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THE LEGAL LEDGER 800-800-4300 DENMONPEARLMAN.COM A LESSON IN COURAGE How I Remember My Sister APR 2023
from cancer treatments, cancer consuming her. More often than not, she was still smiling. Melissa endlessly talked about getting better and helping others with cancer. She never lost hope. Melissa would hold children getting chemo treatments and play with them while she had poison pumped into her own body. She did this so the parents of these children could have a break and not have to
When people ask what I miss most about my sister, I never hesitate to answer: Her unconditional love. I miss having that person who supports me no matter what I do, who is proud of me to the extent that she embarrassingly boasts to anyone who will listen. I miss having someone to support me even when I make a mistake and being able to call someone I know will answer no matter the time or circumstances. Melissa was 31 when she passed away from a rare form of lymphoma. When she was diagnosed at 29, Melissa had three children aged 9 to 1. I want to share her bravery, fortitude, and desire to continue living so she could give more to the world. I was 24 years old when Melissa received her diagnosis. She had a bad cold that would not go away. Like many mothers, she delayed going to the doctor again and chalked it up to bronchitis. When she did go back, the nightmare began. She had tumors in her lungs that had grown so much they were impeding the blood flow to her heart. She survived open heart surgery and prepared for the next step in beating her illness. Melissa said she would do whatever it took to survive for her kids, her family, and all the people she needed to meet and experiences she needed to have. There was chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant, and radiation treatments that nearly killed her. Melissa’s stem cell transplant was a cause for celebration. The treatment appeared to work, and she was in remission. Melissa had fearlessly battled cancer and won. Her next year was filled with activities and experiences she had missed. Unfortunately, the celebration was short- lived, and the cancer returned in a year. The prognosis was not good; cancer had spread throughout Melissa’s body. But Melissa remained optimistic when everyone else was not and vowed to continue to fight. I will never forget the conversations where my sister wept and told me she was not ready to die. She had too much to do. I wanted to tell her it would be okay, but I couldn’t. Instead, I wept with her, and she told me it would be okay and that it was not my fault. She was the epitome of strength and courage. I watched her with no hair, bloated
watch for a short period. Melissa became the smiling face in the hospital, the eternal optimist that all the doctors and patients wanted to see.
I tried taking a break from my first year of law school to help care for Melissa, but she would not allow it. She told me I shouldn’t put my dreams on hold because of her. Later, she decided to attend my law school graduation after doctors told her not to. Even the slightest of colds could kill her because she was so sick. But Melissa put on a mask long before anyone else was using them. I remember still seeing her smiling through that stupid mask as I walked across the stage, and she was clapping louder than anyone. She was so genuinely happy. Melissa taught me that if you really care about someone, their accomplishments become yours. She taught me unconditional love. I graduated in December, and Melissa fought for four months afterward. We only get a few people who will love us unconditionally throughout our lifetime (if we are lucky), and I lost one of them. Whether or not you are close with your siblings, I suggest you pick up the phone and call them every chance you get. I would venture that their love is unconditional, too, no matter your relationship.
—Nicole Denmon 1 DENMONPEARLMAN.COM
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INCREASE YOUR LIFESPAN WITH THE VILPA METHOD
IT ONLY TAKES 6 MINUTES EACH DAY!
of challenging exercises like climbing stairs or jogging down a hallway — anything that gets your heart pumping. According to the study, you only need to practice VILPA for 1–2 minutes three or more times per day to get the protective effects!
Picture this: You’re sitting in your doctor’s office at the end of a checkup, waiting for her final words of wisdom on your health.
