Alumni Sandstorm ~ 06/04/05
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5 Bombers sent stuff and 2 non-Bomber funeral notices today:
Larry Mattingly ('60), Bob Cross ('62)
Shirley Sherwood ('62), Kathy Hoff ('64)
Lynn-Marie Hatcher ('68)
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BOMBER BIRTHDAY Today: Joe Wood ('48)
BOMBER BIRTHDAY Today: Helen Cross ('62)
BOMBER BIRTHDAY Today: Heather Ryanne ('92)
BOMBER LUNCH Today: Class of '60 & spouses
BOMBER CALENDAR: Richland Bombers Calendar
Click the event you want to know more about.
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>>From: Larry Mattingly ('60)
Re: Depression
Recently reading in the Sandstorm about depression gave me the
shivers. While I have been fortunate not to have had depression
problems, I have been close to several who suffered from and fought
with it. It is a horrible disease. It can be hard to recognize even
by professionals. While I am not any kind of expert on it, I know
from personal contact, it can destroy appetite, ruin personal
discipline, spoil relationships, disable employment, and in
general make life nearly impossible. I was married to an extremely
intelligent lady (college grad 3.99 GPA) who's severe depression
made her life very difficult. Two doctors tried a variety of meds and
treatments over the years, including Prozac. Prozac was a disaster
for her. All of the bad things you have ever heard about Prozac.
Trying to cope lead both of us to tears many times. Then along came
Welbutrin and with some dose adjustment, last we spoke, she is living
a pretty normal life. In the mid and late '50s my mother was treated
for depression both at home and in several stays at Kadlec. At one
time or another she received a total of 17 bangs with "The Box",
otherwise known as electro-shock therapy. They tried a couple of the
early drugs but it didn't really control it. So she essentially lived
with it the best she could until she passed away a few years ago. The
effects of real depression can be anywhere from mild to really ugly.
I have 2 close friends now, both with severe depression, both on
Welbutrin. They both still have some mild problems once in a
while but as I look back on their past, what a difference 100/200
milligrams twice a day makes. It is not a panacea and does not work
for everybody but it has made many lives at least livable. Here's
hoping research will continue and results will increase people's
ability to cope with it.
"Happiness is the sky in bloom"
-J Larry Mattingly ('60) ~ Off to the City of Shelton, WA to begin
the set-up of the massive display for tomorrow night.
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>>From: Bob Cross ('62)
Re: Happy Birthday, Cousin
I would like to wish my MUCH younger cousin, Helen Cross Kirk ('62)
a very happy birthday! We are looking forward to seeing you again
this summer. You can tell me about how the "younger set" is doing
these days (if you talk slooow!). I wish I had half your energy.
Hope you do something nice for your special day because you are a
special lady.
-Bob Cross ('62)
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>>From: Shirley Sherwood Milani ('62)
To: Dave Hanthorn (Gold Medal Class of '63)
Re: Our Mascot
I don't know, but it looks like a sketch of 'da bomb' on both
the front and back inside covers of the '62 yearbook.
http://richlandbombers.com/Xtra05/62Columbian-InsideCovers.jpg
-Shirley Sherwood Milani ('62)
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>>From: Kathy Hoff Conrad ('64)
R2K+5 Dinner
Cool Desert Nights Weekend
Saturday, June 25, 2005
Hanford House
Please e-mail, ASAP, Linda Boehning, dboehning9644@aol.com or
Kathy Hoff Conrad, kconrad6318@charter.net if you would like to
attend. Or call 946-6318.
The class of '65 will be having their 40th reunion at the Hanford
House the same weekend. Friday night is a good time to visit with
"old" friends in the courtyard of the "old" Desert Inn.
Hope to see you there!
-Kathy Hoff Conrad ('64)
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>>From: Lynn-Marie Hatcher Peashka ('68)
To: Jim Jensen ('50)
Jim, I couldn't agree with you more regarding the need for each of us
to do a couple things. First, it is imperative that we be informed
medical consumers -- and as you suggest, "... that we carefully
evaluate our individual circumstances." Second, that we not just
allow ourselves to be pushed into taking this pill or that one after
a quickie 5 minute consult with someone who doesn't really know our
overall needs/condition. (Unfortunately with managed care, etc.,
being what they are, this is often the way of practitioner
appointments today. Thus is becomes incumbent upon each of us as
consumers to become educated, active participants in decisions
regarding our health care -- and (with regard to this discussion)
what is going to go down our throats in the way of meds! Gone are the
days when we could spend a good 1/2 hour or more really exploring our
situation with the practitioner -- at least that is the case with
many if not most practitioners these days. Most of us over the age of
50 can remember when a doctor appointment could actually mean 30 or
40 minutes WITH THE DOCTOR -- he/she asking questions and listening
to answers, working to figure out what was really going on.)
One of the other problems you so aptly bring to our attention is
that of general practitioners and the prescribing of psychotropic
medications. Things ARE getting better in this realm -- but not
better enough, fast enough. It is only in VERY recent years that
generalists are being taught in med school something about the
appropriate use of psychotropics. That being the case many Americans
today are taking (or not taking, because of problems/side effects)
incorrectly (wrong med, wrong dose, etc.) prescribed meds for
mental/emotional/psychological conditions -- depression, anxiety
disorders, etc.
I am not disrespecting general practitioners. I go to one myself. But
there is SO much more to know in the realm of health care these days,
even compared to when we were kids. Thus utilization of specialists
has become a necessity.
I am saying that if you have a heart condition that bears further
investigation, a general practitioner will (should) refer you to a
cardiologist. It is the same way with mental health issues -- you
should be referred to a mental health specialist, at least for
initial evaluation and initial med management. This doesn't mean that
cardiologists or psych specialists (or other specialists) are better
practitioners. It means that they know their particular areas of
expertise (and the meds associated with those areas) better than a
general practitioner does or possibly could, given how much there is
to know in this 21st century. So you are right, Jim. The GP is like a
'triage' specialist these days in many cases.
Finally, as to the truth of spontaneous remissions -- you are
right on there, too, Jim. The power of the mind-spirit-body-heart
connection is vastly overlooked and under-rated in Western medicine.
Fortunately this is changing, but again too slowly (in my opinion).
For those with interest, I suggest taking a look at www.brucelipton.com
Check out Dr. Bruce Lipton’s book called “The Biology of Belief”,
and his DVD called “The Biology of Perception – The Psychology of
Change”.
My last thought here: I have an imaginary plaque – it is not posted
in my office, but it IS posted in my heart and mind. It reads, "As a
part of my services as your practitioner, I am praying for you. No
extra charge." I don’t proselytize, preach, etc., but I could not
safely or ethically practice medicine (especially mind/emotional/
psych medicine) without staying in touch with the Spirit who created
each person I am honored to serve in my practice.
Thanks again for listening. I will try not to post again for a while
– I've certainly taken up my share of Sandstorm space this week!
-Lynn-Marie Hatcher Peashka ('68) ~ Spokane, WA
PS – Thanks to all of you who wrote to me privately, sharing
your thoughts and stories. You honored me by doing so.
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Funeral Notice scanned from the TCHerald
by Shirley Collings Haskins ('66)
>>Frank Edwin Wright II (HHS'85) ~ 3/29/68 - 5/28/05
>>Katherine "Kay" Lamb (Retired Teacher) ~ 11/12/12 - 6/1/05
http://funeralnotices.tripod.com/
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That's it for today. Please send more.
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