Jazz Up Crutches or Walkers with Our Crutcheze Products!

These make GREAT gifts!

NEW! TRIBAL BLUE STETHOSCOPE COVER SET - Protect your stethoscope and create an anti-bacterial barrier with this two piece stethoscope cover set. Contains a cover for the ear piece section and a separate cover for the tubing section. Also available in Bubblegum Pink/Black and Carbon Grey/Black.
Item #CZCRU0605
Only $17.90









NEW! LEOPARD WALKER SIDE BAG - This stretch walker bag has a side pocket, is waterproof, stain resistant and bacteria resistant. Plenty of room for personal items, it is easy to care for and durable, too! Also available in Carbon Grey.
Item #CZCRU050L-LP
Only $24.92



















NEW! LEOPARD WALKER HANDGRIPS - Made from long-lasting anti-bacterial and moisture wicking material that acts as a barrier, reducing ordor and keeping skin dry. 4"W x 7"L, Fits standard walker grips. Set contains 2 handgrips. Also available in Carbon Grey.
Item #CZCRU030S-LP
Only $16.58

















PADS FOR UNDERARM CRUTCHES - Set contains 2 handgrip pads and 2 underarm pads, one size fits all standard crutches. Made from the finest materials that are resistant to body oils and perspiration. Padding has a high-tech contoured design that is body weight sensitive to provide superior support and extra comfort. Also available in Blue Tribal, Carbon Grey, Red Tribal, Purple Tribal, Turquiose, and Zebra.
Item #CZCRU010-RT
Only $31.82






















And last but not least....
CRUTCH BAG - This crutch bag is stretchable, lightweight, bacteria/fungus resistant, water proof, and stain resistant with lots of room for personal items such as water bottles, cell phones, keys and small wallets. This bag has one main pouch plus a side pocket for extra storage space.
Item #CZCRU050S
Only $22.73



















Click HERE to shop and save on Crutcheze products at Mountain View Medical Supply today!

Look What's New at Mountain View

Check out these new items we are offering at Mountain View Medical Supply:

For the medical professional - keep your hands free and your instruments handy with this belt loop Nylon Organizer. Available in Navy, Pink, Purple, Royal or White:



Item #PS730
Only $5.00 each



Also for the medical professional, this around the waist, Small Apron-Style Organizer keeps hands free while keeping instruments handier:





Item #PS652
Only $9.82














For effective pain and swelling management, Cold Rush for Knee provides constant cold application to the knee:






Item #RYB-232000011
Only $198.57




Visit our WEBSITE to shop for our full line of products!

Happy Thanksgiving!

OUR THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY HOURS ARE:

Thursday, November 25th - Closed
Friday, November 26th - Open 9am - 3pm
Saturday, November 27th - Closed

Here is the official list of things I am thankful for:

I am thankful that I am healthy and able bodied. Although my sanity is still in question.







My family and their health. They contribute to my questionable sanity, but I love them dearly!






My job. It affords me creativity (such as this blog). And a paycheck. And insurance. Many of us are going without one or both at this time.











Freedom. Especially as a woman, I try to remember that there are those that fear for their lives on a daily basis because they do not live in a free country, or in a country free from conflict.






Beauty and Love. These two things can be found in the darndest places. Remember to stop, take a moment and enjoy.


Have a wonderful Holiday!

How is YOUR Holiday Shopping Coming Along?

I really do not like the holiday shopping crowds. Inevitably, in the long and slow stream of people walking the mall, someone will stop to discuss their next destination, oblivious to everyone stopped, standing and staring right at them to moooooooooove out of the way. Or, the search for a parking spot within a mile of the nearest entrance.

I tried shopping on Black Friday once. ONCE. I talked my husband into getting up at 4am and hitting the stores to score those promised deals that were waiting for us. I thought it would be fun! Boy was I wrong. First of all, ShmarSmucks was not even open at 4am! And every store we attempted to go to had a long line. These are not your average long lines, these were 5 people wide and wound around to the back shipping docks of the buildings. Now I dont know about you, but if you cant see the end of the line, then you should put the car in park and wait comfortably in your car like you were waiting for a train at a crossing. The one store we did go into had an equally long line for the checkout registers. Im sorry, but I will pay the extra $2 for that DVD.

I have learned over time to shop BEFORE Thanksgiving, or to shop only on weeknights after Thanksgiving. Never, ever, ever go to the mall on the weekends unless you simply want to do some people watching, eat a giant pretzel and get a quick massage.

Or, you can simply shop online and expand your budget with the added shipping costs. How much is your time worth?

Being that this is the last weekend before the holiday frenzy, you will probably see me at the mall, and hopefully I will be able to say "Am I done with my holiday shopping? Heck yeah!"

Let the games begin!!

