NEWS“It’s great to be alive - and to help others!”

Merry Christmas!

As I am writing this letter, I feel as if I have had my second experience of a lifetime (going to Africa the first time was the first.) My friend Carolyn and I have just returned from Johannesburg, South Africa visiting with my daughter who lives there. While we experienced so much, one of the highlights was fly-ing to Cape Town. The first human to human heart transplant was performed on December 3, 1967 in Cape Town, at the renowned Groote Schuur Hospital by Dr. Christian Barnard, referred to as the doctor who dared. Although we did not go inside the hospital or museum we did drive by and see the famous hospital. Just think, only 50 years ago and how far we have come in research. We currently have two members in our chapter who have had heart trans-plants. We should be very grateful to Dr. Barnard.

On behalf of the Mended Hearts Chapter 127 Board of Directors, we would like to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Let us not forget the real meaning of Christmas. As this year comes to an end, we should reflect on the past year and be very thank-ful for our family and friends. We all need to practice being a little kinder to our fellow man, for none us knows what tomorrow will bring.

Visit our websitewww.mendedhearts127.org

From The President

Reaching Out....Mended Hearts reaches out

to people from manysurrounding counties.

CookevilleRegional

Medical Centeris truly

Regional.

Reminder

NOVEMBER YEAR TO DATE38 Surgeries 39147 Stents 49511 Defibs - ICD 7211 Pacemaker - PPM 12417 Ablation 1572 EP Study 141 TVAR 13146 Hrs Worked 1412

22 Heart Surgery Visits 25626 Stents Visit 2987 PPM Visits 692 ICD Visits 293 Ablation Visits 4124 Family Visits without Patient 2161 TVAR Visits 1185 Total Visits 909

Submitted by Blanche Smithers

Place heart healthy recipes and articles in the box provided. We encourage everyone to submit

articles including the source and your name.

CHARTERED MARCH 1997 - CHAPTER 127

AWARDWINNINGNEWSLETTERHeartDECEMBER 2017 MENDED HEARTS CHAPTER 127 • COOKEVILLE, TENNESSEE VOL. 15 NO. 12

Deadline

Mended Hearts meets the Third Thursday of each month!

December 21, 2017

SympathyIt is with great regret that we hear of the passing of Jeanette Edwards from the National Mended Hearts office in Dallas, Texas.

Thank YouA big thank you to Scott Williams, Chief Operating Officer at CRMC for be-ing our guest speaker in November. Also, thank you to each Mended Hearts member who has helped in any way including your monthly attendance with Mended Hearts this year. Without you I could not do this. I love each of you in a very special way.

Next MeetingOur next meeting will be our Christmas Party on December 21 at 6:00 pm in Education Rooms 2, 3 & 4 at CRMC. All food will be furnished. Come and enjoy great fellowship with friends and enjoy live music by Jay Peterson and end this year with great success! Our new Mended Heart of the Year for Chapter 127 will be announced.

Thought For The DayThe service you do for others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.

Chapter 127 Christmas Party • December 21 • 6 PM

2018feb. 1

THURSDAY5 TO 8 PM

a woman’s heart

An evening of education and entertainment brought to you by

COOKEVILLE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

Heart Healthy Dining Fashion ShowSilent Auction Heart Education

Martin Coffey Award

Leslie Town Centre Tickets: $40.00

For more information please visit www.CookevilleRegionalCharity.org or call (931) 783-2003

Benefiting the heart care fund at Cookeville Regional Charitable Foundation

It’s the Way WeCARE

Fashion Show by

Crock Pot Ham

1. Put bread slices on the ends of a sliced cake to keep it fresh.

2. Use a hair dryer to give your cake’s icing a glossy finish.

Ingredients:¼ cup brown sugar2-3 sprigs fresh rosemary8-10 lb spiral cut ham (fully cooked)

Glaze:½ cup packed light brown sugar½ cup apple jelly¼ cup Dijon mustard3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar½ teaspoon garlic powder½ teaspoon ground ginger

Tip of theMonth

From Our Kitchen to Yours

Jamestown MinutesSubmitted by Sharon Parris

Jamestown Mended Hearts met on November 21st at Jamestown Regional Medical Center with 14 pres-ent. Snacks were served and enjoyed. Sharon Parris spoke on signs and symptoms of a strike. Questions and answers followed. Jamestown MH meets the forth Tuesday of each month at JRMC. Everyone welcome.

