News And Muses

New and Muses March 2010: In the Flow

The time since my husband, Charlie, and I moved to Black Mountain has been a joy-filled time. Even before we arrived here we entered a "flow" in which there has been no faltering. Charlie says he has retired to write books. I hope not as he is a wonderful pastoral counselor, and I love seeing the youthful, vibrant glow he emits after a session. But right now, his writing is a fulltime endeavor as he pushes to meet a March 31st deadline. His flow has been found sitting at his computer.

We are here because of the love for the mountains he developed in the years he came for Presbyterian conferences and retreats. But speaking of the flow, there is a story to tell about it. We had long wanted to move to Black Mountain, but could not find a home in our price range. The efforts to find a mountain home followed my questioning of my husband following years of our dealing with the rigors of treating the metastatic breast cancer that began to rock my world in 2003. "Honey, I asked. For years it has all been about me. Now it is your turn, what is it you have always wanted to do that you have never done?" "Move to the mountains and write", he responded. Thus the search began. I spent many hours on the computer combing the mountains of VA, W.VA and NC with 4 criteria in mind: a small mountain community, an affordable home, a college presence and a compatible church. (Google Earth is a wonderful thing!) In time, we focused on Elkins, W.VA and found a lovely home there, lovely people and placed our Lynchburg, VA home on the market - the sale of which was needed to buy the Elkins home. Unfortunately, our home did not sell as quickly as needed. But that was when the "flow" began. Having talked once again about Elkins and reconsidering if it was the right place after all, Charlie went down to his study and checked Black Mountain once again, finding two affordable possibilities for us. I shared this and our disappointment regarding the loss of the house we loved in Elkins, where I was already making friends long distance, with the women who regularly came together to discuss spirituality and support each other and heard this, "Your house hasn't sold because you were just not going to the right place!" Three days later we returned from Black Mountain with a contract for purchase in hand. The next morning a car filled with children pulled up. I said, "Here are our buyers." And they were. In the flow.

So Charlie is writing. And I hit the ground running, eager to once again build my practice in Integrative Nursing. My life had been too long in limbo - limbo for my life, limbo for assuming my role as a health professional with something to offer, and limbo in where we would settle. Once here, eager to set up my practice, I saw that this area is filled with very talented bodyworkers and holistic nurses. It was daunting, I'll admit. It gave me pause, and cause, to look around to see just how I could serve - what needs were there? My first thought was the Medication Management you can see on this site. The second came from my own experience of dealing with cancer as a chronic disease. I do not have a page for the Six Week Seminar for Women with Recurrent Cancer yet, but it will be hosted by Hallie Saunders, another breast cancer survivor, at her cafe, An Apple A Day Depot here in Black Mountain. The dates will be April 22 through the month of May from 6-8:30 pm. Details will be this site soon. A third thought was to create a place for those who could not afford full rate of service to receive work. As I find flow continuing - thanks to the open and welcoming spirit of this community, my head is full of ideas and ways to serve. Thank you. And watch for more to come...

News and Muses May 2010

May is slipping by, there was no April News and Muses, and my office is not officially open yet. Somehow things slowed once the office was painted and my table was in place. And the word I chose from a basket filled with words for contemplation in the New Year began to speak to me. That word, taped to the right hand corner of my computer screen is thoughtfulness. And my thoughts began to be of how to further define my practice to my new community - and to myself, I must admit. That led to looking at definitions of Integrative Health as I am, after all, defining myself as an Integrative Health Nurse. This remains an ongoing project, but this is one I found on Medscape:

Integrative Medicine (IM), according to the Consortium of Academic Health Centers for Integrative Medicine, is the practice of medicine that reaffirms the importance of the relationship between practitioner and patient, focuses on the whole person, and makes use of all appropriate therapeutic approaches that are informed by evidence. It is important to differentiate IM from complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), which is associated with IM therapies for which much of the evidence is still unsettled.

I found another:
Integrative medicine can be described as orienting the health care process to create a seamless engagement by patients and caregivers of the full range of physical, psychological, social, preventive, and therapeutic factors known to be effective and necessary for the achievement of optimal health throughout the life span. Integrative medicine envisions a health care system that focuses on efficient, evidence-based prevention, wellness, and patient-centered care that is personalized, predictive, preventive and participatory.

