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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 18, 2021)
Editor’s Note: Community Voices is a monthly feature in the Siuslaw News. It consists of viewpoints from people in the Siuslaw region. Siuslaw News welcomes these opinions as part of its goal to encour- age community discussion and exchange of perspectives, but they should not be inter- preted as the views of the News or its staff. SIUSLAW NEWS | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2021 | 9A Community Voices Us TOO Florence — My Prostate Cancer Journey Continues ... By Bob Horney Prostate Cancer Survivor Us Too Chapter Leader Special to Siuslaw News N ow that I have my 15 BOTOX injections working on relaxing my bladder muscles, I want to take this opportunity to remind everyone that Sep- tember is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. This “awareness” is es- pecially critical during our current COVID-19 pandemic. As quoted in Men’s Health Network, the American Cancer Society predicts that 248,530 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2021 and 34,130 men will die from the disease — a sharp increase from 2020 levels of approximately 192,000 new cases and 33,330 deaths. Dr. David Samadi, chair- man of urology, chief of robotic surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital and Direc- tor of Men’s Health at St. Francis Hospital, Roslyn, N.Y., makes the following observation: “As a result of COVID, over the course of the last year and a half to two years, people have not been going to their screen- ings and they have not been checking their PSAs. As a result, we’re starting to see very aggressive prostate cancers.” According to Neal Shore, MD, FACS/Med- ical Director, Carolina Urologic Research Center, “Last year, we saw many patients deciding to either reschedule or completely forgo preventative care in our office to avoid the risk of COVID-19 infection. There was also a notice- able decline in the number of prostate cancer screens we conducted which, as a physician treating men with this cancer on a daily basis, makes me concerned that prostate cancer may not be detected in its ear- lier stages when outcomes are typically better for the patient. While my goal is to detect prostate cancer as early as possible, this does not always happen, partic- ularly with ongoing con- cerns around COVID-19 delaying periodic check- ups.” Locally at Oregon Urol- ogy Institute, Urologist Dr. Bryan Mehlhaff reports that they continually reach out to men in an attempt to keep them on a regular screening schedule. Even with this extra effort on OUI’s part, there are still some men who are re- luctant to keep up their screening. Urologists find that utilizing telemedicine does help. However, they still have too many men showing up with meta- static prostate cancer who were not screened. That really complicates an al- ready complicated situa- tion. Dr. Mehlhaff reports that surgeries are exces- sively backed up to the point where they have to prioritize whose cancer is the worst (most in need of treatment). Urologist Herbert Ruck- le, MD, Chair of Loma Linda University Health’s Urology Department, looks at how pandemic habits may contribute to increased risk. “Since the pandemic, we have seen an increase of bad habits among pa- tients who are coping with the pandemic, which can contribute to an increased risk of prostate cancer and the success of a can- cer treatment plan. These play a major role in reduc- ing one’s risk of prostate cancer and are especially important during the pan- demic when the reluctance of screening is increasing.” Dr. Ruckle’s increased risk factors include the fol- lowing: 1. Putting off Health- care: Ruckle says prostate cancer is far too common to ignore — yet some men are unwilling to get checked, especially during the pandemic. “It is im- portant for men and the influential women in their lives to understand how crucial getting tested is, even during a pandemic.” 2. Belly fat: “Because of the pandemic, we are see- ing a surge in weight gain from patients reporting a change in lifestyle: lack of exercise and poor diet choices.” He says studies show if your belly circum- ference measures greater than 36 inches, you are at greater risk. 3. Smoking: Some have turned to smoking as a coping mechanism or have upped their smoking due to the stress, boredom and loneliness of the pandemic. Ruckle says you are more likely to have an aggressive form of prostate cancer if you smoke. “Smoking can dictate the level of prostate cancer one will have or does have and our ability to fight it,” he says. Us TOO Florence will eventually resume twice-a- month meetings with urol- ogists Dr. Bryan Mehlhaff and Dr. Roger McKimmy. That announcement will appear in the Siuslaw News — just a question of when. Certainly not before it is safe for all involved! Closing The Loop — Microfibers & Fast Fashion: How Clothing