Instructions:1. Melt apple jelly and whisk together remaining glaze ingredients.2. Sprinkle ¼ cup brown sugar in the bottom of a 6-7 qt slow cooker.3. Add ham and pour glaze overtop ensuring you separate the layers of ham and brush with glaze.4. Cover slow cooker, add rosemary sprigs and cook on low 4-5 hours.Note: If your ham is too large for the lid to close completely, cover the slow cooker with foil and place the lid on top of the foil to seal in the heat.

November HighlightsThanks to everyone who baked, volunteered and espe-cially those who bought items during our bake sale last month. Reminder to all members, December’s meet-ing will be held on December 21st and it will be our catered Christmas Party. Please RSVP your invitation by December 16th. We will award our Mended Heart of the Year during the meeting.

This easy Crock Pot Ham is the perfect holiday ham recipe. Glazed with brown sugar, herbs and apple jelly, the slow cooker does all of the work (leaving precious

oven space for your sides). It takes just 5 minutes of prep and the result is a tender and juicy crock pot ham that your family will absolutely love!

Tip of the Month

Visiting Hour ChangesPatients in CVICU will always have the ability to have 1 visitor of their choosing (support person) at their bedside 24 hours a day. There are other hours where 2 additional visitors may come in. These hours will be: 07:30am-2:00pm, 4:00pm-6:30pm, 7:30pm-9:00pm. Patients in ICU will always have the ability to have 1 visitor of their choosing (support person)at their bedside 24 hours a day. There are other hours where 2 additional visitors may come in. These hours will be 07:30am-6:30pm & 7:30pm-9:00pm.

The visiting hours for ICU and CVICU are changing effective 12/15.

“It’s great to be alive - and to help others!”

Spotlight is designed to feature various Mended Heart’s members and hospital staff. Watch Out! You could be next!

Nuts have been a staple of the human diet for millennia and where there are nuts, so there are also nutcrackers. Nutcrackers, today one of the symbols of Christmas, have a long evolution from simple stones to elaborate, and mostly decorative, figurines.

The oldest existing metal nutcrackers were made about 300 BC and were levers. By the 13th century, iron and brass nutcrack-ers began to take on shapes, and after the 15th century wood carvers began to make lovely, intricate figures.

The colorful wooden soldier figures were first seen in the Erzge-birge regions of Germany during the 1800s. In 1872, Wilhelm Fuchtner, known as the “father of the nutcracker,” initiated the

first mass production of nutcrackers in the shape of human figures. Sometimes those figures were of real people such as queens and kings. That tradition continues today when you can buy nutcrackers wryly made into the likeness of politicians. Nutcrackers became associated with Christmas during the Vic-torian era when children began to receive small nutcrackers in their Christmas stockings. Today, their popularity has been enhanced by the traditional performances of Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite” ballet during the Christmas season.

While some decorative nutcrackers can still crack nuts, most are decorative pieces brought out as the tree goes up and the wreath goes on the door.

Nutcrackers Have Origins Deep in Human HistoryPagesMag1117

Spotlight On Sheila ThomisonSubmitted by: Glee Miller

G How did you find out about Mended Hearts?S “Dr. Brewington suggested that I would probably like joining.”

G Have you always lived in Tennessee (Cookeville area)?S “I was born in Washington D.C. and grew up in Maryland. I

moved to Tennessee 43 years ago.”

G What did you retire from?S “Nursing - I’ve been an RN since 1984.”

G Since your retirement, tell us how you spend your days.S “Doing whatever I want to do! I’ve done a lot of traveling since

I retired in December last year and my church has a lot of activities. Cookeville is a great town to retire in.”

G How many children do you have?S “I have three daughters.”

G Do you have grandchildren and if so how many?S “I have four. One granddaughter and three grandsons.”

G Do you follow any sports teams, if so, which ones?S “None.”

G Have you ever been abroad? If so, where and when?S “Years ago I enjoyed vacations in the Bahamas, Mexico and the

Cayman Islands. Last summer I took a cruise to Alaska and British Columbia and a trip to Puerto Vallarta and Sayulita Mexico.”

G What is your favorite time of the year?

S “Every season has good points.”

G Something you think your chil-dren or grandchildren should know about you?

S “I would just like all of my friends and family to know how happy I am. Life is good!”

G Do you ever look through magazines and wish you could do some of the things you read about?

