Page 54 - Sonoma County Gazette July 2018

Prepare Yourself for Surgery or Medical Procedure to Heal Faster
By Gail Raborn, CHt.
Knowledge and careful preparation are vital when you’re planning a medical
By Date
Thru Aug 3 ~ Lunch at the
Sebastopol Library - Partnering with the Redwood Empire Food Bank to offer free nutritious meals to kids 18 and younger s during the summer of 2018, FREE, Mon-Fri, 12-12:45p, 7140 Bodega Ave. Sebastopol, 707-823-7691, sonomacounty.libcal.com/event/4182516
Jun 27 ~ Raw Foods with Gabriella ~ Ceres Project, $0-$40, 6-8p, Ceres Sebastopol, 7351 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol, 707-829- 5833, connect.ceresproject.org/events/, info@ceresproject.org
Jun 28 ~ Health at Every Size - A peaceful approach to food, weight, and health. 6-7:30p, FREE, Sonoma County Family YMCA, 1111 College Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-545-9622, scfymca.org
Jul 10 & 12 ~ The 3 Myths Causing Your Back Pain - Learn how to sit comfortably and get individual suggestions to maximize your comfort. Free, RSVP required Jul 10, 7:15-8:45p, Jul 12, 3-4:30p, Sonoma Body Balance, 210 Vallejo St., Ste. C, Petaluma, 707-278-8718, sonomabodybalance.com
Professional healing, regardless of your financial means. Sound Healing, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), Massage, Readings, Advance Pulse Technique, Cold Wave Lasers, Reiki, Coaching. $15-$40 No one is turned away; 7:30-9p, songbirdcenter.org/
Jul 11 ~ Prepare Yourself
for Surgery and Medical
Procedures, Heal Faster - Free panel discussion with experts. Learn how to prepare mind and body for optimal recovery. Questions welcome. FREE, 6-7:30p, Sonoma West Medical Center, 501 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol, info@sonomawestfoundation.org
Jul 16 ~ Food as Medicine,
Wellness Series - Community Heals, Community Market and Sonoma West Medical focus on holistic and natural healing and preventative self healthcare. $10 Suggested Donation 6:30-8p, Sonoma County Healing Academy, 6741 Sebastopol Ave., Suite 120-140, Sebastopol, 707-622- 6769, communityheals.org, info@ CommunityHeals.org
Jul 25 ~ Disability Support Group - Facilitate group discussion and peer mentorship. FREE, 5-6p, Disability Services and Legal Center, 521 Mendocino Ave. Santa Rosa, 707-636- 3063, mydslc.org
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Jul 28 ~ CPR-AED Training - Stewards of the Coast - course is for anyone requiring CPR/AED certification. $75, 9-11:30a, Stewards Office - Volunteer Center, 17000 Armstrong Woods Rd., Guerneville, 707-869-9177, stewardscr. org, stewards@stewardscr.org
Jul 28 & 29 ~ 2 day event to
celebrate Da Purnima at the Mountain of Attention Sanctuary in Lake County. $60 donation for both days (cost of food). 10a., adiam.org/celebrations/ da-purnima,events@adiam.org, Vanessa Keynoyer 707-243-3154
procedure or surgery. At this crucial time, it’s helpful to expect a positive outcome and be a pro-active partner with your heath team. This can make the entire experience easier and improve your outcome! Consider practicing these suggestions and share them with your loved ones.
1. Get a second or even a third opinion of your diagnosis and treatment options. You want tobe totally informed of your choices before you commit to a surgery or medical procedure of any kind, including chemo orradiation. Consider going online and doing your own research as well.
2. Unless there’s a very good reason not to, choose the least invasive treatment possible. Don’t let someone talk you into a surgery or procedure you may not need.
3. It may be possible to sign your medical consent forms a few days before your procedure. Double check them for accuracy and even ask a friend read them. Mistakes happen. Remember: You have the right to change your mind and NOT go through your treatment or surgery, even at the last minute.
4. Consider a few sessions with a Guided Imagery Therapist orHypnotherapist before your procedure. This may increase confidence, relieve anxiety, help prevent complications, strengthen your immune system, reduce discomfort and bleeding, and may help prevent side effects or complications. You could learn healing imagery, deep relaxation, and create pre and post-procedure recordings.
5. Leave all jewelry and valuables at home. Facial piercings can be especially dangerous if aspirated during a medical procedure or surgery. Be safe!
6. Be sure your surgeon or doctor will be available immediately after your procedure and a few days following; find out who will be available if your doctor isoutof town.
