joico Color Endure Violet Shampoo works the best,” Taylor said. The underlying base tone of hair is yellow, violet or blue. When natural blue or violet molecules are removed, the hair turns red, orange or yellow. Bleaching your hair, either naturally from the sun or chemically, removes blue molecules. For light hair that takes on a brassy cast, blue-toviolet shampoos eliminate the dulling yellow look by depositing blue, purple or violet pigment to help counteract the yellow, orange or red shade. Some of the shampoos’ pigments are derived from botanicals including blue chamomile and blue malva. What is the stylist’s advice for

transitioning to gray, especially if you’re not going gray evenly? Cut it short and let the gray grow in. “I would highlight your hair to lift color out to blend in the gray,” she explained. One of her clients wanted to have hair like Paula Deen’s beautiful gray tresses. Taylor highlighted her client’s hair and then used a silver toner — Redken Shades EQ. It made her hair more salt and pepper — more evenly gray. “I’ve always loved gray hair,” Taylor said. “Men with gray hair are sexy!” •

Tips for Great Gray Hair

• When you decide to stop coloring your hair, cut it short and consider highlighting to blend in the gray. • If your gray is showing up in patches, and you choose not to dye, highlighting will make your hair look more evenly colored. Consider adding a silver toner such as Redken Shades EQ. • Use a violet or blue shampoo such as Joico Color Endure Violet Shampoo or Aveda Blue Malva Shampoo to keep your gray bright and shiny, not brassy or yellow.

You don’t have to dye until you die. Gray can be great!
BEHealthySETX.com | September/October 2011 17

photography by SILVIA C. MCCLAIN

beauty

eating right

Say “I Can!”
Grandma’s techniques for putting up garden produce heat up in popularity
by CHERYL ROSE

“

As times get leaner, people go back to old ways, such as preserving food,” said Barbara Evans, a Jefferson County Extension agent in family sciences. “Canning is seeing a resurgence as a necessity, but most of the people who do it now are doing it for the love of it.”

vitamins and nutrients without artificial means. “There is a big difference in what you’re eating,” Harkness said. “If you’re serious about it, it’s a healthier alternative to what you’re getting off the shelf at the store.” To begin canning, the first tool you will need is a canner. There are two types, pressure or boiling-water, ranging in price from $70-$200. The type of canner you need depends on the food to be canned. You will also need sealing jars, produce and a recipe specific to the food you are processing. “The main thing is to follow directions,” Harkness emphasized. “It’s not as complicated as it sounds. You just need the right tools and to follow directions.” There are recipes online and in books providing guidance on the correct heat, pressure, air space and time necessary to safely can all varieties of foods. Because bacteria and mold are a risk, instructions must be followed to the letter. “You can’t just stick something in a jar and say it’s safe to eat,” Harkness said. “It has to be processed.” Home canning is relatively inexpensive, but does involve labor and time. Produce must be thoroughly washed, and often

Expert food preserver Sharon Harkness, the owner of Sutton’s Sweets and a Buna resident, has seen an increased demand for her canned produce as people become more concerned about what they eat. “People don’t want preservatives in their food,” she said. “They are seeing all these warnings about food and sickness and they want their foods made more naturally.” One of the advantages to canning fresh produce is preserving the majority of the
18 September/October 2011 |

chopped or peeled. Jars and lids must also be washed. Boiling-water canning (also called water-bath canning), a good starting place for beginners, is appropriate for high-acid foods such as fruits, tomatoes, salsas and jams. Pressure canning is recommended for low-acid foods such as vegetables, meat, poultry and fish. Once the produce is in the jar, water is added, leaving a measured head space of air. To taste or by recipe, salt, sugar or pectin may be added. In the boilingwater method, jars are placed in the canner, along with boiling water, and set to achieve a certain heat that must be monitored. Once the desired level has been sustained for the necessary time, the canner will need to cool off before the jars can be removed. A good tight seal is indicated when the lid is curved downward and does not move when pressed with a finger. Properly preserved food can be stored in a pantry for up to a year. If you use it, the initial investment in the equipment will more than pay for itself, Evans said. Because of the labor and workspace required, canning makes a good group or family project. “A group of women can share a canner or pass it around,” Hark-

