Macomb Health & Life: Fall/Winter 2018

FALL/WINTER 2018 | $3.95

STROKE: NEW STANDARD OF CARE “THE PATIENT I’LL NEVER FORGET”

A HEART IN NEED

MCLAREN.ORG/MACOMBHEALTHANDLIFE

SWEET SENSATIONS

BACK PAIN:

MINIMALLY INVASIVE OPTIONS

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WE CAN DO THIS ALL DAY. AND ALL NIGHT. To become a verified trauma center, hospitals must meet rigorous national standards—like having trauma surgeons evaluate patients within 15 minutes of arrival. At McLaren Macomb, that’s not good enough.

We understand that minutes make a difference.

That’s why our trauma surgeons are in-house 24/7 to evaluate each trauma patient immediately upon arrival.

McLaren Macomb is Macomb County’s first verified trauma center, and we are committed to having trauma surgeons in-house every day, all day. Because when it’s someone you love, 15 minutes can be a lifetime.

McLaren Macomb is Macomb County’s first verified trauma center.

Learn more about McLaren Macomb’s trauma expertise at mclaren.org/macombtrauma.

1000 Harrington Blvd, Mount Clemens, MI 48043

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CONTENTS

{ FALL/WINTER 2018 }

FEATURES 14

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Minimally invasive heart valve replacement gives one patient his energy back.

The stroke standard of care now helps more patients.

A HEART IN NEED

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A CHANCE TO GIVE THANKS McLaren Macomb provides care and comfort after a devastating car accident.

THROMBECTOMY

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NEW CANCER TREATMENTS Immunotherapy and hormone therapy explained.

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MINIMALLY INVASIVE SPINE SURGERY Getting patients back to activity sooner.

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“THE PATIENT I’LL NEVER FORGET” Physicians share stories of the patients who’ve had a lasting impact on them.

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ESCAPES Portugal offers vibrant cities, medieval history, fabulous food, exquisite beaches and more.

I N E V ERY I S S UE

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6 8 44 46

W E LC O M E L E T T E R E D I TO R’S N OT E W H E R E TO E AT BE THERE

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WE WORK ON MORE HEARTS THAN A FIRST-GRADE ART CLASS IN FEBRUARY. Our cardiac specialists perform more high-risk surgeries and offer more types of cardiology procedures than any other area hospital.

Find out how a McLaren cardiologist can do what’s best for you.

mclaren.org/macombheart

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{ CONTENTS }

28 DEPARTMENTS 12

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Our guide to things we love in Macomb County.

Middle Eastern desserts bring delicious flavors to your table.

LOCAL BUZZ

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HEALTHY OUTCOMES After 20 years of seizures, one patient gets the expert care he needed to find relief.

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WINTER WARMTH Use these decorating tips to bring an extra dash of good cheer to your home when temperatures plummet.

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SWEET SENSATIONS

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GATHERINGS Photos from recent McLaren Macomb events.

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POWER FOOD Walnuts: An antioxidant powerhouse.

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OF COURSE, SHE GETS HER OWN ROOM. At McLaren Macomb, we have assembled a team of OB/GYN physicians from a wide variety of backgrounds to meet your health care needs before, during and after pregnancy. In addition to comprehensive prenatal care at physician offices throughout Macomb County, McLaren Macomb offers birthing education and child care classes to help new mothers prepare for their special delivery. Our Family Birthing Center is staffed by a team of experienced nurses focused on meeting the unique needs of each patient. All this, with 15 private birthing suites where mom and baby can share their first moments.

Whether you’re preparing to become a new mother or considering robotic gynecological surgery, McLaren Macomb’s OB/GYN team is prepared to provide the care you need. You can feel comfortable sharing your questions or concerns with our experienced and compassionate OB/GYN physicians.

THOMAS ALDERSON, DO

Clinton Twp. (586) 493-3740 KATHERINE BOYD, MD

Warren (586) 573-7222 CAROL FISCHER, DO

Mount Clemens (586) 493-3880

SARAH JONES, DO

Clinton Twp. (586) 286-4880 LINDA KARADSHEH, DO

Clinton Twp. (586) 286-4880

STEPHEN OLSON, DO

Chesterfield & Clinton Twp. (586) 725-4604 CASSANDRA RAMAR, DO

Clinton Twp. (586) 412-5117

SARAH VYSKOCIL, DO

Clinton Twp. & Chesterfield (586) 286-4880 SARA ELHUSEIN, DO

Shelby Twp. (586) 992-9010

ENID ROBERTS, MD

Chesterfield (586) 716-1702

To learn more about McLaren Macomb’s Family Birthing Center, visit mclaren.org/deliveringdaily

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{ WELCOME LETTER }

PROVIDING THE BEST CARE Read articles and see great bonus content at mclaren.org/macombhealthandlife View videos, download recipes and more...

After a beautiful and hot summer, I, like so many, welcome the cool, crisp air and changing colors of autumn.

The atmosphere makes this a fantastic time of year.

As the end of the year approaches and we at McLaren Macomb look back on 2018, we can’t help but feel great about a number of initiatives we’ve introduced that directly benefit our Macomb County community. Most noticeable is the construction project that will radically change the face of our hospital campus and result in the Wayne and Joan Webber Emergency and Trauma Center (pg. 17). Also this year, our cardiology team was the first in the county to perform a life-saving, minimally invasive heart procedure for high-risk patients (pg. 14), and our specialized neurologist, epileptologist Dr. Nikesh Ardeshna, is improving patients’ lives in Macomb County’s first and only Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (pg. 26).

Last, but certainly not least, congratulations to our cancer center, the Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Macomb, Ted B. Wahby Cancer Center, which celebrated 10 years of providing comprehensive cancer care within the community (pg. 42). The center is staffed by a group of clinicians truly dedicated to their patients and the advanced treatment options they can offer them (pg. 20).

I sincerely hope you enjoy this edition of Macomb Health & Life, and, to all of you, my wishes for a happy, healthy holiday season and prosperous new year.

T Thomas Brisse President & CEO McLaren Macomb

mclaren.org/macombhealthandlife

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FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT M c LAREN MACOMB, VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT MCLAREN.ORG/MACOMB.

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DOING WHAT’S BEST RIGHT IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. McLAREN MACOMB PROVIDES A RANGE OF SERVICES AT OUR SHELBY CREEK LOCATION McLaren Macomb Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy Physical and occupational therapists providing treatment in a variety of orthopedic, oncological and neurological conditions.

(586) 992-9030 Monday–Thursday: 7:30 a.m.–7 p.m.

McLaren Macomb–Shelby Creek Family Medicine A comprehensive and compassionate approach to healthcare. Same-day appointments available.

(586) 465-2000 Mon., Tues., Wed., and Fri.: 8 a.m.–6 p.m.

McLaren Macomb–Women’s Health Shelby Creek Full obstetrics and gynecological services.

(586) 465-2000 Monday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Friday: 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

McLaren Cardiovascular Institute Staffed by board-certified cardiologists, services include pacemaker, implantable defibrillator and a Coumadin clinic.

(586) 992-9040 Hours: Call for physician hours

McLaren Macomb Diagnostic Imaging Services by appointment include: CT scan, MRI, bone density, echocardiogram, ultrasound and mammography. No appointment necessary for routine lab and X-ray.

(586) 992-9010 Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Stony Creek Urgent Care A comprehensive, full-service urgent care staffed by board-certified physicians.

(586) 710-3000 Monday—Sunday: 9 a.m.—10 p.m.

McLaren Macomb—Shelby Creek Medical Center |

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8180 26 Mile Road, Shelby Twp., MI 48316

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{ EDITOR’S NOTE }

KEEPING PACE WITH SCIENCE I turned off the alert sound for

MAKE APPOINTMENTS ONLINE, ANYTIME. Visit our website to learn about our primary care physicians, access new patient forms and make your next appointment.

The process is quick and easy.

To make an appointment or learn more, visit mclaren.org/appointments

my inbox long ago, but a notification still flashes on screen whenever an email arrives. As I turned my attention to writing this memo, email flashes appeared one after the other.

My curiosity piqued, I took a look. They were alerts from Medscape, a company that covers medical news. Three arrived in the space of 10 minutes, and they weren’t the first I’d seen that day. After reviewing this issue’s wonderful health-related articles— several of which cover advanced treatments available at McLaren Macomb—it struck me what a challenge it is to stay medically current in today’s world, with science advancing so quickly. Every day, diligent researchers around the world discover new information that helps patients heal faster, experience less pain and live longer. McLaren Macomb works equally hard to capitalize on all those advances.

For example, in “Healthy Outcomes” on page 26, a patient shares the story of how, after suffering debilitating seizures for nearly 20 years, he finally found help at McLaren Macomb’s Epilepsy Monitoring Unit. In the patient’s words, his physician, Dr. Nikesh Ardeshna, “was the first one to say, ‘We’re going to get right down to the bottom of this.’” And he did just that: Today, the patient is on a treatment regimen that keeps him seizure free and able to enjoy life to its fullest.

Another example: Doctors can now perform minimally invasive spine surgery to correct problems that are causing patients chronic, sometimes debilitating pain. As spine surgeon Dr. Anthony Cucchi explains, “With minimally invasive approaches, the recovery is nowhere near what it used to be.”

Read the full story on page 22.

We hope you enjoy those stories, as well as the travel, home decorating and recipe articles we’ve created to inspire you to give a warm welcome to the coming winter.

MARIA K. REGAN EXECUTIVE EDITOR

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YOUR BEST CHOICE IN ORTHOPEDICS. If pain in your hip, knee or back is limiting your active lifestyle, it’s time to take control.

Surgery may be an option, but it’s not your only option.

Learn more at a free seminar hosted by McLaren Macomb. Our panel of experts will discuss the causes of chronic hip, knee or back pain and share the latest non-surgical and surgical treatment options, including the latest minimally invasive procedures.

