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From the President My Dear Sisters, As we enter into sisterhood month, I’d like to ponder and reflect upon the true meaning of sisterhood; and what sisterhood means to me. Sisterhood is a connection with an individual or individuals with whom you share a common bond and a common goal to support, encourage and uplift. A sisterhood could be blood relationship or it could simply be by love. Sisterhood is a safe haven where one can go and not be judged, ridiculed or put down. True sisterhood is all about embracing one another’s shortcomings as well as successes. Sisterhood is being there when others walk away. Sisterhood is being a part of something greater than yourself. In a true sisterhood you’re never alone. My Dear Sisters, I encourage you to reach out and touch another sister in a special way during the month of March. Let them feel your love and know that you are indeed their Sister’s Keeper! Happy Sisterhood Month my Dear Sisters!!

Myra Key Carter, President

Monmouth County Alumnae Chapter

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

MARCH 2020 NEWSLETTER

What is Sisterhood?

Sisterhood is not just the combination of Greek letters the beauty of crimson and cream

it's about friendship and trust sharing hopes and dreams

it doesn't lie in the depths of pledges, songs and played parts

it's what lies deep within the depths of our hearts

for each other growing together becoming strong, as one

helping each other, building each other to withstand and overcome

supporting your sister when she is in need

wiping her tears and easing her pain when she bleeds

being a shoulder to lean on in times of despair

letting her know that you'll always be there

sisterhood is not just strolls and dancing at parties the fun you have at step shows

it's the warmth and affection you have for each other and the relationships that grow

it's the tug at your heart when she's going through

it's you doing what you can do to help her pull through

sharing her burdens and easing the load she may bare

it's about being consistent and showing your care

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, unpredictable disease of

the central nervous system (CNS): the brain, spinal cord

and optic nerves. It is thought to be an autoimmune

condition in which the immune system incorrectly attacks

healthy tissues.

In MS, the immune system attacks the myelin sheath that

normally protects nerve fibers in the brain and spinal

cord. As the myelin sheath is gradually destroyed, the

resulting scar tissue (sclerosis) disrupts the electrical

impulses between the brain and other parts of the body. It

is not clear what causes the immune reaction, and most

people diagnosed with MS have no known risk factors.

Although the diagnosis occurs between the ages of 20 and

50, children and older adults may develop the disease. MS

occurs two to three times more in women than men.

Most major health organizations estimate about 400,000

people in the United States have MS, but research

published in March 2019 in the journal Neurology puts

the number of Americans living with MS at 1 million.

Diagnosis:

MS is one of the most difficult diseases to diagnose

because of the bewildering number of symptoms it causes

and the multiple ways in which it can present.

No two MS cases are alike.

There are reportedly16 other conditions

commonly mistaken for MS including Lyme

Disease, Migraine, Neuropathy and Lupus.

Patients with MS may have symptoms of the

disease for 5 years before the first clinical

diagnosis.

Common early warning signs include:

Vision problems

Tingling and numbness

Pains and spasms

Weakness or fatigue

Balance problems or dizziness

Bladder issues

Sexual dysfunction

Cognitive problems

Multiple Sclerosis and Depression:

Anyone dealing with too much stress might go through a

depression. So, it is easy to understand how someone

experiencing long-term physical symptoms of MS can

become depressed.

Unfortunately, MS itself may cause depression. The

disease destroys the protective coating around the nerves

in the brain that affect mood. Many of the drugs used to

treat MS (i.e. steroids and interferon) cause depression.

Depression manifest in many ways. You may be sad,

easily irritated, fatigued or lose interest in things you

previously enjoyed.

Symptoms of Depression Include:

Trouble concentrating

Uncontrollable crying

Hard time making decisions

Urge to sleep a lot

Trouble falling or staying asleep at night

Unexplainable aches and pains

Upset stomach and digestive problems

Low sex drive or other sexual problems

Headache

Change in appetite that causes weight loss or gain

Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness

Thoughts or attempted suicide in extreme cases

If you have one or more of the symptoms above and they

begin to worsen and/or interfere with your relationships,

work, or family, it is time to get help.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH

Treatments for Depression:

Beating MS requires emotional and mental strength. First,

recognize you are depressed. Next, alert a medical

professional you trust to guide you to mental fitness.

