David Deutchman, the ICU Grandpa
David Deutchman went from Atlanta-area retiree to, for lack of a better term, a total legend at Atlanta Children’s Hospital. For almost 15 years, Deutchman, aka the ICU Grandpa, helped both sick children and their parents simply by being a friend.
“After retiring from his job as an international marketing executive in 2000, Deutchman became a guest lecturer at Atlanta-area universities, mostly Georgia Tech and Emory, he said. But it didn't fill enough of his time.
As he left a rehab appointment for a leg injury, Deutchman stopped into Children's nearby.
"I decided to walk in there, just wondering if they had volunteer opportunities," he told CNN. "They did, and they were happy to take me on board." With experience at the helm of a classroom, Deutchman first went to work in the hospital's school for long-term patients. Then one day, he was startled by encounters with two patients' mothers.
"I went to help escort a child to the school room, and the mom said she's going into surgery," Deutchman said. "She followed me into the hallway and proceeded to tell me every detail of the child's condition and what's going on." Awed that the mom told a virtual stranger all about her child's condition, he then saw another mother walking out of the pediatric intensive care unit, looking upset. Her son had been flown to the hospital the previous night, she said, and his condition was dire.
"She comes into my arms and starts crying," Deutchman said. "After that day, I went to the volunteer office and told them, 'I now know what I want to do at the hospital.'"”
Shortly after, Deutchman began to spend two days a week in pediatric and neonatal ICUs, holding babies and offering comfort, advice and conversation to their parents. The cradling of fragile babies has been shown to improve their health, so Deutchman’s volunteerism truly impacted kids in need in a real and tangible way.
Unfortunately, Deutchman passed this month after being diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer just weeks earlier. While he may be gone, his legacy lives on at Atlanta Children’s Hospital, and his memory will be in the hearts and minds of the children and parents he cared for forever.
Thanksgiving Sides: Kale Salad with Avocado Tahini Sauce
It’s Thanksgiving week, finally. So as you’re doing that last-minute planning for a great Thanksgiving meal, we’ve got one last-minute side dish that will add some color snd freshness to your table. This is the kale salad with avocado tahini sauce from Love & Lemons.
PREP TIME: 25 minutes
TOTAL TIME: 25 minutes
SERVINGS: 4
Ingredients
Avocado Tahini Sauce
1 small avocado
1 ½ tablespoons tahini
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 small garlic clove
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons water
Salt and pepper to taste
Salad
2 cups kale, thinly sliced
2 cups shaved Brussels sprouts
¼ cup radishes, sliced into matchsticks
¼ cup thinly-sliced carrots
½ cup white beans
¼ cup sliced almonds, toasted
1 cup chopped basil
- Place avocado, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil into a food processor. Pulse, then add water salt and pepper and blend until creamy.
- In a large bowl, toss the kale, brussel sprouts, radishes and carrots with half the dressing. Mix well, then let it sit at room temp for about 15 minutes.
- Add white beans, almonds, basil and as much of the remaining dressing as you like. Taste and add more salt, pepper, and lemon juice as needed.
This is the salad that will have people saying, “could you pass the salad?” on Thanksgiving of all days. That in itself is a win. The taste? That’s an extra win.
Some Like it Cold
Say it with us: winter is here. For some of us that means it’s time to hide inside until the days are a little longer and the flowers are in bloom. But did you know that spending time outside in the cold can be really, really good for your health? You do now.
Rethink Rural wrote about five reasons we should spend some time out in the cold during fall and winter.
“Cold air helps us sleep better, boosting immunity
Nearly every doctor, scientist and health expert agrees, the best natural remedy for boosting immunity is NOT mega-doses of vitamin C or more Echinacea, it’s getting enough sleep. At least 8 hours a night to be exact. Sadly, Americans are chronically deprived of sleep, sleeping 30-45 minutes less per night than other nations. Though sleep aids and therapies may have their place, one of the best ways to ensure a quality night’s sleep is to open a window and let in the cool, fresh air. Why? Before it’s time to sleep, your body temperature naturally drops, signaling your sleep system. And, as this University of Pittsburg study concluded, cooler temperatures help your brain wind down to sleep.
Cold temperatures can help you burn more fat and calories
As reported by the Endocrine Society, long-term exposure to mildly cooler temperatures can help your body produce more beneficial brown fat leading to enhanced metabolism. Brown fat, also known as brown adipose tissue, is a beneficial type of fat that burns energy and glucose to produce heat. It is prevalent in babies and small animals, and helps protect from diabetes and obesity.
