DENTON COUNTY JULY/AUGUST 2019
Back and neck pain happen for a number of reasons. Muscular weakness, herniated discs, damaged vertebrae or more severe spinal conditions can all make pain severe and debilitating.
At Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Flower Mound, our dedicated team of spinal physicians, therapists and practitioners are skilled at treating back and neck pain and spinal disorders.
Advanced technology and minimally invasive techniques are used to e ciently and e ectively treat conditions, address pain and get you back to doing what you love.
For more information or to schedule a consultation, please call 469-929-9497 or visit the Program’s website at https://www.texashealthflowermound.com/back-neck-and-spine-center/
Dr. Charles Toulson is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, fellowship trained in adult reconstruction. Dr. Toulson earned his medical degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has extensive experience that began with his training at Johns Hopkins Hospital, the highest ranked hospital in the United States. He then completed his sub-specialty training at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, which has the top orthopedic program in the country. Dr. Toulson has been voted among D Magazine’s Best Doctors, Living Magazine’s Best of McKinney/Allen, and he was featured on CBS 11 News!
Dr. Toulson is a pioneer in direct anterior hip replacement surgery. Using only a three-to-four-inch incision, anterior hip replacement surgery allows for a faster recovery, less pain, and alleviates the need for postoperative hip range of motion restrictions. As a result of its muscle-sparing approach, it is most attractive to patients. This minimally invasive technique is so effective that patients are often walking the same or next day without a walker, cane, or crutches.
Dr. Toulson is considered a leader in the Dallas/Fort Worth area in Robotic-Assisted hip and knee replacement and has performed more robotic joint replacements than any other surgeon in the area. He was the first surgeon in the area to perform a direct anterior hip replacement with robotic assistance. Most recently, Dr. Toulson completed the first ever, total knee replacement for both of a patient’s knees bilaterally (simultaneously) using the MAKO™ Robotic-Arm Assisted Technology.
Dr. Toulson’s education and training are only outmatched by his warm smile and kind-hearted nature.
972.992.1072
LIVING WELL Magazine welcomes summer with the goal of pain free living. This is why we’re so excited to introduce you to The Pain Relief Center. Located in Plano, Texas, their facility is designed with one objective in mind: to give each patient the ultimate experience in sameday procedures with an unrivaled quality of care.
The team at The Pain Relief Center is dedicated to offering cutting-edge treatments and moving beyond traditional pain management regimens that fail to free you from your pain. Their targeted, precise, noninvasive, and holistic procedures and treatments treat a number of conditions including back pain, lower back pain, leg & arm pain, muscle pain, joint pain, spinal pain, arthritis, degenerative disc/joint disease, migraines, and more. So, if you’re in discomfort during what’s supposed to be a carefree season, look no further than The Pain Relief Center. Check out their feature and learn more about this innovative medical practice inside this issue.
Our cover celebrity is no stranger to pain, albeit one of an entirely different sort. Brad Pitt might be the all-American success story, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t personally experienced suffering. In Pitt’s case, it comes in the form of an unrelenting tabloid media that hounds the actor and chronicles his every misstep. “And of course it’s not done with any kind of delicacy or insight––it’s done to sell. And so you know the most sensational sells, and that’s what they’ll (Pitt’s children) be subjected to, and that pains me,” says the actor. Read more about how the 55-year-old Hollywood legend is grappling with life post Angelina Jolie and find out what drives him to continue making movies in our cover story on this acting icon.
With that in mind, turn the pages to find a wealth of information to live a better life and eliminate not only pain but also a myriad of other health and financial issues that plague many adults.
Sincerely,
Sam & Spring Houston
PRESIDENT & CEO
Sam Houston
VICE PRESIDENT & CFO
Spring Houston
FEATURE WRITER, COPY EDITOR & SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR
Sondra Barr
ART DIRECTOR, LAYOUT, PRODUCTION & WEBSITE DESIGN
Lewis Schucart
ADMINISTRATION & ACCOUNTS MANAGEMENT
Jennifer Beavers
ADVERTISING/SALES
Texas | Denton County, Dallas County, Collin County
Texas & Oklahoma | Texoma
WRITE TO US. Tell us who you would like to see featured on the cover, or what subjects you would like covered in upcoming editions of LIVING WELL Magazine at spring@livingwellmag.com
SUBSCRIPTIONS/CUSTOMER INQUIRIES
Houstons of Dallas Publishing, Inc. 102 E. Broadway, #901 Prosper, TX 75078
www.LivingWellmag.com
Phone: 214-507-1000 Fax: 855-248-2132
LIVING WELL Magazine is a source for quality educational articles on living a healthy, vibrant life. Our focus is on connecting our readers with the latest information on a host of topics relevant to their evolving life. From cutting edge medical news and procedures to top-tier financial, legal and lifestyle information. Connecting readers to leading medical and business professionals in their community in Texas and Oklahoma.
‘LIKE US' FACEBOOK.COM/LIVINGWELLMAG
'FOLLOW US' @LIVINGWELLMAGS
All advertisements in this Magazine are placed by third parties. We do not control or endorse either the advertisements or their content. Further, we do not manufacture, sell, distribute or provide any of the goods or services advertised herein. We hereby expressly disclaim any liability with respect to the information or goods and services contained herein. We further disclaim any and all warranties or representations, express or implied, with respect to such information, goods or services, including any warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose (it being understood that we do not acknowledge that any such warranty exists). We are not liable or responsible for any loss, injury, damage, or harm that you may suffer as a result of the information contained in any advertisement or goods or services contained herein. “We” refers to the name of this Magazine, and all versions of Living Well Magazine, Senior Magazine, as well as Houstons of Dallas Publishing, Inc.
Owner Damien Dauphinée, DPM, FACFAS, FAENS,FACCWS, CWS-P
Owner
Lesley RicheySmith, DPM, FACFAS
Co-Founder and Owner
Katina Butler
LOOKING FOR THE CURE IN YOUR PEDI?
VISIT THE NAIL TREATMENT CENTER FOR THE HIGHEST STANDARDS IN SPA CARE.
Founded by board certified podiatrists in 2014, The Nail Treatment Center has served podiatry patients and the Greater Denton community by holding to 3 core values: EXPERTISE
To be our clients’ best possible resource for foot and nail care products and services.
To provide a luxurious experience, marked by relaxation and quality service.
To offer the peace-of-mind that comes from high medical standards for safety & cleanliness.
We are a full-service nail spa with a comprehensive menu to meet your needs. Our pedicures range from basic to specialty custom focus on fungus/ dermatitis, calluses, severe dryness, and other issues. We also offer manicures, diabetic nail trimmings, nail art, locally made organic products, safer alternatives for stronger or acrylic nails (Gel, KeryFlex, NexGen, SNS), and much more.
