Home and Garden - Kitsap Living - Fall 2017

Kitsap HEALTH AND WELLNESS IN KITSAP

FALL 2017

SPONSORED BY

A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO THE BAINBRIDGE ISLAND REVIEW, NORTH KITSAP HERALD, CENTRAL KITSAP REPORTER, KITSAP WEEKLY AND PORT ORCHARD INDEPENDENT

2

KITSAP LIVING FALL EDITION

OCTOBER 20, 2017

YOUR BACKGROUND NOISE EXPERTS

POULSBO 19319 7TH AVE NE SUITE 102 360-697-3061

.. .. .

PORT TOWNSEND 1308 W. SIMS WAY 360-379-5458 Dr. Megan Nightingale

800-540-8698 peninsulahearing.com

KITSAP LIVING FALL EDITION

OCTOBER 20, 2017

3

SIMPLE LIVING

A different way to live in a complex world

BY BETH BERGLUND COLUMNIST

Consider the benefits of a simpler life and be clear about your values, instead of allowing the status of business and conventional notions of success and security to define your life.”

T

he seasons in the Pacific Northwest are truly glorious. Are you getting as much time to enjoy the seasons as you’d like?

Many of us who live here, I suspect, suffer from one of two dilemmas keeping us from fully enjoying this place in which we live — being money rich and time poor, or being both money poor and time poor.

Have you heard the parable of the Mexican fisherman?

An American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them. He replied, “Only a little while.”

The American then asked why didn’t he stay out longer and catch more fish?

The Mexican said he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs. The American then asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”

The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siestas with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life.”

The American scoffed, “I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and, with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat, you could buy

— Beth Berglund

Consider the benefits of a simpler life and be clear about your values instead of allowing the status of business and conventional notions of success and security to define your life.

Creative Outlet

several boats. Eventually, you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman, you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing, and distribution.

You would need to leave this small coastal

Kitsap

fishing village and move to Mexico City, then L.A. and eventually New York City, where you will run your expanding enterprise.”

The Mexican fisherman asked, “But, how long will this all take?” To which the American replied, “Fifteen to 20 years.”

Publisher: Terry R. Ward General manager/advertising director: Donna Etchey Special Publications editor/writer: Leslie Kelly Managing editor: Richard Walker Copyright 2017 Sound Publishing

KitsapDailyNews.com | BainbridgeReview.com HEALTH AND WELLNESS IN KITSAP

FALL 2017

is published by Sound Publishing. For information about upcoming special publications, call 360-779-4464

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND REVIEW | 98110 | NORTH KITSAP HERALD | CENTRAL KITSAP REPORTER | KITSAP WEEKLY | PORT ORCHARD INDEPENDENT | KINGSTON COMMUNITY NEWS

“But what then?” the fisherman asked.

The American laughed and said, “That’s the best part. When the time is right, you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich. You would make millions!”

“Millions — then what?” the fisherman asked. To which the American replied, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siestas with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”

It’s a simple story with a powerful message. Consider the benefits of a simpler life and be clear about your values instead of allowing the status of business and conventional notions of success and security to define your life.

If you’d like to invest a little time reading, pondering, and discussing topics like these with neighbors and new friends, join us for an Northwest Earth Institute discussion course, “A Different Way: Living Simply in a Complex World,” this fall at Stillwaters Environmental Center. Call 360297-1226 for details.

It was a Northwest Earth Institute discussion course called “Hungry for Change: Food, Ethics and Sustainability,” that brought me to Stillwaters the first time many years ago, so I know you will find the experience enriching.

— Beth Berglund is a member of the Stillwaters Environmental Center board of directors. Contact her at bethisgreen@gmail. com.

4

KITSAP LIVING FALL EDITION

OCTOBER 20, 2017

GOOD READS

Cool books to warm you this fall and winter

BY LESLIE KELLY KITSAP NEWS GROUP

S

ummer is a busy time, and unless you’re waiting for an airplane or lying in the sun, chances are you haven’t had time to pick up a book and read.

Take advantage of the days getting shorter and the temperatures getting colder and snuggle up with some hot tea, or the beverage of your choice, and get reading.