Affects our Planet By Britte Kirsch our waterways or re-enter quality is compromised, as tion. Disposability must demand better clothing consumers is important. Lane County Master Recycler Let’s take a look at micro- the environment on land well as the working condi- end. An estimated 50% design, collection and re- Special to Siuslaw News technology. tions (80% of workforce is of fast fashion items are processing fibers first. They are creat- as sludge. Not that we need to cre- ate anymore “eco-anxiety” in our life, but did you know that the clothes we buy, what they are made of and how we wash them harms our environment? The fashion and textile industries are the most polluting industries in the world. Producing huge amounts of carbon emis- sions, creating textiles that have microfibers which end up in our waterways and the over-production of synthetic clothing end- ing up in landfills or being burnt. All aspects of these highly regarded industries point to environmental disaster, so our role as ed- ucated and conscientious ed from the breakdown of synthetic fibers in clothing made from things like ny- lon, rayon, polyester and acrylic. The production of these fabrics, which are of- ten derived from oil-based plastic pellets being spun into threads, emits two to three times more carbon emissions than cotton. Ev- ery time a piece of clothing made from these materials goes through the wash and spin cycle, it sheds a large number of plastic fibers, which end up in waste- water treatment plants (WWTP). And while these WWTPs do a good job of removing the fibers from the water, a significant amount are still released in Ultimately, aquatic and terrestrial organisms, that are part of the food chain, are impacted by these mi- crofibers, resulting in di- gestive and reproductive disorders. These micro- fibers have been found in marine species consumed by humans. “Fast fashion” is a term used to describe cheap, trendy disposable clothes. They come at a low price at the check out, but a high price for the environment. It starts with the produc- tion of these clothes and the amount of water and chemicals used to pro- cess these materials. These products are typically made in poorer countries where the water supply and made up of women) and the environmental gover- nance (lack of regulation). The good news is re- search shows that 88% of consumers want clothing brands to be more envi- ronmentally friendly and nearly 50% of fast fashion retailers have seen a de- crease in customer pur- chases. There has also been an increase in pre-owned clothing sales. Innovative and resourceful clothing brands have a huge po- tential to unleash positive impacts on consumer be- havior. So how can we help clean up the fashion in- dustry? — Reduce consump- discarded within a year of purchase. When you do shop for clothes, try thrift stores. They have some amazing treasures! — When buying clothes, choose natural fibers — eco and organic fabrics biodegrade naturally over time. Buy less but better. — Wash your clothes less, in cold water, and re- duce the time of the spin cycle. Less friction and heat means less fibers are weakened. Also, air dry synthetic fabrics since they dry faster anyway. — Stop financing “bad” fashion. Let clothing man- ufacturers know you sup- port better environmen- tal, social and economic choices. And we need to Think innovation and re- purpose! For more information about the fast fashion in- dustry, visit thevou.com/ fashion/fast-fashion/. Interesting facts about microfibers can be found at www.storyofstuff.org/ movies/story-of/ Learn more about the vital role individual ac- tions make in achieving sustainable communities at www.goodlifegoals.org. Got ideas for future articles? Need more in- formation about closing the loop? Have questions about your recycling ef- forts? Please contact me at britte.kirsch@gmail.com or visit Waste Wise Lane County. Moral of the Story — Touched By a Moment By Karen D. Nichols Author and Artist Special to Siuslaw News A t a recent celebration of life for a friend, I listened to children re- member their father. No one knows what it’s like when a parent dies un- til it happens. No matter their age or their degree of pain and suffering, heart- ache rolls in like a dump truck load of stones, leav- ing a hole so deep it seems bottomless. So, it was with my father’s death. Years passed before I could smile at the wonderful memories without tears. Twelve years later, Mom passed away, leaving the same bleak loss. Funeral plans had been made years before their deaths, eliminating that stress. The funeral day dawned in warm sunshine. For 40 years, Mom had been the musician for Eastern Star. The Star ladies came in to give a eulogy and perform their sentimental ceremo- ny. My brother, Calvin, a minister, came from Mary- land. He spoke eloquently with anecdotes about this amazing woman. He said all the things my breaking heart and swollen throat would