Treatment options may include:

Antidepressant drugs

Psychotherapy or talk therapy. You talk to a

mental health professional who can help you work

through issues that trigger your depression.

Medical Marijuana (cannabis) can be used to

relieve anxiety and depression. It is best consumed as

a tea, because smoking it can damage the lungs.

o You can use any part of the herb, grind it up,

scoop one teaspoon into a cup of hot water

steep for 15-30 minutes.

o Drink once or twice daily (more if needed).

o Drinking on an empty stomach avoids the

"buzzy" feeling.

Mynax, a German mineral formulation supplement

with chelated calcium, magnesium, and potassium

EAP, assists with the proper firing of neurons and in

balancing and supporting the Central Nervous

System by alleviating muscle spasms, tremors,

fatigue, moodiness, and headaches.

Natural and Homeopathic Treatments are on the

rise. These include therapies that focus on diet,

nutrition, detox, exercise, meditation, and the

connection between mind, body and spirit.

My MS Story:

"Research your own experience... Absorb what is

useful... Reject what is useless... Add what is

specifically your own." -Bruce Lee

In my opinion, Lee's quote is excellent advice and

works for me.

Recently I was alerted by my insurance company that

they would no longer cover the prescription for my MS

medication, which has worked for many years, unless I

tried the generic form and proved that it failed. Soon

after the switch, I just wasn't feeling good...nothing

major... odd things that come with age. I never

associated the feelings with the possible side effects of

the medication. Fast forward, every symptom I was

experiencing was among a three page, front and back

document I printed from my computer.

I stopped taking any MS medication in December of

2019, and I am being monitored closely by my team of

doctors:

Neurologist was notified immediately. After

running a battery of test, he was receptive to

my decision to move to natural remedies and

stay off prescription medications.

I follow Ann Boroch, author of HEALING

Multiple Sclerosis Diet, Detox & Nutritional

Makeover for Total Recovery, who advocates:

o Clean eating: eliminating processed

food, refined sugar, artificial

chemicals, and consuming organic

produce and proteins when possible.

o Some herbal teas and supplements

o Regular exercise and proper sleep

o Self-care which includes meditation,

saying no without guilt, listening to

your body, learning and paying

attention to what triggers stress so you

can respond accordingly.

I keep regular appointments with my

Neurologist, Primary Care Physician and

Ophthalmologist to keep them all informed of

any concerns and/or changes in my health.

My advice:

Stay informed... Do your research... Be your own

advocate... Seek a second opinion... Build your own

community of support including doctors and mental

health professionals you trust.

Resources & Related Articles:

To learn more about MS click on the links below.

Jersey Shore University Medical Center has a

dedicated Multiple Sclerosis Center that offers an

integrated approach to diagnosis and treatment.

MS FAQs:

https://www.nationalmssociety.org/What-is-MS/MS-

FAQ-s

MS and Depression: Tips for Mental Fitness

https://www.webmd.com/multiple-sclerosis/mental-

fitness-tips#1

Multiple Sclerosis Center- Jersey Shore University

Medical Center:

https://www.jerseyshoreuniversitymedicalcenter.com/serv

ices/multiple-sclerosis-center/

Healing Multiple Sclerosis:

https://books.google.com/books/about/Healing_Multiple_

Sclerosis.html?id=FL9eo8V0LUEC&printsec=frontcover

&source=kp_read_button

Jersey Shore Medical Center Upcoming Events

Connecting the Multiple

Sclerosis Community

Friday, March 13, 2020

2 – 4 p.m.

Learn about the community resources and support

available for those diagnosed with multiple

sclerosis, including Medicaid, integrative health,

physical/occupational therapy, nutrition

counseling and more. Light refreshments will be

served.

