The

Fall Issue 2017 No. 67

Menopause
Our Motto is...we will survive... Gang

OPENING OF THE NEW RADIATION THERAPY UNIT

Radiation therapy is one of the pillars of cancer treatment and an essential component of a comprehensive cancer care pathway.
It is a recommended treatment for 60-70% of all cancer patients; this translates to approx. 200 people in Bermuda every year.
The Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre (BCHC) Radiation Therapy Unit began treating patients in May 2017. By early August, 55
patients were on the patient pathway or had completed their radiation treatment at BCHC.
"Every aspect of Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre's Radiation Therapy Unit has been designed with the patient in mind; to provide
the best clinical outcomes and patient experience, "Chris Fosker, the Centre's medical director and radiation oncologist, said. "Our
patients can find comfort in knowing that we have the best team available to work in Bermuda and we continue to work in clinical
affiliation with Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Centre (DF/BWCC)."
Daphne Hass-Kogan, DF/BWCC's Department of Radiation Oncology chairwoman and professor at Harvard Medical School, said
the first patient she had at DF/BWCC was Bermudian and that it opened her eyes to the difficulties of travelling overseas for treatment.
"That is exactly why we are here we are here to help cancer patients in Bermuda receive superb treatment for their cancer on their
island amont their family and friends, where they can sleep in their beds, embrace and be embraced by their families, friends and
this wonderful community." Dr. Haas-Kogan added: "Our radiation therapy researchers and clinicians are at the cutting edge of
targeted therapies, leading international clinical trials to discover newer and more effective therapies and pioneering the latest
technological innovations. We are committed to providing the most up-to-date personalised radiation treatment to generate the best

Cont'd on Page 6
 2 Our Motto is...we will survive...

Inside this issue

Opening of The New Radiation Therapy Unit........ 1&6
Menopause Corner
Tales from Trish.................................................... 3 We are proud to highlight the opening this summer of the new radiation
Online Courses for Free........................................ 4 therapy unit at Bermuda Cancer and Health Center. (Cover & Page 6)

Lines from Caroline............................................... 5

----
Tales from Trish...'Dangers Aboard'...Trish emphasizes that exercising
Leave It Better Then You Found It........................ 7 is important to help keep good balance to avoid accidents. (Page 3)
The 76-Year Old Blushing Bride........................... 8
----
Bda Diabetes Association Page............................ 9 Online Courses for Free...No matter what age you are it's never too late
to keep your brain active, like taking online courses. Thank you Pauline
Look out for Black Ice............................................ 10
for sharing with us. (Page 4)
Menopause Weight Gain....................................... 11 ----
Lines from Caroline...Swing your legs up the wall, reverse the effects of
Blood Test Identifies Key Alzheimer's Marker....... 12 everyday life by doing this restorative yoga pose to help the blood flow
New Way to Shut Down Estrogen-Sensitive Breast in your body. (Page 5)
Cancer................................................................... 13 ----
Leave It Better Then You Found It...What does it mean to be equal?
Monica writes that the older she gets, the more she changes her point
of view. (Page 7)
----
The 76-Year Old Blushing Bride...My friend Lucille has finally found her
soul mate at the age of 76. (Page 8)
----
Bermuda Diabetic Association...Being diagnosed with diabetes doesn't
mean you have to eat every meal at home. (Page 9)

----
Lise E. Fox Publisher Look out for Black Ice...Retirement for Robin turned out to be a few
months' stay in rehab to help heal her broken hip and arm. (Page 10)
The Menopause Gang Newsletter ----
Contact: (441-297-0928) Menopause Weight Gain...Maintaining your weight as you get older
Email: menopausegang2001@gmail.com
becomes more difficult, even harder when in menopause. (Page 11)
Website: www.themenopausegang.com ----
Follow us on: Blood Test Identifies Key Alzheimer's Marker...Plaques in the brain
made of sticky protein seems to contribute to the disease and it's
Facebook Twitter Google+
progression. (Page 12)
----
New Way to Shut Down Estrogen-Sensitive Breast Cancer...A first class
Editor
molecule can prevent breast cancer growth when traditional therapies
Carole Sousa stop working new research indicates. (Page 13)
Contributors
Caroline Ivaliotis All Your Office Needs...
Trish Wan machines
Sara McKittrick - Bda Diabetic Assoc. printing
Monica Jones furniture
Lucille Osborne supplies and more.
Robin Brooke
Pauline Girling TOPS Ltd. was pleased to produce this
In One Place colour edition of The Menopause Gang.
Gang

11 Mill Creek Rd, Pembroke HM 05 | Web: www.tops.bm

Tel: 292-5500 | Fax: 292-6200 | E-mail: info@topsltd.bm
Disclaimer: The information set forth in this pamphlet is not in ANY way (either written or implied) to substitute for and/or give medical advice.
It is only intended to "share the emotional aspect of going through menopause".
 3 Our Motto is...we will survive...