Do you need to be in shape to try VILPA? Nope! The VILPA study JAMA reported involved more than 25,000
“Things are looking good,” she says, nodding thoughtfully. “But you could do better. I know a way to increase your lifespan by doing a simple task for just six minutes each day. Do you want to try it?” That scenario might sound like science fiction — after all, we don’t have a pill for longevity yet — but according to the latest research, it could very well happen on your next doctor’s visit! This January, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reported that by practicing a method called VILPA, it might be possible to lower your risk of death from any cause, including cancer, by 38%–40%. The method may also decrease your risk of death from heart disease specifically by 48%-49%. Both of these effects essentially increase your lifespan! What is VILPA? VILPA stands for “vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity.” In other words: exercise. Specifically, VILPA involves doing short, intense bursts
people ages 40–69 who identified as “non-exercisers.” They never hit the gym; the most strenuous exercise routine they reported was a leisurely walk once a week. How should you start? It’s easy to try out the VILPA method: Simply take the stairs instead of the elevator and carry your groceries to the car instead of pushing them in the shopping cart. That said, we recommend visiting a physical therapist before you jump in. Many PTs offer free or low-cost health screenings that can identify problem spots and weak areas of your body. Scheduling a screening before you push yourself with VILPA can save you from injuries down the road.
ENSURING THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT What Youth Should Know About HIV/AIDS
The HIV epidemic has come a long way since the 1980s. We now have better tools to prevent the disease, and treatments are constantly advancing. Countless Americans with HIV can now live long and healthy lives, with some even having an undetectable viral load with treatment. But that doesn’t mean HIV is no longer a problem. National Youth HIV/AIDS Day on April 10 aims to educate some of the most vulnerable members of our society about their risk. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost half of HIV- positive youth aged 13–24 do not know their status. That’s a problem because they may unknowingly spread the virus, and an undiagnosed person cannot receive the treatment they need to protect their health. Many youths also do not know how to prevent infection. A lack of sex education in many schools may play a factor, as the CDC reports a decrease in condom use among high school students. Florida youth also face a more considerable risk than many, with 51% of new U.S. cases occurring in the South in 2020. LGBT youth are particularly vulnerable, namely gay and bisexual men and transgender individuals. Still, HIV.gov reports that about 22% of all HIV cases
occur from sex between straight people. Most new cases among all ages arise from sexual transmission, while 7% result from intravenous drug use. Fortunately, we have the tools to prevent and treat HIV — we just need to use them! The tried and true methods of condom and clean needle use remain some of our best options. But pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a daily pill, effectively reduces one’s risk of contracting HIV by as much as 74%. Further, most U.S. insurance plans must offer PrEP at no cost. It can be an extremely effective tool for people worried about their risk. Testing is also crucial. Unfortunately, HIV testing is not always free, but many organizations offer low and no-cost options. Many people also don’t get tested because they don’t realize their risk. While prejudice against HIV-positive people is significantly lower than in the virus’s earliest days, many still associate the virus with having done something “wrong.” We must continue to break down the stigma. Do your part to educate yourself and the youth in your life! If you have questions about HIV prevention, treatment, or testing, visit HIV.gov for resources and additional information.
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‘LIKE A SECOND FAMILY’
INGREDIENTS
• • • • • • • • • •
8 oz spinach leaves
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup sour cream
3/4 cup chopped marinated artichoke hearts
1 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
WHAT SETS KELLY MILLER’S PRESCHOOL APART
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided Sliced bread, crackers, or tortilla chips for serving
Early childhood education was a family business for Kelly Miller, but she didn’t necessarily see it as her career path. “I’ve always been a math person,” Kelly says. She majored in finance, and when her sister graduated with an education degree, they decided to open a school together. Kelly was responsible for the finances, but she soon learned she loved working with children. The sisters eventually sold their business and opened Cedarview Learning Center Too in Port Richey in 2001. Twenty-two years later, they host an infant program, preschool, and after-school program for children up to 12 years old. They have grown to a dozen teachers and have roughly 85 children enrolled across all ages. Kelly loves the flexibility of owning a business, but more than that, she says, “I love watching the children grow and bonding with them.” The school takes pride in its commitment to meeting children’s therapeutic, emotional, and educational needs. They have APPLE child care management accreditation and participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) food program, so students receive all the nutrients they need to thrive. “We help the children and their families with all their needs,” Kelly says. “We do assessments to determine if the kids need special services beyond what we provide here,” she continues. “If we suspect a child might be on the spectrum, we’ll contact an agency for support. And if they need speech therapy or occupational therapy, we help them access those resources. We’re kind of like a second family to them.” Kelly is married, and the couple has three daughters aged 16–27 and three dogs. Though her children are mostly adults, she says the family still vacations together as often as possible. “We really enjoy traveling — we’ve been to many places and continue finding new ones.” She notes Italy is her favorite place to visit. “We’ve been there a couple of times, and it just feels like home to me,” she says. Above all, Kelly takes the responsibility of child care very seriously. Every teacher at Cedarview Learning Center Too undergoes three background checks and must complete at least 50 hours of training within their first year at the school. These precautions keep children safe while ensuring they receive the education they deserve.