MON-THURS 8AM-5PM FRI 8AM-2PM SAT Call Office for Hours
3319 UNICORN LAKE BLVD, STE 111 DENTON, TX | 940-300-3054
CompleteFootAndAnkleCare.com nailspa@CompleteFootAndAnkleCare.com
Some experiences are even better when shared! Double book your appointment for “we time” with a friend, child or special someone for well-deserved pampering, complete with a featured complimentary service. We accommodate appointment requests outside of normal business hours based on availability. Call us for more information.
Follow us:
Dr. Stephen Courtney is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon and the founder of the Advanced Spine Center in Plano, TX. Dr. Courtney has been practicing medicine and providing exceptional patient care in Plano since 1995 and has worked tirelessly to develop superior operative techniques to treat neck and back disorders.
Dr. Courtney is a respected orthopedic spine surgeon who focuses on disorders of the neck and back. His work ethic, outstanding outcomes, and personable approach to patient care have earned him a reputation as one of the best spine surgeons in Texas. He has expanded his reach and has improved the quality of life for patients across the country. Dr. Courtney has developed 9 product lines, and has obtained 9 patents and 14 trademarks on its spine related products. He has been honored with numerous awards and recognitions.
Dr. Courtney is dedicated to educating not just himself and his colleagues but his patients as well. He is known for his straight-forward, honest approach which puts his patients at ease, trusting him to perform highly technical operations that will help them restore their quality of life. He knows the single most important person in the treatment process is the patient.
When Dr. Courtney is not with his patients you can find him enjoying time with his wife and five children, hitting the trails on his mountain bike, or perfecting his Cajun cooking.
Brad Pitt is older, wiser, and better than ever.By Sondra Barr
Brad Pitt always knew he was going somewhere. Growing up, it wasn’t clear where he was headed from his hometown of Springfield, Missouri, but he knew it was beyond. Beyond what, a youthful Pitt knew not what, but it was an “itch” he felt then that the celebrated actor and director says still guides him today at age 55.
His is a Hollywood success story few get to experience. Less than two credits shy of a journalism degree, Pitt up and left the University of Missouri in his final semester and headed west in his Datsun for sunny California. According to a 2017 Esquire article, Pitt had never been as far west as Colorado. He shouted as he crossed the Colorado state line and then at every state line thereafter, until he ended up in Los Angeles—“me and my big old mullet.”
“I just knew there were a lot more points of view out there. I wanted to see them. I wanted to hear them. I always liked film as a teaching tool—a way of getting exposed to ideas that had never been presented to me. It just wasn’t on the list of career options where I grew up. Then it occurred to me, literally two weeks before graduation; if the opportunity isn’t here, I’ll go to it. So simple. But it had never occurred to me. I’ll just go to it,” Pitt explained in a 2013 interview.
For a few months after arriving in Los Angeles, Pitt supported himself by “driving strippers in limos, moving refrigerators, and dressing as a giant chicken while working for a fast food chain.” But, unlike the masses that flock to that city and toil away for years in the hopes of fame, fortune found Pitt easily. While accompanying a friend to an audition with an agent, in a made for television twist, the agent signed Pitt on the spot. In less than 12 months after arriving in Hollywood, Pitt was appearing in episodes of Dallas and Growing Pains.
“When I left Missouri, I wasn’t ready to call it quits as far as getting out into the world,” Pitt told Parade about his life. “It wasn’t leaving something behind, it was heading for something that was nascent and ill-defined. I did not know what it would be when I got to L.A., and to me not knowing that has always been the most exciting thing about making a trip.”
What a trip it’s been. According to Biography, it was a well-timed bit part in a controversial film that propelled Pitt to instant stardom. Despite only a few minutes of screen time, Pitt’s turn as a sugar-tongued hitchhiker in the 1991 film Thelma and Louise perfectly showcased his unique brand of charisma, good looks, and soulful sensuality. The role as a charming criminal instantly made Pitt a sex symbol and paved the way for meatier, more multi-dimensional roles.
Continued, page 10
Continued from page 8
Pitt went on to star in a steady stream of well-received films including A River Runs Through It, Interview with the Vampire, Legends of the Fall, Seven, and Twelve Monkeys, Fight Club, Snatch, and Ocean’s Eleven, which he followed up with the big-budget period drama Troy
However, it was the stylish spy-versus-spy flick that changed Pitt’s trajectory and indelibly altered his image as Hollywood’s golden boy. While in a high profile marriage to Friends star Jennifer Aniston, sparks flew between Pitt and co-star Angelina Jolie on the set of Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005). After five years of marriage, he unceremoniously left Aniston for Jolie in a move that has fueled tabloid stories to this day.
Perhaps a testament to his charming nature, Aniston revealed the following during an interview with Vanity Fair about the amicable split: “I still feel so lucky to have experienced it. I wouldn’t know what I know now if I hadn’t been married to Brad. I love Brad; I really love him. I will love him for the rest of my life. He’s a fantastic man. I don’t regret any of it, and I’m not going to beat myself up about it…we helped each other through a lot, and I really value that. It was a beautiful, complicated relationship.”
The heated romance between Pitt and Jolie smoldered for 12 years, though the pair were only married for two. The press mercilessly chronicled the fiery union; paparazzi followed the duo and their brood of six children from continent to continent in hopes of uncovering marital discord.
According to multiple media sources, the tipping point in the marriage occurred after a highly documented incident on a private plane. TMZ reported that Pitt allegedly argued with Jolie and their son, Maddox, got in the middle. Rumors swirled that the argument was fueled by an inebriated Pitt and although he was later cleared of any wrongdoing or abuse allegations in a Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services investigation, the incident still dogs Pitt.
“As far as out there, I hope my intentions and work will speak for themselves. But, yes, at the same time, it is a drag to have certain things drug out in public and misconstrued,” explained Pitt to GQ correspondent Michael Paterniti. “I worry about it more for
This Fall, Pitts stars in Ad Astra as an astronaut who travels to the outer edges of the solar system to find his missing father and unraveling a mystery that threatens the planet.
my kids, being subjected to it, and their friends getting ideas from it. And of course it’s not done with any kind of delicacy or insight—it’s done to sell. And so you know the most sensational sells, and that’s what they’ll be subjected to, and that pains me.”
Pitt and Leonardo
Chronicled ad nauseam, the demise of the Pitt/Jolie marriage has dominated the covers of magazines since 2016 and overshadowed Pitt’s fine work in films and beyond. According to Esquire, while he hesitates to identify himself as an actor, “because he considers himself primarily an artist, a doer, a maker, a craftsman, a man who felt the first thrill of artifice not onstage but in high school shop class, drawing up plans,” he’s drawn to stories with a different point of view.
“Films were a portal into different worlds for me, cultures I had never seen before and was absolutely taken with. I was also taken with the power of films to define things for me that I’d not been able to define for myself, So I became an actor,” he told Parade
Evident in the projects he takes on, Pitt isn’t afraid to take on challenges post Jolie. Indeed, his next film is one tailor fit to Pitt’s aesthetic. Slated for a July 26 release, Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood, is being hailed as Pitt’s finest in years. From the mind of Quentin Tarantino, the film follows a group of Hollywood types living in Los Angeles in 1969, the year the Manson family went on a murder
spree. Pitt plays Cliff Booth, a stuntman whose glory days are numbered, while Leonardo DiCaprio plays his pal Rick Dalton, a struggling television actor who happens to live next to murder victims Sharon Tate and Roman Polanski.
