Category Archives: Healthy Lifestyle

Carol Patrylo's son Todd donated his organs after being killed by a drunk driver. Years later she needed a kidney and her best friend didn't hesitate

ST. LOUIS When it seems like you're walking in circles, sometimes a friend can point you in the right direction.

"I think we had an instant connection," explained Carol Patrylo.

Patrylo said her friend Cindy Mueller saved her life. And she isn't exaggerating.

They met when they were both working as aides in the Lindbergh School District.

"I thought she was sweet and just loving and she thought I was nuts," Patrylo said with a laugh. "And I am crazier than a lunatic."

But Patrylo's world was shattered into little pieces when her 19-year-old son Todd was killed by a drunk driver in June 2000. Her only comfort was that Todd was an organ donor and helped save other lives.

"Three weeks before he died, he was doing Christian outreach in an orphanage in Ensenada, Mexico," Patrylo said. "Cindy was so supportive and helped me get through this."

But no one really gets through something like that. The light inside of her had gone out.

"I watched this woman lose her will to live," Mueller said. "There were times that I would go to her house and get her dressed and drive her to work, just so I knew she wouldn't lay in her bed all day."

Soon, her heart wasn't the only organ that was broken. After years of not taking care of herself, Patrylo went into stage 5 kidney failure and her doctor had to put her on dialysis.

"The problem with dialysis is every year on dialysis, your risk of dying goes up," said Dr. Chintalapati Varma of SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital.

Her best option was a kidney transplant and so, her best friend got tested to see if she was a match.

"I didn't have to think about it," Mueller said. "It was an instant thing my best friend needs a kidney."

Almost miraculously, she was a match, but there was a problem. Mueller was overweight and pre-diabetic.

"I said, 'Well, I'm on a journey and I'm losing weight," Mueller recalled telling the doctors. "So, we're going to make this happen."

With diet and exercise, Mueller lost 54 pounds and then lost her kidney. Last month, doctors at SLU hospital put it in Patrylo during a successful transplant surgery.

"It's extremely rewarding for us, I mean that's why we went into this field," said surgeon Dr. Henry Randall. "That's all I can say. It's just rewarding."

Mueller called it a win-win.

"So, in giving her the gift of life, I was also able to get myself the gift of a healthy lifestyle," she said.

Patrylo is promising to make the most of her second chance.

One thing seems clear: for the rest of their journey, neither of these women will ever walk alone.

"I've got a lot to live for," said Patrylo. "And I'm so blessed to have a friend like Cindy."

Those interested in being a living donor can visit: http://www.ssmhealth.com/transplant

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St. Louis women were a perfect match for organ donation and as friends - KSDK.com

Zdravka Poljakovic, Dinah Vodanovi, Arijana Lovreni-Huzjan, Marina Roje Bedekovi, Svjetlana upe, Vesna Matijevi (Photo: Zvonimir Ferina)

For the third year in a row, the Croatian Medical Association, Croatian Neurological Society and the City Health Office of the City of Zagreb are co-organising withthe School of Public Health Andrija tampar and the Medical Faculty of the University of Zagreb, the health-educational Red Dress Day.

The goal of the Red Dress Day campaign is to raise public awareness about the specifics of strokes in women, to draw attention to the devastating consequences of ignoring symptoms and the need for lifestyle changes.

The organising committee of this commendable action consists of experts from KBC Sestre Milosrdnice and KBC Zagreb neurologists Arijana Lovreni-Huzjan, Zdravka Poljakovi, Marina Roje Bedekovi, Vesna Matijevi and Svjetlana upe and speech therapist Dinah Vodanovi.

In an atmosphere of a pandemic and recent earthquakes, we feel obliged to speak even louder about this topic because COVID-19 poses a risk of strokes as well as the emotional tension to which women in stressful situations are particularly exposed. We have to take care of our own health because most strokes can be prevented by a healthy lifestyle, and if a stroke occurs, timely recognition of symptoms and quick reaction is crucial for treatment,- says the president of the Croatian Neurological Society prof. dr. sc. Zdravka Poljakovic.