DIRECTIONS
1. In a medium pan, steam or sauté spinach until wilted. When spinach cools, ring out excess water, then chop coarsely. 2. In a large bowl, mix cream cheese, sour cream, spinach, artichoke hearts, garlic, salt, pepper, Parmesan cheese, and 3/4 cup of mozzarella cheese. 3. Spread the mixture onto the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining mozzarella cheese. 4. Bake for 20 minutes or until the dip is bubbly. Turn the oven to broil and cook for an additional 2–3 minutes so the cheese will begin to brown. 5. Immediately serve with bread, crackers, or tortilla chips.
(EASY WAY OUT)
Cedarview Learning Center Too is accepting new enrollments! For more information, visit CedarviewLearning.com or call (727) 849-4151.
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520 2ND AVE. SOUTH ST. PETERSBURG, FL 33701
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800-800-4300 DENMONPEARLMAN.COM
INSIDE 1 Nicole Remembers Her Sister’s Brave Cancer Fight
2 3 4
The Latest Way to Lengthen Your Lifespan
National Youth HIV/AIDS Day
Meet Early Childhood Educator Kelly Miller
Tasty Spinach Artichoke Dip
What Is the Nordic Diet?
TRY THE NORDIC DIET! NEED A NUTRITIONAL BOOST?
Every other month, new dieting fads seem to take the world by storm. Some popular diets aren’t beneficial, while others have incredible health benefits, so how do people know what’s worth trying? Luckily, one recent diet out there may be a little bit more credible than the rest: the Nordic diet. Nutritionists, scientists, and chefs decided to create this diet in 2004 to help slow obesity rates and unsustainable farming practices in Nordic countries, but it might help residents of the U.S., too! The Nordic diet emphasizes consuming food high in protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats. Fruits, vegetables, and seafood are common on Nordic diet menus, but what separates the Nordic diet from
the others is that it uses canola oil, which has less saturated fat than olive oil and other processed options. You’re supposed to eat a decreased amount of sugar and twice the amount of fiber and seafood than a typical diet. Some phenomenal physical health benefits come with switching over to the Nordic diet. It helps reduce inflammation throughout the body and can even reduce your risk of getting Type 2 diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Many people who tried the diet noticed decreased cholesterol and lower blood pressure while they followed these guidelines, even saying they lost weight or had an easier time staying in shape.
You may have seen the Nordic diet on the news after Noma, a three-Michelin-star restaurant known for its Nordic menu, recently closed in Copenhagen. Food critics and patrons rated this restaurant as one of the best in the world, but the owner found the grueling hours and intense workplace culture unsustainable. So, still wanting to work in the food industry, he converted Noma into a food laboratory. You can change and improve your diet anytime, but experts recommend the Nordic diet for its many health benefits. Make sure you pick up whole grains, fruits, vegetables, fatty fish, and other items next time you go to the grocery store. You’ll be amazed how what you eat can improve how you feel.
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