Here are suggestions from the staff at Liberty Bay Books in Poulsbo and Bremerton.

• “The Half-Drowned King” by Linnea Hartsuyker. Publisher: Harper Collins.

According to the publisher, this book is “an exhilarating saga of the Vikings that conjures a brutal, superstitious, and thrilling ninth-century world and the birth of a kingdom — the debut installment in a historical literary trilogy that combines the bold imagination and sweeping narrative power of ‘Game of Thrones,’ ‘Vikings,’ and ‘Outlander.’ ” • “Love and Other Consolation Prizes”

by Jamie Ford. The author graduated from South Kitsap High School and the story is set at the Seattle 1909 World’s Fair. Publisher: Ballantine.

• “Artemis” by Andy Weir. The bestselling author of “The Martian” returns with a new near-future thriller — a heist story set on the moon. Publisher: Crown.

• “A Column of Fire,” by Ken Follett.

A return to Kingsbridge Cathedral.

Publisher: Viking.

• “The Girl Who Takes an Eye for an Eye,” by David Lagercrantz, a new Lisbeth Salander crime novel. Publisher: Knopf.

• “The Girl in the Tower,” by Katherine Arden. This is book two in the Winternight trilogy, a Russian folk tale.

Publisher: Del Rey. • “Godsgrave,” by Jay Kristoff. Book two in the Nevernight chronicles.

Themes: fantasy, sci-fi, steampunk.

Publisher: St. Martins Press.

• “Sourdough,” by Robin Sloan.

“Artemis,” by Andy Weir

“The Half-Drowned King” by Linnea Hartsuyker.

“Love and Other Consolation Prizes” by Jamie Ford

“The Girl in the Tower,” by Katherine Arden

“A Column of Fire,” by Ken Follett.

“The Girl Who Takes an Eye for an Eye,” by David Lagercrantz,

“Godsgrave,” by Jay Kristoff

Sourdough,” by Robin Sloan

According to Amazon: Lois, a software engineer at a San Francisco robotics company is no baker, “but she could use a roommate, even if it is a needy colony of microorganisms. Soon, not only is she eating her own homemade bread, she’s providing loaves daily to [her company] cafeteria. The company chef urges her to

take her product to the farmer’s market, and a whole new world opens up.

“When Lois comes before the jury that decides who sells what at Bay Area markets, she encounters a close-knit club with no appetite for new members. But then, an alternative emerges: a secret market that aims to fuse food and technology. But

who are these people, exactly?” Publisher: FSG. To find out more about these books, visit Liberty Bay Books, 18881 D Front St., Poulsbo, www.libertybaybooks.com, 360-779-5909; in Bremerton, 409 Pacific Ave. Suite 202, Bremerton, 360-626-3430.

Lois, a software engineer at a San Francisco robotics company, is not a baker, but she could use a roommate, even if it is a needy colony of microorganisms.”

— Amazon.com, in a review of Robin Sloan’s book, “Sourdough.”

OCTOBER 20, 2017

KITSAP LIVING FALL EDITION

5

HEALTHY EATING

Beware of ‘proportion distortion’

E

ver heard the term, “My eyes were bigger than my stomach”?

That’s known as “proportion distortion,” friend, and nutrition experts say it’s a problem not only when we eat out,

but also at home.

Did you know that Americans are the heaviest of people in developed countries.

The U.S. surgeon general has called obesity a national epidemic.

You can overcome “proportion distortion” by following the graphic below.

Remember: With each decade as we age, we need 100 fewer calories a day.

Consuming an extra 100 calories a day

for a year without using them can lead to weight gain of 10 pounds.

Every gram of carbohydrate or protein equals 4 calories. Every gram of fat equals 9 calories.

6

KITSAP LIVING FALL EDITION

OCTOBER 20, 2017

Ask Yourself These Questions...

Add up the number of points for each “yes” answer. If you scored 4 points or more, you maybe at risk. Contact one of KPT’s geriatric specialists with your results for a FREE screening and recommendation to help you stay independent and active for life.