S “Not really. I’ve been fortunate enough to have a satisfying life. I’m content.”

G Since you retired have you gotten involved in volunteer activ-ities other than Mended Hearts? I.E. church, senior citizens groups, etc.?

S “I moved to Cookeville last December and joined Jefferson Av-enue Church of Christ. I hope to b e a respite parent for Happy Haven soon.”

G Your favorite food and things you must always have in your refrigerator or cabinets?

The Link Between Sitting and Poor HealthPagesMag1117

We drive to work, sit at a desk, drive home and watch television -- that’s all sitting time and it’s bad for health.

According to the American Heart Association, Americans spent about 38 hours per week sitting in 2009 compared to only 26 hours in 1965. This rise in sedentary behavior, along with a decrease in the amount of time spent performing a moderate-to-vigorous activity, has been linked to several health issues including increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and back pain.

According to Time Magazine, the body needs energy to power individual cells, break down and digest food, and create “activ-ity energy” which can be divided into active exercise and Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT). The last type, NEAT, includes all of the energy used for required movements throughout the day like walking or even typing at a desk.

Sitting for extended periods of time lowers the amount of NEAT energy needed throughout the day, which starts to turn off processes that burn calories and turn on the ones that build fat. Inactivity, especially around meals, leads to muscles that aren’t soaking up glucose from the food and become more insulin resistant. This resistance causes the body to release more and more insulin, which can lead to diabetes over time.

As if problems with weight gain and heart disease weren’t enough, the Washington Post also points out that sitting can lead to a whole host of other issues in the body related to pain and overall fitness because of the position of the body. The hips, for in-stance, remain unextended for long periods of time and can become tight with a limited range of motion along with weakened glutes. This decreased range is a primary reason why the elderly are prone to falling. Similarly, the position can cause poor circula-tion in many areas of the body such as legs, spinal discs, and the brain.

Don’t Stay Home Alone During The Holidays PagesMag1217

Make the holidays a special occasion this year by getting out to the local senior center, volunteering, or just enjoying activities in your area.

According to the AARP, the number of Americans who say they’re lonely has doubled since 1980 from 20 percent to 40. What’s more, about one-third of citizens over the age of 65 are living alone while half of those over 85 do so.

Social isolation has been linked to immune system issues, depression, disrupted sleep, higher levels of inflammation and stress hormones, and even increased risk of heart disease and stroke. All of these issues are serious on their own and some of them, such as depression, can lead to other problems like cognitive decline and dementia, which contribute further to a cycle of poor health and isolation. All told, according to a recent study at Brigham Young University involving 3.4 million people, isolation and loneliness showed about a 30 percent increased likelihood of dying from any cause over the next seven years. This effect was most pronounced in middle-aged people and carried over into the aging population.

Health issues can affect whether a person gets out and about. So can changing friendships and social status.

Participating in activities is important. Even if you can’t participate for a long period, do what you can. Vow to take advantage of the activities offered at church and senior centers. You’ll feel better for it!

Everyone knows that high blood pres-sure is dangerous for the heart, but so is low pressure.

A recent study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology focused on what happens as the systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pres-sure (DBP) change.

For instance, most experts agree that if these numbers should go above 140 mmHg or 90 mmHg (hypertension), respectively, then they should be treated with medication. On the other end of the spectrum, levels that are too low, less than 60 mmHg (hypotension), could result in the heart muscles not receiving enough oxygen and eventually becoming damaged.

These levels indicate an increased risk for heart disease and even death. Taking medication for high blood pressure could lead to a situation in which pressure be-comes too low as well as highlighting the fact that doctors must monitor these cases closely.

Symptoms of low blood pressure can come in many forms, and The American Heart Association highlights dizziness, nausea, fainting, dehydration, blurred vision, clammy skin, and fatigue as pos-sibilities. There isn’t a specific level of blood pressure that causes these symp-toms and each person will measure slightly differently. Noticing any of these symptoms, regardless of whether or not they are related to blood pressure, is an

excellent time to seek the advice of a medical professional.

Pregnancy is one of the most common causes of low blood pressure as a wom-an’s circulatory system expands for the growing child.

Underlying heart problems, endocrine issues, diabetes, blood loss, anemia, and certain types of infections and allergies can also be the culprit.

Age, as well, can lead to one form of low blood pressure called orthostatic hypo-tension that causes big drops after stand-ing or eating.

Not as bad as one would think.

