Beaufort Memorial Hospital Living Well- Fall 2014

Living WellLiving WellLiving WellLiving WellLiving WellLiving WellLiving Well
PLUS the story
of morning show
host Robin
Roberts and
the sister who
saved her life
Family
Time
49ways to revitalize
your family’s health
FALL 2014
MEET THE NEWEST
MEMBERS OF OUR
GROWING FAMILY
BREAST BIOPSY:
IT DOESN’T
HAVE TO MEAN
CANCER
KEEP YOUR KIDS FROM
SUFFERING RAT RACE
BURNOUT
Living WellLiving WellLiving WellLiving WellLiving WellLiving WellLiving WellLiving WellLiving WellLiving WellLiving WellLiving WellLiving WellLiving WellLiving WellLiving WellLiving WellLiving WellLiving WellLiving WellLiving WellLiving WellLiving Well
LIFE, LIVED BETTER WWW.BMHSC.ORG
Check out our new look! We think you’re going to love it!

3-D breast tomosynthesis, a powerful
new FDA-approved diagnostic tool for the early
detection of breast cancer, is now available in our
area only at the Beaufort Memorial Women’s
Imaging Center.
The new 3-D mammograms improve breast cancer
detection and reduce the number of those
unnerving false positives.
SHOULD YOU OPT FOR A
3-D MAMMOGRAM?
Tomosynthesis does not replace the traditional
mammogram. But it is recommended for certain
women, including those who:
• Have dense breast tissue, because it can mask
cancers or lead to false positives
• Are considered high risk
• Have been recommended for a diagnostic study
• Are having a baseline mammogram
mother'smammogram
NOT YOUR
To make an appointment for a mammogram
at the Women’s Imaging Center or
Bluffton Medical Services, call 843-522-5015.
_______________________________________
Same day results available at both facilities.________________________________________________________________ beaufortmemorial.org
Schedule your annual mammogram today!

Contents
FALL 2014
FEATURES
9
The Great American
Family Tuneup
Could your clan use a
health check?
10
Call in the
Family
Good Morning
America host Robin
Roberts has a lot to
be grateful for—
including one very
special sister.
14
Eat, Play, Love
How to help your
partner (and you)
stay healthy, happy and strong:
a guide to fast food; 10 steps
to a happier heart; and getting
him to screenings with a smile.
22
Senior Strong
Do you have an
elderly parent who
should be building muscle
strength? This at-home workout
is just the ticket.
26
Girl Talk
Even if your teen-
ager would never
go to you for health advice, we’ll
tell you what’s on her mind.
32
10 Takeaways
for Your Family
Your Rx cheat sheet.
36Beating
the Odds
Robot-assisted
laparoscopy is
the cutting-edge
treatment for prostate
cancer surgery.
INEVERYISSUE
COVER PHOTO BY MELANIE DUNEA/CPI SYNDICATION
2 Opening Thoughts
3 Introductions
4 Collected Wisdom
6 Out of the White Coat
8 Healthy Insights
38 Foundation-Building
41 This Just In
44 The Truth About:
Flu Shots
46 Healthy Buys: Planet Pink
50 Quiz: Freak Out
or Chill Out?
52 At a Glance:
Refrigerator
Rehab
54 In the Market:
Butternut Squash
56 Health by the
Numbers: Back
to School
THE BIG
STORY
If you’re the
family health
nudge, we’ve
got tips to
ease the load.
PAGE 14
36
In the Market:
Butternut Squash
Health by the
Numbers: Back
What’s better
for your health,
a cat or a dog?
PAGE 42
33
Oh, What a
Relief It Is
A quick diagnosis
reduces the anxiety of breast
biopsy.
FALL 2014 1

It has been said that the only thing certain
in life is change, and the monumental
changes in healthcare across the nation
and here at home have only served to underscore
that truism.
As the president and CEO of Beaufort Memorial
Hospital, I’ve chosen to embrace these changes and to
realize the opportunities they can bring—and I believe
your hospital and all of the communities it serves are
stronger than ever because of that choice.
For you, our partners and friends in health, the changes we have made offer
more options for primary care in Beaufort and Hampton counties with the
additions of Lowcountry Medical Group in Beaufort; new providers at Beaufort
and Bluffton Primary Care; and Harrison Peeples Health Center in Hampton.
Beaufort Memorial Obstetrics & Gynecology Specialists offers women in our
community access to board-certified, fellowship-trained obstetricians and gyne-
cologists who are ensuring women can continue to deliver babies at Beaufort
Memorial, and who can provide minimally invasive procedures for everything
from single-incision hysterectomy to surgery for urinary incontinence.
New technologies, including breast tomosynthesis for screening mammo-
grams, offer more accurate breast imaging and lower rates of biopsy. And,
our high-risk breast program offers continuous monitoring to women who
are most susceptible to breast cancer, allowing physicians to stay ahead of
the curve and patients to receive the reassurance of more-frequent care.
As the leader of your community hospital, I want to assure you that our
entire team is committed to one thing: your health.
To that end, we will continue our 70-year tradition of growing to meet the
community’s needs, and of living our mission to provide superior healthcare
services and improve the health of the communities we serve.
Yours in good health,
Rick Toomey
President & CEO
EmbracingchangE
From new faces to new programs and devices,
BMH continues its commitment to your health
Opening ThOughTs
Living Well, a subtitle of Vim & Vigor™, Fall 2014, Volume 30, Number
3, is published quarterly by McMurry/TMG, LLC, 1010 E. Missouri
Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85014, 602-395-5850. Vim & Vigor™ is published
for the purpose of disseminating health-related information for the
well-being of the general public and its subscribers. The informa-
tion contained in Vim & Vigor™ is not intended for the purpose of
diagnosing or prescribing. Please consult your physician before under-
taking any form of medical treatment and/or adopting any exercise
program or dietary guidelines. Vim & Vigor™ does not accept adver-
tising promoting the consumption of alcohol or tobacco. Copyright ©
2014 by McMurry/TMG, LLC. All rights reserved. Subscriptions in U.S.:
$4 for one year (4 issues). Single copies: $2.95. For subscriptions and
address changes, write: Circulation Manager, Vim & Vigor™, 1010 E.
Missouri Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85014.
Beaufort MeMorial Hospital
president & Ceo
Richard K. Toomey, DHA, FACHE
BMH Board of trustees
Terry Murray, Chair
Pat Thompson, MD, Vice Chair
David Tedder, Secretary/Treasurer
Andrea Allen, MS, LMSW
Kathleen Cooper
David House
William “Bill” Himmelsbach
Faith Polkey, MD
James Simmons, MD
ex-offiCio MeMBers
J. Chadwick Tober, MD, Chief of Staff
William “Bill” Harvey, Foundation Chairman
Bill McBride, Beaufort County Council Representative
BMH editorial
Courtney McDermott, Director, Marketing & Communications
Sallie Stone, Editor and Marketing & Communications Senior
Associate
Paul Nurnberg, Photographer
produCtion
Editorial
editor-in-CHief: Sally Kilbridge
editors: Erin Feeney, Matt Morgan, E, Tom Weede
Copy editor: C.J. Hutchinson
dEsign
CHief art direCtor: Tami Rodgers
art direCtors: Rod Karmenzind, Kay Morrow
Production
senior produCtion Manager: Laura Marlowe
speCial projeCts Coordinator: Jenny Babich
iMaging speCialist: Dane Nordine
produCtion teCHnology speCialists: Julie Chan,
Sonia Fitzgerald
circulation
Vp/Business intelligenCe group: Patrick Kehoe
postal affairs & logistiCs direCtor: Joseph Abeyta
Client serViCes
CHief Client offiCer: Beth Tomkiw
Vp/Client serViCes & strategy: Paul Peterson
aCCount Managers: Carey Ballard, Rachael Bretheim,
Annika Honkanen, Lauren Keeton, Gerry Kubek, Mendy
Metcalf, Barbara Mohr, Jenna Rutschman
adMinistration
CHief exeCutiVe offiCer: Matthew J. Petersen
exeCutiVe Vp/sales: Chad Rose, 888-626-8779
Vp/Content: Jeff Ficker
CreatiVe direCtor: Marc Oxborrow
Vim & Vigor founder: J. Barry Johnson
CHairMan eMeritus: Preston V. McMurry Jr.
Beaufort Memorial Hospital
955 Ribaut Road
Beaufort, SC 29902
843-522-5200
843-522-5585 – Doctor Referral Service
FALL 20142

Beaufort Memorial Physician
Partners welcomes the multi-
specialty Lowcountry Medical
Group to its growing network of provid-
ers. Founded in 1997, the practice—now
called Beaufort Memorial Lowcountry
Medical Group—includes a family medi-
cine physician, three internists, two
nurse practitioners, two physician
assistants and a broad spectrum of
specialists in gynecology, gastroenter-
ology, medical oncology, neurology,
nephrology and orthopedics.
To offer patients easier access to the
group’s physicians, the practice has
established offices in both Beaufort
and Bluffton. The Beaufort location at
300 Midtown Drive also offers on-site
imaging and lab services.
For more information on Beaufort
Memorial Lowcountry Medical Group or
to make an appointment with one of the
healthcare providers, call 843-770-0404
or visit www.lcmedicalgroup.com. n
MeetOurNewMedicalteaM
Lowcountry Medical Group is now part of Beaufort Memorial Physician Partners
IntroductIons
Gastroenterology specialists Kimberly
Thorpe, PA, John Crisologo, MD, and
Richard Stewart, DO
Leland Stoddard, MD, and Lika
Schrock, PA-C, orthopedic specialists
Marcus Newberry III,
MD, oncologist
Family medicine specialists Jenny
Martin, NP-C, Craig Floyd, MD, and
Erin Scott, ANP-BC
Gynecologist Eve Ashby,
DO
Neurologist Charles
Shissias, MD
Cardiologists Shannon Shook, MD,
and Stuart Smalheiser, MD
Internists Carl Derrick, MD, Nicholas
Dardes, DO, and Robert Parrick, DO
FALL 2014 3

Maybe baby
Thinking about getting pregnant? Before
you go shopping for maternity clothes,
make an appointment with your OB-GYN
for a preconception checkup. Your doctor
will go over your current health and medi-
cal history, make sure you’re up to date
on immunizations and review the medica-
tions you’re taking to weed out any that
could be dangerous during pregnancy.
During the visit, your practitioner also
should discuss diet, weight and exercise,
and may recommend a multivitamin to
get your body ready for pregnancy as
well as folic acid supplements to reduce
your chances of having a baby with
birth defects.
The recommended dose is 400 micro-
grams of folic acid a day for at least one
month before you conceive and during
your first trimester.
ColleCted Wisdom
APPOINTMENTS
Need an OB-GYN?
To make an appointment
with any of the four board-
certified physicians at the new
Beaufort Memorial Obstetrics
& Gynecology Specialists, call
843-522-7820. The office is in
Suite 210 of Beaufort Medical
Plaza, 989 Ribaut Road.
now what
do I do?You read the baby books, took the parenting classes and bought all
the essential gear. But now that you’ve brought your little bundle of
joy home from the hospital, you feel totally unprepared.
No need to panic. It’s normal for first-time moms to feel anxiety
once they leave the safety of the maternity wing. In addition to your
being exhausted from the delivery, postpartum hormones are surging
through your body, kicking up your stress level.
Just because your baby cries doesn’t mean you’re doing anything
wrong. Crying is how babies tell you they need to be fed or burped,
have their diaper changed or be rocked to sleep. In time you will learn
your baby’s cues, and motherhood will become second nature.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed in those first few weeks, bring in rein-
forcements. Don’t be afraid to ask a family member or a friend to help
you whip up a meal or throw in a load of laundry.
When you finally get a quiet moment to yourself, take a bubble
bath, indulge in a good book or just close your eyes and catch a few
of those much-needed ZZZs.
PHOTOBYTHINksTOCk
FALL 20144

