Find out the latest news and topics of interest from Dr. James G. Hood, D.D.S., M.A.!
Archive for the ‘Karen’s Journal Notes’ Category
My Achalasia Story
Monday, July 25, 2011
Dear Fellow Achalasia Patients,
I write this blog today during a beautiful, sunny Spokane, Washington, Sunday. As I write I wonder how all of my fellow achalasia patients out there are doing.
Achalasia is a rare disease. I know from experience that it helps to talk to others who have the same affliction. It is hard to believe that October 4, 2011, will be the fourth anniversary of my repair surgery. Life is far better than it was for the seven years before the surgery. Prior to that time, I was not aware of the term “achalasia.” Therefore, what I would like to tell all of you is that there is hope. Do not struggle with your current situation, asprofessional help is available.
In my case I was officially diagnosed with achalasia in August 2007. I had no idea what achalasia was and was not particularly worried with the term. Being as curious as I am, I immediately went home after my esophageal dilation procedure and waited for the anesthesia to fully leave my body so I could hop on the Internet and read exactly what achalasia was all about. Holy Molie! I became scared almost to death! There is truly frightening stuff out there on the Web. In fact, after reading the stuff, I thought I would be dying soon, and this was no happy thought!
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- “Bird’s beak” appearance, typical in achalasia
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- A CXR showing achalasia (arrows point to the outline of the massively dilated esophagus)
I have a lot of people who depend on me and a lot of responsibilities in my life, so I began trying to take care of things in my now suddenly expected short life. I called my doctor, and he said I most certainly was not near death, but I thought he was just trying to be optimistic and nice. I wasn’t having any of it!
To my husband’s dismay, I planned my own funeral arrangements to save him the trouble. Yep, I selected a simple coffin and a nice cemetery with a view. It seems that relaxation for me only takes place when I have a view. Weird as it may seem, I was at peace making time payments on my selected plot and even bought one for my husband next to me. Of course, he would not be using it for a long time after me, since he would have a long, healthy life, I figured. The thought of him marrying too soon, without a respectable time mourning my passing, was disturbing, so I pushed those thoughts right out of my mind. I was having enough trouble as it was.
Back to my achalasia. Now it was time to complete more research, so back to my computer I went. I ordered every natural remedy out there, although there were only a few at the time. Still hopeful in spite of my funeral planning, I faithfully followed directions on all of them. My physician told me there was no cure but that most achalasia patients live with the disease and do not die from it. Yipes! That was not reassuring.
My weight dropped 69 pounds suddenly. It scared my kids and my husband. Previously I was a tubby, but this was no way to lose weight. I could not get or keep much food down. My stomach sphincter was so tight that it would allow only a trickle of fluid through to my stomach. My regurgitation was out of control, and since my diagnosis was vigorous achalasia, it brought the worst type of pain. Sometimes my esophageal pain would last an hour. My family timed it, and it seemed that I could not bear the duration of the pain. Often I would run out of the house and walk around the house, using my animal instinct to flee. Nothing worked and for the first time in my life I could understand people wanting to die because of pain.
Stay tuned for the second installment of my story. There is hope at the end of the tunnel.
Karen Jean Matsko Hood
Achalasia Support Group
James and Karen Hood Foundation
507 North Sullivan Road, Suite LL-6
Spokane Valley, WA 99037-8576 USA
E-mail: karenscustomerservice@gmail.com
Phone: (509) 924-3550 | Fax: (509) 922-9949
www.achalasiablog.org
www.jamesandkarenhoodfoundationblog.org
www.karensblog.net
www.jamesghoodblog.com
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Janelle Turcotte Hired to Teach at St. John Vianney School
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Hi, All. We received this news about our daughter Janelle Karina Hood Turcotte. This letter was sent out today about Janelle being hired by St. John Vianney Catholic School as the 8th grade homeroom teacher, and we are proud! Congratulations, Janelle!!
