Denton County Living Well Magazine May-June 2020

Healthy Changes Start at Flower Mound

Weight Loss Center at Texas Health Flower Mound

Texas Health Flower Mound Weight Loss Center o ers comprehensive weight loss programs complete with diagnostic, surgical and non-surgical options designed to promote a full and healthy life.

Our bariatric team consists of board certified bariatric surgeons, experienced bariatric practitioners, nurses, dietitians and coordinators.

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For more information or to schedule a consultation, please call 469-322-7073 or visit the Center’s website at TexasHealthFlowerMound.com/weight-loss-center

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NO MAN IS AN ISLAND

“No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main,” penned poet John Donne in 1624. This rings true even more so today, as our daily routines, lives, and businesses have been upended because of COVID-19. The pandemic has isolated us from family, friends, and colleagues and has ripped bare the notion that it’s one versus the many. Each and every one of us needs community to thrive for the survival of one and of all.

No doubt, actor Ryan Reynolds realizes that. You may recognize Reynolds from his big screen roles, including that of superhero Deadpool. If you’ve been following him on Instagram along with his 35.8 million other fans recently, you know that he’s been making an impact in his home country of Canada and his adopted U.S. home while quarantined with his family. Along with his wife Blake Lively, the pair has donated $1 million to food bank charities and pledged $400,000 to New York City Hospitals, along with lending their celebrity to encourage fans to help in their efforts. Turn to our celebrity feature on Reynolds to read how he’s making a difference during these uncertain times.

Turning to finances, another huge area of concern in the current economic environment, financial consultant and portfolio manager, Rick Ferri, CFA, the CEO of Ferri Investment Solutions, delves into the issue in his latest article. He breaks down the essential ingredients of a performing portfolio and explains why the mix doesn’t have to be complicated for solid returns. Check it out.

On behalf of everyone at LIVING WELL Magazine, we are grateful for our healthcare partners’ selfless service during these unprecedented times and for our readers continued support.

Thank you, as always, for reading.

Sam & Spring Houston

PRESIDENT & CEO

Sam Houston

VICE PRESIDENT & CFO

Spring Houston

FEATURE WRITER, COPY EDITOR AND SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR

Sondra Barr

ART DIRECTOR, LAYOUT, PRODUCTION & WEBSITE DESIGN

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ADMINISTRATION AND ACCOUNTS MANAGEMENT

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DENTON COUNTY

Owner Damien Dauphinée, DPM, FACFAS, FAENS,FACCWS, CWS-P

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RYAN REYNOLDS

America’s Canadian superhero comes to the rescue.

Ryan Reynolds is about as American as they come, except for the fact he’s Canadian. The irony is not lost when you consider the actor’s most popular role to date is Deadpool , aka Wade Wilson, a Marvel superhero born in Canada, but who grew up to become the least Canadian person ever. Reynolds shares another thing in common with Deadpool , he’s one of the most relentlessly wisecracking heroes in the universe (aka Instagram). If you’ve been passing time during the Covid-19 quarantine following the 43-year-old Reynolds on Instagram, where he entertains his 35.8 million followers with frequent bon mots and hilarious swipes at equally “Insta” funny wife Blake Lively, it’s clear that he uses his wit for forces of good.

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By Sondra Barr

Continued from page 8

“We live in really weird––really weird––times right now, he told Digital Spy and other media outlets. “You’re like watching the news and they’re like, ‘The top story today is the end of the world…Now to find out what’s really happening between Kylie Jenner and Tyga.’”

It’s this strange reality that compelled him to utilize his considerable celebrity and resources to make a real impact. And, because “I think we can all agree, Covid-19 is an a-hole,” he said. So, interspersed among his hilarious Instagram posts carrying on a ‘rivalry’ with fellow actor Hugh Jackman and the ones trolling his glamorous wife, he’s used Instagram to announce the couple’s $400,000 pledge to New York City hospitals and a $1 million donation to food bank charities in the United States and Canada, while urging his sizable audience to also donate.

The owner of Aviation Gin, Reynolds additionally used the platform to announce that 30% of all sales would go to the Canadian Professional Bartender’s Association “Tip Your Bartenders” program through May 1. Aiming to help bartenders who’ve been laid off during the pandemic, his company donated $10,000 to get the initiative started.

Meanwhile, holed up at home alongside Lively, the pair’s three daughters, and his mother-inlaw, he’s adjusted to quarantine with his signature wry humor. “Men tend to be the architect of someone’s demise,” Reynolds explained during an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at Home in April. “So it’s fine. I like just being here with the girls. I like doing the girl stuff. This morning I made dresses out of tissue paper for them.”

“Pneumonia is very serious,” said the actor, whose father died from pneumonia. “It can take out the toughest of us. It certainly got my dad. So coronavirus is a serious thing.”

On the subject of Reynolds’ dad, it was a relationship that he’s openly shared with multiple media outlets as being extremely complicated. Born in 1976 in Vancouver, Canada, the youngest of four brothers, Reynolds was raised in a volatile environment. He told Cara Buckley of the New York Times that to head off screaming matches or tumult, he would try to fix anything that might set his former police officer-turned-food wholesaler father off, be it by keeping the house immaculately clean or mowing the lawn.

“This is not meant to be some sob story––everyone carries their own bag of rocks around and I am no different in that regard––but growing up in my house, it was never relaxing or easy and I know that, throughout my life, I’ve dealt with anxiety in different ways,” explained the actor to the Independent’s Sabrina Barr.

Acting provided an outlet for Reynold’s talent for playing a character and diffusing tough situations. At 13, he landed his first part and instantly felt an affinity for stepping into someone else’s shoes. “I almost knew right then,” he described to Megan Conner at the Guardian. “It played to my strong point. They gave me a role.”

