Guest Post by author Lisa Hall — Taking Charge of Your Own Health

It wasn’t too long ago when author (now marathon runner) Lisa Hall couldn’t even walk down the street or drive a car on her own. After many years of an unknown illness which stripped away Lisa’s life and livelihood, the 38th physician she met correctly diagnosed her condition. Instead of giving up, Lisa kept persevering until she regained her health and her life. If anyone can write a book on effectively dealing with the intricacies found in the medical arena, it’s Lisa…so she did. Check out her television interview here and then read her book! You’ll be glad you did (I know I was)!

Taking Charge of Your Own Health will empower and equip you to be your own best patient advocate. This comprehensive resource was written by patient advocate Lisa Hall with the help of veteran internist
and Institute for Healthcare Improvement fellow Ronald Wyatt, MD, along with seventy interviewees, including physicians, nurses, patients, hospital administrators, insurance providers, wellness experts, a geneticist and The Joint Commission. Vital information for this book was also gathered through a nationwide, online physician survey.

Taking Charge of Your Own Health will help you:

Maintain a healthy lifestyle, with low-cost, healthy food and inexpensive exercise programs.

Keep up with your regular screenings. Early detection is the next best thing to prevention.

Make the most of physician office visits by carefully organizing your medical information.

Present your information in a way that will get your doctor’s attention.

Manage medications carefully. All medications have the potential to be dangerous.

Coordinate care between multiple physicians to avoid costly duplication of services.

Negotiate successfully with your insurance provider.

Know your options for emergency medical care before you have a medical emergency.

Discover options for free and reduced medical, dental, optical and prescription care.

Navigate disability and Worker’s Compensation systems.

Develop strategies for coping and pain management.

Adhesive Capsulitis – Are You Frozen?

Shoulder problems increase as you age (I should know!)…and unlike my loose shoulders, many women experience a very painful condition call Adhesive Capsulities (Frozen Shoulder). If you’re wondering where all your shoulder pain is coming from and if your mobility has diminished, then this informative article by my co-author, Dr. Foetisch, can answer your questions.

In my practice, I encounter a large number of women with a stiff and painful shoulder. Many come to me with no diagnosis and the majority of the others arrive with the wrong diagnosis. Typically, the most common correct diagnosis is that of Adhesive Capsulitis.

In layman’s terms, it is a Frozen Shoulder. The condition is relatively common in women over the age of 40. The reported prevalence is approximately 2% of the general population. Most women have no known injury or aggravating event. Some women will recall a minor injury or occurrence of pain. The condition is commonly associated with diabetes and several other medical conditions.

Slightly more than 20% of all individuals with diabetes will develop a frozen shoulder. However, the vast majority of women who develop a frozen shoulder have no known risk factors. The hallmark findings are decreased range of motion associated with pain. Other than arthritis, most other shoulder problems do not result in loss of range of motion-even rotator cuff tears.

* So what is a frozen shoulder? It is a condition where the lining of the shoulder joint becomes irritated and inflamed resulting in pain and loss of range of motion.

* Why does it occur? In most cases we do not know what is the precipitating factor. Frozen shoulders typically go through three stages.

1. The initial “freezing” stage where the pain becomes more severe and the shoulder becomes more stiff lasts from 6 weeks to 9 months.

2. The next stage is the “frozen” stage where the pain begins to stabilize or slightly improve and the shoulder is maximally stuck. This stage can last from 4 to 9 months.

3. The “thawing” stage is characterized by decreasing pain and improved range of motion. This stage will last from 5 months to 26 months. The average untreated frozen shoulder will last approximately 24 to 30 months. When the condition has resolved most shoulders will be back to “normal”.

I think I have one, what do I do?

Well, if you can tolerate the pain be happy to know the condition is usually self-limited. If the pain is severe and affecting sleep and other activities, I strongly recommend consultation with an orthopedic surgeon.

Typically, the condition will resolve with physical therapy and/or home stretching exercises. If the shoulder is extremely frozen, I usually suggest a cortisone injection. A cortisone injection every 3 months or so is perfectly safe as our bodies naturally make cortisone on a daily basis.