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8th Grade Teacher Update
May 17, 2011 08:00:00
By Kelly Witt
Dear St. John Vianney Families,
Over the course of the past few weeks the staff has met and discussed the applicants for the 8th grade homeroom position. The interview team consisted of Mr. Pelkie, Ms. Milne, Mr. Hartely, Mrs. Hughes, Mrs. Palmer, and Miss Tami. Some key areas we were looking for in a candidate included the years of teaching experience, success with teaching 6th grade math, pre-algebra, algebra, and 7th and 8th grade science. In addition, we were looking for someone who has experience with Gonzaga Prep’s entrance exams and honors programs. There were many qualified candidates, however, one candidate not only met those requirements but also teaches summer school at Gonzaga Prep. After much deliberation and a unanimous vote by the team, it is with great pleasure that I announce the hiring of Janelle Turcotte as the 8th grade homeroom teacher.
Mrs. Turcotte has three years teaching experience and her previous position included teaching 7th and 8th grade science, pre-algebra and algebra. Not only does she have experience with Gonzaga Prep’s entrance exams and honors programs, she teaches Algebra I, Geometry, and science in Prep’s summer program. Her experience teaching these key subject areas at Prep will provide our students with the best education possible in the areas of math and science. The combination of teaching currently in the middle school as well as her teaching experience at the high school level is an excellent combination so our students will not only be prepared for high school but the programs we have in place will continue to be of the highest caliber.
Not only is Mrs. Turcotte prepared to continue teaching your child with the highest of standards, she is enthusiastic, energetic, and will motivate the students to perform at their highest abilities. She is eager to build relationships with both the students and the families of St. John Vianney. I know once you have the opportunity to meet her, you, too, will be blown away with her content knowledge, warm and welcoming personality, and will have trust in her ability to maintain the high standards St. John Vianney has in place.
If you have any further questions regarding Mrs. Turcotte please feel free to talk with myself, or any one of the committee members.
Sincerely,
Rick Pelkie
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Thank you to Rick Pelkie, principal of St. John Vianney School for sending out this fine letter. We are proud of our daughter Janelle.
James and Karen Hood
Meet Lily!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Great news! We just received a new member to our household on February 6th. Her name is Lily and she is a Newfoundland Landseer with black and white markings. She is 8 weeks old and such a cutie and so sweet. At 6 weeks she was 14 pounds, and upon arrival here she weighed in at 21 pounds on our scale. She’s growing fast!
I have wanted a Newfoundland ever since I read about Lewis and Clark as a girl growing up in Montana. They had wonderful stories about their Newfoundland, Seaman, who accompanied them on their travels across the country. Seaman was invaluable to them on their journey, and Lewis mentions several times in his journals that this loyal dog was able to scare off some buffalo and even a bear, saving the explorers from dangerous situations.
Newfoundlands are an ancient, hearty breed of working dog with a long and proud history. Vikings who visited Newfoundland Island in 1000 AD wrote about seeing strong water dogs working with the native people. Today’s Newfoundlands are descended from these dogs and the mastiffs that were brought to the island in the 16th century by Portuguese fishermen. The Newfoundlands were used to haul fishing nets and retrieve objects or people who fell into the water.
A typical Newfoundland weighs between 100-150 lbs, and some have been known to exceed 200 lbs. The largest Newfoundland on record was 260 lbs and measured 6 ft long from nose to tail. They are powerful animals uniquely designed for swimming in rough ocean waters. Their oily double coat is thick and waterproof, keeping them warm and dry for hours in cold northern seas. They have webbed feet that enable them to swim with a powerful breast stroke, rather than the dog paddle used by other breeds, and their large lung capacity gives them the ability to swim great distances through strong currents and choppy waves. There are many instances in which Newfoundlands have saved people from drowning, and these are fascinating and inspiring stories. One Newfoundland saved 60 shipwrecked sailors alone, and another is believed to have rescued Napoleon when he fell overboard during his escape from the island of Elba.