TALES FROM TRISH

DANGERS ABOARD

When I told Lise by email I was visiting Iceland on a cruise in 2012 she quickly suggested that journey was destined
to be an article for a future issue. I thought "That's not what I do...I don't write travelogues", however this vacation, despite
its exotic and scenic locations, turned out to be one I simply never anticipated. Let me fill you in.
We departed Sydney via Bangkok, Zurich, London Heathrow and a coach transfer to Tilbury Cruise Terminal. Having
boarded the Prisendam, a 37 year-old ship with a complement of 850 passengers, we made our way to lunch on deck
11, overlooking Gravesend. Fed and watered we proceeded to walk to deck 8 to familiarize ourselves with the ship's
layout. We'd admired the pool, spa, the model of the ship prior to it being rebranded Prisendam and the Japanese
costume housed in a glass case. Reaching deck 8, we were greeted with a blue carpet bisected by a semi-circle of red
carpet adorned with blue ropes looped between brass bollards. I was distracted by a notice near the wall leading to our
cabin that read, "Caution. Incline in floor. Watch your step." This was actually a ramp for rollators or wheelchairs
which took the user to a slightly higher level than the main deck floor.
I was aware of my rubber-soled shoe catching on an indentation in the carpet and now airborne, landed flat on my back
after grazing my left knee and bashing my left elbow on the floor. Was I now really facing in the opposite direction?
Winded, I heard myself repeating 'ohh, ohh, ohh'. My husband, who had almost reached our cabin, returned to assure
me it was 'all right' and repeating, 'stop making that noise'. A passenger placed a pillow under my head and called the
emergency number, summoning the doctor, assorted crew-members and a wheelchair. Two hours before the ship was
to sail, I was hauled up (literally, unceremoniously, by the waistband of my trousers) into the wheelchair and taken to
the medical centre. A rudimentary X-ray confirmed that I had no broken bones. Released with the verdict I was good
to sail, and a handful of pills to cure-all, Doctor hurried back to his unpacking, rather cross with being disturbed while
still in port.
This was not the cruise I'd signed up for! Pain reduced me to a pity party of tears and confined me to our cabin to recover
from those outlandishly expensive excursions I'd signed up for but couldn't fully participate in, let alone enjoy shipboard
activities. My spine and ribs were in agony, and while my visible injuries gradually disappeared, Doctor was amazed
I was still requesting strong pain-killers.
During my month at sea, I nevertheless felt like a fraud seeing onboard passengers in wheelchairs suffering from auto-
immune diseases and strokes, a lady whose fall resulted in grazed shins and a bruise covering half her face from
forehead to chin, an 84 year-old who stepped off a 1 1/2 foot drop whilst ashore, another who tripped over a tree root
and broke her hip, and a man who died of a heart attack!
Finally home and at the behest of my physiotherapist, I sought further X-rays of my spine and lumbar region revealing
a Compression Fracture of D11, so whilst horrified, at least I knew why I was still experiencing pain and discomfort six
weeks after the fall.
The photos I took from the vantage point of a bottom step were evidence of the condition of the carpet due to wear and
tear from wheelchairs and walkers being pushed up a ramp to the two handicapped cabins located at the beginning of
the passage leading to our cabin. Negotiations with the shipping company's claims person resulted in: the carpet being
re-laid, the warning sign being relocated, hand rails being installed and compensation for my injuries. Those injuries
took two years to subside, but will be with me forever.
This brings me to a book entitled Balance, coincidentally found in the ship's library. The author (now forgotten)
speculates on several reasons why older people fall: wearing multi-focal lenses, being unfit or overweight or distracted,
and even that today's style of walking and sports shoes have thicker soles than dress shoes. If made of rubber, they
tend to 'grab' on certain flooring. He pointed out that as we age the receptors in the soles of our feet thin, making us
less able to feel the ground beneath our feet with a degree of stability. Scary stuff!
Thus balance and core strengthening exercises such as walking, tai chi, yoga or Pilates are important as we age. Just
thought you'd like to know so you can prepare for what's around the corner!
 4 Our Motto is...we will survive...

ONLINE COURSES FOR FREE By Pauline Girling

Whether you want to top up your knowledge on a subject or learn a completely new skill, I have found that
there is no shortage of online courses to help you on your way. In fact, there are too many choices available,
but I chose FutureLearn because of its popularity and the partnership they have developed with many top
UK universities. Launched in 2013, FutureLearn has a wide variety of courses to study and all of these on-
line courses are free!
There are no formal qualifications needed to take courses meaning some courses may actually be too
advanced for beginners!
You want to obviously exercise your own discretion when it comes to picking and choosing the courses and
programs you want to enroll in. Most of the courses listed will inform you of what the program entails, allowing
you the ability to make a better decision regarding whether or not the class is a right fit for you.
I chose a course that was 5 weeks in duration and called 'Strategies for Successful Ageing'. From week 1
it was so interesting and informative, and the interactive nature of the site made learning so enjoyable.
I highly recommend you to check out the website you can simply browse through the in-depth list of free
courses offered. I'm sure that like me, you'll find something to get excited about. What's more, the courses
and programs are high-quality and the lecturers and all the courses are taught by accomplished people from
a variety of different fields.
So, take a look at the site www.futurelearn.com and never accept that you are too old to learn something new.

