July 29th, 2010
First, I want to let you know it’s not easy finding a nutrition book in Heathrow Airport! The closest I came was a book by David Kessler, “The End of Overeating.” I was drawn to this book because, as a lymphedema therapist and garment manufacturer, I all too often see lymphedema patients whose underlying problem is obesity. In my search for finding answers for these patients I have discovered several factors that affect their weight issues. It’s not always their inability to push themselves away from the table. I’ve gotten very interested in the effects of inflammation, food allergies and hormonal imbalances as they relate to lymphedema management, but for now I want to give you some insights into Mr. Kessler’s research. As Michael Pollan, author of “Ominivore’s Dilemma” and “In Defense of Food” stated on the back cover of Kessler’s book, this is “A fascinating account of the science of human appetite, as well as its exploitation by the food industry.”
Anyone who finds themselves powerless to stop eating certain foods will find this book not only helpful but fascinating. If we understand what the “hooks” are in these highly addictive foods as well as our own subconscious stimulus-response habits, we are better able to stop the progression of the over-eating syndrome. Perhaps we will stop kicking ourselves when we realize that the food industry spends billions of dollars designing hyperpalatable combinations of sugar, fat and salt with the ultimate goal of rewiring our brains, driving us to seek out more and more of their products.
As a cancer survivor, I know better than to eat sugar, yet I seem to be addicted to Trader Joe’s Triple Ginger Snaps. I used to tell myself I was buying them for my employees, but by the time I got home from the store the box was half gone. Did the rest of them ever get to the office? . . . . .rarely. I even found it was difficult driving by Trader Joe’s without having a “snap attack.” Halfway through Kessler’s book, I began asking myself, “What has Joe done to these cookies?” Why is it I can’t say no, or just eat one? I don’t even like ginger? I read further about neural pathways and the power of “reward learning.” I began to wonder if there was a connection to one of the ingredients, but I needed to go back to Trader Joe’s and read the label. So yesterday, I took a chance. I went into Trader Joe’s and with strong heart and new-found determination headed for the cookie aisle. No Ginger Snaps! How could this be? Maybe they have been outlawed! So I passed through again and obviously there are others who have this same addiction. At the back of the very top shelf I found only two boxes left. I eagerly checked out the ingredients, and sure enough . . . .there it was . . . . . molasses!
As a little girl there was a grandmother figure in my life named Hoytie. If I was a really good girl, she would make molasses popcorn balls for me which I still dream about.. . . . So there was my answer . . . reward learning. Did I buy the second to the last box of Trader Joe’s Triple Ginger Snaps? You betcha. Did they make it to my office? Amazingly, yes and they are currently on the employee lunch table. Did I try one? Not on your life, for now I know better and I understand why I can’t eat just one. I’m thinking the book really helped me, plus it was a fun read. If you feel that what you are eating is controlling you, I’m confident this book will change the way you eat and the way you think about food.
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July 7th, 2010
Since we are currently in the peak of cherry season it seems an appropriate time to talk about the pits. This last weekend at a 4th of July party I had an opportunity to talk with a business owner and long-time family friend who cans 100 tons of cherries a year. I just had to ask him what he does with the pits and was surprised to learn he uses them to surface the roads throughout his orchards. Well I have to tell you he was quite surprised to learn we are using cherry pits in our JoViPak garments.
I know this sounds a little crazy, but when fibrosis gets to the “woody” stage, foam chips just don’t do the job. We can thank Karen Ashforth, OTR/L, CLT-LANA, from Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz, CA for this idea. We first tried buckwheat hulls which ended up in my garden. They are a great mulch, but I was not happy with the way they splintered inside our garments, plus they will not hold up with repeated laundering. Karen is not someone who gives up easily and wanted us to try cherry pits. She even found a company who sells cherry pits to hobbyists for microwaveable neck pillows. Once she discovered how well these pits worked on her patients with long-standing fibrosis, she offered to do a clinical trial. (You can access this information by going to our website, www.jovipak.com and clicking on the “What’s New” page.)
