Thursday, January 17, 2013

Post Traumatic Stress After Sandy

Today, Zucker Hillside Hospital (ZHH) and The Katz Institute for Women's Health presented an incredibly informative and interesting presentation on the post traumatic stress after "Super Storm Sandy"

The panel:
  • Victor Fornari, MD, Psychiatric Services, ZHH
  • Peter D'Amico, PhD, Director, Child and Adolescent Psychology, ZHH
  • David Hymowitz, Mental Health Association of Nassau County
  • Gwen O'Shea, President / CEO Health and Welfare Council of Long Island
Honestly, each presenter had such valuable information, intensity and compassion - one was better than the next.

Dr. Fornari introduced the program and began with three questions to the audience - by a raise of hands who was directly effected by Sandy?  just a handful... the third question who is working in the community dealing with the families effected by Sandy?  most raised their hands

Later on it was addressed that, in fact, we were all directly impacted by Sandy.  However, we interpret that question to physical loss.

I believe it was Dr. D'Amico who pointed out one thing that I, personally,  ran across -  when people shared their story, somewhere in the next sentence was "but so many others lost so much more" .... which was a statement that in turn invalidates their situation.

After our Super Storm, where statistics are staggering, with the size and duration of the storm, the addition of a full moon  etc. etc. we still have 110,000 households  (registered) in need.

I will not go into the psycho/social attributes of the program - I could not express all that was said in a cohesive blog for you - I am still absorbing the ideas presented. However, what I can offer is the incredible services that are available to all. 

For children www.nctsn.org National Child Traumatic Stress Network
(even Sesame Street covered the hurricane and friendship and community)
* after Katrina 25 - 50% of the children needed counseling

Project Hope FREE confidential services, trained counselors available to "listen" to your needs, feelings and experiences.  They can guide you to the proper channels for help. Their resources are available for families, individuals, schools, businesses, community groups and organizations. The services are at your convenience - times that work for you...take advantage;  call and mention that you are calling for Project Hope...(these are Nassau numbers - but you will be directed to Suffolk/NYC numbers as needed)
  • Central Nassau - 516-822-6111 x267
  • FEGS - Health and Human Services 516-505-2003
  • Hispanic Counciling 516-538-2613
  • Long Beach Medical Center 516-897-4326
  • Long Beach Reach 516-889-2332
  • Mental Health Association of Nassau County 516-489-2322 x1322
  • North Shore Child and Family Guidance 516-626-1971
  • South Nassau Community Hospital 516-377-5400
  • South Shore Association for Independent Living 576-297-6413
  • South Shore Child and Guidance Center 516868-3030 x203
  • YES Community Counseling 516-799-3203
Please reach out to a Disaster Case Manager, the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island
and United Way of Long Island are partnering to coordinate the Hurricane Sandy Unmet Needs Roundtable - call 211.

Once you have exhausted all available resources  such as FEMA, Insurance and the like - your case can be presented to the Unmet Needs Roundtable and IF your needs (for rent, mortgage, utility, car and home repair, household goods, job search and child care) when met - leave you in a position to sustain that- they can help. You must be registered with a Disaster Case Manager to access the Unmet Needs Roundtable so  REGISTER NOW   or visit  www.211longisland.org

I noticed  on the Health and Welfare Council website there is FREE tax preparation available


Please understand, I am giving you information briefly explained to me - so I do not have all the answers - but there are answers and help for you! I will try to get Suffolk telephone numbers asap.




“It’s not the load that breaks you down; it’s the way you carry it.”
-Lena Horne

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

So much to learn...

Today, I attended a meeting at Southside Hospital (North Shore LIJ) with a phenomenal speaker, Dr. Eric Altman covering Afib (Atrial Fibrillation - or abnormal heart rythmn). When and if, I need a Cardiologist - I am on my way to him first (sorry Dr. Oz).  That's how good he is.

There is a new procedure (Southside Hospital was the first on LI to  use this) the Lariat heart procedure.  Just what it sounds like, a lariat - a loop, a lasso, ....a suture that is used to tie off the left atrial appendage.  Did you know you had an appendage at your heart?  I never learned that in Anatomy and Physiology - memorizing the flow of blood through the heart - they never mentioned an appendage.  In any event, this appendage may be a major source of blood clots that might lead to a stroke. 

Dr. Altman started with the dry erase board and drew the heart, valves and the appendage on the top left section - the left atrium of the heart - sounds elementary - well his drawings, explanations of the procedure and follow up with video - was unbelievable.  I wanted to be young and back in school to be a Doctor.  That is a good educator, and a great surgeon.

These are the handouts because I could not begin to go into this procedure, the second procedure Cryoablation - uses cold to freezer burn the inside of the valves to stop the electrical impulses. The past procedure uses heat outside of the valves - this is proving to be as effective with less recovery.

Fabulous.  

I, was not alone, in wanting more information from Dr. Altman. 

 
Cryoablation (handout)
Cryoablation (video)
 
 
 
“Wherever the art of Medicine is loved,
 there is also a love of Humanity. ” 

~ Hippocrates