Home / All Post

Saturday, 2 April 2016

Princess Health and April 2nd, 2016 It Goes Something Like This. Princessiccia

Princess Health and April 2nd, 2016 It Goes Something Like This. Princessiccia

Add Comment
April 2nd, 2016 It Goes Something Like This

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday were very challenging days. The Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters Convention is something I really look forward to attending for many reasons. I've invested twenty-seven years of my life to this broadcasting career and it's very cool to interact and exchange ideas with other like minded and experienced individuals.

I survived with the integrity of my plan intact at the end of each day--and this is not because I'm some kind of superman, Lord knows I'm not. I'm just like any of us--at risk; vulnerable to a multitude of pitfalls along the way. Taking each day and assessing the challenges--then strengthening the plan against those challenges, has been key in making it through.

For me, it all starts with a non-negotiable stance on certain things. Maintaining the integrity of my maintenance calorie budget, remaining abstinent from refined sugar, drinking a minimum of 64oz water and staying in contact with support friends each day--are all imperative non-negotiable elements. So there-- that's the foundation I'm starting from each day. Then it goes something like this-

Okay-- here's the crazy schedule-And instead of immediately throwing up my hands and finding one hundred reasons why the plan can't work (I was once REALLY good at doing this--and if given the chance, I'm sure I'd be an ace at doing it again!), I'm left with a perspective grounded in finding solutions. Because if I immediately start identifying ways it can't work--I'll convince myself quickly--and then, I'm in serious trouble.

I have a 164 pound relapse/regain along my path's history--I know about those troubles--and I remember how it started, too. 

Traveling, staying away from home, attending large meals planned by other people, eating in restaurants, adjusting to off-center schedules--it's all enough to overwhelm if the perspective is tilted toward negative thoughts. In my experience, those negative thoughts and subsequent actions/choices actually compound the overwhelming feelings--because now we're wrapping it all in a big layer of disappointment, guilt, shame and other feelings that work to push us down even further.

Taking a proactive approach in planning for success feels great--and with each positive move, it becomes increasingly empowering. 

The craziness started Wednesday evening with a trip to Tulsa in advance of the conference. My day looked like it would allow a nap and an early dinner prior to departing--but then storms rolled in and that extended my workday because of on-air weather coverage. I was left with some choices--Eat a late dinner out, in Tulsa-- or pack what I need and take it with me. 

I packed my "sack lunch" dinner and enjoyed it upon arrival and before returning home for a short Thursday morning and return trip to the conference.

In the craziness of the schedule--I forgot to pick up eggs--so Thursday morning started with a different kind of breakfast--still on plan, but without eggs. You could count on one hand how many mornings I've missed eating eggs in the last two years. Thursday was crazy hectic--and I still didn't accomplish all I needed to accomplish before heading over to the conference an hour and a half later than planned. I did make it--and by the time Thursday evening's dinner rolled around, I was hungry. But--uhg...

The buffet line had very few things that fit my plan. I was confident it would be easy to navigate--but with sugar laden sauce on every entree item, I was out of luck. I asked to speak to the chef, politely asking for a sugar-free alternative and he cheerfully accommodated my request.

After the dinner, I competed in the OAB Play Chip Poker Tournament for bragging rights--and oh my goodness, it couldn't have ended any better...well, unless I had won. Out of 50 or 60 players, the final two was the owner of the broadcasting company I call home--and me. It was a showdown with the man who signs my paycheck. I really wanted to beat him. But the blinds got too big, too fast--and it only took a few hands into head to head play for him to claim the victory. This story really hasn't much to do with maintaining the integrity of my plan--it's simply a fun story.

My calorie count was super low after what turned out to be a lighter dinner--so I decided on a late omelet-and it was perfect--because dinner started wearing off early--and I had the calorie budget remaining.

At Friday's luncheon--I arrived in time to speak directly with the chef about the ingredients used in preparation. It took all of two or three minutes to confirm the meal's refined sugar-free status (minus dessert and rolls, of course) and I could enjoy lunch without inadvertently sacrificing the boundaries I work to maintain each day.

The same scenario played out at Friday night's annual awards banquet. I met with the chef--same one from Thursday night--and he went through each item, confirming sugar-free status (again--minus the obvious-dessert and rolls).

My big takeaway: If I politely ask for what I need, nine times out of ten, I'll get what I need--even if it's simply peace of mind in knowing that a meal qualifies within my plan.

It was never a bother. It was never awkward. It was perfectly fine. My maintenance plan is that important to me, because again--I've lived the alternative, in times when I didn't make it important.

