Barry picking blueberries in the hot sun My husband Barry loves being out in the sun. Here's a picture of him picking blueberries on a sweltering hot day last summer. Unfortunately, skin cancer runs in his family. Over the years, he has had several lesions removed, frozen, or burned off. He's lucky because, so far, [...]
Marcia Gelkey and Pat Deignan I was at a meeting recently at the Cancer Community Center in South Portland and happened to notice two women painting brightly colored designs on a child’s rocking chair. Curious, I poked my head through the door to get a closer look. [...]
Sometimes when you’re shopping for food or cooking a meal, don’t you wish you had a nutrition expert by your side to help you make healthy choices? If so, you’re in luck, because we’re going to have a host of nutrition experts on hand to help us make healthy decisions and healthy meals that taste [...]
I’m excited to announce that I was on the WCSH6 WLBZ2 Morning Report today and will be returning every other Tuesday at about 6:45 am. It was so great to be back on the air again and to see many familiar faces. For those of you who don’t know, I was the health reporter on [...]
When Chuck and Jo-Ellen Kelley were married 23 years ago, she told him that since she went for yearly medical checkups, she expected him to do the same. “After all,” she says, “we promised that we’d grow old together and take care of each other.” […]
Congratulations to Brain Injury Voices for being one of four hospital volunteer programs in the United States to win the prestigious HAVE Award (Hospital Award for Volunteer Excellence). The national award is sponsored by the American Hospital Association (AHA) and will be presented on May 5 in Washington, DC during the AHA national conference. [...]
My sister Becky has always been afraid of needles. When she was little and needed a shot, she might make it through the procedure, but would faint half way to the car. The incident that probably put her over the edge happened when she was about 10 and needed a tooth filled. [...]
Many adults find themselves in the unfamiliar position of being somewhat of a parent to our parents, which can be extremely challenging. Counselor Kate Fallon has some advice.
For the first time ever, there are now guidelines for preventing strokes in women.
Guest post by Lauren Breau, L.Ac., acupuncturist at Wildwood Community Acupuncture Before I tell you all about community acupuncture and convince you that you should come in and give it a whirl, I have a couple of quick questions for you. How many times have you struggled with a health issue that needed treatment, but [...]
Recently, I wrote about a memory test you can take if you worried about forgetting things. The topic must have struck a nerve because it generated quite a few comments on social media. […]
Justin Faloon with his German Shepherd Nekka the year after his first heart attack. Justin Faloon’s first heart attack happened June 1,1999, when he was only 29. He was lucky. He could have died, especially because he waited 20 minutes or more before dialing 911. […]
January is quickly coming to an end. How have you been doing with those New Year's resolutions you made? Need a little support?
I’m not too good at breaking bad habits. I just hate being told that I can’t do something, even when I’m the one saying so. Take, for instance, eating between meals. Last spring I could no longer ignore the fact that none of my clothes fit. I got on the scales and saw that I [...]
Daren, Becky and Gianna Lyle Becky Lyle knew enough to get regular screenings for cancer of the cervix, including a Pap test, and she always did. A Pap test is recommended every three years for average-risk women between the ages of 21 and 65. Beginning at age 30, HPV testing [...]
It was nearly a year ago — January 17, 2013 — that I first wrote about Becky Sawtelle and her decision to have weight loss surgery. Find out how she's doing today.
Kidney stones are usually pretty small, but they sure can pack a big wallop. Wendy MacGregor, who passed her first kidney stone 30 years ago and has had a least a dozen stones since, says the pain can be unbearable. “I always know when it’s coming on,” she says, “because there is a certain area [...]
With the winter solstice just behind us and months of cold weather to come, are you aware of the best way to keep your children safe?
Thirty-two years ago, on Christmas Eve, I went into labor. My husband Barry wasn’t feeling well and jokingly (more or less) said, “Please don’t have the baby tonight.” Around midnight, I had no choice but to wake him up. He was my support team. My timekeeper. My ride to the hospital. I needed him. [...]
Bob O'Keefe was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease 4 years ago. He first reached out to the Alzheimer's Association as a client. He soon became one of its most ardent volunteers.
For the past three months I’ve been taking some courses at the University of Southern Maine. It has been a wonderful, wonderful experience and the beginning of a journey that I expect will take several years. The end goal is a degree in fine arts, but I’m much more interested in what I get to [...]
The Cancer Community Center is able to provide all of its services for free primarily because of donations and fundraising events and lots of volunteers.
Two strangers, both with cancer, met, became friends and wrote a book — Kicking Cancer in the Kitchen: The Girlfriend's Guide to Using Real Food to Fight Cancer.
In 2003, Cynthia Scott had some unresolved issues that she wanted to put to rest. She ended up seeing a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) whose primary counseling tool was something called TIR. TIR stands for Traumatic Incident Reduction. TIR therapy was developed by retired California psychiatrist Dr. Frank Gerbode in the 80s and is [...]
A naturopathic doctor in Maine can get a license to practice medicine. What does that mean and is naturopathy covered by insurance?
Your cholesterol is too high, putting you at risk for developing heart disease and having a heart attack. Your doctor suggested you change your diet. You're totally confused about what to do next.
People with Alzheimer's may lose their cognitive memories, but are able to hang on to emotional memories. A trip to the hairdresser can help build those memories.
Becky and and her dog Muffin It’s hard to believe that is was the beginning of the year when I first wrote about Becky Sawtelle’s decision to have weight loss surgery. We haven’t had an update on the blog since the middle of May, but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t made [...]
At 20 months, Eme Brown was diagnosed with classic autism. Now five, because of early intervention she is able to attend mainstream kindergarten.
Every year, Shalom House presents two Hope Awards to people who are making a difference in the lives of people living with mental illness. Shalom House, which is based in Portland, provides community support services and safe, affordable housing for people with serious mental illness. Mary Allen Lindemann and Alan Spear, owners of Coffee By Design, will [...]
Shalom House in Maine presents its 2013 Hope Awards to people making a difference for individuals living with mental illness. Cheryl Ramsay is a 2013 recipient.