Health

Health News 12/30/2015

December 30, 2015 By Mary Rathman

Interpreting quality end-of-life care

Jennifer Chianella (center), provider representative for Gulfside Hospice, brought the ‘Brother at Rest’ painting by Jacob J. Neagle to facilities in New Port Richey for seniors to paint their own interpretation. The painting travelled with Gulfside Hospice to Regency Residence and Angels Senior Living in New Port Richey, and Trinity Regional Rehabilitation Center in Trinity. When not travelling, the painting is on display at the Gulfside Centers for Hospice Care.

Health2 rgb Robert Stuck, left, paints a scene of a peaceful, flowing river, while his wife, Barbara, paints a portrait of a singing angel to represent her mother who passed away on hospice care. Residents of various assisted living facilities painted their own interpretation of what hospice means to them.

Bringing joy to domestic violence victims
The GFWC Lutz-Land O’Lakes Woman’s Club, under the direction of Joan Collins, collected a full SUV load of donated Christmas gifts for children, their mothers and residents of two area shelters housing victims of domestic violence.

A large assortment of toys, clothing and other needed items were generously donated at the club’s recent Christmas luncheon, so these residents may enjoy some semblance of a happy holiday despite being away from their own homes.

Hospital is top performer three consecutive years
Florida Hospital Zephyrhills was recognized as a 2014 Top Performer on Key Quality Measures by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of health care organizations in the United States.

The Top Performer recognizes hospitals for improving performance on evidence-based interventions that increase the chances of healthy outcomes for patients with certain conditions including heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, surgical care, children’s asthma, inpatient psychiatric services, stroke, venous thromboembolism, perinatal care, immunization, tobacco treatment and substance use.

This is the third consecutive year Florida Hospital Zephyrhills has been recognized. The hospital was recognized in 2012 and 2013 for its performance on accountability measure data for heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia and surgical care.

Gulfside looking for volunteers
Gulfside Hospital is looking for volunteers. Opportunities include sitting with patients, providing spiritual care and counseling, assisting with the Pet Peace of Mind program, and helping in the administrative offices.

Thrift shop volunteers also are needed for shifts at all five stores to help with accepting and sorting donations, organizing shelves and window displays, greeting customers and running the cash register. Volunteers also are needed at Gulfside’s Centers for Hospice Care to serve meals, answer phones and greet guests.

Orientation sessions are scheduled throughout the month for anyone interested in becoming a volunteer. Volunteers must be at least 15 years old.

For information, call (800) 561-4883.

Fifteen-year-old raises $1 million for hospital

December 23, 2015 By B.C. Manion

Leigh Dittman always knew that she would achieve her goal of raising $1 million for Shriners Hospitals for Children – she just didn’t know she’d do it by age 15.

The Gaither High School student, who has a disorder known as Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), said she was motivated to raise the money for Shriners because of how giving it has been to her.

Leigh Dittman poses near the family’s Christmas tree at her home in Lutz. She recently was honored for raising $1 million for Shriners Hospitals for Children. She has a bone disorder known as Osteogenesis Imperfecta, more commonly called ‘brittle bone disease,’ but, she said she’s not defined by her OI. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photos) — Leigh Dittman poses near the family’s Christmas tree at her home in Lutz. She recently was honored for raising $1 million for Shriners Hospitals for Children. She has a bone disorder known as Osteogenesis Imperfecta, more commonly called ‘brittle bone disease,’ but, she said she’s not defined by her OI.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

“They are such an amazing group of people, and they’ve given me so much, with my life. It seemed like the right thing to do,” the young woman said during an interview at her Lutz home.

She began raising money for Shriners when she was turning 3. She said she’d rather have friends and family give money to the hospitals, instead of giving her presents.

The first year, she raised $5,000.

It grew from there.

When she was 7, people began asking her: “How far do you want to go? What’s your goal?

“As a 7-year-old, I was like, ‘A million dollars seems like a really big number. Why don’t we shoot for that?’ ”

She expected to meet the goal at some point, but not within eight years, she said.