These, at the onset, seemed to be ones I could embrace, but the predictive - or evidence based, piece always gives me trouble. Clearly, the trend is to define integrative medicine as including only evidence based practices. But does that mean we should not try something because there is no study to back it up? And what does a "negative" study mean to the few who might benefit? Further, what does a "positive" study mean to the significant percentage of us who do not tolerate chemical based products - pharmaceuticals? Will I consider non-evidence based practices or those with minimal study? For myself, clearly yes if I see no harm. For clients, that is for them to decide.

This above piece is well worth reading if you are trying to sort out your own definitions and philosophy of healthcare and healing. Use the link above and look through the archives on the left.

I also found a review of a book I am interested in reading. Part of the review follows:

A Return to Healing:
Radical Health Care Reform and the Future of Medicine
by Dr. Len Saputo and Byron Belitsos
Origin Press; ©2009; $21.95

This is an immensely important book at this time of national debate on the future of health care in America.

While Dr. Saputo may be rushing into a political melee where even angels fear to tread, he is certainly no fool. An internal medicine practitioner for 40 years, he began to see another side of medicine when medical science failed his wife, condemning her to a downward spiral of drugs and steroids. In desperation, they began to research and employ alternative therapies, and she was eventually able to regain her health.

When Dr Saputo shared his results with his medical colleagues, their reactions ranged from indifference to hostility. This was a major wake-up call to someone who had dedicated himself to being a healer. How could these doctors turn their collective backs on treatments that could relieve suffering? They had all learned medical ethics, yet they closed their minds to a promising treatment protocol just because it was not part of conventional medical practice. Dr. Saputo embarked on a mission to put the wellness of his patients ahead of the orthodoxy of the system and to offer them the best healing practices from both conventional and alternative medicine.

So...after much thoughtfulness I am back to referring you, and myself, to my home page. The Nurses-Touch page describes my practice as it stands. I see no need to change it. My goal is to assist others in seeking right relationship - right relationships with oneself and with those they choose to help them be well. Soon I will begin using hypnosis for smoking cessation and weight loss. In the interest of full disclosure, I was trained by an excellent school 9 years ago, but I have used it only rarely. When I did, it was for existing clients pre-operatively and for childbirth on one occasion. In order to step into this "new" role, I am offering 3 sessions for $60.00 (2 cartons?) to 10 persons in order to gain a "track record." If it is worth $20.00 to achieve profound relaxation for stress relief, it is a "no brainer."

Joy in June

Once again the weeks fly by with planned projects deferred, these creative ideas overpowered by the reality of the time it takes to follow through with them. Contemplating what is really important in my life and deciding what is most important to create for myself becomes imperative, but thankfully easy. Easy, in part, in consequence for the very rich conversations regarding personality type with an Ohio friend, an OSU psychology professor my husband Charlie and I spent time with during our trip to celebrate my son's earning his master's degree there. Our friend is an expert in the Meyer's Briggs personality typing and his courses include many rich topics including Ken Wilber's integral theory. I am looking forward to working through the books he uses for his courses as I refine what being an integrative health nurse means for me and my clients. That said, the clarity that was reinforced in these conversations was the importance of relationships to me. Case in point: I set up a table at Swannanoa's first "First Friday" event for the jewelry I sell as "E- Creations". One could say it wasn't worth it for the little money I made and question returning from that aspect. But that was not where the richness was revealed. The reward was in the connection with community- both for meeting new folks and in the pleasure of being greeted warmly by those met previously; the beginning of finding a place in this new home. This truly feels like the right place for me, a place to become truly right with myself, in no small part from the welcoming I have received. And the clients who have graced me with in my first month of seeing clients and the clients that will follow now become my first importance. Becoming right in relationship with them requires work and refinement of what I have to offer. It requires mindful attention and listening in order to respond appropriately -or not as the case may be. There are new "tools" to develop and much to learn and revisit as I work to serve them in creating their personal self care plans. I am currently taking an RN Refresher course to be sure I am current along with any related MAHEC courses that I can. Becoming right with myself also means being accountable to myself and my own self care as I move forward. So I take some time here this morning to reflect - to listen to myself, and share, hoping I will not bore the reader.... Now the mundane tasks must be tackled. Among them are adding to my Music and Muses page an introduction to meditation and the start of a new page, Just For Women.

