Upcoming
Events
The Modern Myth of Perfectibility (and it's Toll on our
Health)
Wednesday, December 5 ~ 6:30pm @ Woodhead Lounge (Exley)
Why do we see ourselves as perfectible beings? What societal forces
are behind this myth? How is medicine complicit in the myth of
perfectibility? What are the health costs (and pharmaceutical gains)
from the promotion of this idea? Join WesWELL's Peer Health
Advocates and Dr. Davis Smith, Wesleyan's medical director, for a
discussion forum addressing these questions. Free dinner from
Typhoon (first come, first served).
(There will be three more events in this series next semester, so
stay tuned!)
Stress Free Zone
Thursday, December 13 ~ 5:00 to 7:30pm @ Usdan Cafe
Join in this twice-annual event to reduce your end-of-semester
stress! Stop by the Usdan Cafe to make a holiday card, play a game
or just relax with your friends. From 6:00 to 7:00pm, enjoy a brief
stress-relieving massage from the Peer Health Advocates in Usdan
108! Sponsored by WesWELL.
Advocacy Opportunities
 Advocate
for Lower Birth Control Prices for College & Low Income Women
Barack Obama (IL) recently proposed
the Prevention Through Affordable Access Act (S. 2347) in the Senate
to restore the nominal price exemption to colleges and universities
and safety-net healthcare providers for low-income women. This will
return contraceptive prices to their previously discounted levels
and increase access and availability. Click to learn what you can do
to advocate for this legislation.
Tips for a HealthierU
Is it the flu or a cold?
Knowing which you have makes a difference in treatment. Check out
WebMD's guide to common symptoms.
Dealing with gym distractors
Love the workout, but get annoyed with the distracting people? Here
are tips to help you cope.
Frostbite first aid
Extremely cold weather brings with it a risk of frostbite. Here's
what to do if your skin freezes.
A Healthy Dose of Info on...Making the Best of
Each Day
Yes, we do learn from each other. Not only in the Internet
community of our blog but also from professional, casual and social
relationships. Let me explain.
I recently visited with a remarkable gentleman who had a serious
situation of far-advanced lung cancer approximately one year ago.
The patient underwent extensive surgery, radiation and chemotherapy;
experienced considerable toxicities; yet, today, on the basis of our
evaluations he remains cancer free. Now, for the rest of the story.
He shared with me that one day several months ago he lost
virtually all of his earthly possessions in a devastating flood here
in Southeast Minnesota. The gentleman is a widower; has no close
family or relatives; and in the course of approximately one hour,
lost his home and all of his possessions. The situation became very
complicated because of his frustrations in trying to resolve myriad
financial and insurance issues.
I asked him how he was able to deal not only with cancer, but
with this current setback. He simply said, "I am just not going to
let them wear me down. I am a strong person and I will not give up
one moment of my peace and my well-being to deal with these people."
This gentleman shared with me that should he have a stroke or a
heart attack or some major health consequence of dealing with these
agencies, obviously, not one of them will really care about his
well-being. He shared with me a determination, a focus, and the need
to make the best of each day and not become distracted by situations
and circumstances over which he has no control.
This was a powerful lesson for me and I would be most grateful
for how some of our blog participants not only deal with serious
medical problems but also the bewildering number of financial and
business-related problems that threaten our serenity and peace of
mind.
~ By
Edward T. Creagan, M.D., MayoClinic.com
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