The action is held under the auspices of the Ministry of Health and the Mayor of Zagreb, and an important contribution was made by sponsors Berlin Chemie Menarini, Boehringer, Bina Istra, Eli-Lilly, Endress + Hauser, Fresenius, Ghetaldus, Makpharm, Matkon, Nicro, Novartis, Pliva, Sandoz and Zubak group.

In anticipation of Red Dress Day, public appearances of experts and professional gatherings will be organised, and the solemn celebration of the action will be held on February 5 at the Croatian Music Institute and will be available online.

Illustration: Petra Huzjan

The stars of the evening this year will be women who survived a stroke and who will wear red creations by Croatian designers Andrijana Suboti Pjajik, urica Vorkapi, Ivica Skoka, Lana Pulji, Martina Herak and Zoran Aragovi.

On social networks, the action will be marked by the hashtag #nosicrveno, which invites everyone to wear something red on February 5 and thus provide support.

Details about the Red Dress Day can be followed on the website of the Croatian Neurological Society https://neuro-hr.org/ and on the Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/Dan-crenih-haljina.

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Red Dress Day to raise awareness of women's health in Croatia - Croatia Week

These antioxidant-rich drinks can be great for your overall health.

An antioxidant is one buzzword in the world of health and fitness. And if you happen to believe in a well-balanced lifestyle, then you must have come across the importance of antioxidants in our daily life. It is basically a compound (naturally available in fruits and vegetables) that helps us detoxify and prevent free-radical damage in the body. For the unversed, regular detoxification is of utmost importance to flush out the toxins and maintain a healthy metabolism. This further balance the function of the other organs in our body, including the heart. Several studies across the world have found antioxidants to have a positive effect on our heart health.

As per a report on the official website of Harvard Medical School, antioxidants help stabilise harmful by-products of the body's energy-making machinery. "These by-products, known as free radicals, can damage DNA, make LDL (bad) cholesterol even worse, and wreak havoc elsewhere in the body," the report reads.

Another study, published in AAFP journal, found that some antioxidant vitamins may also help to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. These antioxidants include vitamins C, E, folate, beta-carotene et al.

Speaking about the importance of eating antioxidant-rich foods, consultant nutritionist Rupali Datta shared, "All fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nut etc are rich sources of phytonutrients and antioxidants. Each of these nutrients works amazingly to protect us from non-communicable diseases including cardiovascular diseases. Daily consumption of these foods helps maintain a healthy lifestyle. And this is what a balanced diet is all about."

Considering the above factors, we bring some healthy beverage recipes that are sure to provide you with your daily dose of antioxidants in the yummiest way possible. Some of these drinks also make for a wholesome meal in the morning. Let's find them out!

Almond And Spinach Smoothie

Spinach is a rich source of antioxidants like lutein, vitamin C and beta-carotene. Adding it to your diet not only makes for a well-balanced meal but also benefits your health in multiple ways. Here's a wholesome smoothie recipe for you that includes the goodness of almonds, along with the crunchy, green spinach. Click here for the recipe.

Orange And Carrot Detox Drink

Antioxidants help in detoxification. Keeping this in mind, we bring a detox drink recipe that includes vitamin C-rich orange beta-carotene loaded carrots and helps promote weight loss, metabolism, digestion, skin health, heart health and more. Click here for the recipe.

Kahwa

Green tea is a rich source of antioxidant and we all are well aware of that. Here's a green tea-based recipe that also includes healthy kitchen spices and nuts to promote overall immunity. It's a famous Kashmiri drink- kahwa. Click here for the recipe.

Banana Walnut Smoothie

Walnut has long been touted a superfood that has overall benefit. Here's a walnut smoothie recipe that includes banana and makes for a wholesome meal in the morning. Click here for the recipe.