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Essential Equipment Boiling-water canners (appropriate for high-acid foods such as fruits, tomatoes, jams, salsas) These canners are made of aluminum or porcelain-covered steel. They have removable perforated racks and fitted lids. The canner must be deep enough so that at least 1 inch of briskly boiling water will be over the tops of jars during processing. Pressure canners (appropriate for low-acid foods such as vegetables, meat, poultry, fish) Modern pressure canners are lightweight, thin-walled kettles; most have turn-on lids. They have a jar rack, gasket, dial or weighted gauge, an automatic vent/cover lock, a vent port (steam vent) to be closed with a counterweight or weighted gauge, and a safety fuse.
Source: The National Center for Home Food Preservation

ness suggested. Or better yet, make an occasion out of the process. “Some women get together at community centers or churches that have large stoves they can use. They split the costs and the labor, and also have time to visit and have fun.” Canning is not just a “woman thing,” Evans clarified. “Men like to can as well. I get just as many calls from the men as the women who are trying to put their pickles up.” Though there are several good reasons to encourage canning, it appears to be in danger of becoming a lost art. “Our grandkids are not going to know how to do it,”

Harkness avers. She believes that with the current active lifestyles, full-time jobs and busy parenting, the precious commodity of time is harder to come by. “It’s something you specifically have to want to do to make it happen. You don’t can something in five minutes. Money is easier to come by than time these days. Time is expensive, money is nothing.” Sitting in her booth at farmer’s markets, Harkness often hears customers lament that their grandmothers used to can and how they wish they knew how to do it. “Canning is fun if you like to do things for your family,” she said. “It’s your priorities.” •

Nancy McAnany drops dill into canning jars to prepare some pickles.

Can the Excuses!
It sounds hard. Both Harkness and Evans agree Vegetable Stir-Fry that it is work, but it is not hard. As Evans said, there may be technique involved but it “isn’t rocket science.” The information on how to can any kind of food safely is readily available online. I’m scared of bacteria poisoning my family. This is a justifiable concern and why precision in following recipes and instructions for pressure/heat settings, air space and sealing is essential. The botulism bacterium is hard to kill, the reason why the intensified heat through pressure is necessary for some foods. I don’t have a garden. Local farmers will be happy to sell you their produce. The Beaumont Farmers Market will be open Saturdays, 8a.m. to 10a.m. through November 19. Though you can purchase produce from a grocery store for canning, the downsides include that the food is often imported, frequently picked before the peak of ripeness and may have waxes or other preservatives on the surface. Thorough washing is recommended for all produce.
| September/October 2011 19

Resources General Guidelines: The National Center for Home Food Preservation out of the University of Georgia publishes everything you could ever need to know about home canning at its Web page: www.uga.edu/nchfp/how/general.html Ask an Ag Agent: The agents at your local County Extension have the knowledge and resources to help you out “in a pickle.” Texas AgriLife Extension Offices Jefferson County, 409.835.8461 Orange County, 409.882.7010 Hardin County, 409.246.5128 Recipes & Products The Ball Corporation, known for its mason jars, provides excellent recipes, video tutorials and a community forum at its Web page: www.freshpreserving.com

Barbara Smith displays her canned tomatoes, pickled cucumbers, beans, jellies, jams, Zucchini apple butter and salsa.

Soup with Herbed Cream

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HEALTHY ADVICE Pros
Email your questions to: [email protected]
CARDIOLOGY 3921 Twin City Hwy Port Arthur, Texas 77642 (409) 963-0000 Office (409) 963-3391 Fax www.gulfcoastcardio.com

m the Fro

Do you h Do you have questions? yo Do you need answers?
Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
3070 College St., Ste. 205 Beaumont, Texas 77701 409-832-1225 www.drataya.com

Gulf Coast Cardiology Group, P.L.L.C.