Dear Prudence - Noisy Ostomy

I came across this Dear Prudence letter and felt it needed to be republished.

Dear Prudence,

I am a Stage IV colon cancer survivor. The repair work that surgeons did was a disaster (through no fault of their own), and nine years after the original surgery the only apparent solution was a colostomy. I am careful about my diet, but sometimes this ''little guy" releases gas—almost always at the worst possible times (sigh). Yes, I am lucky I am alive and I have decided I can help others through a second career in nursing (at age 60). But I am in classes with 18-20 year-old females and, well, the ostomy occasionally makes gaseous noise. Any suggestions on how to handle this?
One suggestion was an "announcement" explanation before the class (cringe). I hope you have a better idea than that!

Dear, Noisy Ostomy,

How wonderful that you're starting on such an exciting adventure—congratulations! As Miss Manners, et. al., have pointed out there are noises we acknowledge (a sneeze) and those we don't (gaseous emissions). However, as I recall the wonderful etiquette writer Letitia Baldrige also went through colon cancer surgery and wrote about being at meetings where her insides were loudly making their presence known. She thought it was best to deal with this directly and said something like (I paraphrase), "Please excuse the noises, my internal organs are rebelling after surgery, and we'll just have to live with it," putting everyone else at ease. I don't think you need to stand in front of the class and make an announcement. But if your "little guy" is acting up, you can explain, "Ah, sounds from the deep. I had colon cancer many years ago, and sometimes my body wants to let everyone in the room know about it." You will be doing your young classmates a favor by being so upfront and comfortable about some of the medical issues they will be confronting.

Crazy Weather!

Yesterday, Colorado flexed its amazing weather muscles for us and we were literally polarized for a moment in time!

We started with a partly cloudy day that lasted until mid-afternoon.

As I headed home at about 3:30, I began my journey with a wall of weather headed my way. Maybe you have seen one of these - they are pretty ominous and you are guaranteed to get wet and worry about potential damage to your car.

Then, the wind hit with gusts up to 45mph, tossing leaves and other debris around, that had quietly gathered over the past several months.

Then came the rain, then snow, and then heavy snow, then rain again.

And as I got closer to the foothills, the clouds parted and showed me a beautiful new layer of snow mingled with the pinetrees on the mountains.

All of this happened during my 30 minute commute.

I have to say, I truly love Colorado! She keeps us on our toes, constantly gives us beautiful things to look at, and makes us appreciate the warm days she bestows upon us at random times.

New Ostomate Corner

by Mark Shaffer, Metro Denver
Via Hemet-San Jacinto, CA Evansville Ostomy Newsletter

At a recent chapter meeting, a subject came up that I found intriguing. One of the participants in the rap session stated that he found himself depressed and withdrawn even though it has been a year since his surgery. He wondered how long he could expect that feeling to last and, I think, whether it would go on for the rest of his life.

Some ostomates adjust almost immediately. These folks see an ostomy as a cure for an illness that threatened their lives or restricted their activities.

Others take a few months, generally feeling better about the situation as soon as they master the fine art of pouch changing and maintenance.

For many, ostomy surgery begins a process that appears, and is, very close to the grieving process, and like any grieving process, the amount of time needed to feel emotionally whole again will vary. It took me almost two years following my surgery before I felt like I had regained my former personality and was ready to move on with my life.

So there is no magic amount of time needed to adjust to your new ostomy. Allow yourself the time you need and realize that the feelings of depression and isoation will eventually go away.

If the depression is severe, dont be afraid to seek professional help.

If your isolation is caused by a lack of confidence in your appliance, seek help from an ET nurse*.

If your appliance is working fine but you still feel separated from others, seek help from other ostomates. Go to a meeting** and meet others in the same situation.

If you dont already have one, call your local chapter*** and get an ostomy visitor who can talk to you about how they managed their post-operative emotions.

But above all, give yourself time to adjust.

* ET Nurse is an Enterostomal Therapist, or a specialist trained in the care of individuals with stomas. Also called "WOCN" or a Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurse.

** The United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA), has a WEBSITE where you can find a local chapter and their regular meeting dates and times.

*** Most local UOAA chapters offer monthly meetings, visitation programs and other support methods to local ostomates. Click HERE to find your local UOAA support group.

Buying Scrubs: A Retailers Perspective

We are into month three of selling scrubs and uniforms, and one aspect that most people dont think about is the process of selecting clothing lines to carry in our store.

While we also research, select and buy product for our medical supply side, the clothing side is much different. Manufacturer reps actually bring racks of clothes to our store and personally showcase their new lines to us. All but one person in our office is female. Put the two together and you will understand the level of excitement at this new perk!

Its almost like having a personal shopper, and who wouldnt love THAT?!

Except we dont get to keep what we buy.