WHENEVER I FEEL THE

NEED TO EXERCISE, I LIE
DOWN UNTIL IT GOES
AWAY....

NOTE FROM PUBLISHER

We apologize for not publishing a June issue of the
newsletter. Circumstances were beyond our
control.

Contact Tracey Caswell

to purchase these books at:
Email: tracey@logic.bm
 5 Our Motto is...we will survive...

LINES FROM CAROLINE

Swing Your Legs Up the Wall...Reverse The Effects of Everyday Life

Legs up the wall pose is a restorative yoga pose. The Sanskrit name for this pose is Viparita Karani. The
English translation of Viparita is 'inverted' and Karani is 'an action'. The legs up the wall pose inverts or
reverses the effects of an action. Sitting, standing and dealing with stressful situations are examples of daily
actions that have an adverse effect on the body's internal organs, structure and mind. Swelling, backaches
and sleepless nights can result from these actions and can be reversed by practicing this pose.
While sitting or standing, the flow of blood in the body is moving down towards the feet. Forcing the heart to
work extra hard to pump the blood back to the heart. In the process, the heart is sometimes unable to deliver
vital organs with their fair share of rich nutrient blood. Good old gravity also contributes to the downward
movement of fluids and lymph resulting in swollen legs, ankles and feet. The kidneys and adrenal glands may
need assistance in moving excess fluids out of the body. This could explain why sleep is often interrupted
during the night with the need to use the toilet. While sleeping the lower extremities are raised and the kidneys
are receiving ample blood providing the ability to release excess waste. The space between the discs in the
spine and neck can become reduced from constant impact and muscle tension resulting from stress. Lying
on your back with your legs raised provides gentle traction creating more space between the discs and the
release of muscle tension. Say goodbye to back pain. Legs up the wall pose circulates blood toward the upper
body and head. It is a pose that feeds the organs with fresh blood and enables the body to invert the actions
of a not so active lifestyle. Viparita Karani requires very little effort. The only 'work' involved in performing the
legs up the wall pose is raising your legs above your heart relaxing and mindful, gentle breathing.
To get into the pose sit on the floor, against a wall in an "L" shape. Your right shoulder, arm, hip and leg
touching the wall. Swing both legs up to 12 o'clock on the wall while simultaneously allowing your back,
shoulders, neck and head to release onto the floor. Your buttocks should be a few inches away from the wall
and your legs should be resting on the wall as straight as possible. Allow your arms to relax by your sides,
palms up, close your eyes and breathe. To reap the most from this pose, perform it often and spend between
5 and 15 minutes in this peaceful position.
Modify the pose to adjust for any discomfort. If you have any back or leg pain simply scoot back a bit from
the wall and bend your knees until you're comfortable. A small pillow under your head and neck may provide
the right finishing touch.
The advantages of this pose can also be had by following the steps to get into the pose
but instead of maneuvering your legs up a wall, lay in bed and swing your legs up the
headboard This alternative offers the extreme comfort of the mattress and with the
heart relaxing and your internal organs being nourished with ample blood you might
just fall asleep. This is a great pose for a sleepless night.
 6 Our Motto is...we will survive...

BERMUDA CANCER & HEALTH CENTER HOME PAGE

Cont'd from Cover Page
outcome possible for our patients."
Through the clinical affiliation, BCHC operates the service, using radiotherapy protocols that adhere to Dana-Farber/Brigham and
Women's Cancer Center protocols in Boston, and experts from DF/BWCC are available to advise BCHC clinicians.
Patient treatment plans are designed in collaboration with the team at Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center and
administered in Bermuda by the local radiation team led by Dr. Chris Fosker, the BCHC's medical director and radiation oncologist.
In the first few months, BCHC treated a range of cancers including prostate, breast, head & neck, rectal, gynaecological as well as
utilising radiation therapy for palliative pain relief.
Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre is a Bermuda registered charity #070. Consistent with their charitable purpose, uninsured and
underinsured cancer patients who would benefit from receiving radiation will be given equal access to the services at no additional
cost to them.
For more information visit www.chc.bm.

OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS 5K RUN/WALK 2017

Start Date: September 17th, 2017 9:00 AM

Location: Clearwater, Southside, St. Davids
 7 Our Motto is...we will survive...