Reynolds eventually ended up in Hollywood in a sitcom before appearing in an assortment of films including National Lampoon’s Van Wilder, Blade: Trinity, The Proposal, and Buried.

“We’re lucky enough to have a little, tiny garden, so we’re learning a little bit about gardening. We’re trying to make this an education experience, but I’m mostly drinking,” Reynolds also divulged to Colbert before getting serious.

It was his much mocked first outing as a superhero, in the film Green Lantern, that offered Reynolds the opportunity to meet his future wife Blake Lively. At the time, Reynolds was married to actress Scarlett Johansson and Lively was dating her Gossip Girl costar Penn Badgley. It

20th Century Fox

Reynolds stars in Deadpool (2016), Deadpool 2 (2018), and Deadpool 3 (sometime in the future) as a superhero based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name.

Walt Disney Pictures

BELOW: Reynolds starring with Sondra Bullock in The Proposal (2009). Bullock acts as an overbearing book editor who forces Reynolds’ character to marry her to avoid being deported.

AT RIGHT: Reynolds first met Blake Lively in early 2010 while filming Green Lantern together in 2011. They married in September 2012.

wasn’t long before both pairs had broken up.

“We were buddies then,” Reynolds explained to Entertainment Weekly’s SiriusXM show. “I remember it was funny because for about a year after Green Lantern had come and gone and we were both single. We went on a double date. She was on a date with another guy and I was on a date with another girl.”

It was that date where it became apparent Lively and Reynolds were meant for each other. “That was the most awkward date because we were just like fireworks coming across,” described Reynolds. “It was weird at first, but we were buddies for a long time. I think the best way to have a relationship is to start as friends.”

“They’re the loveliest people, Ryan and Blake,” says actor Stanley Tucci, a former neighbor of the couple. “When we first met, we went over and I think we saw them practically every other day; for a week my kids were staying over at their house. They love cooking and their home life. They’re just two of the most generous people I’ve ever met.”

Since marrying Lively, Reynolds invigorated his career and even took another crack at playing a superhero. In 2016, he approached the Marvel character Deadpool from a comedic perspective. The film went on to become a runaway success. Drawing upon his comedic chops, he reprised the role in Deadpool 2. That film and its predecessor catapulted Reynolds into the Hollywood stratosphere. The second film generated $784

million at the worldwide box office to become the highest-grossing X-Men movie, it also served as the ideal role to finally channel and express his struggles with the paralyzing anxiety he’s felt throughout his life.

It was during the press junket for Deadpool 2 that Reynolds shared with fans his struggle with mental illness. He’s said that he carried out many interviews in the character of Deadpool to alleviate his fears.

“I have anxiety, I’ve always had anxiety,” he told the New York Times in 2018. “Both in the lighthearted ‘I’m anxious about this’ kind of think, and I’ve been to the depths of the darker end of the spectrum, which is not fun.”

He says that humor has always been a way to handle the anxiety that grips him tightly. “I’ll look for the joke in things so that I don’t look for the sadness and the grief,” he’s said.

Reynolds also manages his feelings of anxiety and depression through lifting weights and running daily. “Exercise is a means of expelling those demons,” he told the Independent

With the future of movie release dates uncertain due to the pandemic, fans may have to wait awhile to see a new Ryan Reynolds film. It’ll be worth the delay. In the wings is the movie Free Guy, an action comedy in which Reynolds plays “a background character who realizes he’s living in a video game. With the help of an avatar, he tries to prevent the makers of the game from shutting down his world.” Sound familiar?

Until then, no doubt, Reynolds will keep us entertained on Instagram. Having been recently naturalized in the United States, now that Reynolds holds two passports and is a dual citizen, he can finally be officially recognized as the world’s most treasured Canadian/American hero.

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Dear Olivia,

We are considering putting my aunt on hospice for a longterm illness that is worsening. Our biggest reservation is that we have heard that once someone goes on hospice, the regular medications are stopped, and morphine is started. She’s been on some of these medications for years and they really seem to help her. If we choose hospice, do we have to stop all regular medications?

~Questions about medications

Dear Questions about medications, There is a common misconception about hospice that when someone elects hospice, they have to give up all of their other medications and start “comfort” medications right away, such as morphine. At VNA, we try to dispel this myth, as it is our goal to treat the whole patient and not only the terminal illness. We aim to do whatever is necessary to enhance someone’s quality of life. Many of our patients continue maintenance medications, such as blood pressure medications, diabetes drugs, sleep aides, and antibiotics. We will not discontinue medications unless it has been determined by the physician that there is potential harm or they are no longer beneficial. Decisions are made collaboratively between the patient, family and the doctor. Every hospice treatment plan is as unique as the patient.

~Olivia

OLIVIA ROGERS

Olivia is a leading voice in health care and senior services and the Chief Nursing Officer of VNA Texas.

Dear Olivia,

I’ve heard a lot about “group homes.” What are these homes and are they safe? We are starting to look for a place for my mother-in-law. She has become weaker and we are not sure how much longer we can take care of her on our own. We want to make sure we choose a place that is safe and provides adequate care.

~How do you know?

Dear How do you know,

That is a great question as group homes, or residential care facilities (RCFs) as they are known in the health care community, are springing up everywhere. This concept is not new, but it has become more popular in the last several years as the cost of other forms of long-term care increases. RCFs are actual homes in neighborhoods that are run as a business, often operated by a nurse or physician. They are regulated by the State of Texas if there are more than three residents living in the home and are licensed by the state licensing body known as HCSSA. This licensure and oversight ensure these homes are providing quality care and have the necessary fire and safety measures. This should give residents and their families peace of mind as these facilities are surveyed at least every three years. For help in determining what facility is right for your loved one, contact one of our medical social workers at VNA. We are here to help!