The money was raised by annual events that initially were tied to her birthday, but later were held separately.

The event was a combined live auction, silent auction and raffle event. People could bid on items or buy raffle tickets for all sorts of prizes, including sports memorabilia, theme park tickets and stays at a cabin in North Carolina.

“We would spend the majority of our summer going to different organizations and different companies, and asking them – seeing if they would like to donate. We met great people who would help us continuously throughout the years,” the 15-year-old said. Now that they’ve hit the million-dollar mark, the family plans to take a year off, she said.

Leigh Dittman has a gold plaque on the philanthropic wall at Shriners Hospitals for Children, signifying that she’s responsible for raising $1 million in donations. (Courtesy of Shriners Hospitals for Children) — Leigh Dittman has a gold plaque on the philanthropic wall at Shriners Hospitals for Children, signifying that she’s responsible for raising $1 million in donations.
(Courtesy of Shriners Hospitals for Children)

The young woman was honored on Dec. 14 at Shriners Hospitals for Children, where the hospital and its Board of Governors swapped the teenager’s bronze fundraising plaque for a gold one, signifying donors who have given at least $1 million, according to a hospital news release.

At that ceremony, Board Chairman Tom Edwards described his first encounter with Leigh when she was 5.

Edwards said he was supposed to carry Leigh through an archway during a program. He recalled her telling him: “Mr. Shriner, be careful. I break easy.”

Leigh’s mother, Ellen, said none of this would have happened had she listened to doctors who advised her to have an abortion.

She knew early in her pregnancy there were problems, she said.

“Shriners Hospitals said they were sure they could fix her legs. And, they put her on a waiting list, not even knowing was going on with her, other than we knew that with her legs there was something major going on,” she said.

Leigh was born, via C-section, with five broken ribs and a broken femur that had already healed.

Since then, she’s had 14 surgeries and about 40 fractures.

But, Leigh refuses to define herself by her OI, commonly called “brittle bone disease.”

“I know some people have the same condition, who have made it their entire life. That’s all their life is,” she said.

This is how she defines herself: “I’m a sophomore. I’m an older sister. I’m a violinist. I’m a straight-A student. It’s the afterthought of, ‘And, oh, I have OI,” Leigh said.

Her disorder makes her bones weak.

“That’s why I’m shorter than average. That’s why I break so easily. That’s why I us a wheelchair as my main mode of transportation,” she said.

When people see her in her wheelchair, they often mistakenly assume she has a mental condition, she said.

“I have a lot of people that will start talking to me and speaking to me in a different tone of voice, and speak to me like I’m at a lower maturity level than what I am. I’ll have people come up and talk to me like (I am) a 2-year-old and ask me how I’m doing,” she said.

Once she responds, she said, they realize they’re mistaken.

She has a positive attitude and optimistic outlook, but said she has experienced darker times.

Seventh-grade year was particularly difficult. She had four surgeries, two broken legs, a broken collarbone and a scar infection.

“So, I did, for a little while, go: “Why God, why me? Why did you do this?’

“And then, I realized, it was so I could tell people my story, so I could show, yeah, life’s not always rainbows and butterflies, but you get through it. You’ll be OK.”

She wants to use what she’s been through to help others.

“I want to go into nursing,” she said, adding she’s known that since she was 7.

“Maybe I’ll have that kid that just had spinal fusion,” she said.

She’ll be able to tell that child: “You’re going to be OK, and you’re going to get through this and do whatever you want in life. It’s not going to stop you, because guess what, I did the same thing. I had the exact same story as you. I’m here. I’ve made it. You can do it.’ ”

About Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) is a genetic bone disorder characterized by fragile bones that break easily. It is also known as “brittle bone disease.”
A person is born with this disorder and is affected throughout his or her lifetime.

The disorder is caused by a mutation (change) in a gene that affects bone formation, bone strength and the structure of other tissues.

OI occurs equally among males and females and in all racial groups. It is estimated that approximately 25,000 to 50,000 people in the U.S. have OI. With good medical management and supportive care, the majority of people who have OI will lead healthy, productive lives and can expect an average life span.

