tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90441070009500981732024-03-13T00:38:17.705-07:00Dr. Snyder's Healthy Family BlogA blog by a family physician, wife and mother about family health topics and information along with entertaining anecdotes about the day to day of a family doctor.Ann Snyder, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00339465173542207932noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9044107000950098173.post-9450174302158957902013-08-29T08:53:00.000-07:002013-08-29T08:53:12.909-07:00Hannah-NOT-So-Montana-AnymoreThis week has been so busy. The kids headed back to school. Backpacks and notebooks. Crayons and pencils. Forms to fill out. The last thing I wanted was to have to have a conversation with my 7 and 9 year girls about Hannah-NOT-so-Montana-Anymore.<br />
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Now, before you get all judgmental on me, NO I did NOT watch the VMAs. I have no interest in them. For the most part as far back as I can remember there was some "artist" or another doing nasty stuff on that show. WHY in the world would I sit my kids down to watch something like that? But thanks to the hoopla and uproar even the evening news BOTH local and national and the morning news programs have had pictures of her splashed all over the place. When your daughter says, "But, Mommy, I thought she was on Disney. Why would she do that?" You have to address it.<br />
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We had a talk about how young women who respect themselves act. How acting like that in public is not appropriate. That showing your body in such a way in front of a bunch of people just isn't right. The girls agreed that nice girls don't take off their clothes in public and they don't dance like that. That wearing a NICE bathing suit was OK, but ONLY if you are swimming. Whew. Conversation over. (My girls are way too young to have the rest of the conversation regarding sex and PDAs, etc. Yet...thank goodness.)<br />
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However, the more I've thought and pondered on it over the past week, the more angry I've become. While I agree that the performance was downright icky, is it really that much worse than MANY other performances? All day every day our society is inundated with gyrating and scantily clad women. Heck, the Victoria's Secret fashion show is on prime time TV now. AND don't start with the, "It's classy and artistic" argument. It's women in sexy clothes traipsing around for large numbers of people's enjoyment. I'm no prude. I'm all for sexy clothes and ADULT women wearing them in appropriate context, but one only has to check the sales number from the porn industry to know that objectifying women and sex is very profitable. And that's just the legal stuff.<br />
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Why is the outrage just pointed at this 20 year old ADULT woman? Why not at all the others? Watch any performance by nearly any female artist these days and I'll guarantee she's in nearly non existent clothing and dancing in a sexual way. You know what I think? I think it's because we all remember her as a little girl. How cute and smart and funny she was on that show. We see in her ALL our daughters. But, guess what? <u><b>ALL those women on TV and in dance clubs and in movies and in strip clubs and porn are someone's daughter. </b></u><br />
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Maybe that's what we need to start thinking about. As the mother of young girls, I struggle to find clothes that are appropriate. Shorts are TOO short. Dresses too sexy. Tops with deep v-cuts. T shirts saying "I'm a princess" "I'm pretty" "Cheerleader" "Dance" All of which would be fine if you could also find ones saying "Athlete" "Math genius" "Reader" "Science Lover". You can't. Even those of us who TRY find it hard to dress our girls modestly. And why is that? Is it because of the media? Industry? NO. It's ALL of the mothers everywhere that buy that CRAP. They would not be making shorts that barely cover butts if we didn't buy them. Think about it. <br />
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And then I thought about the male half of this story. As far as I can tell, Miley Cyrus wasn't on that stage alone. As she was "twerking" there was a man, a MUCH, older man there touching her and pretending to do....well...watch the video. I haven't heard ONE commentary about how a grown man shouldn't be doing that with a much younger girl on stage. Once again the stereo type of SLUT vs STUD is more than obvious. It's OK for a man to have a video with multiple topless women singing about "I know you want it," but it is forbidden for a woman to respond in the only way a man wants her to when he says those words?<br />
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The funny thing is I actually kind of like that song. It's catchy. But, it's a perfect example of how hard it is to separate "fantasy" from reality. I don't think Robin Thicke who is married and father of a small child really dances around with naked women having sex with all of them all the time. At least I hope not. BUT, our kids can't separate that fact. We have got to start teaching our girls to value themselves. BUT we also have to teach our boys to value our girls. If we don't do both, we have failed all our children.<br />
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This morning I read <a href="http://themattwalshblog.com/2013/08/28/dear-son-dont-let-robin-thicke-be-a-lesson-to-you/">this post</a> on my Facebook. And so the next conversation about this Cyrusgate I will be having will be with my 15 year old son. Reminding him that yes, there are some very beautiful and sexy women to look at but every one of those is a person with a brain and a soul. Somebody's mom or daughter or sister. That real women of value are sexy and beautiful and desirous, but also smart and funny and honest and trustworthy and moral. And that REAL men value REAL women. <br />
<br />Ann Snyder, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00339465173542207932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9044107000950098173.post-18848549879539968272013-08-21T05:47:00.001-07:002013-08-21T05:47:44.753-07:00Back to School CraziesWhen I was a kid, the anticipation leading to the first day of school was unbelievable. I remember arranging all my supplies in my new backpack or bag. Pencils and pens in the pencil box. Rulers and protractors and sharp scissors. I remember not being able to wait to wear my new clothes, even if some of them might be for the wrong season. New shoes you couldn't wait to show your friends. The nervous butterflies in my stomach wondering if my best friend would be in my class. Would I know anyone? Would the teacher be nice or mean? And my lunch box with matching thermos that I insisted on drinking from as soon as I brought it home.<br />
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Yes, back to school was a wonderful time. By the time it arrived, I was bored with summer games and playing outside. Skating down sidewalks and riding my bike with friends. Even swimming was old hat. I didn't want anymore craft projects or books to read or games to play. No matter how many wonderful things my Mom presented to me, none of them seemed exciting. I'd said, "I'm bored" enough times that Mom was sick of it and ready to ship me off to school.<br />
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As a parent, I realize now there is so much to back to school. Between worrying about the kids and making sure my long to-do list is complete, I find myself a bundle of emotion. I put on a brave face for the kids. I tell them how great it will be to see their friends. I see them just as excited about new back packs and lunch boxes as I was at their age. Inside, my brain is swirling.<br />
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It's really hard to be a parent. My Mom told me this many times, but of course I didn't believe her. She was a single working mom, sometimes working 2 jobs to support us. Knowing now what I didn't know then, my Mom's statement about parenting being hard seems like a HUGE understatement. Don't get me wrong. Being a parent is absolutely the single best thing EVER. My kids are amazing and funny and cute and smart and teaching me things everyday. I thank God everyday for them and the opportunity to be a parent. BUT, I'd be lying if I said every day is wonderful. ANY parent who tells you every minute is wonderful and they are enjoying every minute is a BIG. Fat. Liar. <br />
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For me the time leading to back to school is nerve wracking. There are forms to fill out and emails to answer. School supply lists that seem longer and more complicated every year. Now that my son is in (gulp) high school, there are summer readings and projects. Between school things and their outside activities, I feel like my head is spinning. Then there are the closets to clean out. Do they have shoes that fit? Back to school meet the teacher nights and phone calls to make. <br />