The first patient I tried one of these new JoViPitPaks® on was someone I had treated in my clinic 17 years ago. Over the years she had maintained fairly well with daytime compression garments, but over time had developed fibrosis at the base of her toes. I took her to the Northwest Lymphedema Center, where Lynn Fass, RN, CLT, does her consultations, and put the patient on the treatment table. As we caught up on old times, I held one of the small crescent-shaped JoViPitPaks firmly over the problem area. In about twenty minutes we checked and to both of our amazements the fibrosis was soft and pliable. I gave her the pad and will always remember her parting words as she backed out the front door holding up her JoViPitPak, “I just love this thing!”
JoViPitPak Axilla Pad
So we have all come to love JoViPitPaks, and just so you have an idea of what we are excited about, we are including a photo of the new axilla pad. We are adamant, however, that anyone interested in using these products understand they are very aggressive, to be used under compression for very short periods of time under the supervision of a lymphedema therapist. This is not a product one would send their patient home with for overnight use.
Karen regularly sends us drawings for custom-made JoViPitPaks® and as we develop new products that we feel would be helpful for a wide range of patients, we will add them to our inventory. It is clear this project will continue to evolve and we will do our best to keep you informed either by our blogs or our website.
Tags: Jovipak, Lymphedema, Self-Care Class
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June 22nd, 2010
It’s always good to be home, but I must tell you . . . I had a wonderful time in Europe. For those of you who knew my close friend, Gretchen, when she was an active lymphedema therapist in Tucson, Arizona, you might be interested to know she and her husband, Alan, have been living in Germany for the last six years and they love it. Alan retired as an F16 fighter pilot and is currently an F16 instructor at the Spangdahlum Air Force Base in Bitburg. They have a beautiful home and I was privileged to stay with them for part of my trip. My room was on the top floor, with its own balcony, overlooking green rolling hills and grazing pastures. In the surrounding area are fields covered with the bright yellow rapeseed flowers used in making canola oil, interspersed with the wild red poppies indigenous to that area. No matter which way you look it is picture perfect; suitable for framing.
I took Gretchen’s advice and spent a week with her and Alan recovering from jet lag prior to heading for Norway. Alan drove us to the Frankfurt airport where we boarded a Luftansa flight to Oslo. We were met by Lisbet, the RN who does the garment fittings for lymphedema patients in the Oslo area. She accompanied us on another flight to Haugesand on the west coast of Norway and the location of Rolf Davidsen’s Helseagenturer retail store and distribution center. Rolf is my CE representative for the European Union and was grateful I was prepared to do a JoViPak in-service for his staff the following day. The Norwegian lymphedema school is actually in Oslo where Rolf had made arrangements for me to do a presentation for the local Physical Therapists. So rather than get on another airplane, we all piled into Rolf’s car and headed East. It took nearly a full day to travel from one coast to the other, but what a trip! . . . .and I thought Germany was beautiful! Wow! We followed one of the Fjords, stopped to enjoy the unbelievable waterfalls along the way, then it was up through the pass past the glacial fields and down into Oslo. My grandfather was born on the West Coast of Norway and a trip to that country had been on my “bucket list” for many many years. It was such a thrill to be there. I have to say it will remain on my bucket list, as I can’t wait to go back. A boat trip along the west coast exploring the many fjords would be nice!
From there it was back to Germany for a week of rest, sight-seeing, relaxation, and . . . you guessed it . . . . . reading nutrition books. Alan did a lot of the cooking for us (what a guy!) and introduced me to the Jonny Bowden health food books which I will be writing about. Toward the end of the week, he drove us to Luxemborg where we took a LuxAir flight to London for another adventure. As a U.S. military officer’s wife, Gretchen was able to make reservations for our stay at the Victory Services Club. It is close to the Marble Arch and an entrance to the underground rail system (“the tube”) which enabled us to cover more ground in record time. You can’t go to London without seeing a play. As it turned out we were able to get tickets for the musical version of “Billy Elliott”, which was the greatest stage production I’ve ever seen. ( I understand it is currently playing in New York and Chicago. I am hopeful it will come to Seattle as I definitely want my grandchildren to see it.) While we were in London I did get a chance to meet with my London distributor. (Email me, joann@jovipak.com, if you would like his contact information.) He was kind enough to explain their national health care system as well as the type of products that work within this system. This was extremely beneficial as it helped me better understand how to prepare for the inevitable challenges we will be facing within our own changing health-care system.