Cold temperatures can help reduce inflammation
Just like an ice pack helps soothe strained or sore muscles, science says cold temperatures can help reduce exercise-induced inflammation. Olympians have reported to use the extreme cooling technique known as cryotherapy to help them recover faster and alleviate soreness.
Cold fresh air supports a healthy respiratory system and encourages exercise
In the winter months pollen counts and pollution are naturally lower. If you have children who suffer from bronchial issues, the winter can be a perfect time for them to get outdoors more and breathe in all the benefits of fresher, cleaner air. Likewise, those who suffer from seasonal allergies (or just can’t take the summer heat) are more likely to benefit from outdoor exercise in the winter, when pollens and humidity are at their lowest. As we’ve written about before, outdoor exercise has numerous advantages compared to indoor exercise including enhanced calorie burning, stress-reduction and increased small tendon and muscle strengthening.
Acute exposure to cold has an immunostimulating effect
It seems counter-intuitive, but acute exposure to cold air actually revs up your body’s defenses. How the heck does this work? When your body gets hit with a blast of cold air, like during a brisk walk or outdoor playdate, it perceives this as a stress and temporarily increases its natural killer cells to compensate.”
So whether you’re hitting the slopes, going for a hike, or just taking the dog for a walk, getting outside during the cold winter months can have a seriously good impact on your health. How are you getting outside?
Alex Tung
Alex Tung was diagnosed with cancer at just 38 years old. Alex was happy and healthy, an avid surfer and athlete, but he suddenly faced a rare form of leukemia that was immune to chemotherapy. In fact, one hospital told him he only had six months to live. But in Alex’s mind, he had too much to live for.
The son of a mother who was both a Chinese immigrant and single parent, Alex wanted to beat cancer for her, since she defied so many odds for him. She joined Alex in his hospital visits and was by his side throughout his treatment.
On top of the lack of conventional treatment options, there was also no bone-marrow match for Alex; although 12 million people have signed up with the registry, only seven percent are of Asian descent. So, along with his doctors, Alex decided to try a revolutionary treatment. “Alex signed up for a clinical trial that used umbilical cord blood for transplantation instead of bone marrow. Cord blood has been found to provide the stem cells necessary for transplant when a blood cancer patient doesn't have an ideal stem cell match.”
Alex is now in remission and, along with his unique treatment, he credits having a strong support system as a key to his survivorship. “Having cancer and going through treatment can completely turn your life around, so it’s important to have a strong support system to rely on. One of my favorite things to do before I was diagnosed with cancer was go surfing. I used to surf almost every day. When I was receiving treatment…I couldn’t be as active or even go outside on most days. Having my mom be with me every step of the way really helped me get through this challenging time.”
Thanksgiving Sides: Brussels Sprouts With Pistachios and Lime
When you think about Thanksgiving, you probably think about turkey and stuffing and, obviously, pie. Well, multiple pies. But the perfect Thanksgiving meal needs something green to balance out the plate, so we found our favorite vegetable recipe. It’s flavors mix perfectly with all the Thanksgiving classics, and it’s refined enough to wow the whole family.
Here’s how to make Brussels sprouts with pistachios and lime, from Bon Appetit.
PREP TIME: 15 minutes / COOK TIME: 45 minutes
TOTAL TIME: 60 minutes
SERVINGS: 8-10
Ingredients
- 2 lb. small Brussels sprouts, trimmed
- 3 tbsp. vegetable oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3 tbsp. unsalted butter
- 3 tbsp. raw pistachios
- 2 tbsp. date molasses or honey
- 1 tsp. honey
- Zest of ½ lime
- 2 tbsp. crushed red pepper flakes
- Lime wedges for serving
“Step 1
Place a rack in the lower third of the oven; preheat to 450°. Toss Brussels sprouts and oil in a large bowl to coat; season with salt and pepper. Roast Brussels sprouts on a rimmed baking sheet 15 minutes, then shake the baking sheet to loosen them. Continue to roast until deeply browned all over, 5–10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350° and roast another 10 minutes. Shake the baking sheet again, then roast Brussels sprouts until the tip of a small knife easily slides through, 5–10 minutes longer.
Step 2
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once butter starts to foam, add pistachios and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring often, until nuts are golden brown and butter solids are browned, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat.
