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The Imaging Department at Waldo County General Hospital has created a 2012 calendar in honor and memory of the hospital’s many breast cancer patients.
The calendar, titled “Standing Tall Against Breast Cancer,” features photographs of breast cancer survivors, those currently fighting the disease, and some who lost their battles. The patients range in age from early 20s to 86 years old.
There is a photograph of a mother and daughter who have both fought the disease; another with a young mother and her toddler; and yet another mother and daughter holding the picture of their husband and father who lost his battle with breast cancer. And there is a photograph of two cousins and their family members who shaved their heads or dyed their hair pink in support.
One survivor chose to have her picture taken on a stone creation she built to celebrate her victory over the dreaded disease; another group of women wanted to be photographed as a group to show how the disease does not discriminate between young and old and was survivable for them; and another young woman wanted to be with her students.
On the cover is a picture of a survivor. The picture shows her battle with breast cancer.
In the back of the calendar, at the request of the patients who were photographed, are pictures of many of the hospital employees who became support teams for those fighting breast cancer.
There is also a copy of a poem written by a woman who is currently fighting breast cancer. She says as the poison from chemotherapy enters her body, poetry flows out.
The calendars are for sale for $15 at the hospital and several area businesses. |
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I know that not everyone feels this way, but I personally love to attend and throw holiday parties. The holiday music twinkling in the background, those festive fashions, and time to visit with people you don’t see often — what’s not to love? Some might also think that a holiday party is not the place to highlight health. I beg to differ. What makes a party special is the people, the conversation, and the dancing (if you’re lucky) — not the high-cal desserts or greasy finger foods. It is possible to throw a healthy holiday party that will please most of your guests. (I say “most” because there are always a few people who are impossible to please, no matter what!) That said, here are my top 10 tips for throwing a healthy holiday party. Adopt as many as you like — the more the merrier! 1. Offer no- and lower-calorie drinks galore so your guests have lots of healthy options. Here are a few to try: * Holiday tea 2. Serve fruit and vegetable trays. For appetizers and dinner, I use the 50% rule: I try to cover 50% of the food table with fruit and vegetable dishes. Here are some winter options for your fruit and veggie arrays: * For fruit trays or fruit salads, try apple slices (spray with lemon juice to prevent browning), orange slices or wedges, melon cubes, grapes, canned pineapple, and cherry or grape tomatoes. 3. Keep dips and spreads as light as possible by substituting nonfat sour cream, light cream cheese, light or low-fat mayonnaise, and low-fat yogurt for the more caloric versions. 4. Look for ways to add beans to your dishes to beef up the fiber and plant protein, which will help your guests feel fuller faster. It’s easy to use beans in salads, casseroles, and appetizers. One of my favorites is a light 7-layer dip that features canned, nonfat refried beans. 5. Serve whole grains or whole-grain blends. You can use half whole-wheat flour in nut breads, muffins, and even cookie recipes. You can use whole-wheat blend pastas, whole grain crackers, and whole wheat (or whole wheat blend) dinner rolls. Check the ingredient list and the fiber grams on the nutrition information label for the rolls and crackers to make sure you are getting a product with at least half whole wheat and more fiber. 6. Serve lean meats and fish. There are lots of festive meat options that are lower in fat (and saturated fat) and high in protein. Try cooked shrimp served with cocktail sauce, roasted sliced turkey breast, lean ham, and sliced lean roast beef. Grilled or broiled salmon filet makes a great appetizer when served with whole-grain crackers. 7. Dish up lighter (or littler) desserts. Let’s be honest: it wouldn’t be a holiday party without holiday desserts. So make it easy for your guests. Serve light desserts when possible, and offer dessert trays with bite-size samples. When serving up desserts, think about portions that are two to four bites — just enough to taste and enjoy. Your guests can always have more! You can use cupcake papers to hold bite-sized portions (small-sized cookies and even cake or pie can be cut into petite portions). You can also use mini cupcake pans to make bite-sized cupcakes, cakes, brownies, and cheesecake. Also, keep dessert embellishments light when possible (try light vanilla ice cream, fat-free or lite Cool Whip, etc). 8. Encourage physical activity at the party. It depends on the type of party you’re having, but possibilities include:
