Wednesday, January 31, 2024
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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, January 31, 2024 | Ferndale Record
HEALTHY LIVING
Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, January 31, 2024 | Ferndale Record
HEALTHY LIVING
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January is National Bath Safety Month By Susie Landsem For the Tribune
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ho knew there’s a whole month dedicated to bathroom safety? Do you know more accidents and falls happen in the bathroom than in any other room of your home? Preventing falls, particularly for seniors, is crucial for safety and well-being. Easy and inexpensive modifications to the bathroom will make it a safer room. Here are some suggestions for you to try. Clutter is the enemy in every room. Do your best to keep things off your floor. Look around your bathroom. What is on the floor? Is the brush or plunger a tripping risk? Is there a safer place for the trash can? Do you really need a floor rug – the right answer is no? Identify the risk and move it. Keep the bathroom clean. Clean floors, showers and sinks reduce the chance of slipping. Easy-to-grip shampoo and soap bottles at eye level are easier to use and minimize dropping. Wash fans regularly to keep them working well. Keep your shower and bath floor slip-resistant with antislip strips or a slip-resistant mat to reduce the chance of falling. Make sure to clean shower mats regularly to avoid soap and grime buildup.
Susie Landsem provides design and building solutions for people who want to stay in their homes safe and independent. (Photo courtesy Susie Landsem) If you must have floor rugs, replace cloth bathmats with rubberbacked ones to reduce slipping. Keep shower bottles, soap and razors at eye level in the shower. Bending down to pick up slippery
items is dangerous. If you don’t have a shelf, try a shower caddy. I recently tried this trick: wind rubber bands around shampoo bottles to make them easier to grip. Install a comfortable height toilet
or add a raised toilet seat. Some toilet seats have grab bars for better balance. These fixtures help reduce the effort it takes to get up and off. Grab bars, you can’t have
enough. Install inside the shower, by the toilet, by the sink and next to doors. People often rely on towel bars for stability, but they are not as secure or safe as properly installed grab bars. You can find grab bars that are attractive at Lowe's and Home Depot. It is essential to install them according to the instructions. Replace fixed shower heads with handheld shower heads on flexible hoses. Use a vertical grab bar for the flexible hose to provide additional safety. Good lighting improves safety. Many bathrooms have a combination light/fan/heating fixture. These are useful but don’t adequately light the room. Install vanity lights over the sink or mirror, then ensure there is plenty of light over the shower. Battery-operated light fixtures exist, so you don’t need to call an electrician to install them. Always use the fan when bathing to reduce the chance of mold. Every month is safety month, and many of these tips are useful for every room in the house. National Bath Safety Month is a good reminder to keep your home safe. -- Susie Landsem is a Certified Aging in Place specialist. She provides design and building solutions for people who want to stay in their homes safe and independent.
Promoting community well-being with new winter wellness guide BELLINGHAM — Sustainable Connections, a leading advocate for local businesses, has released its new winter wellness guide. This comprehensive guide aims to inspire and empower individuals to support local businesses during the winter months while fostering a sense of community connection. While it’s tempting to
wish the dark season away, it can be a potent time to tend to our wellness as individuals and as a community. Self-care is a term that’s been thrown around quite a bit, and while it can be easy to dismiss it as frivolous, self- and community care can be a powerful tool for transformation during the winter. The guide features lo-
cal fitness centers, senior centers, healthcare facilities, mind-body meditation coaching, spas, physical therapy and financial health services. It also provides tools to find local food, assistance for creating a healthy environment in your home and other suggestions for how to create a healthy planet. As a community-driven
organization, Sustainable Connections believes that fostering connections is important for a regenerative local economy. The winter wellness guide reflects their commitment to creating a healthier, more sustainable future for individuals and communities alike. “We are thrilled to launch the winter wellness
guide as a tool to inspire and guide our community towards wellness during the winter season,” said Amy Vergillo, communications director at Sustainable Connections. “By making conscious choices and supporting local businesses, we can collectively contribute to a more resilient and vibrant community.”
The winter wellness guide is now available for free on the Sustainable Connections website at https://sustainableconnections.org/winterwellness and in print at featured businesses. Join Sustainable Connections in embracing a winter season filled with well-being and community spirit.