In rare situations if the problem does not resolve with those treatments, I will recommend a manipulation. This is a procedure performed under general anesthesia where the surgeon will forcibly move the arm and release the adhesions. The results of a manipulation can often be dramatic in the recalcitrant cases. In the most extreme and very unusual situations, arthroscopic surgery can be utilized to free up the shoulder.

In my opinion, the key to treating a frozen shoulder is early diagnosis and treatment. The worst thing you can do if you think you have a frozen shoulder is avoiding moving the shoulder. This only exacerbates the problem.

If you develop a frozen shoulder on one side you have a 15% chance of getting it on the other side, although it is usually not as severe as the initial frozen shoulder.

Women Heal By Sharing Stories — Conversations with Dr. Nancy

Dr. Nancy O’Reilly was gracious enough to interview me on her Conversations with Dr. Nancy radio program. It struck me after the radio conversation that Dr. Nancy’s website, Women Speak, couldn’t be more appropriately titled. During our thirty-minute interview, Dr. Nancy and I shared our thoughts on the value of one woman walking along-side another woman…bringing encouragement, practical help, and always a strong positive word of affirmation. Throughout our “conversation,” I was impressed with Dr. Nancy’s countless areas where she actively gives of her time and resources to women across the country. Dr. Nancy doesn’t just talk about helping women, she matches action steps to her convictions. Please take a few minutes and visit Dr. Nancy’s site and listen to our conversation because it’s true, “Women Heal Through Sharing Stories.”

Are you quietly suffering, trying to endure a tough life circumstance while caring heroically for everyone else? That’s what happened to Michele when her good health started to deteriorate and take her on a downward spiral.

Writer and lifestyle mentor, Michele Howe turned to friends for healing. It was their wisdom and the help of her orthopedic surgeon that helped her realize that she was not alone. There were other women who felt the same in midlife and they could find strength by helping one other.

Michele started writing health articles with her orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Christopher Foetisch, and ultimately a book, called Burdens Do A Body Good. This book is a training manual that provides women with inspirational insight and practical advice for handling life’s toughest battles with inner and other strength.

Hear Michele and Dr. Nancy describe how, by helping others, you can help yourself.

Click the icon to the left of “Listen Now” on the left side of WomenSpeak Home Page.

Q & A on “What Works” in Hosting a Radio Program

Since the release of our new book, Burdens Do a Body Good, I’ve had a tremendous year meeting new people throughout the publishing world. Three of these wonderful colleagues I had the privilege of getting to know (and love), I have interviewed here on their experiences in hosting their own radio programs. These ladies are all terrific radio hosts (and I was honored to be on each of their programs) and each of them bring a very specialized show to their listening audience. So, enough said by me, enjoy reading (and getting educated) on what running a radio show looks and feels like from the host’s perspective!

Speaking to those in the publishing/radio/TV industry, what do you wish your friends and colleagues would understand about the work you do?Deidre Hughey: It’s not just about showing up for your time slot. There’s A LOT of preparation time outside of the time that I spend on the air both before and after the production.

Marla Martindale: That it’s not as easy as it seems to be.

Brenda Nixon: It demands weekly planning, energy, and promotion.

How is being a radio host different than most people might imagine?

DH: I think that most people think that being a radio host is a “cake job” and a blast. (Well, actually that last part is true, it is a blast!). But, as a radio host, you have to be prepared for anything…not everything goes the way it’s supposed to all the time. In fact, there are few days where everything goes the way it’s supposed to go. However, that’s one of the reasons that I enjoy it. I love having to think on my feet. Most radio shows aren’t broadcast from a glamorously decorated and maintained building (that part was eye-opening for me).

MM: There is lots of preparation that goes into each show, you must read guests’ books; formulate your questions; research their website(s); and treat them all with the respect they deserve regardless of their stance on issues you may disagree with.

BN: Radio is a powerful venue for promoting your mission, books, helping listeners, and helping others in your industry. It demands an articulate, knowledgeable host who is professional in his/her attitude.

What are some of the highs/lows you experience on a regular basis?

