The Truth about Potassium Iodide

Due to recent nuclear events in Japan, there has been an increased interest in potassium iodide supplements. Iodine is an important nutrient in the body that aids in the production of thyroid hormones. Our body gets most of the iodine it needs from the food we eat. When a nuclear event occurs, our bodies are exposed to radioactive iodine either through the contaminated air we breathe or contamination in our food supply. Once our bodies are exposed to radioactive iodine, it is quickly absorbed by the thyroid gland, which can damage the gland and ultimately lead to thyroid cancer. Potassium iodide is the medicinal form of iodine and can be taken orally to protect the thyroid gland by blocking the radioactive iodine from being absorbed.

If a nuclear event occurs and radioactive iodine is released into the environment a public health official may advise you to take one dose of potassium iodide daily for a few days. Babies and children will likely be treated first because they are more sensitive to radioactive iodine than adults and may be more likely to develop thyroid cancer from radiation exposure. One dose of potassium iodide protects the thyroid gland for 24 hours. Taking potassium iodide for too long can lead to harmful side effects such as allergic reactions, skin rashes, and thyroid problems. People with an allergy to iodine should not take this medication. People with certain skin disorders or thyroid disease (e.g. Graves’ disease) should be treated under the supervision of a doctor.

There are three over the counter potassium iodide supplements available that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Iosat, ThyroSafe and ThyroShield. All other potassium iodide products have not been evaluated by the FDA for consumer safety. There is a common misconception that potassium iodide will protect a person from any and all radiation exposure. However, potassium iodide only protects a person from radioactive iodine and not other forms of radiation. Thus while the thyroid gland may be protected, potassium iodide does not protect the body’s other vital organs from the harmful effects of radiation.


For more information on Potassium Iodide please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, http://www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation/ki.asp.



Nicole Day
PharmD

Patient’s Guide to the Proper Use of Antibiotics:

Ever wonder why directions on your antibiotics say “Take until finished” or “Complete all doses as specified”?
Why is it so important to finish all antibiotics? You must not need antibiotics when you’re already feeling better and have been for days now, right?

Wrong. Let’s take a look at why…

Antibiotics are medicines that help fight bacterial infections. Remember, antibiotics do not fight infections caused by viruses, and most common colds are caused by viruses. Antibiotics are prescribed to last for a specified amount of time. This length of time varies, but is designed for the antibiotic to last until all (or most) of the disease-causing bacteria are killed. The body’s own immune system will help in this process too, but it’s very important to take the whole course of antibiotics, regardless of how you may feel.

There are a few reasons for taking the antibiotics that have been prescribed as directed. First, keep in mind that bacteria are “survivalists”; If there are enough harmful bacteria lingering around in the body, they will eventually “get smart” and start finding ways to change and avoid being killed by an antibiotic. This can happen through various means and is called “antibiotic resistance”. Also, bacteria will try and re-mount an attack on the body when antibiotic levels are low, or if antibiotic therapy has stopped prematurely. For these reason it is important to take every dose as scheduled to complete the entire therapy as directed.

Why is antibiotic resistance bad and how can it affect others too?
Antibiotic resistance can cause a drug to not be effective anymore. By allowing the bacteria to linger and mutate, it can now evade the antibiotic with which we are treating. In essence, you have bred a new strain of bacteria – one that is not killed by the antibiotic we might like to use. This will limit antibiotics that can be used in the future, both for you and others in the community, since bacteria can be transferred easily from person to person.

Always keep in mind that most drugs are prescribed for a specific length of time for a reason. Taking antibiotics based on how you feel is NEVER a good idea.

Lance Ray, Pharm.D.

Distracted Driving Effects Everyone

I am always multitasking. I have been that way for a long time. Being the mother of four sort of predisposes one to this condition. I can answer the phone, go over homework, throw in a load of clothes and make a mean chicken parmesan all at the same time. I say that with pride. I like to know that I make the most of every minute. I love to cross things off my list, it gives me a since of accomplishment. So naturally when I hop in my car (to do list in hand) buckle my seatbelt, and put the car in gear, my cell phone is within reach. After all, I wouldn’t want to miss a call digging thru my purse while it rings incessantly. It could be an important message, or a photo of my grandbaby, or my son calling from Afghanistan, or my best friend to schedule lunch. It might even be a tweet from my techno-proficient seventy-something year-old mother. There are a lot of people who rely on me to answer my phone. Which is why I should not answer it while I am driving. That is the point.

