A change of weather and watching the grounds how they change. Jan Welch

It’s in March – but, we’ll be celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary. I think we’re going to make it. Nancy Markum

Ballgames with OU – football and then basketball season. Todd Markum

The only project I have going is feeding the ducks. Frank Kalies

by Dr. C.V Ramana

Cancer is an abnormal or uncontrolled growth of cells that can occur in almost any part of our bodies. Sometimes the abnormal growth is a result of a mutation in our genes that we inherit from our parents. In some cases, it is due to a mutation or alteration in our DNA in our lifetimes. This mutation can occur after we are conceived, due to exposure to radiation, harmful ultraviolet light from our sun, harmful chemicals in our atmosphere, in our water, in our food or from smoking or chewing tobacco. Sometimes it develops as a result of chronic overstimulation of cells due to longstanding inflammation or infection.
Breast cancer is the result of uncontrolled growth of cells in breast tissue. It can occur in both men and women but is much more common in women. There are many different types of breast cancer due to the multiple types of cells in the breast tissue. The type of cancer depends on the cells that are growing abnormally. This can happen in the lobules which make breast milk, the ducts which transport the milk, or in the surrounding supportive tissue of the breast.
Who is at risk for developing breast cancer?
There is a very strong component of inheritance or family history of breast cancer. The most well-known inherited examples are the BRCA1 gene and BRCA2 genes (which we inherit). These genes code for a protein that helps repair DNA. The presence of this mutation markedly increases the risk of developing breast cancer. An individual with the mutation in either of these genes has a 70% risk of developing breast cancer.
What is the likelihood of developing breast cancer in our lifetime?
In the United States, about 1 in 8 (or 12%) of women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. For men, the lifetime risk is 1 in 1000. Early diagnosis is very important so that it can be treated when it is small and contained in a small area in the breast. Breast cancer is not easy to detect early. Screening is essential.
Screening methods include breast self-exam, healthcare professional exam, mammography, ultrasound, MRI, genetic screening for BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations, and known family history of breast cancer.
How is it treated?
Treatment depends on the type of breast cancer, its aggressiveness (how fast it grows, how fast it spreads, and how it spreads), its size at time of diagnosis, and staging (identifying whether, and where it has metastasized in our bodies). Staging involves diagnostic testing such as mammography, ultrasound, MRI, CT scan, PET scan, Bone scans. Biopsy is an essential part of the diagnosis. A biopsy is done to confirm its presence, the type of cancer, and its aggressiveness. This may also help identify what type of treatment is likely to be most effective.
Treatment methods include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Lumpectomy is the surgical removal of the area around the tumor. Mastectomy is the surgical removal of one or both breasts and axillary dissection is the removal of the lymph nodes or glands and lymphatic tissue in the arm pit. Chemotherapy treatment most commonly involves a combination of pills and intravenous infusions of medicines that have been shown to be effective at killing the abnormal cells. Experimental techniques include targeting the abnormal cells through antibodies and “killer cells” that are engineered to recognize and attack the abnormal cells. Radiation therapy is the treatment by exposure to high doses of x-rays (far higher than the amount used in diagnostic imaging) to the area of the cancer.
Breast cancer is usually treated through a team approach and can include radiologists, surgeons, and oncologists (cancer specialist). Through prevention, early detection, and treatment there are over 3.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.
Dr. C.V Ramana is a vascular and interventional radiologist with more than 20 years of practice experience. He has expertise in all areas of vascular and interventional radiology. Dr. Ramana has a Ph.D from Yale University and MD from CWRU in Cleveland, Ohio where he subsequently completed his fellowship in Vascular and Interventional Radiology at the Cleveland Clinic.
NAADI HEALTH is located at 1 NW 64th Street in Oklahoma City. Call (405)-608-8884 or visit https://naadihealthcare.com