PEDIATRIC

Pradip J. Morbia M.D., F.A.C.C, F.C.C.P., M.C.P.S.

condition can cause heart murmurs, but not all heart murmurs are caused by valvular regurgitation. Also,valvular regurgitation can develop due to a variety of different causes, including simple aging of the heart valves. If someone did develop a heart murmur as a result of taking fen-phen, then recent research suggests it is unlikely to worsen (see Valve problems do not worsen in fen-phen patients). SKILLED NURSING & REHABILITATION

Fen-phen was withdrawn from the market because of reports of A valve’ heart problems, also known as ‘valvular regurgitation’.‘leaky This

Q Heart murmur related to fen-phen?

Raja H. Ataya M.D., F.A.A.P., F.R.C.P

What can Q at night? you do for leg pain that occurs

mon. Leg pain for most children occurs during hard playtime and does not require any medications. If the pain persists, then it is important to see your physician for further assessment.
ORTHOPEDIC SPINE

of leg pain in developing children A The most common causebenign condition and is very comis growing pain. It is a

Magnolia Manor Nursing and Rehab
4400 Gulf Ave. Groves, TX 77619 409-962-5785

Spine Associates

3820 Pointe Parkway Beaumont, Texas 77401 409-767-8221 www.spineassociatesofbeaumont.com
Richard R.M. Francis, MD, MBA, FRCS Ed., FRCS Ed. (Tr & Orth)

My mother is in the hospiPeggy Larson, LVN tal after she suffered a stroke at home, they are telling me that she needs to go to Skilled Nursing or SNF (snif), what is that?

Q

Skilled Nursing is a level of care provided by a Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Have your hospital Case Worker or Social Worker give you a list of Skilled Nursing Facilities in the area and find out their ratings and go for a tour.

A

HOSPICE

GENERAL DENTISTRY

in the back area, as a part of the bony structure of the spinal column. “Popping” or “cracking” your back does not cause any harm to the joint but it does not help either. Stretching is a better alternative and generally makes the muscles of the back feel better.

thought to be coming from rush of A The popping noise isas they open up. The facet ajoints arenitrogen into the facet joints located

Q

What happens when you pop your back? Is it harmful?

of Beaumont
Hospice Physician Certified in Hospice and Palliative Medicine by The American Board of Internal Medicine

West End Dental Group
6830 Phelan Blvd. Beaumont, Texas 77706 409-860-9600

2450 N. Major Drive • Beaumont, Texas 77713 409-840-5640

ordinate the care. These professionals control pain and other symptoms, help with physical care, and offer emotional and spiritual support to the patient and family. They work closely together to meet the unique and changing needs of the patient and family.

nurses, social A The Hospice Team includesthedoctors, homefamily planworkers, A spiritual counselors, grief counselors, health aides, and volunteers. The Team along with patient and and co-

Dr. Keith Stout, MD

Q What is the role of the Hospice Team?

Michael R. Olson, DDS

Q If I’mtonot having any pain, why do I need see a dentist?

In most cases by the time you start to feel any pain the damage has already been done. Most cavities start small and if caught in time require a simple filling. Left untreated the cavities can result in much bigger problems that may require root canals. The same can happen with gum disease. Left untreated it will eventually lead to tooth loss. Regular dental exams have significant value to your general health and quality of life.

Healthy Advice segments are written by area professionals and are paid features. The Beaumont Enterprise and Brannon & Associates, Inc. are not responsible for the opinions and suggestions presented herein. Healthy Advice is not intended to substitute for medical advice. Readers should consult their practitioner for specific advice. How has Healthy Advice from the Pros helped you? Email your comments to: [email protected]

FOR INFORMATION ON HOW YOU MAY PARTICIPATE AS A PROFESSIONAL ON THIS PAGE, CALL TED BRANNON AT (888) 833-5001

20 September/October 2011

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crossfit

Pros m the Fro
Email your questions to: [email protected]
INTERNAL MEDICINE

by Myles Mellor
1 2 9 12 15 17 22 24 28 31 36 37 43 47 38 44 45 48 39 40 41 46 42 29 32 25 26 30 33 34 35 27 18 19 13 16 20 23 21 3 4 5 6 10 11 14 7 8

Do you have questions? Do you need answers?

Msonthi B. Levine, M.D.