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And then there's mommy guilt. Did they have a good summer? Did they read enough? Did they study enough? I'll bet that kid down the street was in a 4th grade college prep PSAT class. I'll bet that kid's mom did interesting science experiments everyday. All that crap on Pinterest I see that looks so amazing, I'll bet SHE did ALL that. And took pictures of it. And posted it all on Facebook.<br />
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Then there are my insecurities. Will my kids have friends? What if they're bullied? What if they aren't popular? What if they are the annoying kid in class? What if they are the know it all kid? What if they aren't as smart as I think? What if they are just (*GULP*) AVERAGE? <br />
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And these days, much worse worries than that. Will they be safe? Is there a tornado shelter? What are the school's emergency procedures for lock down? Do my kids know what to do if there is an emergency? Will the teachers follow protocol in an emergency? How does my kid's school protect against intruders? What would my kids do if a stranger approached them? What would they do if someone they KNOW approached them inappropriately? What about the internet? How can I be sure they are not doing things they shouldn't be?<br />
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All of these worries and more make being a good parent these days stressful. Protecting our kids and guiding them through school is our most important job. But, being a good parent means making sure they enjoy school and get to be a KID from time to time. Play with no plans. Be silly and messy and spontaneous. At the same time, we have to make sure they learn enough so that they will be competitive in a very competitive world. They have to develop their brains and their social lives.<br />
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Sigh........<br />
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And guess what? We are only human. We can only do our best. Love them. Guide them and lead by example. Have faith that if we do our best, our best will be enough. That soemday we'll look at the children we've raised and realize it was hard, but we did good. I know that will be an awesome feeling.<br />
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But, for now, I'm going to shove all those worries aside. Do my best to teach my kids to be safe. Do my best to teach them to enjoy reading and math and science and just plain LEARNING. Show them how to manage their time and organize. Show them sometimes you screw up and learn from that, too. Do my best to be sure we enjoy these years of school and sports and band and Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts and ALL of it. Becuase after all, we only get ONE shot at that.<br />
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So bring it on BACK-TO-SCHOOL. We got this.<br />
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<br />Ann Snyder, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00339465173542207932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9044107000950098173.post-37489675652454288152012-10-24T15:55:00.000-07:002012-10-24T15:55:11.708-07:0011 Ways to Keep Halloween from Being SCARY as ParentsI love Halloween. I have since I was a kid. I love dressing up in costumes. I love all the scary decorations. I love scary movies. I love the silliness of the whole holiday. Now that I'm a parent it is a lot of fun to see my kids enjoy the holiday as much as I always have. Of course as a parent, there are so many more things to consider. Now that my kids are getting a little older, they've started venturing out on their own more for Trick-or-Treating. It got me thinking about some safety issues all of us need to consider for the holiday. Here are a few Halloween safety tips to keep your family safe.<br />
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<ol>
<li> <b>Costumes can be more than just scary to look at.</b> Check your child's costume to be sure your child has good movement, that they can walk in whatever
they are wearing, and be certain that they have a good scope of vision.
Also, if you are using a store-bought costume be careful around any
open flames, since most of these costumes are cheap and quite flammable.
It’s not a bad idea to go over stop, drop, and roll if your kids are
going to any kind of bonfire. The costume should be visible. Black vampire capes are cool and scary, but your child needs to be seen to be safe.</li>
<li> <b>Make sure you never carry real weapons.</b> It might be tempting to carry or let your kid carry an unloaded or scary-looking weapon to "complete the look" for his or her costume, but even unloaded guns can be dangerous. If you plan to allow your kid to carry fake guns for their costume, take a few minutes to talk about gun safety. Even a fake gun should not be pointed at anything you do not want to
destroy. Act like every gun is loaded, even the fake ones. This mostly
applies to older kids, but use your judgement based on your child’s
maturity.</li>
<li><b>Make sure your child and everyone in your group has a flash light or glow stick. </b>This once again goes to visibility. It is especially important for kids, like mine, who might get anxious and in a hurry and separated from the group.</li>
<li><b>Emphasize road safety.</b> In our neighborhood there are a TON of kids. On Halloween night there are kids on bikes and scooters and motorized vehicles, not to mention cars carrying our little goblins to and fro. Halloween is very exciting and fun and THAT along with lots of sugar filled candy can lead to kids forgetting basic safety rules like: <b>STAY on the sidewalk and LOOK both ways before crossing the street.</b> Plus there are plenty of distracted teenagers on the road for Halloween fun as well so BE careful.</li>
<li>And on the subject of drivers...<b>SLOW DOWN</b> <b>if you are behind the wheel.</b> Neighborhoods are bustling on Halloween. if you're driving, keep your distractions to a minimum. There will be all kinds of little ones out who may not be watching out for your car. You need to have your mind and eyes on the road, not the cell phone or radio. Also turn on your headlights early to help increase the visibility of your vehicle</li>
<li><b>Before you leave the house make sure your children know their FIRST and LAST names, full address and phone number.</b> Don't assume they can call you on their cell phone because you never know if it may get lost. Also, if they get lost, "I live in the brown house with my Mommy and Daddy" is not the best way to get them home.</li>
<li><b>Make sure your child knows it is OK to say NO to an adult.</b> It is not rude to runaway from someone if they are feeling bothered or
uncomfortable. Make sure they know to yell and attract as much attention
as possible if they feel uncomfortable with an adult.</li>
<li><b>Talk to your kids about the tricks predators use to lure children.</b> These most often include bribes of money, toys, etc., or requests for
help, such as help finding a lost pet, or maybe even coming in for the
candy that is in the kitchen. Halloween is a night for getting things
from people you barely know. There is no point in scaring your children
before they go out, but this is a subject that you want to broach,
especially if they are being let off the parental leash for the night.</li>
<li><b>Eat before you go out and accept only wrapped candy. Don't let your kids indulge in any of it until you've had a chance to look it over.</b> If you make sure your kids have ACTUAL food before they go out, they'll be less tempted to ignore this rule. PLUS, you might end up with a less sugar filled kiddo by the end of the night. We can hope, right?</li>
<li><b>Practice fire safety.</b> Don't overload outlets or overuse extension cords. Keep kids away from open flames. Better yet, use battery operated lights instead of candles. It's a great time to practice Stop-Drop-Roll. Make sure exits are clear of decorations and ensure nothing blocks a safe exit in case of emergency.</li>
<li><b>Make sure your child knows HOW and WHEN to call 911</b>.</li>
</ol>
Halloween is a time for all kinds of fun. But it is also great time to talk about safety rules that can keep them safe all year long. Being prepared and knowing how to react to a situation is one of the best lessons you can teach your kids.We don't want to scare our kids, well.......maybe we want to SCARE them just a LITTLE at Halloween....but we don't want them in situations that could be dangerous. Following just a few simple rules will keep them out of harm's way.<br />
Ann Snyder, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00339465173542207932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9044107000950098173.post-89803127739476554112012-07-20T05:01:00.001-07:002012-07-20T05:01:20.117-07:00It's NOT About The Statue! What really matters in the Penn State ScandalI've been a college football fan all my life. You don't get born in Norman, Oklahoma the home of Sooner football and not grow up a football fan. I love everything about college football games. My husband and I still have tickets and try to make as many games as we can. I'm a sports nut. I love them all. I watch a lot of ESPN, read the magazines, listen sports talk radio and even blogs and websites. It's my thing.<br />