My friends, my children, my parents, my co-workers and even the person who is driving in front of me rely on me to pay attention to the road. Sending a text or even talking on the phone raises the possibility of crashing by 400 percent. 400 percent is HUGE. If only my stock portfolio had such a percentage. Of course we always assume it won’t happen to us. Distracted driving injured 448,000 folks in one year alone. One in five drivers has admitted to surfing the web while driving. Distracted driving is quickly becoming an epidemic. The vaccine is prevention! The safest way to get from here to there is to just put down the phone and drive. I’m making that commitment, how about joining me? After all, there are people counting on you too.

MaryAnn Contreras, RN

Injury Prevention/Trauma Nurse Coordinator

MaryAnn Contreras

Injury Prevention Coordinator

Were You Born at Texas Health Fort Worth?

Prior to joining Texas Health Resources (THR), I’d had the opportunity to work with the organization on a number of events and developed a positive impression. I began to feel like it was something I had to be a part of. I joined THR more than 11 years ago, but my connection to the organization goes back much farther.

I was born at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth where my mother also delivered my three sisters. I followed suit and delivered my two beautiful children at Texas Health Fort Worth as did my sisters. We even shared the same OB/GYN for four of our children’s births. For me, choosing to deliver at Texas Health Fort Worth wasn’t just about a family tradition. I remember growing up when someone asked, “Where were you born,” the response was always, “Harris Methodist”! It became almost “club” like. As I got older and more educated, I had a better understanding why that was the answer.

My mother chose Texas Health Fort Worth because of the level of care she knew she would receive, the tenured staff and the advanced technology. My sisters and I chose to deliver there for the same reasons. I think as the community grows, people need to feel that sense of family in knowing who their neighbors are and who they can trust.

Texas Health Fort Worth has built their reputation based on providing care for patients at their most vulnerable times and treating them as if they are family. The hospital embodies the philosophy of “treat others the way you want to be treated.” That’s something that my mother instilled in me and my siblings and something that we work to instill in our children as well. So, I am very fortunate and proud to represent an organization that places individualized care at the forefront of everything they do.

Jeanine Andersen

Marketing Manager

The Only Thing Constant

Most likely you have heard the maxim that the only thing constant in life is change. Change is always with us. Like it or not a great many things that we have, know, and even hold near and dear will be transformed, modified, and morphed into something completely different. That fact is usually proclaimed as a lament, a sad truth we just have to live with. I hope you will allow me to offer a different, and hopefully refreshing, approach to this poser we call change.

It is true that we live in a world of transformation. But is that really so bad? I want to be brazen enough to suggest that we consider welcoming change into our lives. Constant sunshine, just like constant rain and dreary skies, does become lackluster. I have lived in the land of blue skies and an ever-present sun. Trust me when I tell you that we longed for the crack of thunder and a good downpour. It most likely will not surprise you then when I declare that it is likewise good and healthy for our emotions to change. Constant happiness, smiles, and pure glee will become nothing special, indeed trite after a while. Sadness is not my first choice, but it sure helps me appreciate the joy in my life.

Change is an ever-present companion in our hospital. Our patients and families arrive because something has changed, shifted in their world. As a team of healthcare professionals our goal then becomes to bring about yet another alteration, albeit for the better this time. It is in this change journey, this process focused on healing and fueled by hope that we ourselves change. Striving together as agents of change our goal becomes the restoration of peace in what is often perceived as a storm of chaos by our patients and families. And when the skies clear, when everyone involved breathes deeply once again, we realize we have survived this tempest of change. Dare I suggest that we perhaps might even be better as a result of what we have been through?

Allow me to offer a reminder, therefore, that change will always be with us. It waits just around the corner. The ebb and flow of life will not evaporate, will not cease, but is indeed a constant on which we can depend. Life bristles with a flux all its own. But, within this maelstrom of modification we can, and in fact are challenged, to find good. Change often does feel like bedlam run amuck. But good things frequently are birthed in the cauldron of chaos.