OCTOBER 20, 2017

KITSAP LIVING FALL EDITION

7

You can stay independent, active for life

with your doctor or pharmacist to review medications Check your vision. Make sure you get your vision examined every year and update your glasses as needed.

Keep moving. Begin an exercise program to improve leg strength and balance.

Make your home safe. Keep clutter off the floor, remove or secure rugs, add grab bars in the bathroom, add guardrails to staircases and ensure lighting is adequate.

SUPPLIED BY KITSAP PHYSICAL THERAPY AND SPORTS CLINICS

‘Stay Active and Independent’ classes

A

rvon Anderson is a firm believer in physical therapy, having benefited from it in the past for shoulder and hip problems. He’s even been able to avoid surgery because of physical therapy.

So when recent chemotherapy treatments made his legs weak, resulting in several falls and difficulty walking, he turned to Kitsap Physical Therapy and Sports Clinics (KPT).

After six weeks of working with Jarel Bakke, a doctor of physical therapy and geriatric specialist at KPT, Anderson regained his confidence to walk.

“We worked on strengthening my legs and arms after cancer treatment so I could stand,” Anderson said. “It helped me with my stability. Jarel helped me a lot and I would recommend him to anyone.”

According to KPT, leg weakness is common in older adults, and it’s a major contributor to falls.

About 25 percent of adults ages 65 and older suffer from falls, and about a quarter of those falls result in injuries.

Two thirds of seniors who experience a fall will fall again within six months.

One in three people age 65 years and older fall at least once every year. One in 40 of those will be hospitalized and only half of those hospitalized will survive the year.

Sixty percent of fatal falls occur in the home.

According to KPT, you can help prevent falls with physical therapy while also addressing risk factors that may impact balance. Kitsap Physical Therapy’s fall-prevention program takes a holistic approach that combines physical therapy with education about those risk factors.

A PT can perform functional tests to assess the patient’s strength and balance, and then design a personalized treatment plan. This plan includes functional exercises to strengthen the leg muscles, as well as other activities, such as walking, getting

Karen Kline improved her heart health with the assistance of Rob McDowell of Kitsap Physical Therapy. Stay Active and Independent for Life classes can help you increase your energy level, improve flexibility, maintain healthy weight, and improve sleep.

File photo

We try to incorporate the exercises into daily life.

We want to simulate real life because that’s what the patients need to get back to.”

— Jarel Bakke, doctor of physical therapy, Kitsap Physical Therapy out of a chair and building cardiovascular endurance.

“We try to incorporate the exercises into daily life. We want to simulate real life because that’s what the patients need to get back to,” Bakke said.

Bakke said poor proprioception — the brain’s ability to integrate sensory information from receptors in joints — can also contribute to falls. This is common in older adults because nerve function slows with age, but proprioception can be improved with the appropriate exercises.

Other factors that KPT’s physical therapists address include vision screening — making sure the patient has a current exam and prescription and directing them to an optometrist if needed — as well as assessing the home environment. Floor rugs, poor lighting and roaming pets are all things that can be addressed to help prevent falls.

“We want to talk about what else may be going on in your environment that may be contributing to falls,” Bakke said.

Medication can be another contributor to falls. “If you’re on five or more medica-

tions, talk to your doctor or pharmacist to make sure that’s not affecting your balance,” Bakke said.

The fall-prevention program is part of Kitsap Physical Therapy’s program for older adults. Currently, three PTs are working on becoming certified geriatric specialists, earned after completing a ninemonth educational curriculum.

“We want to give people the tools to enjoy their life. If their balance is impaired, that significantly affects their ability to get out and do things they want to do,” Bakke said. “We want to work with each person and figure out how we can use exercises and other strategies to help you age better and enjoy life.”

KPT has geriatric specialists at the Bainbridge, Bremerton, Kingston and both Poulsbo clinic locations. For more program information, go to www.kitsappt. com or email info@kitsappt.com.

Four things you can do

Medication Management. Talk to your doctor, express your concerns, work

In collaboration with the Kitsap County Fall Prevention Coalition, KPT will be the first organization to offer SAIL (Stay Active and Independent for Life) classes in the county.

SAIL is an evidence-based fall-prevention class for adults 65 and older that helps improve strength, balance and cardiovascular fitness. Its goal is to keep adults active and reduce their chances of falling.