Q

Any change in bowel habits deserves a trip to the doctor. Generally this may be an infection, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) or something more serious like cancer, etc. It is important to get a complete physical by your doctor. These symptoms, regardless of the cause, are generally treatable. And in the event it is a more serious problem, early detection can be crucial.
VARICOSE VEINS

A

3560 Delaware, Suite 1104 Beaumont, TX 77706 OFFICE (409) 347-3621 FAX (409)860-9078 I have recurrent belly pain with bloating and alternating constipation and diarrhea. What is going on?

Golden Triangle Internal Medicine & Geriatrics

Vein Centers of Texas
# 7 Bayoubrandt Drive Beaumont, Texas 77706 (409) 832-8323 www.veincentersoftexas.com

Dr. Charles Gutierrez

wave. Both treatments are available on an outpatient basis at the Vein Centers of Texas. After several treatments most patients can expect 50-90% improvement, but similar veins may appear in the same general area.
HEMATOLOGY-ONCOLOGY

Spider veins on the A called sclerotherapy,legs can treated by the injection method, and by a new technology called Vein-

Q What is the best way to treat spider veins and is it permanent?

Sumalatha Patibandla, M.D., FACP

Many forms of cancer are preventable through the adoption of an active, healthy lifestyle. A well-balanced diet full of nutrients, such as fruits and vegetables, can bolster cancer defenses and reduce risk. Smoking can significantly increase risk, as it causes about a third of cancer-related deaths and 87 percent of lung cancer deaths in the United States. Also, protect your skin with sunscreen and limit exposure to the harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun. Finally, get active. Physical activity can boost your immune system and reduce your cancer risk.
Healthy Advice segments are written by area professionals and are paid features. The Beaumont Enterprise and Brannon & Associates, Inc. are not responsible for the opinions and suggestions presented herein. Healthy Advice is not intended to substitute for medical advice. Readers should consult their practitioner for specific advice. How has Healthy Advice from the Pros helped you? Email your comments to: [email protected]

A

Q Is cancer preventable?

Mamie McFaddin Ward Cancer Center 690 North 14th Street, 3rd floor Beaumont, TX 77702 • 409-899-7180 Beaumont College Street 3070 College Street, Suite 301 Beaumont, TX 77701 • 409-813-1686 www.TexasOncology.com

FOR INFORMATION ON HOW YOU MAY PARTICIPATE AS A PROFESSIONAL ON THIS PAGE, CALL TED BRANNON AT (888) 833-5001

Across 1. Additives to be avoided 7. Band ____ 9. Pedestaled vase 10. Faucet water 12. It’s found in egg yolks 14. Plant one today! 15. Inflamed 16. Measure of weight in relation to height 17. Sushi food 19. Kitchen smell 20. Tea in English slang 22. Moistureless 23. Scull 24. ___ existing condition 26. Promoting general well-being 29. Take ___ 30. Sodium symbol 31. French vineyard 32. Olive, for one 33. Once a day fruit 36. Unique product indentifier 37. ___beat 39. Kind of oil 43. Enjoys to the max 46. Transcendental number 47. Hot 48. Farmers ____

Down 1. Soothed 2. It’s reported to be useful in combating colds 3. Medical diagnostic procedure, abbr. 4. Some doctors will give you vitamins this way 5. Bacteria found in yogurt that helps balance intestinal flora 6. Street, for short 7. B 17 source 8. Relating to food intake 11. Cash withdrawal machine 13. Lady talked about 16. Fruity Republic? 18. Medical TV show 21. “Yeah, right!” 25. Memo start 27. Where a cat likes to curl up 28. Gets really clean 34. Blender button 35. Lessens the stress 38. Energy 40. Good grades in exams 41. Place to get pampered 42. Ventilate 44. Roman 6 45. Economics, abbr. See solution on page 23.

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September/October 2011

21

focus on health

MedicalNEWS
Scientists at the University of Bradford, England now believe about 80% of hair graying is genetic. They have found your mother, father or both can pass down the dreaded graying hair gene. Other research has shown that oxidative stress can damage the pigment cells in hair follicles, leading

Peel’D

to

Each edition, BE Healthy Medical Adviser Dr. Garrett K. Peel will cut through the previous month’s medical and health news and bring you the most relevant and interesting tidbits to help you make informed health decisions.