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You'd have to be hiding in a hole somewhere to have missed the news about the Penn State child abuse scandal. It is absolutely horrific. It's been a topic in the news and sports news for several months now.(Please stop reading now if the topic of child sexual abuse is disturbing for you.)<br />
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Joe Paterno has been the coach at Penn State since before I was born until his death a few months ago. That's a really long time to be a coach. I remember the times OU had played Penn State and respecting him as a coach. The older I've gotten, the more respect I've had for a man to be so seemingly devoted to doing things right. I remember watching scandals come and go over the years at many programs, yet here he was....Paterno: old Fashioned, upstanding and someone that seemed to be a man made of a different cloth. It was often said of him, "They don't make 'em like that anymore." This sort of thing was always said with near reverence for the man and all he had done. Now, there are much different things being said about him and rightly so.<br />
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In the wake of one of the most devastating and tragic scandals to ever rock college sports, everyone is talking about the horrific acts done at Penn State by former coach Jerry Sandusky and the people who have covered it up. Worse it seems now with all the new information that no one, not even Joe Paterno, did ANYTHING to stop it from happening to more young boys. It is horrible, sickening, gut wrenching to think of even ONE young boy being raped and not stopped. Not to mention the 40 counts of which he was convicted.<br />
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As a family physician I am no stranger to abuse cases. Recognizing them, reporting them, dealing with the long lasting psychological trauma caused by abuse of all kinds is part of my job, my responsibility. The fact that these so called "teachers"or "professors"or "educators" or even coaches KNEW that a child predator was in their midst and did not do everything in their power to stop it from ever happening again is revolting. <br />
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Last week a new report from an independent investigation was released.
Since then, many people have been calling for the removal of the statue
of Joe Paterno on the Penn State campus. This week I've seen multiple reports
discussing whether it should be taken down both in the sports and regular media.
Fact is, we're missing the point. Statue or no statue, child abuse is a
REAL problem. We all ought to be spending more time disucssing it, how
to recognize it and prevent it.<br />
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Every single one of these news reports talk about this as if it's an isolated incident. The sad truth is that children are sexually abused every day, every hour, every minute. Most perpetrators are someone the child knows and many times is a family member. We should not think that child abuse is committed by some stranger. Just like in the Penn State case, it is almost always someone that is trusted by the family.<br />
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As a parent, the idea of what happened to all those poor boys saddens and enrages me. As a doctor it makes me want to be just that much more diligent about watching for signs and symptoms. But more importantly it reinforces the idea that prevention is key.<br />
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The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents teach their children the name of the
genitals, just as they teach their child names of other body parts. This
teaches that the genitals, while private, are not so private that you
can’t talk about them.<br />
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Talking to our children about inappropriate touching is also important. We cannot wait "until they're old enough" or be embarrassed or worried about talking about it. Protecting our children starts at home. We all must be sure kids know that if ANYONE touches them in ANY way that makes them uncomfortable they can and must tell someone and not fear ANY repercussions. Sandusky often threatened his victims and their families as many sexual predators do. We have to emphasize that they will be safe and not punished for reporting it. It is so important to teach our children early and often that there are no secrets between
children and their parents, and that they should feel comfortable
talking with their parent about anything -- good or bad, fun or sad,
easy or difficult.<br />
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Children who are victims of sexual abuse can display many or few
behavioral symptoms. They may withdraw from family or friends, display
poor school performance, experience depression, anxiety, or exhibit
aggressive and self-destructive behavior. Or they may not display any
outward abnormal behavior. It's important to use your instincts. If you are worried about your child, don't ignore that. See your family physician right away.<br />
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We also must educate ourselves about how to report and to whom. Every one of us, doctor, teacher or just regular citizen has a duty to report ANY suspected child abuse-sexual or physical. You can make reports anonymously. You can call 911 for any emergent situation. In Texas you can even file a report online. Please don't be afraid to report. It is much better to make an error than live with the idea that you did nothing to protect a child who has been harmed. It's only your job to report cases of suspected abuse. Investigators will do their job to see if the abuse really occurred. <br />
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The situation at Penn State is tragic and horrible. The victims and their families will face a lifetime of dealing with what was done to them. It is horrible. But, whether or not someone's statue is removed is irrelevant. The only thing that matters is that the victims receive the help they need, Jerry Sandusky never gets the opportunity to touch another child, and we ALL open our eyes and protect our children.<br />
<br />Ann Snyder, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00339465173542207932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9044107000950098173.post-81000472894891758202012-04-19T14:57:00.000-07:002012-04-19T14:57:05.162-07:0017 Years Ago TodayI was a third year medical student. I was tired and busy and nervous. I was engaged to be married in December. I was on my surgery rotation. One of the most hated. It meant long long hours. I had to be at the hospital and ready to "round" with the intern by 5am so we could round with the senior resident at 6am. Attendings at 6:30am. Then surgical cases began at 7-7:30am. If you weren't scrubbed in on a case, you were studying, or supposed to be.<br />
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I remember it being one of those perfect spring days. A little chilly in the morning. Just enough to feel it and dew on the grass. The sun came up bright and lovely and we were all complaining about how we'd rather be outside than stuck in the stupid hospital. <br />
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At 9am that day I had just ran down to the floor to check on a patient. I was on my way back to the student lounge when it happen. The walls shook. There was a HUGE noise. I ran up the stairs to see if my friends knew what had happened. No one knew. A few minutes later we headed to check out the TV. The loud speakers in the hospital began to blare out a message none of us understood at first. "CODE BLACK. CODE BLACK. This is not a drill. Repeat This is not a drill. ALL attendings, residents and medical students report IMMEDIATELY to the emergency room for assignments." It repeated a time or 2 before we understood it meant us.<br />
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As we ran down the stairs scared to death, we saw nurses and doctors and people scurrying every which way. We were asking each other "What the heck is code black?" Someone shouted, "DISASTER. It's a disaster. A major problem like plane crash or explosion or something." We ran faster down the hall. On the TV there was already aerial footage of the building and a big black cloud of smoke. The windows in the hospital lobby were blown out and there were people crying in the lobby, but we kept going headed toward the ER. No one knew what had happened yet.<br />
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I remember streaming in to the ER and seeing every attending physician in the hospital. All of them. Scariest thing I've ever seen. Ever. We all knew something really really bad had happened. We were given assignments. I was assigned to triage. We gowned up in trauma gear and headed outside where we were given cards to assign to patients-green, yellow, red. Red was the most critical. We were supposed to start IVs, assign the cards and divide the victims into groups.<br />