“Quentin Tarantino is the last purveyor of cool. If you land in one of his films, you know you’re in great hands,” said Pitt, who previously worked with Tarantino on the movie Inglourious Basterds. The highly anticipated movie is the first time Brad Pitt has shared the screen with DiCaprio. “And doing this with Leo was really cool and a rare opportunity.”
As Pitt is wont to do, he switches gear this fall with the sci-fi drama Ad Astra, where he plays astronaut Roy McBride, who’s compelled to explore the unknown edges of space. It’s a compulsion to explore that drives Pitt in his everyday life; it’s the same “itch” that made him pack up and leave Missouri.
“Seeing the world is the best education you can get. You see sorrow, and you also see great spirit and will to survive. But you have to go off the beaten path of St. Bart’s Island, Rome, Paris, wander off the path and go beyond that,” according to Pitt. “It is where you meet people and hear personal stories. It is a huge eye-opener.”
Rakesh Gupta, MD
Obstetrician-Gynecologist
Rick Gupta, MD and his nurse Kerri Miner, RN have been providing OB/GYN care in the Lewisville/Flower Mound area since 1994. Together they have enjoyed caring for their many patients over the last 25 years. Their commitment to providing care as a team o ers their patients a uniquely individualized experience.
Dr. Gupta has been practicing medicine in North Texas since 1990. A near life-long resident of Dallas, Dr. Gupta graduated Summa Cum Laude from Southern Methodist University in 1979. He attended medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and in 1982 graduated as the youngest American medical school graduate at the age of 22. During his residency at UTMB Galveston, he was 1987 Resident of the Year.
Outside of his medical practice, Dr. Gupta enjoys gol ng and spending time with his wife of 31 years and his three children. He married his college sweetheart, Kelly, and together they have raised three bright and successful children. His daughter Katie, 29, is a stock broker for Merrill Lynch in Manhattan. His son Alex, 28, is a resident in general surgery at UC San Francisco. His son Ryan, 23, has completed his masters in Mechanical Engineering at SMU and is working on his PhD.
BRADLEY AXLINE, M.D.
WELLNESS FOR WOMEN & MEN
2560 Central Park Avenue, Suite 340 Flower Mound, Texas 75028
972-538-2100
www.draxline.com
If cataract surgery has been recommended for your eyes, you are not alone. Truth is, we will all develop cataracts, reducing our quality of vision, as we age. Gratefully, cataract surgery procedures have become more advanced and is safe, painless and effective.
If you are thinking about having cataract surgery, you most likely have a lot of questions regarding when you should have it done, what you can expect, and how to prepare for surgery. Read on to see some helpful tips from Dr. Faber at Key-Whitman.
The complaint we hear most from cataract patients is difficulties with their night vision. They begin to experience a lot of glare, halos and starburst symptoms, especially when driving. We also hear complaints of a haze or fog obstructing their vision and they’ll notice their vision gets blurrier over time.
Before your procedure, our patients undergo a preoperative exam to ensure they’re physically healthy enough to have cataract surgery. During this exam, we’ll also determine the level of correction needed and review the types of intraocular lens options available to you such as monovision, accommodative, multifocal, astigmatic correction, etc.
Key-Whitman also has counselors who will walk our patients through the process, review insurance coverage and make sure the lens option the patient selects best meets their goals. If there is an eye drop protocol associate with their surgery, the counselor will also go through the drop
sequence involved antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories—well in advance of the procedure.
Be sure to have a friend or family member to accompany you to surgery, as you won’t be allowed to drive yourself home due to the twilight sedation.
When your cataracts have worsened to the point where they prevent you from performing day-to-day tasks and interfere with your quality of life, it is time to consider cataract surgery.
Cataracts worsen gradually, and we start to make a lot of accommodations for our vision as we get older. Essentially, we assume how well we see is normal. But if it gets to the point where you’re afraid to drive at night, can’t see well enough to safely take your medication or do household chores, and feel a loss of independence due to failing vision, cataract surgery can allow you to enjoy life again.
In the past, cataract surgery was quite invasive, there were fewer lens options, and healing took much longer. This isn’t the case today. The biggest misconceptions people have is that the procedure is painful and complicated. That couldn’t be farther from the truth today.
Following your surgery, your surgeon will review the procedure with you and answer any questions you may have at that time. Typically, patients leave with a protective eye
patch, which will be removed at their follow-up visit the next day. Subsequent follow-up examinations will be scheduled approximately every two weeks until the eye is healed.
Healing post-surgery is also easier for most cataract patients today. “Key-Whitman uses the most advanced technology available in the market, so healing occurs more quickly and with fewer complications. Even better, once the eyes have healed and adjusted, most patients are surprised by the improvement in their vision. They can see clearly again and notice how colors are much more vibrant than what they could see with cataracts. Depending on the type of intraocular lenses patients choose, many become less dependent on glasses,” Dr. Faber says.
You should also be aware that the surgeon won’t operate on both eyes during the same visit. Surgeries are typically scheduled one to six weeks apart, with three weeks being the average time. This allows plenty of time for the first eye to heal and the patient to realize the full extent of correction in that eyes.
serve
Dear Katherine,
My mother is 85 years old and suffers from Alzheimer’s. She lives in an assisted living facility. Her doctor says it may be time to start considering hospice. How do we know when it’s time? She doesn’t seem to be “near the end” to me.
~When is it time?
Katherine is a leading voice in health care and senior services and the President and CEO of VNA Texas.
Dear Katherine,
Several of my friends and I are interested in volunteering our time. How can we get involved?
~Wants to Volunteer
Dear When is it time,
Alzheimer’s disease has such a slow, sometimes unpredictable decline, making it hard to determine how far in the disease process one is. It also makes the disease so difficult to cope with; some call it “the long goodbye”. It can be very taxing on families and difficult to grieve at the same time. Hospice and palliative physicians are experts in determining disease trajectory to see if the patient is nearing the last six months of life. There are many factors to consider in decline including weight loss, frequent infections, recent ER or hospital admissions, decline in level of independence (walking, dressing oneself, bathing, etc.) and speaking few words. These indicators signal someone is ready for hospice. If your mother’s physician indicates it may be time, or if you believe it might be time for hospice, you can request a consultation with the hospice team for evaluation.
~KatherineDear Wants to Volunteer,
At VNA there are many opportunities to give the invaluable gift of time and we are always looking for volunteers! We are always grateful for volunteers who deliver Meals on Wheels to seniors in Dallas County whether you deliver once or regularly. You can brighten the day of a senior neighbor on your lunch break—sign up at www.volunteer.vnatexas.org. Another great way to get involved is to help patients and caregivers in our hospice program. Volunteers may provide companionship and sit with patients giving family caregivers time to go to the store or an appointment. Volunteers also facilitate group activities in one location, such as a memory care unit. Depending on the need, the time frames for volunteering with hospice may vary and the help is always needed—especially for office assistance! Lastly, hospice offers many unique needs, so special skills are also welcome such as pet therapy, hair cutting—whatever your gift, we can use it at VNA!