Source: Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation (OIF.org)

Published December 23, 2015

Health News 12/23/2015

December 23, 2015 By Mary Rathman

Health-Buchanan rgb — (Courtesy of Florida Hospital Zephyrhills)

Local responder takes Homeland Security training
Vicki Buchanan, emergency responder and a registered nurse with Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, completed training offering by the Center for Domestic Preparedness in Anniston, Alabama.

The CDP is operated by the United States Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency and is the only federally chartered Weapons of Mass Destruction training facility in the nation.

Buchanan is a 23-year employee with the hospital and currently serves as a nursing supervisor. She has served as the hospital’s liaison with the Pasco County ESF No. 8 Healthcare Coalition, and is a member of the Medical Reserve Corps. Buchanan also leads the hospital’s Emergency Response Team.

Orientation sessions are scheduled throughout the month for anyone interested in becoming a volunteer. Volunteers must be at least 15 years old.

For information, call (800) 561-4883.

Chamber gets ‘healthy’ at breakfast meeting
More than 80 people attended the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce breakfast in November hosted by Florida Hospital Zephyrhills. The program took place in the hospital’s CREATION Café.

Casio Jones, the hospital’s director of wellness, spoke on what it means to live CREATION healthfully. The acronym stands for choice, rest, environment, activity, trust, interpersonal relationships, outlook and nutrition. Jones touched on the fitness, spa, cooking and educational programs offered at FHZ’s Wellness Center.

To learn more about CREATION healthfully, or to get employees involved, call Jones at (813) 779-6277.

Access welcomes new doctor
Access Health Care LLC announced the addition of Dr. Anil Bhatia to its medical staff.

Bhatia is board certified in internal medicine. He received his medical degree from Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital Medical College in Indore, India.

Bhatia completed his residency in internal medicine and an internship at Flushing Hospital in New York, New York. He is the former president of Good Shepherd Medical Clinic.

Jennifer Laman gets recognition for patient care
Jennifer Laman, doctor of osteopathic medicine with Access Health Care Physicians, was recognized as a Level 2 for its Patient Centered Medical Home by the National Committee for Quality Assurance.

The recognition uses evidence-based, patient-centered processes that focus on highly coordinated care and long-term participative relationships. The National Center for Quality Assurance will list Dr. Laman’s practice on its website with a recognition seal.

Her office is located at 13235 State Road 52 in Hudson.

Oak Hill appoints new director of emergency
Oak Hill Hospital has appointed Kimberly Loucks as director of its Emergency Care Center. This is a promotion from Loucks’ current position as ER manager.

Loucks has been a member of the Oak Hill Hospital team since 2001, working in the Emergency Care Center as a charge nurse. She also has worked deploying Meditech (information systems for health care organizations) in emergency departments throughout the country.

Loucks obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Troy University. She is nationally certified in emergency nursing, and holds certification in Pediatric Advanced Life Support and completed the Emergency Nurse Pediatric Course, Trauma Nurse Core Course, Neonatal Resuscitation Program, and Advanced Certified Life Support.

Health News 12/16/2015

December 16, 2015 By Mary Rathman

A group of students practice suturing on a board during the Perry Outreach Program at Medical Center of Trinity. (Photos courtesy of Medical Center of Trinity) — A group of students practice suturing on a board during the Perry Outreach Program at Medical Center of Trinity.
(Courtesy of Medical Center of Trinity)

Aspiring surgeons perform mock surgeries
The Medical Center of Trinity collaborated with the Perry Initiative, a national nonprofit working to recruit women to be orthopedic surgeons, and hosted the Perry Outreach Program to introduce students to women leaders in the field.

Students used oscillating saws and surgical nails to model femur bones, and performed mock surgeries to try their hands at the in-demand field of orthopedic surgery.

The Association of American Medical Colleges predicts a national shortfall of 46,100 surgeons/specialists by the year 2020.