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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, January 31, 2024 | Ferndale Record
HEALTHY LIVING
Exercise through approachable fitness program
Anne Levinson, left, coaches fitness three days each week at the Lynden Community/ Senior Center. (Photo courtesy Anne Levinson)
munity/Senior Center (LCSC) how well their balance has be- body and lower body. They end Anne Levinson For the Tribune in October 2023. Her goal was come since starting the class- the class with stretching. Levinson said the class is aily exercise is to provide accessible fitness es.” teaches enhanced Levinson offers classes to structured for participants of important at all training for the seniors outside anyone, meaning the center’s all levels, including those with life stages, and a of a gym environment. fitness three days “We have had a very consis- members or non-members, on disabilities or who may need to Lynden resident has brought the tent group of people who have Mondays, Wednesdays and Fri- sit to work out. each week at Lynden world of fitness “All participants have a to older adults been very excited and happy days. There is a 10:45 a.m. class through an approachable fit- with the changes they have and a 2:45 p.m. class. Levinson chair and a set of weights to put Community/Senior ness program. been experiencing,” Levin- leads in a warm-up, moderate on their wrists and/or ankles,” Anne Levinson started son said. “Not only has their cardio and a cool-down. Then, Levinson said. “We do a fitness Center teaching the enhanced fitness strength improved but, most the group proceeds to strength assessment so that the particiBy Libby Williams
D
program at the Lynden Com-
important as we get older is
training, working the upper
Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, January 31, 2024 | Ferndale Record
HEALTHY LIVING pants have a starting point, better enabling them to set a fitness goal. We re-check them after four months.” Before training at the center, Levinson was no stranger to the world of fitness and exercise. “I was always into personal training as a young adult to keep myself in shape and enjoy helping others accomplish their goals,” Levinson said. A woman Levinson trained with asked if she had ever considered bodybuilding. Levinson went on to compete in the Ironman and Iron Maiden competition in Fontana, California in the early-1990s. She placed, and received a trophy. Eager to expand her horizons and teach people how to retain healthy bodies in a safer manner than bodybuilding, Levinson attended the National Academy of Sports Medicine, and passed the American Council on Exercise (ACE) exam to become a trainer. Levinson started her own training company, Maximum Physique, in North Hollywood
Before training at the center, Anne Levinson was no stranger to the world of fitness and exercise. Levinson, left, coaches fitness three days each week at the Lynden Community/Senior Center. (Photo courtesy Anne Levinson) in the early ‘90s. The company trained people of all ages in their homes and at the gym.
In 2021, Levinson moved to Lynden and taught acrylic painting classes at LCSC. She later
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asked about the fitness room, was offered the opportunity to teach enhanced fitness, and got her certification. Lynden resident Mary Lou Childs said she has attended Levinson’s class since the day after her 69th birthday. “I was the first one who signed up,” Childs said, adding as soon as she heard of it, she knew she needed to be a part of the class. “That was the best thing to happen at the center for me.” Childs said she attends the earlier class, which is paid for in advance for four months. The afternoon class is currently a dropin program. The prepaid commitment was a draw for Childs, who said it gives her a great opportunity to get out of the house, exercise and meet new friends in a non-gym environment. She also likes the “go at your own pace” mentality of the class. “You can work as hard as you want, so I work out very hard,” Childs said. “And other people get more of a chair workout … It’s
C5 been terrific.” Childs emphasized the importance of movement and fitness as people age. “You gotta use it or lose it, especially as we get older,” she said. “If we just sit, that’s the beginning of the end.” Levinson said the classes have a very consistent group of participants who have been excited with the progress they’re experiencing. She said they’re getting stronger, and most importantly, they’re feeling safer. “The exercises performed help people with their overall balance, which prevents falls,” Levinson said. “Several have also noticed the improvement in their cardio while going up and down the stairs. Others have experienced weight loss. I have seen participants improve their balance and endurance. I also see many new friendships forming … I’m very proud to be a part of such an amazing group of people who continuously find ways of keeping the community involved and evolving.”
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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, January 31, 2024 | Ferndale Record
HEALTHY LIVING
Wellness finds holistic form through yoga
HEALTHY LIVING
Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, January 31, 2024 | Ferndale Record
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Lynden Yoga Collective offers five styles of yoga classes By Libby Williams For the Tribune
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ellness has found its holistic form through yoga, meditation and massage at the Lynden Yoga Collective. Claire Zurbrugg opened the Bellingham Yoga Collective in 2019. In 2021, she met Kyle Kloostra there, and they decided to collaborate on a Lynden location, which officially opened Dec. 9, 2022. “Lynden yoga was born from the dream of bringing more yoga and massage to North Whatcom County, specifically to the town of Lynden,” Zurbrugg said. Since then, Zurbrugg and Kloostra say the business has flourished through a variety of clients and services. “Over the past year, it has been incredibly rewarding and humbling to see the community grow and receive all the benefits that come from a yoga and meditation practice,” Kloostra said. The co-founders said LYC offers a wide range of services, from “musically driven strength-based flowing classes in a 95-degree room” to “gentle, therapeutic, and restorative yoga styles in our unheated space.” “We are also fortunate enough to have a tranquil wellness room where we offer massage therapy and yoga