DaDDy
Duty
Once relegated to pacing
the maternity waiting room,
today’s dads are no longer
the cigar-smoking bystand-
ers of the Father Knows Best
generation. Most men play
an important role from the
moment the pregnancy test
comes back positive, attend-
ing prenatal appointments
and childbirth classes and
coaching their partner during
labor and delivery.
While moms may take
charge of most of the pre-
birth nesting, dads can help,
too. They can paint the baby’s
room, assemble furniture and
properly install the car seat.
After the baby comes home,
the father can change diapers,
prepare formula and help with
bathing. Parenting classes
offer instruction on all these
practical skills.
Taking care of a baby can
be exhausting, leaving both
mom and dad with little time
or energy to even think about
going out on a date night. But
your relationship doesn’t have
to suffer during those early
months. Cuddling, kissing,
nuzzling or a simple touch can
help you maintain intimacy
with your partner.
And make a point to say
“I love you” at least once a day.
GrandparentinG
dos and don’ts
You’ve waited so long for the
big day. Eager as you are to bond
with your new grandchild, you
don’t want to become that over-
bearing in-law.
It’s important to give the
baby’s parents time to adjust to
the demands of a newborn, espe-
cially in those first few weeks.
Frequent visits can be disruptive
and make it difficult for them to
develop a routine.
There is no set standard for
child-rearing, so be careful about
offering advice or opinions
unless asked directly. Respect
the parents’ wishes and follow
their rules. It’s their turn to be
the parents.
During your visits, ask if you
can help by running errands,
making a meal or cleaning up.
If the new parents look like they
could use a rest, offer to take
care of the baby while they nap.
Make yourself a welcome
guest, and you’ll be welcomed
over often.
GettinG in
shape for BaBy
Do you want a boy or a girl?
Whatever their preference, mothers-to-be will tell you they want
a healthy baby first and foremost.
One of the best ways to ensure your newborn is in the pink is
to enter pregnancy fit and healthy. To get you on track, Beaufort
Memorial’s LifeFit Wellness Center offers a series of programs
designed for women before, during and after pregnancy.
Studies show that women who are a healthy weight get pregnant
more easily than those who are underweight or overweight. A strong
body also provides the optimal environment for your growing baby.
And building muscle will aid in the challenges of delivery.
After you’ve given birth, a regular exercise program and healthy
diet will boost your energy level to help you keep up with your
soon-to-be toddler.
CLASS
Fit for Motherhood
LifeFit Wellness Center’s perinatal programs include
discounted membership, dietary evaluation with
a registered nutritionist and discounted personal/
buddy training and small-group training. For more
information, call 843-522-5635 or email mdeagan@
bmhsc.org.
bythe
numbers
15
25%The odds oF
beComing
pregnanT in any
given monTh
107The number oF
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25.1average age
oF FirsT-Time
moThers
1,620number oF
babies born
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PHOTOBYTHInkSTOCk
FALL 2014 5

Out Of the White COat
Fastand
Furious
Christopher Benson, MD
Christopher Benson, MD,
was a resident at William
Beaumont Army Medical
Center in El Paso, Texas, when he com-
pleted his first marathon. He went on
to run five more of the 26.2-mile endur-
ance races.
And then he kicked it into high gear.
The OB-GYN added swimming and
cycling to his athletic repertoire and
began competing in Half Ironman tri-
athlons. He upped his game again,
completing three Ironman events—an
endurance race requiring participants to
swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and run a
full marathon—without taking a break.
In his 40s, Benson took up adventure
racing with fellow OB-GYN Gregory
Miller, MD. A multiday, nonstop event,
it combines orienteering, cross-country
running and hiking, mountain biking, pad-
dling, climbing and rappelling. Working
with three or four partners, teams must
navigate through remote wilderness
areas with only a map to guide them to
specified checkpoints.
“I like taking on new challenges to
encourage me to get in the best shape
I can,” Benson says. “If I’m always signing
up for a race, then I’m constantly train-
ing. It keeps the pressure on.”
Before moving to Beaufort this spring,
Benson lived in Rock Hill and was a
regular at the Giordana Velodrome, a
250-meter banked bicycle racing track.
Longtime OB-GYN
partners share passion
for adventure racing
CALL
Dr. Christopher Benson is
a board-certified OB-GYN
with Beaufort Memorial
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Specialists. He can be
reached at 843-522-7820.
His training schedule also included swim-
ming, running and playing basketball at
5:30 a.m. three days a week.
“As part of my OB-GYN practice,
I focus on health, fitness and weight
loss,” says the father of three. “It’s one
thing to talk to your patients about
living a healthy lifestyle; it’s another to
walk the walk.”
Now settled in his new home,
Benson has begun cycling around the
Lowcountry with his wife, Laurie, and
their 13-year-old son, Connor.
His latest challenge? Road racing.
“Cycling is something I can do with my
son,” Benson says. So far this year, the
two have competed in eight category-5
road races. But unlike his son, the father
has yet to win or place in the races.
Let the challenge begin!
FALL 20146

Miller’s first adventure contest was in
the mountains of West Virginia. During
the course of the event, it hailed and
snowed. His next race in Colorado
required him to rock climb and rappel—
activities he had never tried.
CALL
Dr. Gregory Miller is a
board-certified OB-GYN
with Beaufort Memorial
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Specialists. He can be
reached at 843-522-7820.
“I had a subtle fear of heights, so it
was a challenge,” he says. “Now, I really
enjoy it.”
Operating on little sleep while keep-
ing an intense pace takes a toll on the
mind as well as the body.
“It’s not unusual to hallucinate,”
Miller says. “On one race, I saw lions
and bears.”
To stay in top form, Miller works
out every day either at the gym or
outdoors. In addition to adventure
races, he plays competitive ten-
nis and participates in triathlons and
Ironman competitions.
“When I get out there, I’m not sure
I can do it,” Miller says. “But there’s a
thrill that comes with pushing yourself.
It’s when I feel most alive.” I
Gregory Miller, MD
As vacations go, traveling
420 miles in three and a
half days might not seem an
arduous itinerary—unless you’re hiking,
biking or canoeing every mile of it.
OB-GYN Gregory Miller, MD, and
three friends—among them practice
partner Christopher Benson, MD—
made the grueling trek in Wyoming
last summer as part of the Cowboy
Tough Expedition Race. To complete
the course, they had to keep moving
16 to 24 hours a day in 100-degree heat,
finding their own way through rugged
backcountry terrain to reach required
destination points.
“It’s more about distance and endur-
ance than racing,” Miller says. “On the
first day, we started at 8 a.m. and didn’t
stop until 5:30 the next morning. We
slept for an hour and then started up
again. It’s sort of like being on call as
an OB-GYN.”
Miller, who is married to his college
sweetheart, Alison, has been partici-
pating in adventure racing for a dozen
years. In the last few years, he has been
taking part in multiday events.
“We’re usually the oldest competitors
out there,” says the 51-year-old father of
four. “Fifty percent of the people don’t
even finish the race.”
FALL 2014 7

We’re not the Cleavers anymore, but
we can still plan family time together.
Riding bikes, tossing around a football—
anything that gets you moving is great.
And the exercise will help you sleep
better so you’ll be mentally sharp the
next day. A lack of sleep deteriorates
brain function.
Q
How can I make dinnertime
family time again?
For starters, leave the digital
devices in another room when you’re
eating. Your kids shouldn’t be texting,
they should be talking. Dinnertime is
when they have a chance to tell you
about their day and how they’re doing
in school.
Try to have a sit-down meal with the
whole family at least once a week. It’s
more of an effort to make dinner than
to run through the drive-in at Chick-
fil-A. If both parents are working, you
may need to get creative.
Have the children pitch in. If they’re
old enough, assign them a night when
it’s their turn to prepare dinner. It gives
them a little responsibility and teaches
them what it will be like to be the head
of a household.
Craig Floyd, MD, is a board-certified
family medicine specialist with Beaufort
Memorial Lowcountry Medical Group.
He can be reached at 843-770-0404. n
HealtHy InsIgHts
Everyone knows eating well and exercising will help
keep your family healthy. But BMH family medicine
specialist Craig Floyd, MD, says it’s just as important to
focus on your family’s emotional health and reduce the
stress that comes with today’s hectic culture
AllforoneAnd
oneforAll
Q
How does today’s fast-paced
lifestyle affect our family’s
health?
It’s becoming more and more of an
issue. We’re running constantly, and that
can create a lot of stress and anxiety for
the whole family. I’m seeing an increased
number of adults and kids who are
burned out.
Busy as we are, we have to make
family time a priority. All that chaos has
an impact on our children. Studies have
shown that kids with strong family bonds
are less likely to have behavior problems.
If you don’t make a conscious effort
to slow things down, the rat race will run
your life. You have to be willing to say no
to some things.
Q
What can parents do to cre-
ate a strong family unit?
Family vacations, involvement in
your church and recreational activities
can bring a family together. It’s not just
mom here and dad there and the kids
flying everywhere. You’re participating
as a group. It’s the old cliché: “A family
that plays together stays together.”
Craig Floyd, MD
FAmIlYpHoToBYTHInkSToCk
FALL 20148

photobysuperstock
Family
Issue
The
9FALL 2014
Which of the following situations
is most likely to occur?
A Your spouse makes a
colonoscopy appoint-
ment and marks it on
the calendar with a
happy face.
B Your elderly father goes
shopping for yoga pants.
C Your teenager comes in
from a party, sits next
to you on the sofa and
says, “Let’s talk!”
D Your dog learns
Portuguese.
If you answered “D,”
you’re in good company.
But while husbands who
love screenings, elderly
parents who embrace
exercise, and teens eager
to share their social lives
may not be common-
place, there’s no reason
to give up on your family’s
well-being.
The articles in this special
section are full of practical
tips and hands-on advice
to help your family get
healthy and happy.
The GreaT american
Family Tuneup

mily
When ROBIN ROBERTS faced a serious health
scare—for a second time—the prognosis was difficult.
Leaning on family and friends for strength, support
and a lifesaving procedure, she vowed to beat it.
And she has. BY LESLIE PEPPER
MAINPHOTOBYMELANIEDUNEA/CPISYNDICATION;SECONDARYPHOTOBYBIRDIETHOMPSON/ADMEDIA/RETNA
FALL 2014 11
A
n anniversary is special. But
when Robin Roberts blew out
the single candle on a red vel-
vet cake in late summer 2013,
the celebration was particularly joyful.
The year before, the Good Morning
America anchor had been diagnosed
with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS),
a rare blood disease she developed as
a result of chemotherapy treatments
for breast cancer in 2008. MDS is a
condition in which bone marrow is
not populated with suﬃcient healthy
blood cells. Shortly after her diagnosis,
Roberts left her anchor chair to begin
treatment, which included a bone mar-
row transplant.
The cake marked the one-year anni-
versary of that lifesaving procedure.
It Takes a
Family
As she wrote in
her GMA blog:
“Unlike my ﬁrst
birthday—which of course
I don’t remember—this
time around I know I will
never forget all the people
who have reached out to me
over the past year. Your words
of encouragement, smiling faces, and
prayers have carried me through the
toughest times. I know that I would
not have made it to this milestone
without you.”
Roberts, now 53, got more than
just smiles from those around her. It
was her older sister, Sally-Ann, who
donated bone marrow for the transplant.
Roberts was extremely lucky. Bone mar-
row donors are scarce, particularly for
African-American women.
Nowadays,
Sally-Ann
and Robin
share more
than a great
smile.