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You have to understand. We'd only done a few IVs at this point. Sutured a few times. We were absolutely terrified. We looked at each other with excited, but also gravely serious looks on our faces. It was made even more terrifying by the looks on the faces of the surgeons and doctors we idolized and feared. They were scared, too.<br />
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Information began to trickle in. There had been an explosion at the federal building downtown. It was a couple miles from where we were. We tried to call friends who were on rotations at St. Anthony's which was closer to the blast. Getting cellphone signal was really hard. We stood and waited in the ambulance bay. And waited. And waited. The worst part. A few people came in cars and trucks. There were a few ambulances.<br />
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It was chaos as a few more bomb scares happened. Some of our friends had jogged and walked over to see what had happened. As time went on, it was clear. We were not going to get the injuries we thought. And later, we knew that it was because many were already dead.<br />
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A triage area was set up in the cafeteria where students and residents pulled glass out of people and stitched minor wounds and took histories and listened to stories. We gave tetanus shots and bandaged and reassured the terrified people. Then I finally got a phone call. It was my Aunt. <br />
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I wondered how strange it was that she called. I figured she knew I was in the area and was checking on me. She was, but then she told me. That building. That was the one my two cousins worked in. They were cousins, but they were much older than me. I called them my "uncles" growing up. I was confused. She asked me to check to see if they were there because no one could find them.<br />
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So, I ran back to the ER. No one registered there by those names. No John Doe with their description. I called my friends in all the other hospitals. No one had them admitted. I tried to walk over to the site. I had heard that some of my friends were there helping triage close to the building. But by then, the streets were blocked and the police and FBI had shut down the scene.<br />
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I hung around a while and helped where I could and then I finally told my resident I was going home. I couldn't think straight and I needed to check on my family. I drove home to Norman where the family had started to gather together. We were glued to the TVs. Sat perched by the phones. We had the TVs on different channels in different rooms. We called everyone we knew that might have information. As the day wore into night, and they were trying to find anyone alive it got scarier. I called my friends who were on call all night. No one had seen my family members. We had hope that maybe they were in a hospital and no one knew yet.<br />
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As we woke up the next day, that hope diminished. I drove to the hospital as I had all the days before. I was worried and scared. The first patient I was assigned to was a man from the bombing. He had a skull fracture. He had brain fluids leaking out on his pillow. He was in critical condition and probably wouldn't make it. I walked in the room and began to examine him. I proceeded to have a panic attack.<br />
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I was hyperventilating. I was shaking and dizzy. I thought I would pass out. The nurse in the room in the ICU noticed me. Normally this sort of reaction might elicit scorn from an experienced ICU nurse. Another med student freaked by a critical brain patient? But, not today. Today everyone was sad and scared and in mourning. She asked if I was OK. She escorted me out of the room and sat me down. I burst into tears. I couldn't talk.<br />
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Another student came over. Asked what was wrong. "My uncles." Was all I could get out. Finally I was able to calm down and explained they were missing and likely in the rubble. The clock was ticking and if they weren't found soon........well everyone there knew what it meant if they weren't found. I was mercifully sent home to be with my family. My fellow students said they would cover for me.<br />
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A center for the families was set up at a nearby church. The fire chief and rescue people and medical examiner and representatives from the hospitals were there. Counselors and ministers. We were all on watch hoping our family members would be found alive. We sat there for days waiting to hear and knowing that each minute that went by we were less likely to get good news. Then, we just wanted to know.<br />
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One cousin was found after a few days, the other not for weeks. I had nightmares for weeks, months after the bombing where I was looking for them, they were calling me, and I couldn't help them. I was terrified that my soon to be husband would leave and not come home one day. I was afraid of the hospital and sometimes the patients. It changed everything. It changed me, our family, our state, our nation.<br />
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That day 168 people were killed, 19 were children. Nearly 700 people were injured. It left 2 widows and 5 children without fathers in our family. It left me knowing that everything could end any minute. You'd better live your life the best you can. Love your family and at every opportunity tell them that you do. I learned to be a better doctor. More empathetic to those that experience trauma.<br />
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It left me with more empathy for those that have anxiety and PTSD because it is something I battle even now at times. I still do not leave the house without saying goodbye to my husband. For years after, I physically could not go anywhere or leave him without saying goodbye. If I left and forgot to hug my husband, I had to turn around and go back. Had to. Now it's a habit I cherish.<br />
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Even now after all these years this day is a hard day. A day of remembrance. A day to be thankful. A day to count our blessings. A day to think about the fragility of life. A day that I will never forget.Ann Snyder, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00339465173542207932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9044107000950098173.post-19074410824214012992012-02-16T13:45:00.000-08:002012-02-16T13:45:42.213-08:00Doctor Heal Thyself?There's an old saying, "Doctors make the worst patients." This may or may not be true, but I can tell you being both a doctor and a patient is......well a bit weird. I'm not exactly sure why, but I have a few ideas. Tomorrow I'll have a chance to experience being a patient once more and maybe that will shed some light on the issue.<br />
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I have a condition called subglottic stenosis. This is a fancy way of saying I have scar tissue that has grown in my upper airway. We're not sure why I got this. It is a condition which is usually congenital and usually diagnosed in children. In adults it almost always happens due to trauma to the airway, either being on a ventilator, or trauma to the neck. In my case, I have idiopathic subglottic stenosis. Idiopathic is doctor speak for "we have no idea why you have it".<br />
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At any rate, the condition causes a narrowing in my airway. This limits my breathing and makes it hard for me to tolerate any kind of physical activity or exertion. It also means that any cold or allergy problems I have make it worse. Imagine breathing through a drinking straw all the time. Well, that's how I feel. I was diagnosed with this problem in 2007. Tomorrow I'll have the procedure to fix it for the third time. It's a simple surgery where they use a laser to burn off the tissue and restore my airway to near normal size. It may or may not come back again, but at least for some time I'll get relief of my symptoms.<br />
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Here's some pictures of my first surgery <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKr-PHTdQK8IR7P-qGDP8wRzvjXq7d9RbP7unDNjptRBPNBPpjzkX9AJx7S5Gvzu-ekCECMuKqtpvVNJAxhckuFLOnmiNh_YuAqDN9a9v0C-HUH8qtTg7imFLlCsOutFZPFJMXJU1luKT/s1600/2-6-12+5-14-02+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKr-PHTdQK8IR7P-qGDP8wRzvjXq7d9RbP7unDNjptRBPNBPpjzkX9AJx7S5Gvzu-ekCECMuKqtpvVNJAxhckuFLOnmiNh_YuAqDN9a9v0C-HUH8qtTg7imFLlCsOutFZPFJMXJU1luKT/s320/2-6-12+5-14-02+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The picture in the upper right hand corner is before the procedure.That tiny little hole is what I breathe through. If you head straight down that hole you'd hit my trachea and then lungs. This is about the size of a baby's airway. The picture in the upper left hand corner is the picture after the laser burns away the scar tissue. That is about 2/3 of what a normal adult airway should be but you can see it's a huge improvement. The other 2 pics show after the doctor inserted a balloon to dilate the area before the laser. After the laser he injects medication into the area to try to reduce swelling and future scarring.<br />