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McLaren Macomb is the only hospital in Macomb County to offer Mako® roboticassisted hip and knee surgery, in addition to other minimally invasive surgical procedures designed to get you back to a pain-free, active lifestyle quicker.

For a list of FREE seminars on hip, knee and back pain and other health topics, visit mclarenmacomb.eventbrite.com.

10/28/18 11:59 AM

MARIA K. REGAN

CARL OLSEN

KIJOO KIM

M A R K E T I N G , D I G I TA L & O P E R AT I O N S

E XEC U TIVE ED ITOR

CRE ATIVE D I R ECTOR ED I T O R I A L

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

PUB LI S HER

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & DIGITAL MEDIA NIGEL EDELS HAIN

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT GIANA BRUCELL A

JIM ALLEN HARRY DOWDEN

ADVERTISING SERVICES MANAGER

ART

GRAPHIC DESIGNER, AD SERVICES

ART ASSOCIATE

AL ANNA GIANNANTONIO

DESIGN CONTRIBUTOR

JACQUELYNN FISCHER VIOLETA MUL AJ

VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING, PLANNING & PUBLIC RELATIONS S HARYL D. S MITH, APR

MEDIA RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVE DAVID JONES

CONTENT CONTRIBUTORS KRYSTA IVE Y KIM FUHRMANN LISA JAEGER K AREN TUCKER

AGNES ALVES

STAFF ACCOUNTANT

PRODUCTION

MANAGER, OFFICE SERVICES AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

CHRISTINE HAMEL

TOM BRIS SE, FACHE

CONTROLLER

EILEEN CR ABILL

DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION AND CIRCULATION

PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

MEGAN FRANK

McL AREN MACOMB

1000 HARRINGTON BLVD. MOUNT CLEMENS, MI 48043 586.493.8000

CATHERINE ROS ARIO

PUBLISHED BY WAINSCOT MEDIA CHAIRMAN CARROLL V. DOWDEN PRESIDENT & CE O MARK DOWDEN S EN I O R V ICE PRESIDENTS SHAE MARCUS CARL OLSEN VICE PRESIDENTS NIGEL EDELS HAIN THOMAS FL ANNERY RITA GUARNA CHRISTINE HAMEL

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Send your feedback and ideas to: Editor, Macomb Health & Life, 1000 Harrington Blvd., Mount Clemens, MI 48043; fax 586.493.8775; email healthandlife@mclaren.org. Macomb Health & Life assumes no responsibility for the return of unsolicited manuscripts or art materials.

MACOMB HEALTH & LIFE is published twice a year by Wainscot Media, 110 Summit Ave., Montvale, NJ 07645. This is Volume 4, Issue 2. © 2018 by Wainscot Media LLC. All rights reserved. Material contained herein is intended for informational purposes only. If you have medical concerns, seek the guidance of a healthcare professional.

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES Please email healthandlife@mclaren.org, attention “Magazine Advertising.”

SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES To inquire about a subscription, to change an address or to purchase a back issue or a reprint of an article, please write to Macomb Health & Life, Circulation Department, 110 Summit Ave., Montvale, NJ 07645; telephone 201.573.5541; email christine.hamel@wainscotmedia.com.

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DOING WHAT’S BEST RIGHT IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. McLAREN MACOMB PROVIDES A RANGE OF SERVICES AT OUR BAY RIVER LOCATION McLaren Macomb Diagnostic Imaging Services include X-ray, bone density, mammography, echocardiogram and ultrasound.

Walk-in appointments available for X-ray.

(586) 591-1400 Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.–8 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday: 9 a.m.–1 p.m. (X-ray only) McLaren Macomb Physical and Occupational Therapy Services include physical, occupational and speech therapy by appointment with physician referral.

(586) 591-1420 Monday–Thursday: 8:30 a.m.–7 p.m.

McLaren Macomb Lab Services Services include routine blood tests and urinalysis with a physician order.

Walk-in appointments available.

(586) 591-1403 Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

Family Medicine and walk-in Urgent Care Services include family medicine, urgent care, and a full-service pharmacy.

(586) 716-1371 Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.–8 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday: 9 a.m.–1 p.m. (urgent care only)

McLaren Macomb—Bay River | 36267 26 Mile Road, Lenox Twp., MI 48048

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{ LOCAL BUZZ }

HOW SWEET IT IS

What we know today as the local institution CHAMPAGNE CHOCOLATES, located at 65 Macomb Place, began in an extremely casual, unassuming manner. Back in 1990, Debbie Heuchert made chocolates in the basement of her home, intending only to share them with family and friends.

But word of mouth spread, and eventually Heuchert transitioned to her own store in downtown Mount Clemens, where you’ll find her today.

All the chocolates in the shop are made daily by hand, in small batches, employing the most natural ingredients and the utmost care. And all that loving attention to detail pays off when you pop one of those candies in your mouth. Everyone loves caramels and truffles, and those are reliably available at the store, but there’s plenty more to be found there, too. Light and dark toffees, several types of almond bark, hand-dipped chocolate ginger and chocolate orange peels, milk chocolate turtles…. Is your mouth watering yet?

DOWNTOWN ON THE BAYOU A classic Creole roux with chicken, ham and Andouille sausage.

Shrimp and catfish po-boys. Fried okra. Crawfish and shrimp etouffee. Sounds like the bill of fare at some beloved old New Orleans eatery, the kind of place that makes Louisianans proud of their culinary traditions, right? Well, GUMBO’S is definitely a part of the proud tradition of New Orleans-style cooking, but you won’t find it in, or even anywhere near, Louisiana.

In fact, 53 N. Walnut St. in downtown Mount Clemens is where Jimmy and Terri Taite opened up their restaurant in the spring of 2011. And ever since, they’ve been bringing their brand of Southern cuisine to some very happy Midwesterners. Cooking runs in Terri’s family, and many of the Creole dishes she brought to this family-run business have been handed down as part of her family tradition.

Fortunately for the rest of us, she and Jimmy have chosen to share that delicious tradition with hungry souls right in our own area.

Terri likes to remain true to the organic spirit and the Creole soul of her family traditions, so she goes out of her way to make certain that the menu at Gumbo’s isn’t some staid, predetermined combination of dishes but rather a constantly changing thing, full of surprises and new ideas. This means, among other things, that she’s open to custom-tailoring her meals to meet her customers’ needs.

But really, you’re probably best off just putting yourself in the Taites’ hands and letting them run the show. Because when you’re talking about a menu that includes such mouthwatering entries as Cajun pasta, jambalaya, muffaletta sandwiches, mashed candied yams and homemade bread pudding, you can be sure you’re in for a tasty treat.

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PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES & SHUTTERSTOCK

THE VINTAGE VIBE

Six years after moving from a 300-square-foot location to a roomy 1,350 square feet on Macomb Place, MAX & OLLIE’S VINTAGE BOUTIQUE is going strong. Of course, as the era demands, shop owner Diane Kubik is doing business not only in her homey, appealingly idiosyncratic downtown headquarters, but also online.

So in the event you can’t make it over to the store in person, you can always avail yourself of its shifting stock of clothing, jewelry and collectibles by taking a virtual stroll over to etsy.com/ shop/maxandollies, where a wide range of intriguing items is up for sale.

The diversity of items offered at Max & Ollie’s is part of the store’s charm. Not only can you snap up, for instance, a 1979 limited-edition Holly Hobbie collector’s plate or a pair of vintage chalkware bookends, you can just as easily uncover a retro evening gown with lace overlay or a 1950s cocktail party dress complete with rhinestone accents. Or if you’re looking to accessorize, how about a vintage LaPatti handbag with a pair of matching suede shoes, or a pair of Edgar Berebi 3-dimensional dangle earrings from the ’80s?

Whether you’re after hats or handbags, glassware or linens, handkerchiefs or horn-rimmed eyeglass frames, if it’s vintage and it’s stylish, Max & Ollie’s ought to be one of the first places you look.

FEED YOUR HEAD

These days, independent book and record stores have become something of an endangered species. But husband-and-wife team Davey and Lisa Taylor, who run WEIRDSVILLE RECORDS and PAPERBACK WRITER in Mount Clemens, have persevered and even expanded over time.

At Weirdsville Records you can stock up on new and old vinyl and CDs, and if you’re looking to unload items from your own collection, the shop buys and trades as well. And if you need something to play that vinyl on, they sell Crosley turntables, even offering free records along with each turntable purchase. You’ll also find buttons, T-shirts, accessories and all manner of instruments and other musical gear at the store. They even provide guitar repairs and CD scratch removal service!

As far as Paperback Writer goes, don’t let the name mislead you—there are plenty of used and new hardcover and paperback options to be found as you make your way through a myriad of literary genres. Fiction, biography, cookbooks, graphic fiction, mystery, science fiction—odds are that if there’s something you want to read about you can get it there. And if you want to hear some cool tunes while you’re browsing, something tells us that there just may be a music expert on hand who can help you with that.

HAIL THE LOCAL HEROES

Back in 2000, Macomb County took a major step in both the preservation of its history and the advancement of its culture. That step was the establishment of the MACOMB HALL OF FAME, which was created with the aim of honoring the people and companies who have done the most for the community, not just economically, but in terms of contributing to the greater good.

Every fall, there’s an elaborate reception including dinner and entertainment, which McLaren Macomb is pleased to help sponsor. Money from ticket sales goes to the Macomb Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to aid Macomb in the area of education and other community-bolstering programs. And it’s a chance for the inductees who’ve done so much for the county to get their moment in the sun.