Story and photos by Darl Devault, Feature Writer

Another National Aging in Place Month has come and gone in October. This year more seniors are retaining the independence and peace of mind of living at home by depending on the skills of a well-trained service dog.
With seniors seeking to stay in their homes as long as possible, working dogs facilitate this in several ways, including the slowing of cognitive decline. Dog training expert Barbara Lewis of Norman, Okla., urges seniors to consider a trained dog to enhance an aging-in-place agenda.
“A simple act of picking things up, opening doors, or letting you know when someone is at the door are critical skills to assist in independent living for years to come” said Lewis, chief executive office of A New Leash on Life in Norman.
Taking dogs on walks provides seniors the benefits of physical activity. And a well-trained canine can do so many tasks for the aging senior. Among these tasks, a service dog can serve as a brace for owners when rising from a chair or fetch items out of a dryer in the laundry room.
Lewis is addressing the absence of information about this important topic for seniors. “What I see missing most is the idea the actual training of a working dog (service or therapy) is only part of the job when preparing a dog for an owner,” Lewis said. “Determining the needs of the owner, finding the right working dog, and making sure the owner is properly matched to the dog are also key tasks.”
For a senior living alone, the additional benefit of companionship for a senior living alone should not be overlooked. Trained dogs generally provide a friendly and comforting presence in an otherwise empty nest.
Many seniors have already experienced the life-changing, positive aspects of owning an intelligent canine. With adequate preparation and training, most seniors can handle the new responsibilities of owning a service dog. Lewis’s nonprofit New Leash on Life combines her extensive background in dog training with her practical experience placing service and therapy dogs
Service dogs are now asked to perform a variety of tasks for seniors and people with disabilities, some duties just based on the owner’s aging body needing assistance. Dogs can provide help in opening doors and carrying items, while helping increase a senior’s self-confidence and self-reliance. Each animal is different and can be trained in tasks tailored to an individual’s unique requirements for living at home and when in public.
Therapy dogs—once largely seen only at nursing homes—are now used for emotional support and motivation in schools, libraries, courts, universities, hospitals, churches and employee lounges.
Still, a trained dog has limitations, Lewis warns. One challenge is what people expect service dogs to do. Owners need to understand the needs—and limitations—of their dogs. They are not machines with an on-off switch. And sometimes even a well-trained dog has an off day.
Some dogs are not inherently suited to perform the type of tasks needed by the owner. And some canines perfectly trained for their requirements fail as a result of inappropriate demands or the owner’s behavior.
An important question is whether a senior can train a dog to help them with their unique needs without outside expertise? In general, the answer is yes—sometimes. People without the means to pay for training may be able to successfully train their dog themselves. They may even bond better with their canine because of it.
Another pressing question for seniors is how long does it take to train a service dog? Many organizations, like Power Paws, train their service dogs from birth to two years of age before setting the dog with a handler.
Dog owners should note that training is a lifelong process for service animals. Without practice, dogs may forget their skills. Handlers should be prepared to work with their dogs to sharpen skills for the duration of the dog’s life.
Seniors need to be proactive in securing help from a service dog, educating themselves about the ins and outs of acquiring this assistance. At the outset of this journey they must determine exactly what they need from their newly trained dog.
Insight for this can be gained from a book recently published. Successful Working Dogs, an inexpensive, fully-illustrated guidebook written by Lewis. The book, provides readers positive-motivation training techniques for their service dog. It also provides information on how to evaluate the suitability of a working dog and its owner.
This book helps trainers—and dog owners in general—to understand the capabilities, needs and limitations of these dedicated animals.
The book can be purchased online from New Leash on Life at its website: http://newleashinc.org.

YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR THIS STUDY! CALL 405-447-8839 TODAY.

A SIMPLE COLD CAN LEAD TO SERIOUS ILLNESS

Now enrolling for a research study that may prevent or reduce illnesses from respiratory tract infections.