My trip was focused on business but it was also quite a pleasure. I am extremely grateful for all of the friends and business associates who made my entire trip so enjoyable.
Tags: Jovipak, Personal
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May 18th, 2010
As you may have guessed, I subscribe to a lot of health related newsletters, but I must tell you my favorite is Dr. Mercola’s (www.mercola.com). He must have a huge research team; no one person could keep up on all of the latest information as well as he does. Today’s article explains why the Russians have banned microwave. I know . . . you didn’t want to hear that either, but we need to know. I had heard that the nutritiant content of brocolli was tested before and after microwaving at one of the ACAM (American College for the Advancement of Medicine) conferences and, to no one’s surprise, all of the nutrients were destroyed in the microwaved vegetable.
Before I leave I also wanted to find an article on Agave sweetener and, sure enough, there was one on Mercola’s website (March 30th). . . the title, “Shocking! This ‘Tequila’ Sweetener is Far Worse than High Fructose Corn Syrup.” As we know, fructose appears to be the primary cause of our obesity epidemic. . . . .Just a couple more things for you to ponder and, hopefully, a little more reading for you while I’m gone. Stay healthy.
Tags: Nutrition, Self-Care Class
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May 17th, 2010
My office manager kept pulling our complimentary copy of the “Breast Cancer Wellness Magazine” from the bottom of my reading pile with the comment, “You really need to read this.” I’m so glad I did and I was thrilled to find the article “Dangerous Foe in a Sweet Disguise” by Christine Horner, MD. She makes the connection between sugar consumption and cancer. I’m amazed how few cancer survivors are aware of this. Yes, giving up sugar is difficult, but if you can find a brand of Stevia you like, it is a lot easier. (The Stevia plant is indigenous to Paraguay and is 300 times sweeter than sugar.) As Dr. Horner explains, “Cancer cells love sugar. It’s their preferred fuel. The more sugar you eat, the faster cancer cells grow.” There are several other reasons to avoid sugar, but for those of us who have been through the cancer experience and are concerned about a recurrence, it’s imperative. I noticed in Bill Henderson’s book, “Cancer Free: Your Guide to Non-toxic Healing” he lists three safe sugar substitutes: Stevia, Agave Syrup and Xylitol. I had been keeping Agave syrup in the break room for my employees, then discovered at the Nutrition Conference it was no different than high fructose corn syrup. (Ooops!) As more research is done the guidelines change and just keeping up with all of this can be a full time job. (I’m doing my best to stay informed so I can pass the most recent information on to you.) Perhaps the best approach is to stay away from all sweetners, artificial sweeteners in particular, and give your taste buds a chance to adapt so you can ultimately enjoy the natural sweetness in whole foods.
I’m leaving next week for Europe so there won’t be any blogs for a few weeks. In the meantime, however, let me recommend two more incredible books: 1) The “Vitamin D Solution” by Michael F. Holick, M.D. There has been so much information published lately on Vitamin D, which really isn’t a vitamin at all: it’s a steroid hormone and you have to have cholesterol to produce it! I’m sure you will appreciate Dr. Holick’s clarification on safe sun exposure as well as the connection to Vitamin D deficiency and cancer. 2) “Statin Damage Crisis” by Duane Graveline, M.D. is a must read for anyone taking statin drugs. This book also gives you a better understanding of the vital role of cholesterol in our bodies. Dr. Graveline was a USAF flight surgeon and a NASA scientist astronaut. His research on the adverse side effects of statin drugs was generated by his own experience with transient global amnesia six weeks after he started taking a statin drug.
Happy reading and I’ll get back to you in late June. I’ll be spending a lot of time on airplanes and will have plenty of time to read more books. Stay tuned.
Tags: Nutrition, Self-Care Class
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April 29th, 2010
I would like to share a story with you as I think it contains some meaningful messages.