LEAVE IT BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT By Monica Jones

What Does it Mean to be Equal?

Ive been thinking about this a lot recently. It seems the older I get the more I change my point of view.

At the very least it means equal before the law. Each one of us is born somewhere. We have a nationality to have a passport which allows us to travel.
But many of us find ourselves feeling like many parts of the world could be home. Whereas others never plan to stay in the country of their birth. We
we want to seek, to travel, to have adventures, to venture into other cultures.

Some decide we belong in a new country, but many only see their stay as temporary.

Seeing ourselves as only citizens of a country is a limited perception of who we are. What we really are, are light beings having a human experience.

We are here to connect to the light of love that is inside each one of us. Many of us allow that light to be dulled, turned down or clouded out by limitations,
resentments and shroud ourselves in smallness.

What would our lives be like if we stopped seeing ourselves as limited beings and instead stopped worrying about who belongs and who doesn't?
About what someone's love life is like? About the past?

If instead we only dwell in the land of love. If we only nourish our souls with love and kindness, with gentleness and connect and have a great
relationship with how divine we are. What would life be like?

Would we be happy? Would we be sad?

Would we find love for fellow human beings?

Would we know perfection?

Would we wallow and bathe in a sea of light and towel ourselves dry in the light of peace?

Each one of use would be living the life we were born to live.

I often get caught up in worrying about the colour of people's skin, instead of celebrating the perfection of every person.

If we look around, we'll never see another person who looks just like us. We'll notice the great variety of skin tones, eye and body shapes, hair colours
and types.

There are many different nationalities. None of us choose where we are born, or who we are born to. We don't choose our skin tone, eye colour, hair
type, gender or sexual orientation. We do choose our religion (or none) political beliefs, our beliefs and friends and where we live.

I've never had a problem with the idea that some who come and live here may only stay for a short while, while others may land here and Bermuda
and Bermudians may worm their way into their hearts and they may wish to stay forever.

We all want to feel we belong somewhere. And if we don't belong in the country where we were born, then where can be belong?

I simply don't believe in class systems of those with more privileges than others.

The lyrics to a song which go something like this always play in my head:

"I am the Way...I am the Light...I am light in my life...And I shine...I shine so bright."

If I embrace my light, I can only also embrace the light of every other person in this world, no matter who they are, where they're born or what they
look like.

When the light of love is turned on, then there's no need to worry about lack, or poverty as there is only abundance for all of us.

As all people are full members of our society, the world and the universe, born and created from the same source.

Monica Jones is a Bermudian artist and writer. Monica paints in pastel, charcoal and encaustic. She lives in Bermuda with her
husband Arthur (lifelong sweetheart and supporter). Monica has three children, three grandchildren, a son and daughter-in-law
and grew up in Paget, Bermuda.
Contact info: email runaway@northrock.bm if you would like to receive regular newsletters from the author and be added to the
mailing list.
Cell: 441-332-2753...Website: http://www.monicajonesartist.com Copyright Monica (Smith) Jones
 8 Our Motto is...we will survive...

THE 76-YEAR OLD BLUSHING BRIDE By Lucille Osborne

It all started on July 14th, 2001. My life changed that day for the better. After 3 disastrous relationships, I met the right
person. I was married for 20 years to a nice guy but not the right guy for me. After the divorce, I felt defeated because
after so long, you want it to last forever. A couple of years after, I met another nice guy with whom I went out for 6 years.
He was afraid to commit so I left him. Strangely enough, he was now ready to commit for life and was ready to give me
the moon but it was too late because I had already met someone else and wouldn't go back to him. That new relationship
was the worst I have had so far. He was not afraid to commit, in fact, moved-in right away. He was very controlling. He
worked for the secret service and used his techniques on me. It lasted 11 years, very rocky years of fights and break-
ups but I wouldn't leave him because he was sick with Parkinson's disease and no one else to care for him. He started
taking a lot of pills and began to hallucinate. That's when it took a drastic turn. I had to leave the apartment within 24
hours because I felt my life was in danger.
At 60 years of age, I moved-in with my father who was recently widowed and welcomed the companionship. With all
my furniture in storage, I found a job at Walmart's. After 5 months there, I quit because I hated the job and registered
with a local service that helps women find work in a field that is interesting to them. There, I immediately connected with
a woman taking the same course I was. This course lasted about a month and when it was over, she invited me to have
breakfast with her one Sunday morning. She told me she wanted to introduce me to a friend of hers who was a bachelor.
I was skeptic but said I agreed to meet him when he was ready. She said he was ready. That's when I panicked. I had
prayed so hard after the last disaster for God to send me the right person or no one at all. So, this new guy called me
and we made an appointment to meet the next Saturday in a restaurant in a local shopping center. All the scenarios
went through my head and my heart. I knew he was younger and that was enough to scare the hell out of me. So after
much thinking, I decided to go and meet him to say that it wasn't going to work after all and thank him for wanting to
meet me. When I walked in to the restaurant, he was sitting there and I knew it felt right. So I opened my heart to
something new in my life and I've never regretted it.
We had been living together 15 years when we took a long trip to Vietnam and Cambodia. While visiting Halong Bay
we were inspired to ask our local guide if we could get married there thinking a Buddhist monk could marry us. But monks
don't marry people. So she talked to our Canadian travel guide who was licensed to marry. What a coincidence! So within
4 days, everything was organized in secret and we surprised our 32 co-travelers with a marriage they didn't expect. It
was all positive. We felt the love and support from all of them. It was magic. Like if all the stars aligned to let us know
we were doing the right thing. We have been together almost 16 years and we love each other more every day. Some
people ask us: "Why get married after 15 years?" "Why not?" I smile every time I see the ring on my finger
I hope my story will help give hope to those who need it. Thank you to all the readers.
(Publisher's Note: I have known Lucille for a very long time. I am so happy that she has finally found her soul mate. Looking forward
to meeting him one day.)