7. If you have allergies, double-check all food and meds given to you, before and after your procedure. Ask what pain control medication you’llreceive during and after your procedure and make sure it’s one you’renotallergic to. If hospitalized, be sure all allergies are on your chart, a wristband, and written on a placard above your bed.
8. If hospitalized, take someone with you for a few days. Some hospitals will allow them to sleep in your room, with prior arrangement. If you have an outpatient procedure, be sure you have someone with you for 24 hours post-opat home. If woozy from anesthesia or pain meds you could injure yourself. Don’t be alone!
9. If hospitalized, keep your call button near at hand! Attach itto the bed frame and if you leave your bed for a chair, take it with you. You never know when you may need it.
10. Speak out before and after your procedure to ask for what you need. Don’t let anyone bully orbe rude to you. If this happens, report itimmediately to a Patient Advocate.
11. Ask someone on your medical team to repeat an affirmation before and after your procedure, something like “You will heal rapidly and well after your procedure, free of nausea and pain.”
12. Ask permission ahead of time to bring your cellphone or small CDplayer with you to play calm music during your procedure.
13. Be sure all medical staff wash their hands and put on clean gloves before they touch you.
14. Do all you can to be in top physical condition before your medical procedure: eat wisely and exercise.
15. Expect all to go well! Before and after your procedure, cultivate positive thoughts; pray or meditate; and picture yourself after your procedure, healthier than ever before.
FREE panel discussion on Wednesday, July 11th: “Prepare Yourself for Surgery or Medical Procedure - Heal Faster” with speakers Gail Raborn, CHt, Interactive Guided Imagery Therapist; David Quigley CHt, originator of Alchemical Hypnotherapy; and Gayle Swift, RN, MSN, CNS. Come to Sonoma West Medical Center, 501 Petaluma Ave. in Sebastopol, 6-7:30pm. Info: (707) 703-7664.
54 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 7/18
Jul 30 ~ Yoga at Carrington Coast Ranch
Jul 10 & 24 ~ Hands of Gold Healing
Jul 31 ~ Peoples Yoga Pop-Ups - All levels welcome. Will include approximately 1-mile hike with a moderate grade to designated spot. 6-7:30p, Pinnacle Gulch Coastal Access Trail, 20600 Mockingbird Rd., Bodega, FREE, $7 Parking, Registration required, 5:30-6:30p
Ongoing
Mondays ~ Native Secrets with Art Runningbear - practice, grounding, meditation, running energy, protection, healing techniques, intuitive reading. Public is welcome to Drop In any Mon to receive a healing and observe the practice. FREE; 7:30-9p, Songbird Community Healing Center, 8297 Old Redwood Hwy, Cotati, 707-938- 8808, Thena, songbirdcenter.org/, nativesecrets@gmail.com
Every Tue & Sun ~ Non-violent art of Aikido - Class for the curious or experienced, adults or 15 yrs & older. $50/month for Aikido and T’ai Chi, $30/month for T’ai Chi, $10 drop in per class, Tues. 7p & Sun., 10:15a, 9a for T’ai Chi only. Monte Rio Community Center 20488 Hwy.116, 707-480-0856, flowingriveraikido@gmail.com
Back Pain? Back Twinges, gentle lessons will guide you towards sitting, moving and walking with comfort and ease. $15 per class, $40 for Four, Songbird Community Healing Center, 8297 Old Redwood Hwy, Cotati, 707- 795-2398, songbirdcenter.org/, info@ songbirdcenter.org
Wed & Fri ~ Gentle Yoga classes by Smiling Tree Yoga - Includes Deep Relaxation with Restorative Yoga. 4/$50 or drop-in, $15 per class. Wed. 9-10:15a and Fri. 3 - 4:15p. Occidental Center for the Arts, 3850 Doris Murphy Ct, 707-874- 9392, Gail, occidentalcenterforthearts. org, gail@smilingtreeyoga.com
Walters Water Aerobics - Workout to music that will make you move & strengthening for all sections of the body. Classes are held almost daily, with some evenings. $7, Mon, Wed, Sat, Sun, 9a, Tue, Fri, 6p, Rio Nido Roadhouse, 14540 Canyon Two Rd., Rio Nido, rionidoroadhouse.com
All levels of experience welcome; byo yoga mat. FREE, Registration Required, 10-12p, Carrington Coast Ranch, Coleman Valley Rd., near coastal end, Bodega Bay, landpaths.org
Tuesdays ~ Feldenkrais for Back Pain