And finally permit me to challenge you to have something in your life that is beyond change. For me it is tending to my spiritual yearnings and needs. My Creator has simply and significantly declared I AM. That is enough. Bring on the change, transformation, modification, and the whirlwind of chaos. When the dust settles, the battlefield of adjustments is surveyed, and the wounded tended to, my Comforter is there ready to encourage and convince me that perhaps whatever is new is not so bad after all.

So, let the change begin—we will not have to linger very long l assure you. But do not fear. It is standard equipment with this thing called life. And, we will endure.

Carey Reynolds

Staff Chaplain

Use over the counter products to really quit smoking in 2011

According to the World Health Organization, tobacco kills more than five million people a year. The CDC reports that smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States today. Of the smokers in the United States, 70% desire to quit. Smoking cessation success rates double when tobacco use treatment is utilized.

Fortunately for smokers, there is a wide variety of OTC (over-the-counter) nicotine replacement products to assist them in their quest to quit. Nicotine replacement therapy dosage forms include patches, gum, and lozenges. As soon at these OTC nicotine replacement therapies are started, the smoker must completely quit using all tobacco products.

Nicotine Patches
Nicotine replacement patches are the only OTC product to provide a constant release of nicotine throughout the day. The downside of this constant release of nicotine is that the patches do not allow the smoker to respond to acute cravings throughout the day. Therapy with nicotine patches is available in three steps that included the dosages of 21 mg, 14 mg, and 7 mg patches. Smokers that use fewer than 10 cigarettes per day should start on the 14 mg patch for 5 weeks and then decrease to the 7mg patch for 2 weeks.

It is important to never cut nicotine patches or wear more than one patch at a time. Nicotine patches should be applied to clean; dry skin area and the application site should be rotated on a daily basis to help decrease skin irritation, which is the most commonly reported side effect. Some nicotine patch wearers have complained of insomnia and vivid or abnormal dreams . To prevent these side effects, the nicotine patch can be removed at bedtime and a new patch can then be applied every morning.

Nicotine Gum

Nicotine gum is available in 2 mg and 4 mg strengths. For smokers who smoke fewer than 25 cigarettes per day, the 2 mg strength should be used. Those smokers who smoke more than 25 cigarettes per day should use the 4 mg strength.
During weeks 1-6 of nicotine gum therapy, one piece of gum should be chewed every 1-2 hours with at least 9 pieces of gum used per day. During weeks 7-9, one piece of gum should be chewed every 2-4 hours. Finally in weeks 10-12, one piece of gum should be chewed every 4-8 hours. The most common side effects of nicotine gum include upset stomach, unpleasant taste, hiccups, and jaw soreness.

Nicotine Lozenges

Nicotine lozenges are available in 2 mg and 4 mg strengths. It is recommended that patients who smoke their first cigarette within 30 minutes of waking up should start with the 4 mg strength lozenge. For all other smokers, it is recommended to start with the 2 mg strength lozenge. It is important to dissolve the lozenge slowly in the mouth and never to chew or swallow the lozenge whole. Food or drink should be avoided for 15 minutes prior to, during, or after using the lozenge. Two lozenges should never be used at one time.

Never use two nicotine replacement therapies at the same time unless directed to do so by your primary care provider. It is generally not recommended to use the nicotine patches, gum, or lozenges longer than 2-3 months, but talk to your primary care provider to assess if a longer amount of therapy is needed.

Alisia Baker, PharmD

Texas Health Fort Worth

2011 Shouldn’t Hurt

Now is a time for resolutions and new beginnings and I want to challenge you all with a goal that you don’t have to take on alone.

The goal is to initiate a change in the rapidly increasing numbers of domestic violence crimes that are occurring in our community. Domestic violence, as defined by Webster's dictionary, is the inflicting of physical injury by one family or household member onto another. Violence takes many forms and usually leaves the victim traumatized for life if they survive.

At Texas Health Fort Worth we are dedicated to caring for patients mind, body and spirit, but the number one weapon against domestic violence is education. The Domestic Violence Task Force seeks to improve how we provide compassionate and caring service to the victims of domestic violence who come through our doors. Through the assistance of the continuous improvement department, the task force has developed a threefold strategy:

• Research the latest trends in domestic violence


• Educate Texas Health Fort Worth staff, physicians and volunteers on how to sensitively approach a potential victim


• Provide a resource manual for victims to find long-term support

If you suspect a loved one is a victim of domestic violence, please contact a health care professional.