VNA Hospice Care

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 comprehensive care provided by our highly qualified staff.

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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) 689-2989 or email gethelp@vnatexas.org For volunteer opportunities please call (214) 689-2271 or email volunteer@vnatexas.org

~Olivia

THREE WAYS TO MAXIMIZE YOUR KITCHEN STORAGE SPACE

By Amber Carfield

One of the hardest parts about integrating into a new kitchen is learning how to maximize the storage space. The litany of pots, pans, cutting boards and cooking utensils come in all shapes sizes and finding the right cabinet or drawer to put them in requires a lot of planning.

If you are undergoing a kitchen reorganization here are a few expert tips that will get you thinking differently about your kitchen storage.

Find the Right Cabinets and Storage Materials.

When it comes to kitchen storage, all cabinets are not created equal. If you have a say in the way your kitchen is designed, then you should do your homework on what types of storage space you need in your kitchen. There are a variety of kitchen cabinets and tools that are specifically designed to maximize your storage space.

For example, you could install a cabinet pull out in your

kitchen specifically designed to store your baking trays or cleaning supplies. If you are not designing your own kitchen, purchasing simple tools such as a pot and pan organizer or knife rack can save you valuable kitchen space without the expense of a remodel. I have seen a lot of homeowners get creative with kitchen storage, even creating a designated cabinet exclusively for K-Cup pods.

One recommendation I make to homeowners building a kitchen in a small space is to purchase materials that can do multiple jobs. Many companies make oven/microwave combos that can save a lot of space due to the fact you don’t have to buy two separate appliances.

Be Honest About What You Use

The reality of kitchen space is that most people just have more appliances in their kitchen than they really need.

Take a really close look at the things you have in your kitchen and write down the things you use consistently. Try to

avoid redundancies, if you have two pots that serve the same purpose think about getting rid of one.

Getting rid of things in your kitchen can be difficult, but it is important to be honest about what you use so you can have optimal storage space in your kitchen. Even things like food storage containers can go if it is keeping you from storing more important appliances.

Split your Kitchen into Zones

The best way to best utilize your kitchen space is to create zones for each kitchen task.

You should have a prepping zone, a cooking zone, and a cleaning zone. Kitchen items should be stored in closed proximity to the zone they will be most used in. This means pots in the cooking zone, food processors and knives in the prep zone, and dish towels and soaps near the cleaning zone.

I have worked with a number of clients who place their kitchen tools far away from the area they will be used in and it makes cooking in your kitchen very inefficient.

Kitchen storage space is a regular discussion I have with homeowners every day and properly utilizing your storage space can be a difficult task depending on the type of kitchen you have. However, thinking about these three steps will go along way in helping you maximize the storage space in your kitchen.

Amber Carfield is the Design Director at Kitchens by Good Guys, a kitchen remodel company in Scottsdale Arizona. Carfield has worked in the kitchen remodeling industry since 2000 and is an expert on all aspects of a kitchen remodel. www.goodguysphx.com

RAWLINS LAW FIRM, LLC

Honest Candid Legal Representation

Rawlins Law Firm, LLC represents individuals across the state of Texas. Our firm specializes in providing representation to individuals and companies helping recover Diminished Value on their automobiles.

When your personal or company vehicle is involved in an accident and subsequently repaired, it will have an inherent lost value due to the loss history on the vehicle. When another person’s negligence causes the accident, you have the right to recover the lost value directly from that person’s insurance company.

Get in touch with us to set up a consultation to inquire whether our services are right for you. We at Rawlins Law Firm know that finding the right attorney to represent you is a choice not to be taken lightly. That’s why we offer free consultations to walk you through your needs, the scope of your goals, and your budget.

• Onsite Diabetic Shoe Store with Dynamic Arc Balance Assessment to help pinpoint the specific 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 affect the foot and ankle.

• MLS Laser Therapy for pain and inflammation and the Hyperion 1530 laser for treatment of fungal nails.

Arthritic

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WHAT COULD BE CAUSING POOR CIRCULATION IN MY FEET?

Are you experiencing numbness, tingling, or discolorations in your feet?

Even though poor circulation isn’t a condition, if you are experiencing poor circulation in your feet this is often a symptom of a much larger issue. This is why it’s important to understand the warning signs of poor circulation and when to see a podiatrist, as many of these conditions can be serious or cause further complications to your health.

Causes of Poor Circulation

There are many reasons why someone may have poor circulation. The most common conditions include:

1. Peripheral artery disease (PAD)

This causes poor circulation in the legs due to a narrowing in the arteries and blood vessels. Over time this condition can cause damage to nerves or tissue. While this condition can occur in younger people, particularly smokers, it’s more common for people over 50 years old to develop PAD.

2. Blood Clots

Courtesy Complete Foot and Ankle Care of North Texas

A blood clot causes a block or restriction in blood flow and can develop anywhere in the body. The most common places for a blood clot include the arms or the legs, which can lead to symptoms of poor circulation. In some cases, a blood clot can cause serious complications such as a stroke.

3. Diabetes

While this condition does affect blood sugar levels, it is also known to affect circulation within the body. Those with circulation issues may experience cramping in the legs that may get worse when you are active. Those with diabetic neuropathy may experience nerve damage in the legs and feet, as well as numbness or tingling.

4. Raynaud’s Disease

A less common condition, Raynaud’s disease causes chron-

ic cold fingers and feet due to the narrowing of the arteries in the hands and toes. Since these arteries are narrow it’s more difficult for blood to flow to these areas, leading to poor circulation. Of course, you may experience these symptoms in other parts of the body besides your toes or fingers, such as your nose, ears, or lips.