How to grow old and stay contented

1. Schedule regular outings with friends

2. Volunteer at a school or children's organization

3. Take up hobbies that can be shared with a partner or group of people

4. Reach out to others with whom you still have unresolved conflicts

5. Go for walks regularly

6. Take up a hobby that involves physical activity

7. Indulge your creativity
8. Hang around with people that are much younger then you
9. Continue reading
10. Keep your mind frequently stimulated with puzzles, crosswords etc...
 9 Our Motto is...we will survive...

BERMUDA DIABETES ASSOCIATION PAGE By Sara McKittrick

Being diagnosed with diabetes doesn't mean you have to eat every meal at home as long as you order the right food. Here are
some healthy tips to help you navigate a restaurant menu.

Au Gratin: Dishes such as potatoes au gratin are covered with breadcrumbs, butter and cheese.

Creamed: A dish like creamed spinach means it's blended with cream, butter and often lots of both.

Bisque: This type of soup, often made with lobster, crab or vegetable such as tomato, also uses cream as one of its main ingredients,
which adds a large amount of saturated fat.

Alfredo sauce: Typically topping pasta, this sauce is made of butter and cheese.

Hollandaise sauce: Nearly pure saturated fat and cholesterol its primary ingredients are egg yolks and butter hollandaise is often
ladled on eggs (eggs Benedict), vegetables such as asparagus or fish.

Fried, deep-fried, or breaded: Foods in these dishes are often coated with breadcrumbs or a batter that will typically soak up a lot
of the oil they're cooked in, adding fat and calories.

Parmesan: As a hard cheese, parmesan is a better choice than triple-cream varieties, but when it's used to describe a cooking style,
such as chicken parmesan or eggplant parmesan, those good-for-you ingredients are frequently dipped in a heavy parmesan and
breadcrumb coating, fried, and possibly layered with full-fat mozzarella cheese.

Tempura: This Japanese favorite may start with healthy vegetables, but they're then dipped in batter and fried in a lot of oil.

Sherbets and sorbets: These refreshing after-dinner treats are loaded with sugar, although they don't have cream found in ice
cream, mousses, puddings and custard desserts.

The Diabetes Menu: Making Healthy Choices:

So what can you eat? Here are tips to keep your diabetes diet on track:

Choose foods that are grilled, broiled or baked instead of fried. Steamed is a better choice than sauteed and creamed. Foods that
are sauteed are cooked in either oil or butter. While a small amount of these fats may be okay, it is hard to control how much is being
used in a restaurant dish.

Salads are a good choice, but always ask for dressing on the side. Also be careful of the extra toppings stay away from bacon bits,
hold the cheese and limit dried fruit toppings such as cranberries etc. Sugar free ice cream or yogurt in moderation is okay, and a
better choice than a sugary frozen dessert. When available, choose fresh fruit.

Keep in mind that most restaurants will make accommodations for special diets. To make smart choices, follow these guidelines.

Ask questions: If you are not sure how someting is prepared, ask your server to describe the dish for you.

Make substitutions: Don't be afraid to request that changes be made to a dish that otherwise would be unhealthy to eat. For example,
ask your server to hold the cheese, substitute the French fries with vegetables, and have fried fish prepared baked or broiled instead.

Hold the sauce: Request any sauces, gravies, salad dressings, and toppings like butter or sour cream to be put on the side so that
you can control how much you use or eliminate them altogether.

Practice portion control: One of the biggest challenges to eating out is not overeating. Restaurants typically serve big portions.
Do not order any dish with a description that includes jumbo, giant, deluxe or supersized.

Eating out is one of life's pleasures.

Don't deny yourself just because you have diabetes. Be informed to make smart choices when you eat out.
 10 Our Motto is...we will survive...