This year, the honorees included the Roncelli family, whose construction company Roncelli Inc. helped build Macomb and has been at the core of the community since its inception in 1966; Thom Lipari, CEO and president of Lipari Foods; and the Carollo family, whose RCO Engineering works in auto and aerospace design and engineering. There was also a Lifetime Achievement Award for Grace Shore of the Macomb County Chamber. The people honored by the Hall of Fame are those who impact your everyday life, even if you’ve never met them. So raise a glass to those who’ve been included, and rest easy in the knowledge that the place you call home is full of so many people doing their best to make it better.

MACOMB HEALTH & LIFE | FALL/WINTER 2018

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{ IN GOOD HEALTH } THANKS TO THE CARE HE RECEIVED FROM DR. MELISSA IANITELLI AND THE McLAREN MACOMB TAVR TEAM, FLOYD HAS MORE ENERGY NOW THAN HE HAS HAD IN YEARS.

A HEART IN NEED A MINIMALLY INVASIVE HEART VALVE REPLACEMENT GIVES ONE PATIENT HIS ENERGY BACK. Floyd didn’t even know he was suffering from the effects of heart disease: “I had no idea I even had a problem.”

Cardiovascular disease, in all of its forms, is credited with one in every four adult deaths in the United States.

One common cardiovascular condition is aortic stenosis, a narrowing DR. MELISSA IANITELLI of the aortic 14

valve. This narrowing prevents the valve from fully opening and functioning properly, decreasing an affected person’s quality of life and eventually leading to heart failure.

Many patients might be deemed too high risk for traditional treatment options.

They would require a less-invasive option.

Floyd was one of those patients.

“The disease and its symptoms progress gradually over time,” said Dr. Melissa Ianitelli, a cardiologist with McLaren Macomb. “Floyd, like so many others, didn’t notice the effect it was having on him. But it would only get worse without some sort of intervention.”

Eighty-year-old Floyd said, “Other

doctors told me I had issues with my heart, but never to such a serious extent.

I was noticing my energy was starting to go down, like when I would go for a walk, come back, sit and not want to do anything else. I didn’t pick up on it right away or think too much of it.”

It wasn’t until a visit to the emergency department that Floyd came under the care of Dr. Ianitelli and McLaren Macomb.

Waking up in the middle of the night one evening, Floyd lost his balance and fell on his way to the bathroom. He hit his head on a table, causing a brain bleed that would require surgery.

While receiving treatment for his brain bleed, further testing revealed an issue

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with his heart—severe aortic stenosis— likely the cause of his fall. The patient was subsequently referred to Dr. Ianitelli.

He would need treatment or the issue would only get worse.

“Medications can help, but to fully treat Floyd’s condition, he would need a new valve,” Dr. Ianitelli said. “Traditionally, this would require an open heart procedure. But due to many factors, he was a high-risk for the surgery.”

Dr. Ianitelli explained this to Floyd.

But she also discussed with him a new procedure specifically designed for highrisk patients—transcatheter aortic valve replacement, or TAVR. TAVR is the minimally invasive option needed for patients in Floyd’s circumstance—a procedure to replace the aortic valve with an artificial valve (a hybrid of organic tissue supported by a metallic stent) without open heart surgery.

Utilizing the cardiac catheterization lab’s imaging, a catheter is inserted in the groin and advanced up to the heart, guiding the artificial valve to the malfunctioning aortic valve. The artificial valve is then deployed within the diseased valve after an angioplasty balloon pushes the valve’s leaflets out of the way.

McLaren Macomb is the only hospital in Macomb County capable of

performing TAVR. Dr. Ianitelli, along with the McLaren Macomb TAVR team, which includes an interventional cardiologist, a cardiothoracic surgeon and specially trained support staff, concluded that the innovative, new approach would be the best course of action for Floyd.

On a sunny day in the winter of 2018, Floyd received the first TAVR in Macomb County, performed by McLaren Macomb interventional cardiologist Dr. Sibin Zacharias, alongside Dr. Timothy Logan, Dr. Mark Zainea and Dr. Kristijan Minanov.

And, in Floyd’s words, the effect was immediate.

“It was night and day,” he said of how energized he felt after the procedure.

“Couple nights in the hospital, but I could feel it from the minute I got home—my strength was coming back, and I’m getting back to where I used to be.”

Feeling great since his procedure, Floyd has been exercising at least three days a week, continuing to build his strength up with regular visits to McLaren Macomb Cardiac Rehab. He takes walks often and has more energy now than he has had in years.

“Floyd’s heart is now functioning as it should be, and his improved condition

is a testament to our physicians’ capabilities and commitment to our patients’ outcomes,” Dr. Ianitelli said.

“Without this innovative procedure, it’s a fair statement to say he would not be doing nearly as well.”

AFFECTING MORE THAN 200,000 PATIENTS EVERY YEAR, HEART DISEASE IS THE NUMBER ONE KILLER OF ADULTS IN THE U.S.

THE McLAREN MACOMB TAVR TEAM: DR. JASON RICCI (CARDIOLOGIST), DR. MARK ZAINEA (INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGIST), DR. KRISTIJAN MINANOV (CARDIOTHORACIC SURGEON), DiANN STICKNEY, RN (TAVR COORDINATOR), DR. MELISSA IANITELLI (CARDIOLOGIST), DR. SIBIN ZACHARIAS (INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGIST), DR. TIMOTHY LOGAN (INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGIST).

TO INQUIRE ABOUT TAVR, CALL (586) 493-3351. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CARDIAC CARE OFFERED AT M c L AREN MACOMB, VISIT MCLAREN.ORG/MACOMBHEART. MACOMB HEALTH & LIFE | FALL/WINTER 2018

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{ IN GOOD HEALTH } DENISE AND ANDY, GRATEFUL TO HAVE EACH OTHER AND FOR THE COMFORT PROVIDED TO THEIR FAMILY.

A CHANCE TO GIVE THANKS AFTER A DEVASTATING CAR ACCIDENT, ONE PATIENT—AND HER FAMILY— RECEIVE BOTH CARE AND COMFORT AT McLAREN MACOMB. 16

Andy knew his wife would be late.

Denise told him earlier in the day that she would not be home for dinner, so he wasn’t concerned when the day progressed into evening and she still wasn’t home.

But then everything changed.

“The sheriffs knocked on the door,” Andy remembers. “They said Denise had been in a bad accident.”

While driving home, Denise was involved in a car accident. A semi-truck struck the driver’s side door.

Arriving quickly on the scene were Armada Fire Department first responders, quickly, yet delicately and with precision, stabilizing Denise for transport to McLaren Macomb, the nearest trauma center with the capabilities and expertise to treat Denise’s extensive injuries.

She was unresponsive en route to the hospital.

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Andy was also on his way to the hospital, arriving shortly after his wife.

“I didn’t realize just how bad of shape she was in,” he said. “Outright, she should not have survived.”

LUCKY TO BE ALIVE Her entire left side was “completely broken,” Denise said. She had multiple broken bones, a brain bleed and lacerations. But moving with urgency in the emergency department, physicians and nurses stabilized Denise.

Remarkably, her broken bones were non-displaced. The brain bleed soon stopped on its own, and they treated the severe laceration to her head that caused her to nearly bleed to death.

“They were responsible for keeping me alive,” Denise said. “It was amazing I didn’t need surgery. I was handled with such care. They quickly responded to everything during a time when I didn’t know what was going on.”

Andy, having lived through some of the worst moments of his life but eternally grateful for the medical care his wife received, took notice of the way caregivers and staff comforted him and his family during this agonizing time and is very appreciative for it.

“Everyone was very soothing and comforting to the whole family,” Andy said. “It’s great knowing they do that beyond the patient.”

This includes the security officer in the ER who shielded Andy from the shock of seeing the initial devastation of his wife’s injuries during her treatment.

And the nurses who sat with the family while off the clock. And the physicians in the ICU who kept the family updated on everything associated with Denise.

“It felt extremely good knowing my family was in great hands,” Denise said.

A LONG RECOVERY Having spent several days in the ICU, Denise left the hospital after a week and a half, transferring to a facility to continue her rehabilitation. Months later, she continued her recovery, focusing on her cognitive functions and some physical issues. But she still remembers the comfort offered to her husband and children.

Overwhelmed by their support, Andy and Denise felt compelled to thank them

somehow. It meant a lot to them to do so, and it was a way of providing closure for them.

An opportunity randomly appeared when Andy, while in McLaren Macomb, happened upon the office of patient experience and its director, Kim Nicholson.

He knocked and walked in, almost immediately becoming emotional. He couldn’t thank her enough for helping to create the environment that found

his family given such support from countless caregivers.

Nicholson volunteered to help him spread his thanks. Andy would write a letter, and she would see to it that each person listed on it would receive a copy.

“We did this because we had to,” Andy said. “We did this because we had to say thank you.”

Read Denise and Andy’s heartfelt thank-you note to their caregivers at mclaren.org/macombgratefulpatient.

THE WAYNE AND JOAN WEBBER EMERGENCY AND TRAUMA CENTER.

OPENING 2020:

NEW COMMUNITY EMERGENCY CENTER Macomb County’s first verified trauma center has just made another major commitment to the future health of its county residents.

This year, McLaren Macomb broke ground on what will become the largest emergency department in the county—the Wayne and Joan Webber Emergency and Trauma Center, opening in early 2020.

“There is a need in our community for a state-of-the-art emergency and trauma center,” said Tom Brisse, president and CEO of McLaren Macomb. “Trends show that the need for emergency care in Macomb County will continue to grow for many years to come, and we are proud to be in the position to meet that growing need.”

The project represents the first phase of a larger project that will culminate in a new six-story Northwest Tower.

The new emergency department increases its square footage to more than double the current capacity, affording room to add additional trauma bays, multiple ambulance entrances, separate waiting rooms and entrances for highand low-acuity patients and families, with room for further growth.