Warning Signs of Poor Circulation

You may be experiencing poor circulation in your feet if you are experiencing these symptoms:

• Numbness

• Pain that may radiate into the limbs

• Tingling (a “pins and needles” sensation)

• Muscle cramping

If you are experiencing symptoms of poor circulation that don’t go away it’s best to play it safe rather than sorry and turn to a podiatric specialist who can provide a proper diagnosis and determine the best approach for improving circulation. Don’t ignore this issue.

If you’re experiencing foot or ankle problems, Complete Foot and Ankle Care invites you to make an appointment with us by calling 940-300-3054. www.completefootandanklecare.com Dr. Damien Dauphinée

Jan Romero photo

ANATOMICAL GIFTS AND THE IMPACT ON FUNERAL TRIBUTES

By Rick Allen

We have all heard the saying, “It’s better to give than to receive.” Giving with a generous heart often warms the soul of the grantor far beyond the recipient. I cannot begin to imagine how difficult the thought process is for family members who have lost a loved one, and within minutes, are asked to make a quick decision on organ/tissue donation. “Giving the gift of life” sounds like an easy decision until it involves one of your own. I have not been in the situation of deciding on donation, but my brother was the recipient of a transplanted lung and I can speak firsthand of the joy felt by a family whose loved one gets that second chance at life. Although we were so happy his long wait was over, our hearts ached for the family who had lost someone close to them. Their sadness was just beginning and it is important to realize they need a great deal of care and attention.

In no way would I try to encourage someone to be a donor, nor would I discourage someone who is considering it. It is very important to realize, however, what is being agreed upon and how those decisions will impact other wishes you may have. Typically, donating corneas and certain tissue will have minimal impact, if any, on the ability to have viewing of a person’s body. Larger organ donation, such as heart, lungs and kidneys also do little to impact one’s ability to view the body, although this does create a more difficult embalming process. You may encounter extra cost related to such from the funeral home

Occasionally, a person chooses to donate their whole body to a school or research facility. While the receiving institution will file the required paperwork with the state on behalf of the family, they do nothing to help a family create a meaningful and appropriate tribute, nor do they help a family find ways to say “good-bye.” This is where family members can get stuck in the middle. There are numerous details that must be addressed, decisions made, and items tended to of which a funeral director is uniquely qualified to help. Families have come to realize

this, oftentimes in the 11th hour, when they want register books, service folders, a flag, an honor guard, flowers, and a reception following their memorial service at their church. Unfortunately, no plan to accomplish these things is thought of until the day before the service.

Funeral directors bring “life” to events that are necessary as a result of a death. While this may sound strange, funeral directors have the knowledge and experience to not only help a family arrange for things they want, but also suggest things a family might never think of doing that will add much to a memorial service. Funeral directors arrange for, carry out, and coordinate a number of details the general public never knows about. These behind-thescene duties mostly go unnoticed because things are present where expected, previously arranged to be carried out, and available when needed. On the other hand, a memorial service without proper attention to detail will be lacking organization, direction, and a unique and personal tone.

Funeral homes today must prepare for changing needs from our client families. The traditional, cookie-cutter funeral does not meet the needs of the majority of the people any longer. While religious rites may change slightly, if at all, numerous other aspects surrounding death and the many options people demand are constantly changing. The successful funeral home of today listens to the needs of the consumer. The truly exceptional funeral homes of today anticipate those needs ahead of the consumer and have choices and solutions readily available to help families in a variety of different situations.

When you talk about your final wishes, if those plans include donation, involve a funeral director in those discussions. If your funeral director does not include service offerings for families who choose donation, find one who does.

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.

Daniyal Salimi photo

Andrew Chambers, M.D.

Orthopedic Surgeon

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 or text 469-747-0382.

METHODIST DALLAS MEDICAL CENTER

221 W. Colorado Blvd., Pav II, Suite 431

Dallas, Texas 75208

METHODIST CHARLTON MEDICAL CENTER

3430 W. Wheatland Rd., POB 1, Suite 216

Dallas, Texas 75237

469-747-0382

469-405-0135 FAX

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PLANNING DURING UNCERTAIN TIMES

In uncertain times, thoughts sometimes turn to what will happen with your estate after you die. Many people know that it is important to have a Will, but dislike discussing death, so Wills are often not considered until there is a crisis.

An appropriately drafted and executed Will not only states who receives assets after death, but can also control distribution to beneficiaries receiving public benefits so they maintain their eligibility for the benefits, appoint a guardian for minor children, and provide for contingencies if the people named have predeceased you, among other things. In Texas, you have full authority in a properly drafted and executed Will to include or exclude anyone you choose. No matter what your Will says, though, your wishes are only followed if the Will meets legal requirements. The best way to ensure your Will is valid and your wishes are followed is to consult with a professional – an experienced estate planning or elder law attorney.

In Texas, any person of sound mind has the right to make a Will, if the person is 18 years of age or older, or, if not yet 18, is or has been married or is a member of the armed services. The person who makes a Will is called a testator. A Will must be in writing, signed by the testator or in the testator’s presence and at the testator’s direction, and attested (signed) in the testator’s presence by two or more credible witnesses who are at least 14 years of age. If a Will is self-proved, it may be admitted to probate court without the testimony of the witnesses. To be self-proved, the Will must have an affidavit subscribed and sworn to by the testator and the witnesses before a notary public. While it is possible in some rare circumstances, under recent emergency orders or with an online notary, for the notary to be observing the signing electronically, standard law requires the witnesses to be in the physical presence of the testator. In these days of COVID-19 contagion concerns, though, it is not always advisable for a testator to be in the presence of two witnesses.