Story by Darl DeVault and Robin Maxey

Caring for his mother, who provided one of the best starts in life he says, is routine at age 64 for Ted Cox, who set the record for the best hitting start in Major League Baseball. He moved from his family home in Midwest City he and his wife Debbie share, to a room in his mother’s home he grew up in 19 months ago to be her live-in caregiver.
His mother, Ernestine Cox, is 91 years old and legally blind. His father Virgil died in January of 2013 at 94.
Every day, Cox helps dress and feed her. His son Joe and his wife Samantha also aid in this effort. Cox usually prepares her to travel the two miles on the three days a week she receives dialysis at a center in Midwest City.
She receives physical therapy twice a week in the home and has difficulty remembering life’s details, such as taking her medicine. Some days Cox has to remind her of her schedule, such as when the nurse will arrive and the home health worker to bathe her.
Cox began as the caregiver to his parents by assuming these same duties for a year before his father died. He says he is happy to assume these duties, as his mother gave him one of the best starts any son could ask for in Midwest City in the early 1960s. His mother took him to practices when Cox started playing sports at seven years old.
“I can afford to take care of my mom while my wife Debbie since 1974 is much happier of the two of us to still be working.” Cox said recently. “My mom supported us kids in our sports and I had some baseball talent that allowed me to have a little more life experience than most. Giving her this personal care is all a part of being a good son to a loved one.”
Cox said every year during September, he hears from his circle of friends who remind him about his baseball record. This also makes him think how blessed his start in life was, with his mother’s support.
His mother made sure Cox made it to football and basketball practices before he settled on baseball. While learning to play baseball in school, he was also a three-sport star. He was the starting quarterback and point guard for his high school basketball team.
He became one of the best high school baseball players in Oklahoma by his senior year in 1973. His outstanding play on the Midwest City High School baseball team catapulted him into the Boston Red Sox farm system right out of high school.
There he was fortunate to have another mentor help him have a great start. Future National Baseball Hall of Famer Ted Williams, known as the greatest hitter ever in MLB history, taught him to hit even better.
Williams was a Red Sox special coach every Fall in the Florida Instructional League who showed Cox plenty of attention. Cox climbed the minor-league ladder, stepping up a class each year under Williams watchful eye.
“From first meeting Williams in 1974 at Fall Instructional (League) after first joining the Red Sox, the importance of those conversations really began during my first big league spring training in 1976,” Cox said last week. “Williams liked to hang out at the batting cages observing our swings, sometimes making really loud comments over the background noise.”
The legendary Williams’ suggestions had an immediate impact on the young athlete’s future. “Williams showed me and strongly suggested I try a couple of things,” Cox said. “Those tips certainly helped as I saw instant improvement in my ability to drive the ball into the outfield.”
He became a more productive and powerful hitter throughout his climb thanks to Williams’ coaching. At 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds by 1977, he evolved into a skilled hitter with a major-league swing with the help of coaches Williams and Johnny Pesky.
William “Ted” Cox started his MLB career for the Boston Red Sox with a best of all-time hitting performance in September of 1977. Cox established the MLB rookie debut hitting record by hitting safely in his first six at-bats in his first two games. Of the 19,000 players who have started MLB careers, his six consecutive hits at the start of his career is still the record for 150 years of organized baseball, 42 seasons later.
“Successful hitters have extraordinary eyesight, reflexes and reaction time to go with great hand-eye coordination,” Cox said. “But all that won’t get you on base unless you hit the ball. For that you need real major league coaching to help you develop a swing so fluid that every pitch they want to throw is your favorite pitch to hit.”
He went on the play five years and for two other teams, the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays. Forty-two years later Cox is retired and living in the family home he grew up in while taking care of his mother Ernestine in Midwest City.
Writer’s Note: In celebration of the Washington Nationals winning their first World Series in franchise history Wednesday night, Senior News and Living provides baseball fans the full story of Ted Cox’s historic first two games online in an expanded version of this story. Please go to okveterannews.com for full details of each of his first six hits.

Free Zoo admission offered to active duty, veteran members of the military all month

November is Military Appreciation Month at the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, and as a thank you for their service, the Zoo is honoring active duty, retired and veteran members of the military, National Guard and Reserves with free general admission for the entire month. Plus, up to four immediate family members of qualifying individuals will receive 50% off of general Zoo admission on date of visit. Military members must show valid military ID to receive complimentary admission.
“Our servicemen and women put their lives on the line for us and it’s an honor to recognize their sacrifice and welcome them to the Zoo,” said Dwight Lawson, OKC Zoo CEO/executive director. “We want to offer those who have been away from their families for months at a time a great experience and a chance to rediscover their connection to nature and their connections to one another.”
Military members will also enjoy 40% off concessions and merchandise at the Zoo’s Safari Gift Shop and get $10 off all available Wild Encounter behind-the-scenes experiences. Plus, they can save on the Zoo’s premiere ticket options:
· Zoo-It-All (access to rides, experiences, feedings and shows): $16/adult, child and senior (Mon.-Sun.)
· Ride-It-All (access to train, carousel and tram): $10/adult, child and senior (Fri.-Sun.)
Also during November, Zoo guests can show their wildlife pride with an exclusive red, white and blue bison conservation wristband. The bison is America’s National Mammal and a guest favorite at the Zoo’s Oklahoma Trails habitat. The limited-edition design is exclusively available during Military Appreciation Month. The conservation wristband is $2 with 100% of proceeds supporting the Zoo’s Round Up for Conservation program.
The Zoo is proud to support military members the rest of the year with a 50% discount on general admission to all veterans, active duty, active reserves and retirees of the military (with valid military ID). This discount does not apply to children or dependents of veterans, active duty, active reserves or retirees of the military.
The Zoo salutes service with Military Appreciation Month this November! Located at the crossroads of I-44 and I-35, the Oklahoma City Zoo is a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the American Alliance of Museums, Oklahoma City’s Adventure District and an Adventure Road partner. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Regular admission is $11 for adults and $8 for children ages 3-11 and seniors ages 65 and over. Children two and under are admitted free. Stay up-to-date with the Zoo on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube by visiting Our Stories. Zoo fans can support the OKC Zoo by becoming Oklahoma Zoological Society members at ZOOfriends.org or in-person at the Zoo! To learn more about these and other happenings, call (405) 424-3344 or visit okczoo.org.

