When Time Doesn’t Heal All Wounds | pg 6 | pg 7€¦ · through 11. She thinks she looks her best...

2 | Medinfo | www.nwhospital.org

“The surgery didn’t change

my life. It changed my

body so I could change my life.” - Misty Baskett

November • December 2010 | Medinfo | 3

continued on page 4 . . .

In June 2010, she ran the Seattle Rock ‘N Roll half mara-thon. On her birthday in October, it was a half marathon in Victoria, British Columbia. A few months and a cou-ple hundred training miles later, she was in Las Vegas pounding the desert asphalt. Misty Baskett, 37, looks like a runner. Her voice elevates an octave when she talks about the “sweet spot” – which for her is miles six through 11. She thinks she looks her best in race photos, when her face is “beet red and dripping with sweat.” So, it’s difficult to picture the energetic woman at her heavi-est – 370 pounds.

Before she walked into the office of Northwest Hospital bariatric surgeon Dr. Joseph Chebli, Misty was adamantly opposed to weight-loss surgery.

“I thought I could make it work,” she admits. “I was on every diet under the sun. Weight Watchers. Atkins. South Beach. But once you get as heavy as I was, the weight becomes nearly impossible to lose.”

Deciding to abandon diets and opt for surgical weight-loss was a hurdle in itself and had more to do with how Misty valued herself and less to do with going under the knife.

“First, I had to accept that I wasn’t going to be one of those few people who lost weight with just diet and exer-cise,” she recalls. “Second, I had to decide that I didn’t want the rest of my life to be about managing my health problems. I had to decide that the next 20 years of my life matter, they make a difference, and not just for me but for the people in my life.”

After a Northwest Hospital weight-loss surgery informa-tion seminar, Misty met with Dr. Chebli. Her expecta-tions were not high. At the time, Misty would have set-tled for moving from super morbidly obese – a body

mass index (BMI) of more than 45 – to “just obese.” Her goal weight was 220 pounds.

“Dr. Chebli asked me if I really wanted to settle for that,” Misty recalls of his reaction to her goal marker.

Even with the help of bariatric surgery, Misty never thought she would be a normal weight.

“I just wanted a healthier life,” she explains.

“Healthier” does not do Misty justice. She now weighs 190 pounds and has lost 81.9% of her excess body weight but she says it’s not the number on the scale that meas-ures her success. What does? The miles logged on the pavement. The experiences shared with friends. And the time reveling in being, as one friend put it, “more Misty than ever before.”

Northwest Hospital offers a wide variety of weight-loss surgery options. Following Dr. Chebli’s evaluation, Misty chose gastric bypass. During a gastric bypass procedure, the surgeon modifies the stomach to form a small gastric pouch, which restricts food intake and shortens the gas-tro-intestinal tract to reduce food (and calorie) absorp-tion.

“Surgery is just a starting point,” says Dr. Chebli. “Patients must be willing to commit to significant lifestyle changes in order to succeed in their weight loss.”

Northwest Hospital bariatric patients participate in a multi-disciplinary program, which includes nutritional, emotional and exercise counseling as well as careful post-surgery medical follow-up and monitoring. The program also offers a support group for patients in all stages of the weight-loss surgery process, even for those just beginning their research.

A Changed Body . . continued from page 3

At fi rst, the changes were small, almost imperceptible. Suddenly, Misty noticed that getting out of a chair was easier. She felt lighter walking up stairs. Clothes became looser and eventually, too big altogether. As Misty approached her 200-pound mark, her religious morn-ing walks around Green Lake became religious morning runs. She joined a Seattle runners training group and in the summer of 2010, she completed her fi rst half mara-thon.

Since the surgery, Misty’s new life has been a series of fi rsts – seeing her collarbone, shopping for clothes at regular stores, her fi rst mile, her fi rst four miles, and her fi rst race. The list is long and still growing. Not all fi rsts are forevers, however. Running stuck, but other activities -- such as the ballet class Misty attended -- did not.