DH: Highs: I meet some of the most wonderful people in the world because of my show! I get excited hearing the passion in my guests’ voices and love when they say something that I haven’t heard before.

Lows: I don’t experience lows on a regular basis. However, when a guest doesn’t show up, that’s a low. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, there’s a moment of pause in my mind. But the show must go on and I do my best to turn it into a high by broadcasting some music that I love or replaying a favorite interview.

MM: The highs: I get to read some phenomenal books of those who have persevered through their own painful ordeal, and you get to meet some absolutely wonderful individuals that you know will be in your life till the end. The lows: lots of reading…lots!

BN: The high is getting acquainted with a variety of interesting guests who are experts in the childrearing field. The low is when shy listeners won’t phone to ask questions of my guest or me. I encourage callers on every show and I think they miss an opportunity for free advice if they don’t call.

Tell us about how you go about selecting guests and do you have too many potential guests to choose from or not enough?

DH: So far, I haven’t had any trouble finding guests. I have two methods of collecting a pool of guests.

a. HARO – Once a year, I send a request through HARO (Help A Reporter Out) letting people know about the show and what type of guests I’m looking for. In my experience, this gives me a pool of people to choose from large enough to fill the call in guest portion of my show for more than a year. I’m very specific about who I’m looking for and stick to my personal criteria for guests.

b. I belong to quite a few local organizations and associations where I can search for guests for my local part of the program. I also ask trusted associates for their recommendations for local talent.

MM: I choose guests who authentically have a story to share that will inspire others and that has benefit them in their own lives. As for the amount of guest to choose from, it seems to come in spurts, sometimes I have too many to keep up with, and other times I am sweating the week until I find a guest to fill the following week’s slot. But God has been there with me every step of the way and has provided me with guests that are interesting and am I always honored to have been able to interview them.

BN: A few authors/speakers approach me after hearing The Parent’s Plate but the majority of my guests I approach and invite after I’ve done research on them, their philosophy, and their product.

How can your future guests best prepare to make their on-air time with you the most productive and helpful to you and to listeners?

DH:
a. Be excited about what you do
b. Bring passion to the conversation
c. Say something different
d. Don’t be afraid to talk

Most of my guests do this well, but every once in a while; these components are missing. One thing that guests need to remember is that on radio, no one can see your face or your hand gestures. If this is something that you rely on to get your message out, then you have to change for radio. Radio is completely reliant on your voice. You could have the most exciting, revolutionary, life-changing information that anyone has ever heard, but if you can’t transmit that message with passion and excitement in your voice, no one will hear it the way you intend. So, bring more passion and excitement to your voice and you’ll be a GREAT guest!

Being original is also important. As a radio host, I want to be sure that I’m bringing in guests that have something unique and original to say, not only so that my audience doesn’t get bored, but also, in truth, so I don’t get bored either. I like for my interest to be piqued both before and during the show!

You can’t be afraid to talk. You’ve been asked to be a guest because the radio host, producer or talent scout thought that you had something interesting to say, so say it! The most difficult and frustrating interviews are the interviews where I have to pull information out of a guest. Be confident in your knowledge and express it!

MM: I think it’s best if the guests are comfortable enough to just be themselves and share everything they would like to share but most importantly, be comfortable!!

BN: Be articulate, knowledgeable and friendly. Call me by name so it sounds like a personal chat, stand up during the interview so you sound energetic, and vary your voice inflection so you’re not a boring monotone to my guests.

Any #1 no-no in the radio business?

DH: 3 no-no’s – Don’t call in late. Don’t show up late. Don’t be boring with what you say or how you say it.

MM: There are on no-nos in the radio biz. It’s not good to have dead air…. some is expected, but it shouldn’t go beyond 3-5 seconds!!

BN: Avoid being an infomercial about your books or products on every show. Rather, give listeners a reason to tune in by offering great information and tips that can change lives.

Publishing a book is a tough upward battle for most writers; do you feel hosting a radio program is similar? How so?

