December 2010
Happy Holidays
We wish you twinkling lights, and light snows,
A home alive with cookie smells,
A child to play with,
A dog to pet,
And the hope of answered prayers.
The Six-Second Quieting Response
When you feel tense, annoyed, or upset—recognize the beginning of a negative reaction to stress. As soon as you recognize these feelings are getting started, make yourself smile and imagine that your eyes are sparkling. A smiling face can’t send negative signals to your brain. If you are in a situation where smiling outwardly would be inappropriate, you can always smile inwardly. You certainly can keep yourself from frowning. In order to counteract the negative thoughts and perceptions that contribute to stress, say to yourself, “Alert, amused mind; calm body. I am on top of this situation.”
Take two slow, deep breaths, counting to four each time you inhale or exhale. Imagine the air slowly filling your lungs from the bottom to the top. As you exhale, keep your jaw loose and relaxed, your tongue resting on the lower part of your jaw, and your shoulders limp and relaxed. Imagine a wave of warmth and heaviness flowing from your head to your toes and relaxing every muscle in your body. Say to yourself, “I can allow myself to relax and handle this situation better.” From Dr. Charles Stroebel, The Six-Second Quieting Response
Medicare put oxygen, wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, walkers and other ‘durable medical equipment’ out to bid in nine cities (Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Kansas City, Miami, Orlando, Pittsburgh and Riverside) with expansion of the same program into 91 additional cities next year.
A limited number of medical providers in each city are now contracted to provide these products after January 1, 2011. A staggering 93% of local providers were NOT awarded contracts, and it is estimated that 39% of all suppliers in a competitive bidding area will likely go out of business.
If you live in one of the above named cities, and have Original Medicare coverage, in most cases, only contract suppliers can provide you items included in the program in order for Medicare to pay for these products.
Information on this complicated transition to a limited choice of Home Medical Equipment providers authorized to continue serving Medicare beneficiaries is available at www.medicalsuppliersnetwork.com.
The American Lung Association has developed a COPD Action Plan in Green, Yellow and Red (like a traffic light). This is used to help you know what to do when your symptoms worsen.
This plan is to be completed by you, with the help of your health care provider, and should be reviewed and updated at every visit.
The plan includes a comprehensive list of symptoms, but you may experience other symptoms as well. If you are unclear as to the actions you should take, please contact your physician/health care provider immediately.
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