The emergency department will occupy the ground floor, with phase one of the construction also including a first-class learning center on the lower level for resident and fellowship physicians.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SERVICES OFFERED AT M c L AREN MACOMB, INCLUDING EMERGENCY AND TRAUMA CARE, VISIT MCLAREN.ORG/MACOMB. MACOMB HEALTH & LIFE | FALL/WINTER 2018

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DR. ANIEL MAJJHOO PERFORMS A THROMBECTOMY, AN INTERVENTIONAL NEUROLOGICAL PROCEDURE.

THROMBECTOMY: THE STROKE STANDARD OF CARE

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RECENT GUIDELINE CHANGES FAVOR THE INTERVENTIONAL PROCEDURE.

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{ IN GOOD HEALTH }

Imagine the scenario.

It’s late at night, and you’re heading to bed. You start to feel an odd sensation on one side of your body. It starts to go numb. Starting to feel disoriented, your vision blurs and you become dizzy.

You’re having trouble speaking. Your leg becomes so weak that you can barely stand anymore.

You’re having a stroke.

An ambulance is called. Minutes matter as the brain’s blood flow is being restricted by a blood clot.

You’re scared. What happens next?

Who will treat you? And how?

“A stroke, with its sudden onset of disability, can be very frightening,” said Dr. Aniel Majjhoo, interventional neurologist and stroke medical director at McLaren Macomb. “Patients don’t need any added anxieties—they should know their care is in the hands of proficient physicians performing treatments that result in the best possible outcomes.”

stroke’s symptoms. But with what we have been the time of the onset of practicing with our stroke those symptoms might patients. We have been not be wholly known, as seeing good outcomes some symptoms might not even after six hours using immediately be recognized. our McLaren protocols,” In those cases, it is likely said Dr. Majjhoo, who stroke patients will have attended the conference to be transferred to a and was in the audience thrombectomy-capable when the new guidelines facility, adding time until were announced. “To care can be given. have the updated industry DR. ANIEL MAJJHOO “We have a short guidelines confirm our time window for the standard of care adds treatment of stroke,” Dr. Majjhoo said. further credibility to our practice.”

“IV tPA plus thrombectomy leads to the Patients brought to their nearest best outcomes. This makes it much emergency department could be more important for patients to seek given IV tPA, a clot-busting medication. treatment from a hospital proficient in However, tPA must be administered thrombectomy.” within a few hours of the onset of the

NEW TREATMENT GUIDELINES At its International Stroke Conference in early 2018, the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association announced a “sweeping change” in the treatment and management of ischemic stroke.

During an ischemic stroke—in which the brain’s blood flow is cut off by a blood clot—the oxygen-deprived brain begins to suffer damage. Blood flow must be immediately restored.

These new guidelines include evidence that patients can benefit from a thrombectomy for up to 24 hours from the stroke’s onset and still achieve enhanced outcomes. (Previous guidelines suggested six hours.)

A thrombectomy entails tunneling a catheter from the groin up to the blood vessel in the brain and removing the clot, reestablishing blood flow.

McLaren Macomb is the only hospital in Macomb County with the capabilities to perform thrombectomies.

“The updated guidelines are in line

THINK SOMEONE’S HAVING A STROKE?

ACT F.A.S.T.

Act F.A.S.T. if you or a loved one are experiencing stroke-like symptoms.

F

A

FACE:

ARMS:

SPEECH:

TIME:

Is one side of the face drooping?

With arms raised, is one drifting downward?

Is speech slurred or does it sound strange?

Strokes require immediate medical intervention.

With all suspected strokes, call 9-1-1 immediately.

S

T

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE STROKE CARE CAPABILITIES AT M c L AREN MACOMB, PART OF THE M c L AREN STROKE NET WORK, VISIT MCLAREN.ORG/MACOMBSTROKE. MACOMB HEALTH & LIFE | FALL/WINTER 2018

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NEW CANCER TREATMENTS: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW DR. RANA BILBEISI EXPLAINS IMMUNOTHERAPY AND HORMONE THERAPY.

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{ IN GOOD HEALTH }

While immunotherapy and It’s a question Dr. Rana Bilbeisi THESE ARE GREAT hormone therapy come with their often gets from her patients. When ADVANCEMENTS own side effects (such as fever, the oncologist has to initially tell her ONCOLOGISTS HAVE flu-like symptoms, fatigue, skin patients they will have to undergo AVAILABLE TO US reactions and bowel distress), both rounds of chemotherapy, she is are much less toxic to the patient. routinely faced with the question, TO ADD TO OUR Immunotherapy uses the “Can I just take a pill?”

TREATMENT OF body’s existing disease-fighting “Over the last couple of decades, CERTAIN CANCERS. white blood cells to target and many strides have been made in advancing the treatment available THESE TREATMENTS fight cancer cells. Hormone to cancer patients,” said Dr. Bilbeisi, ARE EFFECTIVE AND therapy alters the body’s hormones to deny the cancer a hematologist and oncologist with CAN BE EASIER ON the hormones that sustain its the Karmanos Cancer Institute at THE PATIENT, AND growth and support its spread McLaren Macomb. “A lot of great throughout the body. progress is still being made.

WE WILL USE THEM “These are great “Many advancements have WHEN A PATIENT’S advancements oncologists have been made in the breakthroughs CASE PERMITS.” available to us to add to our with immunotherapy and hormone treatment of certain cancers,” therapy—using the body to fight its —DR. RANA BILBEISI Dr. Bilbeisi said. “These treatments cancer.” are effective and can be easier on Both immunotherapy and the patient, and we will use them hormone therapy, in the world of when a patient’s case permits. cancer treatment, modify the chemistry of the body to “However, the science has not yet arrived to where fight certain types of cancer. these treatments are singular treatment options for Each represents radical and progressive forms all forms of cancers, but they are still very valuable of less intrusive cancer treatment when compared treatments to use in addition to our traditional to more traditional treatments, such as chemo and treatments.” radiation therapies.

Immunotherapy and hormone therapy can be used “Chemotherapy and radiation, while being very to complement traditional cancer treatments, making effective in their treatment, are also very well known them more effective and efficient and not having to for their various side effects,” Dr. Bilbeisi said. “It’s with solely rely on chemo or radiation. these new therapies that we can limit some of the For instance, hormone therapy can assist in stifling harsher side effects.” the growth of tumors and other cancers, keeping The biggest drawbacks them from metastasizing and spreading throughout for nearly every patient when the body. Immunotherapy can restore or improve the it comes to traditional forms body’s natural immune system and assist in slowing of cancer care, specifically the growth and spread of the cancer. chemotherapy, are the side “New advancements in cancer care are being made effects: nausea, vomiting, seemingly every day, always with the patient in mind— fatigue, loss of hair and the both the quality of their outcomes and the comfort of need for blood transfusion, their care,” Dr. Bilbeisi said. “Looking back to where we among others. Despite those were 10 and 15 years ago, considerable strides have challenges, chemotherapy been made in the progress of how we treat cancer. remains one of the most Think of where we will be in the years to come.” effective cancer treatments.

DR. RANA BILBEISI

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CANCER CARE OFFERED AT THE KARMANOS CANCER INSTITUTE AT M c L AREN MACOMB, VISIT MCLAREN.ORG/MACOMBCANCER. LEARN MORE ABOUT GIVING BIRTH AT THE M c L AREN MACOMB FAMILY BIRTHING CENTER AT MCLAREN.ORG/DELIVERINGDAILY. MACOMB HEALTH & LIFE | FALL/WINTER 2018

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{ IN GOOD HEALTH }

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MINIMALLY INVASIVE SPINE SURGERY TECHNIQUES EXPERTLY UTILIZED BY A McLAREN MACOMB SURGEON GET PATIENTS BACK TO ACTIVITY SOONER.

For many people, back pain is just a fact of life.

They’ll live with the seemingly constant presence of nagging back pain, maybe finding relief only when they get to sit or lie down.

Countless sufferers of shooting, extreme pain, muscle spasms or weakness in the back will resign themselves to that discomfort rather than what they think will be a long, difficult and tedious recovery after spine surgery, with thoughts of weeks being laid up in bed and slow, cautious steps due to stiffness and limited range of motion.

But while that long and difficult recovery may once have been the reality, advancements in spine surgery have brought about minimally invasive techniques that can save patients from those drawn-out recovery times yet still provide them with the pain-free outcomes.

“There’s still a stigma surrounding back surgery, one that causes many patients to pause when considering a surgical procedure that will address their symptoms,” said Dr. Anthony Cucchi, an orthopedic spine surgeon with McLaren Macomb. “The truth, though, is that many common spine surgeries today have the patient recovering much quicker and walking sooner with a minimally invasive procedure.

“With minimally invasive approaches, the recovery is nowhere near what it used to be,” he said.

With extensive experience, DR. ANTHONY CUCCHI Dr. Cucchi has

tissue damage required in become proficient in these the traditional approach. minimally invasive spine This leads to less blood surgery techniques, many WITH loss, shorter surgery time, of which have his patients MINIMALLY faster recovery and less walking out of the hospital need for post-op pain within a couple days after INVASIVE medication. surgery.

APPROACHES, As for the patient, she One such minimally THE RECOVERY returned home the next invasive approach utilizes day, walking herself out of a device and technique IS NOWHERE the hospital (without the dubbed the tubular retractor.

NEAR WHAT IT assistance of a walker).

This approach involves And two weeks after her inserting a long, narrow USED TO BE.” surgery, she was able to metal tube through a —DR. ANTHONY CUCCHI walk around her block, a small incision down to the distance that would have diseased or injured area of caused her much pain and discomfort the spine. The surgeon is able to perform before the surgery. the entire discectomy procedure (removing With traditional approaches, it could the diseased disc and replacing it with an be two to three weeks before the artificial disc) via the hollow tube. patients are recovered enough to begin One of his patients was the recent rehabilitation. beneficiary of this innovative procedure.