One of the many things we have learned from our collective experience with COVID-19 is that we do not know what is around the next corner. We cannot plan for every event that life holds for us. Should you find yourself without the ability to meet with an attorney or have your Will properly witnessed and notarized, you should know the essential elements required to create a valid holographic Will in Texas.

A holographic Will is a Will that is written entirely in the testator’s handwriting and signed by the testator. All

By Leu & Peirce, PLLC

handwriting on the document must be the testator’s and must be legible. A typed document or one written in someone else’s handwriting, even if signed by the testator, must have two witnesses to be a valid Will. However, a holographic Will does not require witnesses. After it is created, a holographic Will can be made self-proved at any time during the testator’s lifetime through an affidavit signed by the testator in front of a notary public, stating that the document is the testator’s Will, the testator was of sound mind, was over the age of 18 or was married or in the military, and that the testator has not revoked the Will.

If you are unable to meet with a professional and execute a formal Will with witnesses and a notary public, then a holographic Will can bridge you through difficult times.

When writing your holographic Will, it must be clear that your intent is to transfer, convey, or dispose of your property upon your death through the use of phrases such as “upon my death” or “when I die.” It is not required that you include the date on your holographic Will, but it is certainly advisable. As long as your holographic Will is written wholly in your handwriting, signed by you, and indicates your intent is to transfer, convey, or dispose of your property upon your death, you have met the essential requirements for creating a valid holographic Will in Texas.

Remember that a Will is only part of the legal documents you need to protect yourself and your assets, so talking with an attorney should still be on your list. Until that is possible, though, a holographic Will may ease your mind.

Lori Leu, Erin Peirce, and Lauren Olson are Elder Law attorneys with Leu & Peirce, PLLC located in the North Dallas area. They can be reached at 972-996-2540.

Rahul Banerjee, MD

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Comprehensive Orthopaedic Care with expertise in:

• Fracture Repair

• Joint Replacement

• Anterior Total Hip Replacement

• Fracture Nonunions/Malunions

• Limb Lengthening

• Periprosthetic Fractures

• Pelvic Fractures

• Upper Extremity Injuries

Dr. Rahul Banerjee is a board-certified, fellowship trained orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in comprehensive fracture management, joint replacement (including direct anterior hip replacement), and management of complex orthopaedic problems.

Dr. Banerjee graduated with honors from Brown University and completed medical school at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha honors society.

Dr. Banerjee served in the United States Air Force and attained the rank of Major. Dr. Banerjee was assigned to treating injured patients and training orthopaedic residents at the William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, TX. During his service, he was deployed to the War in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and treated many injured soldiers and civilians.

Dr. Banerjee is the recipient of numerous awards and honors including the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Howard Rosen Teaching Award from AO North America. He is an active member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the Orthopaedic Trauma Association, and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. Dr. Banerjee has authored over 25 peer-reviewed publications and numerous textbook chapters on the treatment of orthopaedic problems.

Dr. Banerjee serves as the Director of Orthopaedic Trauma at Medical City Plano. In 2019, Dr. Banerjee joined Texas Bone and Joint and continues to practice in Plano.

By Julie Alvira, MD, MBA

Eat when you’re hungry and stop when you’re full. Can you do that? It’s hard. But, like everything, it’s a skill that can be learned. Of course, it’s easier to try another diet that will work for the short term. If you’re lucky, it may last for the long term. However, the best way to lose weight is to stop the diet mentality.

Breaking out of the diet mentality helped me feel good about my body, connect to it, develop better eating habits, and achieve freedom from food. During my pregnancy 18 years ago, I gained almost 70 pounds. I wanted to lose all the baby weight to once again fit into my little shorts and jeans.

Even though I lost everything in six months by restricting myself and counting calories, it’s been hard to maintain the weight. Losing weight is not as hard as keeping it off. Through the years, I’ve experienced episodes of stress, emotional eating, and cravings due to everyday situations and life events. Add hormone fluctuations during my period and being in the years of pre-menopause to the mix and it’s been challenging not to gain weight. Can you relate?

Several years ago, I learned how to calibrate my body by connecting with it by recognizing true hunger versus cravings, becoming aware of my thoughts at a particular moment, and by learning to manage those thoughts and the emotions that are created by them. I didn’t know I was practicing intuitive eating, but with these efforts, I finally achieved freedom from food.

can’t eat certain foods because of a medical condition, be mindful. But make sure it’s a choice you do for you. If you want to eat foods like ice cream, cakes, etc., you learn to have the choice and give yourself permission to consume those foods. Not because you “can’t”, or it says somewhere that today that’s not on the menu you’re supposed to follow. We live in a society where most individuals are disconnected from their bodies. It’s time to get back to yourself and accept your body. Intuitive eating helps with this concept.

Mindful Eating vs. Intuitive Eating

I’ve written before on mindful eating, which is, among other things, paying attention to what you’re eating and the experience of that moment without judgment. Also, it’s good practice if you’re a multitasker because you have to stop doing everything and enjoy your eating moment. It helps you develop better habits and opens your senses when choosing food. You will see now that it gets a bit confusing because it overlaps with intuitive eating. Let’s see.

While intuitive eating includes some of the characteristics of being mindful, it’s more complete. You learn how to stop having the diet mentality, manage your emotions with being kind to yourself, and accept and respect your body as is. You’ll also develop the habit of being more active in terms of adding some form of exercise such as walking, etc. It also helps you become aware of your body in terms of hunger versus satiety; become aware of your thoughts at that moment helping the emotional versus physical component (mindful), while helping you to develop freedom around food.

