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NURSE MINISTRY
APRIL 2008
FIVE MEDICAL TESTS THAT MAY KEEP YOU WELL
Parade Magazine, January, 2008. By Dr. Mark Liponis
The following five tests are not considered "routine," but your doctor is probably familiar with them. You may need to discuss them with your doctor at your next physical exam. They are not necessary at every visit and insurance may not pay if they are not "medically necessary”. These tests let you know if you are at risk, so you can take preventive steps now.
1. CRP, or C-reactive protein: This is a simple blood test that measures the amount of inflammation in your body. Elevated CRP levels have been shown to precede and predict heart attacks, stroke, colon cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, Alzheimer's disease, aneurysms, sudden cardiac death, abnormal heart rhythms and even macular degeneration.
CRP does not diagnose any particular condition. It just identifies that you are at risk for illness. CRP is a protein made by our immune system. The higher the CRP, the more at risk you are to develop problems. The good news is that CRP levels can be reduced by exercise, modest weight loss, eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, taking a multi-vitamin and certain medications such as aspirin or a statin.
2. Vitamin D level: This is a simple blood test. Vitamin D is important for healthy bones and important to our immune system for the prevention of cancer, including breast and prostate. All multivitamins contain Vitamin D, but most people should get between 1000 and 1500 IU of Vitamin D3 daily.
3. H.Pylori test: The discovery of H. pylori (Helicobacter pylori bacteria) infection as the primary cause of stomach ulcers changed treatment world-wide. This bacteria is also responsible for stomach cancer, heartburn, ulcers, and even eye disorders. H.pylori is a chronic, potentially lifelong infection of the stomach. It is often "silent" and offers no symptoms. The infection can be treated with antibiotics and antacids. A blood-antibody test can show if you have ever been infected. A breath test or stool test can identify active infection.
4. Aspirin check: A blood test for aspirin levels determines the effectiveness of the daily aspirin for an individual. Aspirin is a powerful preventative measure for those at risk for heart attack, stroke and/or colon cancer. It is estimated that 50 million Americans take aspirin daily to prevent heart attack. Most people take a baby aspirin (81 milligrams), but research shows that 10% to 20% require higher doses to benefit from its protective effects.
5. Insulin level: To do this test, your blood is drawn twice--first after fasting, then again two hours later after a glucose drink. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by an excess of insulin production in response to eating. Measuring your body's insulin-production levels identifies your risk for diabetes long before symptoms emerge. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented by adopting a lifestyle that includes daily exercise, weight control and a low-glycemic diet that reduces the intake of sugar, starches and refined grains.
Some day our doctor may wave a handheld device over our body and instantly diagnose any illness. However, in the meantime, we need to keep abreast of the latest tests that can help us to stay healthy–especially those that uncover risks before symptoms actually occur.
Marjorie
CAR SERVICE CHECK
Members of our church are missing a great opportunity to have their car checked by Don Hendley and PJ Taylor on Angel Food distribution day. Tire pressure and windshield wipers are a few of the things they will check. It is a great mission service and they have been like the Maytag repairmen recently with one or two cars needing their care each month. Come between 9:30 and 11:30 on August 26th and put our men to work!
Respite Program
The respite program is offered every Tuesday from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM in the old fellowship hall (narthex) at the Burnet First United Methodist Church. Diane Carothers, the Wesley nurse from the Highland Lakes United Methodist Church , is the director of the program. She can be reached at 325-388-3035. She interviews and evaluates potential clients to see is they are appropriate for the program. It is primarily for those with early stage Alzheimer's or dementia. Some criteria she might evaluate would be continance, ability to eat and swallow, cooperation and compatability. Wandering would be a concern.
Each client has one-on-one volunteers. We currently have an average of three to four clients and can take up to ten. Right now we have only females.
When they arrive, they get a light snack. They have exercise, music time, crafts and rest time. They are not "forced" to do things.
Diane is a nurse, one of the volunteers is a retired nurse and Marjorie Bronk is a nurse, so we can deal with most problems.
This program is under the auspices of the Alzheimer's Association in Austin. There is no funding and has been carried mainly by donations. We may look at grants down the road. The Church does not charge them for any thing.
MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
I would like to remind you that we have a good supply of various medical equipment available to anyone for loan. We have walkers, wheelchairs, bedside commodes, crutches, etc. I am preparing a "sign out" book that will be available in the church office to log out the loaned equipment and the return of the borrowed supplies. If I can assist you with your needs, let me know. If I can help you with any health related questions or issues, call me, Marjorie Bronk, at 512-756-2756.