Angelo Betancourt

Staff Chaplain

Well, it is nearly here. Everyone is gearing up, parties are being organized and I’m sure there are a few wagers out there regarding who the next Super Bowl champs will be. Cowboy Stadium is ready, all 73 acres. Did you know the entire Statue of Liberty and its base can fit into the stadium with the roof closed? And if that isn’t big enough, the stadium holds the world’s largest high-definition video display. The parking lots open at 10AM while the kick off is scheduled to begin at 5:30PM, so you know that local traffic will be hectic to say the least.

Much preparation has taken place to keep all 110,000 fans safe at the stadium. While we are all aware of the times we live in, not all the risks are at the game. Young males, ages 21-34 who are the core audience for major sporting events, are most likely to be involved in car crashes, to drive impaired and not wear seatbelts according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. You have heard me say before that a seatbelt is your best defense against an impaired driver, so buckle up!

Personally, I am enjoying the game (and the innovative commercials) at home with friends. I can’t boast of having the largest high-definition TV, but I have a primo parking spot and reserved seating. If you are having friends and family over, remember to designate your driver early. Serve lots of food, including non-alcoholic beverages. In the third quarter, put the adult beverages up and bring out the coffee and desserts. It’s also a great idea to have the numbers for local cab companies handy. Enjoy this event without penalties, fouls or calls of unsportsmanlike conduct, because in real life there aren’t instant replays.

Mary Ann Contreras, RN

Injury Prevention Coordinator

Bariatric Diary: Happy New Year!

I for one have never been happier to start a new year. This past year has brought on lots of changes in my life. I come into 2011 with a renewed spirit and a new body to go with it.

The holidays are one of the many challenges you will come across as a bariatric patient. You have the fears of what you will eat, when you will eat it, and how your body will be affected. I am a big believer that the whole process of recovery is a mental game. I told myself going into the holidays that it was just going to be business as usual and that it wouldn’t be a big deal to watch everyone around me eating the normal foods and enjoying what might have been my favorite dishes from the past. I have to admit that those things didn’t bother me so much. The thing that did get under my skin a little was everyone being so darn concerned with my diet. I quit counting how many times people would ask what I could eat, if it was hard for me to pass up certain foods, or if there was anything special I needed for food options. I would have never thought my eating habits would affect so many people!!

So as I start this New Year, I have for the most part overcome any difficulties I once had from my surgery. If you remember, a few months ago I had to have a couple endoscopies to dilate my stomach due to a stricture. It’s a miracle, it worked!! My food options have expanded greatly and I am maintaining my weight without any major fluctuations. There are still foods that I cannot eat and others that I have psyched myself out from eating.

One thing I will mention that I have found to be the most challenging part of the surgery is shopping for clothes. One thing you take for granted many times when you are bigger is the options your smaller counterparts have when clothes shopping. Before, I would head straight to the big and tall section and pick from a limited supply of clothes in one of a handful of colors. Now, I actually have to shop through the entire store. Don’t get me wrong, I like having more options and more trendy clothing but who would have known shopping was such hard work. This probably isn’t an issue for all bariatric patients, but I have never been a big shopper. This is slowly changing with my new body and my shrinking closet.

Now the information you all want to know. I started off in January 2010 at 354 lbs. Based on being 6 foot tall I had a BMI of 48. I was wearing a size 50 waist in pants and 4x in shirts. As of today, I weigh in at 198 lbs with a BMI of 26.9. I am now wearing a 38 waist in pants and XL in shirts. So as you can see I have made a big transition in less than 8 months since surgery.

The journey continues…..