therapy with four highly skilled practitioners,” Kloostra said. “Finally, we offer various workshops based on nutrition, breath work, meditation and restorative practices … there is truly something for everyone here which we are very proud of.” According to its website, LYC offers five styles of yoga classes. Vinyasa yoga emphasizes the sequential movement between postures, coordinated with and guided by deliberate breath. Slow flow is a slower-paced class focused on accessibility for all skill-sets. Participants can expect longer holds throughout class aiming to strengthen, stabilize and lengthen muscle groups in the body. Yin yoga is described as a meditative practice where participants move slowly and practice gentle poses using yoga props. Gentle yoga is meant for beginners, as well as more experienced students. The class focuses on breath practices, flexibility and strength. Therapeutic yoga is the gentlest option according to the site, and is accessible regardless of injury or mobility issues. It fea-
Lynden Yoga Collective, at 408 Front St., suite 101, offers five styles of yoga classes. Wellness has found its holistic form through yoga, meditation, massage and more at the Lynden Yoga Collective. (Photo courtesy Lynden Yoga Collective)
tures gentle movements and poses supported by props. Zurbrugg said the age diversity in Lynden is reflected in the classes and daily life at LYC, with regular clients ranging from 20 to 80 years old. Zurbrugg and Kloostra both said wellness is something that can be defined differently by every person, but yoga and meditation can be used as a tool to identify what wellness means for an individual. “Wellness is a very broad term to us at LYC, but at its heart we believe that wellness is defined by everyone differently and there is not a specific right or uniform way to achieve wellness in one’s life,” Zurbrugg said. “But overall, wellness might be achieved by seeking more balance in every aspect of life … balance between fulfilling
work and passions, balance between restful activities and activating activities. Balance between social time and time for reflection.” According to Kloostra, wellness is a holistic concept. “Internalizing this idea, you could say that the experience of wellness is to move through your life with an increased sense of connection to yourself, others, the environment and your pursuits,” Kloostra said. “All of these benefits learned on the mat find their expression in your life off the mat within the context of your family, career, hobbies and communities to which you belong.” Zurbrugg and Kloostra said if someone is considering trying out these approaches to wellness for the first time, there is a place
for everyone. “Whatever you have going on in your life, yoga is made for it,” Zurbrugg said. “Yoga, meditation and massage can heal or bring balance and healing to our physical bodies while being a powerful mental tool for stress relief.” More information about classes, workshops and LYC instructors can be found at www.lyndenyogacollective.com. “Look for our beginner’s series, which is a great introduction to the yoga practice, or simply show up as you are, and you’ll find a sense of belonging here with us,” Kloostra said. Lynden Yoga Collective is at 408 Front St., suite 101. Hours are 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily. Call 564-213-6563 for more information.
Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, January 31, 2024 | Ferndale Record
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HEALTHY LIVING
KRAMER'S KORNER
Navigating nutrition is no easy task By Joe Kramer
I Joe Kramer
n today’s age, the importance of a good diet for a healthy lifestyle is widely acknowledged. However, the plethora of information available can be overwhelming, which makes it a challenge to determine the best approach. Personally, I find resonance in retired football great Tom Brady’s nutritional philosophy, given his remarkable success at an advanced age. His book, The TB12 Method, emphasizes a plant-based diet rich in vegetables, limited salt, low saturated fat and minimal dairy. Brady attributes inflammation to foods such as dairy, white rice, refined carbohydrates and excessive animal-based protein. “A mostly whole-food, plant-based nutritional regimen is one centered on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes,” he wrote. “It limits meat and fish, dairy products and any refined, processed foods, including flours, sugars and oils.” Most of his philosophy makes sense to me
from a practical standpoint. Specifically, my perspective on dairy leans toward the belief that it’s inherently designed for a calf’s body, which prompts me to question why humans are the only species that consume another animal’s milk. (It’s important to note that I’m not a nutritional expert and that I lack a background in kinesiology or nutrition studies.) In the context of rice choices, there is substantial evidence that supports the idea white rice may be a healthier option than brown rice. The distinction lies in the husk, retained in brown rice, which tends to contain higher levels of arsenic. The Centers for Control & Prevention highlight the potential harm of arsenic to various organs, including the eyes, skin, liver, kidneys, lungs and lymphatic system, with exposure having the potential to lead to cancer. An interesting observation in this context is Japan’s dietary habits. According to worldometer.com, Japan boasts the third-highest life expectancy globally. Notably, savorjapan.com, a platform dedicated to Japanese culture, re-
ports that 75% of the Japanese population opts for white rice varieties over brown rice. This dietary choice adds a nuanced layer to the ongoing discourse surrounding rice consumption and its potential health implications. Moving beyond Brady’s methods, various dietary approaches emerge, influenced by the dynamic landscape of information and social media influencers. Trends shift from the lowfat diet of the ‘90s to contemporary low-carb options like paleo, keto and carnivore diets. The different diet nutritional concepts seem to change daily, as well as the breakfast of champions concept. In 1993, an article by Linell Smith in the Baltimore Sun endorsed a low-fat, high-carb diet, and referenced baseball stars Ken Griffey Jr. and Joe Carter as proponents. Nancy Clark, former director of nutrition services at Sports Medicine Brookline in Boston, supported the article’s promotions. “Cereal, bagels and pancakes have replaced eggs, bacon, and home fries as the breakfast of champions,” Smith declared.