That is why I don’t do any diets. I don’t believe you have to restrict yourself from food. It’s better to develop the skill of making a choice of having something or not. And it’s fun! Often, individuals tend to blame themselves if a diet goes wrong and feel awful after deviating from the plan. After eating something they weren’t “supposed to,” they’ll beat themselves up. Usually the thought of “I failed” follows with intense feelings of failure, which activates a cascade of events.

You can develop a good relationship with food. Of course, if you’re intolerant or allergic to different ingredients or

It’s not a tool to lose weight, but if you practice the concepts that are involved, you may lose weight. If you eat only when you’re hungry and not because of an emotion that was developed by a thought, you won’t overeat because you’ll be more attuned with yourself. I will talk a bit more about overeating in another article.

Remember to always consult your physician before trying anything new related to your health.

“Fall in love with taking care of your body.” ~Unknown

Julie Alvira, M.D., MBA Healthcare Management, is the founder of Coach Dr. Julie, LLC – Physician Life and Weight Loss Coaching Services. You can find her on Facebook as Coach Dr. Julie or via email at julie@coachdrjulie.com. www.coachdrjulie.com

CREATIVE STRUCTURE––THE NEW NORMAL

By Georgia Smith-Lyle, MA, LPC-Supervisor

The days of our children getting up in the mornings and getting off to school were cut short by the pandemic, COVID-19. There was no time to prepare for this life changing event. One day the routine was normal, and the next day you are told the schools are closed and there will be online teaching from your home.

Not only can they not go to school, all social activities children were involved in ceased. Staying at home and isolated from others “quickly” became the new norm. Yikes! Not only was there a pandemic, but there was panic in many households. School life in 2020 will go down in history!

COVID-19 is a history maker/changer. Many have found this transition time very chaotic and difficult. Many of you were forced to put some sort of structure to routines at home. So how do you have structure, but still be creative? Too much structure can inhibit creativity, but just enough structure in place provides security and encourages creativity. Parents, this is a time for you to “think outside the box” and become the teacher as best you know.

Before discussing creative structure––the new normal for the children––it’s important to discuss mom and dad’s relationship and some ideas to weather this storm. Mom and dad are the hub, the central stable piece of the family. How parents communicate with each other, how they show affection and interaction are vital to family security. Parents have an “opportunity” to demonstrate healthy interaction between two people, showing kindness, patience and respect.

Firstly, communicate respectfully and watch your tone with each other because you are being watched by your children. The ways you communicate are perfect teachable moments with lifelong effects. Secondly, parents, find 20 to 30 minutes a day of uninterrupted time to talk with each other and connect. It doesn’t have to be serious talk all the time, but the pandemic has forced unexpected changes to your life financially, emotionally, spiritually, and physically; so, talk about these changes and how to move forward. Thirdly, have a date night “in the home” at least one time a week. Make it fun…watch a movie, cook dinner together. Do whatever you want to connect and enjoy one another. Tell the children this is your time together and do not let them interrupt unless it’s an emergency.

By the time this article reaches you, the social restrictions may have lifted to a degree, but I still believe this is a good idea, especially if you are trying to be careful financially. The last idea I have to offer is to take a break from the kids 30 minutes to an hour each day. If one spouse needs a break, even for 15 mins, try to provide what they need. Be helpful and considerate of each other and carry the responsibility of the children together.

Children thrive in structure! Be creative but still have a structured time frame of choice activities throughout the day. Write down your plan with time frames. Remember, you can always change plan according to your own needs and the ages of your children. It’s a perfect opportunity for the older children to have responsibility for the younger ones

with rewards in place. For example, older children can make breakfast for the younger ones. Make sure you have time frames for chores. Some children are still doing online school, which is important to finish. The main thing is put together a “schedule” and options of activities for your children.

Here is a sample structure block with activity ideas for each period of the day:

Breakfast

Morning chores

Activities: Paint, write a story, put on a play, read a book, draw, basketball in driveway, chalk on sidewalk, physical activity in the backyard

Lunch

Rest time after lunch (mandatory rest time). Everyone goes to their own space for at least an hour, even if they do not nap. This gives each parent their time too.

Afternoon activities

Dinner

Family walk/bike ride… (something outside if possible)

**At least one night a week is family night where you watch a movie together, do board games, play cards or charades.

** At least one night a week is “family share night,” where everyone comes together and talks about things that have bothered them, good things they have en -

joyed, etc. This time will give children (and parents) the opportunity to express their feelings and be heard.

I hope you find this article helpful! Remember, parents you are the hub, you are the teachers, and this pandemic shall pass. Have each other’s back, be slow to speak, slow to anger, and quick to listen––little eyes are watching.

Georgia Smith-Lyle, MA, LPC-S is in private practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Texas providing counseling for children, adolescents, adults, marriage and family. She has authored two books and is a public speaker. Georgia may be reached at 469-855-0256 or via email gpsmith7@aol.com. www.counselingbygeorgia.com

The anticipation rises as people gather around the table. You hear rustling in the kitchen, then footsteps approaching, and “Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you!” A cake is carefully placed in front of you, candles glowing brightly. It’s your day.

The cake is decorated with likenesses of your favorite hobby or sport, your name is written in frosting, and an appropriate number of candles stand burning on top. It makes you feel special, and you are!

The song ends and it’s time to blow out the candles. Puff. Got them all! There’s laughter and applause. You get the first piece of cake and take the first bite. The flavor hits you and it tastes… well, like any other cake. The decorations are special and so is the person who made the cake for you, but there’s nothing unique about the cake’s taste. It’s all Betty Crocker, and that’s why investment portfolios and birthday cakes are similar.