9. Offer light condiments on the buffet. Try spicy mustard, light or low-fat mayo, barbecue sauce, cranberry sauce, fruit chutney, relishes, and so on. 10. Have an appetizer and dessert party or a dinner/buffet party instead of serving appetizers AND dinner AND dessert). When faced with too many food options, most people will eat too much. And while we’re at it, go ahead and banish candy dishes from the party. As long as you have other food on hand, you won’t need them. People can have candy any time of year. BONUS TIP: Have small plates out at your buffet or dessert/appetizer table to encourage people to serve themselves smaller portions. But I’m warning you, some people will still pile every possible morsel onto their small plate. I’ve seen people at a holiday reception stack dozens of cookies onto their small plates, creating a Christmas tree of cookies. |
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Waldo County General Hospital has a new Director of Nursing and Teri Young-Hise, MSB, RN-BC, of Camden, couldn’t be more enthusiastic about her new job.
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Waldo County General Hospital’s Journey to Health program won the Belfast Area Chamber of Commerce’s “Keeping Waldo County Healthy Leadership” award. The award was made at the chamber’s annual meeting at Point Lookout in October. |
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The Imaging Department at Waldo County General Hospital has created a 2012 calendar in honor and memory of the hospital’s many breast cancer patients.
 Cynthia Martell looks at a photograph of herself taken when she was battling breast cancer.
The calendar, titled “Standing Tall Against Breast Cancer,” features photographs of breast cancer survivors, those currently fighting the disease, and some who lost their battles. The patients range in age from early 20s to 86 years old. Read more… |
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Look Good…Feel Better is a free non-medical program that can be a powerful cancer treatment tool. Recently, Linda Nash of New Wave Salon helped five local cancer patients for an afternoon. Read more… |
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The annual Silver Tea, sponsored by the Waldo County General Hospital Aid, will be held on Wednesday, December 7, from 3-6 p.m. at the home of Vickie Tarbell at 35 High Street in Belfast. The public is invited to attend and enjoy the sandwiches and desserts served by Aid members. Read more… |
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The hospital’s pharmacy has moved to a new, larger space. Read more…
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 The oncology department at Waldo County General Hospital held its annual oncology walk and basket raffle in October. More than 250 walkers participated to show support for patients undergoing treatment for cancer; to honor cancer survivors; and to hold up the memories of those who lost their cancer fight. The oncology department at Waldo County General Hospital held its annual oncology walk and basket raffle in October. More than 250 walkers participated to show support for patients undergoing treatment for cancer; to honor cancer survivors; and to hold up the memories of those who lost their cancer fight. |
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 Terri McConnell, RN, accepts a check for the proceeds of the Belfast Ocean Waves' pink glove square dance for the hospital's oncology fund from Joseph Fabian. Fabian is the caller for the local square dance group that meets Wednesday nights (except the second Wednesday of the month) at the American Legion Hall in Belfast. For more information about the square dance calls, see Lois Dutch or Michael Barnes at the hospital or email squaredance@levisandlace.com. At left is Sue Drinkwater, RN, manager of the Oncology Department. In September, Belfast Ocean Waves, the local square dance group that meets Wednesday nights (except the 2nd Wed. of the month) at the American Legion Hall in Belfast held a pink glove dance with proceeds going to the hospital’s oncology fund. For more information about the square dance class, see Lois Dutch or Michael Barnes at the hospital or email squaredance@ levisandlace.com. Read more… |
Some chose to be photographed in their favorite locations, including on the shore, in a garden or in an art gallery, while others put warrior paint on to symbolize their battle. One woman wanted to be photographed with the members of her knitting group who have been her support system.