Dear Savvy Senior, Because of my mobility problems, I’m thinking about getting a walk-in bathtub that’s easy to get into and out of but could use some help selecting one. What can you tell me about walk-in tubs, and can you recommend some good companies that make and install them?  Bubble Bath Betty

Dear Betty,
Walk-in tubs are a good option for mobility challenged seniors because they’re much easier to get into and out of than a standard tub, and will help prevent slips, trips and falls too. Here’s what you should know. The Basics
Walk-in bathtubs are uniquely designed tubs that have a watertight, hinged door built into the side of the tub that provides a much lower threshold to step over (usually 2.5 to 7 inches) versus a standard tub that’s around 15 inches.
In addition to the low threshold, most walk-in tubs also have a built-in seat, grab bars, anti-slip floors, anti-scald valves and a handheld showerhead. And many higher-end models offer therapeutic spa-like features that are great for seniors with arthritis and other ailments.
The kind of tub you choose will depend on your needs, preferences and budget, and the size and layout of your bathroom. The cost of a walk-in tub today with professional installation ranges anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000. Here are some other things you’ll need to consider, to help you make a good choice.
Tub size: Walk-in bathtubs vary in size. Most models have high walls between three and four feet high, and are between 28 and 32 inches wide, but will fit into the same 60-inch long space as your standard tub without having to reconfigure the room. There are also bariatric walk-in tubs that have wider door openings and larger seats to accommodate people over 300 pounds.
Wheelchair-accessible: Most walk-in tubs have an inward opening door, but if you use a wheelchair, an outward opening door may be a better option because they’re easier to access.
Tub options: The most basic and least expensive type of walk-in tub you can get is a simple soaker tub. But depending on your preferences, you have many other options like an aerotherapy (air jets) tub, hydrotherapy (whirlpool water jets) tub, aromatherapy tub that mixes fragrant essential oils with the water, or a combination tub that has multiple features. Also, look for tubs that have an in-line heating system to keep your bathwater warm while you soak.
Fast fill and drain: One drawback to using a walk-in bathtub is that the bather must sit in the tub as it fills and drains, which can make for a chilly experience. To help with this, consider a tub that has fast-filling faucets and pump-assisted drainage systems, which significantly speed up the process. But these options may require some plumbing modifications to your bathroom.
Easy cleaning: Keeping the tub clean should be a priority, especially if you get a therapy tub because of the bacteria that can grow in it. So, look for tubs with self-cleaning systems.
Warranty: The best walk-in bathtubs on the market today are made in the USA. Also make sure the company you choose has a lifetime “leak-proof” door seal warranty and lengthy warranties on both the tub and the operating system.
Where to shop: While there are many companies that make, sell and install walk-in bathtubs, some of the best in the industry are American Standard (AmericanStandard-us.com), Safe Step (SafeStepTub.com) and Kohler (KohlerWalkinBath.com). Most companies offer financing with monthly payment plans.
Unfortunately, original Medicare does not cover walk-in bathtubs nor do Medicare supplemental (Medigap) policies, but some Medicare Advantage plans may help pay. There are also many states that offer Medicaid waivers that will help pay for the purchase and installation of a walk-in tub to those that qualify, and the VA offers some programs that provide financial aid too.
To get started, contact a few companies who will send a local dealer to your home to assess your bathroom and give you product options and estimates for free.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), the leading association for long term and post-acute care, recently held its 70th Annual Convention & Expo at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Representatives from Golden Age Nursing Facility of Guthrie, Oklahoma were on hand to accept the Silver – Achievement in Quality Award during the National Quality Award Ceremony on October 15, 2019. This year, more than 800 member centers across the nation were recognized with a Quality Award, including 615 Bronze, 184 Silver and an elite group of five at the Gold level. Golden Age Nursing Facility was distinctive as the only facility in Oklahoma to receive the Silver Award this year. The Silver Award is the second of three progressive award levels through the National Quality Award Program, honoring association members that have demonstrated their commitment to improving quality of care for seniors. The Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award was earned by Golden Age in 2017.
The National Quality Award Program, which AHCA/NCAL established in 1996, is based on the core values and criteria of the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program. The Baldridge program helps organizations in different business sectors improve and achieve performance excellence. As a recipient of the Silver – Achievement in Quality Award, Golden Age may now move forward in developing approaches and achieving performance levels that meet the Gold – Excellence in Quality Award criteria.
Care Providers Oklahoma President and CEO Nico Gomez said he was glad Golden Age Nursing Home is being recognized for their hard work and dedication to resident care. “The staff at Golden Age Nursing is delivering excellent care and raising the bar for quality services,” said Gomez. “Their residents are benefiting from the staff’s hard work and receiving a better quality of life.”
“We are proud of our Golden Age team,” said Golden Age administrator Linda Smith. “They have shown the dedication and motivation it takes to achieve such a prestigious distinction. Our team will continue to provide compassionate care and services to our residents, families and the community we are blessed to serve.”