INVESTING IS LIKE A BIRTHDAY CAKE

Like birthday cakes, most portfolios are unique on the outside and similar on the inside. I have analyzed thousands of portfolios over the years created by brokers, advisers, mutual funds companies, and online services. The underlying investments always hold a diversified blend of stocks and bonds, which makes the returns track the stock and bond markets. There’s not much difference in returns over the long run, before subtracting fees.

The portfolios are generally grouped by risk, so there is aggressive growth with more stocks and less bonds, and conservative growth with less stocks and more bonds. This is like Betty Crocker adding chocolate flavor for people who like chocolate cake and lemon flavor for people who like lemon cake. However, you mix a portfolio, the performance will be about the same as any portfolio with the same mix.

The people who charge fees to create and manage portfolios will always claim their customized designs are better. It’s how one adviser differentiates from another and justifies charging a higher fee. I call this investment decoration. Just as a heavily decorated cake costs more than a plain one, a heavily decorated portfolio has higher fees than plain vanilla.

Let’s analyze a decorated portfolio to see what’s going on, starting with the candles. Here we find brightly glowing expectations of great returns. It has

Rick Ferri, CFA, is the CEO of Ferri Investment Solutions, an as-needed hourly fee investment adviser. He has 30 years of experience in the investment industry as a financial consultant and portfolio manager. Visit www.RickFerri.com for information or listen to his podcast at www.bogleheads.podbean.com.

Rick Ferri, CFA

Ferri Investment Solutions

super-hot, new-fangled funds like cybersecurity, biotech, cloud computing, and emerging China. There may also be a few individual stocks in industries where no niche fund exists yet. These are investments that make us OOH and AAH!

Next is the icing. Here we find a complex swirl of quantitative funds designed to capture style premiums like small-cap, value, momentum, and other sophisticated strategies. We may also find emerging market debt funds and bank loan funds mixed into the frosting. This is complex stuff. Don’t try it at home.

Now let’s dig into the cake itself. This is the bulk of the portfolio and its function is to keep up with the returns of the markets. There’s a di -

versified mix of large-cap stocks that are typically divided among U.S. and international companies, and an assortment of investment-grade bonds spread across treasuries, investment-grade debt, and perhaps some mortgage exposure.

Here’s the secret that no highly paid adviser wants you to know. The cost to invest in a basic portfolio––the cake itself––is ridiculously cheap, and you don’t need an adviser to do it. You can invest in a balanced index fund such as the Vanguard Balanced Index (Symbol: VBINX) or iShares Core Balanced ETF Portfolio (Symbol: XBAL) that have fees less than 0.20 percent per year. Vanguard also has a series of Life-Strategy index funds where you can pick your mix between stocks and bonds. These funds are well-managed,

affordable, and don’t require ongoing maintenance by you or a paid adviser. Advisers claim their special recipes are better than balanced index funds, but there’s no academic evidence supporting that claim. After paying higher fees for a highly decorated complex portfolio, the results are almost always below a balanced index fund.

Having an esthetically pleasing birthday cake is important for a once-a-year birthday ritual, but it’s not worth paying high fees for investment decorations that don’t result in extra gains. Being a successful investor isn’t about bright candles and being mesmerized by artful decoration, it’s about being smart. Learn about lowcost index funds and balanced index funds and invest in them, and then you’ll be able to afford the biggest and fanciest birthday cake you can imagine.

Sta ed by 2 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

30 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

IT MAY JUST BE EAR WAX…OR NOT!

By Elizabeth Brassine, Au.D.

You’ve seen the advertisements; “it may just be ear wax”-- but what if it’s not?

There are many causes of hearing loss such as ear infections, noise exposure, ear trauma, sudden idiopathic hearing loss, ear or auditory nerve tumors, Meniere’s disease among many other possible reasons. That’s where the skill of the hearing professional comes into play.

Our staff of licensed audiologists with doctoral degrees in Audiology have spent 8 years in school (4 years of undergraduate and 4 years of a doctoral program including a full audiology residency or externship) studying such things as the causes of hearing loss, the balance system, hearing instrument technology, auditory processing, anatomy and physiology of the auditory system and non-medical treatment of hearing loss. We often, as professionals, work closely with Ear, Nose and Throat physicians.

Whenever you’re seeking hearing healthcare, make sure you ask about their experience, years of training and type of training from the practitioner. Not all professionals, unfortunately, are created equal. We recently had a patient come in from a big box store (where they had gone for hearing testing and to look at purchasing hearing aids) for a second opinion and two different medical conditions directly related to hearing were missed. These are often medical conditions that need medical treatment and could impact not only a person’s performance with amplification but if treated, may eliminate the need for amplification. Or there are cases that could impact a person’s health in general (such as a tumor). As audiolo -

gists we will refer onto the ENT when medically warranted.

Secondly, hearing healthcare isn’t always about the price. You can see some low cost ads that are referencing dated technology or perhaps very little technology. Don’t necessarily be fooled by the price and/or incentives. You have seen our past articles that discuss some of the recent hearing aid innovations. We realize everyone’s hearing and communication needs are different so it’s important to work with a hearing professional that will walk you through the various options of styles and technologies available today.

So You Think You’ve Heard It All?

• Did you know that over 36 million Americans have a significant hearing loss?

• Did you know that only 6 million have sought help?

• Did you know that hearing loss has been cited as the third most common health related problem in America?

• Did you also know that according to the Better Hearing Institute, 95% of people with hearing loss can be helped with today’s advanced technology?

It’s time to find your personalized solution.

Finally, we want our patients to be educated so that you can make the best decision for your communication needs. Just be comfortable with the hearing professional that you choose!

