This gallery contains 10 photos.
Written by: Toni Mullin, Research Data Coordinator On Saturday, March 23rd, the HPPC Board along with some CHA volunteers collaborated to present an afternoon of Easter fun for employees and their children. Kids ages 2-12 were allowed to attend. There … Continue reading
Written by: Toni Mullin, Research Data Coordinator
Our office is a department of Community Hospital here in Anderson, IN. On March 6th, the hospital and its various departments started collecting non-perishable food items. These donations are going toward The Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana.
In an effort to do our part, we have agreed to take part in the collection. As posted on our Facebook and other social media, please bring your items to the CCRC office now through the end of March. Details (including acceptable items) are listed below:
If you would like more information about the food drive, please visit:
http://www.curehunger.org/
Written by: Toni Mullin, Research Data Coordinator
When people think of St. Patrick’s Day, they think of the color green, shamrocks, leprechauns, luck, and if you’re like me…FOOD!
Apart from Corned Beef & Cabbage, and maybe green beer, there is another item that really symbolizes St. Paddy’s Day for me. My grandmother has made it every year since I was young and my mom STILL sends me a “care package” that includes it. I think I might try making it this year. It’s Irish Soda Bread.
In our house we always added raisins to the recipe, but according to the following recipe, you can add caraway seeds or leave them out (recipe courtesy of About.com).
Yield: 2 loaves
Ingredients:
Preparation:
Combine dry ingredients in large bowl. Add cooled butter and buttermilk and mix well. Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface (sprinkling dough with additional flour if too sticky to handle). Knead for 2 minutes, until dough is firm. Shape into 2 round loaves. Rub each loaf with 2 teaspoons buttermilk, then sprinkle each lightly with flour. Cut an X into the top of each loaf with a knife or scissors. Place on a baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray, and floured. Bake in a preheated 375ºF oven for 1 hour, or until a deep, golden brown color.
In my opinion, this bread is best enjoyed with a little bit of butter spread on top and a cup of tea!
Find this recipe, including variations by clicking here.
HAPPY SAINT PATRICK’S DAY EVERYONE!
Written by: Toni Mullin, Research Data Coordinator
Being aware of your cholesterol levels is very important. High cholesterol is commonly noted as a risk factor that can lead to heart disease. You are more likely to have high cholesterol if any of the following apply to your lifestyle habits:
First of all, it is important that you get yourself checked. If you know that you have high cholesterol, there are a number of things you can do to help lower it. Maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise are two of the top suggestions. In keeping with that diet, the Mayo Clinic offers these food items as key ingredients to anyone wanting to keep their cholesterol in check:
1. Oatmeal, Oat bran and high-fiber foods
According to the Mayo Clinic, “oatmeal contains soluble fiber…which can reduce the absorption of cholesterol in your bloodstream. Eating 1 ½ cups of cooked oatmeal provides 6 grams of fiber.”
2. Fish and omega-3 fatty acids
“The American Heart Association recommends at least two servings of fish per week. Eating fatty fish can be heart healthy because the omega-3 fatty acids reduce blood pressure and risk of developing clots.”
3. Walnuts, almonds and other nuts
“Walnuts are rich in polyunsatured fatty acids, which also keep blood vessels healthy. Eating about a handful (1.5 oz or 42.5 grams) a day of most nuts may reduce your risk of heart disease. Just make sure the nuts you eat are not salted or coated with sugar.”
4. Olive Oil
“Olive oil contains a potent mix of antioxidants that can lower your bad (LDL) cholesterol but leave your good (HDL) cholesterol untouched. Try eating 2 tablespoons of olive oil a day.”
I have found personally that olive oil makes a great substitute for butter. I drizzle olive oil over my vegetables (it can be a great substitute as part of a salad dressing, too!) or on my bread if I am going to toast it. Or, try adding some herbs to a bit of olive oil and have that as a dip for your toasted bread. Delicious!
5. Foods with added plant sterols and stanols
“Margarines, orange juice and yogurt drinks with added plant sterols can help reduce LDL cholesterol by more than 10 percent. The amount of daily plant sterols needed for results is at least 2 grams – two 8-ounce servings of plant sterol-fortified orange juice – a day.”
Reference:
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2012, July 27). Cholesterol: top 5 foods to lower your numbers. Retrieved March 13, 2013, from Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cholesterol/CL00002
Written by: Tyler Prater, Clinical Research Coordinator
Patients and supporters often ask us what it is like for us when a patient graduates from a trial. Speaking for all the study coordinators, I can truly say that we have mixed emotions. For instance, with our breast cancer trial we provide the patient with the study drug after each cycle of chemotherapy treatment; so, the end of the study signifies the end of chemo for the patient which is a good thing! On the other hand, after the study ends we miss the interaction that we have with the patient on almost a daily basis for their four cycles of chemotherapy. Since this trial is specific for patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer, they are exposed to a whole new world of cancer treatment. We are involved in the process while they are having biopsies, lumpectomies, and Mediport placements, not to mention supporting them through the toll that chemotherapy takes on their bodies and the emotional distress that can come along with all of these major life events.
In addition to the healthcare we provide during the study we also become emotional support for the patient. While the patient is here for their daily lab monitoring we provide them with positive support and a positive outlook; we have laughed together, cried together, and celebrated completion of each cycle of therapy. An incredible change takes place in this person; you witness their body being hammered by chemotherapy and the effects of cancer and sometimes they want to give up. But if you take a few moments and tell them it is all worth fighting for, not to give up, stay positive, hold their hand and keep pushing toward the goal, strength arises. That kind of support is needed throughout the trial from initiation to completion.