~Katherine
VNA Hospice Care focuses on living life to its fullest and treating you with the dignity and respect you deserve. As a nonprofit, our bottom line is patient support and care provided by our highly qualified staff.
vnatexas.org
Following the diagnosis of a life-limiting illness, patients and their loved ones have many questions about the best course of action. VNA Care Choices provides supportive care services in the home while continuing treatment with your current physician.
To schedule your free in-home informational visit please call (214) 689-0000 or email gethelp@vnatexas.org For volunteer opportunities please call (214) 689-3222 or email volunteer@vnatexas.org
Aconfused customer comes into my pharmacy with a letter in hand.
This customer had been a loyal customer of Allen Pharmacy for many years and recently received a letter from her insurance company telling her that the pharmacy that had served her through a heart attack, her husband’s death, and many other trying times in her life was no longer an acceptable option. She was confused, hurt and a little angry.
I took the letter from her and gave it a read myself. Whoever had written the letter was well-versed in the English language and the art of influence because each word was chosen carefully to convey a singular message: “You need to use XYZ Pharmacy.”
This is not a new tactic to me.
Unfortunately, I see it all the time.
The insurance companies send phone calls and letters strongly encouraging their customers to go to a pharmacy that, conveniently, the insurance company owns. This keeps money in insurance companies’ pockets and usually means the customer receives sub-par service and care.
So, the question becomes, can your insurance make you go to a certain pharmacy?
The short answer is a resounding “NO!” Your insurance cannot make you go to a certain pharmacy. They may provide incentive for you to go there by offering slightly lower copay, but typically there is a minimal difference between the copay at the pharmacy your insurance company wants you to go to and Allen Pharmacy or any other pharmacy.
Why choose one pharmacy over another? Does it really matter? You bet it does.
A study from Consumer Reports showed that customer satisfaction at independent pharmacies like Allen Pharmacy was up to three times higher than that of the big box pharmacy.
Also, choosing the right pharmacy can impact your health. Here are five reasons your choice in pharmacy can impact your health.
• We focus on your health first.
• We work on your behalf; not for insurance companies.
• We help you feel confident about your prescriptions.
• We assure the best medications for your needs, not for the insurance company.
• We connect with prescribers and assure the best insurance-covered products for you.
Often, insurance companies will push customers to use
Allen Pharmacy is your full-service neighborhood pharmacy. We’re a family owned and operated independent pharmacy based out of Denton, TX. Our mission is to provide the best pharmacy experience possible. At Allen Pharmacy, our staff understands the value of relationships and getting to know you and your needs. Come in and see!
products that are cheapest for the insurance company and “adequate” from a therapy standpoint. But this is your health we’re dealing with and “adequate” does not seem good enough to us. We want to make sure that you have the medication that is best suited to your needs and we work with your provider and with the insurance company to ensure that you get the best drug for the best price.
Ultimately, it comes down to putting our customers ahead of all else, ensuring that their health is put first and that we don’t let an insurance company get in the way of you achieving your best health outcomes.
This is just another way that Allen Pharmacy is Pharmacy, Done Better.
At Allen Pharmacy, you will find a caring and loving staff that knows you by name. Our staff understands the value of relationships and getting to know you and your needs. Come see us!
Dr. Chambers is an orthopaedic surgeon at Dallas Orthopaedic Joint Institute who specializes in joint replacement surgery. He received extensive training in joint replacement surgery during his fellowship at Harvard Medical School / Massachusetts General Hospital, which was voted as the top hospital in the United States. Dr. Chambers has implemented the techniques learned at Harvard Medical School into his own practice and offers minimally invasive total hip / knee replacement, partial knee replacement, revision surgery for malfunctioning, loose, and infected joint replacements, arthroscopic surgery of the hip and knee, and revision of failed and recalled metal-on-metal total hip replacement implants. Dr. Chambers focuses special attention on surgical techniques for rapid recovery after total joint replacement which allow his patients a more predictable and earlier return to home and an active lifestyle.
Dr. Chambers is pleased to offer the MAKOplasty Robotic-Arm Assisted partial/total knee and hip replacement. The MAKOplasty procedure is changing the way joint replacement surgeries are performed by providing each patient with a personalized surgical experience based on their specific diagnosis and unique anatomy using a CT-based 3D modeling. The robotic arm technology allows for extremely precise placement of hip/knee components with potentially less soft tissue injury than traditional joint replacement.
Dr. Chambers is a Texas native and grew up in Houston, Texas. He attended medical school at The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, and completed residency at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas. He then completed a fellowship in joint replacement surgery at Harvard Medical School. In his free time, Dr. Chambers enjoys traveling with his wife, Christine, and spending time with friends and family. He is an avid sailor and enjoys participating in sailing races on the local lakes in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
Dr. Chambers practices at Methodist Dallas, Charlton, and Richardson Hospitals. To schedule an appointment please call 214-947-3248.
221 W. Colorado Blvd., Pav II, Suite 431
Dallas, Texas 75208 METHODIST CHARLTON
3430 W. Wheatland Rd., POB 1, Suite 216
Dallas, Texas 75237
Dr. Litke is a passionate artist, both in her spare time and as an orthopaedic surgeon. At L&W Orthopaedics, she approaches every orthopaedic problem with an eye toward restoration of function and mobility. With a deep knowledge of the inner workings of the body’s most active and important joints, Dr. Litke is able to repair most hip, knee, and shoulder problems, giving her patients the freedom to move again. Assisting her skilled hands, she uses the latest state-of-the-art robotic equipment for accuracy and precision, delivering a powerful combination of experience and technology to all of her patients.
Dr. Litke earned her medical degree at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. She went on to complete her orthopaedic residency at the University of South Carolina in Columbia South Carolina. She is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, and is a Fellow of American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery and a Fellow of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons. Dr. Litke is affiliated with the Methodist Richardson Medical Center, where she is the director of the joint program. When she’s not working, Dr. Litke enjoys photography and ceramics.
Please call 972.498.4791 to schedule an appointment.
www.LWOrthopaedics.com
Put on your bathing suit, grab a pool noodle, and get ready to dance it out! Aquatic therapy has many proven health benefits for seniors. Best of all, you can have fun while getting your exercise in. Whether you’re recovering from an injury or you’re looking to maintain your fitness level, there’s a water workout that can help you meet your goals.
As we age, staying active can be difficult for many reasons. We all know that regular exercise can help us stay healthy, but sometimes underlying medical conditions can make typical cardio and strength workouts very difficult. That’s why aquatic therapy is so important for seniors–– especially those with arthritis. Being in the water not only creates a natural resistance to help improve balance and strength, the natural buoyancy you’ll have in the water significantly reduces the amount of stress on your body.