photobyMelanieDunea/CpiSynDiCation
Roberts also received plenty of sup-
port from her Good Morning America
family. She announced her illness on-
air, colleagues by her side and a box of
Kleenex Velcroed to the couch. Her fel-
low anchors not only rallied around her
when she revealed her diagnosis but also
supported her when she was off the air.
When Roberts took a leave of absence,
ABC News said there would be no
ongoing replacement. Instead, Barbara
Walters, Diane Sawyer, Katie Couric
and Kelly Ripa offered to tag-team.
“We have so many people who love
Robin so much that everyone is willing
to come and join us for a bit,” said Good
Morning America executive producer
Tom Cibrowski.
Build Your Team
When you’ve been given a life-threatening
diagnosis, support from friends and fam-
ily is important. “People dealing with
serious illnesses are better able to man-
age the emotional impact when receiving
little kindnesses from family and friends,
and peers who have dealt with similar
issues,” says William Penzer, PhD, author
of How to Cope Better When Someone You
Love Has Cancer.
“There is pretty solid evidence that
companionship … improve[s] survival
rates for patients with many types
of illness,” adds Elizabeth Chabner
Thompson, MD, founder of BFFL
Co. (“Best Friends for Life”), which
designs products to help patients
recover from breast and prostate cancer
surgeries, among other procedures.
But it’s not always easy to get the
right support. If you’re the family care-
taker, it is difficult to ask for help or
accept the attention being focused on
you. A few lessons from Roberts:
When you need it, reach out
for help—even if it feels awkward. As
Sally-Ann Roberts told Parade, “I was
really surprised at how difficult it was
for her to be the one in need.” Robin
was used to being the caretaker in her
family. “I’m always the mother hen and
I always want to take charge,” she has
said. But the Roberts family relished the
opportunity to give something back.
Chabner Thompson recommends
asking specifically for things you
need. “If you leave it up to [others],
you’ll have five lasagnas and no milk in
the refrigerator.”
Spread the wealth. If you feel bad
about putting the burden on one person,
ask several people to help. One friend
can drive you to appointments, another
can pick up your medication, a cousin
can just sit and watch television with you
when you’re too tired to do anything else.
The Basics of
Bone
Marrow
Donation
Each year nearly 20,000
people could benefit from a
potentially lifesaving bone
marrow transplant. If you’re
thinking about donating,
here’s what to expect.
3During the procedure,
called bone marrow harvest,
doctors use a special needle
to withdraw the liquid mar-
row from both sides of the
back of the pelvic bone.
3You’ll be under anesthe-
sia and won’t be aware of
the procedure, which usually
takes an hour or two.
3The incisions are so small,
you won’t need stitches.
3Afterward, you’ll go to
the recovery room to be
monitored. Most donors
go home the same day or
the next morning.
3Although you may
have soreness or bruising
in the hip and lower back,
most donors return to their
regular schedule within a
few days.
FALL 201412

Friends in need
What do you say to a friend who’s seriously ill? How can you make a
relative’s recovery easier? Here are seven tips for bringing comfort—
and even joy—to the people you love.
3PreP for the worst
She may look very different,
but don’t express shock or go
on about her appearance. Give
her a hug and say, “It’s great
to see you.”
3Be Positive But
Prudent Instead of say-
ing, “You’ll be just fine,” which
implies you’re dismissing your
friend’s fears, acknowledge the
situation. “I know this must be
hard for you.”
3stay flexiBle If your
friend has to cancel a visit, don’t
make her feel guilty. Expect
the unexpected when a friend
is going through treatment.
3Branch out Every con-
versation doesn’t have to center
on illness. Ask about your friend’s
golf game or whether she saw
the latest episode of Downton
Abbey. People going through
treatment need to take a break
from it every once in a while.
3resist the urge to
share Sure, your mother
or step-cousin Lulu may have
had cancer. But everyone’s
experience is different, and
even the most well-intentioned
anecdotes can make the
other person question her
own choices.
3Make an offer she
can’t refuse Instead of ask-
ing how you can help, tell her
what you’ll do. “I’ll take Maddy
to dance class today” or “I’m
dropping off a frozen casserole
tonight.” Don’t give her the
opportunity to say no.
3Just do it! Don’t let the
idea of perfection stop you.
Whatever you do—whether
emailing a kitten video or mak-
ing dinner—will be appreciated.
There’s also a role for email friends,
whether they’re former work colleagues
or people you know primarily through
Facebook. They may be the perfect ear
for times when you need to talk (or
type) things through.
spread the word. Anyone diagnosed
with a serious illness will do a lot of
research on the topic. Don’t hesitate to
share your findings with your family
and friends. They may dig even deeper.
When Roberts told her good friends
Sawyer and GMA medical correspondent
Richard Besser, MD, about her diagnosis,
the trio began calling specialists. “We
were like a little tiger team, the three
of us,” Besser told Parade. “People won-
dered, why is Diane in Rich’s office with
the door closed?” Besser and Roberts
interviewed doctors together; he checked
out the medical angle while she sought
an emotional comfort level.
avoid emotional vampires. Even
well-intentioned friends may head
down the wrong path while trying to
be supportive. It grates when someone
compares his or her medical situation
to yours. It’s up to you to step in and
say, “I know diabetes has been difficult
for you, but today I’d really appreciate
it if we could focus on me.” If that’s not
possible, it’s OK to step away.
surround yourself with people
with whom you can be genuine.
When you’re unhappy, disappointed,
angry or confused about your disease,
you should be free to express your feel-
ings. “Don’t be afraid to let people know
that you’re tired or anxious or in pain,”
Chabner Thompson says. “If you’re
grumpy, they won’t blame you, they’ll
blame the illness.”
For Roberts, making it through her
ordeal has left her with nothing but grat-
itude toward her siblings, her friends,
her medical team and her fans.
Last year, a fan tweeted this question
to Robin: “What comforted you most?”
Robin tweeted back, “Faith, family
and friends.” ■
FALL 2014 13
Take Care
Battling cancer can take
a toll on your mind and
body. While you’re going
through treatment, be good
to yourself. BMH Women’s
Imaging Center Nurse
Navigator Amy Hane offers
these suggestions:
• Join a support group.
“No one knows better what
you’re going through than
someone who has walked
in your shoes,” Hane says.
“Don’t feel guilty that you’re
taking time away from your
family or work. Consider it
part of your treatment.”
• Indulge yourself. If you
feel like ice cream before
dinner, go for it. It’s impor-
tant to eat what you can
when you can.
• Take a stroll. “You might
think exercising would induce
fatigue, but it actually com-
bats it,” Hane says. “I recom-
mend walking for 30 minutes
four days a week.”
• Rest when needed. Your
body is working hard to heal
itself. And power naps can
boost your energy.
website
Be a Bone
Marrow Match
To learn more about bone
marrow donation and to
sign up to be a donor, visit
www.bethematch.org/
support-the-cause/donate-
bone-marrow today.

Love
eAT,
PLAY,
How to help your partner (and you)
stay healthy, happy and strong
by stephanie r. conner
THE BIG STORY
FALL 201414

photobysuperstock
FALL 2014 15

photobythinkstock
Lighten Up
The good news, says Jim White,
a registered dietitian nutrition-
ist and an Academy of Nutrition
and Dietetics spokesman, is that
most fast-food restaurants offer
more healthy options than ever
before. For example, many have
light menus with items under
500 calories. Some chains are
using healthier cooking oils, and
others are going beyond french
fries for sides by also offering
whole fruits and vegetables.
Perhaps most important, large
chain restaurants are required
to publish their nutritional infor-
mation. This way, you can make
an informed decision about what
you’re putting in your mouth.
“If it’s not visible, ask the
place to see the nutrition facts,”
White says.
A juicy Big Mac with fries. Nachos Supreme.
3 Cheese Stuffed Crust Pizza. Yep, those menu
items are right up his alley. You know, man food.
But while it may make him happy at dinnertime, fast food
sure isn’t doing his waistline any favors. And if he has a
chronic illness like diabetes or heart disease, it’s causing
even more harm. That’s because a lot of fast-food options
are loaded with calories, fat, salt and sugar.
Fast Food
For date
Night
EAT
FALL 201416

Do All the
Numbers
When you’re looking at nutri-
tional values, a lot of numbers
matter, White says.
“Pay attention to the big
picture—not just the calories,”
he says. “Look at protein, fat
and cholesterol. … And sugar
is one of the big things that
people need to watch. I always
advise looking for less than
10 grams of sugar unless it’s
fruit or dairy.”
Fast food in particular, he
says, is laden with fat. If you
concentrate on foods with
5 grams of fat or less (and
preferably less than 3 grams
of saturated fat), you may
cut out a lot of menu items, but
you’ll eat a healthier dinner.
While most of us could
stand to cut back on salt, it’s
especially important for people
who have high blood pressure,
White says. Whether you eat at
a sit-down restaurant or visit
the drive-thru, sodium counts
probably will be high, which is
one reason dining out should
be the exception rather than
the rule. When you are out,
focus on foods that have less
sodium (such as whole fruits
and vegetables), and don’t
add salt to your meal.
Suss Out
That salad
As you’re cruising out for a
quick dinner, don’t fall into
the trap of assuming a salad
is the healthiest option.
“Some of these salads can
be over 1,000 calories,” White
says. Extra, and avoidable, calo-
ries and fat lurk in add-ons like
cheese, bacon bits and crou-
tons. Creamy salad dressings
can also pack a caloric punch.
White recommends oil and vin-
egar or a vegetable-based salad
dressing, such as one that uses
avocado as its base, instead of
fatty dressings like ranch or
blue cheese.
Another way to up the nutri-
tional value of your fast-food
picks, White says, is to choose
whole-grain breads over white
bread (there’s more fiber and
vitamins) or sweet potatoes
over white potatoes.
Fast-Food Faves
When you’re deciding where to
snag that Friday evening meal,
consider establishments offer-
ing healthy choices that also
satisfy that fast-food urge.
Chipotle lets you choose
grilled chicken, beans and
brown rice for your meal (skip
the sour cream and cheese!).
Chick-fil-A offers grilled
chicken options in wraps, salads
and sandwiches.
Subway (which recently
removed a controversial chemi-
cal from its bread) has several
sandwiches with under 6 grams
of fat, and you can add all the
vegetable toppings that can fit.
“Nothing is better than eat-
ing a fresh meal made at home,”
White says. “But people are
busy and have to stop at these
places from time to time.”
Fast food might not be ideal,
but it’s a part of life.
5
LOOK
FOR
FOODS
WITH
gramS
OF SUgar
(OR LESS)
gramS
OF FaT
(OR LESS)
LOOK FOr
WHOLE
vEgETabLES
anD FrUITS,
anD
LEavE THE
SaLTSHaKEr
On THE
TabLE
10
LESS
SODIUM
FALL 2014 17
KicK
the can
If you want to see calo-
ries add up in a hurry,
add a soda to your meal.
A 12-ounce cola will tack
on 140 calories—and
39 grams of sugar and
zero nutrients!
Pair your meal with
water or unsweetened
iced tea or coffee instead,
says Jim White, a regis-
tered dietitian nutrition-
ist and an Academy of
Nutrition and Dietetics
spokesman. Another
good option, he says,
is skim milk.
If you crave some-
thing fruity, check the
nutritional information
on juices. Eating the
actual fruit is always
better than drinking
the juice, White says,
and the juices offered
at most fast-food joints
are processed, high-
sugar, high-calorie
drinks with little nutri-
tional value. Unless
you find low-sugar or
fresh-squeezed options,
skip them.
website
Trading Down
To learn some easy—and tasty—ways to reduce the fat, sugar and
salt in your diet and pack in extra nutrients, check out the health
article “4 Simple Swaps” at www.bmhsc.org/lessfat.