HEALTHY LIVING
Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, January 31, 2024 | Ferndale Record
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Fast forward to 2024, and the dietary landscape has taken some amusing turns. It’s safe to say Frosted Flakes aren’t likely to be promoted as the breakfast of champions by any reputable doctor. As a society, we’ve progressed from that era to encounters with figures like Liver King on YouTube. With a steroid-fueled six-pack, Liver King advocates for an unconventional primal breakfast of champions that features nothing but raw meat liver and other organs. This journey from a traditional high-carb breakfast to extreme dietary practices humorously illustrates the ever-shifting landscape of nutritional advice and the sometimes surprising concepts that have gained attention over the years. Anyway, in this sea of conflicting ideas, the pursuit of a healthy diet becomes a daunting task. Healthy lifestyles, exemplified by individuals like Brady, may adopt unconventional methods that work for them. The key takeaway is that there’s no one-size-fitsall approach to nutrition, and individuals must navigate the dietary landscape based on their unique preferences and needs. -- Contact Joe Kramer at joe@lyndentribune. com.
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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, January 31, 2024 | Ferndale Record
HEALTHY LIVING
Feet are the 'unsung heroes of our daily adventures' By Rachael Joelle Maddalena Art, fashion and wellness writer
to foot care with some wonder of your own feet.
easy way to give your feet the restoration they need.
ake a moment to appreciate the 26 boned 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments that make up the complicated suspension system that are your feet. Carrying us through every adventure, from brisk walks to spontaneous dance parties. Get to know your feet. Look at them and be curious about what they are and what they do. Suspend judgement about how you think they should look and most importantly, ask them what they need and want. There are more than 100 muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones that make up the foot. Imagine all the textures and surfaces they are made to handle. All the sandy beaches, pebbled riverbeds, slippery rocks and mossy boulders. Recall the surfaces we use each day. Imagine them in action and think of the hard things and the fun things. Begin your approach
Make quality time for your feet At least once a week take some quality time for your feet. If getting a pedicure is not your thing please don’t go throwing the entire idea of a pedicure out with the foot water. We are going to learn how to take care of your feet at home by treating your feet to simple self- care.
Give your feet a nice soak Fill up a utility bowl with hot water, sit in a chair, and soak your feet. Some people use Epsom salt for this - but you do not have to. The hot water is enough. Foot soaks are an age-old thing to do for your feet. Let the feet know they are meaningful to your day - restoring them for the day to come. You will be pleasantly surprised at how the rest of your body responds to the deep relaxation of the feet. Again, be curious about their discomfort and allow some compassion for yourself and your feet.
T
Standing foot massage with a tennis ball Stand next to a wall for balance. Put a tennis ball under the sole of your foot. Make sure you get the main circumference of the tennis ball under the sole of your foot and thereby under the plum line of your body. Then all you need to do is lean all the weight of your stance in to the ball. Smash it, roll it, smoosh it, and extra points if you break it. Once you get the hang of how that feels then roll the ball from heel to toe and back. Do this a few times. Self-massage is a quick and
Upgrade your Home Slippers If your home slippers are not 100% awesome in every way - get rid of them. Find yourself some slippers that enhance your homecoming in every possible way. If you are more of a home/fuzzy socks type, make certain you give yourself an upgrade to a set that are nonslip on the bottom and a little ‘extra’ of what you like about fuzzy slippers. Moves to build foot strength and flexibility The following are four basic strength and flexibility foot exercises from the Pilates studio. These four exercises take a total time of 10 minutes and they will have positive effects on your overall balance and posture if you adopt a routine. The first is known as windshield wipers. Moving like a windshield wiper, keeping the heels on the floor, tap your toes and make the front of your feet travel back and forth like windshield wipers. Tap, tap, tap, tapping the toes while keeping the heels fixed in space. Here are three more foot exercises: Ankle alphabet Write the alphabet with your ankles. Do this one foot at a time to start. Then start doing it with both feet working together. You will give your ankles some interesting and
Rachael Joelle Maddalena, pictured, is a dancer, Pilates, and dance conditioning instructor. (Photo courtesy Rachael Joelle Maddalena)
unusual shapes improve your ankles’ range of motion. Clydesdale stretch This stretch is for the front of the foot and ankles. While sitting in a chair, simply take one foot and tuck it under as if you were a Clydesdale horse getting a new horseshoe. This move of simply placing the knuckles of the foot on the floor, or a close as you can go, will provide a soothing stretch for the muscles and facia at the front of ankle. This stretch, although slightly uncomfortable at first will provide some relief for a stiff ankle. Heel lifts Sitting in a chair with your feet planted firmly on the ground, imagine you have a beach ball between your knees. Lift your heels, isolating the ball of the foot on the ground, as if you were wearing a high heel shoe. Then continue by lifting the ball of your foot so that only the tip-pie toes remain on the ground (like a ballerina shoe). Then, work your way back down to the ball of the foot, pause and then the heels back to the starting position at the
floor. Try to keep each movement differentiated from the next. This isolation helps build strength in the arches. Repeat this sequence and give it some rhythm. Up, up, down, down. Up, up, down, down. Keep you walking into the new year Taking care of the feet and ankles is crucial for maintaining proper alignment in the body and preventing injuries. By incorporating simple self-care activities such as home foot soaks, self- massage, restorative footwear (slippers) then advancing to simple exercises like ankle alphabet, clydesdale stretch and heel lifts, we can improve the health and alignment of our feet and ankles. These exercises can be done from the comfort of an office chair — or just the couch — to keep you walking tall through the new year. -- Rachael Joelle Maddalena is a dancer, Pilates, and dance conditioning instructor who has dedicated her career to teaching Pilates in specialized studios for seniors across two states.