Classes will be conducted two or three times a week by PTs and PTAs (physical therapist assistants) who specialize in geriatrics and are SAIL-certified instructors.

The class is designed to help increase energy, improve walking and flexibility, maintain healthy weight, and improve self-image and sleep. It uses a group approach, providing a social environment where peers interact and can create new relationships.

KPT offers classes at the following locations: 10 a.m. Mondays at Village Green Community Center, 26159 Dulay Road NE, Kingston, 360-297-1263.

Noon Fridays at Kingston Fitness, 26001 Barber Cut Off Road NE, Kingston, 360-297-3336.

Classes will soon be available at KPT’s Silverdale and Bainbridge Island locations.

Email info@kitsappt.com.

The state Department of Health, in alliance with Wellness Place, Inc., administers the SAIL Program. KPT’s commitment to SAIL is part of a larger Kitsap area effort to help seniors avoid injury and loss of independence due to falls. KPT is joined by the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Kitsap, Harrison Medical Center, and local, county and state agencies for older adult services. The common goal is for aging to be as safe, healthy, and happy as possible.

8

KITSAP LIVING FALL EDITION

OCTOBER 20, 2017

HEALTH & FITNESS

Lifestyle change can result in healthy weight

BY LESLIE KELLY KITSAP NEWS GROUP

A

fter years in the medical field as a family practice physician, Dr. Ellen K. Stehouwer began to realize that one of the most common problems her patients came to her with was their weight.

Many of them wanted to lose weight.

“Every day, patients would come in and want to know how to lose weight,” Stehouwer said. “People think about it as something they do to look better. But in reality, losing weight is all about getting healthy.

“They are told, ‘Eat less, move more and have will power.’ But being overweight is a disease and should be treated

like one,” she said.

And that’s what led she and her husband, Jim Mange, to open Kitsap Medical Weight Loss in February. The clinic offers medical help for those wanting to lose weight.

Stehouwer said, even though obesity is a major problem in America, medical schools don’t teach physicians how to help patients lose weight. So she boarded to become certified in medical bariatrics by the American Board of Obesity Medicine.

She had a clerkship with Dr. Allen Rader, an expert in the field.

Kitsap Medical Weight Loss saw its first patient in February. Since then, they’ve seen clients lose more than 1,800 pounds.

“Ninety-five percent of the patients who have seen us have lost weight,” said Mange, the office manager. And 80 per-

From left, Susanna Molina, Dr. Ellen K. Stehouwer, and Jason Mange of Kitsap Medical Leslie Kelly/Kitsap News Group Weight Loss. cent of patients have lost weight — at least 5 percent of their body weight in just two

Local news.

months.

See WEIGHT LOSS, Page 9

In print & online.

Wherever you are.

360-779-4464 | KitsapDailyNews.com | BainbridgeReview.com BAINBRIDGE ISLAND REVIEW | 98110 | NORTH KITSAP HERALD | CENTRAL KITSAP REPORTER | KITSAP WEEKLY PORT ORCHARD INDEPENDENT | KINGSTON COMMUNITY NEWS

OCTOBER 20, 2017

KITSAP LIVING FALL EDITION

9

Feeling glum? Here are tips for beating S.A.D.

BY ANNE-MARIE BOTEK AGINGCARE.COM

S

easonal affective disorder and vitamin D deficiency can be hazardous to your health. The good news is, they are both easily treatable if identified and dealt with properly.

Feeling a bit glum may seem like an ordinary reaction to the fading glow of the holidays. But when that feeling of sadness persists for more than a week or two, it might not be just the lack of festive lights and carols getting you down.

Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known by the acronym, SAD, is a form of depression that cycles with the seasons. It can occur during any time of the year, but it typically hits most people in the winter.

As the weather gradually gets colder and the days shorter, people affected by the winter-induced form of SAD will generally begin to feel the symptoms of depression, including; a loss of energy, an increased appetite and an enhanced feeling of lethargy and tiredness.

According to the National Institutes of Health, SAD is more likely to strike women and people who live in northern areas where the sun is not as strong or constant.