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I think being a patient is hard for me and other doctors for several reasons. First, we know what happens backstage. Not to say there is anything scary or wrong going on, but we do know every conceivable thing that might go wrong. All the things that we would assure our patients hardly ever happen. Like any other patient I have to realize that the benefits of the procedure outweigh any risks.<br />
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Second, our colleagues and people we supervise are going to see us naked. Yes, it is just weird having someone you will see next week in the staff meeting while in a gown and no undies. Just weird. At least a regular patient will hopefully never see the nurses or doctors again. With me, there's a chance I'll be chatting with them at lunch tomorrow.<br />
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Giving up control is very difficult for doctors. We're used to calling the shots, making the hard decisions. Naturally each of us thinks his or her way of doing things is the best. As patients we have to sit back in the passenger seat and let someone else drive. And anyone whose ridden while their spouse drives knows how hard that is. No matter how much you trust that person, sometimes you get jumpy if traffic piles up. <br />
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I think all doctors should have to experience being a patient at some point. It certainly has taught me a lot about how to help patients through their procedures. For instance, I always try to stay away from too much medical jargon. When I've been a patient I notice so much doctor speak being used. Of course I know the language and I don't need an interpreter, but many patients won't necessarily know what intravenous fluid or endotracheal tube means. <br />
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And even with all my advantages knowing all the risks and benefits. Knowing exactly what the anesthesiologist will do, what drugs they will use, what the nurses will do, how the surgeon will perform the procedure, being a patient is just plain scary. I think it is so important for all of us healthcare providers to remember that. We deal with these things everyday. We live in this land of needles and x-rays and drugs and scalpels. Our patients do not. It's like being dropped on a different planet.....naked.<br />
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The biggest advice I can give to patients is that you should never be afraid to ask questions. Never be afraid to let your nurse or doctor know that you do not understand something they have said. If you feel uncomfortable about something, let someone know. But also, choose physicians and hospitals where you can place your trust. It's important that when you are at your most vulnerable you know you have someone that is doing everything to help you. And then......try to relax. Being anxious and uptight can only make things more difficult. <br />
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Finally, do what your doctors say. Rest when they tell you, eat what they tell you and don't do things they've told you NOT to do. This is the hardest for doctors. We all think we're superhuman and that we can be back to work seeing patients sooner than we should. We all think we know better. Well....we don't. And we often tell our patient's one thing and do another. Of course not me. NO, no me. I promise I will do what I'm told. I want to feel better.<br />
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I want to get back to my workouts and Taekwondo classes and heck, being able to climb the stairs without sucking wind. I am thankful that my health problem is simple to fix. There are many way worse things that can happen. For the time being, I'm going to let my doctor self rest and turn myself into patient me. At least I'm going to try!Ann Snyder, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00339465173542207932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9044107000950098173.post-8330145579799716012012-01-23T20:13:00.000-08:002012-01-23T20:13:01.308-08:00What's your excuse???Right about now the new has worn off those resolutions. It's a little harder. Maybe you're going a little longer between workouts. Maybe you're eating a little more than you were at first. I know how it goes. Two years ago I never worked out. Two years ago I was 75 pounds heavier. I can't tell you what made me do it, but I can tell you I just decided. It's not like I didn't know what to do. I just never did it. I had ALL sorts of excuses for why I couldn't eat right and exercise.<br />
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Over the last 2 years the thing that surprised me most is how much I really do enjoy exercise now that I do it consistently. These days I'm working out 5-6 days a week, sometimes twice a day. I have 3 kids and a full time career. I have a very busy life, but I made the decision that my health was worth the sacrifice. I get up early for a cardio workout most days. I have a stationary bike and some weights at home. I also have videos and a treadmill. In fact I have a WHOLE collection of exercise do-dads collected over the years as I made resolutions year after year. All of them were gathering dust, but not anymore.<br />
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On top of that I started Taekwondo classes. I go to class a minimum of twice a week. I am now half way to black belt. I don't know how long it will take me to get there, but I am absolutely determined to do it. That's going to take comittment and healthy eating and more weight loss. I have to be in better shape than I am now. That's OK. I'm not planning on going anywhere. I plan to be around working toward my goals for a VERY long time. And now.....there's a much better chance I'll make it.<br />
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I know what you're thinking. "Yeah, but...." I've used every excuse in the book to talk myself out of exercise. I didn't realize it at the time, but now I recognize it. Even now working out is sometimes a drag. I don't bound out of bed everyday and hop to it. No.....I STILL have to fight myself some days to get the workouts done. Even though I know how much better I feel. Even though I know if I don't do it I won't lose weight. AND even though I KNOW that once I get going I'll enjoy it.<br />
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I've complied a list of excuses I've used. Maybe you'll recognize a few of your own here. I can say this: Do.Not.Wait. There will always be something standing in your way. ALWAYS. That's life. If you let it, it will rob you of your chance to have a longer healthier one. Make a commitment. SCHEDULE your work outs and stick to the schedule.<br />
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<u><b>Here's a few of things I've used to justify NOT exercising:</b></u><br />
I'm too fat. People will look at me. I might hurt myself. I don't have time. I'm too tired. Exercise is just not my thing. I'll never be skinny anyway. I have too much to do. I should be spending time with my family. I just need some alone time for me.<br />
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It's too hot. It's too cold. It's too windy. I can't find my shoes. I forgot my shoes. I need new shoes. My friend said she'd go with me and then backed out. If only I had an "accountability partner". I'll lose a little weight first, then it will be easier and I can really focus on exercise.(huh?) It's too late at night. It's too early. I'm not sure what to do. I don't know HOW to do it. I don't have a gym membership. I have a gym membership but I'm too embarrassed to go.<br />
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My work out clothes are too tight. My work out clothes are too loose. My workout clothes aren't fashionable enough. My workout clothes are too nice and I might get them too sweaty. (No, really I actually had this thought once) <br />
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I'm sick. I'm getting sick. I MIGHT get sick. I might get hurt. My back/ neck/knee/ankle/leg/elbow/3rd finger/ left big toe hurts. I have a migraine. I MIGHT get a migraine. It's too noisy in the gym. It's too crowded at the gym. There's not enough people there and the trainers will all be looking at me. I'll have to take the kids to the childcare center and I'm already a working Mom, so I should spend more time with my kids. I should be spending time with my husband/pet/mom/cousin/neighbor.<br />