not allow to me say. My daughter-in-law began singing “Amazing Grace,” my mom’s favorite. Her voice cracked, but then she continued with a beau- tiful rendition. Tears rolled down my cheeks. We accompanied Mom’s body to Rose Hills without an entourage. The gravesite overlooked groves of trees and a rolling expanse of emerald grass leading to a tranquil pond. The peace- fulness of her resting spot did little to ease my spirits, nor did knowing that she would lie beside her hus- band for the rest of time. When they lowered the casket, it felt as though my heart would beat out of my chest. I dropped in a hand- ful of dirt and listened to it ping on the shiny blue cas- ket. I felt the tears well in my eyes. My chest heaved. For some reason, I knelt by my father’s grave and put both hands on the carved granite marker chis- eled with, “Frank Emerson Householder, beloved hus- band and father, 1903 – 1986.” Calvin said, “Stay there a moment. I’ll take a photo.” He picked up his camera and aimed. I sat very still for a mo- ment while Calvin tried to make his camera work, but he had no film. Instead of moving, I felt like my hands froze palms down to the stone. A chill ran up my neck. My eyes opened wide. A brilliant light burst forth. As my focus adjusted, I saw my dad and mom so clearly, as though I could reach out and touch them. Dad’s arm circled Mom’s shoulder. He looked lovingly at her and then toward me. “Don’t worry, Sugar. Your mom’s with me now.” I hadn’t heard my dad call me Sugar since I was a child. At that moment, I was touched by God. The most glorious feel- ing glowed from my heart spreading throughout my body. The huge weight of pain and loss dissolved like a fleeting vapor. I smiled as I reached toward the bril- liant image of my parents. Then it vanished, fading to the vista of the cemetery. Astoundingly, I felt as if I had breathed in the light. Had the camera func- tioned, would there have been proof of my vision? While I would miss my mother profoundly, my tears disappeared. Imme- diately, I found solace and joy in all the memories and all the lessons taught by my loving mother and father. Those lay like an arm around my shoulder, waiting to say, “Be nice. Don’t forget your sweater. Pick up after yourself. Re- member the sausage in the meatballs. Say you’re sor- ry. Turn out the lights. Say thank you. ” Their light will never burn out as long as I live. “Thank you, God.” Moral of the Story: Let His light shine in. Pastor’s Corner — Some Thoughts on Prayer By Diana Rushlow Associate Pastor of Florence Church of the Nazarene Special to Siuslaw News Eagles have always been a fascination to me. There is a story I’ve heard about how an eagle never takes a snake on the ground. An eagle always tears into the reptile with its talons and flies it into the sky. The eagle seems to have been created with that innate sense of know- ing that by flinging the snake into the air, that the snake has no strength or power. Dashed upon the rocks, the snake becomes food for the eagle. The eagle achieved victory by changing the battlefield. What is the lesson for us? “The battle is not ours; it’s the Lord’s.” We change the battle- field by taking the battle “to the air” in prayer. How often we fail to see this! We take it upon ourselves to “fight” the battles we face daily, rather than “praying first” (taking the battle “to the air” in prayer)/ In his song “Battle Be- longs,” Phil Wickham sings: “When all I see is the battle, You see my victory. When all I see is the mountain, You see a mountain moved. And as I walk through the shad- ow, Your love surrounds me. There’s nothing to fear now for I am safe with You. So when I fight, I’ll fight on my knees, with my hands lifted high. O God, the battle belongs to You. And every fear I lay at Your feet. I’ll sing through the night: O God, the bat- tle belongs to You.” God has promised in His Word that we are not left alone to fight our bat- tles. We are told to stand firm. We are told to see the salvation of the Lord. “You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.” — II Chronicles 20:17 ESV. We are fighting FROM victory, not FOR victory. Our victory is in Him! He accomplished the ultimate victory over sin and death through His death and res- urrection! Join me in fighting on our knees. Pray first. Stop fighting the battle on your own strength. Change the battlefield. Pray empath- ically — intentionally — persistently. Prayer: Lord, You have told us that You, the Lord of Armies, fight our bat- tles. Thank You for re- minders that You never in- tended us to walk through this world on our own, but to rely upon You for wis- dom, strength, grace, and power to stand firm on Truth. Our trust and hope is in You in whom we have our salvation and victory. Thank You. Six local pastors will be participating in the Pas- tor’s Corner. Look for oth- er Florence-area church leadership in future edi- tions of Siuslaw News’ Community Voices.