Weight loss Continued from page 8

“Those who have stayed with the program longer have lost more,” he said. “But even a 5 percent weight loss is enough to see blood pressure lowered and help with other significant health issues.”

When a potential patient comes to their office, he or she are seen by Stehouwer, who does a medical examination and health history. The patient is given a body composition test to determine what percentage of their body is muscle, fat, water, etc.

There’s an educational component which can be done one-on-one, or in a group setting, where patients learn how to eat.

“We talk about specific guidelines for nutrition,” she said. “We aren’t a meal replacement program or a diet. This is a lifestyle change.”

Patients are encouraged to eat a lowercarbohydrate diet, moderate protein and

Eat foods fortified with vitamin D ... Milk, yogurt and juice all contain extra doses.” — Anne-Marie Botek The main difference between SAD and general depression is that SAD only strikes during certain times of the year. The hormonal changes that lead to depressive symptoms in people with SAD are usually caused by a decline in the amount of daylight during the winter and fall.

These effects can be compounded if a person primarily stays indoors and doesn’t have the opportunity to venture out into the sun often.

Adding light: Like other forms of depression, SAD can be treated with antidepressant medications, which are most effective if started prior to the onset of symptoms each year.

Another form of treatment designed to alleviate the symptoms of SAD is light therapy.

Light therapy utilizes a piece of equipment called a “light box” — essentially a fluorescent lamp that gives off light similar to natural sunlight. Most light boxes come with a filter that blocks UV rays so the light does not damage eyes or skin.

Research has shown that, when used properly, a light box can help decrease the amount of melatonin (a hormone that causes drowsiness and lethargy) circulating in a person’s body, and regulate the neurotransmitters serotonin and epinephrine. Having an imbalance of these chemicals can heighten the symptoms of depression.

If you are diagnosed with SAD, your doctor may instruct you to sit in front of the light box for 30 to 45 minutes a day, usually in the morning, in order to make up for the lack of sunlight most people experience during the winter.

Though it is not always the go-to treatment for SAD, some studies have shown that light therapy has the potential to be as effective as antidepressant medication when it comes to treating the disorder.

Of course, a more natural alternative to light therapy is daily exposure to sunlight.

If time and weather conditions permit, spend some time outside during daylight hours.

More Vitamin D, please: Vitamin D

low in fat. Food lists are given to each patient and there are recipes and suggested meal plans online at www.kitsapmedicalweightloss.com.

And patients are encouraged to exercise.

“We talk about what exercise will work into their life,” Stehouwer said. “Fitness is a component of what we do.”

Many of the people who come to see her are borderline diabetic or have diabetes. Some patients have health issues that require that they be given an EKG, which can be done at the clinic. Blood draws also are used to determine a person’s health and are done by medical assistant Susanna Molina.

For the initial visit, clients pay $285.

Checkups once a month are $90.

One of the aspects of Stehouwer’s clinic that differs from other weight loss centers is that she is a medical doctor and can prescribe medication to help with weight loss, if needed.

“Losing weight includes behavioral and psychological components, and metabolic

and nutritional information,” she said. “All of these are part of it. And in some cases there are medications that can help with cravings and appetite.”

In the short time they’ve been open, they’ve seen success with their patient.

“Some have said their blood pressure is under control,” Mange said. “Others have said they are feeling better overall because they are eating right.”

Successes also include people who have seen improvements in chronic pain and sleep patterns. And they’ve had patients who are now hiking and kayaking when they’d never have been able to do that before losing weight.

Part of the process is learning that there isn’t an end to the program, Stehouwer said.

“What we do here is real life,” she said.

“Patients don’t have to come here for the rest of their lives. But we have the weight loss phase and then the maintenance phase, where they learn how to maintain their weight loss. We find the number on the scale that will trigger them needing to

is a vital nutrient that has been linked to bone health, cancer prevention, incontinence prevention, and diabetes prevention. You can obtain vitamin D by eating certain foods (salmon, beef, egg yolks, fortified cereals and juices), brief sun exposure, and by taking dietary supplements.

While frigid weather is likely to have little effect on availability of the right foods and supplements, the sun is out for shorter periods of time in the winter.