Rev Up Your Metabolism in 2011

Are you sick of being 10, 20 or more pounds overweight and ready for a change? Let’s rev up your metabolism in 2011 so you can look and more importantly, feel great! Many people want a quick fix and get caught up in all of the fad diets and temporary weight-loss eating programs, but the problem is they cannot maintain it and end up gaining weight back. One goal of starting a new eating program should be to get your metabolism burning and make lifestyle eating changes. It’s often not the easy way, but is a healthier form of weight loss that tends to outlast the fad diet results. It’s not rocket science! There are 3 easy ways to get the metabolism burning:

Eat Small Frequent Meals

Many people think skipping meals is the way to lose weight. Not true!!! Your metabolism actually raises each time you eat to digest the food you are eating. Thus, eating 6 times per day versus 3 times per day keeps the metabolizing up and running. Your goal should be to eat 3 small meals and 2-3 snacks per day. Each meal should contain nutrient rich foods to help you stay full and satiated throughout the day.

Eating frequently does take some time and effort. Just remember, if it was easy everybody would be doing it! So, in order to be successful, consider making your meals and snacks on the weekends so it does not cause extra work during the week. Grab some snack baggies and bag up nuts, whole grain crackers, turkey, raw veggies, etc so they are ready to grab. Make it a habit and it will get easier!

Pay Attention to What You Are Eating

Each meal should contain a serving of whole grain carbohydrate (granola bar, whole wheat crackers, 1 slice whole wheat bread) or fruit. Carbohydrate will give your body energy over the course of the day. However, eating carbohydrates along will spike your blood sugar and cause it to drop more drastically. So, pair your carbohydrate with a lean protein (2% cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese, deli meat) or healthy fat (peanut butter, nuts, avocado, egg). Protein and fat slow down digestion, help prevent blood sugar from spiking and keep you feeling full longer.

Be sure to include non-starchy vegetables (starchy = corn, peas, potatoes, winter squash) in as many meals as possible. Veggies are full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber! They will help you feel full for little calories.

Exercise

If you want your metabolism to rev up, you gotta get moving!!! Exercise not only speeds up metabolism, but also burns calories. Cardiovascular and strength training togetherburns calories and builds lean muscle mass. Lean muscle mass is more dense than fat and thus takes up less space. So the more muscle you have, the smaller and leaner you look! In addition, exercise has a variety of cardiovascular benefits from helping lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol to increasing good cholesterol and decreasing triglycerides.


The American College of Sports Medicine recommends 60-90 minutes a day of moderate exercise, most days of the week, for weight loss. So if you are not moving at all, let’s get started! Aim for at least 30 minutes of activity most days of the week to get your metabolism up and burning!













Amy Goodson, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
Registered Dietitian

If you have a question for the dietitian, visit www.texashealth.org/askamy

Heartburn Hurting You?

Many people suffer from gastric esophageal reflux disease or GERD. GERD results from a combination of excess gastric juices and impaired esophageal clearance of acid leading to a burning discomfort referred to as heartburn.

There are different degrees of GERD ranging from mild symptoms which can be managed by over the counter products and lifestyle changes, to severe or recurrent problems requiring medical treatment.

There are several ways to help with GERD symptoms other than taking medications. Lifestyle modifications such as elevating the head of the bed 4-6 inches can help prevent symptoms of GERD.

Avoiding tight fitting clothes, eating 2-3 hours before bed, and sitting up right after meals can decrease the risk of having heartburn. In addition to lifestyle changes dietary modifications can also decrease the occurrence of heartburn. Avoid acidic beverages such as orange juice, red wine, and sodas as well as fatty foods and foods which exacerbate symptoms. Eating smaller more frequent meals and maintaining a healthy weight can decrease the risk of GERD.

There are several different products available over-the-counter that decrease heartburn. Antacids such as Tums, Rolaids, Maalox, and Mylanta neutralize acid. These can be taken for mild, infrequent heart burn and for relief of current symptoms. Other over the counter medications lower the amount of acid secreted. H2 blockers such as Pepcid®, Zantac®, and Tagamet® are effective and relatively inexpensive. Prevacid® and Prilosec® are the only proton pump inhibitors available OTC, others require a prescription. Over the counter medications are relatively safe but they can interact with other medications. Ask your pharmacist or physician which medication is most appropriate for you.Even though heartburn is common it could be a sign of more serious problems. Patients should see a doctor if they have symptoms two or more times a week, don’t get relief from medications, have difficulty swallowing, acid causes choking, wheezing, or hoarseness, or unexplained weight loss.

Lacey Mullins, Pharm.D.

