AUG 2018
BULLETIN
T hough it’s largely been a wonderful last few months, with the birth of my beautiful twins and the opening of our second location, tragedy often strikes in the midst of joy. I’m sick and saddened to report that my 31-year-old second cousin, Michael, passed away last month. After years battling with a worsening opioid addiction, he finally succumbed to the drugs and overdosed. After a brief revival, followed by a heart attack, he became completely unresponsive. In a decision I would never wish on anybody, my cousin Sandra, his mother, made the call to take him off life support and allow him to pass away peacefully. Michael’s story just goes to show how far the opioid epidemic reaches in this country. Opioid addiction can get its hooks into everyone: the poorest of the poor, the richest of the rich, every race, religion, and creed, whether you live in low-income housing or on 5th Avenue in Manhattan. Before Michael was prescribed his first bottle of painkillers and became physically dependent, he was an electrician by trade. A few years later, he became a corrections officer, until the addiction overwhelmed his life to the point that he could no longer hold a job. He reached out for help and slid in and out of rehab, but, apparently, he couldn’t overcome the physical, biological fact of his addiction. As I dwell on the chain of organizations and individuals who have contributed to the opioid crisis today, I become more and more furious. In 2017, 1,901 people were killed as a result of opioid use in New Jersey alone. Back in 2016, the estimated death toll for the whole country was a staggering, horrific 62,497 people. pharmaceutical companies, intentionally burying the inherent dangers of these medications, flooding the market to the point of insanity, and aggressively marketing them not only to doctors, but to regular health care consumers. Then there are the doctors. While I do believe the vast majority of physicians and surgeons are genuinely dedicated to helping people, all it takes is that one unscrupulous doctor to poison the whole well. That one guy writing a prescription for hydrocodone In Memory of My Cousin Michael The Opioid Epidemic Hits Home I won’t bite my tongue here; this crisis was instigated by people for whom profit took priority over human lives. First came the
My cousin Sandrawith her two children, Danielle andMichael
that will last the patient way longer than they need is worse than the drug dealer on the street. Because he knows better.
And then there are those who stigmatize addiction to the point that it becomes virtually impossible to seek adequate treatment. We blame the addicts and fail to offer the programs that lift people like my cousin out of the throes of addiction, and they inevitably turn to street heroin, or even worse, synthetic alternatives like fentanyl. The simple fact is, if you take even mild opioids for long enough, you will become addicted. In the wake of Michael’s death, I’ve been doing everything I can to educate those around me on the dangers of opioid use. Another cousin in my family recently had a hip replacement, so I made sure to stress that he needed to be careful, and especially to keep his pills far out of the reach of his children. When a postoperative patient comes through my clinic for rehab, I do everything I can to alleviate their pain naturally and steer them away from their dependence on medication. I’ve even sat down with Lia Grace, my 7-year-old daughter, and talked to her about drug abuse. I’ve long been passionate in my fight against the opioid crisis, but I never imagined that it would hit this close to home. It’s unreal to think that I’ll never see Michael again. In our tight-knit extended family, he was like a little brother to me. I watched him grow up from a scrappy little kid into a truly great man with so much to live for. Every day, I wake up and the awful, sick weight of his absence resettles on my mind. But all I can do is get up and step back into the chaos of everyday life to be there for my incredible family as best I can. Certainly, it’s what Michael would have wanted.
–Dr. Michael Russo
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Journey to the Great Backyard Summer is drawing to a close, but there’s still time to make some great memories. Camping trips are a summer staple. Fortunately, you don’t have to drive hours into the mountains to find the perfect campsite. Your backyard is right there waiting for you! Here are a few tips to help your family say farewell to summer with a perfect backyard camping trip. Finish the Summer With a Family Camping ‘Trip’
Remember: It’s okay to call it a night. For kids, the most exciting part of camping in the backyard is getting to sleep in a tent — that is, until they actually have to sleep. After stargazing, some kids will want to stay up all night whispering and giggling in the tent, and that’s great! But other kids might decide they’d rather sleep inside, and that’s okay too. Your camping trip isn’t a failure because everyone spent the night in their own beds. It’s not about where everyone sleeps; it’s about how much fun your family had together before bedtime.
Pack for an authentic experience. Your back door is literally a few yards away, which can be great in the event of an emergency. But if the kids are running in and out of the house all night long, they might end up deciding they’d rather be inside playing video games after only an hour. Be sure to pack everything you would need if you were really going into the woods for the night so no one is tempted to go back inside. This means tents, sleeping bags, flashlights, pajamas, books, binoculars, a compass, water bottles, and a cooler of food with snacks and dinner. Treat this like a “real” camping experience right from the beginning! Figure out the campfire. Don’t have an in-ground fire pit? No worries! You can still enjoy hot dogs and s’mores with a charcoal grill or a store-bought fire pit. If you have enough room in your backyard, you could even try building a bonfire. Just make sure to check your city ordinances and get any necessary permits first. You can find advice for building the perfect campfire at REI.com/learn/expert-advice/campfire-basics.html . Patient Success Stories
The best part of backyard camping? It doesn’t take a lot of planning. Just grab your gear and your family and hike out into the great backyard.