“Patients are currently living longer, their A 65-year-old woman, the patient had spinal conditions continue to degenerate a history of lower back pain that would to the point where it impacts quality of life,” shoot down her leg. This prevented Dr. Cucchi said. “But they still might want her from walking normally without pain, to put off surgery because they might vastly limiting the distances she could think that their current pain is preferable to comfortably walk. the pain they think will be caused by the Dr. Cucchi, making a pair of surgery and its recovery,” he said. small incisions of just an inch-andSymptoms of a herniated disc a-half, used the tubes to perform a and other types of degenerative disc lumbar decompression to correct her diseases might not be noticeable in their degenerative disc disease. early stages, or they might not be felt in Had he used the traditional approach, the back. which would require a much larger In addition to localized back pain, the incision and cutting into the muscle, she degeneration of discs can compress the would have had far more blood loss and a nerves running along the spinal column, hospital stay of at least three days. causing pain, weakness, numbness “Muscle trauma is a huge factor or tingling sensations in the body’s in recovering from spine surgery,” extremities.

Dr. Cucchi said. “Giving those muscles Worsening over time, many of these enough time to heal properly adds weeks conditions require surgery. to recovery.”

“With minimally invasive approaches,” This minimally invasive approach Dr. Cucchi said, “we can have you up and significantly decreases the size of the moving sooner.” incision and the accompanying soft

TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH DR. CUCCHI TO DISCUSS BACK PAIN AND TREATMENT OPTIONS, CALL (586) 493-3890.

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{ IN GOOD HEALTH }

“THE PATIENT I’LL NEVER FORGET...”

PHYSICIANS SHARE STORIES OF THE PATIENTS WHO’VE HAD A LASTING IMPACT ON THEM.

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McLaren Macomb physicians bring with them a wealth of experience after having been on the job for years, seeing and treating countless patients. But for each physician, there are some patients they will never forget.

DR. CARL PESTA

DR. JULIE ULIE LATA

General and bariatric surgeon

Emergency medicine physician

“There was a young woman who came to us. She was in her late 20s, and her current weight was more than 300 pounds. She was living with several comorbidities related to her obesity, like severe diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea. Most distressing to her was her inability to get pregnant because of her obesityrelated polycystic ovarian syndrome. She told me she had always dreamed of being a mom. She underwent a gastric bypass at the Bariatric Surgery Institute at McLaren Macomb and within a year had lost about 150 pounds along with all of her obesity-related diseases.

What makes her a patient who I will never forget is that two years later she was able to become pregnant and fulfill her dream of becoming a mom. With us, it’s not just about losing weight. It’s gaining health and your life back.”

“As a mother, I always connect with other mothers, and there was a single mom who brought her teenage daughter in.

The daughter was complaining of headaches, but given her age, those headaches are usually benign. But it was the way she was describing them that gave me suspicion it could be something more. I ordered a CAT scan, which was something we don’t readily do. They found a brain mass—it wasn’t benign, it was cancer. A month later, around Christmas, after the daughter was treated by a peds oncologist, her mother came to the ER asking to see me. She said, ‘I don’t know if you remember me, but you saved my daughter’s life.’ She said that she was all she had. They removed the tumor, and she had no ill effects. In the ER, we normally don’t get continuity of care, so we don’t normally know how things turn out. It was great knowing she was OK.”

DR. KRISTOPHER WEEMES

DR. MICHAEL WAGNER

OB/GYN

Orthopedic surgeon

“This was a 30-year-old who was in labor for hours. I remember sitting there with her. The baby’s heart tone was not where I wanted it, so we had to take her back for an emergent C-section. The baby was fine, but the mother would not stop bleeding. It was the worst I had ever seen. I used every intervention there was, but nothing was working. I watched her all night. Finally, I said to her, ‘Your uterus is killing you, we have to take it out.’ Very emotional and exhausted, she said, ‘Please do everything you can, I want to live for my baby.’ We took her back and performed an emergency hysterectomy.

This isn’t an everyday thing for an OB/GYN, to get someone out of a life-threatening situation like that. Two weeks later, she came in, and we sat, hugged and cried.

That’s something I hold on to.”

“One time when I was covering orthopedic trauma calls in the emergency department, we had a car accident victim—a young guy, who was a police officer. He was T-boned while in a high-speed chase and brought here—it was a pretty high-profile story. We treated his injuries, and his fractures healed. But he came back to me afterward. He already had some bad arthritis in his knee, especially for a young guy, but the accident made it so much worse. His knee was constantly bothering him—it was painful whenever he walked, and it made his job that much tougher. Physical therapy wouldn’t help his specific case, so I performed a partial knee replacement using the Mako robotic surgical system. He’s doing awesome now.

Because of the surgery, he is pain-free and able to move so much better.”

TO LEARN HOW A M c L AREN MACOMB PHYSICIAN CAN DO WHAT’S BEST FOR YOU, VISIT MCLAREN.ORG/MACOMB.

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{ IN GOOD HEALTH }

HEALTHY OUTCOMES

AFTER NEARLY 20 YEARS OF SUFFERING SERIOUS SEIZURES, ONE PATIENT FINDS RELIEF THANKS TO McLAREN MACOMB’S EPILEPSY MONITORING UNIT. “He was the first doctor who said, ‘We’re going to get right down to the bottom of this.’ He’s fantastic.”

For years, Michael had been living with the uneasiness and anxiety of not knowing when his next seizure would strike. But that was before he met Dr. Nikesh Ardeshna, an epileptologist with McLaren Macomb.

“Our goal for Michael is the same goal we have for all of our epilepsy patients, and that is for them to be seizure-free with no side effects and no loss of quality of life,” Dr. Ardeshna said.

In the early 1990s, Michael was thrown from his motorcycle. He was out for a ride when he crashed into a guardrail. He sustained multiple injuries, but the longest-lasting one would prove to be a traumatic head injury.

It wasn’t long after the accident that he started experiencing seizures, DR. NIKESH ARDESHNA which 26

progressively worsened to the point he suffered his first grand mal seizure in the early 2000s.

Seizures are disruptions of the electrical activity of the brain. Grand mal seizures, the most serious and life-threatening type and the type that Michael was routinely experiencing, can leave its sufferers unconscious with violent, full-body convulsions.

LIFE-CHANGING SEIZURES The seizures were taking their toll on Michael. An automotive worker in a local plant, there was always the threat and unpredictability of suffering a seizure around heavy, potentially dangerous equipment. He had to go on disability.

And with each seizure, he would need extensive recovery time.

“It would feel like I had been in a 15-round fight,” he said. “It wears you down. I couldn’t see straight, I couldn’t do anything.”

He admits that he was in miserable shape for an extended period of time.

Michael had been taking medication, but his seizures remained.

“Michael’s condition needed to be seen by an epileptologist,” Dr. Ardeshna said.

Michael was referred to Dr. Ardeshna.

His was a situation Dr. Ardeshna has often treated—a patient whose medication is not fully relieving them of their seizures and their side effects.

THE SAME GOAL FOR EVERY PATIENT “Every seizure, no matter how small, counts, and we will always have the same goal for each patient,” Dr. Ardeshna said. “And that is for them to be seizure-free with no side effects while maintaining their quality of life.

“Michael was on seizure medications, but his condition was still heavily impacting his quality of life. We would have to perform a thorough diagnosis in order to accurately treat his condition.”

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MICHAEL LOOKS TOWARD HIS FUTURE, FREE OF HIS DEBILITATING EPILEPTIC SEIZURES.

DR. ARDESHNA MADE A CHANGE TO MICHAEL’S MEDICATION AND, JUST LIKE THAT, MICHAEL HAS BEEN SEIZUREFREE AND LIVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE THAT ONCE ELUDED HIM AND HE WAS UNSURE HE WOULD EVER KNOW AGAIN.

Michael felt relieved to be in Dr. Ardeshna’s care. “He was the first one to say, ‘We’re going to get right down to the bottom of this.’”

This thorough diagnosis would be made in McLaren Macomb’s Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU), the only unit of its kind in Macomb County that is equipped to monitor patients 24/7 over multiple nights to determine where in the brain the seizure originates, what might trigger it and how it manifests in order to tailor the best treatment for the patient.

Michael spent five full days in the EMU, and at the end of it, Dr. Ardeshna was very confident about what was

causing his recurrent seizures. As it turned out, Michael had potentially been experiencing minor, mostly unnoticeable seizures as early as the 1980s. Trauma sustained in his motorcycle accident worsened his condition.

Dr. Ardeshna made a change to Michael’s medication and, just like that, Michael has been seizure-free and living the quality of life that once eluded him and that he was unsure he would ever know again.

“I’m doing fantastic and feeling great,” Michael said. “It was scary having all of those seizures. Dr. Ardeshna said we’ll get down to it, and he did.”

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE EMU AND EPILEPSY CARE AT M c L AREN MACOMB, VISIT MCLAREN.ORG/MACOMBEPILEPSY. MACOMB HEALTH & LIFE | FALL/WINTER 2018

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BRING WARMTH TO YOUR WINTER

WHEN THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE PLUMMETS, USE THESE IDEAS TO CREATE ALL THE COZINESS NEEDED TO KEEP SPIRITS UP TILL SPRING.

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{ HOME }

When it comes to turning winter darkness into an asset, Scandinavians are way ahead of the game, having plenty of opportunity each year to practice. Candles are considered indispensable, casting a warm glow over breakfast as often as dinner. When you see candles on sale, stock up on various shapes and sizes. Sticking to a single color will keep an array of candles from looking too busy.

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Adding texture is an excellent way to bump up the cozy in just about any room. Above: Knit blankets add visual and physical warmth, whether layered on a bed or kept close to the sofa where everyone loves to curl up with a good book.

Left: Crocheted ornaments brighten the season, are a fun indoor project for cold days and make thoughtful gifts. Adding handmade texture doesn’t have to be complicated. Simple mini ski hats created with just a few knots and some imagination can turn a plain mantel into a festival of cheerful color, or serve as place-card holders for a winter feast.