“I wanted to explore the concept of grace,” Misty laughs. “And well, I uhh…didn’t fi nd it.”

Misty works hard every day. She measures her food, maintains a healthy exercise plan and though she still struggles with food, she makes good choices and stays away from sweets. She says the surgery is not a miracle cure. It does not make weight-loss easy, but it does make it possible.

“The surgery didn’t change my life,” Misty says. “It changed my body so I could change my life.”

Almost three years after her operation in 2008, Misty still plans for her future. Training for a full marathon takes up much of her time. Dreaming of her fi rst triathlon dominates the remaining time after her runs. Misty says she no longer has to manage her energy levels.

“Before the surgery, I used to conserve energy,” she remembers. “Life just seemed hard. There was never enough energy to do what I needed to get done. That’s not the case anymore. I can do anything I want to do.”

When not logging miles, Misty is advocating for and sup-porting new weight-loss surgery patients. She moderates a Facebook group specifi cally dedicated to past, cur-rent and prospective patients. She helps answer diffi cult questions and provides a safe community for former and future patients who experience similar challenges and questions. When she is not moderating the group, Misty is visiting patients in the hospital after their surgeries and mentoring others preparing for surgery.

“She has become the eyes and ears of our program,” Dr. Chebli says. “She provides education resources to patients, reaches out to them and gives support when needed. She gives selfl essly for others who have been afraid to make the journey and helps them take the next step.”

Misty equates weight-loss with skydiving. Jumpers go up in a plane. Someone hands them a parachute, a map

and a bottle of water. Then, they have to leap out and somehow fi nd their way back to civilization.

“It requires a leap of faith and a lot of trust,” Misty says. “That’s why I volunteer. The sup-port is important to the patients.”

When she was obese, Misty learned to lower her expectations of the world and the people in it. Chairs, airplane seats, clothing, buildings, even activities were not designed to accommo-date her needs. Her weight was a factor in every decision she made. She even learned to lower the expectations she had for herself. Today, that has changed. Today, her world is not con-strained by the list of things she cannot do or by the belief that she is not capable. Today, limits are only meant to be broken.

Find more information on weight-loss surgery at www.nwhospital.org.

somehow fi nd their way back to civilization.

even activities were not designed to accommo-date her needs. Her weight was a factor in every decision she made. She even learned to lower the expectations she had for herself. Today, that has changed. Today, her world is not con-strained by the list of things she cannot do or by the belief that she is not capable. Today, limits are only meant to be broken.

strained by the list of things she cannot do or by


January • February 2011 | Medinfo | 5

Families in the Pacifi c Northwest eat fi sh, and lots of it. It is readily avail-able at the nearest neighborhood mar-kets, frozen or fresh. Seattlelites love fi sh, so when some of their physicians began prescribing fi sh oil supplements, they may have felt a bit confused. Why would you need to supplement some-thing already incorporated into your daily diet?

Experts agree that Americans don’t ingest enough essential fatty acids to maintain optimum health, in part because there are few dietary sources other than oily fi sh. Fish oil supple-ments, which are derived from a variety of sources including mackerel, herring, tuna, salmon, cod liver and halibut, are generally considered the best source of Omega-3 fatty acids. Better than eat-ing a serving of real fi sh, it would seem, because the body can absorb it more readily than it can a simple serving of salmon. Food is usually preferable to supplements but in this case, fi sh oil in capsules or liquid form, may be a bet-ter source than the fi sh that produce it because supplements are purifi ed and free of mercury and organic toxins that fi sh may carry.

Reasonable evidence suggests that fi sh oil may be benefi cial, but only for a very specifi c subset of people with very high triglycerides, or those who are at signifi cant risk of heart disease. This is because the Omega-3 essential fatty acid lowers triglyceride levels in the blood stream and raises HDL or “good” cho-lesterol. This can help reduce the risks of cardiovascular disease and help man-age already diagnosed heart disease as well. Research also shows Omega-3s can reduce clotting and infl ammation, which are both risk factors for stroke.