Today, Newfoundlands are known as gentle giants, a beloved breed of calm, loyal animals that are equally good as caretakers and watchdogs. They are caring by nature, and are exceptionally well-behaved and nurturing around children and other animals. Easily trainable, devoted, and hardworking, the Newfoundland remains a popular pet to this day.
National Pet Dental Health Month
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Did you know that February is not only National Children’s Dental Health Month but is also National Pet Dental Health Month? I was surprised to learn this as I drove past a veterinarian’s office that had this message posted on a sign in front of the building.
Having a National Pet Dental Health Month is a good reminder to focus on what keeps your pet healthy. You see, pets need to have their teeth cleaned, too. Bacteria can lead to a buildup of plaque, which in turn harms your pet’s gums and teeth. I’ve been told that scheduling teeth cleanings for your pet is highly ridiculous and very expensive. That may or may not be the case, but some people do choose professional dental health treatments for their pets. Another way to help keep your pet’s dental health in good shape is to clean their teeth at home.
A problem we have in today’s culture in the United States is the growing dental health problems in pets, which is often due to feeding a diet which is not natural for your specific breed. This contributes to gum disease and tooth decay. It has been proven that bacterial infection can adversely affect the health of humans as well as pets.
Be sure to feed your pet a healthy diet specific to your particular pet, and then make sure they have the appropriate items needed. For example, dogs have evolved from canines that were used to chewing on bones. This naturally helped clean their teeth. It is also worth it to use a soft, small toothbrush to brush your pet’s teeth from time to time. This will protect your animal’s dental health. This in turn will save you from having to pay for more expensive treatment later.
The American Veterinary Medical Association encourages us to celebrate National Pet Dental Health Month by checking with your local veterinarian for the best methods of keeping your pet’s mouth, teeth, and gums healthy.
Our Dogs’ Health News: I am worried about one of my beloved pet dogs, Dromi, who is a 14-year-old male Icelandic sheepdog. Dromi was actually my daughter’s dog, but we inherited him when she went away to college and was unable take him with her. He was imported from Iceland and has a wonderful character. He has been a terrific dog, but his health is failing. His eyes are still bright and alert, but he is definitely getting worse. He has tumors that are spreading all over his body, and I’m afraid that he doesn’t have too much time left. Losing a much-loved pet is always difficult. He has had a great life so far, and yes, he chewed on lots of bones to keep his teeth clean!
The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Conference
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Good morning. Today is January 18, 2011, and I am busy planning for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators conference. This conference takes place in New York City later this month, which I will be attending.
The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) was founded 1971 by a group of Los Angeles-based children’s writers. It is an international organization based in Los Angeles, California, representing professionals in the field of children’s literature. It is the world’s largest children’s writing organization and the only international organization for people who write, illustrate, or have a professional interest in children’s literature. There are currently more than 22,000 members worldwide, in over 70 regional chapters, writing and illustrating in all genres for young readers from board books to young adult (YA) novels. The SCBWI facilitates communication between writers, illustrators, editors, publishers, agents, librarians, educators, booksellers, and others involved in the field.
Membership in this society provides many benefits for writers, including information and support, access to awards and grants, networking, local workshops and get-togethers, inside publications, online resources, manuscript and illustration exchange, member discounts, and more.
The SCBWI sponsors two annual conferences, on the west and east coasts of the United States, usually in Los Angeles and New York City, as well as many regional conferences and events throughout the world. It publishes a bi-monthly newsletter, has an interactive website, and gives out a number of awards and grants. Among these are the annual Golden Kite Award for the best fiction and nonfiction books and the Sid Fleischman Humor Award.
At this year’s winter conference there will be a panel discussion on Creating and Recreating the Picture Book: Three Views. There are also three workshops about What Makes Your Work Publishable: Today’s Market in Children’s Books.
I am looking forward to all the other authors I will meet at this conference, as well as all I will learn from the speakers and workshops.
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