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My closet is a mess. Laundry. Dishes. Kids homework. My homework. I deserve a break. I've lost so much weight and am achieving my goals so I deserve a day off. (pretty twisted one, right?) I'll start on Monday. I'll start on the weekend. I'll start after this semester/project at work/the busy season at work. I'll start after the holiday/birthday/kid's birthday/trip/summer break/spring break/cruise/vacation/doctor's appointment. I'm depressed. I'm just in too good of a mood. (really??) I'm too hungry and I won't have time to workout AND eat (oh my!).<br />
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I'm on my feet all day at work and I never sit down so I'm REALLY active. I "ran late" at work. I have a meeting. I'm just too darned busy. By the end of the day, I work so hard I just don't have the energy to do it.<br />
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I've got my period. I'll be getting my period soon. I'm bloated. I'm dehydrated. I don't want to have to change clothes and shower again. I forgot clean underwear/socks/my makeup/shampoo/pony tail holder/gym membership card. I might be over training. I might get big muscles. I might not be building enough muscles anyway. EVERYONE needs a rest day.<br />
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I'll do it later. I'll catch up on my workouts over the weekend. I overslept. I slept too much. I didn't sleep enough. I forgot to track my food anyway today(how this relates to me working out, I don't know) I just can't face another workout. I screwed up my training schedule so I might as well wait until tomorrow and get back on track. I'm really hungry. I just ate. I forgot my water bottle and I have no money. (Umm...can you say water fountain?)<br />
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My cell phone battery is really low so I can't listen to my music. I don't have my headphones. My headphones are broken. I never have time to make me a good playlist for working out. I forgot the book I was reading when working out. I just want time to read my book.<br />
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I have diarrhea. I'm constipated. I have a rash. I might get a rash. I need gas (for the car, silly). I have a flat tire.(OK so that one should probably be acceptable). I really wanted to DRIVE THROUGH the car wash (while sitting on my butt of course).<br />
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I don't want to make my husband feel guilty since he's NOT working out. (seriously!?!) I don't want my BFF to be jealous if I work out MORE than her. (good lord) My BFF is so much BETTER at working out that me. I'll never be an athlete anyway. Once I start I'll have to keep going or I won't STAY in shape (most twisted one EVER!!)<br />
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I SWEAR! If I'd spent half the amount of time working out as I have spent finding reasons why I couldn't or shouldn't work out, I'd be at my goal weight by now.<br />
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Learn to recognize an excuse when you "hear" yourself make one. Spend more time thinking of ways to make getting in a workout easier and removing obstacles. Spend a little time planning workouts into your schedule and then treat it like you would a business meeting or doctor's appointment. That time should be committed to exercise and if anyone or anything tries to interfere with it, make sure it's important enough that you'd cancel a meeting with your boss/lawyer/doctor/dentist. Because it's THAT important. Because YOU are THAT important.Ann Snyder, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00339465173542207932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9044107000950098173.post-68211564169630447852012-01-04T15:14:00.000-08:002012-01-04T15:14:31.525-08:00I WANT A DOUGHNUT!!!!The alarm went off at 6:35am and by 6:44am I was finally opening my eyes and beginning to stretch when I hear it. Crying. I looked at the clock again and decided that I would indeed be facing this day whether I wanted to or not. Sitting up in bed, I looked up to see my youngest child sniffling and crying. Ready to comfort her from a bad dream or mediate some sort of sibling dispute, I began to ask her what happened when out of her mouth came the statement, " I WANT A DOUGHNUT!"<br />
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Shocked and confused as to why the pursuit of a tasty sugared breakfast pastry would make a 6 year old sob, I asked calmly for her to repeat her statement. " I SAID....I WANT A DOUGHNUT."<br />
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OK. This is a new one. I have not in 14 years of being a parent ever been roused from bed by a crying child demanding pastry. I have no idea where she got the idea that I had a doughnut to give her in my bed. Perhaps she thought I have a secret stash under my pillow? After explaining that I do NOT, in fact, posess such a treasure and that if I did I certainly would not deny anyone in such a state of distress, I asked her why in the world she wanted a doughnut.<br />
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Apparently 6:47am is not the time for a 6 year old to articulate the rationale for anything as the question made her bawl harder and frankly she became down right angry. "Because they are GOOD! And I REALLY WANT ONE."<br />
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Well.....it's hard to argue with such logic and I certainly wasn't going to win any debates without coffee. I tried the old standby....distraction. "Why don't you go watch some TV? I'm so glad you are up early and you even got all dressed. OH I like your new sweater. Isn't it nice? The one Nana got you for Christmas. Since you were so good at getting dressed, I'll let you watch TV while I shower."<br />
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This seemed to confuse her a bit. Mission accomplished. She was only sniffling now and cast a glance at me that said, <i>I KNOW what you're doing. But....I really want to watch my show</i>. (generally TV in the morning is NOT allowed in my house) Somewhat reluctantly, she headed off to the living room. Another parental crisis averted.<br />
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Feeling quite impressed with myself and my incredibly intelligent and skilled parenting expertise, I headed off to shower and dress. Fifteen minutes later I emerged clean and dressed and mostly just ready for coffee. She was sitting on the sofa happily watching some cartoon on PBS, still red eyed from crying, but calm. My middle daughter had now joined her and was pleased to see the TV on. I asked the question thinking that it was now safe. "What do you guys want for breakfast?"<br />
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Suddenly it was clear to me that my expertise in parenting was not nearly as refined as I had thought. If I had thought that moment through, I would have just quietly gone to the kitchen and prepared her favorite oatmeal. It probably would have done the trick. But, the question.......that question was at once a trigger for what I can only describe as a meltdown.<br />
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She looked at me as if I'd lost my mind. Obviuosly she'd been quite clear in her requests for breakfast foods that morning. What the heck was wrong with mom anyway? Had she forgotten English? Did she not KNOW what a doughnut was? WHY is it so hard to understand? Doughnuts are good. I like them. I want one. And I want it NOW.<br />
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Of course none of the above was articulated, but CLEARLY it was implied by the crying and sobbing and chanting of "I want a doughnut. PLEASE I want a doughnut, Mommy."<br />
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I calmly sat down next to her on the sofa. I looked lovingly into her eyes and took her into my arms. I told her how much I understood that doughnuts are yummy. I also explained that they are not good for our bodies and they are for special occasions. Today was a Wednesday like any other and did not warrant such recognition. To this she responded that to HER it was a special day because for HER it was ART day and ART day is SPECIAL!<br />
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Alright. Right about now, I've had just about enough of the logical parent tactic. Didn't seem to be working anyway. Time for phase 2: The because I said so.<br />
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I told her she was NOT getting a doughnut. I reminded her that we do NOT eat doughnuts regularly in this house. I can count on one hand the number of times in the last year this child had doughnuts for breakfast. I explained that there is no such thing as a pastry deficiency and that nobody NEEDS a doughnut. Our body needs healthy nutritious food and by God, she was going to have a HEALTHY breakfast before school.<br />
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I am happy to say that she seemed to recognize her defeat. She was contemplating all of this and seemed to accept it. We decided on oatmeal and orange juice. Mission accomplished. And then.....<br />
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"Mommy. Can I have hot chocolate?"<br />