I'm not willing to trade the peace, clarity and stability my maintenance plan provides--and anything less would have been making that transaction. And for what? 

Because for me, trading my food sobriety away would have been much more than simply two or three days off plan--it would have started the ball rolling on a complete unraveling into chaos. That's not a guess. I'm a stress/emotional eater and a first class food addict with addictive behaviors triggered by refined sugar--so it's a fact. And had I allowed it--or if I ever allow it, I may not make it back again. That's the sobering reality.

It is by God's grace I made it back from a one hundred sixty-four pound relapse/regain. I hope and pray I don't ever try my luck and take those chances again.

My support and accountability consisted of mainly spot support interactions via text messages with a few support friends. I reached out for support from some--and some reached out to me for their support. And when we do that, we're effectively/figuratively holding one another's hand and making it through, together.
photo FullSizeRender 3_zpsqrspgfkc.jpg
There's a professional photographer at the awards banquet every year. This was my "pistols firing" pose Friday night!
photo seanandryan.jpg
This photo with my award winning colleague, Ryan Diamond, was taken several years ago at the OAB Convention in Oklahoma City. This full body shot was one of my heaviest. I have no idea how much I weighed--but I know for certain, it was in excess of 500 pounds.
photo AtOABAwards_zpsgyctsguw.jpg
It's hard to believe that this photo was only two short years ago. I picked up an award that night for best radio weather coverage--and I knew, all award recipients were expected to pose with theirs--and I tried my best to avoid it--I did, but I couldn't escape the camera. I didn't like facing what turned out to be the very top of my relapse/regain period--394 pounds, but I'm glad I did.

In the middle of that relapse/regain period--it felt like the worst thing ever. But as I've said many times, I needed humbling--I needed to learn some things about myself that I likely wouldn't have learned any other way. I had to experience it the hard way in order to be where I am today.

And I sincerely appreciate where I am today. And I protect it by giving my plan the reverence it deserves each day--one day at a time. It's never guaranteed. But my best chance at continued success is found in the high importance level I apply in maintaining the integrity of this plan that fits me best.
------------------------------------------------
Today started with my morning routine after a short night of sleep--and then a 10am-1pm location broadcast for a home-builder. The remainder of the day was dedicated to rest and relaxation. I plan on doing more of the same tomorrow. More details on this day can be discovered in the Live-Tweet stream.

Today's Live-Tweets:
































Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean

Princess Health and U of L dental school's general-dentistry and oral-medicine chair elected president of American Academy of Oral Medicine. Princessiccia

Add Comment
Wendy S. Hupp
Wendy S. Hupp, associate professor and interim chair of the Department of General Dentistry and Oral Medicine of the University of Louisville School of Dentistry, will be the next president of the American Academy of Oral Medicine.

Hupp joined the U of L dental school in 2007 and is a diplomate of the American Board of Oral Medicine. She lectures nationally on the treatment of medically complex patients, pharmacology, HIV/AIDS, clinical oral pathology, and women�s health. She is widely published.

She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and practiced general dentistry in Wayne, Pa., for nearly six years. She completed residency training in oral diagnosis, oral medicine, and oral and maxillofacial radiology at the Naval Postgraduate Dental School.

Oral medicine specialists are qualified to treat patients for such health conditions as TMJ, burning mouth, sensory disorders and many other oral complications. Hupp said in the news release that she plans to increase awareness of this specialty during her time as president.

Friday, 1 April 2016

Princess Health and April 1st, 2016 As Planned. Princessiccia

Princess Health and April 1st, 2016 As Planned. Princessiccia

Add Comment
April 1st, 2016 As Planned

There are times when the occasional Tweets Only edition doesn't really give much insight/context into a particular day--it only shows the consumption of food, water and coffee.

Tonight's edition offers a little more in the Tweets. I look forward to elaborating on the experience of the last two days, much more, in tomorrow night's edition. Tonight, I must drop in bed.

I'm looking forward to sharing certain maneuvers that were pivotal in insuring my success at the broadcasting convention. It was a a wonderful experience.

The best thing for me was making the decision to confirm sugar-status with each chef prior to meals. My abstinence from refined sugar is the single most important nutritional element of my maintenance plan. I confirmed, once again--if I politely ask for what I need, people are generally happy to help.

Until tomorrow night's recap of the experience--I'll simply say without question, everything went as planned.

My Tweets Today:














































Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean

Princess Health and Bevin gets bill to create third-party appeals process for denied Medicaid claims, which sponsor says are all too common. Princessiccia

Add Comment
By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News

A bill to create an independent process for Kentucky health-care providers to appeal claims denied by Medicaid managed-care organizations is on its way to the governor's desk for his signature.

