<hdr30>Health
<lst>The United Ostomy Association, Inc., Northern Virginia Chapter, will host its monthly support group meeting on Sunday, Nov. 3, at Inova Fairfax Hospital, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church, Conference rooms D-E-F (above Skylight Cafe.) Refreshments: 1:30 p.m. Meeting: 2-3:30 p.m. Attorney Francis X. Lillis will discuss "Estate Planning Tools": Wills, living trusts, life insurance trusts, durable power of attorney, probate in Virginia. All are welcome to attend, need not be a member. No admission fee. Free parking in Blue garage. For information, call 703-802-3457.
The National Capital chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society will host an education night on keeping fit with Multiple Sclerosis, featuring guest speaker Jinny Brow on Tuesday, Oct. 22. Brow will discuss stretching and exercises fit for people with multiple sclerosis and lead audience participants. The session is free and will be from 7:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. at the INOVA Fairfax Hospital, 3300 Gallows Road. Contact 202-296- 9891 to register.
Schedule a home safety survey to spot any fire or life safety hazards. The life safety education officer or a City of Fairfax fire inspector will perform a home walk-through to inspect all smoke detectors, review fire escape plans, check to see that all emergency numbers are posted, scan for other safety hazards and make suggestions to remedy any problems. Call Lt. John Henderson at 703-273-8109 to make an appointment.
Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children is sponsoring a free seminar for parents in honor of Child Health Month. "Brain Smart," for parents of infants, toddlers and young school-age children take place on Oct. 23 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The seminar will meet at the Physicians Conference Center at Inova Fairfax Hospital, 3300 Gallows Road in Falls Church.
The instructors at Orchid Pagoda are donating resources and time to raise funds for Dr. Susan Love's Breast Cancer Foundation in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. From Oct. 20 - 26, Orchid Pagoda will be offering $50 personal-training one-hour sessions on the equipment. All contributions will be sent to the Foundation. Try the Pilates and/or Gyrotonic equipment or fit in an extra lesson with the proceeds going to a small group that directly funds research. Checks should be made out directly to Susan Love, M.D. Breast Cancer Foundation. The Foundation is a 501(c)3 so the contribution is tax deductible as well. Orchid Pagoda is located at 8626 Lee Highway, Suite 200 in Fairfax. For more information, call 703-207-9120.
Inova Fairfax Hospital is sponsoring a children's poster contest with the theme, "Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children Caring for Kids." The contest is open to all children, including high school students. Contact 703 204- 6551 for an entry form.
La Leche league of Burke will meet on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 9:30 a.m. at Burke Presbyterian Church. This breastfeeding support group offers help and support to mothers who are currently breastfeeding a child or are planning to breastfeed. Expectant and new mothers are encouraged to attend this free meeting and babies are welcome. The topic will be "The Art of Breastfeeding and avoiding difficulties." Contact Leslie at 703-256-2854.
Hypnosis Screenings will be offered from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. on the following Mondays: Oct. 21 and 28; Nov. 4, 18 and 25. Screenings will also be offered at the same time on the following Wednesdays: Oct. 23 and 30; Nov. 6, 13 and 20. Hypnosis video included. Free. Register with Positive Changes, 4244 Chain Bridge Road in Fairfax. 703-352-5042.
Nutrition Classes, 7- 8:30 p.m. Come see how hypnosis can help a person lose weight easily and permanently. Positive Changes Hypnosis hosts informative nutrition classes on the following Thursdays: Oct. 24 and 31; Nov. 7, 14 and 21. $15. Register with Positive Changes, 4244 Chain Bridge Road in Fairfax. 703-352-5042.
"Gentle Yoga," a four-week course of movement and meditation taught by Ishwari Leifert, certified Hatha Yoga instructor, will take place Oct. 17, 24, and 31, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Life with Cancer Family Center. For friends, family members and anyone in treatment or remission, regardless of where treatment received. Early registration requested. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
"Advanced Relaxation and Imagery Techniques," an opportunity to keep up the skills learned in previous "Life with Cancer" relaxation and imagery classes, convenes Oct. 28, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Life with Cancer Family Center. For anyone in treatment, remission, or friends and family. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org for more information.
"Writing to Wellness: One Monday a Month." Georgia Robertson, Ph.D., counselor and certified poetry therapist, facilitates this writing and discussion session to help those treated for cancer or in remission and their friends and family. Oct. 28, 7:15-8:45 p.m. at the Life with Cancer Family Center. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org to register.