LOOK OUT FOR BLACK ICE By Robin Brooke

Let me preface this by saying I have an 89 year old mother who sometimes misbehaves herself. This accident was a result of one
of these episodes.
Winter in Toronto can be tricky at the best of times but when mother nature steps in and lets loose well watch out. I was on the way
to the hospital to deal with yet another episode of my mother and her health issues due to not using her walker. I had a gut feeling
before walking out of the house listen to those inner voices they usually are right!
The neighborhood sidewalks were not shovelled, ploughed or salted. Usually its safer to walk on the roadway in the snow but not
this trip/slip and that is literally what happened to me. I was being very careful, maybe overly, so down I went without warning. Black
ice under the snow was the culprit and I landed on my back screaming "Help" loudly and frequently. Several people came to my aid.
One gentleman called the ambulance and a young girl brought me a blanket. I waited a short time for the ambulance to come and
take me to emergency. Once there the medical team came in to assess the situation. The next step were X-rays (did I mention this
happened December 21st, 2016). It was excruciating being moved from the stretcher to the X-ray table. I said things no lady should
and even a few things they had never heard before. It was determined that I had broken my right arm and right hip. Not something
I would recommend as holiday entertainment.
I was admitted to a ward and happy to be there before my surgery. During this time I had managed to let family know what had
happened and where I was. I had a catheter and the less movement on my part the better. The following day my surgery was
scheduled for that evening. They came to get me at 8:30pm and took me to the operating room. It was very informal and the surgeon
came over to speak to me. I asked him how long he had been practising and he said about Half an Hour (my kind of humour) and
I said 'You will do' with a big grin on my face. They put me out and the next thing I knew I was back in my ward room with a morphine
pump. Everything went well until the cleaners came in and it turned out I was sensitive to the chemicals in the products they used
and when this was mentioned, I was immediately put into a private room with a Big note on the door regarding this fact.
The physio therapist was in the next day and explained what the exercises were and asked if I was ready to start at which point I
advised her I was going to throw up NOW! Needless to say I didn't have to do them that afternoon. Christmas was very relaxing
for me, no cooking, cleaning or entertaining and since meals were being delivered and dishes done I was good. Therapy started with
a walker and I suggested it was another accident waiting to happen and did they have another one which would allow me to lean
on the left side of my body and enable me to walk. There was a span when I was in bed unless I was wheeled to the bathroom. I became
somewhat of an expert at multitasking when calling the nurse station and asking for a list of things at one time instead of ringing several
times apparently it was very much appreciated and there were fewer trips to my room.
After being there a while, I was told I was being moved to a Rehabilitation Hospital. I asked if I could be sent to Bridgepoint where
my mother was located. At first they said no, then they came back to say "You are going to Bridgepoint on January 3rd." they put
me on the third floor, my mother was on the second. I had my very own room and shared shower facility. It was explained that I would
be there for quite a while and this would be a progressive situation. As I healed the Therapy would change (tailored to my needs)
and enable me to walk again and regain the use of my right arm. I don't know how many people have seen Mel Brooks Young
Frankenstein, but I looked like the character played by Marty Feldman (Igor.......take a moment).
On January 5th, 2017 the staples were removed and replaced by a bandage. I had my own wheelchair and became very good at
navigating around the halls. Eventually I was able to go to the library and Tim Hortons for the delicious Tim Bits and coffee.
There was a set routine and you were expected to follow this in order to heal. As long as you tried, little gains were celebrated and
there was a lot of laughter in the physiotherapy room. It is one of the best medicines!
On January 30th I had an appointment with the Surgeon to check on the healing of the arm and hip. This time no screaming or bad
words. I was able to ditch the sling and now the exercises for the arm could start. It was also determined that my leg was much better.
So now physio was increased to 5 times a week and all exercises were incorporated at a gradual scale.
I had visitors who popped in at the most unexpected and welcomed times. One brought me a crossword puzzle book this helped
me regain the use of my hand and start writing slowly but surely.
While in therapy I met some very eclectic people from all over the province and different ages. I joined in activities and it was good
for me.
I was discharged on February 22nd, 2017 and thought Oh God, can I do this? There are a lot of services and programs to assist people
in my situation (Wheel Trans, laundry and house cleaning services, also grocery delivery). Don't be afraid to ask for help from family
members and friends. I did physio on a regular basis and exercises at home which I still do to this day. Throughout this ordeal I found
patience that I had forgotten I possessed, determination and humour to help myself get well. What a way to start retirement....
When you learn to help yourself, everything else falls into place.
 11 Our Motto is...we will survive...