Step 3
Using a slotted spoon, transfer nuts to paper towels; let cool. Coarsely chop.
Step 4
Meanwhile, bring date molasses, honey, and lime juice to a simmer in same skillet over medium heat (this will happen quickly), swirling pan to emulsify. Add 1 Tbsp. water and swirl to emulsify, scraping up browned bits with a wooden spoon. Add Brussels sprouts; toss to coat.
Step 5
Transfer Brussels sprouts to a platter. Toss nuts, lime zest, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl to combine; scatter over Brussels sprouts. Serve with lime wedges if desired.”
Adding some green to your plate is a Thanksgiving necessity, and these Brussels sprouts are so good you’ll probably go back for seconds.
Fight Back Against Seasonal Depression
As the days get shorter and the weather gets colder, it’s not uncommon for people to suffer from SAD — that’s seasonal affective disorder. SAD “is a form of seasonal depression triggered by the change in seasons that occurs primarily in winter.” Make no mistake, seasonal depression is real depression, "It is important to treat SAD, because all forms of depression limit people's ability to live their lives to the fullest, to enjoy their families, and to function well at work," says Deborah Pierce, MD, MPH, clinical associate professor of family medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry.
Everyday Health offered up 12 ways to ease and treat SAD, here are a few of our favorites:
“Try Light From A Box
Light therapy boxes give off light that mimics sunshine and can help in the recovery from seasonal affective disorder. The light from the therapy boxes is significantly brighter than that of regular light bulbs, and it's provided in different wavelengths. Typically, if you have SAD, you sit in front of a light box for about 30 minutes a day. This will stimulate your body's circadian rhythms and suppress its natural release of melatonin.
Talk With Your Doctor
Because SAD is a form of depression, it's best diagnosed by talking with a mental health professional. "There are a number of screening questions that can help determine if someone is depressed," Dr. Pierce says. "Your doctor will be able to sort out whether you have SAD as opposed to some other form of depression."
Get Moving
As it does with other forms of depression, exercise can help alleviate seasonal affective disorder, too. Outdoor exercise would be most helpful. But if you can't exercise outside because it's cold or snowy, choose a treadmill, stationary bike, or elliptical machine close to a window at the gym.
Let the Sunshine In
If you have seasonal depression or wintertime seasonal affective disorder, you'll want to get outside as much as you can during the day and take advantage of what sunlight there is. If you live where it's cold, be sure to bundle up, but take a stroll around the block at noon or soon after — that's when the sun is brightest."
Regardless of the methods you choose to ease the impact of SAD on your life, it’s critical to be proactive. Taking just a couple of the steps above can make a major difference in how you handle the transition into winter, as well as the entire season itself.
Essential WFH Workouts
For many of us, a workout has always been part of our daily routine. But now, those daily schedules are anything but routine. It’s unlikely that we’re in the gym on the way to work or getting together with a group to play basketball, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t find ways to stay in shape, all from the comforts of home.
Sharp Magazine put together eight exercises we can do while we work from home (or while we’re on the go, watching TV, almost any time). Here are our six favorites, we love them because you don’t need a single piece of equipment — besides your body.
“THE PUSHUP
You know it, you hate it, but there’s a reason it’s the first on our list. Pushups activate every muscle in your body. Start with your chest nearly touching the floor, then push upwards, keeping your head, glutes, and heels in a straight line. Fifty daily reps will go a long way.
THE LUNGE
Start in a standing position, take one huge step forward, then lower your upper body until your knee is at a 90-degree bend. Repeat with the opposite leg. Your glutes and calves will thank you later.
THE SQUAT
High school teachers used to use wall squats as punishment, but they’re phenomenal for your thighs. With your back flat and your feet hip-width apart, lower yourself until your knees bend at 90 degrees. Hold it for a minute — if you can.
THE PLANK
If you could hold it for longer than a minute, you’re some kind of hero – but a minute will suffice in helping you work your way to a six-pack. The plank is a core strength exercise that strengthens your spine and abdominal muscles – it should be an essential part of your at-home workout routine.
THE SIDE PLANK
A side plank is similar to a regular plank in terms of setup and benefits. In a side plank, form matters a little more. Make sure your hips are in line with the rest of your body for a more intense muscle stretch.
THE BURPEE
If you’re looking to burn fat, the burpee is your friend . A cardio-forward full-body exercise that’ll help you look #shredded without leaving your bedroom.”
