Vim & Vigor - Spring 2014 - North Mississippi - (Page 7)

Mending photo by thinkstock O Local group helps aid in patients' recovery Hearts n Nov. 28, 2006, Frances Cobb called her doctor about what she thought was acid reflux. "Off and on for about five days, I had a dull pain in the back of my right shoulder and a very low grade ache in my right arm. I had a burping feeling in my upper chest and throat area," says the 70-year-old Tupelo woman. "His nurse questioned me about my family history and my symptoms, and recommended that I go to the ER immediately. I was having a heart attack." That day, a cardiologist implanted a stent to open one artery to her heart, but several blockages were later discovered. She underwent quadruple bypass surgery a few weeks later. During her recovery, she was visited by a volunteer from Mended Hearts, a national service organization offering peer-to-peer interaction. Volunteers representing more than 350 chapters nationwide, including one in Tupelo, visit heart patients before or after their surgery. In addition to hospital visits, each chapter offers educational programs on heart-related topics and beneficial lifestyle changes. "The materials in the Mended Hearts packet gave me the opportunity to reflect on what I needed to do to stay as healthy as possible," Cobb says. She enrolled in NMMC's Cardiac Rehabilitation program, where the staff encouraged her to attend a Mended Hearts meeting. She soon became active with the local group, serving as chairperson for publicity and membership. "I have worked alongside members of our chapter and received so much expert help from people in the community," Cobb says. "I can say that I have been given a great opportunity to know that, as the Mended Hearts slogan says, 'It's great to be alive, and to help others!' " Spot the SignS Phyllis Lendon thought she had a stomach bug or food poisoning-she never considered the problem might be her heart. "I think it is important for women to realize that their heart symptoms will be very different from the classic men's symptoms, and also that many doctors do not make that distinction," says Lendon, 59, of Tupelo. "I had very vague, confusing and infrequent things going on at different times with me." > SPRI NG 2014 7

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Spring 2014 - North Mississippi

Vim & Vigor - Spring 2014 - North Mississippi
Contents
Opening Thoughts
Cardiac Caretakers
Mending Hearts
Occupational Hazards
The New Rules of Play
Shopping for Two
Back to Basics
Burn, Baby, Burn
Angelina Jolie
Rock Your Health
Breaking Up with Salt
Disgusting! (or Not?)
Virtual Health
One Day at a Time
The Doctor Will See You Now
Catch the Spirit

Vim & Vigor - Spring 2014 - North Mississippi