Some population studies also suggest that diets containing higher levels of Omega-3s can potentially reduce the occurrence of Alzheimer’s disease, but more detailed and exacting studies of the supplement’s effectiveness need to be done in order to prove these ben-efi ts.

Other studies show reduced infl amma-tion in people who regularly use fi sh oil. This explains why some experience improvements in joint or menstrual pain while taking Omega-3s, although studies have yet to prove this. If you suf-fer from arthritis and are interested in trying fi shing oil as an anti-infl amma-tory, speak with a physician who is famil-iar with the supplement and how it can interact with other medications you are taking.

Taking a modest, daily dose of one to three thousand milligrams has been shown to be benefi cial but is not a sub-stitute for other prescription medica-tion the doctor may advise.

For more information on fi sh oil and other supplements, please consult with your doctor.

THE TRUTH ABOUT FISH OIL

Personalized care, just for you

Patients in Northwest Hospital’s bariatric surgery program receive personalized, multidisciplinary care from a team of experts with specialty experience in surgical weight-loss. Individualized treat-ment plans include nutritional and emotional support, as well as exercise counseling.

The program is committed to offering interested candidates a safe venue for asking ques-tions and learning more about each different surgical option. Dr. Joseph Chebli and Dr. Nicole White, the program’s surgeons, hold free seminars throughout the year. To register for a seminar, visit www.nwhospital.org/bariat-ric and complete the online form, or call (206) 368-1350. Outside Seattle? Call (877) 839-8916.

UPCOMING SEMINARS All seminars are held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the TCU Auditorium on Northwest Hospital’s main campus.

February 8 , 2011March 8, 2011May 10 , 2011


Northwest Hospital has earned the HealthGrades Spine Surgery Excel-lence Award for 2011. The award places the hospital among the top fi ve in Washington State and the top ten in the nation for performing highly-specialized surgical procedures on the back, neck and spine.

Northwest Hospital pro-vides care for common spinal conditions such as sciatica, “slipped” discs, spinal stenosis, scoliosis, neck and back pain, cancer-ous spinal tumors and traumatic injuries. Northwest Hospital neu-rosurgeon Dr. Daniel La-zar says the hospital offers state-of-the-art advances in mini-mally-invasive surgical options, imaging capabilities and nueromonitoring – a process in which a neurophysiologist determines a patient’s neurofunction and offers instant feedback to the doc-tor operating on the spinal cord.

“All of these advanced tools help us improve patient outcomes,” Dr. Lazar says. “We use innovative technologies to treat our patients but more important-ly, we place an emphasis on one-to-one care. Each service is personalized and hands-on, from the moment we meet our patients to managing their post-op-erative progress.”

Dr. Lazar also says patients benefi t from the rehabilitation therapies offered at Northwest Hospital. Rehabilitation, including physical, occupational and speech therapies, are critical compo-nents in helping patients prepare for and recover from complex surgical pro-

cedures.

“We’re honored by this recognition of North-

west Hospital’s qual-ity of care,” says CEO Bill Schneider. “Each day, every member of our staff works to make a positive im-

pact on our patients and to deliver outstand-

ing, personalized care.”

In addition to excellence in spine surgery, Northwest Hospital re-ceived a 5-Star rating from Health-Grades for the quality of its stroke care, a designation the hospital has received for the past eight consecutive years. In recognition of its many initiatives focused on improving patient safety, Northwest Hospital has also been the recipient of the HealthGrades Patient Safety Excellence Award for the past four years.

For more information on Northwest Hospital’s nationally recognized servic-es, visit us online at www.nwhospital.org.

AWARD-WINNING CARE NORTHWEST HOSPITAL EARNS HEALTHGRADES SPINE SURGERY EXCELLENCE AWARD

Northwest Hospital pro-

rosurgeon Dr. Daniel La-zar says the hospital offers

“We’re honored by this

ing, personalized care.”