CARES honors woman’s club
The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club was honored by CARES of Pasco County, a senior social agency, for its monetary donations and volunteer hours. Since 1987, the club members have volunteered at the call center and made weekly reassurance calls to area infirm and shut-ins.

CARES recognized the club as a “Bronze Sponsor” for its annual donations in excess of $500.

For information on the club, visit GFWCLutzLandoLakesWomansClub.org.

Hospitals earn A for patient safety
The Medical Center of Trinity, Oak Hill Hospital and Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point have been recognized with an “A” safety score by The Leapfrog Group, an independent nonprofit run by employers and other large purchasers of health benefits.

The score was awarded based on preventable medical errors, injuries, accidents and infections.

To see the hospitals’ scores compared nationally, visit HospitalSafetyScore.org.

Obstetrics & Gynecology of Trinity welcomes new doctor
Dr. Nay G. Hoche, obstetrician and gynecologist, has joined Obstetrics & Gynecology of Trinity and is located at her new practice at Medical Center of Trinity, 9332 State Road 54, Suite 406.

Hoche received her master’s degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine, where she completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology. She also holds a Master of Science degree in physiology and biophysics from Georgetown, and received her undergraduate degree in psychobiology and neuroscience with a minor in chemistry from the University of Miami.

For information, call (727) 376-3798.

Enjoying the holidays – without the stress

December 9, 2015 By B.C. Manion

The idealized version of the holidays involves festive gatherings, enjoyable meals and touching exchanges of special gifts.

In reality, though, many people are completely stressed out by calendars that have too many events and activities to attend, too much food everywhere and too much pressure to choose the perfect gift.

And because of those expectations, self-imposed or otherwise, instead of being a special time, the holidays can become very stressful.

There are strategies, though, to help control holiday stress by simplifying holiday traditions, controlling overindulgence and learning some emotional freedom techniques.

From left, Sandra Miniere, Brenda Cassato and Barb Mahlmeister teamed up to speak at a seminar on reducing holiday stress. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo) — From left, Sandra Miniere, Brenda Cassato and Barb Mahlmeister teamed up to speak at a seminar on reducing holiday stress.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

A trio of women recently gave a talk on those topics at the Jimmie B Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave.

The talk was presented by Senior Information Resources, an organization that is aimed at “Helping baby boomers and beyond live well in our community.”

Barb M. Mahlmeister, a registered dietitian and nutritionist from Carrollwood, offered strategies for navigating through the holidays, without the weight gain that often accompanies the season.

Brenda Cassato, executive director of Senior Information Resources, offered practical suggestions for reducing the stress that often comes with trying to find the perfect holiday presents.

And, Sandra Miniere, a personal life coach based in Wesley Chapel, demonstrated emotional freedom techniques – which involve tapping specific energy points in the body to gain rapid relief from emotional and physical disturbances.

Senior Information Resources is an organization with about three dozen members, coming from Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.

Mahlmeister gave the audience numerous practical suggestions for enjoying holiday foods, but reducing impacts that last well beyond the season.

Many people view the holidays as being the time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, Mahlmeister said. In reality, though, “the holidays start when kids get dressed up for Halloween.”

And, she said, they don’t end until the second week of January.

During that time, she said, people are busier and tend to exercise less. At the same time, they tend to indulge at all sorts of gatherings.

So, she offered pointers to help reduce the impacts.

At buffets, she said, be sure to put whatever you are going to eat on a plate. It’s far too easy to graze, and to consume significant calories.

“The toothpicks are not your friend,” she said. Many people eat much more than they realize, because they’re munching on foods that are presented on toothpicks.

No matter how busy the season is, it’s essential to exercise, she added.

Everyone can find a way to fit 15 to 20 minutes of exercise into their schedule each day, she said.

People should view exercise as a form of building up credits, which are then spent on the foods you eat. If you want ice cream later, exercise more now, she said.

Besides giving you more freedom to indulge, it makes you more mindful, too, she said.

You tend to make more thoughtful choices about eating. Instead of automatically picking up a dessert, people will ask: “Do I really want to eat that or not?”