www.meadowlakesretirementvillage.com

by Bobby Anderson, Staff Writer

Ten years now and closing in on $100,000 raised for Alzheimer’s research and Joan Clarke knows her mission is nowhere near complete.
It’s been 12 years since Alzheimer’s claimed Clarke’s husband.
And for the past decade she’s used the Santa Market Craft Show to honor his memory and push the needle forward on Alzheimer’s research.
“Our family has taken to do this as a positive response to a horrific disease,” Clarke said recently on the anniversary of her husband’s death. “The kids work. The spouses work. Even the grandkids work handing out bags.”
“For us it helps. I like to hope we’re helping other people and making a difference.”
It’s estimated that every 65 seconds another person learns they have the terminal condition which robs them of their identities.
While the disease keeps growing – now registering as the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States – the support for the Santa Market Craft Show benefiting Alzheimer’s research is booming.
LONG TIME COMING
For the past nine years the Santa Market has been housed in the Downtown Edmond Community Center.
The show proudly boasted 18 vendor tables that first year.
“We were just a little show trying to get started,” said Clarke, who organizes the event with daughter Megan Nye and Megan’s mother-in-law Molly.
Last year the event took up the entire upstairs, downstairs and – with 101 vendors – poured onto the lawn of the community center in Edmond.
According to the family’s best estimates some 4,000 people attended last year’s market, which focuses on hand-made items perfect for holiday giving.
A new venue was a must so Clarke decided to “go big or go home” and booked space at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds.
The Pavilion Building will host this year’s Santa Market Craft Show on November 23 beginning at 9 a.m.
Sponsors have already responded, footing the bill for both admission and parking for attendees.
“We’ve never jumped the gun. We’ve steadily progressed,” Clarke says. “We’ve steadily gotten more sponsors, steadily gotten more people involved and raised more money each year.”
“I feel like we’re paced ourselves really well.”
The steady growth has resulted in some $93,000 raised for Alzheimer’s research. Clarke said the event has already raised $4,000 in sponsorship including Diamond Level Sponsorship by Oklahoma’s Senior News and Living.
By the end of October Clarke already had commitments from 190 vendors scheduled to fill 270 10×10 booths.
From three people running a craft show raising $3,000 in its first year to a year-round, 501(c)3 organization that earned $23,000 for Alzheimer’s last year the Santa Market continues to grow.
A silent auction featuring items like Kendra Scott jewelry to a weekend package at Lake Texhoma serve as top earners.
“We are extremely blessed,” Clarke said. “We get help from so many people. It just never ceases to amaze me. People want to help. They want to donate. They want to be involved.”
“Literally, it’s not just a craft show it’s so many people getting on board with us.”
STAGGERING NUMBERS
The number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s is growing — and growing fast. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, an estimated 5.8 million Americans of all ages have Alzheimer’s.
This number includes an estimated 5.6 million people age 65 and older and approximately 200,000 individuals under age 65 who have younger-onset Alzheimer’s.
* One in 10 people age 65 and older (10 percent) has Alzheimer’s dementia.
* Almost two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s are women.
* Older African-Americans are about twice as likely to have Alzheimer’s or other dementias as older whites.
* Hispanics are about one and one-half times as likely to have Alzheimer’s or other dementias as older whites.
As the number of older Americans grows rapidly, so too will the number of new and existing cases of Alzheimer’s. By 2050, the number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer’s dementia may grow to a projected 13.8 million, barring the development of medical breakthroughs to prevent, slow or cure Alzheimer’s disease.
It’s been 12 years since Clarke’s husband has passed and his memory this time of year is even stronger.
“You would think you would get good at these things but you don’t,” Clarke said, wiping back tears. “This never ever stops for us.”