WHEN TIME DOESN’T HEAL ALL WOUNDS

Aging involves a certain amount of grief and loss. But did you know loss includes more than just the death of a spouse or loved-one? Loss can take many forms, from loss of independence or lifestyle to loss of a home, friends or mobility.

During the aging process, seniors transition through many different periods of loss and corresponding grief. Dr. William Solan, medical director for Northwest Hos-pital’s Geropsychiatric Center, says this grief is a normal internal experience and in most cases, is overcome with time.

But what if time doesn’t heal all wounds? How do you know when sad is just too sad?

Sometimes, extended periods of grief can lead to depres-sion. The longer seniors mourn the more at risk for depression they become. Seniors may feel tired and lack energy, experience diffi culty focusing on everyday tasks, and may disregard personal hygiene and basic needs.

Seniors without a strong network of friends and family or who have a history of mental health problems are also at greater risk for depression, but Dr. Solan says it can happen to anyone.

“Depression resulting from grief is a biological mani-festation like diabetes or cancer,” he says. “As much as

those two physical illnesses need treatment, so do men-tal ones like grief and depression.”

Some seniors may even experience irrational thoughts due to depression. “They may think they have no money or that they are going to go broke. They worry exces-sively,” Dr. Solan says. “It’s also not unusual to see some seniors begin to develop the same physical symptoms of what their spouse or loved one died of.”

At Northwest Hospital’s Gerospychiatric Center, a team of trained professionals helps seniors work through grief and depression in both inpatient and outpatient pro-grams. Patients attend cognitive therapy sessions, work on coping skills and participate in group therapy. The program works to help patients understand the mind-body connection so they can overcome existing prob-lems and build the skills to prevent future ones.

“Many times our patients feel no one else can under-stand. Then they come into the program and are able to identify and connect with other people who are going through many of the same experiences,” Dr. Solan says. “That becomes very important in helping them move past their grief.”

For more information on the Northwest Hospital Gerospychiatric Center or for questions regarding grief and mental health, call (206) 368-1813.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF GRIEF

Transitional grief: most people experience these common stages of bereavement, which include disbelief, anger, bargaining, denial and accept-ance.

Complicated grief: for some people, the normal stages of grief become much more complicated, prolonged and debilitating. It can be diffi cult fi nding a way out of this type of grief and often requires professional help.

Disenfranchised grief: a type of grief someone experiences but doesn’t feel they can openly talk about.

TIPS FOR MANAGING YOUR GRIEF

• Try to keep a structured day. Get up in the morning and go to bed at night at the same time.

• Pay attention to self care needs.

• Remember to eat.

• Make sure you exercise.

• Avoid isolation and stay in close contact with family and friends.


Thomas Sawyer, MDCardiology

What drew you to your specialty in cardiology?

During medical school, I worked with a cardiologist in a rural commu-nity in Nebraska. Within 15 minutes of meeting this doctor and seeing the way he treated his patients and how much they relied on him, I knew that cardiology was the right specialty for me.

Why did Northwest Hospital and the Summit Cardiology group appeal to you as a physician?

I was very impressed with both the hospital and the group. There is a defi nite focus on quality of care and providing the best options avail-able to the patients. The doctors here take time with their patients, both when they are face to face with them and by keeping up on the latest advancements in treating patients who are fi ghting very complex health challenges.

If you could tell your prospective patients one thing, what would it be?

I’ve treated patients who are 94 years old but still look 60. The thing that is absolutely universal about the healthiest people I’ve seen is that they either never smoked or they gave it up, and they have some organ-ized exercise routine that they do every day. We’ve all heard it before but I can’t help saying it again. Smoking and obesity will dramatically increase your risk of heart disease.

How will the fi eld of cardiology be different in 20 years?