HEALTHY LIVING
Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, January 31, 2024 | Ferndale Record
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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, January 31, 2024 | Ferndale Record
HEALTHY LIVING
Your heart is what keeps you going Ferndale Record ad manager Jan Brown has open heart surgery, shares her experience and recovery By Jan Brown
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t started with my annual wellness exam back in March 2023 when my primary doctor said I had a murmur and he wanted to order an electrocardiogram (ECG) of my heart. Thought it was going to be the usual office machine but turned out to be going to the Marble Building by Peace Health for a full hour ECG in midMay. Being able to view my results that night on the Peace Health website, already knew that the ECG showed that my heart had severe aortic stenosis when the next morning Peace Health cardiology called to set up an appointment, which was set for midJuly. My husband and youngest daughter attended this and all subsequent appointments. After researching this online, severe aortic stenosis, meant my valve was not working properly. In my case, after several tests and the actual surgery, found out mine was “bicuspid or sticking is a way to say it as not opening properly.” Symptoms for severe aortic stenosis include problems breathing when you exert yourself or lie down, waking up at night coughing or short of breath, weakness or tiredness, feeling dizzy or lightheaded or even passing out, a fast, pounding or irregular heartbeat or fluttering feeling in your chest, swollen ankles or feet and finally pain, pressure or tightness in your chest, shoulders, back, neck arms or jaw
(angina). For myself, mostly only felt the tiredness when working at the computer or watching TV would fall asleep briefly. Working in the yard or walking, not hardly a bit other than maybe at it too long. Definitely deceiving. The cardiologist sent me for an angiogram which happened in early August which I was totally scared about. Helped to have a neighbor give me some personal insight on it, but still at the hospital the best I could say to admitting was ‘I’m here and ready to go home.’ The prep nurse said that they knew my mom had an aortic valve replaced when she was 63 and she lived another 26 years with heart not being what took her. Am myself currently 70 years old. The angiogram itself, I must say, it was really neat to watch since you are awake through the whole procedure which I liked as don’t like being put under. They set up an IV port and run a camera up into the heart area and explore. The doctor said at the end that I had clean veins and no stents or bypasses were needed. Don’t know if the daily tablespoon dose of extra virgin olive oil helped that or not but it’s kind of part of the Mediterranean diet. Two types of heart surgery Six days later met with the surgeon’s nurse for a long two hour appointment who did some physical tests like timing my walking. The nurse explained what the two main different types of heart surgery are: The lessor invasive method is called transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) which is where one way is that they place a catheter though a small incision usually into the groin. Then its guided up to your heart and aortic valve. The new valve is delivered through the catheter to the heart. The valve is collapsed to allow it to fit through the artery. When it reaches the right place the value is expanded. Measurements and images are
taken to make sure the new value works properly, and when placed correctly all catheters are removed and insertion site is then closed. Open heart surgery, which I had, is a much longer stay in the hospital and recovery. This one your heart is reached by what they call traditional sternotomy. An incision is made down the center of the chest. The breastbone (AKA sternum) is divided to expose the heart. The surgeon then installs the new value. After surgery, the breastbone is rejoined by wires that are not enough to set off airport alarms, and the incision is closed. Depending on the person, recovery is at least three months. Surgical preparation In this two-hour appointment, I also met with the physical therapist who said that for the next eight weeks, I get to pretend my arms are in a tube close to the body, with no reaching out or up above my shoulders so to not pull the sternum wires apart. Use legs to get up, no pushing up with arms, no opening or opening doors for the next two months. Believe me that this is tiring, and as you get better, it’s harder to remember to not stretch. Carrying weight limit is determined after surgery on release date, which mine was 10 pounds with both hands together in front of me. Here we also met the surgeon and she also went through any questions about the two types of heart surgeries and asked if I would be willing to do a chest CT and ultrasound to help them do more determination of the correct type of surgery for me. After agreeing to those, they were set up to be back to back as they are just a couple buildings apart within a couple weeks. We also discussed the real possible need for a transfusion, of which I OK’d with the stipulation of her trying to do everything possible to not need one. I am not a Jehovah Witness, but my
daughter is and didn’t really want one anyway. Right after this two-hour appointment, we had to go over to the East Tower Surgical area at Peace Health to do surgery precheck in plus x-rays. Was asked if I had a living will or will, which they wanted copies of, received paperwork for financial aid for the hospital bill. Filled those out at home and really didn’t think we’d qualify, since I still work, and that both my husband and I are receive our Social Security. But we were given 100% financial aid, which covered most of the extremely expensive hospital bills along with the heart physical therapy. Figured we’d need to sell our home to cover co-pays, but thanks to God we didn’t have to go that route. A few weeks later, back again with the surgeon this time. My husband and daughter with me to view those results of the CT and ultrasound which are really quite something to view. It’s like in the movies showing medical things in the future and can see so much of your inside body in real life. We discussed the two surgery styles and I was leaning toward the TAVR because of time off and the doctor toward the open heart. She suggested she talk with the heart team again and the angiogram doctor, that meet every Tuesday to discuss current patients to see if he thought like she did that my valve was possibly a bicuspid valve which means it’s not opening properly and sticking. Apparently he concurred, so this meant open heart. The doctor called me about that the next day and I agreed as she said this should hopefully mean only one surgery in my life since with open heart they can really see totally into the heart. Also at that appointment with the surgeon, we set a date for surgery in late September. Being that I was healthy, active, didn’t smoke or drink was able to push