And, because they’re more aware of the impacts, they’ll make choices on how to indulge. Do they want a calorie-laden casserole dish or a slice of pie, she added.

It’s also important to carry food with you, such as protein bars, nuts and seeds, to avoid getting too hungry, she said.

Before entering a gathering, eat a fat or protein and drink lots of water, she advised.

Portion size is important, too, Mahlmeister said.

Cassato offered suggestions for simplifying gift giving during the holidays.

If you know someone living in an assisted care facility, they might enjoy receiving a hair appointment and lunch, for instance.

Or, perhaps you could create a calendar with family photos. Birthdays can be marked by photos, too, she said.

Audio books, fleece throws and boxes of all occasion cards are other ideas, she said.

Of course, she added, “Everybody loves a gift card.”

Other ideas include helping an older relative to complete some technical chores, such as programming their cellphone or setting up social media accounts.

The key is to simplify and to focus on the essentials of spending time with others, and letting go of the stress, Cassato said.

“Our time is valuable. We have to guard it like gold. But, the time you give away to others is like an investment,” Cassato said.

While Mahlmeister focused on staying healthy through the holidays, and Cassato talked about simplifying gift giving, Miniere talked about a soothing self-care technique that involves the mind and body.

Emotional freedom techniques provide relief from emotional and physical disturbance, by combining principles of acupuncture and acupressure to balance energy flow in the body.

Miniere offered a demonstration, describing the energy points at various locations on the body and tapping them, to change the energy flow in the body.

The technique also involves breathing exercises and the repetition of phrases, as people tap at various energy points.

Over time, people who use this technique can learn how to change the flow of energy through mental tapping, Miniere said.

Published December 9, 2015

Health News 12/09/2105

December 9, 2015 By Mary Rathman

(Courtesy of Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point)

Gregory Howard is employee of the month
In October, Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point honored registered nurse Greg Howard as its employee of the month. Howard works in telemetry monitoring and genuinely cares about each of his patients’ well being during their hospital stay and after discharge. He has been known to pay for cabs for his patients if they don’t have a ride home. Howard is a team player that makes sure all his patients have what is necessary. At the presentation for Howard (center) were, from left, Dajana Yoakley, Geoff Washburn, Kurt Conover, Sherry Collins, Tanya Simpson, Shalin Shah and Shayne George.

Oak Hill Hospital boasts more than 100 board certified nurses
In July of 2014, Oak Hill Hospital, in Brooksville, encouraged all of its registered nurses to become board certified in the area of their choice by Dec. 31, 2015. The team set a goal of having 100 nurses earn board certification. As of Oct. 1, 110 nurses have achieved the certification.

As part of the challenge, Oak Hill Hospital offered to pay for any eligible RN to receive the certification, which included a study guide, the exam and one re-test; and provide the nurse additional compensation for the certification equal to an annual increase of more than $3,000.

Children’s Home Society a healthy place to work
The Children’s Home Society of Florida has been named one of the healthiest 100 workplaces in America by Healthiest Employer at the Corporate Health and Wellness Associations Annual Corporate Wellness Conference and Employer Healthcare and Benefits Congress.

Since 2006, the organization’s wellness program has promoted healthy lifestyle habits for employees. It has expanded to include challenges, screenings and clinics, workshops, benefits fairs and more. In 2014, the program had 73 percent employee participation.

Gulfside welcomes new board member
Leigh Massengill, currently serving as the CEO of Medical Center of Trinity, has joined the board of directors that overseas operations at Gulfside Hospice & Pasco Palliative Care.

Massengill has worked in the health care field for 40 years since earning a Master’s degree in Business Administration with certification in Healthcare Administration from the University of Miami.

In addition to joining the board, Massengill has served eight years on the board of CARES, a nonprofit community agency providing services to seniors, and serves on the board of the Pasco-Hernando State College Foundation.

Massengill lives in Odessa with her husband, Tom. They have three children.

Health News 12/02/2015

December 2, 2015 By Mary Rathman

Sertoma foundation wins award
The Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation of Florida was recognized as the Nonprofit Organization of the Year by Communication Access Inc., for its exceptional customer service and accessibility for people with hearing loss.