Lacking vitamin D is bad for a person’s health at any age, but can be particularly dangerous for the elderly. Older people who don’t get enough vitamin D have an increased risk for developing osteoporosis — a dangerous decrease in bone density that can contribute to broken bones. The National Institutes for Health has identified elderly people as an at-risk group for vitamin D deficiency.

Older people are often unable to be exposed to enough sunlight to be beneficial. And certain medications taken by older people, such as the anti-inflammatory, prednisone, can inhibit their natural ability to produce and metabolize vitamin D. Solution: Eat foods fortified with vitamin D. Certain varieties of milk, yogurt and juice all contain extra doses of the vitamin.

More: www.agingcare.com.

call us and come back in.”

The work is very rewarding.

“We’re very excited about what we’ve seen so far,” Mange said. “We haven’t been open long enough to have statistics on the longterm results. But to be able to give patients good news — they’ve lost weight or their lab work is better — that’s a good feeling.”

Kitsap Medical Weight Loss can help anyone trying to lose weight, he said.

Some patients come because they need to lose weight before their physician will allow them have surgery, such as a knee replacement. Medications prescribed are dispensed in their office.

“It just has to be someone who knows there is no magic pill,” he said. “It takes work. But anyone interested in doing the work, we’re here for them.”

To learn more, go to www.kitsapmedical weightloss.com, or call 360-626-1166.

— Leslie Kelly is special publications editor for Kitsap News Group. Contact her at lkelly@soundpublishing.com.

10

KITSAP LIVING FALL EDITION

OCTOBER 20, 2017

PERSONAL STORY

Learning you’ll need ‘extra views’ The other women had just had their mammogram that day and were waiting for what they call “additional views,” which usually means more mammograhere were eight of us sitting in the phy and an ultrasound. Their wait to find waiting room. Some were staring out if they had breast cancer was shorter into space, while others than mine. Because I had done nervously turned the pages of old the original mammogram on magazines.

Bainbridge, I had to schedule my Each one of us was there for additional views and wait a week the same reason and had the for an appointment. same worry on our minds. We all During that week, all kinds of had something abnormal show thoughts went through my head. up on a mammogram. We all What would I do if I had cancer? were thinking the worst, “What if Would I be able to get treatment I have breast cancer?” near home, or would I be going Leslie Kelly Statistically, one of us did. Who back and forth to Seattle? Would would be that one?

I have to have chemotherapy and I had had my mammogram at lose my hair? I even obsessed to the point a mobile unit offered by Swedish Hospital. that I had already decided on a short, Because my internist is with Swedish blond wig, just for shock value.

Bainbridge Clinic, I thought “Why not do As I waited for my name to be called, to that? It will save me half a day and a ferry review the additional views with the doctrip to Seattle.” tor of radiology, I thought how many times

BY LESLIE KELLY KITSAP NEWS GROUP

T

“Where is the attention of your customers?”

Reach your desired Market through our

Digital Marketing Department Social Media I Retargeting

Digital Advertising Solutions

that week I’d made deals with God. “Dear God, If you let this be OK, I won’t ask for anything else for a year. I won’t be the negative person that I tend to me. I’ll look at this as a new beginning …”

You get the idea.

The women in this room ranged in age from their 30s to — well, let’s just say older. I wondered about their stories. I thought about whether they felt the same way I did, that bad news might be coming.

I especially felt for the younger women in the room because they probably had young kids at home who they’d have to explain all this to. And they had more years out in front of them to be concerned about breast cancer.

This had happened to me once before, when I was about 40. I was called back in for more views. That time, everything turned out OK, so I thought luck was on my side. But there is a history of breast cancer in my family. In fact, I had a cousin on my mother’s side who died at 40 from breast cancer. And the BRCA gene is present in some females in my extended family.