After the rep finishes his showcase, we usually talk about what would work, not work, and try on a few things to see how they fit and feel. And we are at work while doing this! Are you jealous yet?

We hope that you enjoy the great "sacrifices" we make for you!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Gait/Transfer Belts

What in the heck are these things, you ask?

Well, let us tell you!

A gait or transfer belt aids in the mobility or transfer of patients. Basically, its a belt you put around a person that gives you a steady and strong grip when moving a person who needs help, or cannot move themselves.

These belts come in a variety of styles. Select cotton or nylon belts, and metal or plastic buckles. Some buckles are quick release. Other belts have handles attached to them.

Prices start at just $12.99.

To shop our full line of gait/transfer belts click HERE.

APPLES!

In honor of the fall harvest season and the abundance of MORE types of apples available to us this time of year, here is some info to tickle your brain about America's favorite fruit!

Archeologists have found evidence that humans have been enjoying apples since at least 6500 B.C. and they are thought to have originated in an area between the Caspin and Black Sea.
Planting an apple seed from a particular apple will not product a tree of that same variety. The seed is a cross of the tree the fruit was grown on and the variety that was the cross pollinator.
Apples are a member of the rose family and it takes the energy from 50 leaves to produce one apple.
Apples have five seed pockets, or carpels and each pocket contains seeds. The number of seeds per carpel is determined by the vigor and health of the plant, and also the variety.

TOP 5 APPLE PRODUCING COUNTRIES
#1 China #2 European Union #3 United States
#4 Turkey #5 Russia

TOP 5 APPLE PRODUCING STATES
#1 Washington #2 New York #3 Michigan
#4 Pennsylvania #5 California

TOP 5 VARIETIES GROWN IN THE U.S.

#1 Red Delicious
Features a deep red skin with a sweeter flavored flesh.

#2 Gala
Features medium size, yellow/bright orange-red skin & firm, juicy, fine texture, sweet & slightly tart flavor.

#3 Golden Delicious
Features golden yellow skin with firm, crisp, juicy flavorful flesh that is mild and sweet.

#4 Granny Smith
Green skin with crisp and tart flesh.

#5 Fuji
Features yellowish/green skin w/orangish/red stripes. Crisp, juicy, slightly subacid flesh, great texture.

Staying Healthy & Active as You Age

People in the U.S. are living longer than ever before. Many seniors live active and healthy lives. But there's no getting around one thing: as we age, our bodies and minds change. There are things you can do to stay healthy and active as you age.

First is eating correctly and having a balanced diet. For seniors, the benefits of healthy eating include increased mental acuteness, resistance to illness and disease, higher energy levels, a more robust immune system, faster recuperation times and better management of chronic health problems. As we age, eating well can also be key to a positive outlook and staying emotionally balanced. Eating three small meals and two snacks per day that include fruits, vegetables, calcium, grains and proteins is key. Also seniors are prone to dehydration because bodies lose some of its ability to regulate fluid levels and our sense of thirst is dulled. Also medications can affect how and what you eat. Talk to your doctor about a healthy diet that is right for you.

Keeping mind and body active, and not smoking are also important. Emotional health affects physical health and in particular, our immune system can be damaged by poor mind health. Stimulating the brain with activity (puzzle games, reading, new learning experiences, daily conversation, meeting new people) shows a positive correlation with a healthy body. Spirit-health is also important and can include religious group participation, meditation, admiring nature’s beauty and reading thoughtful books, to name a few.

Be sure to get regular checkups. If you have several doctors and ongoing medical issues, keep a medical journal in a DayTimer type book. Record appointments, medications prescribed including dose, and any diagnosis. Take this DayTimer with you so you can reference the information at each appointment. Also keep a quick reference list of all medications and dosage handy and updated. Taking charge of your healthcare is important.

Practice safety habits at home and in the car. Remove any tripping hazards and make all floors and rugs slip resistant. Have an emergency plan to call for help, including in-home emergency call systems if needed. Keep a currently tested fire extinguisher, and regularly test smoke and carbon detectors. Equip bathrooms with movement aids such as grab bars, non slipping mats and shower chairs. Use a walking cane or walker to safely move around. Make sure all stairs have secure footing and handrails. Everyone ages differently, so some can drive a car in their 80’s and beyond, while others cannot and should not. The statistics on older adults and driving is sobering. Fatalities rise sharply for drivers over 70 so know when its time to stop. With the help of friends, family, community resources and personal initiative, you can remain mobile without driving.

Sources: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/seniorshealth.html; http://helpguide.org/life/senior_nutrition.htm; http://www.seniorcitizen journal.com/health-and-fitness/annual-physical-exam-for-seniors-mind-body-spirit/; http://www.helpguide.org/elder/senior_citizen_driving.htm