Sen. Ralph Alvarado
The only appeals process for providers now is through the MCOs themselves, and the only recourse for denied claims is through the courts.

"We are looking at almost 20 percent of the claims that are out there through Medicaid being denied to providers," the bill's sponsor, Republican Sen. Ralph Alvarado of Winchester, told Kentucky Health News. "So with that there are millions of dollars that all of those providers are losing out on. This finally gives them an opportunity to keep the MCOs accountable."

WellCare of Kentucky, one of the MCOs Alvarado targeted last year while trying to get a similar bill passed, denied that it has so many disputed claims, but says it will work with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services if Senate Bill 20 is enacted.

"WellCare of Kentucky rarely disputes claims for medical necessity, with only 1 percent of claims being denied for this reason," spokesperson Charles Talbert said in an e-mail. "We are supportive of initiatives that help to ensure our members get the right care, at the right time, in the right setting."

Another MCO that Alvarado targeted last year as having a high rate of denied claims, Aetna Better Health of Kentucky, formerly CoventryCares, said in an e-mail, "We work tirelessly, along with our network of providers to improve access to and quality of care for our Medicaid members and we are committed to continuing these valuable collaborations."

CareSource, another MCO, declined to comment.

Kentucky implemented managed care in 2011 mainly as a way to save money. In managed care, an MCO gets a lump sum per patient, a system that encourages them to limit payments to providers. Providers have complained about denied claims and slow payments, causing some to suggest that managed care creates an incentive to deny care.

"Kentucky Medicaid MCOs have a denial rate that is four times the national average," Alvarado said in an e-mail. "These MCOs, in general, are garnering massive profits on the backs of our providers by simply not paying for services; and then claiming that they are 'managing care'."

MCOs serve about 1.1 million Kentuckians and account for about 69 percent of the state's Medicaid budget, according to a state news release.

Last year the state renegotiated all MCO contracts in hopes of decreasing the number of disputes over rejected claims, but health-care providers told the Senate Health and Welfare Committee Jan. 13 that this is still an ongoing problem, especially with behavioral health.

Nina Eisner, CEO of The Ridge Behavioral Health Systems, told the committee that there are examples all over the state of patients with homicidal thoughts unable to get their care paid for by MCOs.

Senate Bill 20 says that after providers exhaust an MCO's internal appeals process for denied claims and a final decision has been made, the provider can then seek a third-party review from an administrative hearing tribunal in the cabinet. The appeals process would apply to all contracts or master agreements entered into or renewed on or after July 1, 2016.

Alvarado said the proposed appeals structure is very similar to the one for commercial insurance appeals at the Department of Insurance. He noted that Kentucky's commercial denial rates are around 6 percent, which are close to the national average, and said he hopes this independent appeals process will bring the MCO denial rates more in line with this.

"If we go from 20 percent to 6 percent, I think most providers will accept that," he said. "This is fair. It is fundamentally American to have an appeals process and it is needed."

Alvarado sponsored a similar bill last year, but it died in the House. A similar bill passed both chambers in 2013, but then-Gov. Steve Beshear vetoed it. Alvarado said he is confident Gov. Matt Bevin will sign this year's version.

Alvarado said that once this "fractured relationship between providers and Medicaid" has been mended "it might actually open up the door for more providers to participate with Medicaid."

Sheila Schuster, a Louisville mental-health advocate, agreed, and said that while Medicaid reimbursement rates are "not great," not being paid at all for services rendered is not acceptable and has been a deterrent for providers to participate.

She said the Kentucky Mental Health Coalition and the National Alliance on Mental Illness support SB 20 because "they want providers to be fairly treated and to be able to provide the services that they need."

Princess Health and Dr. Rice Leach, outspoken leader in public health at the local, state and national levels, dies at 75. Princessiccia

Add Comment
RICE LEACH, M.D. (Lexington Herald-Leader photo)
Lexington Health Commissioner Rice Leach, a national, state and local leader in public health, died Friday of lymphoma. He was nine days short of his 76th birthday.

Lexington Mayor Jim Gray called Leach "a great man in every way: compassionate, committed, determined."

Leach had been Lexington�s health commissioner for five years, leading it to national accreditation, and medical director and executive director of the local health department�s primary-care center for six years before that. He was Kentucky commissioner of public health from 1992 to 2004, and before that chief of staff to the U.S. surgeon general. He spent 26 years with the U.S. Public Health Service, mostly with the Indian Health Service, but also worked in Bolivia, Panama and Guatemala.