It’s true: Early detection saves lives Examinations and tests Peninsula Community Health 360-377-3776 | www.pchsweb.org Planned Parenthood 360-373-6827 | www.ppgnhi.org Peninsula Cancer Center, Poulsbo 360-697-8000 | www.peninsulacancercernter.com

Support groups Call today to schedule your digital marketing analysis Travis Moore, Digital DNA Expert 360-207-0019

KitsapDailyNews.com | BainbridgeReview. com BAINBRIDGE ISLAND REVIEW | 98110 | NORTH KITSAP HERALD | CENTRAL KITSAP REPORTER | KITSAP WEEKLY PORT ORCHARD INDEPENDENT | KINGSTON COMMUNITY NEWS

Just before they called my name, a woman in her late 30s walked out from having met with the doctor. Her face was red and she’d been crying. She looked very upset. She just learned of the battle that lay ahead for her and even though she was a complete stranger, I wanted to rush up and hug her.

When I did see the doctor, she said the new 3D images taken earlier that day looked good, but she wanted to do an ultrasound to make sure. She was very good at explaining everything and showed me the area of concern, which she said most likely was dense breast tissue only, no tumors.

She told me to come back in a year. I got dressed and went home.

On the way, I couldn’t help but think about the woman who was so upset. Why was it her and not me? Did any of the other women in the waiting room get bad news, too?

Sometimes, it just all feels like a crapshoot. And as a female, the worry never goes away. It just rests at the back of my mind, until next year’s mammogram.

— Leslie Kelly is special publications editor for Kitsap News Group. Contact her at lkelly@soundpublishing.com.

CHI/Harrison Support Group 2520 Cherry Ave., Bremerton 360-792-6885 | www.harrisonhospital.org

Did you know ...

• In Kitsap County, on average, 1,719 new cases of cancer are diagnosed annually. Of those cases, 272 are breast cancer.

• Early detection does save lives.

• Saving lives is the goal of Washington

state’s Breast, Cervical & Colon Health Program, which provides free breast and cervical screening and treatment and colon cancer screening to low-income people in our state.

• While colon cancer screening is not yet available under this program in Kitsap County, more than 30,000 women in Kitsap, King, Clallam, and Jefferson counties have benefitted from screening mammograms and Pap tests since 1994.

• Low-income people are less likely to receive cancer screening, due to costs, so are more likely to find cancers at later stages.

• Mammograms are the best way to detect breast cancer early when it is most treatable.

• Invasive cervical cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer, thanks to the effectiveness of the Pap test.

To learn more about the program and screenings in Kitsap County, call 360-7282235.

Source: Kitsap Health District

KITSAP LIVING FALL EDITION

OCTOBER 20, 2017

11

Meet your local ‘background noise’ experts SUPPLIED BY PENINSULA HEARING

N

early everyone who experiences trouble hearing complains about background noise as being the worst situation in which to try to understand speech.

Complaints range from background noise being a minor irritant to a major problem, in which the affected individual needs to remove themselves from the situation, OR REMOVE THEIR HEARING DEVICES! Our current testing methods, which measure the presence and severity of a hearing problem, do nothing to measure a person’s hearing difficulty in real life situations, such as background noise.

The professionals at Peninsula Hearing however, have recently taken on the issue of background noise and now have a testing protocol to help measure a person’s likely difficulty understanding speech in background noise and their tolerance of background sound.

“Now we have a way of helping people make the right decisions about what in

hearing device technology will help them the most,” said Megan Nightingale, doctor of audiology and owner of Peninsula Hearing.

“This is one of the most exciting ways to almost predict how well a client will do with a given hearing device.”

We invite any of our current clients who are interested in learning about our new testing protocol for background noise to call in and book a quick appointment. It usually takes no more than a half hour and will give us much needed practice in turning the test information into useful information on tuning your current devices or making decisions on future device purchases.

Peninsula Hearing has two offices: •19319 7th Ave. Suite 102, Poulsbo 360-697-3061 •1308 W. Sims Way, Port Townsend 360-379-5458

Peninsula Hearing’s team: Front from left, Lori Mercer, doctor of audiology; Matt Clifton, vice president of operations; Sue Wiedman, customer relations; Kathy Porter, office manager; Barbara Balkus, administrative assistant; back from left, Elisa Welch, hearing instrument specialist; Dr. Megan Nightingale, doctor of audiology; and June Hensley, audiologist.