We are still a fairly reactive specialty. We treat patients who already have signifi cant heart disease, congestive heart failure or other prob-lems. The future lies in fi nding ways to accurately predict an individu-al’s risk for heart disease and then prevent it from actually occurring, as opposed to dealing with it after the fact.

What keeps you going?

Without a doubt, my daily interactions with my patients, especially with the ones where not everything is straightforward. Every day I do some-thing different, something new. Every day, I get a chance to solve a mys-tery and fi gure something out. That makes my job fun and interesting.

To reach Dr. Sawyer, contact:

1536 N 115th St, Ste 200Seattle, WA 98133 | (206) 363-1004www.summitcardiology.com

MEET THE DOCTOR

Northwest Hospital & Medical Center offers a variety of classes, support groups and other programs for members of our com-munity. Whether you are planning a pregnancy, working to maintain good health, learning to live with a chronic disease or are newly diagnosed with cancer or another serious condition, our trained experts have the most up-to-date information to share.

For more information about our programs, or to register for a class, please see the contact information and phone number under each program, or e-mail us at [email protected]. For more classes and events, visit us at www.nwhospital.org.

community classes and wellness programs


CHILDBIRTH, PARENTING, AND NEW BABY CLASSES

All childbirth, parenting and new baby classes at Northwest Hospital are offered on the Northwest Hospital campus by the Great Starts program of Parent Trust for Washington Children. Pre-registration is required. Medicaid coupons can be used for the 7-week series and labor & birth only classes. To register online, visit, www.nwhospital.org/classes, or call Great Starts at (206) 789-0883.

Childbirth Prep Classes

Seven-Week Series:• Preparing for birth,

including stages of labor, emotional and physical challenges during labor, how a support person can comfort the laboring mother, hospital routines, possible interventions and postpartum recovery

• Reunion after all the babies are born

• Breastfeeding

Cost: $180 per pair (mother and a support person), or Medicaid coupon.

Four-Week SeriesThis series of classes meets on four Saturdays and includes the same

material covered in the full seven-week series.

Labor & Birth Only - Saturday SeriesFor parents who need a class to fit their busy sched-ules. The same labor and birth material that is cov-ered in the full series, con-solidated into two Saturday mornings. Does not include newborn care or breastfeed-ing. Cost: $125 per pair.

Newborn Care Class An important class for first-time parents, this class focuses on caring for the baby during the first few months of life. Topics include newborn charac-teristics, daily care, infant cues, health and illness, diapering, cord care, sleep and feeding habits, colic relief and changes that occur in newborn babies.

Breastfeeding BasicsThis class is designed to educate parents on proper feeding techniques and positioning, how often to feed, preventing and coping with com-mon challenges and how partners can support breastfeeding mothers.

BabysafeThree-hour weeknight course is taught by a certi-fied CPR instructor. Topics

include infant development, SIDS risk reduction, injury prevention and care of com-mon injuries. Infant choking rescue and infant CPR are demonstrated and prac-ticed. This class does not include a certification card.

Conscious FatheringFor expectant or new fathers. This class provides information to help fathers feel more involved and confident in birth and child-rearing. Topics include how to connect from day one, keeping the baby as com-fortable as possible, how to cope when “everything goes wrong,” how to meet baby’s basic needs, plus develop-ing your own definition of the kind of father you want to be and how you want to interact with your child.

Sibling PreparationThis class prepares children for the birth of a new family member. It is appropriate for children, ages 2 ½ to 6 years of age, accompa-nied by a parent. The class is taught to the children with parents listening in. Information is presented at a young child’s learn-ing level. Topics include information about preg-nancy, birth, how newborns behave, and some of the ways that family life is affected by new babies.

Happiest Baby on the BlockFor expectant parents and parents of young infants* who would like to learn techniques for calming and soothing a baby. Learn step by step how to help your baby sleep better and how to soothe even the fussi-est baby in minutes…even seconds! Effective for babies in the “4th trimester”, or first 3 months of life. Bring your baby! And it’s OK if they cry during class – it gives us a chance to see the techniques in action! *This class can be taken before baby’s birth, or anytime in the first 3 months.