ANGEL FOOD MINISTRIES
APRIL 2008 MENU
BASIC FOOD UNIT - $30.00
2 lb. Fully Cooked Meatloaf
15 oz. Refried Beans
12 ct. Tortillas
26 oz. Pasta Sauce
1 lb. Beef Fajita Strips
16 oz. Pasta
3 lb. Breaded Frying Chicken
6 oz. Pancake Mix
2 lb. St. Louis Style Ribs
16 oz. Fresh Carrots
2 lb. Lasagna Dinner Entree
3 lb. Golden Yukon Potatoes
1 lb. Gourmet Sausage
4 oz. Chicken Noodle Soup (Makes 64 oz.)
1 lb. Fully Cooked Meatballs
4 lb. California Oranges
16 oz. Broccoli
Dessert Item
( *I.Q.F. - Individually Quick Frozen - All weights are approximate)
ALL THIS FOR THE LOW COST OF JUST - $30.00
**One or more specials available**
**only with the purchase of a regular unit**
APRIL SPECIAL #1 7.5 lb. Family Variety Grill Box. . . . . . $20.00
2 lb. Meaty Baby Back Pork Ribs, 2 lb. Thick Cut Country-Style Pork Ribs (4 x 8 oz..), 1.5 lb. Thick Cut Sirloin Filet (Baseball Cut 4 x 6 oz.), 1 lb. All Beef Patties (4 x 4 oz.), 1 lb. Mild Italian Sausage
APRIL SPECIAL #2 4 lb. New York Strip Box . . . . . . $19.00
4 lb. New York Strip Steaks (8 x 8 oz.)
APRIL SPECIAL #3. . . . . . . . .$18.00
4.5 lb. Stuffed Chicken Breast Combo 1.5 lb. Cordon Bleu (4 x 6 oz.), 1.5 lb. Broccoli Cheese (4 x 6 oz.), 1.5 lb. Chicken Breast Kiev (4 x 6 oz.)
APRIL SPECIAL #4 Senior Convenience Meal Box . . . . . . .$18.00
Five Delicious Individual Dinner Entrees with 2 sides each • Grilled Chicken Breast w/ Rice & Gravy • Salisbury Steak & Gravy • Macaroni & Cheese, • Chicken Tetrazzini, • Beef Chili Macaroni Casserole: Includes five breads, milks, margarine, and desserts
• Distribution Day is APRIL 26, 2008 •
from 10:30 AM to 12:00 nOON
• LAST DAY TO PLACE AND PAY FOR YOUR ORDER IS •
Friday, APRIL 11, 2008, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
You Must Bring A Large Box To Pick Up Your Food
(Angel Food Ministries Reserves the Right to Substitute Any of the Menu Items Due To Availability, Cost and Quality and Printing Errors)
You can order and pay to donate a Unit to LACARE or to an individual
• Pre-pay $30 by check or cash per food unit ordered.
• More than one unit may be ordered and must be paid for in advance.
• If you wish to order specials, for each Special #1 add $20 for each, and for each Special #2 add $19 for each, and for each Special #3 add $18 for each, and for each Special #4 add $18.00 for each to the $30 unit price.
• Make check payable to First United Methodist Church (FUMC).
• Food Distribution Day for April will be April 26, 2008 at the First United Methodist Church, 909 North Vanderveer Street, Burnet, from 10:30 to 12 noon. (Phone 756-2229)
• Unwanted items and/or those items not picked
up will be donated to LACare of Burnet.
• No items are held after 12:00 PM and no credit will be given for Future months if orders are not picked up.
• Order and prepay at the First United Methodist Church in Burnet on these dates and at these times for April:
• Sunday, April 6 , 2008 from 9:30 AM to 11 AM and
12 noon to 12:30 PM
• Monday, April 7, 2008 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
• Any Tuesday or Wednesday morning before April 11, 2008 from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM
• Thursday, April 10, 2008 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
• LAST DAY TO ORDER: Friday, April 11, 2008
from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
QUESTIONS? PLEASE CONTACT MARJORIE BRONK AT 756-2756
WE NEED AND WANT AND CAN USE VOLUNTEERS OF
ALL AGES FOR THIS MAJOR UNDERTAKING. GIVE A LITTLE OF YOUR TIME AND MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN MANY LIVES.
Thank you,
Marjorie
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