The Flame

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Diabetes 1.5: The Plot Twist Your Blood Sugar Never Saw Coming!

Diabetes 1.5: The Plot Twist Your Blood Sugar Never Saw Coming!

During Season Eight of the Lighting Your Way podcast, I've been talking with actual patients about their individual journeys in the healthcare system. Their stories range from Les, the South Jersey patient who had a heart and kidney transplant to Linda, the...

Talk It Out: Clear Conversations, Better Cancer Care!

Talk It Out: Clear Conversations, Better Cancer Care!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month—a time dedicated to raising awareness, providing education, and supporting those affected by breast cancer. While most of the focus is placed on early detection and treatment, one often overlooked aspect is the importance of...

Stronger Together: Inspiring Hope during Suicide Prevention Month

Stronger Together: Inspiring Hope during Suicide Prevention Month

As we observe Suicide Prevention Month, I am reminded of how essential it is to prioritize mental health and offer support to those who may be struggling. Many years ago, a colleague died by suicide and her death still saddens me as well as another colleague who...

Fur-get Your Troubles: The Healing Power of Pet Therapy

Fur-get Your Troubles: The Healing Power of Pet Therapy

Last week, I read a story about Beacon, a cuddly 4-year-old golden retriever whose job was to be the therapy dog during Olympic trials for the U.S. Gymnastic team. As a long-time cat owner, I know that it's highly unlikely that cats will ever displace dogs from the...

Keep Your Cool This Summer!

Keep Your Cool This Summer!

On May 21st, the heat index (a measure of how hot it really feels outside--taking into account humidity and temperature), hit 112 in Miami. This prompted the National Weather Service to issue its first heat advisory in May in at least 15 years. Monkeys have been...

Taking Control of Your Healthcare: Using Your Voice

Taking Control of Your Healthcare: Using Your Voice

Last week, I attended Philadelphia's Go Red for Women luncheon whose goal is to raise funds for the American Heart Association and encourage awareness of the issue of women and heart disease. Several speakers shared their personal stories of feeling dismissed by...

ACHOOOO!!!!  It’s Allergy Season!

ACHOOOO!!!! It’s Allergy Season!

Who doesn't remember the old adage, "April Showers Bring May Flowers" as a way of explaining the wet weather we often have in April. What I didn't understand when I was little was why I was sneezing so much! Now that I'm, ahem, 'more mature,' I have a much better...

March Madness, You Say?

March Madness, You Say?

Even if you're not a college basketball fan — whether men's or women's — it's hard not to know that March is tournament time — also known as 'March Madness.' The term 'March Madness' has been linked to basketball since 1939, but March has also been associated with...

An Epidemic No One Talks About: Increasing Violence Against Nurses

An Epidemic No One Talks About: Increasing Violence Against Nurses

If you’ve not had the need to visit or be admitted to a hospital in the last three years, the information in this issue of The Flame may surprise you. Regardless, I hope it disturbs you and urges you to action. Recently, a new survey about increasing violence against...

Let’s Talk About Dry January

Let’s Talk About Dry January

Happy New Year!!! I'm not sure if it is a good sign or a bad sign that the first time I heard about "Dry January" was one week ago! Apparently, Dry January began in 2012 as an initiative by Alcohol Change UK, a British non-profit, to 'ditch the hangover, reduce the...

Don’t Go Home for the Holidays – Until You Read This!

Don’t Go Home for the Holidays – Until You Read This!

For many years as a young adult, I greeted the winter holiday season with trepidation. It took many years to figure out that I was the one in charge of managing my 'holiday' stress. But then again, I have never been hospitalized during Christmas. That brings a whole...

What a Difference a Nurse Makes

What a Difference a Nurse Makes

November brings the holiday of Thanksgiving and with it, reminders for us all to give thanks for the blessings in our lives, however small. Besides my friends, family, good health and chocolate chip cookies, I am most grateful for my nursing colleagues at Guardian...