10 Simple StepS to a
Happier
Heart
Undertaking major lifestyle changes
to improve your heart health—quitting your
job, losing 40 pounds—can seem daunting, if not
impossible. But these 10 baby steps are easy to embrace
and share, so both you and your partner can make your
hearts a little happier.
PLAY
photobystocksy
FALL 201418

1Plant a Petunia. According
to Nieca Goldberg, MD, a
spokeswoman for the American
Heart Association’s Go Red campaign,
“Gardening is considered a moderate
aerobic activity. Raking leaves is even
considered a more vigorous activity.”
Riding on a lawn mower? Not so much.
2Phone a friend. Friendships
and social support can help
reduce stress and improve heart
health. Having someone to talk to is
great; even better is having someone
join you for a healthy meal or a sweat
session. Health-conscious friends can
be great motivators.
3Veg out. On your plate, that
is. To simplify healthy eating,
Goldberg says, always start your
meal by filling half your plate with
fresh vegetables. This helps you load
up on vitamins and nutrients as well
as heart-healthy (and cancer-fighting)
antioxidants.
4Shake uP your dreSSing.
Goldberg, author of The Women’s
Healthy Heart Program, says she
always makes her own salad dressing,
using olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard
and pepper. It’s a great way to add flavor
without too many fatty calories.
5
hug harley. Owning a
pet, especially a dog, helps
your heart stay healthy for
several reasons. A dog can
motivate you to be more active and take
walks; snuggling a pet can help lower
stress; and the likelihood of high blood
pressure, high cholesterol and obesity
all tend to be lower in pet owners.
6SiP a Syrah. The antioxidants
in red wine have heart-health
value, as long as you don’t drink
more than one glass of red wine daily
for women and two for men. If you’re
not a drinker, this is not an incentive to
start. “You could also drink grape juice,”
Goldberg says. “The [grape] skin has
the antioxidant benefit.”
7Pare your to-do liSt. This,
according to Goldberg, is one
simple way to reduce stress and
improve your heart health. Cut out tasks
that aren’t essential or enjoyable.
8hit the Sack. “The reason
we’re concerned about sleep,”
Goldberg says, “is that if you
lack enough sleep, there is an increase
in stress hormones, which is associated
with higher blood pressure.” Aim for
seven to nine hours of shut-eye a night.
9uPgrade your grainS.
White flour and processed
grains aren’t doing your heart
any favors. Look for whole grains
instead, Goldberg says. “Quinoa is
a better option than spaghetti,” she
advises. Quinoa, steel-cut oatmeal,
whole-wheat pasta and brown rice are
superior to white bread, pasta and rice.
10chomP dark choco-
late. Though experts say
more research is needed
to confirm their true benefits, cocoa
flavanols have been shown to help lower
blood pressure and reduce the risk of
heart disease. Look for chocolate with at
least 65 percent cocoa and try to avoid
processed milk chocolate candy, which is
full of sugar and fat and is low on flava-
nols. “A small amount of dark chocolate
is better than a lot of milk chocolate,”
Goldberg says.
FALL 2014 19
Walk
aWay
your
Worries
Fall’s cool weather makes
it a perfect time to get off
the couch and get walk-
ing. Along with the physi-
cal benefits, exercising
helps reduce stress.
“You want to start
off slowly so your body
can adjust to the physi-
cal activity,” says Hollie
Fersner, an exercise physi-
ologist at BMH’s LifeFit
Wellness Center. “If you
build up your stamina
and endurance over time,
your heart doesn’t have
to work as hard.”
To keep things inter-
esting, try walking some
of the Lowcountry’s
many beautiful trails,
like Hunting Island State
Park’s 1.4-mile Lagoon
Access Recreation Trail
and Spanish Moss Trail’s
3.3-mile paved pathway
in the heart of northern
Beaufort County.
CLASS
Kick the Habit
If nicotine patches and gum haven’t
cured you of your cigarette habit,
enroll in Freedom from Smoking,
a seven-week smoking cessation
program developed by the American
Lung Association. For information
on the next session, contact Dixie
Slichter at 843-522-5570.

photobysuperstock
Three LiTTLe Words:
Get Your
ScreeninG
It’s no secret that men are likelier than women to engage in
risky behaviors. And one of the riskiest is skipping health screenings.
In fact, a recent survey showed that three times more women than men had
seen a doctor in the previous year. And that’s not all: About a quarter of
men said that if they had health concerns, they would wait as long as possible
before seeing a doctor. Good thing that fella of yours has a partner.
LOVE
FALL 201420

A
ccording to Steven Jonas, MD, an expert in preventive medicine
and co-author of Help Your Man Get Healthy: An Essential Guide
for Every Caring Woman, the key to motivating your partner to
improve his health, from eating better to scheduling appoint-
ments, is taking things one step at a time. “The goal is never perfection,”
he says. “We can never be perfect. We can always get better.”
Jonas advises that you focus on providing support, and lay off the guilt.
“Guilt trips on people do not work,” he says. “They automatically set up
negative interactions.”
Instead, help your partner recognize the benefits of health screenings.
For example, detecting disease early increases his chances of living a long,
healthy life—and that means more time for family, friends, hobbies and
work he enjoys. Here are three key screenings men need and simple things
you can say to get your man into that waiting room.
Blood
Pressure
The American Heart
Association recom-
mends blood pressure
tests at least every
two years starting at
age 20. If your partner
is seeing his primary
care physician every
year or so, this mea-
surement is a routine
part of the exam.
Benefits: High
blood pressure has
no obvious outward
signs, so testing is
key. Left uncontrolled,
it can lead to heart
disease, heart attack,
stroke, kidney damage
and more.
Get him GoinG:
It’s easy, painless and
gives him a chance to
show off his biceps.
Cholesterol
It’s recommended that
people 20 and older
have a cholesterol
test at least every five
years. If your man has
high cholesterol or
other risk factors for
heart disease, his doc-
tor may recommend
more frequent testing.
Benefits: Testing
is essential because a
high cholesterol level,
a major risk for heart
disease, typically
doesn’t come with
noticeable symptoms.
Get him GoinG:
Cholesterol testing is
an efficiency expert’s
dream: The blood test
takes little time and
can screen for diabetes
and other conditions
as well. As long as
everything checks out
OK, he won’t have to
go back for a few years.
Colonoscopy
This screening for
colon cancer is rec-
ommended every
10 years starting at
age 50. During the pro-
cedure, which takes
20 to 60 minutes, a
small tube is inserted
into the rectum. The
tube contains a light
and a camera, allow-
ing the doctor to view
the colon.
Benefits: A colonos-
copy can find growths,
called polyps, on your
colon before they
become cancer. The
doctor can remove
them during the pro-
cedure, saving you
from cancer treatment
down the road.
Get him GoinG:
Aside from the SAT,
it’s the test you’ll
take least frequently
over a lifetime; done
under sedation, you
won’t feel or remem-
ber a thing. You can
schedule his-and-hers
screenings for the
same day if that
makes your partner
more at ease. If he’s
still opposed to a test,
let him know that
other screenings are
available. ■
FALL 2014 21
Word to the Guys
Enough with the male-bashing. While women are statistically
better at getting regular screenings than men, nobody’s per-
fect. If your partner hasn’t had a mammogram, a Pap test or a
heart-health screening recently, help motivate her to schedule
a doctor’s appointment.
“Partnership is very important,” says Steven Jonas, MD, an
expert in preventive medicine and co-author of Help Your Man
Get Healthy: An Essential Guide for Every Caring Woman. From
cooking healthy meals to exercising together, you’re a team.
If child care is a concern, offer to take a day off from work to
watch the kids. Or, if she’s apprehensive, go with her and sit in
the waiting room. Find out what she needs to feel better about
going to the doctor, and offer to step in.
APPOINTMENTS
Don’t Delay
Another Day
Beaufort Memorial Obstetrics &
Gynecology Specialists, located in
Suite 210 of the Beaufort Medical
Plaza, offers two key screenings
for women—clinical breast exams
and the Pap test used to detect
cancer of the cervix. To make an
appointment, call 843-522-7820.

Walking into a
gym, which can
be intimidating at
any age, is doubly
tough when you’re
older. But walking
into your living
room? Piece of
cake. Try these
easy exercises—
your bones will
thank you.
BY JODI HELMER
EXERCISES
EASY
4 2XWEEK
F
or longtime AARP members, the idea of
starting a weight-lifting program might
sound alarming. What if you fall? What if
you hurt yourself? But, in fact, strength
training can prevent both those situations. Lifting
weights helps build muscle strength, prevent fractures,
improve balance and maintain bone density while
reducing symptoms of arthritis, diabetes, osteoporosis
and depression.
Jacque Ratliff, an exercise physiologist and a spokes-
woman for the American Council on Exercise, rec-
ognizes that the idea of hitting the weight room may
intimidate some older adults. She suggests working
with a personal trainer or joining group exercise classes
for seniors that incorporate strength training. (Call
your local Y, community center, or parks and recre-
ation department to see what low- or no-cost classes
are available.)
To build confidence and stamina before picking up
the weights, Ratliff has created an in-home strength-
training program incorporating four simple exercises
that you can try twice a week to start. Ready? Let’s go!
HOME
FALL 201422

PHOTOBYTHINKSTOCK
FALL 2014 23
STRONG
SENIOR

1 Chest PressThis exercise helps firm the shoulders and chest,
increasing upper-body strength that is essential for carrying
groceries or picking up grandchildren. Working these muscles
also helps in an emergency, like getting back up after a fall.
You will need a lightweight resistance band, a stretchy elastic
band that makes your muscles work harder. Individual resis-
tance bands, available at sporting goods stores and online, are
usually under $10.
WHAT YOU NEED: ChaIR, RESISTaNCE BaND
1 Sit on a chair with a resis-
tance band stretched
across the back of the
chair and one handle in
each hand. (The band
should be taut; adjust
your grip as necessary.)
2 Hold the handles with
palms facing downward
and elbows flexed at
90 degrees.
3 Exhale, straighten the
arms and press both
hands forward to meet
each other in front of
the chest.
4 In a slow, controlled
movement, return to
the starting point.
5 Do one to three sets
of four to eight
repetitions.
2 steP-uPsThis move works the glutes,
quadriceps, hamstrings and calves to help
with balance, which makes navigating
uneven surfaces easier. For additional
support, use a handrail. If your home
doesn’t have a staircase, use a low, sturdy
platform like an aerobic stepper.
WHAT YOU NEED: STaIRS
1 Stand at the bottom of a staircase and
place your hands on your hips and your
right foot on the first step (don’t let the
heels or toes hang off).
2 Keeping your bent knee in line with your
foot, push through the ball of your right
foot, until you’re standing squarely on
the first step, legs next to each other.
3 Repeat on the left side.
4 Do one to three sets of four to eight
repetitions.
FALL 201424

3 Trunk
roTaTionsThis simple exercise works the oblique muscles (side
abdominals) and trunk stabilizers, which improve posture
and core strength and can help reduce chronic backache. To
increase the intensity (and work your triceps), hold a 3- to
5-pound weight in each hand.
WHAT YOU NEED: CHAIR
1 In a seated position, with
your back straight, bring
your fists together in front
of your chest, with arms at
shoulder height and elbows
pointed to each side.
2 Rotate from your waist to
the left side, pointing your
left elbow toward the back
of the room while keeping
your knees facing forward.
3 Return to starting position
and rotate from your waist
to the right side.
4 Do one to three sets of four
to eight repetitions.
Body WeighT
squaTThis move uses body weight to build muscles in the glutes (rear),
quadriceps (front of thighs), hamstrings and calves while improv-
ing balance and core strength. If you have balance issues, keep one
hand on the back of a chair.
WHAT YOU NEED: notHIng
1 Stand with your feet
shoulder-width apart, toes
pointed outward slightly.
2 Hold your arms in front,
slightly bent, to help with
balance.
3 While keeping your back
straight and chest high,
squat as if you were trying
to sit on a chair placed a
foot behind you.
4 Once you’ve reached a com-
fortable level while keeping
your heels on the ground,
stand back up—keep your
weight on your heels and
don’t lean forward.
5 Do one to three sets of four
to eight repetitions. ■
4
FALL 2014 25
ILLUSTRATIONSBYMCKIBILLO
A Touch of
clAss
Want to work out with a group but
worry you won’t be able to keep up?
Try one of the morning fitness classes
at Beaufort Memorial’s LifeFit Wellness
Center. The selection of lower-intensity,
lower-impact sessions includes a
weight training/cardio combo, tai chi
and chair yoga.
“Using a chair allows individuals with
mobility issues to get the benefits of
yoga without having to get on the floor,”
says LifeFit Wellness Services Manager
Kimberly Yawn.
For more information, visit www.
bmhsc.org.
APPOINTMENTS
Ready to Roll?
LifeFit Wellness Center’s personal trainers
can get you started on an exercise pro-
gram designed to fit your health needs.
To schedule a session, call 843-522-5635
or email hsmith@bmhsc.org.