If you’re looking to get some work in while working from home, you’ll do well to create a regimen using these bodyweight exercises. You’ll see results without ever leaving home.
Alex Trebek
For millions of Americans, Alex Trebek was a part of their daily routine. As host of Jeopardy since 1984, Alex became a household name and, for many, a comforting and familiar face as they wound down their day. So when Trebek was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer in February of 2019, it came as a shock.
Trebek announced his diagnosis on an episode of Jeopardy. He told viewers that the prognosis was not very promising, but that he was going to fight it. And fight he did.
After an initial round of chemotherapy, Trebek was near remission, but in September 2019, he was forced to resume chemo. “I went all the way down to numbers that correspond with a normal human being without cancer, then all of a sudden, it blew up and went 50% higher than when it was first diagnosed. Go figure."
As he battled his disease, Trebek continued to host Jeopardy, filming hundreds and hundreds of episodes throughout his treatment. The whole time, he was transparent about his fight. In fact, one viewer says Trebek’s openness about the disease and its symptoms saved his life.
“Pancreatic cancer makes up 3% of all cancers diagnosed each year, and 7% of cancer deaths according to the American Cancer Society. Although Trebek did not specify what type of pancreatic cancer he had about 95% of people with the disease have pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, said Matthew Katz, MD, chief of pancreatic surgery service at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. The 5-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is under 10%.
“This is a particularly aggressive type of disease that is rarely detected early and often detected in the late stage of disease, as it was with Mr. Trebek, when it’s hard to treat,” . Katz said. In more than half of people, the cancer has metastasized at the time of diagnosis, meaning it has already spread outside the original tumor. In stage 4, the cancer has metastasized to distant sites, such as the liver, lungs, bones, or other areas of the body.”
After a 20-month battle with pancreatic cancer, Trebek died on November 8, 2020. Through it all, Trebek fought. He said he was humbled by the outpouring of love he received from viewers and that he fought so hard for his wife, Jean. Trebek’s legacy as Jeopardy host will live on forever and will be forever linked to his legacy as a beacon of hope and survival for those with cancer.
Creating an Exercise Routine for Cancer Patients
Recently, the benefits of exercising both during and after cancer treatments has begun to be promoted by oncologists and their teams. Some studies have shown it can fight treatment-related fatigue and even help improve the chance at survival for some.
Beginning to work out with cancer can be tricky, it’s not as simple as going for a run or lifting some weights. Cancer.net put together five tips for starting an exercise routine.
“1. Learn about the physical activity recommendations.
For adults, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week. The guidelines also recommend 2 days of full-body strength training.
2. Use a variety of exercises.
There are different types of exercise. An effective exercise plan will include a variety of types of exercise to have the best benefit for the whole body.
- Aerobic training. Activities like walking and running are great aerobic exercise. But activities of daily living (ADLs), such as laundry, bathing, dressing, or cooking, may be your starting point.
- Resistance training. Although resistance training is one of the most important types of exercises during and after cancer treatment, it’s not done enough. Movements such as standing up from a chair or toilet, climbing stairs, and carrying grocery bags all require muscle. Resistance exercise, which can help reduce fatigue and improve body function, will make these tasks easier.
- Core training. Core training is the basis of movement. The muscles around the middle of your body, from just under the ribs to a few inches below where your hip bends, are your core. These muscles are used in every single movement your body makes, even rolling over in bed.
3. Train for your life by using functional fitness.
Think about the movements that you need to accomplish in your life and train for them. For example, if you need to bring laundry from one level of your home to the next, start by moving an empty laundry basket or small pile of towels multiple times to activate the needed muscles. If you find it difficult to carry groceries, train with a sack that has just a few small canned goods.
4. Remember to refuel your tank.
Hydration and food, especially protein, is key to recovery after exercise and resistance training. Exercise also has a powerful role in improving the quality of sleep, which also aids recovery. If your body cannot recover properly from new physical exertion, it can be harder to stick with your exercise program.
5. Find an accountability partner.
Another way to make your exercise program consistent is to tell someone close to you what your exercise plan is. Then, empower that person to encourage you by asking you about it regularly, or even join you. Share your goals and ask them what theirs are.”
These tips can make it easier to create and stick to a better-for-you exercise routine. The key is to find workouts that are relevant to the specific life and battle of each cancer patient and go from there.