EMERGENCY SERVICES EDUCATIONCPR TrainingLearn life-saving skills from Medic II personnel. Third Tuesday of each month, 7-9 p.m. Registration required. To register, visit www.nwhospital.org or call (206) 368-1564 for more information. Cost: Dona-tions are greatly appreci-ated. Checks should be made out to Medic II CPR.


community classes and wellness programs

SUPPORT GROUPS

Better Breathers ClubJoin the club to learn tips and techniques to bet-ter manage lung disease. Second Monday of each month at 10:30 a.m. Rehab patient dining room. Call (206) 368-1853.

Breast Cancer - A Healing PlaceThis support group is an opportunity for sharing and receiving support while cop-ing with advanced breast disease. Offered second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, 9:30–11 a.m. Call the facilitator at (206) 920-5462 for a brief interview prior to joining.

Diabetes Support GroupLearn about and discuss top-ics such as: meal planning, blood glucose monitoring devices, weight loss, treat-ment for high and low blood sugars, medication manage-ment, dietary supplements, diabetes myth busters, monitoring for complications and what’s new in diabetes research and technology. Second Tuesday of each month, 1-2:30 p.m. To reg-ister visit www.nwhospital.org or call (206) 368-1564.

Weight Loss Surgery Support GroupsOur monthly support groups provide an opportu-nity to interact with other post-operative weight loss surgery patients and discuss

the physical and emotional changes following bariat-ric surgery. Our support groups are open to patients from other practices and individuals researching bariatric surgery. Call (206) 368-1350 for more infor-mation. For dates, please visit www.nwhospital.org/bariatric. Groups are held in the TCU audito-rium from 6:30-8 p.m.

Young Adult Stroke SurvivorsThis group is for stroke sur-vivors, their families and car-egivers, and meets on the third Saturday of the month in the Northwest Hospi-tal Easy Street section of the Medical Rehabilitation Center, from 1-3 p.m. For more information, call (206) 361-2696 or visit www.seattleYASS.weebly.com.

WELLNESS CLASSES

AARP Driver Safety ProgramAARP offers the popular Driver Safety Program for drivers 50 years and older. Graduates may be eligible for multi-year discounts on their auto insurance. The class is offered on two consecutive Saturdays, Feb. 19 & 26, April 23 & 30, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. The classes will be held on the hospital campus. A $14 fee is pay-able to AARP on the first day of class. Participants must attend both days

of class to complete the course. To register, call (206) 368-1564 or call AARP at (888) 227-7669.

Brain Health: Simple Tools for Clear ThinkingThese 90 and 120-minute workshops led by Dr. Jane Tornatore, a nation-ally known speaker on brain health and memory problems, will explain why everyone experiences “senior moments,” and what to do about them. Learn easy ways to improve the memory and keep the mind active to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s. Much of the workshop will involve participation in brain-strengthening activities. Jan. 20, 1-2:30 p.m.; Feb. 7, 6-8 p.m.; Feb. 24, 1-2:30 p.m.; Mar. 10, 6-8 p.m.; Mar. 17, 1-2:30 p.m.; Mar. 21, 1-2:30 p.m.; Mar. 28, 6-8 p.m. $20 for 90-min. ses-sion and $25 for 120-min. session. Call (206) 368-1564 to reserve your seat.

Journaling for Recovery from Mild Brain InjuryThe process of journal-ing can help you discover the hope and gifts within to support your optimum wellness. Focus on embrac-ing your new life by shar-ing your story with others who are also recovering. Facilitated by a licensed speech language patholo-gist and licensed medical social worker and counselor.

8 weeks, 90 min. sessions. Call (206) 368-1094 for dates and more information.

