2009 Vintage Club Valentine Tea

Vintage Club Valentine Tea with Royalty Tours

Winifred and Clarice Cox enjoyed sweet treats at the Vintage Valentine Tea

Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center and luxury travel company Royalty Tours, Inc. hosted a Vintage Club Valentine Tea in February, providing over 50 Vintage Club members and their guests information regarding Royalty travel opportunities in 2009.

Each year, Royalty Tours and Saint Mary’s work in conjunction to provide an array of exciting trips for Vintage members and travel enthusiasts. Before the program, which was held in the Saint Mary’s annex, guests were treated to a variety of treats ranging from fresh fruit and assorted cheeses to platters of rich chocolate and decadent petit fours. Royalty owners Parker and Sandy DeVore were on hand with a plethora of information regarding trip pricing and dates. Tour sign-up sheets were also available for those interested in traveling. After a brief welcome by Vintage Coordinator Stephanie Beerman, the program was turned over to Evonna Surrette, Royalty Director of Tours. Surrette highlighted the extensive travel schedule and provided an in-depth presentation on upcoming one-day and multi-day trips for 2009.

Barbara Parker of Dardanelle and Kay Vandergrift of Russellville

discuss travel plans with Sandey DeVore and Evonna Surrette of Royalty Tours.

Expanding across Arkansas and into neighboring states, one-day trips known as “Let’s Do Lunch” provide a wide variety of destinations to travelers for that quick get-away. Each trip includes motor coach travel, attractions and meals. This year’s “Let’s do Lunch tours include “Paula Deen Style & More” in Tunica, “Antiques America Har-Ber Village” in Grove, OK, “P. Allen Smith Garden Home Retreat” near Little Rock, plus several other interesting and exciting destinations. Multi-day trips include an Alaskan cruise in August, the annual October “Mystery Tour” and a San Antonio Christmas journey.

Dodie McSpadden of Dover is a frequent traveler with Vintage Club and Royalty Tours. “I love to travel with Royalty whenever I can,” she said. “We often travel to unexpected places, but even when we tour familiar places there is always something that makes each trip unique.”
The Royalty Tours office is located in Dover, AR. To inquire about upcoming tours, or to make travel reservations, please call 479-890-6774.

For information regarding Saint Mary’s Vintage Club, call the Vintage Line at 479-964-9355.

From Left: Julia Ann Taylor, Imo Hickman,
Gail Lutrell, Gerry Spradlin, Clarice Cox,
Arvetta Turner, Dodie McSpadden;
Winners of prizes presented at the tea.

December luncheon featuring James Smith, M.D.

"Lunch With Your Doctor"

Understanding and Recognizing Alzheimer’s disease:
Senior Moments or Something More Serious

Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center’s Vintage Club held their final luncheon for 2008 on Wednesday, December 10. Over 95 members and guests from Pope and surrounding counties attended. James Smith, M.D., an Internal Medicine physician with Millard Henry Clinic, was the featured speaker. Dr. Smith presented information regarding the subject of “Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease”. Smith’s presentation focused on an individual’s risk factors, different warning signs and ways to help keep the mind sharp. The floor was open for questions during and after Smith’s presentation.

Occasional lapses in memory as one ages are common and are sometimes referred to by many as “Senior Moments”. One may discount the once-in-a-while occurrence of forgetting where the car is parked or the name of someone rarely seen. But, when recognizing normal people or objects becomes difficult or serious memory loss occurs, a visit to one’s doctor is recommended.

Dementia is a general term most commonly referred to as the loss of intellectual abilities or memory skills that affect daily life. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia in the elderly. This progressive disease destroys brain cells, which causes problems with daily activities, language skills, the ability to work, continuing hobbies or other activities, the ability to attain memories or build new ones and maintaining a normal social life.

Currently, there are nearly 5 million Americans living with the disease. Alzheimer’s is usually diagnosed in individuals 65 and older is ranked as the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Little information is known regarding this degenerative disease. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, most of what is known has been uncovered in the last 15 years.

Scientists do not know the cause of Alzheimer’s and so far there is no cure; however progress has been made and treatments are available to help improve the quality of life for someone living with Alzheimer’s. A worldwide research effort is underway in discovering better ways of treating the disease, delaying its onset and even preventing it from developing. Some studies have shown that exercising the mind and learning new skills will help increase brain health among seniors. Playing cards or other games or taking a class are great ways to increase memory skills and strengthen the brain.

Like everything else in the body, the brain changes as we age. Slowed thinking or occasional memory lapses are normal; however, serious memory loss, confusion or severe noticeable changes should be evaluated. These changes could be a sign of failing brain cells. “In age-appropriate memory loss, the memory will eventually come back, but with dementia, that memory is more than likely unattainable” said Dr. Smith.