Last weekend two friends with a truck drove me to Yakima (on the other side of the State) to pick up a piano for my office. (That is a different story.)
On our way back we took a little detour so I could drop off some CD’s for my best friend. . . . .but I need to explain.
We have been best friends since we were two years old (and that is a long time!). She had as close to a perfect marriage as anyone I had ever known and after her husband died it was painful to watch her health decline. It was as though she was dying of a broken heart. She lost 80% of her heart capacity, and could barely walk across the room or speak in full sentences. About a year ago she called me and said she had her energy back and was feeling great. She explained she had met up with an old high school friend and he had taken her dancing! I suggested she continue whatever she was doing as it was obviously working.
I went to see her last Christmas. We went out for dinner, reminisced and laughed a lot. It was just like old times and I was so relieved to see her doing so well. Then, on New Years Eve as she was sitting in front of her TV eating dinner, she had a stroke and has required around-the-clock care ever since. She has been confined to a wheel chair and her only walking has been with the help of her physical therapist using a gait belt.
So back to the CD’s I took to her, one of which is my favorite, Beegie Adair’s newest album, “Swingin’ With Sinatra” (GreenHill Music – it’s also the music you hear when you call JoViPak.) She called me the next day and was so excited. She loved the music, especially “You Make Me Feel So Young,” and said, “my friend came over and WE DANCED TO IT! I said, “You what?! Did your friend have to hold you up?” She said, “No, he couldn’t, he has a bad back!” I considered it something close to a miracle and it reminded me of the value of friendship and the power of music. Also, as I’m sure every therapist will agree, there is no greater satisfaction than knowing we have done something to make someone else’s life a little easier.
Tags: Exercise, Personal, Self-Care Class
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April 20th, 2010
It’s been a busy week. Carol Johnson, OTR/L from North Carolina has recently joined the JoViPak staff and we spent most of our time last week working on product development and writing letters to our legislators in Washington D.C. asking for their support of the House Bill 4662. (Refer to my previous blogs.) As therapists we want our lymphedema patients to have the best care possible and it is very difficult for us to watch our elderly clientele go without because Medicare won’t pay for their treatment or the products they need to manage their condition.
The author of this bill is Bob Weiss whose wife has struggled with lymphedema for years. It continues to amaze me how much effort and personal expense he as invested into being an advocate for the lymphedema community. Both he and Carol will be meeting with several legislators next month in Washington D.C. to discuss the various aspects of this bill.
As we get caught up in our enthusiasm over the possibility of Medicare paying for lymphedema treatment and supplies, we can’t ignore one serious ramification. What if Medicare takes it on and gives lymphedema supplies, e.g. compression garments, HCPC billing codes and reimbursement amounts that are far below the cost to manufacture these products or the wholesale cost to resellers. It is safe to assume that once Medicare establishes a price, other insurance companies will follow. If in doing that, we force the manufacturers and the DME’s who sell these products out of business, then what? Where does that leave the patient? Will they have to look to other countries to provide them with cheaper and quite probably inferior quality products?
Please ask your legislators to support this bill, and it is important that you also ask them to consider, as well as support those people providing the goods and services by acknowledging their right to charge the patient for any shortfall not covered by the Medicare reimbursement.
Tags: Jovipak, Lymphedema, Self-Care Class
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April 9th, 2010
Of all the presentations at the nutrition conference, I have to say Jeffrey Smith’s lecture on Genetically Modified Foods had the greatest impact on me. I thought I knew what GMOs were all about, but I had no idea the extent of their risk to our health and environment. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have been linked to toxic and allergic reactions, thousands of sick, sterile, and dead livestock, and damage to virtually every organ and system studied in lab animals.