Jan Brown off surgery so to get ahead at work and allow daughter to take her anniversary trip as she was going to be helping out after surgery. Time to sleep … At 5 a.m. the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 26, we were at the hospital and met the nurse who explained the procedure for that day and time frames, had the anesthesiologist in to discuss what he was going to use as I do have problems with some types of anesthesia, then lastly the surgeon was in to address any additional concerns we might have had. Once wheeled into the operating arena, they introduced me to the operating team, including the heart lung machine person who would be operating that while they were removing and putting in the new aortic valve which was made from pig skin or something of it. I hear the words, “I’m going to put you to sleep now,” and next conscious thought about six hours later was seeing husband and daughter in the room. Couldn’t talk then as still had the breathing tube in but they knew I was doing OK. Husband went home to take care of the animals and daughter came back a couple hours later as she only lives a couple miles from the hospital and we got to talk a bit before she went to our home to spend the first night with her pop to make sure he was handling this OK. He
Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, January 31, 2024 | Ferndale Record
HEALTHY LIVING definitely has been my shadow these past few months most of the time. Blessings of being married over half a century, as he would say. Was in hospital for six days, where they checked a couple of times each day to make sure my sugar levels were good (I’m not diabetic), that stopped at the end of five days. Blood pressure was taken several times a day along with normal blood tests and near daily x-rays. Wednesday morning, the surgeon was in and told me that everything went well and that she did not have to do a blood transfusion for which we were all grateful. Once they could unhook me from several operating needs while
unconscious, they had me up walking around the cardiology intensive care unit, pushing a big cart and they go with you in case you fall or feel week. A portable pacemaker if I remember correctly goes with you everywhere that week. You also have a couple different breathing manual tubes to practice on as close to every hour as possible. This is to prevent pneumonia. The more you move the better for recovery. They were amazed that I could soon just go around by myself, but then as mentioned earlier am active normally and walk usually a mile plus every day with the dog. Recovery One major thing, as an open heart sur-
gery patient, you are not allowed to reach up above your head. Instead you pretend your arms are stuck in a tube. This way you won’t pull stitches because the incision runs eight inches from neck to below breasts. I had 17 holes in me from all the tubes required for the surgery counting the incision. The final four lower chest tubes were pulled out on Saturday. After four months, I am still waiting for the main incision and four tubes scars to fade completely. Figure it will be another 3-6 months before the skin looks normal again. Went home Sunday and worst part for me was having to be in the La-Z-Boy chair as needed to not sleep on side or stomach. At
eight weeks, I was allowed to sleep on my side but still not on stomach in a regular bed, which was great as I am not a back sleeper and it was hard on my severe arthritis in my neck. At home, you have to chart your daily weight, BP and length of exercise until eight weeks are up and your follow up with a cardiologist nurse. You also come home with a big heart shaped pillow you get the second day after surgery to use between you and the seat belt every time you are in a vehicle. They also have you hold this pillow against your chest, while in intensive care when coughing as part of your lung exercises to help keep lungs clear from getting pneumonia the first
few weeks. Monday, my daughter was out and helped me apply for the Washington State Paid Medical Leave, which was definitely a blessing with me not working the next three months. ‘Don’t like to sit for long’ Instructions were to walk as much as possible, so my husband and I did our usual walk around the neighborhood with the dog. Getting back to our usual one-half mile within a few days. Dropped in at work to get my paycheck two days after getting out of the hospital and I surprised several people that I was out of the hospital and out an about. Guess they, like many others, figured with that type of sur-
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gery I’d be in bed. But movement is important to recovery. And believe me, as a person who doesn’t normally like to sit a lot for long, was really tired of that chair and was helping in the kitchen as much as I could after a couple weeks. But still had to have help with many simple things despite weight limit was 10 pounds with hands holding it in front of me. That 10 pounds took a few weeks to even think about holding. Couldn’t reach for plates or cups as they were above my shoulders. My arms with elbows next to my sides felt like they were wings. You have to have help if you don’t have a walk in shower, which we don’t and I hate
showers, so we came up with a bucket system to shower and just rinsed the incisions off as they have to be washed with soap and warm water every day for those first eight weeks. No soaking. After eight weeks, things change a lot. Allowed to drive because the sternum had healed enough, weight limit working slowly up to 30 pounds. Could tub bathe but not soak the incision which was easy as don’t have a lot of water when bathing normally. Daughter helped wash my hair at the kitchen sink every week for those first weeks. Physical therapy started not quite a month out from having Continued on next page