“Med/Surg Gives”

In the spirit of the season, the Medical-Surgical Division at THFW recently spent 3 hours at the Tarrant Area Food Bank moving food. It’s astonishing what can be done with a bit of time and effort…In the grocery area for boxing food, we packaged 13,960 lbs. of canned and boxed food items. In the back sorting area, we moved another 11,700 lbs. of food. In total, we boxed and sorted 25,660 lbs. of food which will be used to feed the hungry in our community this holiday season.

The teamwork during this project was amazing. We showed up with a job to do and we exceeded expectations. Those that participated came with full knowledge of the work that needed to be done and demonstrated the spirit of the season—GIVING! Our goal was to gather supplies and food for about 8 pallets and we finished 11! We rolled up our sleeves and hustled. Nine units participated and we all worked together to get the most done in the time allotted. Texas Health Resource’s Mission is, “To improve the health of the people in the communities we serve”. We would like to believe that this project allowed us to serve our community on a grand scale outside of our traditional roles in the hospital.

I hope that during this time of year, we all look for ways to give back to our families, friends, and community. The reward in giving to others is seeing their great joy return. It is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season. This year let’s take a moment to reflect on our blessings and the blessings we have given others.

Advent: "A Song for all Seasons"

“The Word became human and made his home among us."

~ John 1:14

There once lived a king with dominion over all nations. His courts were of richest splendor. Music and laughter floated from his castle. Clouds wrapped it in ethereal majesty. The peasants, in their valley of violence and hunger, looked longingly at the castle, wishing they might know the king. But none could reach it.

One day in the cold of winter, the king’s tailor entered the king’s chambers with new additions to the royal wardrobe. He had chosen the finest materials and woven them into the most beautiful garments ever seen.

But the king was not pleased. He ordered the tailor out and said, “I will make my own clothes.” The door to the throne room was shut and locked. Weeks passed. All waited in keen anticipation to see what the king would make for himself. Surely they would be blinded by his glory! Finally, the day arrived, the door opened, and the king appeared.

Everyone, especially the tailor, gasped in shock. For the king was dressed in the simplest, cheapest, most “unkingly” garments imaginable! He had the choice of the world’s finest materials, but he had chosen to wear the clothes of a beggar. He spoke softly to everyone and said simplyh: “I am going down into the valley.”

“Behold, I bring you good news of a great joy…
for today…there has been born for you a
Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

The stage was set. The day had finally come. Prophets had anticipated it for generations. God had hinted at it for millenia. Now was the beginning of that “into which angels longed to look.” The “fullness of time” had finally come.

The world had long been imprisoned, groaning and trapped in a web of sin and death, heartbreak and sorrow.

“Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
till HE appeared and the soul felt its worth.”

Now, God Almighty – King of the universe, Lord of history, rightful ruler of the Earth – is about to invade this rebel-ruled world.

You would think His invasion would come with mighty signs and wonders! You would think the skies would be lit as far as one could see! You would think the shouts of the heavenly host would be ear-splitting! You would think that the whole earth would shake mightily from the impact of His landing – that in some sense all of mankind would know that God had landed!

But, here comes GOD!!! – Almighty Creator, Sustainer of the universe -- by whom, and through whom, and for whom are all things! And the only sound heard is the gentle breathing of a tiny baby sleeping in his mother’s arms.

History’s turning point, the greatest event in all of history – and the only sign we have of it is a baby lying in a manger, a group of shepherds scared silly … and a single, bright star.

“What child is this, who laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping –
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping?
THIS, THIS is CHRIST the KING!”

Emmanuel! God with US! It is the most outlandish, mind-boggling story in all the Bible, in a million galaxies, in all of eternity. The heavens were stunned into silence and unbridled praise all at the same time.

Even the angels could not have anticipated this one! Gabriel had to be scratching his head! God coming to the valley! God coming to earth … in the body of a human being! “The Word became human and made his home among US!”

And for 33 years, Jesus would feel everything that you and I have ever felt. He blew his nose, he hit his thumb, he cut his hands, and his back hurt. He felt weak. He grew weary. He was afraid of failure. His feelings got hurt. His feet were tired. His head ached. And he felt lost and alone … without his Father.