HABITS HURTING OUR MENTAL HEALTH

By Laura Walton

Abad habit can be an easy thing to catch and a hard thing to kick. A bad habit gone unchecked can have a negative effect on our wellbeing. Some of the most challenging bad habits we can create are the ones that negatively affect our mental health. Being able to identify the effects of the ways we treat our bodies and our minds are key to kicking a bad habit and maintaining a healthy mental state.

Here are a few common habits that can hurt our mental health:

It’s

Nothing Personal

As social beings, we tend to give a lot of weight to the comments and perceptions of others. The things other people say about us can feel incredibly hurtful, even if we have no real relationship with that person. Most people don’t enjoy being disliked or disrespected by another human being. However, for our own mental wellbeing, it is important to consider that most everything that others say and do is coming from their own history of experience and is not a direct reflection of us as an individual. Everything that others say and do is simply a projection of their own reality and usually has nothing to do with you.

Lacking Sleep

According to a study by the CDC, one in three Americans don’t get the seven hours of sleep recommended to have a healthy sleep schedule. No one functions well off little to no sleep and poor sleep makes it difficult to solve problems and make decisions. Lack of sleep can also cause us to become emotionally distressed and irritable, making it harder to regulate behaviors.

Sleep is important, and sometimes special efforts need to be made in order to optimize sleep. This might mean making the room as dark as possible by turning off all lights (even lights on electronic devices), wearing a sleep mask, and leaving the light off if you get up to use the bathroom. It is also ideal to keep your phone out of bed and turn off the TV or other electronics before you fall asleep. Limiting the amount of liquids drank in the one to two hours approaching bedtime, adopting a regular bedtime and bedtime routine, and using a sound machine are also tips that might help to optimize sleep.

When you do have trouble falling or staying asleep, notice what’s on your mind. Sleep is often disturbed by either thoughts of the past, or worries about the future. See if you can shift your attention to your breath, counting each inhale and exhale in order to stay grounded in the present intention of sleep.

Not Allowing Negative Feelings to Exist

In order to fully experience what it is to be a human being, we need to be able to fully experience the whole range of emotions, not just the emotions we label as good.

The emotions that we tend to label as “bad” or “negative” emotions, such as sadness, anger, jealousy, or hurt, all exist for a reason. They are there to tell us something. Our emotions deserve our attention, and need to be felt in order to be processed. Avoiding the pain only feeds the pain.

All emotions are valid. There are plenty of situations in which a “bad” emotion is a normal response to the situation, and trying to gloss over those emotions invalidates our human experience.

Mindless Escapes to Avoid the Present

Engaging in mindless activities to escape the present moment, such as mindlessly watching TV, scrolling through our phones, or excessively drinking or shopping are all ways we can harm our mental health by distracting ourselves. It is not that any of these activities are inherently bad, but instead that, if we are not paying attention, these things can become a crutch that we use to distract us from whatever emotion or issue in our life that might be asking for our attention. The problem is, is that it’s too easy to use these things as mindless distraction, which makes us lose our connection to the present moment.

Laura Walton is a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist in Phoenix, Arizona. She specializes in working with grief and trauma from a mind-body perspective. She is the owner of the Phoenix Center for Grief and Trauma. www.thephoenixcenterforgriefandtrauma.com

Richardson

“You may find that your 2nd or 3rd opinion should have been your first.”

DENNIS BIRENBAUM, MD EUGENE J. WYSZYNSKI, DO

Dr. Birenbaum founded the Arlington Cancer Treatment Center in 1981. He founded the Texas Hematology Center, PA in 1997. He is the founder, Medical Director, and CEO of Patients Comprehensive Cancer Center (2001) & McKinney Regional Cancer Center (2007). Dr. Birenbaum trained at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Institute for 5 years, 3 years as a Hematology/Oncology fellow and 2 years as facility professor. His private practice in Hematology/ Oncology has been in the Dallas/Fort Worth area since 1979.

AREAS OF CLINICAL INTEREST:

• Gastrointestinal Tumors

• Melanoma, Sarcoma

•Breast Cancer

•Lymphoma

CREDENTIALED AT SEVERAL LOCAL HOSPITALS:

• Centennial Medical Center

• Medical Center of McKinney

• Methodist Richardson Medical Center

• Dallas Medical Center

• Specialty Hospital

•Kindred Hospital

PERSONAL INTERESTS:

•Born and raised in Dallas, TX

• Attended SMU (Southern Methodist University)

•Father of 2 sons

• Owns six dogs

• Loves traveling and golf

• Avid collector of arts and antiques

Dennis Birenbaum, MD and Dr. Wyszynski, MD, DO are M.D. Anderson trained hematologists/oncologists.

Dr. Wyszynski, MD, DO also trained at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, PA.

Dr. Wyszynski joins the Texas Hematology and Oncology Centers after many years of successful private medical practice in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Dr. Wyszynski completed his internship and residency at John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Stanford, New Jersey. He followed these with a number of Fellowships including one in Hematology/Oncology at the prestigious M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX, and two years at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Wysznski is well known for his quality of care and the personal interest he takes in his patients. He is very active in many professional societies and investigative trials.

BOARD CERTIFICATIONS:

• American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine: Hematology/ Oncology-Certified: 8/24/2007

• American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES:

• American Osteopathic Association

• ASCO

•Texas Medical Association

•Dallas County Medical Association

CLINICAL CANCER INVESTIGATIVE TRIALS:

•Central Pennsylvania Oncology Group Protocal

•Eastern Cooperative Group

• Southwest Oncology Group

PERSONAL INTERESTS:

•Married and father of 2 children

• Enjoys traveling and spending time with family

• Active in many hobbies

Diane S. Litke, MD

Diplomate American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

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

Dr. Diane S. Litke, MD