Is Your Food Safe?

Dear Friends,

I recently watched an interview with the author of Seeds of Deception, Jeffrey Smith. What follows is directly from his web site. Although I already knew I did not want to eat genetically modified foods, I was not incensed. I had not made a commitment to action.

"The explosive expose Seeds of Deception reveals how industry manipulation and political collusion-not sound science-allow dangerous genetically engineered food into your daily diet. Company research is rigged, alarming evidence of health dangers is covered up, and intense political pressure applied.

Chapters read like adventure stories:

• Scientists were offered bribes or threatened. Evidence was stolen. Data was omitted or distorted.
• Government employees who complained were harassed, stripped of responsibilities, or fired.
• Laboratory rats fed a GM crop developed stomach lesions and seven of the 40 died within two weeks. The crop was approved without further tests.
• When a top scientist tried to alert the public about his alarming discoveries, he lost his job and was silenced with threats of a lawsuit.

Read the actual internal memos by FDA scientists, warning of toxins, allergies, and new diseases-all ignored by their superiors, including a former attorney for Monsanto. Discover how industry studies are designed to avoid finding problems. Learn why the FDA withheld information from Congress after a genetically modified supplement killed nearly a hundred people and disabled thousands.

Eating such experimental food is gambling with your health. Find out how you can protect yourself and your family.

Jeffrey Smith is a master storyteller. His style captivates and charms, while his meticulously documented facts leave no doubt about a massive injustice."

I am called to action. Together we can stop this. Please join me! Visit www.responsibletechnology.org to learn how. Also visit www.seedsofdeception.com

Ethlyne J Davidson, RN, LBMT Nurse's Touch

Inspiring Positive Change: The State Of Our Country

I must admit that perceiving the state of our country and the future I imagine as increasingly bleak overwhelms me at times. And this sense of despair regarding our children's legacy threatens to damp me down into the helplessness and hopelessness that depression can bring. What can I do against this corporate conflagration of our nation and our planet? And after this week's media saturation of news surrounding the state of education and the loss of our standing - our rank - in the measurable indices of our high school graduates, not to mention the high rate of high school drop outs in the demographics that will predominate this nation's population in the not to distant future, I am brought to a standstill. What can I possibly do? And how can I care for myself and live from a place that will support my own vitality in this year I was led to expect I might be happy to live to with a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer. ( For those of you unaware of the challenge I began facing in 2003, I will share that when I asked about my prognosis, 2 separate oncologists pointed to one of their patients with pride stating, "So and so has gotten 8 yrs". Neither is still with us. I will add that I rejected further conventional treatment in 2007 and the recurrences that became unavoidably apparent 18 months after each of 2 treatments stretched to 40 months following my own path in supporting myself. Someday I will stop counting!) Thus, life is often both poignantly precious and precarious with the need to both make my mark in my lifetime and be mindful of my own life. Without the love and care of my husband, I don't know how I could possibly achieve that balance. He is the greatest blessing of my greatly challenged life. But speaking of precious life, I finally watched Precious, the movie last night. It was hard to watch, but in regards to the reflections above, the well known phrase, "Each one teach one comes to mind." I am going to find that one.

Shifting gears, it is my great hope that I can facilitate Jeffrey Smith, author of Seeds of Deception (see last month's New and Muses) coming to talk here next April. I have approached a local college regarding sponsoring his coming. If the college has space and resources to provide the venue, many additional sponsors will be needed. I envision a room of venders, all dedicated to individual and planetary health. And back to our future: take 5 minutes to watch this Asheville11 yr old talk. There is brightness in our future! http://www.tedxnextgenerationasheville.com/ This came to my attention through the organic consumers association.

