In his own words: A story of dramatic transformation
Transcription
In his own words: A story of dramatic transformation
AUGUST 29, 2014 | VOLUME 14 | ISSUE 35 Volunteer opportunities In his own words: A story of dramatic transformation By Marty Pohlmeier After months of contemplation and research, I decided on the OPTIFAST® program at Mercy Weight Loss & Nutrition Center in Clive. I had heard success stories about “shakes” before and knew it would be the best program for me. Immediately I was struck by how sensitive and compassionate the staff members at Mercy were in treating their patients. When you are obese, you live in perpetual fear of being embarrassed in public, but they made it clear to me that I would be treated with the utmost dignity and respect. Mercy is an exceptional ambassador for OPTIFAST®. On Feb. 10, 2012, I weighed in at 565 pounds. I spent 12 weeks on 100 percent OPTIFAST® 18th Annual Beaverdale BeaverDash Saturday, Sept. 20 Help support families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy on Saturday, Sept. 20! Volunteers are needed from 7:30-9:30 a.m. to direct participants and traffic, assist with timing, assist at water stations, and coordinate the “Beavertrot.” Contact Melinda Davis at [email protected] for more details or to volunteer. I have been overweight most of my life. I’ve tried to lose weight with different programs and had varying levels of success, but always put the weight back on and then some. In November 2011, I found myself – at age 39 – weighing over 500 pounds. That same month, my older and healthier brother had to have bypass surgery on his heart. It was the wakeup call that forced me to take a hard look at my own future. With a family history of heart disease and stroke staring me in the face, I realized I needed to improve my health, or expect to be dead by age 50. My quality of life was very poor. I couldn’t walk for more than a few seconds before feeling out of breath and every one of my joints ached. I was struggling with my job performance and slipping a little more each day. Probably worst of all, I could see concern on the faces of everyone I met. Discouraged by my past failures, I decided to join a medically supervised weight loss program. With such a program, I could have the support of a community who would be as invested in the outcome as I was, along with guidance from professionals, friends and family to keep me on track. Volunteers are needed for the following upcoming events: 2014 IMT Des Moines Marathon Sunday, Oct. 19 Marty Pohlmeier said he would never have had the courage to meet with singer Alice Cooper, who recently visited Iowa, prior to losing more than 300 pounds. He thanks the Mercy Weight Loss and Nutriition Center and OPTIFAST® in large part for his success. product and another six weeks transitioning back to regular food. After 18 weeks, I had lost 154.5 pounds. I continued to attend weekly support meetings and drew great strength from the community there. A little over a year later, I could proudly say I had lost 310.5 pounds. My life has been completely transformed by my weight loss and OPTIFAST®. When you are obese, you live your life in constant shame and disappointment at the things you can’t do. Now I find myself overwhelmed by all of the options available to me. I look forward to exercising every day and am able to spend time with family and friends in ways I never could before. I’ve even flown to visit a friend that lives out of state! I want to thank Mercy and OPTIFAST®. All of the doors that were previously closed to me are now wide open. Mercy Medical Center has been named the official provider of sports medicine services for the 2014 IMT Des Moines Marathon, providing medical services at five locations on the marathon and half-marathon courses. These services will be supported by Mercy EMS with paramedics on-site to assist with runners’ needs. The medical committee is looking for assistance with staffing the aid stations on the course. Each volunteer will be asked to work at least one, four-hour shift supporting the medical effort. Each participant should have current CPR and some first aid experience. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Rich Green at 6439250 or email at Rgreen@ mercydesmoines.org. Mercy West Pharmacy in Clive remodels Mercy Cancer Center needs your vote to benefit the Community Healing Garden You can help Mercy Cancer Center win $7,500 to benefit its Community Healing Garden by voting in Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s 75th anniversary celebration contest. Ten communitydriven health projects in Iowa and South Dakota that receive the most public votes will be in the running to receive these awards. Mercy West Pharmacy recently completed a remolding project which has allowed them to increase their medication inventory and serve patients more efficiently. During construction, the pharmacy relocated to the 2nd floor to continue to serve their customers. The renovation took six weeks and was finished in mid July. Shown here (l-r) are: Jennifer Parsch, CPhT; Shelley Welsh, RPh, supervisor; Alex Klise, RPh; and Christa Michelson, RPh. Congratulations to . . . Sayeed Ahmed, 5 South, and Sadia Afrin, on the birth of their daughter, Samreen Ahmed. Samreen was born on July 15, and is the couple’s first child. Katie Fischels, Mercy East Clinic, and Adam, on the birth of their son, Oscar Patrick. Oscar was born on July 17, and was welcomed home by Nicholas, 6, and Lilly, 3. Reagan Barry, Mercy East Clinic, and Ben, on the birth of their daughter, Claire Marie. Claire was born on July 30, and was welcomed home by Jackson, 9, Abby, 7, Quinn, 4, and Sullivan, 2. Amanda Luna, Mercy Clinical Laboratory, and Tony, on the birth of their son, Bronx Antonio-Zeppelin. Bronx was born on July 31, and was welcomed home by Paizlee, 4. Joe McGargill, Mercy East Family Medicine, and Jill, on the birth of their daughter, Lydia Marie. Lydia was born on July 31, and was welcomed home by Hannah, 6, Josiah, 4, and Eli, 1. Megan Fries, 8 South, and Jesse, on the birth of their son, Lincoln Alan. Lincoln was born on Aug. 1, and is the couple’s first child. Megan Schultz, PACU, on the birth of her daughter, Molly Faye. Molly was born on Aug. 4, and was welcomed home by McKenna, 9. Kelcee Hawbaker, Mercy West Lakes 4th Floor, and Matthew, on the birth of their daughter Zoey Jae. Zoey was born on Aug. 5, and was welcomed home by Owen, 2. Angie Maytag, 9 North, and Steven, on the birth of their daughter, Maylan. Maylan was born on Aug. 6, and is the couple’s first child. Allison Moses, 7 North, and Brian, on the birth of their son, Braxton James. Braxton was born on Aug. 8, and is the couple’s first child. Maggie Siegel, Emergency Department, and Jesse, on the birth of their son, Jaxton James. Jaxton was born on Aug. 14, and is the couple’s first child. In sympathy to . . . Deb Bagnall, Medical Education & Research, on the death of her grandmother. Julia Coash, Financial Operations, on the death of her sister. Please go to www.wellmark.com/75 where you will find the “Vote for Your Favorite” icon and cast your vote! Voting will take place starting Wednesday, Aug. 20-Sunday, Sept. 7. You can vote one time per day per computer ISP address. The Community Healing Garden at Mercy Cancer Center is located on its West Lakes campus. The garden is designed to provide free, fresh, organic produce to patients, as well as provide them and their loved ones with a tranquil place to escape from the rigors of cancer treatments. If you would like to learn more about the Community Healing Garden, please contact Mercy Cancer Center dietitian Barb Wisnieski at (515) 358-9702. Please vote! www.wellmark.com/75 The Bulletin is published weekly for employees and friends of Mercy Medical Center, 1111 6th Ave., Des Moines, Iowa 50314-2611. EDITORIAL STAFF Lisa Jones......................................... Editor Mark Baldwin. . ............................ Contributor Amy Bentz. . ................................ Contributor Heidi Feltz.................................. Contributor Allison Hay................................. Contributor Gregg Lagan............................... Contributor Matthew Meyer. . ......................... Contributor Sarah Todd.................................. Contributor Laura Vanden Bosch......................... Director Beth Pargulski.................... Graphic Designer If you are interested in submitting information to be printed in the Bulletin, send it to PR and Marketing or call 515-247-3050.
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