Knitters can, of course, busy themselves adding warmth and texture to just about anything, from feet to vases.

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Winter decor doesn’t have to mean an expensive makeover for every room in the house. Simple touches that easily can be swapped out come spring will keep your project both fun and feasible. Left: Splashes of rich color mixed with bright neutrals can do wonders to lighten attitudes. Below: Bringing the warmth of nature indoors is always uplifting, especially in the gray days of winter. Evergreen boughs, a favorite this time of year, are easily found, but a cluster of succulents carries equal appeal. Consider repotting plants you already have in containers of similar color to create a new arrangement—one that’s sure to brighten your table and your mood all the way until spring.

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{ ESCAPES }

ESCAPE TO PORTUGAL

WITH ITS VIBRANT CITIES, MEDIEVAL HISTORY, BEAUTIFUL ARCHITECTURE, FABULOUS FOOD AND SOME OF THE MOST EXQUISITE BEACHES IN ALL OF EUROPE, PORTUGAL IS THE PLACE TO GO. PORTUGAL, ONE OF EUROPE’S FINEST GEMS, has become a hot destination—and not just because of its year-round mild climate.

The country’s welcoming people, nine centuries of history, fabulous food and wine, gorgeous architecture and natural sights all add up to a vacation that offers something for everyone. It’s no wonder that Portugal tops many bucket lists.

Since this vibrant country is relatively small—about the size of Indiana—you can explore a lot in one trip. It’s also a mecca for foodies. Boasting the largest exclusive fishing zone in Europe, seafood is fresh, plentiful and affordable. Local cuisine is vegetarianfriendly as well, offering hearty soups, stews and locally grown fruits and vegetables.

Here are some of our favorite spots in Portugal….

Rabelo boats on the Douro River in the coastal city of Porto, famous for its port wine and lively Ribeira district, made up of medieval streets, colorful ancient houses and dozens of cafés and restaurants. The iconic Dom Luís I Bridge is in the background.

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{ ESCAPES }

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At left, Belém Tower, also known as the Tower of St. Vincent, stands guard on the bank of the Tagus River in Lisbon. The photo above shows Azenhas do Mar, a picturesque coastal town. Below, a fairy-tale corridor beckons in Monserrate Palace, one of the wonders of Sintra.

LISBON The elegant coastal city of Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, is home to white domed cathedrals, brightly tiled buildings and some of the country’s most famous sights. Those include a Gothic monument from the 1500s that guards the entrance to the very harbor from which Vasco da Gama, Magellan and Columbus all set sail.

Other can’t-miss destinations include the historic neighborhood of Alfama, which dates back to the Moors, with its narrow cobblestone streets and indescribable charm; Águas Livres Aqueduct, a majestic 18th-century example of Portuguese engineering; St. George’s Castle, with phenomenal views of the city; and the Monastery of St. Jerome, with its highly ornate architecture. Lisbon also proudly boasts a wealth of excellent museums, including the world-renowned Calouste Gulbenkian Museum and the National Tile Museum. Sightsee via the iconic yellow trams that traverse the hilly streets of the city, and indulge in pastel de nata, the infamous Portuguese custard tart. Lisbon is a remarkable city that will entrance you with its sights, sounds and flavors.

SINTRA Located about 20 miles northwest of Lisbon is the picturesque, hilly resort town of Sintra, dotted with pastel-colored villas, historical palaces and ancient mansions. This fairy tale-like city is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is a must-see, full of lush vegetation and cobblestone streets. continued...

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Praia da Marinha (above) is a stunning beach in the Algarve region. Portugal is known for top-quality canned seafood; at left, mussels bask in escabeche, a spicy oil and vinegar marinade. Barrels of Porto wine (below) age in a traditional stone cellar. Opposite, Porto’s Douro River is glimpsed through an arch in the 14th-century Fernandina wall.

PORTO Even farther up the coast in northwest Portugal is the magical city of Porto. The region is famed for the production of port wine, which is still stored and matured in cellars that stretch along the banks of the Douro River. Here, it’s all about having fun in the charming Ribeira district, another UNESCO World Heritage site, where cafés, bars and restaurants line the colorful cobblestone streets. Stroll across the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge, go for a wine tour or tasting at Vila Nova de Gaia, and discover incredible gilt carvings at the Church of St. Francis, which dates back to 1245. Harry Potter fans won’t want to miss the Livraria Lello, a bookshop with stunning architecture that served as the inspiration for Hogwarts—J.K. Rowling was actually a customer here when she was teaching English in Porto in the 1990s.

ALGARVE REGION For Portugal’s most celebrated beaches—adorned with golden sand, crystal-clear water, rock cliffs, and mystical caves—travel to the southernmost region called the Algarve. While still relatively unspoiled, here’s where you’ll find luxury oceanfront hotels, Michelin-starred restaurants, chic spas, thermal baths and internationally acclaimed golf resorts. With more than 150 beaches to choose from, it’s the perfect place to unwind after days of touring up north.

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{ ESCAPES }

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SWEET SENSATIONS CAP YOUR MEAL WITH ONE OF THESE DELICIOUS MIDDLE EASTERN DESSERTS— BECAUSE THE ENTRÉE SHOULDN’T BE THE ONLY COURSE WITH FLAVORS TO SAVOR.

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{ TASTES }

LAYERED CUSTARD AND NUT CRUMBLE (KSHTALEIA) YIELDS: 12 SERVINGS

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

FOR THE PUDDING n 2 quarts milk n 2 Tbs. rose water n 2 Tbs. orange blossom water n 1 cup confectioners’ sugar or honey n 1 tsp. vanilla extract n 1 tsp. mastic (optional) n 1 cup rice flour

Preheat the oven to 300°F. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with butter.

TO MAKE THE PUDDING: In a large saucepan, bring the milk to a simmer over medium heat. Add the rose water, orange blossom, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla and mastic, if using. Slowly add the rice flour, stirring all the while. Cook until the pudding begins to thicken and a whisk leaves tracks in the mixture. Spread evenly on a baking sheet to cool.

FOR THE CRUST n

1 cup panko breadcrumbs 1 cup unseasoned standard breadcrumbs n 1 cup walnuts, chopped n 1 cup almonds, chopped n 1½ cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, melted n 1 Tbs. vanilla extract n ½ tsp. ground cinnamon

TO MAKE THE CRUST: In a large bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, walnuts and almonds. Add the melted butter, vanilla and cinnamon, working the mixture with your hands. Spread half of the bread-crumb mixture over the bottom of the prepared pan.

Using a spatula, pack it down evenly and firmly. Spread the pudding mixture over the top, then spread the jam over the pudding. Sprinkle the remaining bread mixture on top of the jam and press it down.

FINISHING TOUCHES

Bake until the crust is golden brown. Pour the simple syrup over the top and let it cool for a few minutes. To serve, cut into squares. The kshtaleia can be served cold too. To store, cover the pan with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator, where it will keep for up to 1 week.

n

n

1 cup jam of your choice n 1 cup blossom-scented simple syrup

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{ TASTES }

BUTTER COOKIE SANDWICHES (GRAYBEH) YIELDS: 36 COOKIES

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

n

Put the butter in the bowl of a stand mixer and gradually beat from low to high speed for 3 minutes until light and fluffy. and continue to beat until the mixture is foamy. Beat in the vanilla seeds. Add the flour a little at a time and beat until the dough holds together when pressed between your fingers. Divide the dough in half and pat each half into a disc. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.

1 lbs. (4 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature n 1½ cups confectioners’ sugar n seeds from 1 vanilla bean n 4 cups all-purpose flour n 1 cup jam or preserves (fig, quince or apricot) n ½ cup ground pistachios

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease two large baking sheets or line with parchment paper.

On a slightly floured surface, roll one disc of dough to a thickness of ¼ inch. Cut out circles using a 2-inch round cookie cutter. Gather the scraps, roll out, cut and repeat until you’ve used all of the dough. Transfer to one of the prepared baking sheets and place in the refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes.

Repeat the rolling and cutting process with the remaining disc of dough. Then use a smaller (no bigger than 1 inch) cookie cutter or the wide end of a piping tip to make a cutout in the center of each circle. (Discard the small cutout pieces.)

Transfer the circles to the second prepared baking sheet and place in the refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes.

Place both baking sheets in the oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the edges of the cookies are just beginning to brown. Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes on the sheets, then roll in ground pistachios if desired and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

To make the sandwiches, turn the cookies without the holes flat side up, and gently spread each with 1 teaspoon of jam.

Top with the cutout cookies, flat side down. Store in airtight containers for up to 1 week.

