Health & Wellness

Grandmother's Prayer

admin — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 10:07:43 -0600

My grandmother was affected with Alzheimer's disease, and when she was no longer able to live alone, she went to stay at my uncle's house.

She needed help to dress. She lived in a constant state of confusion. She could still make sentences as she rambled on, but her sentences made no sense.

There was no way to carry on a conversation with her. And no longer was it feasible for her to attend church. She was literally cut off from everything she had treasured—including God.

Grandma Living with Cancer is Fulfilling Bucket List

batch — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 04:05:10 -0500

On September 17, Susie Mann jumped out of an airplane and felt the thrill of skydiving for the first time.

What differentiates her experience from other inspirational stories is that Mann, 79, was diagnosed with terminal intestinal cancer last spring. But she is not letting the diagnosis prevent her from living life to its fullest.

90-Year-Old Blood Donor Reaches Milestone

batch — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 04:05:12 -0500

Margaret Delfino, a 90-year-old great-grandmother from Bakersfield, California, has long had a mission to encourage as many people as possible to donate blood.

Now, she added a significant personal milestone to offer as inspiration: she recently gave her 200th pint at the local blood bank.

Delfino has been donating blood since 1954, although she had to take a five-year hiatus after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Always There

admin — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 12:14:00 -0500

They say the best songs—especially the best country songs—come from the heart. I'm here to tell you that's true, and then some. Last year I was a contestant on TV's American Idol. Competing against thousands of singers, I made it to the top six before being voted off, and was grateful to have come so far. Right away offers came in from big Nashville songwriters to write material for me. I was flattered, but in the end I figured I had to try telling my own story my own way. After all, country singing is about life. Real life.

Loud & Clear

admin — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 06:21:00 -0500

Mr. Fix-it. That's what I call Brian, my 16-year-old grandson. Not long ago he dropped by to help me with some household projects. The filter in the furnace needed changing. A few hard-to-reach lightbulbs had gone out. Brian did his chores in a jiffy, then headed to the family room and switched on the TV. "Grmmament?" he called. At least, that's what it sounded like to me. I'm a little hard of hearing-well, half deaf, if you want to know the truth-and I seldom wore my decade-old hearing aid.

"What, Brian?" I asked. "I can't hear you."

Resources for Families

admin — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 08:29:00 -0500

Partnership for Parents A network for parents of kids with illnesses. You'll find tips for talking with doctors and practical daily solutions. For more: partnershipforparents.org or (831) 763-3070.

CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation

The Smell of Security

admin — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 10:43:17 -0600

My Grandma Buige lived two blocks away when I was a little girl, and I loved visiting her. Her house was like a refuge. As soon as I stepped in and smelled that special smell—a mixture of her Tabu perfume, the Oil of Olay she smoothed on her face, and the fresh flowers she kept on her dining table, I felt safe and comforted.

Facing Alzheimer's Together

admin — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:17:00 -0600

Caring for someone with Alzheimer's can be overwhelming. The Alzheimer's Association makes these important points about helping your loved one—and yourself:

1. Provide structure.
Alzheimer's patients are easily disoriented, so it's important that their environment is stable and familiar and their routines are respected.

Over Troubled Waters

admin — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 12:31:00 -0500

How had my life gotten to be such a mess? I sat alone in my apartment asking myself that question. I'd stayed out late the night before at a bar, slept the morning away, and I still felt exhausted. I had no job to go to; I couldn't hold one. It was too hard to get out of bed most days. I pulled myself to my feet and went to the mirror, hardly recognizing the gaunt face that stared back at me. I was 27 and weighed 85 pounds. It was no wonder I got sick so often, but I just didn't care enough to eat well.

The Sensible Thing to Do

admin — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:44:24 -0500

In the years after my granddad's death in 1995, my grandmother Ivy became an increasing concern—for my mom, who lived near her in Maryland, and for my wife, Tonya, and me in Georgia. Already frail, Gram was becoming forgetful. Bills were going unpaid. Food spoiled in the refrigerator. She would skip her medicine. Clearly Gram couldn't live alone anymore.