There are over 100 billion nerve cells in the brain communicating and controlling every bodily function. Alzheimer’s disease halts the functioning of some cells. When communication between the different networks in the brain is interrupted, normal functions cannot be achieved. The interruption will eventually spread and cells will eventually die. Plaques and tangles are two abnormal structures found in the brain and are thought to be the cause of the damage which kills nerve cells.

Plaques build up between the nerve cells and tangles form inside the dying cell. These structures do develop as most people age, but Alzheimer’s patients tend to develop more. While their role is not completely understood, some researchers believe that these structures block communication between the cells and disrupt activity which maintains the cell.

While no single reason has been identified to cause the failure of brain cells, certain fixed and non-fixed risk factors have been determined to increase the likeliness of developing this disease.


These risk factors include:
Age – increasing age is the greatest risk factor
Family History – an immediate family member who has been diagnosed; the risk increases if more than one family member is diagnosed
Genetics – Researchers know that genes are involved; the Alzheimer’s gene has been found in the two categories of genes that play a role in determining whether or not a person could develop the disease.

Non-fixed risk factors:
Head Injury- There appears to be a strong link between a severe head injury and the development of Alzheimer’s.
Heart-head connection – Brain health is linked to heart health. High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and high cholesterol damage the heart and blood vessels which supply blood to the head.
General healthy aging – An overall healthy lifestyle such as maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding tobacco, maintaining a social life and exercise may help keep the brain healthy.

Warning Signs
As people age, forgetfulness can become quite apparent and it affects each individual differently. Mild forgetfulness can be inconvenient, especially for those used to being independent, but it’s nothing to be concerned about. As stated before, exercising the mind will help keep the mind sharp as one gets older. Other ways to help maintain a sharp memory are remaining social, having a hobby, exercising and maintaining a healthy diet.

But, sometimes memory loss isn’t just getting older; it could be the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. There are no clear cut lines separating normal changes from warning signs. So, it’s always a good idea to consult with a primary care physician if normal activity or function level seems to be changing.
Here are some warning signs to watch out for:
Memory Loss – The forgetting of recently learned information is the most common early sign. A person may begin to forget more often and is unable to recall information later or may ask the same question or repeat the same story over and over.

Difficulty performing familiar tasks – The ability to perform or complete everyday tasks, such as, preparing a full meal, playing a game or making a telephone call.

Problems with language – The forgetting of simple words or the substitution of unusual ones often make a conversation or reading a letter from them hard to understand.

Disorientation to time and place – Becoming lost in familiar areas, forgetting where they live or how they might have gotten there is another sign of the Alzheimer’s disease.

Poor and decreased judgment – Giving away large sums of money, dressing inappropriately for outside temperatures or neglecting to keep proper hygiene.

Problems with abstract thinking – The inability to perform complex mental tasks.

Misplacing items – The storage or placement in odd or unusual places, for example, an iron in the freezer.

Changes in mood or behavior – Unprovoked rapid mood swings.

Changes in personality – Changes can be dramatic and one may become extremely erratic, confused, suspicious or fearful.

Loss of initiative – Changes in ambition such as sleeping long hours during the day or watching T.V. for hours.
Paying attention to possible warning signs is the first and best step to diagnosing Alzheimer’s. If someone has just one or several of the listed symptoms, consulting a physician is the next step. A more thorough examination by a medical specialist trained in the evaluation of memory disorders or a visit to a neurologist may be suggested later.

Alzheimer’s disease can come without warning and can be very hard for families to cope with. Finding a good support group or family counselor might help with the transition period after a loved one has been diagnosed. Staying healthy both mentally and physically is one of the best ways to help prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Pay close attention and watch for warning signs. Vast amounts of research are being done in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease, and as Smith stated, “I think the future is optimistic.” For questions regarding certain risk factors for oneself or a loved one, talk to a primary care physician.

Dr. Smith is a member of the medical staff at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center and is one of five Internal Medicine physicians with Millard Henry Clinic. Dr. Smith’s office is located at 101 Skyline Drive in Russellville. To make an appointment with Dr. Smith, please call 890-2421.
For more information about the Vintage Club or to inquire about upcoming events and luncheons, please contact the Saint Mary’s Community Relations office at 964-9355.

Dr. Smith discusses related questions

with Vintage member,

Sharyn French of Russellville.

October's luncheon features Thomas Sneed, M.D.

"Lunch With Your Doctor"

Dr. Thomas Sneed

Understanding Breast Cancer:
The importance of early detection

Understanding breast cancer causes and treatment options was the focus at “Lunch with Your Doctor” held recently at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center. October was Breast Care Awareness Month, and in observance, approximately 85 members and guests of Saint Mary’s Vintage Club gathered for a presentation by Thomas Sneed, M.D., an Oncologist with Arkansas Oncology Associates.