Leach's outspoken nature endeared him to public-health officials who were not as disposed to strong public statements. His last campaign was for the establishment of needle exchanges to prevent the spread of hepatitis C and HIV through needle sharing by users of heroin and abusers of prescription drugs. Citing research, he stoutly rebuked elected officials who said the exchanges promote drug abuse.

"He was intrepid in another explosive landscape, the one where science and politics intersect," recalled Jamie Lucke of the Lexington Herald-Leader. "I was reminded of this by a recent report about states where propagandistic misinformation riddles the state-ordered briefing that women receive before an abortion. Kentucky is not one of them. I hesitate to publicize this because some politician will rush to change it. But our �informed consent� briefing is dispassionate, nonjudgmental and, above all, informative � much like Leach, who oversaw its drafting after the legislature enacted the mandate in 1998."

Lucke added, "As admirable as all of that is, none of it accounts for why the people who worked for and with him loved him so very much. That would be his kindness and unfailing sense of fun. . . Nowadays you hear that doctors are demoralized by the business demands of their profession. Perhaps Leach�s fascinating life and and profound legacy will serve as a beacon guiding them back to public health � it might be less lucrative but potentially more fun and rewarding."

Leach's last recognition was the 'hero" award from the Lexington-Fayette County Board of Health, which renamed it the Dr. Rice C. Leach Public Health Hero Award. The award is usually given during National Public Health Awareness Week, which this year is April 4-10, but was presented in March because of his medical condition.

Leach is survived by his wife of 50 years, Mireille, whom he met in Guatemala; two sons, George, of Louisville, and John, of Frankfort; two grandchildren, Nicolas Cowan Whitcomb and Alyse Marie Whitcomb; and a brother, George Brown Leach, Jr. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary, who died of cancer in 2007.

His Mass of Christian Burial will take place in the Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Frankfort at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 5, with visitation beginning at 10:30 a.m., Rogers Funeral Home in charge. In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to the church, 72 Shepherd Way, Frankfort KY 40601.
Princess Health and Adults 62-85 are often taking combinations of drug or dietary supplements that could be deadly; risk nearly doubled in 5 years. Princessiccia

Princess Health and Adults 62-85 are often taking combinations of drug or dietary supplements that could be deadly; risk nearly doubled in 5 years. Princessiccia

Add Comment
Update: 4/4/16, This story has been updated to reflect that the study says the number of adults using at least five prescription drugs a day has increased and not the average older American is using at least five prescription drugs a day.

The number of older Americans at risk of potentially life-threatening drug interactions almost doubled between 2005 and 2011, according to a study from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

"One in six older adults now regularly use potentially deadly combinations of prescription and over-the-counter medications and dietary supplements, a two-fold increase over a five year period," says the release.

More than half the potentially deadly interactions involved a non-prescription medication or dietary supplement such as a vitamin. The study found that older adults have increased their use of vitamins and supplements, despite limited evidence of their clinical benefit.

The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, examined changes in medication use in more than 2,000 adults aged 62 to 85 between 2005 and 2011.

Fifteen potentially life-threatening drug combinations of the most commonly used medications and supplements were identified, and the study found nearly 15 percent of older adults in 2011 used at least one of these dangerous combinations, up from 8 percent in 2005.

The study found that older adults have grown more fond of non-prescription medications and supplements: 63.7 percent of older adults used them in 2011, up from 51.8 percent in 2005. Older adults using at least five prescription medications increased to 35.8 percent from 30.6 percent in the same time period.

The most common life-threatening interaction identified by the study was cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins), drugs used to prevent blood clots (anti-platelet drugs) and omega-3 fish oil supplements.

�Many older patients seeking to improve their cardiovascular health are also regularly using interacting drug combinations that may worsen cardiovascular risk,� one of the researchers said in a news release.

The researchers encourage health-care providers to carefully consider adverse effects of combining prescription and nonprescription medications when treating older adults, and to counsel patients about the risks. Older adults should also ask their pharmacists about potential drug interactions.

Princess Health and Invincible Coffee: The Next Evolution of Joe. Princessiccia

Add Comment
Warning -- Satire -- old April Fools post!

You've heard of Bulletproof Coffee, that mixture of coffee and butter that keeps you lean and supercharges your mental focus.

The problem with Bulletproof Coffee is that the butter forms a greasy oil slick on top of your coffee. Yuck! Is there any way to rescue Bulletproof Coffee?


Enter Invincible Coffee, the next evolution of Joe.

Read more �
Subscribe to: Comments (Atom)