Every year, CAI presents 10 awards to regional organizations and individuals that have made an impact on providing necessary services to individuals with hearing loss.

Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation of Florida has been in Pasco County for 33 years providing services and specialized equipment for children and adults with hearing disabilities.

Help keep seniors out of the hospital
As flu season begins, the risk of area seniors being hospitalized increases significantly. According to a study conducted of nurses who primarily work with seniors, almost half of all senior hospitalizations (49 percent) can be avoided with proper prevention.

Families play a key role in keeping seniors out of the hospital. The most common action putting seniors at risk for hospitalization is waiting too long to seek medical attention.

To help families identify and act on potential warning signs, Home Instead Senior Care is offering a free “The Five Ways to Prevent Senior Hospitalizations” guide.

Recommendations include getting flu shots and shingles vaccines; using assistive equipment; monitoring and assisting with medications; attending doctor’s visits, and more.

To get a free copy of the guide, call (813) 991-7524.

FHZH dedicates new mural in hospital lobby

November 25, 2015 By Mary Rathman

(Photos courtesy of Florida Hospital Zephyrhills)

The former mural hung in the hospital lobby for more than 20 years.

The new mural represents the Tree of Life and the Christian values of the hospital.

Florida Hospital Zephyrhills’ staff members and volunteers were present for the dedication of a new mural in the hospital lobby. The hospital’s president and CEO, Randy Surber, presided over the ceremony.

The mural covers an entire wall off the hospital’s main entrance, and represents the Tree of Life and is consistent with the Christian values upon which the nonprofit hospital is based. Eight large monitors have been interspersed within the tree and change to reflect tranquil nature scenes.

The mural was more than a year in the making, and is the first of its kind at Florida Hospital.

A cross-country mission to battle polio

November 18, 2015 By B.C. Manion

When Nick Hall set out to make a bicycle trek across the country, he focused on a single goal: To inspire others to join him in the quest to conquer polio.

It was a 3,000-mile ride that would take Hall up steep mountain passes, through stretches of desert, and along interstate highways and down narrow roads.

He’d sleep in a tent on the side of the road, or in abandoned buildings, or behind truck stops.

Nick Hall climbed steep mountain passes during a 3,000 trek aimed at raise awareness about the quest to conquer polio, and to raise money to help purchase vaccines to help eradicate the disease. (Courtesy of Nick Hall) — Nick Hall climbed steep mountain passes during a 3,000 trek aimed at raise awareness about the quest to conquer polio, and to raise money to help purchase vaccines to help eradicate the disease.
(Courtesy of Nick Hall)

He’d wash his change of clothes in sinks at truck stops or convenience stores.

Hall began his cross-country trek on July 14 by placing the rear wheel of his bicycle tire in the Pacific Ocean.

He finished his journey — surrounded by family, friends and supporters — on Aug. 15 in St. Augustine.

Along the way, he shared the Rotary Club International’s quest to eradicate polio from the face of the planet.

While he was out on the road, Hall said, his grandson asked how one man riding a bicycle could help put an end to polio.

Hall’s wife told the boy that as the cyclist met people along the way, they’d want to know his story, and after they heard it, they’d share it.

Ironically, Hall said, this is much the same way an infectious disease — such as polio —is spread. One person has contact with another person, who in turn has contact with others.

As Hall made his way across the country, Facebook posts chronicled his journey, and donations came in to battle polio from people in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and, as far away as South Dakota.

Nick Hall attends a Wesley Chapel Rotary Club meeting to share the story of his 3,000-mile bicycle trek to raise awareness about the quest to end polio. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo) — Nick Hall attends a Wesley Chapel Rotary Club meeting to share the story of his 3,000-mile bicycle trek to raise awareness about the quest to end polio.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

The ride is over, but Hall is still sharing his story. He recently talked about his adventures at a noon luncheon meeting of the Wesley Chapel Rotary Club.

“I never had a goal of covering a certain number of miles, nor getting to a certain destination by a certain time,” Hall said. There were too many variables beyond his control, he explained.