All recipes and photos are reprinted with permission from Levant by Rawia Bishara. Photos by Con Poulos. © Kyle Books

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{ GATHERINGS } 1

3

10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE KARMANOS CANCER INSTITUTE AT McLAREN MACOMB, TED B. WAHBY CANCER CENTER 1 Pat Keigher, McLaren Macomb regional director of cancer services; Dr. Andrew Staricco, McLaren Macomb chief medical officer

2

4

2 Gayleen Schneider, cancer survivor; Kathryn Candela, McLaren Macomb psychosocial services coordinator; Terry Hunger, cancer survivor 3 Tom Brisse, McLaren Macomb president and CEO 4 Dr. Arthur Frazier, McLaren Macomb radiation oncologist; Sandra Wolny, daughter of cancer center namesake Ted B. Wahby

RIDE RICHMOND 5 Sue Schafer, McLaren Macomb trauma performance improvement specialist

5

6

6 Edwina Basho, McLaren Macomb employee

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7

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BRAvo 2018: A SPECTACULAR NIGHT IN ‘BRAS VEGAS’

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7 Cancer survivors with McLaren Macomb oncologists and clinical staff

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8 Pat Keigher, McLaren Macomb regional director of cancer services and BRAvo founding member 9 Holly Hutton and Rob Stone, 99.5 WYCD and BRAvo emcees 10 Heather Gibbs, McLaren Macomb gift shop supervisor; Louise Rallis Wibbelman, McLaren Macomb Foundation director

11

11 “Dancing With Our Docs” participants

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{ WHERE TO EAT }

AMERICAN

BAD BRADS BBQ “The best possible BBQ every day,” along with a full bar and catering, 36845 Groesbeck Hwy., Clinton Township, 586.789.7320; 35611 Green St., New Baltimore, 586.716.9977; 6525 23 Mile Rd., Shelby Township, 586.254.7010 DICKEY’S BARBECUE PIT Authentic Texas-style barbecue with home-style flavor and a family-friendly atmosphere, 20755 Hall Rd., Macomb Township, 586.741.5270 FILIPPA’S WINE BARREL Upscale traditional American cuisine with an Italian influence and impressive wine list, 45125 Mound Rd., Shelby Township, 586.254.1311 FIN’S All-American food and spirits with a racing theme, starting with breakfast, 51006 Washington St., New Baltimore, 586.725.9000

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GUMBO’S Contemporary American fare with a Cajun/Creole influence, 53 N. Walnut St., Mount Clemens, 586.307.3100

THEE OFFICE PUB & COOKERY Family-friendly gathering place serving burgers, sandwiches, steaks and pastas, 128 S. Main St., Romeo, 586.752.6680

J. BALDWIN’S Restaurant, lounge and caterer serving gourmet food and signature stone-fired crispy pizza, 16981 18 Mile Road, Clinton Township, 586.416.3500

THE PANTRY RESTAURANT Contemporary American restaurant serving breakfast and brunch, 44945 Morley Dr., Clinton Township, 586.465.5514; 34220 Van Dyke Ave., Sterling Heights, 586.939.1370; 58884 Van Dyke Rd., Washington Township, 586.677.4135

JOHN’S FAMILY GRILL A favorite for classic comfort food, 304 Cass Ave., Mount Clemens, 586.463.0033 LITTLE CAMILLE’S BY THE BAY Casual eatery serving salads, pasta, pizza and more, 51083 Washington St., New Baltimore, 586.725.4866

RIVER RAT Casual restaurant and bar, located in “Boat Town,” serving large portions in a nautical atmosphere, 29370 S. River Rd., Harrison Township, 586.465.6565

NORTH 42 AT MACRAY HARBOR Fresh American cuisine served in a waterfront setting, 30675 N. River Rd., Harrison Township, 586.329.7880

SEEBURGER’S CHEESEBURGERS Burgers and more, including paninis and salads, 26756 Gratiot Ave., Roseville, 586.362.8585

STERLING’S BISTRO Creative American dishes with seasonal ingredients and an international wine menu, 13905 Lakeside Circle, Sterling Heights, 586.566.0627 STRAWBERRY FIELDS Friendly family restaurant serving American fare, pizza and pasta with a Beatles-themed menu, 51070 S. Foster Rd., Chesterfield, 586.949.7740 TWISTED ROOSTER A twist on classic American fare, featuring bold flavors and fresh local ingredients, 45225 Marketplace Blvd., Chesterfield, 586.949.1470 VICTORY SMOKEHOUSE Upscale BBQ joint serving smoked meat by the half-pound as well as sandwiches and classic sides, 28950 Mound Rd., Warren, 248.671.6328

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BATH CITY BISTRO Steaks, fish and pasta, plus Belgian trough bowling, a cross between bocce and shuffleboard, 75 Macomb Pl., Mount Clemens, 586.469.0917

IRISH PUB

THREE BLIND MICE IRISH PUB Irishinspired pub fare, including Guinness stew and corned beef, 101 N. Main St., Mount Clemens, 586.961.6371

ITALIAN/PIZZA

ANDIAMO Refined classic Italian menu with an international wine list, 14425 Lakeside Circle, Sterling Heights, 586.532.8800; 7096 E. 14 Mile Rd., Warren, 586.268.3200 ANTONIO’S ITALIAN CUISINE Authentic family-style Italian dishes made from family recipes, 2505 E. 14 Mile Rd., Sterling Heights, 586.264.5252 DA FRANCESCO’S Quality Italian cuisine with a homemade touch, and sporting an extensive wine list, 49521 Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Township, 586.731.7544 LUCIANO’S Family-owned establishment serving northern and southern Italian cuisine, 39091 Garfield Rd., Clinton Township, 586.263.6540 LUIGI’S ORIGINAL RESTAURANT “Small in size but big in originality,” featuring pizza, steaks, pasta and seafood, 36691 Jefferson Ave., Harrison Township, 586.468.7711 NONNA’S ITALIAN KITCHEN Familyfriendly food inspired by family traditions, including specialty pizzas, 50528 Schoenherr Rd., Shelby Township, 586.884.6949

PENNA’S Fine dining since 1968, Penna’s of Sterling, 38400 Van Dyke Ave., Sterling Heights, 586.978.3880

MEDITERRANEAN/ MIDDLE EASTERN CEDAR KABOB & CAFE Classic Lebanese fare served in a cozy, comfortable setting, 34796 Van Dyke Ave., Sterling Heights, 586.795.1722

IKE’S RESTAURANT Lebanese fusion restaurant also serving burgers and other American and Italian classics, 38550 Van Dyke Ave., Sterling Heights, 586.979.4460 SAJO’S Quality, reasonably priced Mediterranean cuisine served in a contemporary atmosphere, 36470 Moravian Dr., Clinton Township, 586.792.7256

MEXICAN

EL CHARRO Family-owned, with authentic Mexican cuisine, including unique soft-shell tacos, 16720 14 Mile Rd., Fraser, 586.294.3520; 21519 21 Mile Rd., Macomb, 586.598.7556; 24401 Harper Ave., St. Clair Shores, 586.779.5060 JUAN MIGUEL’S Authentic Mexican dishes, including fajitas, tacos and enchiladas, plus a full bar, 21342 Hall Rd., Clinton Township, 586.783.9751 TACO LOCO Authentic Mexican favorites, including their own stuffed poblano peppers, “puffy” tacos and more, 52899 Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Township, 586.323.9494

SPORTS BAR

ART & JAKES Sports bar and grill with an international menu focusing on Macedonian and Serbian cuisine, 14741 23 Mile Rd., Shelby Township, 586.532.9600; 44899 Mound Rd., Sterling Heights, 586.739.7000; 65859 Van Dyke Rd., Washington Township, 586.752.7500 EAGLES BAR & GRILL Neighborhood sports bar and grill serving comfort food and craft beers, 50640 Waterside Dr., Chesterfield, 586.949.9600 ENGINE HOUSE Firefighter-themed sports bar and restaurant serving pizzas, sandwiches and steaks, 309 Cass Ave., Mount Clemens, 586.468.2442

STEAK/SEAFOOD

THE BREWERY Longtime family-owned restaurant known for its steak, seafood, extensive wine list and top-shelf spirits, 39950 Hayes Rd., Clinton Township, 586.286.3020 CREWS INN Lunch and dinner served in a harborside setting, with a focus on fish and beef, including prime rib specials on Friday and Saturday night, 31988 N. River Rd., Harrison Township, 586.463.8144

WAVES Fun eatery and nightclub featuring “under the wave” and “over the wave” dishes, 24223 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores, 586.773.3840

SUSHI/JAPANESE

ASAHI SUSHI Award-winning sushi bar and Korean restaurant, 41860 Garfield Rd., Clinton Township, 586.412.2700 NARUTO SUSHI Fresh, light Asian menu that includes sushi as well as bibimbap, udon noodles and more, 34788 Van Dyke Ave., Sterling Heights, 586.977.0123 OSAKA Japanese steakhouse featuring hibachi tables and a sushi bar, 45323 Market St., Utica, 586.566.9572

THAI

AMARIN THAI CUISINE Classic dishes using traditional Thai spices with meat, seafood and vegetarian options, 11528 E. 12 Mile Rd., Warren, 586.582.8787 THAI ORCHID Casual, authentic Thai eatery known for its fresh, wellseasoned dishes, 60 Cherry St., Mount Clemens, 586.783.1727

FISHBONE’S Seafood, steaks, sushi and New Orleans favorites served up in a setting reminiscent of the French Quarter, 23722 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores, 586.498.3000 MR. PAUL’S CHOP HOUSE Family-run restaurant specializing in fresh beef and seafood and Caesar salad prepared tableside, 29850 Groesbeck Hwy., Roseville, 586.777.7770

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BE THERE W I N T E R

2 0 1 8 - 2 0 1 9

Jason Bishop’s Straight Up Magic January 26

Jingle Journey December 9

DECEMBER 1 Over at Dodge Park in Sterling Heights they know how to do Christmas right. A STERLING CHRISTMAS is the kind of holiday celebration that gives everybody in the family a warm, fuzzy feeling. In addition to the usual holiday festivities like a tree lighting, Christmas songs and an appearance from old Kris Kringle himself, there’s also a slew of fun activities including pony rides, horse-drawn wagons, a carousel and more. And in the seasonal spirit of giving, there will be food donations collected for those in need, so bring along any boxed or canned food you’d like to contribute to the cause. For more info, see http://bit.ly/SterlingChristmas18

DECEMBER 7–9 When the holidays roll around, one of the things you can always count on is the appearance of the classic Frank Capra 1946 film IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE on television. Jimmy Stewart’s role as George Bailey never fails to pull all the right heartstrings in this seminal, seasonal classic. But its appeal doesn’t have to be limited to the screen.