For treatment of Depression CPC Behavioral Health

https://www.cpcbehavioral.org/counseling-centers

Locations: Middletown/Red Bank, Neptune,

Howell, Freehold, Aberdeen, Eatontown

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH

Eastern Region Sisterhood Calendar

MCAC SISTERHOOD ACTIVITIES

Saturday, March 7th “Painting with a Twist” See flyer and previous emails

Tuesday, March 17th 6:15-7:15 pm

“Zumba” $5 Summerfield School 527 Green grove Rd Neptune

Tuesday, March 24th 6:15-7:15 pm

“Zumba” $5 Summerfield School 527 Green grove Rd Neptune

Saturday, March 28th “Progressive Dinner @4:00 PM Appetizers - Doris Crocker home Main course - Brenda Thompson home Deserts/Libations - Shirley Newton home Note: there will be a sign up sheet at February’s chapter meeting to volunteer to bring items listed.

Sunday, March 29, 2020 Sisterhood Day of Prayer Conference Call - 8:00 am 605-475-2090 Passcode 535070#

Sunday, March 29th @10:30 am Worship Sunday @ Soror Ruth Harvey’s church United Church of Christ of Toms River 1681 Ridgeway Rd (Rt. 571) Toms River, NJ 08757

MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

◄ Feb 2020 March 2020 Apr 2020 ►

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2

3 Membership

Development

(TBD)

4 Ritual and

Ceremonies

5 Social

Action/Political

Awareness (TBD)

6 Census 2020 Summit

Adam Bucky James

Center 231 Wilbur Ray Ave

Long Branch, NJ

9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

7 Scholarship Interviews

Christ Temple Church,

Neptune 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Sisterhood Paint with a Twist

2145 Nj-35

Holmdel, NJ

3:30 p.m.

8 E-Board

(3:00-TBD) Hostess: Soror Lucille

Jones

9

10 Fundraising

(TBD)

11

12 Gems (5:30-6:30)

Academy (6:45-7:45

13

14 Scholarship Interviews

Neptune Library 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

15

16 Physical/Mental

Health

(TBD)

17 Economic

Development

(TBD)

18

19 Gems (5:30-6:30)

Academy (6:45-7:45)

20

21 Greek House Party

($25.00)

Hamilton Banquet Facility

Hamilton Firehouse

7:00 p.m.

Book club (American

Marriage)-2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

Hostess: Soror Newton

22

23 Arts & Letters

(6:30- Panera Bread, 4715 Rt. 9, Howell

NJ)

24

25

26

27 Chapter Meeting

(7:00) Jersey Shore

Hospital

28 Sisterhood Progressive

Dinner 3:30- until

MCAC CALENDAR

◄ Mar 2020 April 2020 May 2020 ►

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Audit Report Due

Ritual and Ceremonies

2 Social

Action/Political Awareness

(TBD)

3

4

5 E-Board

(3:00-TBD)

Hostess: Soror Nicole Woods

6

7 Membership

Development

(TBD)

8

9 Gems (5:30-6:30)

(Tentative)

Academy (6:45-7:45) (Tentative)

10

11

12

13

14 Fundraising (TBD)

15

16 Gems (5:30-6:30) Academy (6:45-

7:45)

17 Bible Bowl Challenge

18 International Awareness Pillow Skirts project (TBD)

19

20 Physical/Mental

Health (TBD)

21 Economic

Development (TBD)

22

23

24 Chapter Meeting

(7:00) Jersey Shore

Hospital

25 International Awareness Pillow Skirts project (TBD)

26

27 Arts & Letters

(6:30- Panera

Bread, 4715 Rt. 9, Howell NJ)

28

29

30

MCAC CALENDAR

March Birthdays

1st - Rosalind O. Seawright

2nd - Tiffany Burton

9th - Bertha Williams-Pullen

15th - Danielle Lamb

18th - Tanya Randall

19th - Wanda D. Smith

25th - R. Barnetta Keyes

25th - Sikaya J. Alston

27th - Tasha Brown

28th - Veronica Miller