Early Gray Hair? You Can Probably Thank Your Genes

to graying hair. So, to slow the graying process naturally, eat a diet rich in antioxidants (red, blue and purple berries, beets, eggplant, red cabbage, red and purple grapes, red grapefruit and blood oranges) and avoid environment toxins, such as cigarette smoke.

If you are postmenopausal and watching your calories, make sure you don’t cut out the protein in your diet, researchers from the University of Illinois recently wrote in the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Science. The researchers found that a high protein diet can counteract muscle loss when an older woman is trying to lose fat. The key is to protect the muscle-to-fat

When Menopause Hits, Keep Up the Protein Intake

ratio, which also helps women perform everyday tasks and helps overall strength and balance. Protein also keeps away the munchies, as vital amino acids stay in the bloodstream longer. There are simple solutions to increasing protein in a low-calorie diet. Researchers suggest using a protein powder in a fruit smoothie or eating a high-protein snack once or twice a day.

Women who want to lower their risk of developing breast cancer should seriously consider increasing their intake of dietary fiber. A recent study reported in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that those who consumed the most fiber had an 11% lower risk

Eating a High Fiber Diet Can Lower Breast Cancer Risk

of developing breast cancer compared to women who ate the least. Approximately 1 in every 8 women in the United States develops breast cancer, and between 20% and 25% of them die from the disease.

An Aspirin A Day May Keep the Cancer Doc Away
Researchers at the University of Oxford reported their findings in the recent Lancet. Study participants who were over the age of 35, with a strong family history of cancer, had a 34% reduction in their risk of dying from any kind of

cancer over a 20-year period by taking an aspirin a day. Aspirin may prevent cancer by affecting the way the body’s cells repair themselves. Talk to your doctor to determine if you could benefit from this kind of prevention.

Researchers at the University of Nevada School of Medicine, report that a cup of coffee may perk up your day, but does nothing for your fertility. Caffeine decreases muscle activity to the fallopian tubes making the journey for an egg, from ovary to uterus quite slow. If you want to get pregnant, try a caffeine free option.
22 September/October 2011 | BE HealthySETX.com

Cup of Joe versus Fertile Myrtle?

Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital was recently recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a high performer in ear, nose and throat and nephrology in the magazine’s 2011-2012 Best Hospitals lists. The Julie Rogers “Gift of Life” and Baptist Beaumont Hospital together kicked-off the Pink Power Network Support Group to establish a modern support system for those in our community who have been touched by breast cancer. Visit www.giftoflifebmt.org for more information

Local Headlines

BE Healthy calendar

Sept 28 - Oct 1
Texas Rice Festival
Winnie, Texas

OctOber 25-27
Diabetes Education Classes
1 to 4 p.m., Baptist Hospital, Beaumont, 409.212.6145

OctOber 1
7:30 a.m., opening ceremony, 8 a.m. race begins. www.giftoflifebmt.org, 409.833.3663 11:30 a.m., downtown Beaumont, includes New Orleans style luncheon and performances by Yvonne Washington and Tony Orlando. Tickets $75, www.giftoflifebmt.org, 409.833.3663

Gift of Life 5K Ribbon Run/Walk

OctOber 27
Senior Celebration & Consumer Expo
8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Beaumont Civic Center, 409.835.5951 x117

Gift of Life Putting on the Pink

OctOber 27 – NOvember 7
Gift of Life: Pink Shopping Card Days
Save 20% at participating merchants all over Southeast Texas

OctOber 1-8
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. except Sunday, Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center, Orange. www. shangrilagardens.org

OctOber 29
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk
7:30 a.m. registration, 9 a.m. start, Crockett Street, downtown Beaumont, benefiting the American Cancer Society. www. makingstridesbeaumont.org, 409.835.2139

Orchid Festival

OctOber 8 September 15
1 p.m., Hope Women’s Resource Clinic, Beaumont

Fresh Start: Tobacco Cessation Program
5:30 p.m. every Wednesday, McFaddin-Ward Cancer Center, 3rd floor conference room, Beaumont, Free. 866.683.3627