If you’re looking for a great rehabilitation program, seeking treatment for an injury, or simply looking to get in a good workout, talk to your doctor to see if aquatic therapy is right for you and learn more about the benefits below.
Courtesy Preston Place
While most forms of exercise are good for your health, working out in the water is beneficial. It’s known to get your heart rate up and help with fat burn, as you’re fighting against the current of the water. To top it off, aquatic therapy is most often done in a social setting with friends. Not only are you getting endorphins through exercise, you’ll be able to reap the benefits of socialization and laughter, which can improve mental health and fight depression and anxiety.
It’s called pounding the pavement for a reason. When you’re outside taking a walk, as relaxing as it might be, your joints are undergoing a lot of stress. However, when you’re in the pool, the water provides a low-impact, lower weight-bearing form of exercise thanks to the natural buoyancy the water provides. For those with arthritis, aquatic therapy allows you to stay active and provides relief from pain.
Building strength and balance is especially important for seniors as it lowers the risk of falls. Participating in regular forms of exercise, like water aerobics, works to build up the necessary strength to maintain good posture and balance. Unlike a land workout, water makes the muscles work harder by providing a natural resistance. Since falls are a leading cause of injury among older adults, building up your strength to improve your balance can greatly lower your risk.
For those with chronic pain, being in the pool can significantly help. Again, thanks to the natural resistance of the water and the buoyancy your body has when submerged, you’ll be able to move around more freely to stretch and strengthen the areas you feel pain. While aquatic therapy is different for everyone, being in the water helps many manage their symptoms and provides temporary relief.
Through different forms of aquatic therapy, working out doesn’t have to feel like a chore! Most classes are tailored to the interests and abilities of the participants so you can feel safe and comfortable getting in the water and giving it your all.
*Always consult your physician before beginning any new exercise program.
If you’re interested in trying out a water aerobics class, Preston Place Retirement offers classes to seniors every Tuesday and Thursday morning. Call 972-931-1123 to see how you and a friend can join us!
BOARD-CERTIFIED ANESTHESIOLOGISTS
ACUTE & CHRONIC PAIN RELIEF AND PAIN MANAGEMENT
You are in pain; you need answers and you want them now. The Pain Relief Center’s state-of-theart facility in Plano, TX provides custom pain relief treatments and same-day procedures to give each patient the ultimate experience. We know not all chronic pain is the same. We are all individuals with our own medical histories, experiences and life stories.
Our pain relief doctors, Dr. Rodriguez and Dr. Chen, along with our highly qualified staff, can provide the individualized treatment and pain management you seek for conditions that affect your quality of life. We are devoted to offering cutting-edge treatments and moving beyond traditional pain management regimens that fail to free you from your pain. All procedures are minimally invasive and most patients are able to return to work the next day.
The Pain Relief Center’s advanced diagnostic technologies have the capabilities you need to regain control of your pain by using various treatments, therapies & out-patient procedures for a number of conditions. We accomplish this by having five specialized institutes designed to meet any and all of a patient’s needs. It’s through these five specialized institutes, Dr. Rodriguez and Dr. Chen provide targeted, precise, noninvasive & holistic treatments for a number of conditions such as back pain, lower back pain, leg & arm pain, muscle pain, joint pain, spinal pain, arthritis, degenerative disc/joint disease, neurological disorders, migraines and more.
Dr. Rodriguez, Dallas pain relief and pain management doctor, works to diagnose your condition and provide an answer to the question “when will I be free of my pain?” with custom-tailored pain relief treatment plans that fit your exact needs. Our patients’ feedback comes first–not automatic assumptions–and pain procedures are customized for your specific experiences of pain. If your body does not respond effectively to the initial pain relief treatment, Dr.
Rodriguez and Dr. Chen seek additional ways to help you move beyond chronic back pain, neck pain, joint pain, neuropathy and/or migraines. The compassionate and experienced team behind The Dallas Pain Relief Center will conduct scheduled pain management reassessments after your treatment to ensure your pain is kept under control. We offer a flexible schedule to accommodate your lifestyle; not only during business hours but also through an after-hours service should you need urgent attention from the pain relief doctor.
If you suffer from back pain, muscle pain, joint pain, spinal pain, arthritis, or any other painful conditions, view our treatment options to see how we can help!
Minimally Invasive Procedures
Targeted, Precise, Noninvasive & Holistic same-day procedures and treatments for back pain, lower back pain, neck, muscle, joint, & spinal pain, arthritis, degenerative disc disease, migraines.
Therapy & Wellness
Stem Cell Therapy, Vitamin Infusion Therapy, Oxygen Therapy, PRP Therapy, Regenerative Therapy, HRT, hGH, Botox Therapy, Weight Loss/Fitness Regimens.
Migraine Treatment
Comprehensive & highly individualized diagnosis/treatment plans for debilitating headaches and migraines. Natural Treatments, Combination Analgesics, Therapy.
Alternative Medicine
Acupuncture, Massage Therapy, Adjustments, Biofeedback
Allergy Testing
On-site Allergy Diagnosis & Treatment. Testing is safe for all patients as we do not test for anything that could cause anaphylactic shocks like shellfish or peanuts.
Continued next page
Dr. Gabriel Rodriguez is a board-certified anesthesiologist and fellowship-trained interventional pain physician in the Dallas and Plano area who is dedicated to the eradication of pain and the founder of The Pain Relief Center in Plano, TX.
Dr. Rodriguez received his medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, Texas. Following this, he completed his anesthesia residency at the prestigious Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL (ranked among the very best pain management programs in the country by U.S. News & World Report) and continued his training in the pain relief fellowship. He is now a Diplomat of the American Board of Pain Medicine, as well as a Diplomat of the American Board of Anesthesiology.
Dr. Rodriguez approaches pain management from an individualized perspective and diligently prepares a comprehensive pain treatment plan tailored to each patient’s specific needs.
Dr. Flavio Calderon graduated as a general surgeon in La Paz, Bolivia. Throughout the years that followed, Dr. Calderon received intensive experience in different medical areas, such as prenatal care, postpartum and as an administrator of an orthopedic oncology practice. He then furthered his career by graduating last year with an Executive MBA in Health Care Management and was inducted in the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society. He is currently the Director of Business of Operations at the Pain Relief Center.
Debby Thomas PA-C is certified through the Texas Medical Board and is a Nationally Certified Physician Assistant specializing in Interventional Pain Management. She obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant Studies from Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, NY. She began her medical career in New York and moved to Dallas, TX 9 years ago where she began working in Spine Surgery and Interventional Pain Management. She also has extensive experience in Orthopedic Surgery, Family Practice, Emergency Medicine, Urgent Care Medicine, and Women’s Health. Debby has built long-term relationships with her patients and facilitates to improve their pain with interventional treatments. Debby is compassionate, detail oriented, and provides individualized care to her patients. Her goal is to assist patients in achieving and maintaining pain control in an attempt to increase their quality of life.