“I was diagnosed with stenosis, having experienced lower back pain. My only exercise was walking 2 miles a day. My back pain would begin at 1 mile. I would stop for a minute, then begin the second mile. Having begun treatment via Physical Therapy for nine visits, I can now walk the entire 2 miles without stopping. My back pain has subsided to the point that I now look forward to my daily walk. I am hoping that the treatment and continued exercise will help keep my stenosis at a manageable level. The people here at NJIB are very knowledgeable and courteous. I would recommend them to anyone needing pain relief.” –Dennis P. “Before coming to NJIB, I suffered from issues with balance and nausea. I truly thought something was seriously wrong with me or I would have to deal with this my entire life. Michael was extremely patient with me, reassuring, and supportive. Prior to treatment, I was having spells every week and even while driving. Now, I rarely have a spell and I also feel much more confident in what may set me off. The whole team is supportive, empathetic, and I actually will miss my time with them. I would drive the 1.5 hours any day to be treated by NJIB.” –Frank E.
Dennis and Dr. Russo
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5 REASONS TO POSTPONE SURGERY Going Under the Knife Isn ’ t Your Only Solution
Suffering from backaches is the most common health issue plaguing many folks. It doesn’t start instantaneously. Rather, it’s a gradual problem, evolving until the individual is overwhelmed with discomfort and pain. People seeking to regain their health may initially lean toward surgery. However, while it can seem like a good idea, it should be unequivocally stated that surgery is not the ideal treatment. There are plenty of other options available to you. Other Available Options Before deciding on surgery, other options should be considered and put into action. This includes physical therapy, exercise, or chiropractic methods. The Mayo Clinic states that the majority of aches an individual experiences will be alleviated after two months of therapeutic care. These alternatives are more economical, less dangerous, and often provide better results. Recuperating From Surgery If an individual decides to get back surgery, it can take months for them to get back on their feet. Along with this, the surgical cut will have to be cared for, which takes time away from everyday activities and routines. Laying down to sleep or visiting the lavatory are no longer possible alone, and being prescribed heavy medications rules out any potentially dangerous activities, like driving. Tackling the Roots Surgery doesn’t always fix the main problem a patient faces. Sometimes, backaches are caused by the lifestyle of an individual: strenuous activities, use of heavy machinery, or muscular
problems. While surgery may fix the issue on the surface, it may not provide a permanent solution, which means it can reoccur if left unattended. The Risks of Surgery While every medical cautionary measure will be taken to ensure a safe surgery, there is still the possibility of a surgery going sour. The dangers increase with such elements as existing health problems. It is in your best interest to keep in mind the possible dangers before making the decision to undergo the procedure. Persistent Aches There is always a possibility that someone will still feel aches and pains in their back after the surgery and recovery. This is ultimately what turns many folks away from surgery; there is no guarantee of relief afterward. If you need an easy, healthy side dishwith plenty of flavor, this green bean saladwill be the perfect addition to your summermenu. Green Bean and Sesame Salad
HAVE A LAUGH!
Ingredients
• • • •
3 cups green beans, ends trimmed 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
• • • •
1 small red onion, finely chopped Small bunch of fresh mint Small bunch of flat-leaf parsley
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
1. Bring a large saucepan of water to boil; cook green beans for 4–5 minutes; drain well. 2. In a blender, mix finely chopped mint and parsley with olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Blend until combined. 3. Add dressing, onion, and sesame seeds to beans. Toss together. Cool dish, then refrigerate until ready to serve.
Inspired by Delicious magazine 3 www.NJIB.org
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INSIDE This Issue
When the Opioid Epidemic Hits Home
The Best End-of-Summer Activity Patient Success Stories
Don’t Be so Hasty to Get Surgery Green Bean and Sesame Salad
What to Do This Month in North Jersey
What to Do Around the Area August in North Jersey
7TH ANNUAL CRAFT BEER & CRAB FESTIVAL When: Aug. 7, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Where: Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., Cape May Admission: Free Although this festival requires a two-hour drive outside of Elizabeth, the 7th Annual Craft Beer & Crab Festival in Cape May is a fun all-day festival featuring local and regional craft breweries that’s worth the time spent getting there. Even if you aren’t a beer lover, you can enjoy some delicious summer foods, such as steamed crab, pulled pork, crabcakes, shrimp, and hot dogs, as well as food from regional vendors. The festival will also feature musicians on an outdoor stage, an old-fashioned Victorian circus with jugglers and acrobats, and a crafts and collectibles show.
WARINANCO FITNESS FESTIVAL When: Aug. 11, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Where: Warinanco Sports Center Admission: Varies per event
UNCORK HISTORY: ARCHIVES OF LIBERTY HALL When: Aug. 29, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Where: 1003 Morrison Ave. Admission: $25 per person, $20 for museum members/Kean alumni (ages 21 and up) Come on down to Liberty Hall at Kean University for the opportunity to see important and interesting historical documents, read copies of them up close, and learn about their significance. Following the viewing of these documents, you can wander through the historic gardens enjoying delicious wine and hors d’oeuvres. Be sure to make reservations before Aug. 25 to ensure an informative and fantastic night out with friends.
Enjoy fun with the whole family at the Warinanco Fitness Festival, where you can participate in activities like family fun runs and fitness challenges. After all the physical exertion, you and the kids can slow down and watch some cooking demos to help you recreate some tasty but healthy family meals at home.
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