GirlWe can’t explain why last year’s skinny
jeans are suddenly lame, but when
it comes to your teenage daughter’s
health concerns, here’s some
insight By AlissA M. EdwArds
PHOTObysTOcksy
“There are a million rules for being a girl. There
are a million things you have to do to get
through each day. High school has things that can
trip you up, ruin you, people say one thing and
mean another, and you have to know all the rules,
you have to know what you can and can’t do.”
In The Unwritten Rule, Elizabeth Scott captures the angst of high school. In addition
to dealing with the pressure of grades and sports and the confusion of a digital social
scene, teenage girls also cope with the hormonal ups and downs of a changing body.
“Many teenagers don’t feel comfortable talking to their parents about some of the
more embarrassing aspects of being a teen, like puberty, sexuality and bullying,” says
Cara Natterson, MD, a pediatrician and the author of The Care and Keeping of You 2:
The Body Book for Older Girls.
We gathered questions from a group of teenagers and asked Natterson for her
advice. Read on to learn what questions the teen in your life might have, then use
this article to start a conversation. >
FALL 201426

photobystocksy
Q
“My friend has lost a lot of
weight. She steals her mom’s
diet pills and throws her lunch
away at school. Should I say
something to her? She seems to be a
lot happier than when she was heavy.”
—Jennifer, age 17
“This is bigger than a friend giving
another friend advice,” Natterson says.
“Your friend may be struggling with
an eating disorder, and you don’t have
the expertise to help her in the way she
really needs—and that’s an extreme
burden for you.”
While some people who are anorexic
report feeling a temporary high that
results from having control over their
body, eating disorders are ultimately
accompanied by depression, fatigue and
a host of health problems. In extreme
cases, an eating disorder can lead to
death. Natterson reaffirms, “This could
be a serious medical issue, and it’s really
important to share your concerns with
a trusted adult, like a parent [yours or
hers], a guidance counselor or a teacher
at school.”
Q
“Most of my friends have gotten
their period, but I still haven’t.
And I still fit into a training bra.
Is there something wrong with
me?”—Sara, age 13
“Absolutely not! The average age for get-
ting your period is 12 to 13, but it’s com-
pletely normal to get it as early as 9 or as
late as 16,” Natterson says. “There’s no
‘normal’ age to begin developing or to
start your period. It’s a really broad range.
“You’re probably just a late bloomer;
give it time. But if you are concerned
because you feel like you are way
behind your friends in terms of your
development, ask your mother to make
an appointment with your doctor.”
These six questions
cover some of the
topics that trouble
teens the most.
Remember, you don’t
have to have all the
answers. An open mind
and the willingness to
talk are your best tools.
FALL 2014 29
website
Say No to
Cyberbullying
Tweets, texts and emails
have made it easy for bul-
lies to inflict emotional pain
on their victims. For tips on
protecting your teen from
online attacks, read the
short health article “Stop
Cyberbullying” on Beaufort
Memorial’s website. Go to
www.bmhsc.org/stopit.
Gardasil is the brand name of a
vaccine that protects against four
types of the sexually transmit-
ted human papillomavirus (HPV),
including two that cause about
75 percent of cervical cancer
cases. The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention recom-
mends Gardasil vaccinations for
girls and boys before they become
sexually active. So why wouldn’t
you OK it for your child?
Media reports about the vac-
cine’s occasional side effects,
such as headache and nausea, may
give you pause. BMH pediatrician
Karen Keane, DO, of Sea Island
Pediatrics says there’s nothing
to fear. “The side effects from
Gardasil are no more or less than
what you have with any other vac-
cine,” she says.
The CDC recommends the vac-
cination for girls and boys at age
11 or 12 so immunity can be devel-
oped. (And if you feel your child is
the appropriate age, this may be
a good time to open the discus-
sion about sexual activity you’ve
been avoiding.)
“It’s a really good vaccine,”
says Keane, who has inoculated
all three of her children. “For girls,
it potentially reduces the risk of
cervical and other genital cancers
later in life. For boys, it reduces
their risk of rectal, anal and
oral cancers.”
The hPV Vaccine:
Should Your
child GeT iT?

says. “Whether you realize it or not, your
friend is asking for help and needs you
to do the right thing—and that means
telling a parent [yours or hers] or a guid-
ance counselor who can give her the help
she really needs.
“She won’t be in trouble for needing
help, but she could be in serious trouble
if she doesn’t get the help she needs.”
Q
“Sometimes I smoke a
cigarette when I go to a party.
I just smoke one or two—I
really don’t like it. That can’t
hurt me, right?” —Kayla, age 14
“Even smoking a little is unhealthy,
but the more serious problem is that
cigarettes are addictive—once you
start, it’s very hard to kick the habit,”
Natterson says. Think of it this way:
Nobody addicted to nicotine started by
smoking an entire pack. “Respect your
body and treat it well by choosing not
to smoke—ever.” ■
Q
“I don’t go to parties because
I don’t drink, but I’m tired of
missing out. What should I do?”
—Kelly, age 17
At the risk of sounding like a parent,
start by congratulating yourself on
making a smart choice. “When it seems
as though everyone around you is par-
taking, choosing to steer clear of alco-
hol isn’t easy. But as a teenager, your
brain is not fully developed. Adding
alcohol to the mix can result in really
poor judgments,” Natterson says.
“That said, you can also attend par-
ties and not drink. One smart tactic
would be to offer to be the designated
driver, which can help keep your friends
safe, too.”
Q
“I have a friend who cuts her-
self. I don’t want to get her in
trouble, but I don’t want her
to hurt herself either. What
should I do?” —Diana, age 15
“You may feel like you can handle this
on your own, but you can’t,” Natterson
Q
“I get pimples on my back and
I’m embarrassed to wear any-
thing that shows them, which is
really tough in summer. I don’t
even want to go to the beach this year.”
—Megan, age 15
According to Natterson, “Acne can be
embarrassing, but most teens have
it someplace. Shower daily and wash
the affected area with a gentle soap
or cleanser.” (Buy a brush with a long
handle specifically meant for the job.)
“Don’t try to scratch them off, because
when you pick, they can scar.
“If the pimples feel really out of con-
trol, talk to your pediatrician as well.
He or she can suggest other treatments
that can help, including prescription
medications, creams and cleansers. And
it helps to know that acne usually gets
better with age.”
Teens: Then & now
the challenges facing today’s teens sure look
different from those their parents coped with
30 years ago. here, we compare common
problems of the mid-1980s with those today.
Partying
Back in the day: troublemaking
teens raided their parents’ liquor cabinet.
now: today’s risk-taking kids comb
medicine cabinets for everything from
antianxiety medications to prescription pain
pills and bring them to “pharm parties.”
what to do: besides talking with
your teen about the danger of prescription
drugs, lock medicines in a secure place. keep
a medicine inventory chart, and dispose of
unused pills and liquids safely.
Bullying
Back in the day: hand-passed
notes and being shoved into a locker were
school-day hazards.
now: In addition to the face-to-face
drama, bullying happens electronically
through social media. It’s estimated that
more than half of adolescents and teens
have been bullied online—yet only one
in 10 will tell a parent, according to
bullyingstatistics.org.
what to do: Most kids won’t ask
you for help, but if you think something
is wrong—for instance, your child keeps
avoiding the bus or becomes upset when
reading text messages—start
a conversation.
PornograPhy
Back in the day: Exposure to sex
was mostly limited to MtV videos and
stolen copies of Playboy passed around
on the bus.
now: technology gives kids access
to pornography like never before.
sexting—sending sexually explicit text
messages and photographs—starts as
early as middle school.
what to do: Again, an honest
conversation is your best weapon. keep
computers in family areas, monitor
which sites your kids visit, and if your
browser allows, set parental controls.
FALL 201430

WANT MORE HEALTHY IDEAS? Check out our winter issue, focusing on food and nutrition.
5
7
9 PHOTOSBYTHINKSTOCK
FALL 201432
10
THE QUICK LIST
2
Teens navigate
a world that
comes with
eating disorders, self-
cutting and drinking.
Be aware and listen.
1
Nagging won’t get your
partner to the doctor.
Promising to meet up
for lunch afterward might.
Have a friend who’s
sick? Stop by for cof-
fee. Companionship
helps in recovering
from serious illness.
4
If your mother has a straight-
back chair and a staircase, she
can start building muscle.
10
Tell your Type A
spouse that a cho-
lesterol test is the
world’s most eﬃcient way to
spend 10 minutes.
A large fast-food
cheeseburger and
small fries contain
three-quarters of
the recommended
daily calories for a
moderately active
adult woman and
135 percent of rec-
ommended daily
saturated fat.
8
Think twice before
hiring a gardener. Yard
work such as raking
leaves counts as exercise.
The perfect
date-night
dinner: tons of
veggies, a glass
of red wine and
dark chocolate.
3
Family pets are good
for your heart. Adopt
a dog.
6
Be strict about
bedtime.
Insuﬃcient
sleep increases
stress hormones.
TAKEAWAYS FOR
YOUR FAMILY

Sandra Baggette in her art studio.
At the Women’s
ImagIng Center,
keeping patients
informed and
expediting diagnostic
testing help reduce
the anxiety
that comes with
an abnormal
mammogram
Oh,
What a
Relief
it is
FALL 2014 33