He had no power over the direction of the winds, he said, and didn’t know if he’d encounter a hurricane, or when his bicycle would need a repair.

“And so, my goal was only ever to keep the bike moving 10 hours a day,” Hall said.

Hall figured he had an average of 15 hours of sunlight a day, leaving plenty of time for breaks, which he took during the hottest parts of the day.

And, it was hot.

“The bank sign in Blythe, California, on the edge of Death Valley, registered 115 degrees. And, for 10 consecutive days, the high never got below 100.”

His longest ride on a single day was 150 miles; his shortest, was under 70.

“My day would begin at usually a half-hour before sunrise. I would set my alarm to go off, because I didn’t want to miss a minute of the cooler temperatures before the sun really got blisteringly hot,” he said.

“I’d have a Fig Newton. I’d stop at a grocery store — buy a box, just to take the edge off my appetite. I didn’t want to waste time eating a full breakfast, not when it was the coolest part of the day.

“I’d wait three or four hours before stopping, and then would eat a couple of fried eggs, fried ham, hash browns, toast. Sometimes extra servings of the hash browns,” he said.

Nick Hall finishes his trek from San Diego to St. Augustine. The bicycle trip involved riding through all sorts of conditions. (Courtesy of Nick Hall) — Nick Hall finishes his trek from San Diego to St. Augustine. The bicycle trip involved riding through all sorts of conditions.
(Courtesy of Nick Hall)

Around mid-morning, he’d stop for one of his favorite snacks: A paper-wrapped Hostess Apple Pie.

It was 780 calories, and it was awesome, he said.

“I was losing a lot of electrolytes. Why take salt pills when you can eat potato chips? Or, salted peanuts?

“And then, I would have a couple of ice cream bars in the late afternoon.

“You know there’s not much pleasure cycling across West Texas — a barren landscape, resembling the landscape of the moon.

“And, there’s a need. We all need pleasure,” he said.

So, he indulged in foods that gave him pleasure and also helped him maintain his weight, as he was burning around 4,000 calories a day.

Hall rode through all kinds of conditions.

He traveled on Interstate 10 through parts of Arizona and Texas.

Riding on an interstate sounds hazardous, he said, but it was actually safer than some of the other roads he took.

“Compare I-10, with a speed limit of 70 miles per hour, with a road I was on in Louisiana — two-lane road, speed limit 70 miles an hour. No shoulder.

“There were multiple times when big logging trucks would whiz by. They couldn’t pull over very far, because there was oncoming traffic.

“I had multiple, ‘Oh, fecal matter’ moments,” he said.

His worst mishap occurred on the morning of July 26, as he cycling on I-10 in West Texas.

He was coming down a mountain pass at a decent clip.

“All of a sudden, I heard this horrible, metallic, crunching sound,” he said. “The bike came to a shuddering stop. I did not. I kept going.

“I’d run over a 6-inch bolt,” said Hall, who scraped his face and knee but didn’t break any bones.

The bolt hit the front tire, and the bike was missing spokes, had broken spokes and had a bent fork.

A truck driver gave Hall a lift to San Antonio, Texas, for bike repairs, and Hall was back on the road two days later.

Hall said the best moment on his trip came when he arrived in Palatka.

At that point, he knew he was ahead of schedule. He knew he wouldn’t need to wash his clothes in a convenience store sink, or need to scout out a safe place to sleep.

He said he had the satisfaction, too, of knowing people he’d met along his journey had contributed donations to help eradicate polio from the planet.

Published November 18, 2015

Sertoma foundation wins award

November 18, 2015 By Mary Rathman

The Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation of Florida was recognized as the Nonprofit Organization of the Year by Communication Access Inc., for its exceptional customer service and accessibility for people with hearing loss.

Every year, CAI presents 10 awards to regional organizations and individuals that have made an impact on providing necessary services to individuals with hearing loss.

Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation of Florida has been in Pasco County for 33 years providing services and specialized equipment for children and adults with hearing disabilities.