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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, January 31, 2024 | Ferndale Record
surgery and was three times a week at the Peace Health Cardiology Medical Arts Building. Here for myself was bicycling on a recumbent bicycle. Not like any bike I’ve ever been on. They have a variety of styles and with my bad neck used the one with a back and they even had a flat pillow to lean against By the end of the first month, my time increased to 40 minutes and eventually 45 minutes bicycling. Had gotten up to nine in tension but it was messing up my knee and later both knees as had tripped in March and dislocated one so we cut back on tension, just not minutes. Got up to as far as eight miles each time, down to six miles the last four times as my knees were just too unhappy to push harder and we decreased the tension which though easier, didn’t seem to put the miles on as fast. My first eight weeks were up around Thanksgiving and slowly started driving again to physical therapy but it was still stressful with not having driven for two month and especially with the extra crazy holiday traffic this year and once nearly hit twice in same intersection on way into therapy. Am not normally in Bellingham but maybe once a week so this would make my BP high every time at the beginning of therapy. First three times with the heart therapy, you wear a portable ECG on your person and they track your vitals, then it’s once a week throughout the rest of the 10 weeks. At the beginning of each session, you weigh yourself so they can track it and they take your blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen levels before and after exercising. My BP was usually high going in as not a fan of going to Bellingham that often since live 18 miles from the hospital nor use to going someplace to be bicycling three times a week. But the exercising would help bring it down. They also discuss diet and future home exercise plans with you. Even though now done with the 30 physical therapy sessions, am still expected to continue exercising or in my case walking as don’t have an exercycle nor room for one. Some people around me were advise to check out gyms or come in to the unit to use cycles or treadmills but at lot of them from what I heard had to have stents, by-passes or even pacemakers. For myself I walk daily, help bring in firewood and recently shoveled much of the recent light powdered snow, which if I wasn’t the one to do most of that in normal years, would not recommend people who don’t, to be careful. I would have asked the neighbor to help if it had been wet snow as we have a big driveway to the road. It was definitely something I had before surgery discussed with my surgeon and she felt it would be no problem once healed and through physical training (also known as PT). The physical therapy team has you fill out paperwork on eating habits, exercise before you even start and again at the end. They will discuss cholesterol and how to check your own heart rate. Bought a Fitbit watch to help track the heart rate, hours of sleep and exercise. Saw my primary physician in November on a normal follow-up visit required after the heart surgery and gave him a big hug and thanked him for saving my life, as if he hadn’t noticed the murmur and sent me for the ECG, I probably would have fallen asleep one day and not woken up since tiredness was my main symptom. Your heart is what keeps you going
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Jan Brown and her husband, Brad, on their 50th anniversary trip to Hawaii. Jan is recovering from open heart surgery which she had late last year. (Photo courtesy Jan Brown) Despite all the bicycling and walking, even at the end of eight weeks of heart PT was still tired more physically and lightheaded than personally would have thought of myself. As early as possible after the first six weeks, had been trying to get my mind around working with paperwork again to be ready for going back to work in January, by working on personal file cleaning that is something I normally do toward the end of each year but found I could not keep myself focused and couldn’t even find a piece of paper just set aside. It was getting scary. Did eventually figure out that the blood thinner they had me on, that I had at least four of the side effects including confusion and dizziness. Talked to the surgeon’s nurse about it. She called back and said that the surgeon said it was OK to stop which was late November. Still took well over a month to get my brain to work somewhat properly. This made me very happy as it would have majorly affected my work ability Even though luckily for myself, I would have only had to take that particular blood thinner for three months because of not needing stents or bypass work. Important to remember: Something to watch out for are side effects that take time to start showing up. Didn’t notice the
problem of the side effects early on as wasn’t up out of the chair all that much or working on normal daily things like paying bills etc. Figured it was just after open heart surgery normal recovery. One last medical note. Be sure to inform your dentist that you have had heart surgery, whether it’s the TAVR or open heart as you will now need to take amoxicillin or something like that whenever you see the dentist even for exams and cleanings. All known upcoming dental work should be done before heart surgery as well and that will be in your pre-surgery information. In the early part of January 2024, I had a new baseline after surgery ECG and it showed heart was strong and valve working properly. Still have a follow-up cardiologist appointment in February, but that’s just normal procedure. Just shortly after surgery and getting home, you will receive a card to carry around with you stating date of surgery and type and the ID number of the valve place inside your heart. This is important to keep on you in case of being in an accident. So it’s best if you want a long life to remember your heart is what keeps you going, and see your doctor every year.