family history of breast cancer, she has
made sure to get a screening mammo-
gram every year.
It had always come back clear until
about 15 years ago, when the X-ray
revealed a possible abnormality.
“I had to go in for two mammograms
and saw the doctor twice before I found
out it was nothing,” Baggette says. She
waited a week to get the results.
Same-Day Results
Last summer, she had another cancer
scare.
The professional artist and master
gardener had put off her yearly screen-
ing to prepare her yard for the Beaufort
Garden Club’s “Garden-a-Day” tour.
“I was working really hard on the
garden and didn’t make my annual
mammogram in the spring when I
normally do it,” she says. “But I knew
enough not to slough it off for too long.”
In July, she made an appointment
for the screening at Beaufort Memorial
Hospital’s Women’s Imaging Center.
“I wasn’t worried about it,” Baggette
recalls. “I expected it to be fine.”
At the Women’s Imaging Center, an
on-site radiologist reviews every X-ray
as soon as it is taken, enabling the
mammography facility to offer same-
day results.
Once the screening is completed,
patients are asked to stay in their gown
in a private waiting room while the
radiologist checks their digital images.
Baggette was casually reading a maga-
zine when mammographer Melissa
a biopsy and ultimately a complete
hysterectomy, in large part because of
inconclusive biopsy results.
“There was no choice,” she says. “At
that time [it was 1978] you just did it.”
It wasn’t till six anxiety-filled weeks
after the surgery that Baggette learned
no abnormalities had been found in her
other organs.
“I am truly thankful for the advances
in medicine today,” she says.
The experience taught her to be her
own advocate and keep up with preven-
tive healthcare. Although she has no
M
ost women would be
rattled by a suspicious
finding on their rou-
tine mammogram. Not
Sandra Baggette.
“I have learned to just deal with what
I have to deal with,” says Baggette, a
73-year-old Port Royal resident. “It’s
important to address the problem.”
The mother of four and wife of a
retired Marine colonel has enjoyed the
challenge of 21 moves over the course of
her husband’s 30 years in the military.
But at age 38, she faced one of the
most difficult times in her life. The day
before she was getting ready to move
the family from Virginia to California,
Baggette learned she had a gynecologic
dysplasia, an abnormal growth of pre-
cancerous cells.
On the heels of the October move
came appointment delays, the holidays,
The speed of the process, from the initial
mammogram to diagnosis, went a long
way toward reducing her anxiety. “I didn’t
have time to imagine the worst,” she says.
Diagnosing Disease
You’ve had your biopsy, and now there’s nothing left to do but wait
and worry until the doctor calls you with the results. To ease patients’
angst, Beaufort Memorial pathologists have made it a top priority to
deliver a diagnosis as quickly as possible.
“We’re very sensitive to the timeliness of the process,” says BMH
pathologist Brad Collins, MD. “It’s much easier on the patient from an
emotional standpoint if we move things along quickly.”
Results typically are available within 24 hours of the biopsy. If there
is any uncertainty about the diagnosis, the pathologist will seek a sec-
ond opinion from a colleague. This is necessary in only a small number
of cases.
“The pathology report is what drives the rest of the process,” Collins
says. “It lays the road map for staging and treatment if the result is
cancer, so ensuring the accuracy of those reports is critical.”
As part of its affiliation with Duke, BMH regularly submits a sam-
pling of cases to the prestigious university medical center’s pathology
department to be analyzed for accuracy. Since the evaluation process
began eight years ago, the hospital’s pathology services have been
so highly rated that the frequency of the reviews has been cut from
monthly to quarterly.
FALL 201434

“It was unnerving,” Baggette says,
“but the technician was fantastic. She
held my hand and rubbed my back
and told me everything the doctor
was doing. It was very comforting to
have her there explaining what was
going on.”
Pearce received the results a day later.
Because it was a Friday, he asked Brown
to call Baggette immediately so she
wouldn’t have to go through the week-
end worrying about the outcome. The
biopsy was negative. He met with her
the following Tuesday to go over the
findings in more detail.
“It was as nice an experience as it can
be,” Baggette says. “It’s unpleasant, but
necessary for your health.”
The speed of the process, from the
initial mammogram to diagnosis, went
a long way toward reducing her anxi-
ety. “I didn’t have time to imagine the
worst,” she says.
She was equally impressed by the pro-
fessionalism and compassion of the staff.
“Everyone at the Women’s Imaging
Center, from nurses walking down the
hall to the receptionist, made a point
to stop and ask me if I was all right,”
Baggette says. “It makes you feel better
to be among people who empathize with
what you’re going through and really
care about your well-being.” n
determine the nature of the abnormal-
ity,” Baggette says. “If it was cancer,
I felt like they had found it early and it
could be treated successfully.”
Crisis Averted
Baggette was examined by BMH general
surgeon Tim Pearce, MD, and two days
later was scheduled for the biopsy.
During the procedure, the patient
lies facedown on a special table with an
opening for the breast to be examined.
The doctor raises the table and the
biopsy is performed from underneath.
Taylor asked her to return to the exam
room to get additional views of one area
of her left breast.
“She didn’t make me feel apprehen-
sive,” Baggette says. “I thought it was
going to be like the other time and there
would be nothing to it.”
But when the technician returned
with the results, she told Baggette they
had found something suspicious on the
X-ray and she would need to see BMH
Nurse Navigator Jackie Brown.
“Jackie told me they needed to
perform a stereotactic core biopsy to
APPOINTMENTS
Ready, Set, Dial!
Due for your annual mam-
mogram? Call 843-522-5015
to make an appointment at
the Women’s Imaging Center
in Beaufort or Bluffton
Medical Services in Westbury
Park. You’ll get your results
the same day at both
locations.
Baggette is grateful for the staff at the Women’s Imaging Center.
FALL 2014 35

Robot-
assisted
laparoscopic
surgery offers
early-stage
prostate
cancer patient
long-term
results
Beating
the
Odds
FALL 201436

H
ugh Davis never gave much
thought to his prostate.
The walnut-shaped gland—
known to wreak havoc on
the lives of men 40 and older—hadn’t
caused him any trouble.
But when two of his siblings began
developing prostate issues, he decided
not to take any chances. Every six
months without fail, Davis went to his
urologist for a PSA screening, a simple
blood test used to look for signs of
prostate cancer in men.
“My brothers’ prostate issues
made me more diligent about getting
checked,” Davis says. “I started to get
tested regularly just to be sure.”
Davis was in his mid-40s when he
began having the twice-a-year screen-
ings. It was all good until the spring
of 2013, when his PSA level came back
higher than normal. A biopsy confirmed
he had cancer.
“I knew there was a slight chance
I could develop cancer because of my
family history,” the 69-year-old retired
Beaufort attorney says. “But I had
no symptoms. It was a shock to hear
the words.”
The Surgical Option
In its early stage, prostate cancer is
usually asymptomatic. According to
the American Cancer Society, it’s
most often discovered during rou-
tine screenings.
APPOINTMENTS
Michael Staley, MD, and John
Adams, MD, see patients at
Coastal Carolina Urology
Group, 1055 Ribaut Road.
Staley also offers appointments
at Beaufort Memorial Bluffton
Medical Services. Call 843-524-
7607 to schedule a visit.
Davis had more tests, including an
MRI and a bone scan, to determine
whether cancer cells had spread to other
parts of his body. The results showed
the cancer was confined to the prostate.
His urologist, John Adams, MD,
offered Davis three treatment options—
surgery, radiation or cryotherapy, which
involves freezing and killing the cancer
cells. All three treatments can cause
impotence or urinary problems, or both.
“To me, impotence was not as high a
priority,” Davis says. “I was most con-
cerned with the possibility of recurrence.”
Prostate surgery, also known as a
radical prostatectomy, is frequently
used to treat localized prostate cancer,
particularly for men with a life expec-
tancy of more than 10 years. Surgically
removing the entire prostate eradicates
the cancer and reduces the chances it
will come back.
But Davis was reluctant to have open
surgery—the traditional approach to
prostatectomy. In this operation, the
surgeon removes the prostate and some
of the tissue around it through a single
long incision in the pubic area.
“A friend had it done several years
ago, and I recall him being in extreme
pain,” Davis says. “I didn’t want to go
through that.”
Cutting-Edge Treatment
Adams recommended Davis meet
with fellow BMH urologist Michael
Staley, MD, the only physician
in Beaufort County performing
robot-assisted laparoscopic prostate
cancer surgery.
“Robotic surgery appealed to me
because it offered the best chance of
getting rid of the cancer totally with
minimal side effects,” Davis says. “If it
hadn’t been available, I probably would
have gone with radiation therapy or the
freezing treatment.”
Because Davis was in good health
and in his 60s, he was a candidate for
the procedure.
“In terms of cancer outcomes and
the risk of incontinence and impotence,
both open and robotic-assisted surger-
ies are comparable,” Staley says. “Where
laparoscopic surgery really shines is in
the recovery—it’s faster and easier.”
Using the advanced da Vinci Si
Surgical System, the prostate can be
removed through several small incisions
in the abdomen, resulting in less blood
loss and postoperative pain. Patients
are discharged from the hospital the
day after surgery and need a catheter for
one week. In comparison, open surgery
requires a two- to three-day hospital stay
and two to three weeks with a catheter.
Men can return to their regular activi-
ties in 10 days, compared with four to
six weeks with the open approach.
Davis chose to have the surgery last
fall. Since then, his PSA levels have been
undetectable, indicating the prostate
cancer is gone.
“I feel I made the right decision,” he
says. “Now that it’s behind me, I don’t
have to worry anymore.” n
To TesT or NoT To TesT
Despite the ongoing controversy over the benefits of routine PSA screenings, pros-
tate cancer continues to be the second most common cause of cancer deaths in
men in the United States. One man in six will get prostate cancer during his lifetime,
and not all prostate cancers behave in the same way.
Most urologists still recommend PSA testing for patients 55 to 69, especially
African-American men, who are nearly 1.6 times more likely to be diagnosed
with prostate cancer than Caucasian men and 2.4 times more likely to die from
the disease.
FALL 2014 37

The unexpected and fright-
ening diagnosis of breast
cancer: something almost
every woman fears. For Elly Levin, this
unforgettable day in her life came in
2007. A kind and mild-mannered person
on the outside, Elly gathered her internal
forces, assumed her dignified posture,
curtsied and joined the dance of the
breast cancer patients.
Today, she looks back on that time not
only as life changing, but also as a positive
experience for which she will forever be
grateful. She remembers the caring and
peaceful environment of the Beaufort
Memorial Keyserling Cancer Center,
and recalls by name the many doctors,
nurses, technicians and volunteers who
were always reassuring and efficient.
“Every person I encountered was
remarkable,” says Elly. “Everyone was
respectful and gave me great confi-
dence and hope.”
Elly’s treatments were successful and
her recovery from breast cancer has
been smooth. And, she says, the impact
of her experience stays with her every
day in a good way. Facing her own
mortality helped her come to better
appreciate what is good in life, includ-
ing good health. She feels grateful for
the care she received at the Keyserling
Cancer Center and for the friendships
she made with other cancer patients
along the way. Her interest in health—
and in being part of a network that
supports healthcare here in our com-
munity—began to make more sense
than ever before.
TakingnoThingforgranTed
Elly and Arthur Levin’s story of a special gift
Foundation-Building
A Charitable
Gift Annuity,
like the one
the Levins
invested in,
supports
the BMH
Foundation
and also gives
them added
income.
FALL 201438

Soon after Elly’s diagnosis, and
unaware of it, the Beaufort Memorial
Hospital Foundation invited her hus-
band, Arthur, to join its board of
trustees. Arthur recalls that while he
had been a modest supporter of the
Foundation, the invitation—and his
wife’s circumstances—increased the
Beaufort native’s awareness of “the
incredible strides” Beaufort Memorial
had made in his lifetime.
“Also,” he says, “I saw strong, car-
ing leadership at the top of Beaufort
Memorial, and I knew this was the time
for me to commit.”
Arthur currently serves on the BMH
Foundation board as secretary and a
BMH Foundation CGa Rates
Age Rate 5-YR
Deferred Rate
10-Yr
Deferred Rate
15-Yr
Deferred Rate
55 4.00 4.69 5.51 6.46
60 4.40 5.16 6.06 7.11
65 4.70 5.52 6.47 7.59
70 5.10 5.98 7.02
75 5.80 6.81
80 6.80
85 7.80
90+ 9.00
These single-life rates are estimates based on hypothetical assumptions. Different rates for
two-life CGA.
How a CGa witH tHe
BMH Foundation woRks
1. YOU GIVE $5,000 or more.
2. YOU RECEIVE FIXED-AMOUNT PAYMENTS beginning now or later, for
as long as you live, plus an immediate tax deduction. Current rates range from
4 to 9 percent, depending on your age.
3. YOUR GIFT KEEPS GIVING as the remainder is invested in the BMHF
Endowment, benefiting Beaufort Memorial Hospital for generations to come.
3Charitable Gifts Annuities are simple to establish.
Call Alice Moss at 843-522-5722 or email amoss@bmhsc.org.
“We saw it as a great
way to make a gift and
still generate income
for ourselves if and
when we need it.”
—Arthur Levin
committee chair. When the Foundation’s
planned giving offerings were expanded,
Arthur took particular note of the
Charitable Gift Annuity, a type of gift he
had knowledge of through his work in
the financial services field.
After discussing how they could dem-
onstrate their commitment to Beaufort
Memorial with a special gift, Arthur
and Elly decided on the Charitable Gift
Annuity (CGA).
“We saw it as a great way to make
a gift and still generate income for
ourselves if and when we need it,”
says Arthur.
Still very active in his career, Arthur
chose a Deferred CGA, which delays
the income scheduled to come to him,
but increases what that amount will be.
Meanwhile, Elly is receiving quarterly
checks.
“I want to enjoy this extra income
now,” she says happily. “After all, life is
short! But more importantly, it has felt
good to give back. I honestly feel blessed
to have our hospital and the Keyserling
Cancer Center right here in Beaufort.” ■
FALL 2014 39