Supporting patients is by far the most rewarding part of my job and it is why I get up in the morning to come here to work: to be a cheerleader for someone when the cause seems lost. And that is why it is so important to support or participate in research trials, because without them we would not be advancing medicine like we are now. Only by uniting for the cause of research can we find new cures and treatments to overcome these debilitating diseases.
Written by: Brandie Perrin, Director of Clinical Research
Did you know Heart Disease is the #1 Killer of Women in the U.S?
Many people think Heart Disease is a man’s issue but in actuality, it is the leading cause of death for both men and women. It is the #1 killer of women in the United States. So ladies, what can we do to prevent this in our lives to stay healthy and functional, to be there for our families, to see our children grow up, to be a part of our daughter‘s or son’s wedding day, to fulfill those lifelong dreams?
The good news is that we can prevent this from happening to us! The below risk factors for Heart Disease are all are preventable and controllable!
Risk Factors:
You can reduce your risks 1 step at time! Just start with 1 habit and then move on to the next.
1. Exercise Regularly.
This one has always been a struggle for me. I have to think of the “why” behind doing this daily. For me, I have to have good music and dancing so Zumba is my thing. Try to find something you enjoy doing or someone to work out with. It doesn’t have to be very long. 30 minutes most days of the week. Go for a walk, put in a DVD, ride a bike outside or watch your favorite TV show on the stationary bike, go to an exercise class. The heart benefits and stress relief are worth it!
2. Eat a Healthy Diet.
I find eating healthy consistently is a battle for most people including me. The key to long-term success in this area is remembering “why” you are doing it, having balance (the occasional treats) and support. To eat a heart-healthy diet, some of the tips the Mayo Clinic recommends are:
For more information:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart-healthy-diet/NU00196
3. Maintain a Healthy Weight.
Being overweight definitely increases your risks for heart disease. To figure out if you are at a healthy weight, calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI) at CDC’s Assessing Your Weight Web site. We all know what to do to manage our weight…eat healthy and exercise. However, one of the major keys is portion control. How much you are eating is just as important as what you are eating. Studies have shown that keeping track and monitoring your food intake helps maintain a healthy weight. One of the best tracking programs my colleagues and I use is called My Fitness Pal.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/
. It might be worth checking out.
4. Keep Tabs on Your Blood Pressure.
Have your blood pressure checked on a regular basis. Did you know that many people have absolutely “no signs” or symptoms of High Blood Pressure? That’s why it’s called the “Silent Killer.” I know I didn’t have any. In my 20’s, I had high blood pressure and had no idea until I had to complete a mandatory physical exam for work.
We women have crazy, busy lives, usually taking care of everyone else and often saying that we don’t have time to do anything for ourselves. Ladies, in working with Cardiologists, let me tell you it is worth it! Just put it on the calendar to at least see your physician once a year. If you don’t want to go to your doctor, there are many places to get it checked: Health Fairs (Community Health Network offer lots), Medchecks, Pharmacies, Malls, and Fire Stations.
5. Quit Smoking.
Giving up smoking is one of the hardest things some women have ever had to do. For women, it can be a coping and weight management strategy. I often hear from women in my life who smoke say “smoking helps me deal with my stress and keeps my weight down.”
Ladies, I know this is difficult. I can’t even imagine the struggle. I have never smoked, but I will say that you are worth saving! If you continue smoking, it is a fact that there is a 1 out of 2 chance you will die earlier because of smoking. If you quit smoking now, a lot of your risk for heart disease goes away. Think about it…here are some resources:
For information on quitting, local resources in Indiana, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW. Other resources see CDC’s Smoking & Tobacco Use Web site and Smokefree.gov.
6. Monitor Your Cholesterol.
If you haven’t had your cholesterol checked in the last couple of years, get it checked. With high cholesterol, there may be absolutely no symptoms until severe damage has been done. It’s a simple blood test.
Find out more on American Heart Association’s Website:
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/Cholesterol_UCM_001089_SubHomePage.jsp
.
Also, we have available clinical studies to help with cholesterol. www.communityanderson.com/research.
7. Manage Your Diabetes.
People with Type I or Type II Diabetes are at high risk for cardiovascular disease. If you have it, make sure you are checking your blood sugar levels and working with a healthcare provider to manage it.
Here at Community Hospital Anderson, we have wonderful resources in our Diabetes Center
http://www.communityanderson.com/diabetes/
and available clinical studies www.communityanderson.com/research to help.
8. Limit Your Alcohol. Did you know that drinking too much can increase your blood pressure? If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.
For more information on this visit CDC’s Alcohol and Public Health Web site.
Incorporating these heart-healthy habits one at time is very doable, and you might find eventually very enjoyable. Well, for me, exercise and eating healthy some days are a struggle I have to admit, but I will say that overall it has been a really good thing in my life. I feel better and know that I am doing everything I can to be around to enjoy life with my loved ones.
Ladies, life is way too short. I’m sure each of us has had experiences to validate that fact. You are worth it! Pick one of these habits and make a change today!
References:
NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
CDC
American Heart Association
Mayo Clinic
Written by: Crystal Custer, Clinical Research Coordinator
Here very soon I will leave this cold, wet weather for a warm, sunny week in Disney World. Do not worry the point of this blog is not to brag about my upcoming vacation. I just want to remind everyone of the importance of vacation. We all get wrapped up in our daily activities and forget that we always need to take some time out for ourselves. I know it can be very difficult sometimes to take an entire week out of our schedule but even just an afternoon off would do everyone some good. Taking some time to do something you enjoy or even to do absolutely nothing is great for the mind and body. Now I would not necessarily suggest a week in Disney World as the ideal “relaxing” vacation, however spending a week with my family and watching the smile on my 4 year olds face will be more than rewarding.