Honey-Lemon-Ginger Tea

We also found a vitamin C-enriched herbal tea for you. It includes the goodness of lemon, ginger and honey. Include this drink in your morning ritual and give a healthy start to your day. Click here for the recipe.

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Eat healthy, stay happy. And always remember, moderation is the key!

About Somdatta SahaExplorer- this is what Somdatta likes to call herself. Be it in terms of food, people or places, all she craves for is to know the unknown. A simple aglio olio pasta or daal-chawal and a good movie can make her day.

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Experts Suggest To Load Up On Natural Antioxidants For Healthy Heart: 5 Antioxidant-Rich Drinks To Try - NDTV Food

by Kyle Herschelman

A new program coming to Litchfield is aiming to slow the substance abuse problem that has plagued communities all over the country, while also building a stronger relationship with the Litchfield Police Department.

Kent Tarro of the Macoupin County Health Department and Taylorville Police Chief Dwayne Wheeler spoke to the council about the Safe Passages program that the city will be implementing.

Tarro said that the Macoupin County Health Department had been coordinating with Litchfield Police Chief Kenny Ryker and Gillespie Police Chief Jared DePoppe to start the program, which is a treatment and recovery program to help those with substance abuse issues.

Safe Passages allows abusers of drugs and/or alcohol to present themselves to a police department and let them know that they are ready to lead a more healthy lifestyle. Police officers then contact a Safe Passages coordinator, who gets the individual into a recovery program such as Gateway Foundation in Springfield or Alton Memorial Hospitals recovery program.

The Macoupin County Health Department currently has a recovery program, but is moving forward on expanding their services to develop St. Francis Way Clinic, which will be located on the campus of St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield.

According to Tarro, the clinic will provide psychiatric, mental health and health care options for recovering substance abusers, which will be brought to the clinic by Litchfield and Gillespie police through the Safe Passages program.

Tarro said that the police will still be arresting drug dealers and those who break the law, but the Safe Passages program allows people to come to the police to get help.

Tarro said that the focus will be on meth users and those suffering from alcohol and opioid addiction, but all kinds of substance abusers will have a place to receive help.

Chief Wheeler, who implemented the program at his stops in Kincaid and Taylorville before expanding to Pana and Nokomis as well, spoke about how the Safe Passages program and its impact on the Taylorville community.

Wheeler said that in its first year, Taylorville worked with more than 200 people and crimes such as burglary and theft went down 45 percent. He added that the mayor and city council are integral to the program in regards to their support, but there isnt a line item on the budget for Safe Passages.

Fundraising for the program in Taylorville is done through a church, which then gives the donations to the program to purchase gas cards for drivers, clothes for patients and the salary of a Safe Passages coordinator who is on call.

The program not only helps lower the crime rate, but it also builds relationships between the police, the addicts and the families of the addicts who need help. Chief Wheeler said that those who go through the problem often help police with cleaning up the current drug problem by giving information on area drug dealers, leading to a 100 percent increase in drug arrests in Taylorville.

Safe Passages Coordinator Denise Evans also spoke briefly, saying that the group is also working on starting the program with the Salvation Army in Springfield. She said that she has an appointment in February with Chief Ryker to begin the set up of the Safe Passages program in Litchfield.

Mayor Steve Dougherty said that he is really looking forward to the program beginning in Litchfield and that every person knows someone who has been affected by substance abuse.

In other business, the council approved an ordinance setting the 2021 Lake Lou Yaeger fees, approved the 2021 lease agreement and rules for the lake front seasonal camping and the Bi-Centennial Campground seasonal camping, and approved a 20 percent credit be afforded to returning Bi-Centennial annual lease holders. Last year, the council also approved a 33 percent credit for lake lot holders.