MENOPAUSE WEIGHT GAIN By Mayo Clinic Staff

As you get older, you might notice that maintaining your usual weight becomes more difficult. In fact, many women gain
weight around the menopause transition.
Menopause weight gain isn't inevitable, however you can reverse course by paying attention to healthy-eating habits
and leading an active lifestyle.
The hormonal changes of menopause might make you more likely to gain weight around your abdomen than around
your hips and thighs. But, hormonal changes alone don't necessarily cause menopause weight gain. Instead, the weight
gain is usually related to aging, as well as lifestyle and genetic factors.
For example, muscle mass typically diminishes with age, while fat increases. Loss of muscle mass decreases the rate
at which your body uses calories, which can make it more challenging to maintain a healthy weight. If you continue to
eat as you always have and don't increase your physical activity, you're likely to gain weight.
Genetic factors, such as a lack of exercise, unhealthy eating and not enough sleep, might contribute to menopause
weight gain. When people don't get enough sleep, they tend to snack more and consume more calories.
Menopause weight gain can have serious implications for your health. Excess weight increases the risk of heart disease,
type 2 diabetes, breathing problems and various types of cancer, including breast, colon and endometrial cancer.
There's no magic formula for preventing or reversing menopause weight gain. Simply stick to weight-control basics.
Move more: Aerobic activity can help you shed excess pounds and maintain a healthy weight. Strength training counts,
too. As you gain muscle, your body burns calories more efficiently which makes it easier to control your weight.
For most adults, experts recommend moderate aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, for at least 150 minutes a week
or vigorous aerobic activity, such as jogging, for at least 75 minutes a week. In addition, strength training exercises are
recommended at least twice a week. If you want to lose weight or meet specific fitness goals, you might need to exercise
more.
Eat Less: To maintain your current weight let alone lose excess pounds you might need about 200 fewer calories
a day during your 50s than you did during your 30s and 40s.
To reduce calories without skimping on nutrition, pay attention to what you're eating and drinking. Choose more fruits,
vegetables and whole grains, particularly those that are less processed and contain more fiber.
Legumes, nuts, soy, meat, fish or chicken are healthy protein options. Replace butter, stick margarine and shortening
with oils, such as olive or vegetable oil.
Check your sweet habit: Added sugars account for nearly 300 calories a day in the average American diet. About half
of these calories come from sugar-sweetened coffee and tea.
Other foods that contribute to excess dietary sugar include
cookies, pies, cakes, doughnuts, ice cream and candy.
Limit alcohol: Alcoholic beverages add excess calories to
your diet and increase the risk of gaining weight.
Seek support: Surround yourself with friends and loved ones
who support your efforts to eat a healthy diet and increase your
physical activity. Better yet, team up and make the lifestyle
changes together.
Remember, successful weight loss at any stage of life requires
permanent changes in diet and exercise habits.
Commit to lifestyle changes and enjoy a healthier you.
(For further Information visit the North American Menopause Society
http://www.menopause.org)
 12 Our Motto is...we will survive...

BLOOD TEST IDENTIFIES KEY ALZHEIMER'S MARKER By Washington University School of Medicine

Decades before people with Alzheimer's disease develop memory loss and confusion, their brains become dotted with plaques made
of a sticky protein -- called amyloid beta -- that is thought to contribute to the disease and its progression.

Currently, the only way to detect amyloid beta in the brain is via PET scanning, which is expensive and not widely available, or a spinal
tap, which is invasive and requires a specialized medical procedure. But now, a study led by researchers at Washington University
School of Medicine in St. Louis suggests that measures of amyloid beta in the blood have the potential to help identify people with
altered levels of amyloid in their brains or cerebrospinal fluid.

Ideally, a blood-based screening test would identify people who have started down the path toward Alzheimer's years before they
could be diagnosed based on symptoms.

"Our results demonstrate that this amyloid beta blood test can detect if amyloid has begun accumulating in the brain," said Randall
J. Bateman, MD, the Charles F. and Joanne Knight Distinguished Professor of Neurology and the study's senior author. "This is
exciting because it could be the basis for a rapid and inexpensive blood screening test to identify people at high risk of developing
Alzheimer's disease."

The findings will be announced July 19 at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in London and published online in
the journal Alzheimer's and Dementia.

As the brain engages in daily tasks, it continually produces and clears away amyloid beta. Some is washed into the blood, and some
floats in the cerebrospinal fluid, for example. If amyloid starts building up, though, it can collect into plaques that stick to neurons,
triggering neurological damage.

A blood test would be cheaper and less invasive than PET scans or spinal taps, but previous studies have found that measures of
total levels of amyloid beta in the blood don't correlate with levels in the brain.

So Bateman and colleagues measured blood levels of three amyloid subtypes -- amyloid beta 38, amyloid beta 40 and amyloid beta
42 -- using highly precise measurement by mass spectrometry to see if any correlated with levels of amyloid in the brain.