Let the Games Begin!A conversational support group that gives people with acquired brain injury the opportunity to par-ticipate in a supportive, encouraging environment. This group is facilitated by a licensed speech language pathologist who provides suggestions and encourage-ment, helping people build confidence while having fun. Thursdays, 11-12 p.m. Call (206) 368-1848 for more information.

New! Are You At Risk for Diabetes? Take Control, Today!Have you been told to “watch your sugar?” Diabe-tes affects 23 million people nationwide and another 57 million Americans have pre-diabetes. Minimize your risk of developing Type 2 dia-betes through the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Pro-gram. To register or find out if you are eligible, contact Lindsey Gregerson at (206) 344-3181 or via email at [email protected].

Living Well with DiabetesThis program has been formally recognized for excellence by the ADA. In this monthly, four-session series, participants will gain information and skills


For more classes and events, visit us online at www.nwhospital.org.

to manage their diabetes. Physician referral is required for class. For more informa-tion contact your physician, or call (206) 368-1564 to receive a brochure.

Nutrition ClinicFood & Nutrition Services offers outpatient nutrition education to help you plan healthy, nutritious meals to suit your dietary needs. Registered dietitians help you design a meal plan to meet your individual-ized requirements. Many insurance carriers cover nutrition consultations if ordered by a physician. Call (206) 368-1919 for more information or visit www.nwhospital.org.

Pathways to Stress-Free LivingDemanding and busy lives will always have some stress caused by work, family and play, and that’s okay. Learn how the right amount of stress can fuel a happy, healthy and fulfilling life-style. Workshop will be pre-sented by brain health and memory expert Dr. Jane Tor-natore, who will cover tech-niques to utilize both body and mind to reduce stress and increase calm. Feb. 10, 2-3 p.m.; Apr. 7, 6-8:30 p.m. $15 Call (206) 368-1564 to reserve your seat.

Weight LossSurgery EducationJoin us for a free informa-tional seminar to learn more

about weight loss surgery options and risks; patient selection criteria; nutritional requirements; and insur-ance coverage. Question and answer session fol-lows each talk. Visit www.nwhospital.org/bariatric for dates. Call (206) 368-1350 to reserve space. Seminars are from 6 - 7:30 p.m.

Yoga For PeopleWith Parkinson’sCall (206) 368-5935 for more information and to register.

All programs are free.They are held in the Medi-cal Arts Building, Room 112. Call (800) 255-5505 or (206) 297-2500 for more information or to register, or visit our website www.cancerlifeline.org.

SUPPORT GROUPS

All groups are for cancer patients and survivors.If you are interested in attending a group, please call (206) 832-1297.

Breast Cancer Networking Group3rd Wednesday of each month

Gynecologic Cancer Support Group4th Wednesday of each month

Lung Cancer Support Group2nd & 4th Thursday of each month

CLASSES

Gentle YogaTuesdays, Jan. 11 through Feb. 15; 7-8:15 p.m. NEW DAY, NEW LOCATION.

The Lebed Method: Health Steps, Moving You to Better HealthGentle exercise for people with or concerned about lymphedema. Mondays, Jan. 10 – Feb. 28; 5:30-6:30 p.m. No Class Jan. 17 or Feb. 21. Session II: Mondays, Mar. 7 – Apr. 18; 5:30-6:30 p.m.

PRESENTATIONS

All presentations are associated with Cancer Lifeline support groups. If you are not a regular member of the group, please call Cancer Lifeline for more information.

Gluten-Free FoodsApr. 13; 6:30-8 p.m.

Cutting Edge Advancements in Nutrition & Breast CancerJan. 19; 7-8:30 p.m.

Integrated Medicine For Cancer SupportCompliementary approaches in cancer care. Jan. 26; 6-7:30 p.m.

Naturopathic Approaches To Cancer CareFeb. 3; 6:30-8 p.m.

Small Steps to Managing StressFeb. 16; 7-8:30 p.m.

Nutrition For Cancer SurvivorsFeb. 17; 6:30-8 p.m.