Peninsula Hearing photo

Looking Looking for for the the perfect perfect home? home?

Online, go to www.peninsulahearing. com or email info@peninsulahearing.com.

Looking for for dream forhome theloan perfect home?

LookingLooking for the the right right home loan for your your dream home? home?

Looking for the right home loan for your dream home?

Looking for the right home loan for your dream home?

Strengthening our Communities Since 1923

Shawnee Spencer

Strengthening our Communities Since 1923 our Communities 1923 Ask about ourStrengthening limited time Jumbo Loan RateSince Promotion

Strengthening our Communities Since 1923

Ask limited time Jumbo Loan Rate Promotion Ask about about our our Ask limited time Jumbo Loan Rate Promotion about our limited time Jumbo Loan Rate Promotion

Mortgage Loan Officer NMLS# 463131 Live Customer Service M-F 7:00am - 7:00pm 360.308.2349

Learn More > Open Account Online > ourfirstfed.com > 800.800.1577

Live Customer Service M-F 7:00am - 7:00pm Live Customer Service M-F 7:00am - 7:00pm Live Customer Service M-F 7:00am - 7:00pm Learn More > Open Account Online > 800.800.1577 Learn > Moreourfirstfed.com > Open Account Online > ourfirstfed.com > 800.800.1577 Learn More > Open Account Online > ourfirstfed.com > 800.800.1577

7A1966650

Looking for the perfect home?

12

KITSAP LIVING FALL EDITION

OCTOBER 20, 2017

Hello, KITSAP

There’s a new Medicare health plan in town Humana Gold Plus® HMO is here At Humana, we believe great things are ahead of you when you’re healthy. Part of being healthy means choosing the right Medicare plan for you. We have new Medicare Advantage plans that can help you get ready!

Your licensed Humana sales agent can go over your current plan and find out what else you could get by switching to a Humana Medicare Advantage plan. Learn why more than 3 million* people across the country selected Humana Medicare Advantage plans. Call now!

Find out more by calling a licensed Humana sales agent today.

1-877-384-4831 (TTY: 711)

8 a.m.–8 p.m., seven days a week ¿En español? Llame gratis al 1-855-899-3129 (TTY: 711) You can also call now to reserve a spot at a neighborhood meeting to learn more: BREMERTON Bremerton Senior Center 1140 Nipsic Ave. Oct. 26 at 3:30 p.m.

Nov. 2, 7, 14, 30 at 3:30 p.m.

BREMERTON Denny’s Restaurant 5004 Kitsap Way Oct. 24, 31 at 10:30 a.m.

Nov. 9 at 12:30 p.m.

Nov. 16 at 9:30 a.m.

Nov. 28 at 10:30 a.m.

PORT ORCHARD Family Pancake House 1034 Bethel Ave. Oct. 25 at 11:30 a.m.

Nov. 1, 8, 15, 29 at 11:30 a.m.

POULSBO Elmer’s Restaurant 760 Liberty Way Oct. 24, 31 at 2:30 p.m.

Nov. 9 at 9:30 a.m.

Nov. 16, 28 at 2:30 p.m.

SILVERDALE All Star Lanes 10710 Silverdale Way NW Oct. 20 at 9 a.m.

Oct. 23 at 1:30 p.m.

Oct. 26 at 10 a.m.

Nov. 3, 6, 10 at 10 a.m.

*Humana Inc. First Quarter 2017 Earnings Release May 3, 2017 Humana is a Medicare Advantage HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in this Humana plan depends on contract renewal. A licensed Humana sales agent will be present with information and applications. For accommodation of people with special needs at sales meetings, call 1-877-384-4831 (TTY: 711), 8 a.m.–8 p.m., seven days a week. Humana Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Humana”) do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex. Applicable to Humana Gold Plus H5619-099 (HMO).

English: ATTENTION: If you do not speak English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 1-877-384-4831 (TTY: 711).

Español (Spanish): ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-855-899-3129 (TTY: 711). 繁體中文(Chinese):注意：如果您使用繁體中文，您可以免費獲得語言援助服務。請致電 1-877-384-4831 (TTY: 711).

Y0040_GHHHXCYEN18_89 Accepted