Michelle Ulanowski, CRNA is Director of Anesthesia for The Pain Relief Center.
Michelle is a board-certified anesthesia provider with years of experience in her field. Her continued interest in furthering patient care has led to her implementation of specialized protocols that ensure optimal patient comfort.
Dr. Robert Chen is a board-certified anesthesiologist and pain management physician who joins us from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He has been in practice for over 19 years and focuses on the treatment of acute and chronic pain through interventional methods. Dr. Chen attended the Penn State University College of Medicine and completed his residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital in anesthesiology and critical care in Baltimore. He then completed a pain medicine fellowship at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He has worked with some of the most prominent leaders in the field of pain medicine.
Dr. Chen realizes that there are many competing entities such as government regulations, medical regulations, pharmacy limitations, insurance limitations as well as economic factors which may affect which treatment options are available to each patient. He hopes to be able to evaluate the options available to each individual patient and optimize their treatments. Dr. Chen believes in achieving a balance between the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of a patient’s health. By combining his experience with advanced pain management techniques and realistic treatment options, Dr. Chen hopes to achieve the best possible outcomes and significantly improve his patients’ quality of life. Dr. Chen loves to spend time with his family, travel, and photography.
My dad was, in one sense, a man of few words. His words were well chosen and spoken with a tone of confidence that literally dared you to challenge him. While everyone might not agree with him completely on a particular subject, it was hard to say that he was totally wrong because he whole-heartedly believed in his position.
When my dad died in 1995, as a family, we had no doubt what the appropriate things to do were in planning his funeral and burial. His professional demeanor and desire to be well-dressed led us to select his best dark colored suit, white shirt, and a bold tie. His love of God and care and concern for his friends and colleagues made it right and fitting to hold his funeral at his church. His planning in advance and selecting the exact spot near a beautiful, large magnolia tree in the local cemetery where he and my mother would ultimately be laid side by side eliminated the need for discussion regarding this final disposition.
lowed up the colorful balloons we all released with our personal notes of “Good-Bye” attached. In spite of how difficult and sad the that occasion was for me and my family, looking back, I now feel so happy and proud that because we knew our dad so well and understood his attitudes, creating a meaningful and appropriate tribute
always, be sure family members know where you stand on important issues.
As I sat in the pew, deep in my own grief, I could not have been more proud of my dad. The words spoken by the pastor, a man who knew my dad so well, recalled experiences they had shared and words of encouragement and guidance that my dad had offered during difficult times. The song sung by the vocalist reflected a life lived by serving others. Finally, after the prayer at the cemetery, the bright, blue, crisp December sky swal-
to his life came naturally. While writing this article, I have stopped on two occasions to take phone calls from people who are currently dealing with family members who are terminally ill and near death. Both families are just now beginning their search for information about funeral options and cost. Neither caller had discussed the subject with their family member who was ill, and unfortunately, “last minute” talks along that line can be extremely difficult and uncomfortable. So, as
As I close this issue’s article, I would like to offer a word of exceeding thanks to all of our military men and women who are courageously serving our country around the world. Additionally, I want to thank all of those who have previously served as well. Our funeral home is a proud member of the Veterans and Family Memorial Care Network. We are still privately owned and family operated, but as a member of this network we have agreed to offer certain benefits to qualifying veterans.
To learn more about the Veterans and Family Memorial Care, you can log on to www.VeteransFuneralHomes.com or call our funeral home and we can send you a brochure.
Rick Allen has been the owner of Allen Family Funeral Options for over 35 years and may be reached at 972-596-8200, or you may visit their website at www.AFFOplano.com.
• Onsite Diabetic Shoe Store with Dynamic Arc Balance Assessment to help pinpoint the speci c area(s) of functional balance lost.
• Onsite Nail Treatment Center with full spa services and open to the public.
• We have podiatric specialists that treat chronic pain and peripheral nerve problems that a ect the foot and ankle.
• MLS Laser Therapy for pain and in ammation and the Hyperion 1530 laser for treatment of fungal nails.
Achilles Tendon
Ankle Instability
Ankle Sprains
Foot and Ankle Injuries
Arthritic Foot & Ankle Care
Athletes Foot
Bunions
Calluses
Children’s Feet
Corns
Crush Injuries
Diabetic Foot Care
Flat Feet
Fungal Toenails
Geriatric Foot Care
Hammertoes
Heel Spurs
Ingrown Toenails
Injuries
Neuroma
Plantar Fasciitis
Warts
Wounds
Each year in the United States, pulmonary embolisms (PE) kill more people than AIDS, breast cancer and motor vehicle crashes combined. According to North Texas foot and an kle surgeon Damien M. Dauphinée, DPM, FACFAS, CWS-P, this little-known condition occurs when a blood clot in the leg travels to the lungs, blocking one or more arteries.
Most recently, news that tennis star Serena Williams suffered a PE after undergoing surgery is raising awareness about the condition, its risk factors, and how to prevent the potentially deadly condition from occurring. The blood clots that cause PE often originate in the deep veins of the leg, a condition called deep vein thrombosis or DVT.
Dr. Dauphinée explains that women are at the highest risk for blood clots and pulmonary embolism as well as men and women who are overweight, smokers, and those taking oral contraceptives. “Surgery is also one of the leading causes of blood clots in patients, which means those at highest risk need to be diligent in speaking to their surgeon about their elevated risks so preventive measures can be taken,” Dr. Dauphinée details.
Patients facing surgery should take note, though, that blood clots in the leg are relatively rare after foot and ankle surgery, Dr. Dauphinée says. In addition, the clots can be prevented with medication and exercise.
Depending on a patient’s risk factors, the surgeon may decide to prescribe an anti-clotting medication to prevent DVT. The most common medications are low-molecular weight heparins, which patients inject into their arm, leg, or stomach for about two to three weeks after surgery.
Patients with confirmed DVT, which is diagnosed with an ultrasound, may be put on warfarin (Coumadin) for six months to a year to prevent new clots from forming.
Courtesy Complete Foot and Ankle Care of North Texas
Patients also would be advised to get up and move around after surgery—even if they are wearing a cast or using crutches.
“The biggest recommendation you see in the airline magazines when you’re flying is to move your legs to prevent DVT, because people who sit on a long flight have a high incidence of DVT,” Dr. Dauphinée says. “Similarly, if you’re sitting after surgery and the blood is not moving in the calf and you’re not exercising, you could end up with a clot in your calf. Surgeons have learned over the years that getting people moving after surgery will reduce the risk of a clot causing a pulmonary embolism. We also often prescribe calf pumps called sequential compression devices or SCDs to help move the venous blood and prevent clots from forming.”
Symptoms of pulmonary embolisms vary and can mimic those of other conditions such as a heart attack. The most common signs include sudden, unexplained shortness of breath, chest pain, and a cough that produces blood-tinged mucus. “Other symptoms may include wheezing, leg swelling, excessive sweating, rapid heartbeat, and fainting,” adds Dr. Dauphinée. “Pulmonary embolisms can occur quickly, and prompt medical attention is vital for recovery, so patients need to seek care if they are suffering from any of the symptoms associated with the condition.”