"Good Grief" for teens, 13-18 years old, a "Life with Cancer" program. New members are welcome to this group that began Sept. 16. Through group activities and art therapy, teens can share their loss to help with the grieving process. Oct. 21, 28 and Nov. 4, 7:15-8:15 p.m. at the Life with Cancer Family Center. Call Jenny Eckert at 703-208-5623 for information and registration.
Seminars for Survivors: Sexuality and Cancer. Cancer treatments and drugs can have an effect on the body, sexual health and intimacy. Learn what possibilities and resources exist to address those challenges. Oct. 17, 7:15-9 p.m. at the Life with Cancer Family Center. Registration requested by Oct. 14. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org to register.
Lymphedema Group Meeting. Educational support group meeting for patients with hereditary or secondary lymphedema, resulting from surgery, radiation, or trauma to lymphatic system. Meets Wednesday, Oct. 23, 7-8:30 p.m. at the Life with Cancer Family Center. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org for more information.
Perspectives on End of Life Care. Robin Merlino, M.D., addresses topics related to optimum end of life care including comfort measures, artificial nutrition and hydration, "Do Not Resuscitate" orders, advanced directives, etc. Saundra Welles, MSW, Hospice of Northern Virginia, will provide an overview of the role and services of Hospice. Oct. 23, 7:15-9 p.m. at the Life with Cancer Family Center. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org to register.
Carcinoid Cancer Group. Opportunity for carcinoid cancer patients and their adult family members and friends to meet others with the same diagnosis to share experiences and information. Oct. 19, 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. at the Life with Cancer Family Center. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org for more information.
Colorectal Cancer Group. Meet others affected by colorectal cancer to address issues and concerns of patients and survivors, caregivers and friends. Oct. 17, 4:30- 6 p.m. at the Life with Cancer Family Center. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org for more information.
Caregivers Meeting, a weekly meeting group for family members to discuss and explore topics of concern including coping strategies, support, information on treatment and more. Oct. 23 and 30, 7-8 p.m. at the Inova Fairfax Hospital Cancer Center. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org for more information.
General Cancer Support Group, Oct. 22, 7-8:30 p.m. at the Inova Fairfax Cancer Program. Drop in on this discussion and support group for cancer survivors and family members. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org for more information.
New Mom's Group meets at Inova Fairfax Hospital Women's Center, 7 South Dayroom, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church. New mom and baby topics and concerns, including breast-feeding. Experienced maternal-infant nurse/lactation consultant facilitates the group discussions. Weekly prize drawing. Complimentary parking, baby weight check, refreshments and resource information. Ongoing, Thursdays 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. For the convenience of new moms, no pre-registration needed. $5/session. Call 703-204-6455.
Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Groups. Facilitated by trained group leaders, ongoing, free and open to the community. For schedules, call 1-866-259-0042.
Burke/Springfield/Fairfax Compassionate Friends Support Group offers friendship and understanding to families grieving the death of a child. The support group meets monthly at St. Mary of Sorrows Catholic Church, 5222 Sideburn Road, Fairfax, at 7:30 p.m. Call 703-425-9504.
Birth Mother’s Support Group meets weekly in Northern Virginia. It is for any woman who has ever placed a child in adoption and would like to meet with others who have done the same. The group will be led by a licensed clinical social worker and a national certified counselor. Call Pat Cunningham or Stephanie Hayden at Catholic Charities at 703-425-0100. A modest fee is charged based on income.
Social Skills Group for children who have difficulty in social situations will meet at the Jewish Social Service Agency, 3018 Javier Road, second floor, Fairfax. In small, age-appropriate groups, children can learn and practice appropriate behaviors, such as initiating and maintaining conversation, listening, sharing, problem solving, self-control, handling teasing, dealing with emotions and making friends. Call 703-204-9100 for dates and times. $55/65 a session, may be insurance-reimbursable.
Girl Talk: A Safe Group for Girls in grades six-eight will meet at the Jewish Social Service Agency, 3018 Javier Road, second floor, Fairfax, on Mondays through Nov. 4, 6-8 p.m. Girls discuss peers, changes, self-image, etc., and find healthy ways to express themselves through art, writing and other forms of creativity. $125.