Despite an increased effort to find a cure, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women in Arkansas; the first being lung cancer. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, approximately 200,000 women nationally will be diagnosed with breast cancer and about 40,000 will die of the disease in 2008. In Arkansas, approximately 1,700 women will be diagnosed and 400 will die from breast cancer. Statistically, 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime in the United States.

Due to advances in medicine and technology over the years, breast cancer has become one of the more successfully treatable cancers. A patient diagnosed in the early stages of breast cancer has about a 97% chance of surviving another 5 years.

“In the past 20 years there have been great advancements in treating breast cancer. The importance of pushing for newer and better treatments for this disease is tremendous”, stated Sneed.

Women under the age of 40 aren’t recommended for mammograms unless they fall into a high risk category. At this point, mammograms are recommended at age 35. Beginning at age 20, all women are encouraged to perform a self-breast examination or BSE monthly to check the breast for lumps or anything unusual. Upon turning 40, a Clinical Breast Exam or CBE should be done every year by a medical professional.

When giving self-examinations, women should look for any abnormal changes in their breasts. Several changes that indicate a strong likelihood of breast cancer include:
· Any abnormal lump;
· A depression found on any part of the breast surface;
· Veins on the skin surface that are more prominent in one breast;
· A swelling portion of the skin on the breast or underarm;
· Any redness or pitting of the skin over the breast, much like the skin on an orange and
· An indentation or retraction of the nipple.

Women should also look for any discharge from the nipple other than breast milk. If any of these symptoms occur, contact a physician immediately for a clinical examination.

At the age of forty, every woman should schedule their first mammogram. A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast that may help to find tumors that are too small to detect through regular examinations. Mammograms can also be helpful in also detecting ductal carcinoma in situ, which are abnormal cells in the lining of the breast duct. In some women these abnormal cells could turn to invasive cancer. Certain factors such as the size of the tumor, the density of the breast and the skill of the radiologist will affect how accurate the test will be.

“Most lumps found in the breast are not cancerous but cysts or fibrocystic disease,” stated Sneed, “However, just because you don’t feel something doesn’t mean that you don’t have cancer.”

The best method of early detection is by getting a mammogram. While regular self-examinations are effective in early detection, mammograms can detect breast cancer at an average of one to three years before a woman can feel the lump.

According to the American Cancer Society, women ages 40 to 49 are recommended to get a mammogram every year; doing so may reduce the risk of breast cancer by 17 percent. Women ages 50 to 74 can reduce the risk of breast cancer by 30 percent if they receive mammograms every year, as well.

All women are at risk of developing breast cancer, however, because of certain fixed risk factors, some women are more apt to developing breast cancer. These factors include:
· Direct Family History – Having one “first degree” relative doubles the risk of development. Some examples are a grandmother, mother or sister that has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
· Age – About 77% of women diagnosed are over 50.
· Radiation – Women who received high doses of radiation before age 30
· Menstrual History – Women who began their menstrual cycles early.

While mammograms assist with early detection, prevention is possible through several lifestyle habits. Some non-fixed risk factors include:
· Obesity – Being overweight, especially in the waist, after menopause increases chances
· Exercise – Ongoing research suggests that exercising can lower the risk of developing breast cancer by 60%. Fat tissue is the primary non-ovarian site for estrogen development.
· Reproductive History – Women who had their first child after 30 or none at all.
· Breastfeeding – Mother’s who breastfeed produce less estrogen while nursing and therefore, lowers their risk.
· Alcohol – limit intake at two beverages per day.

Additionally, women who are under the age of 25 and have been on birth control for 10 or more years have an increased risk of breast cancer.

The link between the development of breast cancer and estrogen hormone is beginning to become clearer. Some researchers believe that the more a woman is exposed to estrogen the great the chances of developing breast cancer. Why? Estrogen directs cells to divide. The more cells divide, the more likely a cell is to be abnormal and become cancerous. Women who use birth control pills or abstain from having children raise the risk of developing breast cancer because of the higher levels of estrogen in the body.

Of the women who receive mammograms each year, 6% to 8% are found to abnormal and, after additional views, most women will be found to have nothing wrong.
Regular mammograms, along with positive lifestyle habits can help prevent breast cancer. Women who are age 40 or older and have not received a mammogram are encouraged to schedule one as soon as possible. Questions regarding mammograms or breast cancer can be discussed with a primary care physician.

Dr. Sneed is a member of the medical staff of Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center and is one of two Oncologists at Arkansas Oncology Associates. Dr. Sneed’s office in Arkansas Oncology is located at the hospital.

For more information about the Vintage Club or to inquire about upcoming events and luncheons, please contact the Saint Mary’s Community Relations office at 964-9355.