The Christmas season has always been special to me – trees, lights, decorations, wrapping, giving. My heart is filled to overflowing. Despite all the “What do I get her?” – and, “How much can we afford this year?” – I try with all my being to focus on Jesus.

I grew up in Dallas, where Christmas meant repeated trips to the corner toy extravaganza display at the Sears store on W. Jefferson … wearing out the Sears and J.C. Penney Christmas catalogs…and avoiding sitting in Santa’s lap! But since my childhood, it has been the songs that awaken so much inside me.

As much as I enjoy “Jingle Bells”, and “White Christmas” (ever wonder how those play out for folks in Hawaii?), and the kids’ favorite song -- “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer!” -- it’s the other songs that stir something deep within me:
O Holy Night …
What Child is This? …
Silent Night, Holy Night …
Joy to the World …
Hark, the Herald Angels Sing!

Nothing stirs our heart like song. Nothing expresses the heart like song. And Jesus is the focus of more songs than anyone to ever walk the face of the earth. How fitting that His coming was announced by a heavenly chorus? But “Christmas” is truly only the beginning of the story...

Jesus sent word to John: “The blind can see, the lame can walk, the lepers are made clean, the deaf can hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is preached to the poor.” Good News! Great Joy! For ALL people!

And ever since -- even in the midst of heartbreak, struggle and pain -- the story of Jesus has given hope and new life to the human heart. “A thrill of hope, a weary world rejoices!”

Together with the songs, the most conspicuous, consistent symbol of the season has to be all the lights. Lights are everywhere! Lights cover houses, office buildings, department stores, town squares, hospitals … even a few semis rumbling down the highways!

There has always been a connection between “light” and “glory.” Can you imagine what it was like that night, out on the hillside?! The “glory of the Lord” was a light of such incredible magnitude that the angel had to quickly calm the shepherds, telling them not to be afraid. The Good News not only begins with Jesus the infant, it begins with Jesus the Light: “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4).

I’ve seen that Light. In fact, it amazes me the number of times every day that I see Jesus in our hospital:
• In the faces of little children…
• In the eyes of patients whose bodies are ravaged by deadly disease and broken by trauma…
• In the tears of those whose loved one has died, or is dying…
• In waiting rooms where families spend sleepless, restless nights in prayer on hard floors, as a loved one clings to this life…
• As doctors lovingly and compassionately share the news that so many don’t want to hear…
• As everyone -- from Nurses, to PCT’s, to Secretaries, to Transportation, to Dieticians, to PA’s, to PT’s, to RT’s, to Social Workers and Case Managers (and all those whose job titles I just left out!), and yes, Chaplains – rushes to the side of those in pain … lifting them up, sharing their pain, holding them up…arms wrapped securely around them, drying their tears, and often in tears with them…
• And as hospital administrators discuss how to more effectively, compassionately, and lovingly meet the needs of the growing numbers of God’s children in need of our care.

Yes, Jesus is in YOU. When those we serve in life go looking for Jesus, needing Jesus … guess where they find Him?! In you. Through you, the light shines even in the darkness. For those of us whose lives have been transformed by the power and presence that was wrapped up in those swaddling clothes 2,000 years ago… “Christmas” means new birth and a living hope – a hope that we share with one another – hope for a time when all of our pains and sorrows will be swept away by endless joy… and in endless SONG.

So why let Jesus be the reason for only one season? Why sing certain songs only one month out of the year? Corrie Ten Boom wrote: “If Jesus were born 10,000 times in Bethlehem, and not in me, I would be lost.”

Let’s keep the message of Jesus alive in our hearts throughout the year. Let’s make the story of Jesus “A Song for ALL Seasons.”

One starry night, our world was changed forever.......

Jim Tenery
Staff Chaplain
Board Certified Chaplain, APC

My name is David Swearingen and this is my story. I am the youngest of three boys in my family and my dad is retired from the United States Air Force. My life was pretty much like many other high school students all across America until the spring of 1979. That spring, I decided to try out for the Stephenville High School baseball team. A pre-requisite to trying out was a routine physical. This routine physical determined there was too much protein in my urine – not routine at all.

I was 16 years old at this time. I was sent to Carswell Air Force Base in Ft. Worth, Texas for testing and it was later determined that a kidney biopsy would be necessary. The biopsy showed that I had a kidney disease known as glomerulonephritis. Eventually I would need a kidney transplant.