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Sigh..........Ann Snyder, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00339465173542207932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9044107000950098173.post-9099951384328848802011-11-04T06:48:00.000-07:002011-11-04T06:48:50.029-07:00An Attitude of GratitudeHere we are officially entering the time of year when most of us find ourselves immersed in activities for the holidays. If your family is like ours, nearly every weekend is filled with some sort of activity between church and kids and school and other family obligations. It can be a very stressful time of year. It can also be a very fulfilling time of year.<br />
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I've noticed many of my friends and family celebrating an attitude of gratitude by posting 30 days of thanksgiving on their Facebook pages. Each day they list something they are thankful for. I think this is an excellent idea. No matter whether you are religious or not, being thankful puts your mind on positive thoughts. Psychologists tell us that focusing on the positive is healthy for our body and mind. Keeping our thoughts toward the upside can help enhance not only our mental health, but physical health as well.<br />
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Studies have shown that people who have more positive attitudes on psychological tests have longer lives. People facing illnesses who have a positive outlook have better outcomes. People who are happy are less likely to get sick, even from the common cold. There is a direct relationship between how you feel emotionally and how you feel physically. Several studies have even shown that patients who have heart disease have lower death rates when they are happier emotionally. <br />
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We don't know for sure why this is, but scientists theorize that positive thoughts raise levels of certain brain hormones such as serotonin and dopamine. These neurotransmitters are involved in sleep, appetite, mood, motivation and concentration and many other body systems. Higher levels of dopamine, reduce other hormones produced throughout the body in times of stress and lower levels of these stress hormones means less physical stress on organs like your heart.<br />
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I encourage you to participate in this attitude of gratitude. Sometimes when things are stressful, remembering what we are thankful for helps us focus on the things we have and forget the things we don't have. So as we enter this holiday season, spend some time being thankful. Your body will thank YOU for that.Ann Snyder, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00339465173542207932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9044107000950098173.post-4901303412208011532011-10-04T07:21:00.000-07:002011-10-04T07:21:53.564-07:00The Dreaded Phone CallHopefully none of you will ever receive this phone call from someone you love:<br />
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"My doctor felt something in my beast at my check up. I have to go for a mammogram."<br />
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Or this one:<br />
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"The mammogram does show a suspicious mass. I have to have a biopsy."<br />
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Or even worse:<br />
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"The biopsy was positive. It is breast cancer."<br />
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I received all three of these calls recently from someone I love very much. It is a shocking and horrible feeling to know that someone you care about is facing something so terrible and potentially life threatening. The only saving grace is that the person I love got her yearly check ups every year. She went for regular mammograms. Without them, this aggressive cancer might have been found too late. Fortunately, the breast cancer was detected early and chances for cure are good.<br />
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There has been a lot of confusing messages in the news lately regarding when to have mammograms and how often. It's no wonder since there are a lot of conflicts among experts in the field. In November 2009, the US Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) released new guidelines on using mammograms for screening for breast cancer that were radically different from the previous ones.<br />
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Their recommendations were that women should have mammogram for screening every 2 years starting at 50 and no mammograms prior to age 50. They recommended that mammograms not be done past the age of 75. They also stated that they didn't have enough evidence to recommend self breast exam or teaching women to do self-exams.<br />
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Many of us in the medical field were concerned that these new guideline would not only confuse patients about what to do for early breast cancer detection, but also influence how insurance companies pay for screening. The task force is a group of scientists and doctors and policy makers with the government. They have very strict rules about when a test should be recommended. They take into account the cost of performing a test and how many need to be done to show benefit. They concluded that the potential cost of the mammograms, both the actual cost and the cost of false positive tests, when weighed against the benefits were too much to recommend mammogram before age 50. <br />
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However, the American Cancer Society, the American College of Gynecologists, and the American College of Radiology recommend annual mammogram beginning at age 40 and continuing through age 75 or later depending on the wishes and recommendations of the patient's personal physician. All three also recommend self-breast exams and breast exams annually by a physician. My own professional society, the American Academy of Family Physicians, released recommendations in line with the current USPSTF recommendations. <br />
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So......what are we to do? Most of my colleagues are continuing to discuss screening mammogram with our patients beginning at age 40. I generally explain that those USPSTF recommendations were made because there was insufficient evidence to recommend otherwise. It doesn't mean that a women in her 40s should not have mammograms or examine her own breasts. It just means that the scientists don't have enough evidence to say that it is beneficial for the overall public health. <br />
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What do I do?<br />
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I examine my own breasts monthly. I see my physician annually for a breast exam. I get a mammogram. In fact I had my first one this year. I know there are risks in doing mammograms in younger women. There is radiation in a mammogram. There is the possibility of a false positive mammogram which might lead to other unnecessary tests. But, I still believe that early detection is important and that those risks are minimal in light of the fact that detecting breast cancer early is so important.<br />
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October is breast health month. I encourage you to talk to your physician about whether a mammogram is right for you and when to begin screening. If someone you love has not had a mammogram, please encourage her to go. And remember.....breast cancer can happen in men also. Don't ignore changes in your breasts whether you are male or female. See your family physician regularly. It really can be the difference between life and death. Ann Snyder, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00339465173542207932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9044107000950098173.post-38893794027179319522011-09-08T14:06:00.000-07:002011-09-08T14:09:02.575-07:00It's a Whole New World!This time of year has me thinking about college. Kids going off to college, college football and all the rest. It's a big transition for the whole family when one leaves the nest. Such an important time for your family. There are many things to think about.<br />
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For the student, there is a WHOLE new world to explore. The freedom to come and go and do pretty much what you want. Eat what you want. Sleep when you want and so much more. This can be such an exciting and rewarding time, but also there are many things to consider.<br />
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If you're new to college or just starting out, you might feel overwhelmed with the new routine, responsibility of being on your own, trying to keep up with your classes, and meeting so many new friends. It can make people really anxious. Sometimes the tendency is to get caught up in your new social scene and lose sight of the academics. On the other hand, some students get so focused on studying and the new burden of all the schoolwork that they forget to have fun. College students need both a social life (whether Mom and Dad like to admit it or not) and a rewarding academic life to achieve all their goals. Make sure you find the right balance for you. If you find yourself overwhelmed, ask for help from other students, parents, counselors or teachers. Most colleges have free counseling available and other services to provide you with support.<br />