Do you remember when the supplement L-tryptophan was taken off the market and we were all afraid that might be the end of all supplements? There were 100 deaths and thousands became sick or disabled. It took years to find the source and guess what . . . . the supplement itself was not the problem. The contaminated products all came from a lab using genetically engineered bacteria, and if all the victims had not experienced one shared symptom of intense debilitating muscle pain (myalgia), the cause might have remained undiscovered. The disease it created was called EMS or eosinophilia myalgia syndrome as it also raised white blood cell count high enough to indicate a severely disrupted immune system. What is really unsettling about all of this is the fact that we have unknowingly been eating genetically modified ingredients since 1996 and there are still no safeguards for GM-produced food or supplements. Since there are no warning labels on any of the genetically modified foods we consume in America, (GMOs are not allowed in Europe) it is imperative that we educate ourselves and “opt out of this high-stakes gamble by refusing GM foods.” I urge you to go to www.ResponsibleTechnology.org and click on Mr. Smith’s video. It is an 85-minute lecture, similiar to the one I heard two weeks ago and I guarantee once you have seen it you will have an entirely new attitude about the food you choose to buy for yourself and your family. I suggest you download his Non-GMO Shopping Guide as you will find very helpful in identifying the safe foods as well as those that are at high risk, e.g. the “Big Four” - Corn, Soy, Canola and Cotton. (Another good reason to avoid vegetable oils!)
Jeffrey Smith has authored several books on Genetic Engineering. His first book, ”Seeds of Deception” was required reading in my nutrition class. His latest book is very appropriately named, “Genetic Roulette, The Documented Health Risks of Genetically Engineered Foods” and he has created a Web site, www.GeneticRoulette.com, to promote serious scientific debate on the details presented in his book.
It was pressure from concerned consumers that got the genetically engineered bovine growth hormone (rbGH) out of our milk. Let’s do our part to get genetically modified organisms (GMOs) out of our food.
Tags: Nutrition, Self-Care Class
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March 24th, 2010
The NTA (Nutritional Therapy Association) Conference was held in Vancouver, WA this last week end where I attended 18 hours of fantastic lectures. I took 50 pages of notes and brought back so many new nutrition books I could hardly carry them to my car. A friend of mine came up from Salem, Oregon to join me for dinner. She spent several hours in the hotel lobby and commented she had never seen such a large group of people where everyone looked fit and healthy! Perhaps she had never been in a room with 200 nutritionists before! . . . Neither had I for that matter.
I go to two kinds of conferences . . . either for lymphedema or nutrition and recently realized I much prefer the latter. Why, you might ask? Well, we pretty well understand most lymphedemas, but what we as therapists are not getting is how often underlying factors are complicating the therapy and interfering with the recovery process. We can start with endocrine system or hormonal imbalances, chronic inflammation most often caused by food intolerances and sugar handling issues.
Case in point: Upon my return, I met with a lipoedena patient whose therapist had ordered a JoViPak vest. The patient was particularly concerned about her abdominal swelling which she thought was a result of her double mastectomy. I was grateful the patient lived close to Seattle and was willing to make the trip to our facility as I really needed to see her before I could, in good conscience, proceed with the order. She was missing only two axillary lymph nodes and after seeing the patient in person, I assured her a vest was not going to fix the problem. The amount of water she was retaining was a clear message that something was horribly out of balance in her body and needed immediate attention. At this point in time I believe she needs to find a good nutritionist and a doctor who can do appropriate testing to correctly diagnose the source of her problem.
I was pleased to learn that NTA is now offering their Nutritional Therapist Training Program throughout the United States. They are available in both Classroom and Distance Learning Formats. I want to encourage lymphedema therapists to learn everything they can about nutrition (from a holistic point of view) as they will find it extremely valuable in their practice. They can not only help their patients better manage their lymphedema but quite possibly guide them out of the disease cycle.
You can get more information on nutrition training by calling NTA directly at 800 918 9798 or visit their website www.nutritionaltherapy.com.
Tags: Lymphedema, Nutrition, Self-Care Class
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March 5th, 2010
Word just came in from the Alliance for Natural Health USA that the hundreds of thousands of messages opposing Senator McCain’s Dietary Supplement Safety Act (S 3002) have made a difference. Apparently Senator McCain met with Senator Orin Hatch, a champion of natural medicine, and decided to withdraw his support for the bill he authored.
Thanks to all of you who wrote to your congressmen. It’s nice to know someone in Washington, DC is listening to us.
Tags: Nutrition, Self-Care Class
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