Meditation: Square OneFeb. 23; 6-7:30 p.m.

The Mindfulness Toolkit for Stressful TimesMar. 2; 6:30-8 p.m.

But You Look So GoodWays to handle well-meaning friends and family. Mar. 10; 7-8:30 p.m.

Learn more about Cancer Lifeline’s free programs and classes, or register by calling (800) 255-5505 or (206) 297-2500, or visit www.cancerlifeline.org.

For giving opportunities and to support Northwest Hospital’s lifesaving mis-sion of hope and healing, please contact the Northwest Hospital Foundation

at (206) 368-1647 or visit us online at www.nwhospital.org/foundation.

1550 N 115th St | Seattle, WA 98133

Non-Profi t Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDSeattle, WA

Permit No. 1549

Need a physician?Call our free physician referral line at (206) 633-4636 or toll free at (800) 633-4636, 24-hours a day.

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Managing EditorLindsay Hamsik

Graphic DesignerErin Dekker

Photography©Scott Areman Photography

MEDInfo

MED info

Northwest Hospital & Medical Center

Medinfo newsletter is published bi-monthly as a community service by the Marketing & Public Relations Department. To contact us about the newsletter, e-mail [email protected] or call (206) 368-1645. ©Northwest Hospital & Medi-cal Center. 1550 N 115th St, Seattle, WA 98133. (206) 364-0500 or toll-free at (800) NWH-HOSP (697-4677).

If you would like to receive your next copy of Medinfo by email, please fill out the online form at www.nwhospital.org/newsletters.

Bariatric SurgeryCancer CareCardiac CareCenter for Medical RehabilitationChildbirth CenterDiagnostic ImagingEmergency DepartmentGeropsychiatric CenterInpatient & Outpatient Surgical ServicesNeurosciencesNorthwest Clinical LabNorthwest Gamma Knife CenterOrthopedicsPhysical TherapyPlastic & Reconstructive SurgeryPreventative Health & WellnessPrimary CarePulmonologyRheumatology & Arthritis CareSeattle Breast CenterSleep CenterSports MedicineStroke ProgramWound Care & Hyperbaric Center

For a complete list of services, visit us online at www.nwhospital.org.

Northwest Hospital & Medical Center has earned the 2010 HealthGrades Distinguished Hospital Award for Patient Safety.

When we fi rst met Krystle Cart-er and her husband Jason in the pages of the March - April 2008 issue of Medinfo, they were giving birth to Kara, their third child. Last year, they added an-other member to their brood. Baby Jefferson, who was also born at Northwest Hospital’s Childbirth Center, is now 10 months old and the center of his older siblings’ affections. Jackson, the eldest at 6, has adapted to his role as protector of the younger Carter kids, at least until they decide to infi l-trate his Lego collection.

“They are all such good friends,” Krystle says. “Kara is almost

three years old now, and the third mommy in the house. First there is me, then Kelsey and then Kara. I have a lot of little helpers.”

Over the holidays, Krystal made her traditional trek down to the Childbirth Center to deliver homemade peanut brittle and pictures to the nurses.

“We love everyone at the hos-pital,” she says. “For any prob-lems we have, I rely on North-west Hospital for my family. If I didn’t think it was the best place to go, I wouldn’t have had all my four children there.”

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?A Family Born

at Northwest Hospital, pg. 2

Hospitalists: Raising the Bar in Inpatient Care, pg. 7

Northwest Hospital Foundation, pg. 8

Fighting Deep Vein Thrombosis, pg. 9

In the Community, pg. 10

Helping Patients Sleep, pg. 12

March / April 2008

They were once featured on the cover of Medinfo. Today, we catch up with the patients whose stories inspired us all.

When Time Doesn’t Heal All Wounds | pg 6 | pg 7€¦ · through 11. She thinks she looks her best...

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Transcript of When Time Doesn’t Heal All Wounds | pg 6 | pg 7€¦ · through 11. She thinks she looks her best...