People gain weight during the holidays, but not as much as they think, according to dietitian Cynthia Sass.

Sass points to a 2009 study from Texas Tech University that followed 48 men and 100 women for six weeks from Thanks-giving to Christmas. On average, the subjects gained one and a half to two pounds each.

While this gain isn’t terrible, it tends to stay on. Sass says weight creep is responsible for adults gaining 10 to 20 pounds over a 10-year period.

If you want to avoid that extra pound or two, Sass recom-mends drinking two cups of water before meals. One study found that adults who followed this prescription were able to shed 40 percent more weight during a 12-week diet period. Drinking water also makes us less hungry.

Finally, budget your carbs. Holidays are carb heavy with po-tatoes, cakes, pies, breads, and cookies. Try to choose just one carb item each day so you can indulge, but not at every single meal. If banana bread is on the menu for lunch, skip the toast and potatoes at breakfast and dinner.

Low Blood Pressure Can Be Risky for the HeartPagesMag1117

HolidayWeight Gain?PagesMag1217

The Adventurer and the Christmas Flower PagesMag1217

Born to wealth in South Carolina in 1779, Joel Roberts Poin-sett rejected the life of a southern aristocrat and, instead, trav-eled the world becoming an expert in foreign affairs and an amateur botanist, bringing to North America the lovely flower now known as a poinsettia.

His travels spanned hot spots in Europe, Asia, and South America. In 1806 in Baku, Azerbaijan, Poinsett speculated that pools of petroleum might be used for fuel. In Persia, he told a great Khan about the United States and President Thomas Jefferson.

In Russia, he told the empress that her country could not in-dustrialize so long as serfs worked for free, though as a planta-tion owner he presumably had slaves. He later led an abolition movement. Then in 1825, Poinsett, an avid botanist visited Taxco del Alarcon, south of Mexico City. There he saw for the first time the lovely, winter-blooming Flor de Noche Buena or Christmas flower. He sent samples back to the States where the flower immediately became popular. By 1836, the plant the Aztecs called cuetlaxochitl had another name: Poinsettia.

Although Poinsett was famed in his own time for military, diplomatic and domestic accomplishments, it is the Christmas flower for which he is commonly remembered today.

Mended Hearts does not give medical advice. As always, consult your physician before making any changes in

medication, food supplements, diets or lifestyle.

If you would like to receive the Mended Hearts newsletterby email please send your email address to:

Angie Boles at aboles@crmchealth.org.

MENDED HEARTS CHAPTER 127 COOKEVILLEOfficersPresident Blanche Smithers 931-526-4497Vice President Laura Jackson 931-858-2196Treasurer Carolyn Smith 931-537-3659Secretary Marsha Godsey 931-252-1406

Accredited Visitors1. Bob Freeman Every other Monday 931-537-98112. Joe Carter Every other Monday 931-260-48163. Blanche Smithers Every other Monday 931-526-4497 4. Glee Miller Every other Tuesday 931-261-21705. Richard Miller Every other Tuesday 931-261-21706. Charles Jackson Every other Tuesday 931-858-21967. Laura Jackson Every other Tuesday 931-858-21968. Dennis Guzlas Every other Wednesday 931-858-01009. Karen Guzlas Every other Wednesday 931-858-010010. Debbie Greene Every other Wednesday 931-372-051311. Jim Greene Every other Wednesday 931-372-0513 12. Mona Neal Every other Thursday 931-526-939813. Louise Davies Every other Thursday 931-252-008114. Tom Tomberlin Every other Thursday 931-526-753515. Dot Tomberlin Every other Thursday 931-526-753516. Jim Hughes Every other Friday 931-528-126717. Barbara Hughes Every other Friday 931-528-126718. Sheila Thomison Every other Friday 931-581-608919. Carl Wingfield Every other Saturday 931-268-334820. Lorna Wingfield Every other Saturday 931-268-3348 ACCREDITED SUBSTITUTES21. Ray Savage Substitute 931-761-433622. Billy McElhaney Substitute 931-651-1288

NEWS LETTER COMMITTEESherry Shockley, Editor email: sshockley1@frontiernet.net 931-537-3182Angie Boles Publisher / Designer 931-528-2541Charles Jackson Photographer 931-858-2196

CHAPLAINRay Savage 931-761-4336

ACCREDITED VISITORS CHAIRMANRichard Miller - Chairman 931-261-2170Glee Miller - Co-Chairman 931-261-2170