For more information on taking care of your feet and ankles, visit the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons’ website, www.foothealthfacts.org.
For further information about ankle fractures and sprains or other foot and ankle problems, contact Dr. Dauphinée and Complete Foot and Ankle Care at 940-300-3054 or go to their website www.completefootandanklecare.com.
CTL Medical is a forward thinking medical device design, development and manufacturing company that creates exemplary surgical products and services specifially for spinal disorders. CTL Medical’s in-house Research and Development team works closely with surgeons to imagine and construct multifaceted implants and instruments that become works of art. Join us as we share our story and products like our
and
Losing a loved one is never easy. Many people describe the weeks and months following such loss as “a blur.” After notifying family members, and planning and carrying out the memorial service, comes the question of how to handle the loved one’s estate. Many times, the answer is probate. While the probate process has a reputation for being time-consuming and costly, in Texas, it is relatively quick and inexpensive.
Probate provides for an orderly transition of property ownership following a death. Probate is necessary when an individual who has died owned property that does not pass directly to another individual through beneficiary designations. Accounts with rights of survivorship or payableon-death beneficiaries, including life insurance policies, are examples of property that passes directly to a designated individual without the need for probate. Importantly, and despite common belief, title to real property listed in more than one name does not automatically pass to the survivor. Therefore, probate is often necessary to transfer title to the surviving spouse.
Any “interested person” may initiate the probate process. This includes anyone having a property right in, or claim against, the estate being administered. Texas has two types of formal probate procedures. Most probates are handled as independent administrations, meaning the executor or administrator does not have to post a bond or ask the court’s permission before settling the estate. By contrast, a dependent administration is a courtsupervised administration. If there is no Will, or if the Will does not provide for an independent administration, then the administration will be “dependent,”
unless the beneficiaries agree otherwise. Dependent administrations tend to be more expensive, since the administrator must seek court approval for every major decision. However, this added burden and expense may be preferable to protect the administrator if the estate has multiple creditors or feuding beneficiaries.
An “executor” is a personal representative who was named in a Will that has been admitted to probate, and who serves in the capacity stated in the Will. An “administrator” is anyone else who is appointed to handle the estate. The individual named in the Will has first priority to serve as executor. However, the judge may refuse to appoint an individual named in the Will if the judge finds that person to be unsuitable.
Once the judge is satisfied that the Will is valid and the person asking to be appointed executor is a suitable person to serve, the executor will be issued Letters Testamentary, which evidences the executor’s authority to gather assets and act on behalf of the estate. The executor must issue notice to creditors, notify beneficiaries, and gather the assets, which the executor must safeguard until the time comes to distribute to the beneficiaries. Collecting and protecting estate assets is the primary job of the executor, who should care for the property of the estate as a prudent man would care for his own property. Once the business of the estate has been concluded, assets
have been collected, and debts have been paid, the executor may distribute the property to the beneficiaries.
In addition to independent and dependent administrations, Texas law allows for another simple probate procedure known as a muniment of title. A muniment of title may be used when an individual died with a valid Will, there are no unpaid debts, except those secured by real property, and the individual was not receiving Medicaid benefits prior to death. This proceeding allows for the probate of a Will without the requirement of appointing an executor or administrator, notifying creditors, or filing an inventory, thus making the process easier and less expensive. A muniment of title is not a feasible option if the individual owned property outside the state of Texas or held non-probate assets, such as insurance or retirement accounts, that were payable to the estate, rather than an individual.
There are many factors and variables to consider when determining whether and what type of probate proceeding is appropriate for an estate. A Will remains a valid legal document for four years after death. After that time, if administration of an estate is necessary, it will be handled as if there was no Will. Therefore, if a loved one has died, it is important to contact an attorney who handles probate to discuss which of the various options is best suited to meet your circumstances.
Lori Leu, Erin Peirce, Lauren Olson, Laura Chavero, and Zachary Stubblefield are Elder Law Attorneys with Leu & Peirce, PLLC in the North Dallas area. They can be reached at 972-996-2540.
Sta ed by 3 Licensed, Doctors of Audiology
Hearing Aid Fittings, Maintenance and Repairs
Wireless/Connectivity Hearing Solutions
• Invisible Fittings/Open Fittings
Evaluation Period On All Hearing Aids
Hearing Evaluations For All Ages
Battery Purchase Programs
Custom Ear Protection
Assistive Devices
29 Years of Experience
“Hearing Services of Mckinney is my #1 place to go for my hearing loss needs. Caring and dedicated professionals with many years of experience working daily to meet your needs” . – Terry G. Box, Retired Collin County Sheri
Other times available by appointment
We think of the obvious effect of hearing loss with regard to communication difficulties. However, your hearing health contributes to your overall well-being and quality of life. Statistically, hearing loss is the third most prevalent chronic condition in older Americans after hypertension and arthritis. Aging also brings cognitive processing deficits that interfere with communication and can create distractions that lead to memory loss, falls and other accidents. Let’s examine these effects.
Memory and Hearing Loss:
Adults with hearing loss are more likely to develop problems thinking and remembering than adults with normal hearing. Also, adults with hearing loss develop a significant impairment in their cognitive abilities 3.2 years sooner than those with normal hearing. It’s believed that untreated, degraded hearing may force the brain to devote too much of its energy/resources to processing sound.
Dementia and Hearing Loss:
Seniors with hearing loss are significantly more likely to develop dementia over time than those who retain their hearing or treat their hearing loss. It appears that this effect increases as the amount of hearing loss increases.
Falling and Hearing Loss: People with mild hearing loss are three times more likely to have a history of falling. Each additional increase of hearing loss by 10 decibels increases the chance of falling by 1.4 times the original risk.
Mental Health and Hearing Loss:
Hearing loss results in social isolation. Adults with untreated hearing loss tend to withdraw from engaging with fam-
Elizabeth
ily and friends. They are also likely to report depression, anxiety, anger and frustration. The degree of depression or other emotional or mental health issues also increases with the severity of the hearing loss.
Tinnitus and Hearing Loss:
Tinnitus or “ringing in the ear” affects up to 50 million Americans. Ninety percent of people with tinnitus also have hearing loss. The most common causes of tinnitus are: noise exposure, aging, head injury and medication side effects.
Income and Hearing Loss:
Statistics show that people with untreated hearing loss lose up to $30,000 annually. Adults with hearing loss, who wear hearing aids, have a lower unemployment rate than those who don’t.
So, hearing loss can affect your life in many ways. You may miss out on talks with friends and family. Sometimes hearing problems can make you feel embarrassed, upset and lonely. It’s easy to withdraw when you can’t follow a conversation. It’s also easy for friends and family to think you are confused, uncaring or difficult when the problem may be that you just can’t hear well.