DH: I’ve published a book as well and can definitely say that the process towards becoming a radio personality was a much shorter hill as compared to the uphill climbing and equipment needed to publish a book. The only similarity in my mind is that each one takes research, time to understand what the audience wants and finding the best format in which to deliver that message.

MM: I believe radio can be similar in the beginning to book publishing because you are an unknown and unestablished.

BN: It’s different. Hosting a radio show is a weekly commitment, where writing is a daily commitment and energy drain. It’s similar in that both demand tons of publicity; the readers and the listeners don’t come to you unless you put the word out there about your product or service to them.

What one piece of advice would you offer to individuals interested in getting into your side (the host position) of radio?

DH: You need to be curious and genuinely like people. Curiosity is needed in order to be able to engage your guests in a way that helps them to feel comfortable and heard so that your listeners get to hear what they tuned in to hear. Seems simple, but without your curiosity, only the most perfect guests are going to say what your audience wants to hear. Liking people is imperative because you’re going to come across many different personality types in this business.

MM: I would say: “If you feel strongly about starting a radio program, make it about something YOU are passionate about and keep it wholesome!”

BN: Start recruiting quality guests early. Follow-up with each guest before and after the program. In short, build relationships with your guests so they will want to return to your show, and they’ll also be your covert publicity team.

The Daughter Project — Setting Girls Free from Human Trafficking in NW Ohio

The Daughter Project is a non-profit organization in Northwest Ohio that exists to help girls recover from the trauma of human sex trafficking and to help prevent them from being trafficked through community education. Please explore their site to learn about the inspiration and goals & then prayerfully consider joining them.

STATISTICS AND FACTS ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING

The U.S Government estimates that nearly 30,000,000 people worldwide are suffering from human trafficking with about 1,000,000 more being added to these numbers every year.

Trafficking for labor & sexual exploitation is probably the second most profitable activity in the world for organized crime.

The U.S. Government also estimates that nearly 20,000 people are trafficked into the U.S. for labor or sexual exploitation every year.

Youth who are trafficked come from urban, suburban and rural areas & are recruited at schools, after-school programs, malls, bus & train stations and truck stops.

Many of the girls are runaways and the vast majority come from homes where they were already suffering from abuse and have parents that were likely addicted to drugs.

The Ohio Trafficking Task Force has estimated that there are 1,000 victims of trafficking within Ohio.

Toledo, Ohio has been cited by the FBI and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children as a top U.S. recruitment city for trafficking children into commercial sexual exploitation.

The FBI’s October 2009 Operation Cross-Country led to the arrest of 700 individuals, rescued 52 girls and 7 of those girls were from Toledo.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has reported that there are only 4 recovery homes in the entire country and combined, they are able to provide services for only 45 victims.

The Daughter Project serves to take back these victims and their communities by offering girls rescue, safety, and a place to heal. After reading the statistics above, the question isn’t, “Should I get involved?” rather, it’s “How can I not get involved?”

// PURPOSE To help girls recover from the trauma of human sex trafficking and to help prevent them from being trafficked through community education. The foundation of this help will be Godly, biblical and holistic.

// CORE BELIEFS God is the creator of everything. God is the redeemer of His creation through His son, Jesus Christ. God works through believers to become change agents of help and hope to a hurting world.

// PROGRAM To provide holistic healing services in an extremely safe, home-like environment to girls who have been freed from human sex trafficking. The services will include; spiritual mentoring, abuse & addiction counseling, health & nutrition education, medical/dental/vision care, legal counsel, and family/friend restoration. This help will be provided by caring & competent professionals & volunteers. In addition, we will offer education, job and housing assistance.

What You Can Do — Three Action Steps

A. Pray that builders, suppliers and volunteers will donate expertise, material and labor to build the home (or maybe they can donate one of these 3 things to the building project).
B. Apply to be a House Mom, Mentor or Teacher. Teachers are needed most of all because they have none at this time.
C. Join the Adopt-A-Daughter group by making a 2-year commitment to pray daily for and donate monthly to one particular girl. The amount of the donation is not important; even $5/month would be wonderful. The important part is that individuals make a long-term commitment to praying and caring for a girl who is going to need a long time to recover.