The council approved repairs to a varying frequency drive at the water treatment plant for $6,719.94, the purchase of upper and lower Polpro filter press belts for the wastewater treatment plant for $3,650 and the purchase of a 2021 E-One VM8 Aluminum Commercial Mini Pumper mounted on a Ford F550 4x4, 4-door chassis with a 300 gallon tank and a 1250 gallon per minute pump from Banner Fire Equipment for $244,495.

Alderman Dwayne Gerl asked why the mini pumper was not put out for bid. Fire Chief Joe Holomy said that the equipment is a demonstration model and does not fall under the requirement to go out for bid. He said that he monitors vendors for these demonstration models, which are significantly cheaper and go quickly.

Alderman Woody Street said that he is all for getting three bids when possible, but felt like the significant savings made this purchase worth it. The motion to purchase passed 6-1 with Gerl voting no and Alderwoman Marilyn Sisson absent.

Two other motions also drew dissension, both of which pertained to the Eagle Ridge subdivision. Alderman Gerl and Alderman Mark Brown voted against an ordinance authorizing the city to execute a lease for property located in the subdivision, while Alderman Brown also voted against an ordinance designating stop signs in the subdivision.

Prior to the meeting, two public hearings were held, with neither drawing any questions from the council or the public viewing the meeting virtually on Zoom.

The first hearing was to close out the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Community Development Block Grant, which was used for road and sidewalk improvements on North Illinois from Ryder to Union.

Emily Fortschneider said that $513,800 was spent on the project, which affected an area made up of 51.35 low income individuals. Fortschneider said that the project came in under budget and the remaining $168,000 would be moved to another Community Development Block Grant won by the city for the rehabilitation of the Southside ditch.

The other hearing was dealt with the annexation of parcel number 10-32-226-006, which is owned by M&M Service Company and adjacent to their current facility. Dave Wright of M&M said that the main reason for the annexation request is to get water access to the property as the company would like to build a new facility on the property.

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Litchfield Police To Partner In Drug Rehab - thejournal-news.net

Royal fans are counting down days till Prince Philip marks his 100th birthday in June this year.

And while the big day of the Duke of Edinburgh is being awaited by members of the British royal family as well as fans, some royal aides are unveiling the secrets of the 99-year-olds healthy lifestyle.

Speaking to Hello! magazine, royal doctor Anna Hemming said: Keeping active both physically and mentally play a very important role in maintaining a healthy and ongoing quality of life.

Sport has its benefits in keeping both your body and mind active. When the time comes to retire from sport the interest in sporting activities helps to stimulate your mind, she went on to say.

As reported by Express, international horse-riding federation FEI claims that the duke has been a keen sportsman throughout his life by playing cricket, hockey and rowing.

Like all other people who lead a fit healthy life and enjoy a balanced intake of healthy food, they are more likely to enjoy a more healthy quality of life in their later years, she continued.

Prince Philips diet is almost made up of the best power-packed foods, including eggs, smoked haddock and omelet.

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What keeps Prince Philip hale and hearty at the age of 99? - Geo News

Rose McFarland, Thomas More Prep-Marian coach and teacher, is January's Hays Post Teacher of the Month.

By CRISTINA JANNEYHays Post

Rose McFarland, a Thomas More Prep-Marian teacher and coach, said trophies, winning seasons and championships are not what have been the highlights of her career.

McFarland, 59, who has been a coach and teacher for 25 years, said the relationships she has built with her students and peers have been the most treasured aspect of her years in education and athletics.

She has taught all levels from kindergarten through college.

"When you see some of those kids who you have taught in the past go out into the world and find careers and find families, to me, that's very rewarding," she said. "It's about life. Hopefully, you are teaching some life lessons. Things aren't always easy. Sometimes there are challenges, but when things get tough, you have all those people around you to support you.

"I have been through that in my life. A lot of people stepped up and gave me support, and that is probably what I appreciate most."

Many of her current junior high students may not know, but McFarland faced a life-and-death challenge when she began teaching at TMP.