The researchers studied 41 people ages 60 and older. Twenty-three were amyloid-positive, meaning they had signs of cognitive
impairment. PET scans or spinal taps in these patients also had detected the presence of amyloid plaques in the brain or amyloid
alterations in the cerebrospinal fluid. The researchers also measured amyloid subtypes in 18 people who had no buildup of amyloid
in the brain.

To measure amyloid levels, production and clearance over time, the researchers drew 20 blood samples from each person over a
24-hour period. They found that levels of amyloid beta 42 relative to amyloid beta 40 were consistently 10 to 15 percent lower in the
people with amyloid plaques.

"Amyloid plaques are composed primarily of amyloid beta 42, so this probably means that it is being deposited in the brain before
moving into the bloodstream," Bateman said.

"The differences are not big, but they are highly consistent," he explained. "Our method is very sensitive, and particularly when you
have many repeated samples as in this study -- more than 500 samples overall -- we can be highly confident that the difference is
real. Even a single sample can distinguish who has amyloid plaques."

By averaging the ratio of amyloid beta 42 to amyloid beta 40 over each individual's 20 samples, the researchers could classify people
accurately as amyloid-positive or -negative 89 percent of the time. On average, any single time point was also about 86 percent
accurate.

Amyloid plaques are one of the two characteristic signs of Alzheimer's disease; the other sign is the presence of tangles of a brain
protein known as tau. David Holtzman, MD, the Andrew B. and Gretchen P. Jones Professor and head of the Department of Neurology
at the School of Medicine, is developing a blood-based test for tau that could complement the amyloid test.

"If we had a blood test for tau as well, we could combine them to get an even better idea of who is most at risk of developing Alzheimer's
disease," Bateman said. "That would be a huge step forward in our ability to predict, and maybe even prevent, Alzheimer's disease."
 13 Our Motto is...we will survive...

NEW WAY TO SHUT DOWN ESTROGEN-SENSITIVE BREAST CANCER By UT Southwestern Medical Center

A first-in-class molecule can prevent breast cancer growth when traditional therapies stop working, new research
indicates.
UT Southwestern Simmons Cancer Center researchers have shown that a first-in-class molecule can prevent breast
cancer growth when traditional therapies stop working.
First-in-class drugs are drugs that work by a unique mechanism, in this case a molecule that targets a protein on the
estrogen receptor of tumor cells. The potential drug offers hope for patients whose breast cancer has become resistant
to traditional therapies.
"This is fundamentally different, new class of agents for estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer," said Dr. Ganesh Raj
Professor of Urology and Pharmacology at UT Southwestern's Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center. "It's
unique mechanism of action overcomes the limitations of current therapies."
All breast cancers are tested to determine if they require estrogen to grow and about 80 percent are found to be estrogen-
sensitive. These cancers can often be effectively treated with hormone therapy, such as tamoxifen, but as many as a
third of these cancers eventually become resistant. The new compound is a potential highly effective, next-line treatment
for these patients, said Dr. Raj, part of UT Southwestern's Urologic Cancer Team.
Traditional hormonal drugs, such as tamoxifen, work by attaching to a molecule called the estrogen receptor in cancer
cells, preventing estrogen from binding to the receptor, a necessary step for cancer cells to multiply. But the estrogen
receptor can mutate and change its shape over time so that the treatment drug no longer fits neatly with the receptor.
When this happens, the cancer cells start multiplying again.
"There has been intense interest in developing drugs that block the ability of the estrogen receptor the prime target
in most breast cancers from interacting with the co-regulator proteins that cause a tumor's growth. Blocking such
"protein-protein interactions" has been a dream of cancer researchers for decades. Dr. Raj and his colleagues have
done the remarkable by discovering what could be the first in class of a therapeutic that realizes this dream," said Dr
David Mangelsdorf, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Pharmacology, who holds the Alfred G. Gilman
Distinguished Chair in Pharmacology, and the Raymond and Ellen Willie Distinguished Chair in Molecular
Neuropharmacology in Honor of Harold B. Crasilneck, Ph.D.
The drug works by blocking other molecules proteins called co-factors that also must attach to the estrogen receptor
for cancer cells to multiply. The new molecule, dubbed ERX-11, mimics a peptide, or protein building block. So far, it
has been tested in mice and in cancer cells removed from patients and works well in both models, and there have been
no signs of toxicity in the tests.
If successfully translated to a human therapy, another advantage of ERX-11 is that it could be taken orally by patients,
rather than as an infusion. Dr. Raj said the group is hoping to get a clinical trial under way in about a year.
The notion of blocking protein co-factors has implications for treatment of other cancers as well. "This could be a first-
line breast cancer therapy down the line. It could even lead to new treatments for other hormone-sensitive cancers. For
now, it offers hope for women with estrogen-sensitive breast cancer for whom conventional therapies fail," Dr. Raj said.
The research appears in the online journal eLife.

Don't worry
about getting
old...
Worry about
thinking old....