DOG-tober Fest and Fire Prevention and Family Safety Festival
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Fire Museum of Texas, Beaumont

Nutrition Class with Fallon Foster, SE Texas Food Bank

OctOber 30
Beaumont Heritage Society Pumpkin Walk
4 to 8 p.m., John Jay French Museum, 409.898.0348

2 p.m. Thursdays at Hope Women’s Resource Clinic, Beaumont

Spiritually in Touch class

September 22
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., CHRISTUS St. Mary Outpatient Center, Mid County, 866.683.3627

Good News About Bad Knees/Hips class

6 p.m., Provost Umphrey Stadium, Beaumont 409.832.3432

Lamar University football vs. Northwestern State

OctOber 11-13
1 to 4 p.m., Baptist Hospital, Beaumont, 409.212.6145

NOvember 5
Lamar University football vs. Stephen F. Austin
6 p.m., Provost Umphrey Stadium, 409.880.1715

September 17
2 p.m., Central Park, Beaumont

Diabetes Education Classes

Neighbors & Concerts in the Park

September 24
8 a.m. registration, walk begins at 9 a.m., Lumberton High School

14th Annual Kid Fest

Walk like MADD 5K

OctOber 15
Golden Triangle Heart Walk
8 a.m. registration, walk begins at 9 a.m., Lamar University Montagne Center, benefits the American Heart Association, 409.980.8800

NOvember 10
Harvest of Hope Gala
6 p.m., MCM Elegante Hotel, benefiting Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas, 409.924.4421

10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Beaumont Civic Center

September 19
Sexual Health – Types of Sexual Expression
Noon, Hope Women’s Resource Clinic

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Shootin for a Miracle

8 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., Sporting clay shoot benefit, One In One Hundred Gun Club, Lumberton, 409.899.7555

OctOber 19
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth, Beaumont, 866.683.3627

NOvember 12
Walk to End Alzheimer’s
8 a.m. registration, 9 a.m. 3-mile walk begins at Crockett Street, downtown Beaumont, 713.314.1341

Real Women, Real Life, Real Answers class

1 p.m. on Sundays with Jenny Broaddus, Hope Women’s Resource Clinic

American Cancer Society: Bark for Life
9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Terrell Park, Beaumont, 409.988.0056

Minimally Invasive Surgery, Neck/ Back Pain seminar

September 20
1:30 on Tuesdays with Susan Monroe, Hope Women’s Resource Clinic

Southeast Texas Family Swap Meet
The Art Studio, Beaumont. Bring your gently used clothing, shoes, toys, baby gear, etc. between 8 a.m. and noon. Return at 1 p.m. to shop., artstudio.org

Parenting class

OctOber 21
National Mammography Day
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Good News About Bad Knees/Hips class
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Lamar University football vs. Central Arkansas
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September/October 2011

23

CELEBRATING

YEARS

FIGHT BREAST CANCER
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I knew the support of my family and friends would be really important. I chose to partner with Texas Oncology right here in my hometown, so I wouldn’t have to travel to get the care I need. Texas Oncology is part of the country’s largest network of cancer specialists, researchers and treatment centers. Like thousands of my fellow Texans, I’m glad I have Texas Oncology on my side. S. Usama Akhtar, M.D. • Robert R. Birdwell, M.D., F.A.C.P. Srinivas Kodali, M.D. • Scott A. McKenney, M.D., F.A.C.P. • Sumalatha Patibandla, M.D. Jay R. Schachner, M.D. • Henry O. Williams, M.D.
MAMIE MCFADDIN WARD CANCER CENTER 690 North 14th Street Beaumont, TX 77702 409-899-7180 BEAUMONT COLLEGE STREET 3070 College Street, Suite 301 Beaumont, TX 77701 409-813-1686 JASPER 2014 S. Wheeler, Suite 170 Jasper, TX 75951 409-899-7180

1-888-864-I CAN (4226) • www.TexasOncology.com

HOW TEXANS FIGHT CANCER.