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In all the chaos of starting school, health sometimes gets left behind. We always hear about "the freshman ten" or the pounds that many people starting school gain. Remember that just because you CAN run to Taco Bell in the middle of the night when you're hungry and studying doesn't mean you SHOULD. Keep healthy snacks like granola bars or fresh fruit in your room that you can grab when you are hungry. Make sure you don't forget to eat something GREEN now an then. Well....if you're eating in the cafeteria at school you might be seeing more green thatn you'd like. But, there are some things Mom and Dad say that are true (whether you want to believe it or not). Vegetables and fruits are important to your health. If you don't have decent healthy fuel in your body, it's awfully hard to keep your busy schedule.<br />
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Sleep is another thing that college students sometimes skimp on. Your brain needs sleep. It has to re-boot. Every night. Without it, your brain just won't process all the information your are trying to shove in it right now. Get plenty of sleep and try to keep a regular schedule. Staying up very late one night and oversleeping the next day can really confuse your brain about when it's supposed to sleep and when it needs to be working.<br />
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Remember that illnesses spread through college campuses quickly. Get your immunzations to be sure you are protected. Especially the meningitis vaccine. Meningitis is an infection of the nervous system that can be serious, even fatal. It is especially deadly to college students in dorms where it can be passed from person to person quickly. And don't forget your flu shot. Every year we see a campus shut down from widespread flu.<br />
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Finally some advice for the parents. It's hard letting go, but you have to. Don't be one of those "helicopter"parents you're hearing about. The best thing you can do is give your child some freedom to learn their way in their new world. But, stay close enough to give advice when asked and comfort when needed. As a parent myself, the thought of it terrifies me. But, just think of this time as your "final exam" as a parent. No pressure.(Grin.)Ann Snyder, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00339465173542207932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9044107000950098173.post-63123445120979096752011-08-29T15:48:00.000-07:002011-08-29T15:48:55.343-07:00Back to SchoolWell here we are the start of another school year. We made it through that first week and hopefully everyone is starting to settle into the new schedule. It's a very exciting time of year, but can also be very stressful for parents and for children. <br />
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Many parents are pleased to see their kids return to school. It allows for more structure in their day. Plus it allows parents to get back to their busy routines and a break from the kids. But, other parents (like me) are stressed when the kids go back to school. Forms to fill out. Homework to supervise. Lunches to make. After school activities. Emails, phone calls, PTA meetings.....it goes on and on.<br />
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If you find yourself feeling overly stressed with back to school, try to slow down. Use lists and reminders to help you manage all the things you have to do. Don't over schedule yourself or your kids. You need some downtime to relax. Be sure to exercise regularly and get enough sleep which will help relieve the stress. Finally, if you feel like the situation is not manageable or you feel overwhelmed, see your primary care provider for help.<br />
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Also keep in mind that kids can feel stressed out by school starting. Especailly kids new to school .My kindergartener complained several times last week of tummy aches, usually when getting ready for bed. We talked calmly about school and the things she likes about her new class and this helped take her mind off her nerves. Remember that tummy aches that last should be checked by a doctor.<br />
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To make your school schedule easier, be sure to allow enough time in the morning to get ready and off to school. When you are rushed, you will be more stressed and your kids will, too. Try to keep a regular school day routine with dinner, homework, baths, and bedtime at around the same time each night. This allows kids to adjust to their schedule and provide structure to their time at home. Kids will know what to expect and this will avoid battles with your kids over bedtime and homework. If you feel like their is a problem developing with your child's behavior, follow your instincts and see a doctor.<br />
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Hopefully this year will be a happy and successful school year for all of us!Ann Snyder, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00339465173542207932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9044107000950098173.post-42390664341738357702011-08-23T19:33:00.000-07:002011-08-23T19:33:29.276-07:00In the Beginning..................In the beginning I just wanted to help people. I was 9 years old when I decided I would grow up to be a doctor. Around that time, my grandmother was diagnosed with cancer. After spending many days in the hospital sitting in the waiting room and wondering what all these people where doing and seeing how they helped so many, I knew I wanted to know more and do THAT.<br />
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All through high school and college I was focused on that goal. I just knew I could help people and I wanted to learn more and more about doing it. I graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1992 with a degree in Microbiology and minor in Chemistry. I figured I could do something in science if I didn't get accepted to medical school. But, happily, I did get accepted and I graduated with my Medical Degree in 1996. I went on to do my residency in Family Medicine at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska.<br />
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People often ask me how I decided on Family Medicine. There are several ways to answer that. First, I love really getting to know my patients and their families. Knowing about all aspects of patients can help you understand where patients are coming from. Patients are people who happen to be sick. I always hated it when residents referred to patients as "the diabetic in room such and such" or "the heart attack guy". I quickly learned that specialists in Family Medicine understand that best.<br />
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Second, truthfully I like variety. The last thing I could imagine was staring only at a patient's feet or talking only about noses all day. In Family Medicine we treat ALL your parts. I like to think of myself as the CEO of your healthcare. While your cardiologist may concentrate on your heart and you surgeon wants to remove your gallbladder, it's my job to focus on ALL you parts and make sure ALL of you is healthy.<br />
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Finally, Family Medicine is all about KEEPING patients healthy. Preventative care is a primary focus of what we do. Understanding your family medical history helps us direct what screening and preventative tests to do. Knowing what your social life is like helps us understand what sorts of problems you might run into. Keeping track of all your past medical problems helps us know what direction to take in treatment and evaluation of new problems. As family doctors, we don't just wait for something to happen. We try to keep you healthy and detect any health problems as early as possible.<br />
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Today, I am entering my 12th year of private practice. My practice has changed and grown in size, but my approach to what I do and my love for doing hasn't changed. I am starting this blog as just one more way to help patients or even readers who are not patients. I will use this venue as a way to share important health information for you and your family. I'll also share specific information about myself or my staff from time to time and perhaps descriptions of the kinds of services I'll offer. But, this is really about a way for me to share things about me, my life and what being a family physician is like. I hope this will be both informative and entertaining for all who join me here. Thanks for reading! Ann Snyder, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00339465173542207932noreply@blogger.com0