FUND RAISER CHAIRMENDot Tomberlin Bake Sale 931-526-7535Richard Miller Silent Auction 931-261-2170

AED PROGRAMCharles Jackson - Chairman 931-858-2196

TAXES AND ADDRESS LABEL COMMITTEEWendell & Amelia Kendrick 931-526-6650

JAMESTOWN SATELLITESharon Parris 931-397-5960

CARDIAC REHABDebbie Baker 931-783-2786

SUNSHINE CHAIRMANCarolyn Shanks 931-858-3021

MARKYOURCALENDAR

Calendar of EventsDecember 14 Board of DirectorsDecember 15 RSVP for Christmas PartyDecember 21 Christmas PartyDecember 21 First Day of WinterDecember 25 Christmas DayDecember 31 New Years Eve

Happy New Year Word Search Puzzle

AULD LANG SYNEBABYBALLBALLOONSCALENDARCELEBRATIONCHAMPAGNECLOCKCONFETTICOUNTDOWNDANCINGDECEMBEREVE

FATHER TIMEFIRECRACKERFIRSTFLUTEGAMESGOWNHAPPYHATHOURGLASSINVITATIONJANUARYKISSMIDNIGHT

MUSICNOISE MAKERPARTYRESOLUTIONSPARKLERSTREAMERTIMES SQUARETOASTTRADITIONTUXEDOVOWYEAR

Accredited Visitors at training

Mended Hearts November Bake Sale

Debbie Baker conducting training session.

Mended Hearts November speaker Scott Williams, Chief Operating Officer at CRMC.

Laura Jackson introducing Scott Williams, Chief Operating Officer at CRMC.

MH2050E 2014

National Office Phone: 888-HEART99 www.mendedhearts.org

MEMBER ENROLLMENT

Member Information (please print or type) Date

Name (Mr/Mrs/Ms) Chapter Member-At-Large

Address (line 1) Phone ( )

Address (line 2) Alt Phone ( )

City/State/Zip Retired: Yes No

Email address Occupation

Family member (must reside at same address; please name): Preferred Contact: Phone Email Mail(Mr/Mrs/Ms) Family Member Email May Mended Hearts staff or volunteers contact you regarding local chapter opportunities? Yes No

Medical Info/Demographics (Optional for Mended Hearts reporting purposes in aggregate only)

Name of Heart Patient Name of Caregiver Date of Surgery/Procedure Phone Type of Surgery/Procedure Alt Phone

Many chapter newsletters include surgery/procedure anniversaries of members. Please indicate here if you are agreeable to having your name published in this way. 

Yes No

Add my email to monthly national email updates?  Add my email to monthly national email updates? 

Yes No Yes No Patient signature Family member signature Optional info: Date of birth Please check below: Optional info: Date of birth Please check below: Race: Caucasian; Black; Asian; Am. Indian; Other Race: Caucasian; Black; Asian; Am. Indian; Other Gender: Male; Female Gender: Male; Female

National Membership Dues: Includes subscription to Heartbeat magazine and one insignia pin for an individual or two pins for a family membership (must reside in same household). Select type of membership and include chapter dues (unless you wish to become a member-at-large). National dues are tax deductible less $10.00; Chapter and Lifetime dues are 100% tax deductible.

United States national member-at-large dues Chapter dues (please customize) Individual $20.00 Individual $ Family $30.00 Family $ Life – Individual Dues $150.00 Life – Individual Dues (if applicable) $ Life – Family Dues $210.00 Life – Family Dues (if applicable) $

Dues Summary: National dues $ I am joining as a non-heart patient: Physician RN

Chapter dues $ Health Admin Other Interested Party Other

TOTAL $ I would like to make a tax-deductible contribution of $

Please send payment with enrollment form to MHI chapter Treasurer. For member-at-large, send to:The Mended Hearts, Inc.National Office, 8150 N. Central Expressway, M2248 Dallas, TX 75206

Angioplasty Heart attack Diabetes Check here if also Heart Patient Atrial Septal Defect Pacemaker Valve-Surgery Procedure- specify: Aneurysm Transplant Valve Transcath CABG (Bypass) AFib arrhythmia ICD (Defibrillator) Stent Other arrhythmia Other

Donation to national $

Donation to chapter $ To chapter # Chapter Name: City, State______

Carolyn Smith588 Old Qualls RoadCookeville, TN 38506