All of my family members were tested and it was concluded that my brother, Weldon, would be the best match for a kidney transplant when the time came. Having this reassurance, I was able to live a normal life until January 1981.

I was in my second semester at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas. Just a few weeks into the semester, my kidney function took a drastic turn for the worse. I was in kidney failure and it was necessary for me to go on dialysis for six weeks.

In March of that year, Weldon and I were both admitted into Wilford Hall Medical Center in Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. I was 18 years old and my brother was 21 years old. I was apprehensive about what the future would hold; my brother, on the other hand, didn’t display any fear. At the young age of only 21, he voluntarily would donate a kidney – a heroic and loving gesture.

I will remember the day of my transplant forever. It was like an additional birthday to me – it was the day my brother gave me a second chance at a happy, normal and productive life. At the hospital, Weldon and I were in two different rooms. After the surgery, I asked my parents to roll me into Weldon’s room. When I saw him for the first time after surgery, he was in a lot of pain. His surgery scar is about twice the size of mine. I could not help but cry when I was able to see what he had gone through for me.

He healed well and has never had any problems related to having only one kidney. I, too, healed well and have never gone through any rejection episodes at all. Despite the fact that my brother is three years my elder, the surgeon told me that we were matched almost as well as twins might be. I think this is why I have done so well with this transplant.

Since the transplant, I have lived a normal life. I still have to take anti-rejection medication for as long as I have this kidney. That will be for the rest of my life. I have experienced a “few bumps in the road” along my journey. Now, more than 29 years later, my brother Weldon is still doing well and so am I. I have a wonderful 18-year-old son and I am able to work full time.

I am thankful to God for blessing me with a loving and supportive family and such a giving and unselfish brother. I also feel grateful to God for giving the surgeons and medical staff the skill and knowledge to perform this successful transplant. I now try to “give a little back” for the blessings that God has given me. I work full-time at FMC Technologies in Stephenville. I am an active member and past-president of the Stephenville Kiwanis Club. I participate in National Kidney Foundation walks, I volunteer for LifeGift, I participate on a Relay for Life team and I am the photographer for the Stephenville High School Band. I am also an elder at the First Christian Church of Stephenville and occasionally help with the high school youth group. Additionally, I remain active with the Team North Texas U.S. Transplant Games team, a team of athletes who have all been touched by organ donation.

Please consider being an organ donor. It takes less than five minutes, is free and could save a life.

May God bless you as he has blessed me.

David Swearingen (kidney transplant, March 10, 1981)

I Didn't Know... Did You?

Did you know that for three decades November has served as National Hospice and Palliative Care Month? I didn’t know, and I work in Palliative Care. So now I am here to spread the word…NOVEMBER IS NATIONAL HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE MONTH.

Why is this significant?

In 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed the first proclamation designating November as hospice month. At that time, hospices served several thousand patients and their families. Current data from the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) shows that a record 1.56 million people with life-limiting illness and disease (41.5 percent of those who died in the US in 2009) were served by hospice and palliative care organizations.

What is palliative care?

According to http://www.getpalliativecare.org/, “Palliative care is the medical specialty focused on improving overall quality of life for patients and families facing serious illness. Emphasis is placed on intensive communication, pain and symptom management, and coordination of care.”

In July 2009, Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth opened North Texas’ first Palliative Care Unit. We are a 16-bed unit that focuses on providing quality care to patients and their families. We see patients at many points during their disease process and should, ideally, become involved as part of the care team when a patient first receives a chronic disease diagnosis.

Why palliative care?

Palliative care at Texas Health Fort Worth provides a holistic approach to treatment. Our interdisciplinary team works together to coordinate a plan of care that best meets the patients’ and families’ wants and needs. Our goal is to relieve the symptoms that may come along with a disease and to improve quality of life.

Many of you may have a personal experience with palliative care or hospice. I know that my family benefitted greatly when we had a loved one in need. I hope that you will take a moment this month to remember those you have lost and thank those that may have cared for them along the way.

References:
http://www.getpalliativecare.org/
http://www.nhpco.org/

Ashley Hodo, RN

Palliative Care Unit Manager