McFarland was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, she went through treatment and was given a clean bill of health.

Shortly after coming to coach and teach health and PE at TMP nine years ago, McFarland's cancer reoccurred.

She underwent surgery, chemo and radiation.

Melissa Schoepf, TMP math teacher, said in her nomination for the Hays Post Teacher of the Month, McFarland overcame her cancer diagnosis, all while maintaining a positive attitude.

"She has inspired our students, faculty and staff to never give up and keep pushing through,"Schoepf said. "She rarely missed a day in the classroom or on the basketball court while undergoing chemotherapy, which demonstrates her dedication to her students and her mental toughness."

McFarland said coming to school was motivating during her treatment.

"It got me up in the morning. I had a lot of support, and that helped me a lot," she said. "People were very supportive here. People I've coached in the past and taught with in the past and family were very supportive."

She said she could remember coaching games, coming back to her office, laying down on her coach and not having the energy to get back up.

"It wasn't easy, but I did it, and got through there, and in another year, it came back again," she said.

She appreciated the school allowing her to continue to teach. Her doctor said he was amazed she was back in school.

"I think it is how you see things and just being positive," she said. "I had a lot of positivity around me. My faith helped carry me through. I am just happy for every day I am here."

She said she knows others have greater challenges, and she tries not to focus on herself or her challenges.

When she first was diagnosed with cancer, McFarland was substitute teaching and coaching her young son's basketball team. McFarland lost her hair during treatment, so all of the boys on her team shaved their heads.

"I am sure they learned to have more courage," she said. "They did that for me.

"Those kids I coached, those kids I taught, they got to see that I wasn't going to give up, and you get through those challenges and move on."

People were so generous and kind to her that it was difficult, she said, because she had to swallow her pride and learn to accept the help.

"I think sometimes it helps those people who do things for you," she said. "It helps them as much as it probably helped me."

Her faith and being a part of the religious community at TMP was important to her as she struggled with the cancer and still today.

"We can talk about our religion. We can talk about our faith. We can share our faith. We can talk about Jesus," McFarland said. "That's why I'm here. I am allowed to do that and share with others."

Schoepf, who nominated McFarland for Teacher of the Month, said as a physical education/health teacher, McFarland continually provides fun, engaging, active lessons to her students and works with helping them maintain a healthy lifestyle.

One activity she is very passionate about is the school's annual health fair, during which her students plan and present on current health issues.

McFarland has always put value on physical and health education. She started the physical education program at St. Joseph Elementary School in Hays, and also kicked off the program at TMP, when the junior high was added there.

"A lot of people think its just activities or fitness, but there is so much more," she said. "There is so much social/emotional wellness. You learn leadership skills. You learn teamwork. You learn sportsmanship. You learn how to stay fit, plus they have fun.

"It is a good break from academia over there. They can come and release and learn how to get along with others."

She said it is not just playing games.

"It's skills for a lifetime. Our health is so valuable. You can have all the money in the world, but if you don't have your health, what good is it?" McFarland said.

She said she tries to reach those students who don't like PE.

"If we can find that one activity to reach them, I think that is very important if we can get them to think they want to do it for a lifetime."

As a coach some of her best memories have not been the winning seasons, but the teams who were able to grow.

"Sometimes those challenging years are the funnest," she said. ... "Just seeing the growth when they finally do something, you are like 'Aha, they finally got it.' "

She wants to do her best for her athletes and for them to do the best they can for themselves. McFarland said she is very competitive, which lead to many sleepless nights, going over games in her head.

She said in the end, it's about teaching her students and athletes about life.

"I like sharing what I have experienced," she said, "the values of the things I learned in my past. It's not for the money.

"I think it is important to have good role models and leaders and instill a passion for whatever they want to do in life."

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Posted Jan 24, 2021 Teacher of the Month: McFarland teaching, coaching about life - hays Post