As adapted for the stage by Dr. James W. Rogers, this timeless story comes alive in a theatrical setting as well. And for three days in December, you can experience it at the Warren Civic Theatre. Get the details at warrencivic.org/2018-2019-season.html

DECEMBER 9 For one special afternoon in December, an otherwise ordinary shuttle bus will become part of a holiday happening known as the JINGLE JOURNEY in Mount Clemens. Bring the kids along to hit all of the stops on this

German Christmas December 16

seasonal trip between three of the most intriguing sites in town. The Crocker House Museum will be hosting Santa Claus himself, who’ll be posing for pictures. Carols played on a vintage pump organ and Christmas tales from Elf on the Shelf will be part of the festivities, too. Over at the Anton Art Center, there’ll be crafts for kids, and the Michigan Transit Museum will showcase quaint old trolleys. Oh, and did we mention cookie baking and Christmas movies?

Learn more at crockerhousemuseum.org/ calendar-of-events.html

DECEMBER 16 Thanks to the Crocker House Museum and Macomb County Historical Society, you don’t have to have a German background to experience a GERMAN CHRISTMAS. With catering courtesy of the Carpathia Club, you can find out firsthand exactly what a traditional German holiday dinner is like. We’re talking spatzle, roulanden, black forest cake—the whole works. Just make sure you call ahead for reservations. For contact info, visit crockerhousemuseum.org/calendar-ofevents.html

DECEMBER 27 If you and your spouse want to nab a night out together, the most obvious approach is to hire a babysitter to come over and wrangle the kids for a few hours. But there’s a better solution that will keep kids engaged and excited while giving parents the opportunity to enjoy a date night. Toddle over to Sterling Heights on December 27, where KIDS NIGHT AT THE NATURE CENTER = PARENTS NIGHT OUT. Instead of leaving

the little ones to sit at home and stare at a screen all evening, you can drop them off at the Nature Center at 6 p.m. and let them enjoy three-and-a-half hours’ worth of carefully curated activities including games, crafts and even a little hike if the weather cooperates. Take this chance to make the whole family happy while taking the break you undoubtedly deserve. Learn more at http://bit.ly/SterlingNightOut

JANUARY 26 If you’re up for catching a magic show, but you want something a little more fresh and exciting than the same old hocus pocus, JASON BISHOP’S STRAIGHT UP MAGIC will fit the bill to perfection. Bishop’s not just a magician, he’s an illusionist, a performer with the power to realign your ideas about what’s physically possible. Bishop’s vitality, innovation and modern rock soundtrack create an electrifying experience that might just make you reboot your expectations about what a magic show can be. For more, see http://bit.ly/Jason_Bishop

FEBRUARY 2 The troupe behind Cirque Mechanics has been busily redefining the modern circus from the ground up for the last decade and a half.

And its latest show, 42 FT: A MENAGERIE OF MECHANICAL MARVELS, exemplifies the kind of outside-the-box artistry that’s gotten the troupe compared to titans of the business like Cirque du Soleil. This show brings together in one 42-foot circus ring strong storytelling, amazing mechanical creations, acrobats, aerial feats and more.

Details at http://bit.ly/CirqueMechanics

TO SEE OTHER MACOMB COUNTY EVENTS, PLEASE VISIT MCLAREN.ORG/MACOMBCOMMUNITYEVENTS.

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SCHEDULE PHYSICIAN APPOINTMENTS ONLINE ANYTIME. Don’t wait for office hours to schedule your next physician appointment. Schedule your appointment online with a McLaren Medical Group primary care or OB/GYN physician at mclaren.org/appointments and get your care in your community.

McLaren Macomb-Internal Medicine & Health 37399 Garfield, Suite 106 Clinton Township, MI 48036 (586) 226-3500 mclaren.org/macombIM

McLaren Macomb-Clinton Township Internal Medicine 36539 Harper Avenue Clinton Township, MI 48035 (586) 792-8877 mclaren.org/clintontownshipIM

McLaren Macomb-Family Medicine 16700 21 Mile Road, Suite 101 Macomb, MI 48044 (586) 263-0320 mclaren.org/macombFM

McLaren Macomb-Family Medicine 46401 Romeo Plank, Suite 4 Macomb, MI 48044 (586) 226-8600 mclaren.org/macombfamilymedicine

McLaren Macomb-Shelby Creek Family Medicine 8180 26 Mile Road, Suite 101 Shelby Township, MI 48316 (586) 465-2000 mclaren.org/shelbycreekFM

McLaren Macomb-Family Medicine-Silvan 35103 Silvano Street Clinton Township, MI 48035 (586) 791-5250 mclaren.org/macombfamily

McLaren Macomb-Lakeshore Medical Center 33720 Harper Avenue Clinton Township, MI 48035 (586) 294-5210 mclaren.org/lakeshoremc McLaren Macomb-Clinton Township Family Medicine 37399 Garfield, Suite 203 Clinton Township, MI 48036 (586) 228-2911 mclaren.org/clintontownshipFM McLaren Macomb-Family Medicine Lakewood 13425 19 Mile Road Sterling Heights, MI 48313 (586) 843-3935 mclaren.org/macombprimarycare

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McLaren Macomb-Hampton Medical Center 30550 Utica Road Roseville, MI 48066 (586) 771-0290 mclaren.org/hamptonmedical McLaren Macomb-Sterling Heights Pediatrics & Family Medicine 35111 Dodge Park Sterling Heights, MI 48312 (586) 978-8010 mclaren.org/sterlingheights McLaren Macomb Pediatrics 16700 21 Mile Road, Suite 104 Macomb, MI 48044 (586) 226-2032 mclaren.org/macombpediatrics

McLaren Macomb-Clinton Township Pediatrics 22500 Metropolitan Parkway, Suite 200 Clinton Township, MI 48035 (586) 493-3732 mclaren.org/clintontownshippediatrics McLaren Macomb Women’s Health 36561 Harper Avenue Clinton Township, MI 48035 (586) 792-5740 mclaren.org/macombwomenshealth McLaren Macomb-New Baltimore Women’s Health Associates 51086 Fairchild Road, Unit A New Baltimore, MI 48051 (586) 725-4604 mclaren.org/NBwomenshealth McLaren Macomb-Clinton Township Women’s Health Associates 37400 Garfield, Suite 200 Clinton Township, MI 48036 (586) 286-4880 mclaren.org/CTwomenshealth McLaren Macomb-Romeo Family Medicine 239 South Main Street Romeo, MI 48065 (586) 752-2861 mclaren.org/romeoFM McLaren Macomb-North Grove Women’s Health 44200 Garfield, Suite 164 Clinton Township, MI 48038 (586) 412-5117 mclaren.org/NGwomenshealth

10/28/18 12:00 PM

{ POWER FOOD }

LET’S HEAR IT FOR

WALNUTS

SMALL BUT MIGHTY, THIS ANTIOXIDANT-LOADED NUT GOES FROM BAKERY SIDELINER TO VARSITY HEALTH PLAYER. Once dismissed as merely an optional ingredient to add crunch to baked goods, the walnut sat low in the nut pantheon. Now we know better.

This tree nut, championed by the ancient Greeks for various medicinal purposes, is loaded with antioxidants, protein, omega-3 fatty acids and healthy fats. No wonder you can’t spell nutrition without “nut.”

POWER UP Like other tree nuts, walnuts are high in protein (4 grams in 1 ounce), fiber (about 2 grams) and magnesium (45 milligrams). They’re also rich in various B vitamins, vitamin E, phosphorus and the insomniac’s best friend, melatonin.

When it comes to heart health, walnuts have a clear advantage over other nuts, as they contain the highest concentration of polyphenols, a kind of antioxidant that may help reduce the risk of heart disease and prostate and breast cancers. Walnuts also contain

content, have an even shorter shelf life.

It’s best to keep walnuts in the freezer or, if you plan to eat them within a month, in the refrigerator. Walnuts are most nutritious when enjoyed raw or dry-roasted, and in small portions, as they’re high in calories (185 calories per ounce). They also can be added to trail mix or muesli, pulverized DID YOU and made into a coating KNOW? for fish or meat, or used The ancient Greeks to add texture to pastas, used walnuts for risottos and soups. You medicinal purposes, can also purchase walnut believing the nuts could treat bad butter and walnut oil. Note breath, dog bites, that walnut oil, like olive oil, colic and even hair has a low smoke point, so loss.They called walnuts kayron, some experts recommend which means enjoying it cold—on salads, “head,” because of for example—rather than the resemblance the shell has to a cooking with it. And, of human skull and the course, walnuts still have nut to a brain. their place in brownies and banana bread.

a significant amount (2.5 grams in 1 ounce) of alpha linolenic acid, a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid with inflammation-busting properties said to benefit heart and vascular health.

BUY/STORE/SERVE Walnuts can be purchased both raw and roasted as well as shelled or unshelled.

Shelled walnuts often still have their white skin, which has a bit of a bitter taste, but resist the temptation to remove it. That skin contains high levels of phenols, tannins and flavonoids—all antioxidants that benefit your body inside and out. Because of their high fat content, walnuts (and other nuts) can become rancid quickly, especially if stored in humid or hot spots. Nuts that have been roasted with oil, which increases the fat

*

FAST FACT Eating one-quarter cup of walnuts daily for three months significantly reduced fasting insulin levels in overweight adults with type 2 diabetes, compared to those who didn’t eat walnuts. — The Journal of Nutrition

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YOUR CARING, ATTENTIVE, UNMATCHED ADVANTAGE. YOUR BEST CHANCE.

At Karmanos, we provide access to the newest cancer meds, the most innovative treatments available and an A-team of cancer specialists who will give you everything you need, every step of the way.

KARMANOS.ORG

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1-800-KARMANOS

10/28/18 12:00 PM

DOING WHAT’S BEST IN HEALTHCARE. At McLaren Macomb, we believe in one thing: Doing What’s Best.

To start living your healthiest life, make an appointment with a McLaren doctor who will do what’s best for you at mclaren.org/macomb.

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