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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, January 31, 2024 | Ferndale Record
Northwest Gastroenterology & Endoscopy Providing comprehensive digestive healthcare. Visit our state-of-the-art facility in Barkley Village at 3111 Woburn Street.
WHAT DO WE DO AT NW GASTRO/ENDO? At Northwest Gastroenterology and Endoscopy, we promote digestive health and ensure the well-being of our community. We offer expert care for prevention and management of diseases of the digestive tract. Some of the most common issues we treat are: · Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): IBS is a common condition with a wide range of presenting symptoms. We can modify factors influencing IBS, such as diet and the gut-brain axis. Biofeedback and medicines can be used for treatment. · Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease(GERD): Reflux occurs naturally in small amounts. When it occurs too frequently, patients can develop complications such as inflammation or pre-cancerous changes in the esophagus. We can perform diagnostic tests and offer treatments to control this. · Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Conditions such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis have become more common over the past few decades. We have expertise in diagnosis and management of these conditions. · Cirrhosis and Liver Disease: Liver disease can be related to infections, autoimmune processes, metabolic disease and more. Management is a combination of addressing these causes and preventing future complications. · Colon cancer prevention
The Vital Role of Colonoscopy in Colorectal Cancer Screening When detected early, colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable and treatable cancers. The cornerstone of early detection is colonoscopy. · What is a Colonoscopy? A colonoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure in which a
gastroenterologist uses a flexible tube with a tiny camera to examine the entire colon. This comprehensive examination allows for the detection and removal of polyps, which are precancerous growths that can lead to colorectal cancer. · When Should You Get a Colonoscopy? Colorectal cancer screening guidelines recommend that individuals at average risk should begin colonoscopy screenings at the age of 45. Earlier screening is suggested if there are risk factors. Your gastroenterologist will help determine the appropriate timing for your screenings. · What is the Screening Process like? The procedure itself typically takes around 30 minutes and is performed on an outpatient basis. You will be sedated to ensure your comfort throughout the process.
PHYSICIANS Jash Bansal, MD Alison Freeman, MD Donald Gullickson, MD Kelly McCullough, MD Gregory Munson, MD
· What are the Benefts of a Colonoscopy? A colonoscopy is not only a powerful screening tool but also a preventive one. If polyps are discovered during the procedure, they can be removed on the spot, significantly reducing the risk of colorectal cancer.
Kristina Ross, MD
Why Choose NW Gastro/Endo?
ADVANCED PRACTITIONERS
Northwest Gastroenterology was founded in 1979 and is the largest gastroenterology group in Whatcom County, with 10 physicians and 5 advanced practitioners (ARNP, PA-C). We offer in-person clinic visits, telehealth appointments, and a physician managed infusion suite and endoscopy center, all located at our new facility in Barkley Village. We also maintain privileges at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center. To ensure the highest quality care, we have incorporated artificial intelligence algorithms for polyp detection, and we participate in the GIQuiC national registry, a program dedicated to continuous improvement in GI health care performance. Our staff of over 100 people are fully dedicated to ensuring your digestive health.
Benjamin Siemanowski, MD Dylan Stanfield, MD Rinad Tabbalat, MD Todd Witte, MD
Jody Bauer, ARNP Megan Britson, PA-C Kristin Page, ARNP Elizabeth Waltman, PA-C Darla Woolman, PA-C
Northwest Gastroenterology & Endoscopy New address: 3111 Woburn St., Bellingham 360.734.1420, nwgastroendo.com
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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, January 31, 2024 | Ferndale Record
Expert care in your hometown I love the ability to treat patients with high-quality care close to home. Andrea Arnett, MD Radiation Oncologist PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center
peacehealth.org/expert-care
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