A Stress Free Christmas To All!

Merry Christmas everyone!  I can’t believe the year is almost over.  I did a presentation for Head Start families on how to recognize triggers and responses to stress.  I focused on the difference between stress and distress and how parents sometimes allow distress to hinder their relationship with their kids.  Since this is a hectic time of year for all of us, I’ve included a stress scale that can help each of us determine how much stress we are really experiencing:

Life Event: 

Death of spouse-100       Divorce-73                                   Marital separation-65

Jail term-63                  Death of close family member-63   Personal injury or illness-53

Marriage-50                  Loss of job-47                              Marital reconciliation-45

Retirement-45               Change in health of family member-44  Pregnancy-40

Intimacy or sexual difficulties-39    Gain of new family member-39          Business readjustment-39    Change in financial state-38  Death of close friend-37                   Career change-36

Increase in # of marital arguments-35                A mortgage or loan over $40,000-32

Foreclosure of mortgage-30              Change in responsibilities at work-29  Child leaving home-29                        Trouble with in-laws-29                     Outstanding personal achievement-28

Spouse loses job or starts new job-26                 Begin or finish school-26               Change in living conditions-2

Change in personal habits-24             Trouble with boss-23                         Change in work hours/conditions-20

Change in residence-20                      Change in school/college-20               Change in recreation-19

Change in Church-19                            Change in social activities-18             A loan or mortgage over $10,000-17

Change in sleeping habits-16              Change in # of family get-togethers-15  Change in eating habits-15

Vacation-13                                         Christmas-12                                      Minor violations of the law-11

Scoring:

300 plus - You have a very high risk of becoming physically affected by your stress (ex. headaches, heartburn, or other illness) in the near future

150-299  - You have a moderate chance of becoming ill in near future

Less than 150 Congrats, you have only a low chance of becoming ill in the near future

Notice that Christmas is included in the stress producing categories.  For many, Christmas is not a joyous time.  Even for those of us who enjoy the Holiday, it can be a hurried, stressful time.  Our ability to cope with demands is key to our experience with stress.  For example, starting a new job might be solely an exciting experience if everything else in your life is stable and positive.  But if you start a new job when you’ve just moved into a new house, or your spouse is ill, or you’re experiencing money problems, you might find it harder to cope.  My most recent divorce workshop revealed that attendees are experiencing stress both due to divorce and to the anticipation of a lonely Christmas.  Identifying how much stress you’re experiencing can help you cope and carry it with less detriment to your health, your parenting and your relationship with others.                              I wish you all a blessed and stress free Christmas!

by Lisa Follmer

Sam - a success story

     An interested member of the Hispanic community called the Lexington Mid PHONE nurse to inquire what could be done for this 4 year old child who “just laid there and did nothing” but wasn’t really sick.  The family members were all undocumented and new to the USA within the last month and had no financial means.  An appointment was made for Sam to be seen at the next Lexington Well Child Clinic and for his mother to sign up for WIC.  When seen by the WCC ARNP, the child was observed to be quite disabled from “brain damage at birth” and was found to be on seizure medication prescribed in Mexico which was almost gone.  He was also observed to be dehydrated, malnourished and thin, and suffering from chronic constipation.   The ARNP and PHONE nurse consulted and it was decided he needed to be seen by a pediatrician as soon as possible.  The PHONE nurse set up an appointment with a pediatrician for the next day, completed a Presumptive Eligibility application beginning that day and made arrangements for prescriptions to be filled for pediasure and multivitamins immediately.  

     The doctor made a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy with quadraplegia and seizure disorder, continued the seizure medication and pedisure and recommended starting an aggressive physical therapy program as soon as possible.  The Lexington PHONE nurse contacted HHS Medically Handicapped Children’s Program and the application process for financial assistance thru that program was started.   Sam was also referred to the Lexington School Systems Learning Disabilities Center and a physical therapy/occupational therapy consult was done immediately and plan of care established with assistive devices ordered.   Arrangements were also made for Sam to go thru the Cerebral Palsy Clinic in North Platte. 

     The PHONE nurse and WIC dietician and nurse worked with the mother on nutrition, feeding, and hydration issues and will continue to monitor and teach as indicated thru regular WIC visits.  This is a wonderful example of the programs that Mid offers such as Well Child Clinics.  This clinic made a huge difference in the life of this child and his family.