As an advocate for our hospital, the
Beaufort Memorial Hospital Foundation
reaches out to neighborhoods and com-
munities throughout Beaufort County.
Thanks to BMH Foundation supporters
eager to help spread the word about
the hospital’s good works, we have had
growing success in this endeavor.
Events have been held at Callawassie,
Dataw, Fripp, Habersham, Oldfield,
Spring Island and Beaufort’s Old Point,
all with the goal of making friends and
sharing information about the excellent
services and programs available right
here at our community’s only not-for-
profit hospital. Services covered include
cardiology, women’s health, emergency
care, cancer care and wellness.
Whether held in a community center
or in our hosts’ living rooms, these out-
reach events are helping newcomers to
the Lowcountry and others learn about
their healthcare options and about the
unique partnership Beaufort Memorial
has developed with the communities
it serves.
For example, the Keyserling Cancer
Center first opened its doors in 2006
largely thanks to the generous gifts of
hundreds of community supporters.
Without them, the center as we know
it today quite literally would not exist.
Since the center’s opening, the Dataw
and Fripp communities have each orga-
nized their own fundraiser tournaments
generating more than $275,000 for,
and raising awareness of, our cancer
services. Other “grass-roots” walks
and fundraisers by other communities
and organizations have added to the
resources available to help keep our
cancer program strong and accessible
to everyone as well.
Guests at these outreach events have
the opportunity to talk with hospital
leaders and learn about the enhance-
ments to hospital programs and services
the BMH Foundation makes possible
through its annual support. They hear
about the Foundation’s commitment to
the hospital’s future through a growing
endowment. They see how the commu-
nity’s involvement makes the community
healthier and ensures top-notch health-
care services for them and their families.
As the hospital’s services continue to
expand throughout the Lowcountry, the
friendships we are making along the way
are continuing to deepen and grow. It is
through these friendships that the part-
nership between Beaufort Memorial and
the community is strengthened. n
FriendsMaking
Friends
BMH Foundation supporters spread the good word
about the hospital’s excellence
Foundation-Building
Gynecologist Pat
Thompson, MD, shares
her knowledge of new
surgical technologies
in use at BMH.
Since the center’s opening, the Dataw and Fripp
communities have each organized their own fundraiser
tournaments generating more than $275,000 for, and
raising awareness of, our cancer services.
FALL 201440

mainphotobygetty;secondaryphotobythinkstock
THISJUSTINGood-for-you news, cues and reviews
Good News,
Bad News
in people older than 50, colon can-
cer rates have dropped 30 percent
in the last decade, according to a
recent report in the journal CA. While
the decrease is attributed primarily
to increased screenings, the same
report finds that 30 percent of the
population age 50 to 75 still hasn’t
been screened. if you’re in the latter
group, put down this magazine, pick
up your phone, and call your doctor
to discuss which test is right for you.
Top FiTness
Trends
(Zumba? noT so much)
A study from the American College of Sports Medicine indicates
that the year’s big trends in fitness are tried-and-true workouts
that produce results. The top two:
1
HigH-inTenSiTy inTervAl TrAining. On a stationary
bike, for example, that means alternating one minute of
intense uphill pedaling with two minutes of easy cruising.
2
BOdy-weigHT TrAining. Pushups, squats, lunges and
planks are four exercises that don’t require a lick of equip-
ment and can be done almost anywhere.
ANdTodUSkWe
SHAllReTURN
For many people in the U.S., the
end of daylight saving time nov. 2
means the start of a dark eve-
ning commute. Pedestrians and
schoolchildren need to be extra
vigilant: Stay on sidewalks, cross
at traffic lights and don’t text
while walking.
App
Managing Meds
Making life a little easier,
rxmindMe is a prescription
app (free in iTunes) that
sends a nudge when it’s
time to take a pill and even
prompts you to reorder.
FALL 2014 41

APP
Pocket Eye Test
The Vision Test app measures
your vision acuity anytime,
anyplace—fail a test and it’s
time to see your eye doctor.
Free for iPhone and iPad.
CATvs.
DOGSPONGING
UP THE STING
CAT
THISJUSTINGOOD-FOR-YOU NEWS, CUES AND REVIEWS
PHOTOSBYTHINKSTOCK
FALL 201442
ANSWER: A DOG
Although cat and dog owners
both have healthier reactions to
stress than nonowners, people
with dogs significantly increase
their recreational walking and
are better able to meet recom-
mended levels of physical activity,
the American Heart Association
says in a scientific statement.
Imagine (just briefly) being bitten by a
poisonous snake. You receive a dose of
a “nanosponge” vaccine, which absorbs
the venom in your bloodstream and saves
your life. A venom- and toxin-fighting
nanosponge has produced results in mice,
and may one day be used to neutralize
bacterial infections such as MRSA and
E. coli in humans, envision researchers at
the University of California, San Diego.
Just don’t look for nanosponges next to
a kitchen sink. The particles are smaller
than a red blood cell.
Which pet is more likely
to lower your risk for
heart disease?
What kitchen sponges do
for spills, nanosponges
may do to battle toxins
in blood.

PHOTOOFWOMANBYSUPERSTOCK;SOAPBOTTLEPHOTOBYTHINKSTOCK
HELP YOUR HEART:
12 MINUTES A DAY
If you typically find yourself sporting a bigger belly after
the holidays, start logging at least 80 minutes a week
of aerobic exercise or resistance training. Even if you
don’t lose many pounds, you’re likely to lose visceral
fat, which lies in the abdominal cavity under your belly
muscles and surrounds vital organs. The more belly fat
you have, the greater your risk for developing type 2
diabetes and heart disease. Stick with that exercise level,
and you’ll keep from regaining belly fat up to a year later,
a University of Alabama at Birmingham study suggests.
Food allergies
among children
younger than
18 increased
50% from 1997
to 2011.
The frequency
with which
someone in the
U.S. goes to
an emergency
room because of
a food allergy.
ALARMING
ALLERGIES
50%
MINUTES
3
FALL 2014 43
TRUEORFALSE
Antibacterial cleansers are your
best weapon against flu.
FALSE Besides getting a flu shot and keeping your
hands away from your face, becoming friendly with good
old soap and water is the best way to stay healthy this
season. There’s no proof that antibacterial cleansers are
more effective at preventing illness than washing with
soap and water, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
says. And some research suggests that long-term
exposure to certain active ingredients in antibacterial
products (triclosan in liquid soaps and triclocarban
in bar soaps) may cause bacterial resistance or hor-
monal effects.
The number
of foods that
account
for 90% of
all reactions.
They are milk,
eggs, peanuts,
tree nuts, soy,
wheat, fish
and shellfish.
Sources: Centers
for Disease
Control and
Prevention;
Food Allergy
Research &
Education
8
Protein Bars:
Buyer
Beware
They’ve become the go-to food
to throw in your backpack or
purse when you don’t have time
to scramble eggs in the morning
or stop for lunch. Protein bars are
a good fill-in for the occasional
skipped meal. But choose wisely,
says BMH registered dietitian
Kim Edwards. Go with a protein
bar containing about 10 grams
of protein, less than 15 grams of
sugar and less than 4 grams of fat.
“If you’re replacing a meal, pick
a bar with no more than 350 calo-
ries,” Edwards says. “If it’s serving
as a snack, it should be less than
200 calories.”
Take a TesT
Health Quiz
Are you at risk for
developing cardiovas-
cular disease, diabetes
or cancer? Go to www.
bmhsc.org and click
“Health Resources”
to take our health
assessment.

photobysuperstock
THE TRUTH BY JO OSTGARDEN
If you’ve Googled “flu shot
problems,” or have spent any
time on social media during flu
season, you likely have run across rumors
about the influenza vaccine. some raise
eyebrows—others raise fears.
For insight, we went right to the
source—the centers for Disease control
and prevention. experts at the cDc track,
collect, compile and analyze influenza
activity year-round. Michael Jhung, MD,
an influenza division spokesman, helps
separate fact from fiction:
Do I need a new shot every year? Will
it make me sick? Can I ask for the
nasal spray instead? Get informed.
Then get your flu shot.
FluShotS
the truth about
A flu shot can
save you a lot
of discomfort.
Not to mention
tissues.
FALL 201444

Trueorfalse:
I already had the flu, so I’m
protected against it for the
rest of the year.
False. “You may develop immunity
against the strain that infected you,”
Jhung explains, “but that’s no guarantee
that you’ll have immunity against other
flu strains circulating.” Also, keep in
mind that the flu shot’s immune protec-
tion declines over time. That’s why an
annual vaccination is needed to get the
best protection.
Trueorfalse:
Flu shots make you sick.
False. Some people experience
short-term side effects like stuffy nose,
low-grade fever, aches or fatigue, but
it may be your body beginning to build
antibodies against the flu. Another
possibility, Jhung says, is that you were
already coming down with a cold or
the flu when you got your shot—more
likely if you waited well into the season
to get vaccinated.
Trueorfalse:
The flu can be deadly.
True. Make no mistake, Jhung says,
influenza can be a serious disease, partic-
ularly among the young, the old and
people with chronic conditions such as
asthma, heart disease or diabetes. It
also can lead to serious complications or
death, even among otherwise healthy
children and adults. More than 200,000
people are hospitalized for flu-related
concerns annually.
Trueorfalse:
Flu shots are a roll of the dice.
There’s no way the drug com-
panies can predict whether a
vaccine will work for everyone.
False. Researchers track flu viruses
around the globe year-round to deter-
mine the most effective combination of
each vaccine for each coming flu season.
“No one vaccine is right for everyone,”
Jhung says. “Discuss it with your doctor.
Many factors play into the issue, includ-
ing your age, gender and health [pre-
existing conditions]. The important
thing, however, is to get your flu shot.”
Trueorfalse:
I’m 52. I hate needles, but my
doctor says I can’t get the
nasal mist vaccine because
I’m too old.
True. Some vaccines are intended
for specific age and health risk groups.
Trivalent (protecting against three
viruses) and quadrivalent (protecting
against four) nasal mists are currently
approved only for those ages 2 through
49, Jhung explains. Ask your doctor
about a new, less invasive “needle vac-
cine that only enters the skin, rather
than the muscle.” ■
FALL 2014 45
Is It a
Cold
or the
Flu?
If you have a cough
and a stuffed-up or
runny nose, chances
are you have a cold. Flu
symptoms are much
more severe and can
include fever, body
aches, exhaustion and
a dry cough that is
often intense.
“With the flu, you
have a quick onset of
symptoms,” says BMH
Infection Prevention
Coordinator Bev Yoder.
“It’s best to see a phy-
sician right away to
get you started on an
antiviral medication
like Tamiflu.”
You could be con-
tagious from five to
10 days, so be sure to
wash your hands often
and cough into your
sleeve to keep from
spreading the virus.
Your best chance at
avoiding the misery
is a flu shot. Yoder
recommends getting
vaccinated in early to
mid-October.
tool
Know Before
You Go
Check this nationwide
flu activity map for an
update before you travel:
http://1.usa.gov/1bfLoSv.