PS: Hot off the press: The Breast Cancer Fund's State of the Evidence http://prevention.breastcancerfund.org/site/Ecard?ecard_id=1101

News and Muses, February 6, 2011

February is heart health month with much in the news about the fact that heart disease is the major killer of women. And the point is made that this fact is often overshadowed by breast cancer publicity. Having lived with the threatened mortality that a history of breast cancer brings, I understand heart disease as a risk and concern is more easily deniable. With cancer the first thought is of death. The mutilation of surgeries puts undeniability in one's face daily. It is also a fact the lifestyle adjustments of healthy eating and exercise can both prevent and reverse many kinds of chronic disease. My motto is, "The Best Healthcare Starts with Self-care", a universally accepted paradigm. My mission as an Integrative Health Nurse providing, Bodywork, Education and Support is a heartfelt one; threatened mortality and maturity bring a consideration of the measure on one's life: "Have I made a difference to anyone?"

In an effort to assist persons in becoming active participants in their health care, an on-going event, "Becoming a Savvy Healthcare Consumer" has been conducted twice with good reviews and will be scheduled again; if a group of 10 would like to have this presentation, it can be scheduled at a mutually agreeable time, (See the "Events" page for details on events.) This month's offering on bone health came out of requests from the participants of the "Savvy" event. On February 23, Dr Elizabeth Kavka, PhD, LD/N will present "Optimizing Bone Health: Nutritional Approaches to Osteoporosis &Osteoarthritis". This presentation will offer information about the role of inflammation in disease as part of the discussion on bone health. A wholistic view demands that we consider our whole bodies Ð that our internal milieu is the foundation of health.

But going back to the topic of heart health, there are many good internet sources for heart health. I am choosing just two to share today.

The first is new from the governmental Agency For Healthcare Research and Quality http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/cc/cc020111.htm and is rich with information.

The second is from the Life Extension Foundation's 2004 piece on heart issues and "statins" which may offer useful information to consider and discuss with your healthcare professional.

On a lighter note, the evidence is in that joy, gratitude, and laughter support our health by lowering stress hormones and boosting immune factors. Let this piece be the start of a monthly laugh entry: Bird With Feeling:

News and Muses, September 12, 2011

It has been months since I last wrote, but what eventful ones they were. And little did I dream that we would return to Lynchburg back then! There is, of course, a story behind my husband deciding to come out of retirement to teach, once again, at VUL. It all started with a rather obscure e-mail I received into my Nurse's Touch e-mail, which read like this" Hi, my name is *****, I am a pharmacist in California and I have a product that may interest you." Upon reading this, I had an immediate sense that this was something I needed to check out, so I did. Some of you reading this may have been among those who read My Cancer Journey in 2005 when I was treated with chemotherapy and radiation for breast cancer. I will share that I became one of the 17% of women who suffer from long term cognitive dysfunction ("chemo brain" some of us call it) to the extent that I could not return to traditional nursing roles safely. I also could not hold my energy, requiring 2 hrs of work be followed by 20 min of rest. And by 2011, the ability to fully function without fatigue for 2 hrs was wonderful in itself!

But back to the story: in two weeks I had my brain back and this was serendipitously followed by the almost immediate opportunity to begin taking a certification class in wellness coaching. The end of this story is the sense of vitality my husband gained which made him come out of retirement. He stated, "I used to feel like an old man. I feel 30 now." And for me, I am back feeling I gained a lot from my time in North Carolina, a hub of Integrative Nursing and CAM care. I am exploring options for using all of my skills here which will include resuming my craniosacral practice on a limited basis.

News and Muses, December, 2011

I recently returned to Lynchburg, VA from the Asheville, NC area where I spent nearly two years. Having found for years that an integrative approach to my own health was the only way to ensure my survival, NC was a haven. Whereas I seemed to speak a different language than other nurses, in particular, in Lynchburg, where the community at large was also frankly suspicious at times of alternative and complementary approaches to health and healing, Asheville, with a newly declared intention of becoming the integrative capital of the country - this by the Mission Hospital system staff - was a community that "got me." I both received excellent work from bodyworkers there, and was given fabulous, affirming feedback on mine from people I was thrilled to receive such feedback from. I needed that. I left here defined as a cancer patient rather than a health care professional with something to offer. I have returned affirmed and joyful for life and my ability to live it fully. As I have transformed, I see Lynchburg transforming with two physicians offering an integrative approach and other practices offering integrative approaches thriving. For those of you who stumble upon this "News and Muses," I invite you to check in with my blog above and share your thoughts. My first offering is to define Integrative Medicine.