We often get asked in our office by friends and family, especially when fitting a new patient with hearing aids, how to best communicate with them. So, we thought we’d share some tips on how to communicate with a hearing impaired person:
1. Face the person and talk clearly (not while walking away from the person or while looking in cabinets, refrigerators, etc.).
2. Speak at a reasonable speed, often slowing down how you speak is more beneficial than raising your voice.
3. Do not hide your mouth (so much speech information comes from non-verbal cues and facial expressions) or talk while eating or chewing gum.
4. Stand in good lighting.
5. Reduce background noises.
6. Use facial expressions or gestures to give useful cues.
7. Repeat yourself if necessary, using different words.
8. Include the hearing-impaired person when talking. Talk with the person, not about the person when you are with others. This helps keep the person with hearing loss from feeling alone and excluded.
9. Be patient; stay positive and relaxed.
10. Ask how you can help!
Also important, here are some tips of what the hearing impaired person can do to improve their communication with hearing aids:
1. Let people know that you have difficulty hearing.
2. Ask people to face you and to speak slowly and clearly. Ask them to speak without shouting, which can just distort the speech signal.
3. Pay attention to what is being said and to facial expressions or gestures.
4. Let the person talking know if you do not understand.
5. Ask people to reword a sentence and try again.
6. Turn off any unnecessary, extraneous noises (such as the radio while in a car, a TV at home, etc.).
7. Wear your hearing aids consistently!
To hear better, is to live better! Start a better health and wellness conversation today! Better hearing health is possible! Call your audiologist today!
Harold and Miriam Moore
Miriam and Harold Moore, from Rockwall, Texas, have been married for 30 years, and have four children and four grandchildren. Harold, a plumber by trade, enjoys making fabulous dinners for Miriam, playing guitar, wearing kilts, fly fishing and craft beer. Miriam enjoys singing with Harold and quilt making. After Miriam was diagnosed with diabetes in 2011, she and Harold have strived to avoid eating processed foods, and have discovered a real love for fresh vegetables, natural and whole foods.
• 1 lb. ground pork, turkey, beef or chicken
• 2 carrots sliced and cut like match sticks
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 green bell pepper
• 2 mushrooms sliced
• 1 green onion sliced
• 2 C shredded cabbage or slaw mix
• 2 cloves garlic sliced thin
• 2 tbsp grated fresh ginger
• 1/2 C Ginger dressing or satay sauce
• 1/8 C Rice wine vinegar
1.Brown meat until no pink remains and set aside in bowl after seasoning with a pinch of salt and pepper.
2.Add 2 tablespoons olive oil to same hot skillet and sauté carrots and bell pepper. Add mushrooms, garlic, ginger and cabbage along with meat and mix thoroughly. Cook while stirring a couple of minutes.
3.Add ginger dressing (or satay sauce) and rice wine vinegar. Continue stirring until all combined.
4.Serve topped with crunchy Chinese noodles, red pepper flakes, and/or sesame seeds. Can add soy sauce and sesame oil to taste.
Ingredients
• 16 small wings
• 1/4 cup sesame oil
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp honey
• 3 tbsp rice wine vinegar
• 1 inch ginger peeled & grated
• 3 garlic cloves minced
• 2 tbsp Sriracha (optional for heat)
• 1/2 tsp red chili pepper flakes (optional for heat)
Place wings in a large ziplock bag. For your marinade, whisk all the ingredients together in a medium sized bowl.
Pour marinade over wings and close making sure to release excess air. Give the wings a good shake making sure they are covered in marinade. Let marinade over night or up to 24 hours.
Preheat grill on low for 5-10 mins. Grill wings for 6-8 mins per side.
Once grilled on both sides kick the heat up to high for 4 mins for slightly charred areas. If skipping the last 4 mins, additional time may be needed on low heat.
By Julie Alvira, MD, MBA
Summer is filled with bright colors, nice temperatures and, if you’re lucky, exotic locations with beautiful waters! Whether you travel or stay home, keep taking care of yourself and practicing wellness.
Self-care is on the rise and is here to stay. Meditation is the fastest growing wellness trend in America. There are meditation apps and studios worldwide. Now, it’s not about one meditation technique but many different types. I’ve practiced meditation since 13 years of age and was taking yoga classes before it was popular and there weren’t studios on every corner.
wellness trends, let’s start with some of the ones that are popular for women this summer.
Oat milk: A nut free alternative that is dairy free, gluten free and vegan. It
colors, taste, and ingredients. Be attentive to the process of cooking, serving, and eating, if you’re involved in those tasks. At a restaurant or with others at the table, eat slowly until you’re full and wait five minutes after eating and then have a conversation so you’re not tempted to eat more.
Over the years, I’ve learned the meditation of Qigong, commonly known as chi Kung as part of Tai Chi classes, and in most recent years mindfulness. As a woman, I think it’s good to have a wellness toolbox of resources that one can go to when needed.
Ok, so circling back to the subject of
has a creamy texture and is very easy to prepare at home. Look for a brand that has a simple ingredient list and check the sugar content. If you’re at Starbucks, don’t forget your latte with oat milk (Note: Availability of oat milk at Starbucks varies from location to location).
Mindful eating: Develop awareness and see if you’ve emotional or physical hunger. Be attentive to the food you’re eating. It’s better to practice with healthy foods and notice the effects of the food on your feelings. Be aware of
Meditation: With a rise in stress, anxiety, and depression, women are looking for solutions as part of their mental toolbox. There are many types and varieties. A recent trend is sophrology. Founded in the early 1960s by Colombia professor of psychiatry and neurology Alfonso Caycedo, it’s a type of stress management technique very popular in Europe. It combines concepts of relaxation techniques, mindfulness, meditation, and breathing. More and more research is being conducted on how meditation activates more than one brain mechanism and its benefits. The idea is for women to have a personal toolbox that helps them to find calm inside.
Be alive. Be Present.
Dr. Julie Alvira, MD, MBA, is a certified life coach for men and women and has a passion for women recovering from addictions. Creator of the Your Recovery Gal program for women, she is a nationally certified addictions professional. Reach her at www.coachdrjulie.com or julie@coachdrjulie.com. Bilingual virtual or in-office sessions available.
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS M.D. ANDERSON HOSPITAL AND TUMOR INSTITUTE TRAINED
We do all types of infusion and accept ALL INSURANCE as well as Medicare, Medicaid, Secure Horizon, Molina and Superior Texas Hematology Oncology Centers
DALLAS 10 Medical Parkway
Plaza III, Ste. 106
Dallas, TX 75234
Adair’s Fine Floors Etc. is Dallas’ most respected source for wood
Adairs Fine Floors Etc. is a family owned and operated business with over thirty years of experience in the flooring and design industry. We have an excess of knowledge when it comes to flooring materials and trends. This is a quality you won’t find at most other custom flooring companies. We have the capacity to do residential jobs as well as commercial projects.
Being a family owned business, we hold customer service as one of the most important qualities at our company. We work with our customers to achieve their vision. Please set up an appointment today or just come in because Adair’s Fine Floors Etc. is “Where Your Beautiful Home Begins!”