HEALTHY BUYS BY ALISSA M. EDWARDS
PLANETPINKWearing a ribbon pin that supports
breast cancer research is a fine
gesture, but this October, why not step
it up and splurge on rose-colored gear
that makes a real statement?
HEALTHY BUYSHEALTHY BUYS BY ALISSA M. EDWARDSBY ALISSA M. EDWARDS
FALL 201446
NESTFRAGRANCESPASSION
CANDLE(8OZ.)$28
Where: nestfragrances.com and
department stores and specialty
stores nationwide
What: A swoon-worthy rose-and-
sandalwood scent for romancing
your home
Why: 10 percent of proceeds goes
to the Breast Cancer Research
Foundation
SAGEGRACEFLYROD$495
Where: sageflyfish.com
and outdoor retailers
nationwide
What: Responsive and
comfortable-to-cast fishing
gear in iridescent pink
Why: $50 from each pur-
chase goes to Casting for
Recovery, a nonprofit orga-
nization “dedicated to giv-
ing women powerful tools
to overcome the challenges
of breast cancer”
APOLLOTOOLS
4-PIECEGARDEN
TOOLKIT$50
Where: apollotools.com
What: Practical and pretty
gardening tools in a sturdy
pink case
Why: 75 cents from each pur-
chase goes to the Breast Cancer
Research Foundation Cancer
Association

FALL 2014 47
ESTÉELAUDERLIMITED
EDITIONEVELYNLAUDER
DREAMCOMPACT
PLEASURESSOLID
PERFUME$50
Where: esteelauder.com
and Estée Lauder retailers
nationwide
What: Long-lasting
fragrance in a peppy,
portable case
Why: 100 percent
of proceeds goes to
the Breast Cancer
Research Fund
PUREMADNESS9-PIECE
TRUFFLECOLLECTION$27
Where:
puremadnesschocolate.com
What: Decadent layers of flavor
enrobed in silky chocolate
Why: $1 from every box of
truffles purchased during
October will go to the National
Breast Cancer Foundation
ASICSGT-10003PR
RUNNINGSHOES$100
Where: asicsamerica.com or fitness
retailers nationwide
What: Sneaks with gel-cushioning, a
sleek design and pink ribbon laces
Why: $2 from every pair sold goes
to Right Action for Women, actress
Christina Applegate’s charity
CUISINARTPOWERSELECT
7-SPEEDELECTRONICHAND
MIXER$60
Where: amazon.com and home
retailers nationwide
What: A must-have kitchen
tool in baby pink
Why: Cuisinart donates
$32,500 each year to the Breast
Cancer Research Foundation

HEALTHY BUYSHEALTHY BUYSHEALTHY BUYS
FALL 201448
GAIAMPINKRIBBONIIYOGAMAT$22
Where: amazon.com
What: A pretty, portable, nonslip yoga
mat in berry pink
Why: $1 from each purchase goes to
the Breast Cancer Research Foundation
UNDERARMOUR
WOMEN’SPOWERIN
PINKRACEV-NECK$30
Where: underarmour.
com/powerinpink and ﬁt-
ness retailers nationwide
What: A slim, athletic
cut with a customizable
message
Why: Under Armour
contributes a minimum
of $500,000 each year
to organizations that
support breast health
TWEEZERMANPRECISIONINPINKSLANTTWEEZER$22
Where: tweezerman.com and Tweezerman retailers nationwide
What: Superior tweezers in fresh pink with a bit of bling
Why: $1 from each purchase goes to Susan G. Komen for the Cure and other
breast cancer charities
AVONBREAST
CANCERCRUSADE
WATCH$20
Where: avon.com
or through Avon
representatives
What: A sporty, stylish
and durable timepiece
with a pop of hot pink
Why: 100 percent
of proceeds goes to
the Avon Foundation
Breast Cancer Crusade
Fergie, global
ambassador
for the Avon
Foundation for
Women, shows
how to work a
watch.

FALL 2014 49
ERINCONDRENPINKRIBBON
CONFETTIFOLDEDGREETING
CARDSET$28
Where: erincondren.com
What: A personalized and
stylish way to keep in touch
Why: 50 percent of purchase
price goes to The Hopeful Cure
SHEBYSO.CAP.USAPINKHAIRFOR
HOPEPINKHAIREXTENSIONS$10
Where: Participating salons nationwide
What: Give your do a pop of pink
without the commitment
Why: All proceeds are donated to
breast cancer charities
PHILOSOPHYSHOWER
FORTHECURESHAMPOO,
BATHANDSHOWERGEL
(16OZ.)$20
Where: philosophy.com
and Philosophy retailers
nationwide
What: Famous creamy
bath goodies in a delicate,
feminine scent
Why: All proceeds go
to the Women’s Cancer
Research Fund
Foundation
Funding
Thanks to generous gifts from
the community, Beaufort
Memorial Hospital Foundation
has provided more than
$1 million in funding for the
Women’s Imaging Center.
Technology for all of the facil-
ity’s screening and diagnostic
services, including digital
mammography, ultrasound and
stereotactic biopsy, was paid for
using Foundation grants.
The Foundation also covered
the cost of the center’s “healing
arts” furnishings and décor,
designed to calm patients and
relieve their stress, as well
as comfort packages given to
breast cancer surgical patients.
Most recently, Foundation
funding enabled the center to
offer tomosynthesis—cutting-
edge, three-dimensional
mammography—used to find
cancers early, when they are
most treatable.
“The community’s caring
touch is all over the Women’s
Imaging Center,” says Foundation
Executive Director Alice Moss.
GIVING
How to Help
Your gift to the BMH Foundation
helps strengthen hospital services
and improve community health.
To donate, visit www.bmhsc.org
and click on “Make a Gift.”

QUIZ by Jodi Helmer
FreakOutOr
ChillOut?
Test your health symptom smarts
with these five scenarios
If you’ve gone online to research
symptoms like headaches,
fatigue or stomach pains, you’re
not alone. A survey by the Pew Research
Center found that 72 percent of Internet
users have looked up health information
online. You’re probably part of another sig-
nificant group, as well: consumers who have
a hard time distinguishing whether symp-
toms are common health hitches or signs of
serious medical conditions.
Is falling asleep
at your desk a
sign of a rough
night’s sleep,
or is something
more serious
at stake?
PhotobYgettY
FALL 201450

Q
After a restless sleep, you strug-
gled to get out of bed this
morning and find it hard to stay
awake during the a.m. meeting. During
the afternoon commute, you dream
about skipping dinner, crawling under
the covers and calling it an early night.
is it: fatigue or hypersomnia?
Fatigue. Fatigue is a feeling of exhaus-
tion, common after a poor night of sleep,
that disappears when you get enough
rest. Hypersomnia is excessive day-
time sleepiness and chronic prolonged
nighttime sleeping (14 to 18 hours in
a 24-hour period). To combat fatigue,
follow a regular sleep schedule. If you’re
exhausted for more than two weeks,
it’s time to call the doctor.
Q
You’re eight months pregnant and
experiencing stomach cramps
that cause you to double over in
pain. Your stomach feels hard as a rock.
is it: labor or gas?
Labor. It can be hard to distinguish
contractions from gas, according to
Filer. Both can cause intense cramps
and appear or disappear in waves.
Contractions tend to cause pressure
and hardening of the abdomen. If
attempts to pass gas do not relieve the
cramps, call your doctor or head to the
hospital. “In this case, it’s better to err
on the side of caution,” Filer notes.
In this quiz, Wanda Filer, MD, a member of the board of directors for the American
Academy of Family Physicians, highlights five common health conditions with similar
symptoms and offers suggestions for how to react.
Q
You have red patches on your
nose and cheeks that get worse
after spending time in the sun.
You avoided acne breakouts as a teen.
Is it possible that, at age 50, your fair
complexion is pimple-prone?
is it: acne or rosacea?
rosacea. Stress can cause both acne
and rosacea flare-ups. But adult-onset
acne tends to produce the same embar-
rassing pimples that plague teenagers.
Rosacea, a chronic skin condition that
usually affects adults older than 30,
causes redness on the nose and cheeks.
The cause isn’t known. Book an appoint-
ment with a dermatologist to talk about
treatment options.
Q
At the supermarket, you felt light-
headed in the cereal aisle. You felt
better after sitting down for a few
minutes and drinking a bottle of water.
is it: vertigo or dizziness?
Dizziness. Vertigo tends to cause
the sensation that the room is spinning.
Dizziness causes a feeling of lightheaded-
ness. Vertigo is often genetic or related
to medical issues like ear infections.
Dehydration and anemia are common
causes of dizziness. If you feel better
after a small meal or a bottle of water,
dizziness was the most likely cause of
your lightheadedness. Regardless of the
cause, Filer notes, “if you lose conscious-
ness, see a doctor immediately.”
Q
After raking leaves all afternoon,
your lower back is throbbing.
The spasms are intense, but sitting
in certain positions provides some relief.
is it: sciatica or a pulled muscle?
a puLLeD muscLe. Both sciatica and
pulled (or strained) muscles can cause
intense back pain. But pain that is tied
to a specific activity and can be relieved,
at least temporarily, by finding a com-
fortable position is more likely to be
muscle-related. Sciatica, pain caused by
a pinched nerve, tends to start around
the buttock and extend through the
leg. Filer recommends over-the-counter
pain medication and ice or heat to treat
pulled muscles and sciatica. Both take
time to heal; if the pain persists for more
than several weeks, call your doctor. ■
app
get Health Help
on Your phone
Download the iTriage app
to find answers to ques-
tions about common symp-
toms, and the locations of
nearby medical facilities.
The free app also includes
average wait times for
local emergency rooms
and urgent care services
and phone numbers for
health hotlines.
FALL 2014 51

AT A GLANCE BY JO OSTGARDEN
Whipped
cream
1–5DAYS
Pumpkin,
nut and fruit
pies
2–4DAYS
Stuffing/
dressing
3–4DAYS
Turkey, ham
and roast beef
3–4DAYS
If prepared with an ultrapasteurized
cream, whipped cream will last up to a
month. If not, use within 1–5 days of
the sell date on the original carton
or container.
Cut turkey, ham
and roast beef
from the bone
before storing. If
a lot is left over,
divvy it into small
portions and place
each in a shallow
container. Store in
the refrigerator
3–4 days.
Bacteria can multiply quickly
in moist desserts, especially
those that contain dairy prod-
ucts. Your eyes and nose are
reliable instruments to tell
whether your pie has gone
bad. Cover, refrigerate and
eat within 2–4 days.
Don’t put stuffing inside the turkey
until immediately before you cook it,
Pitts says. As soon as the turkey is
finished cooking, transfer the stuff-
ing to a bowl. Better yet, cook the
dressing separately. Store in an
airtight container in the fridge
and eat within 3–4 days.
1day 2days 3days 4days
FESTIVE FACTS
ATALEOF
LEFTOVERS
Contaminated food causes an
estimated 48 million illnesses
and 3,000 deaths each year in
the U.S. Learn how to store
your holiday leftovers
Your crew has
pushed back from
the table with that
glazed, food-coma look. Some people
waddle to the living room as a few
helpful souls join you in the kitchen,
consolidating leftovers.
What happens next makes a huge
difference in whether you end up with
an uninvited guest, say, one that goes
by the name of salmonella or E. coli.
Dana Pitts, the lead spokeswoman
for the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention’s Division of Foodborne,
Waterborne and Environmental Diseases,
explains that harmful bacteria multiply in
the “danger zone” between 40 and 140
degrees. That’s why food safety experts
have devised a “two-hour rule” to remind
you to get food into the fridge as quickly
as possible.
That danger zone is a reason Pitts is a
fan of thermometers. Buy one to make
sure the refrigerator temp is 40 degrees
or lower. Use another to check that
cooked food reaches 140 degrees. I
HOWLONG
WILLITLAST?
FALL 201452

Beaufort Memorial Hospital Living Well- Fall 2014

Beaufort Memorial Hospital Living Well- Fall 2014

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