Integrated Wellness

Over the past 20 years as a nurse and NP, I have had the privilege of working with some incredible nurses! Shout out to all of them this week for Nurses Week! I am proud to be a nurse and NP.

https://www.whig.com/archive/article/45-year-sentence-brings-cheers/article_5e8357dd-f1ef-56d7-91e3-85743cfb8044.html

45-year sentence brings cheers By Rodney Hart Herald-Whig Staff Writer CARTHAGE, Ill. -- Family and friends reacted in court with applause, tears and relief Tuesday when hearing the man convicted of killing Kathy Simmons

https://www.whig.com/archive/article/medical-reports-key-in-murder-trial/article_6e0432c6-44d2-5add-8429-d89469d70043.html

Medical reports key in murder trial By Rodney Hart Herald-Whig Staff Writer CARTHAGE, Ill. -- Hancock County State's Attorney Karen Andrews says medical testimony will show Kevin Simmons killed his wife 17 months ago. Defense attorney

21 years. 21 years ago today she was beaten to death & left to die in her driveway. Her body was battered with bruises, a burn, fibers from the dow rod that was used to beat her with and a liver that was almost lacerated in 2. The pathologist stated that her body looked as though it had been in a high speed car crash. She succumbed to a 25 year battle with domestic violence. He kept his promise of one day killing one of us.
I was angry today. In the last 21 years I have been able to channel that anger that I feel today into becoming a nurse, sexual assault nurse examiner & a nurse practitioner. At least half of my patients at Integrated Wellness have experienced severe abuse, clinical depression, and many with undiagnosed PTSD. I wouldn’t be half the NP that I am today if I hadn’t suffered & overcome my own trauma. And there are still days where I wonder why I survived when so many others haven’t, I really have to dig in deep & tell myself that there are more victims to help & more people that need to hear my story of survival. I still have to continue to channel that anger to keep pushing forward. Like Maya Angelou, I still have to rise.

Struggling a bit this evening after a very long day of treating patients at Integrated Wellness today. Saw multiple patients today who are fighting serious complex trauma & mental health issues. I never really asked myself why me in regards to the abuse & trauma but I do often ask myself why me in regards to surviving when so many other victims haven't, my mom included. Why did I survive? I hope, every day, to be making strides to save other victims. I have to believe that there is a reason why I made it through.

Back to back patients all day at Integrated Wellness! I am tired but feel so blessed to be able to provide such great care to the community I live in.

I had the privilege today to present on domestic violence to the Methodist college of nursing students. Teaching a whole new generation of nurses how to recognize & assist those who are being abused.

Ketamine testimonial from my patient. Please read her testimonial.

"I am a patient of Kiryns following surgery to remove a brain tumor. I received little medical aftercare for the physical, cognitive, & emotional after effects of the diagnosis & surgery. The few medications I was offered only resulted in the need for more medications to cope with the side effects of the other medications. I was treated as a "drug seeker" when I complained of severe headaches after the craniotomy. I was told obesity was my problem after a year of their medication led to weight gain. I was told I was mentally ill and should to to a psychiatrist by my neurologist when I became tearful. I was told my symptoms weren't related to the surgery. After 12 months post surgery I was not at all where I had hoped and wished I would be post tumor removal. After discussing my list of symptoms, chronic headaches and other side effects with Kiryn she suggested Ketamine lozenges (called troches). I was skeptical but was willing to give it a try. I can now say after a year of using the lozenges, Ketamine has given me my life back. I have no increased tolerance, I don't get high from it, and some days I have to remind myself to take it. It has helped change my outlook. My pain is greatly reduced, my moods are improved & more stable. I do still have mild cognitive deficits and facial numbness but I look forward to living life again. I was able to stop 3 other medications that were causing awful side effects. I am grateful to Kiryn for her care and compassion when I was ready to give up!"

Watch Spotlight to corroborate this picture. Horrific amount of child sexual abuse at the hands of priests, people who were trusted. We will never know the full extent of the abuse. How many families & communities the Catholic church has destroyed?

Let's talk about the benefits of Ketamine! I am one of the very few in Peoria who prescribes Ketamine & have over 3 years of experience in prescribing which is more experience than most local providers.

It works directly on the brain to block the NMDA receptor signals, allowing the brain to create new pathways and synapses, which can aid the healing of past injury or illness.
It blocks glutamate, which is important for your memory and emotions, allowing you to feel calm and forget the moments before or after surgery.
In higher doses, ketamine can work on opioid receptors, which can help reduce pain sensations.
Ketamine can help increase the amount of gamma-aminobutyric acid A (GABA) in the brain.
Ketamine can be used to help treat a variety of mental health conditions, including treatment-resistant depression/major depression, anxiety, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), bipolar disorder, and certain addictions/substance use disorders

If you call to make an appt in January, take $50 off of the new patient fee

Come see me to balance hormones, optimize vitamin levels, review thyroid function! Let me help you be the happiest & healthiest person you can be!

Working on setting up appts with the local pain clinics & mental health offices to discuss the use of ketamine therapy for treatment of chronic pain, migraines, PTSD, & depression! This is an incredible drug that has helped so many of my patients have a much better quality of life! Contact me for questions!

Luciano: After traumatic childhood, abuse survivor boldly pushes for awareness Where others have blinders, Kiryn Evans keenly sees abuse lurking in society’s shadows. She knows that truth, because she endured it, every piercing and painful touch, threat and blow. Yet in an ag…

October is National Domestic Violence Month. In March of 2003, my mother lost her 25 plus year battle with domestic violence & died at OSF after being life flighted from Carthage. That was her last beating. Although her death didn't surprise me, it was still terrible to reconcile. The next few years of my life were painful & traumatic.
I have dedicated my personal & professional life to helping women identify, understand & survive their trauma. We discuss what that kind of violence & degradation does to their brains & bodies. We discuss how to survive & then thrive! I teach them to use their voices & to never be silent again!

It is a fight that I will never stop.

Luciano: After traumatic childhood, abuse survivor boldly pushes for awareness Where others have blinders, Kiryn Evans keenly sees abuse lurking in society’s shadows. She knows that truth, because she endured it, every piercing and painful touch, threat and blow. Yet in an ag…

Did you know that statins (medications for high cholesterol) can cause diabetes? Make an appt with me to discuss your risks, lab work & natural ways to avoid statins & diabetes!

"A wealth of evidence has established that cholesterol-lowering statin drugs, widely used for the prevention of cardiovascular disease, do increase the risk of new-onset diabetes, possibly by impairing pancreatic beta cell function and decreasing peripheral insulin sensitivity. Groups at particular risk include the elderly, women, and Asians. The diabetogenic effect of statins appear directly related to statin dose and the degree of attained cholesterol lowering. Statins can cause hyperinsulinemia even in the absence of hyperglycemia and the potential mitogenic effects and implications of prolonged hyperinsulinemia are discussed"

Do you or a loved one take benzodiazepines (Ativan, Xanax, or Klonopin) as needed or regularly? Has your provider told you that there is a 50% increased risk of dementia with this class of drugs? Come see me for natural & safe options for anxiety!

Anti-psychotic use associated with an increased risk of breast cancer

Antipsychotic Use Associated With Elevated Risk of Breast Cancer - Neuroscience News Study reveals a moderate link between antipsychotic use and an increased risk of developing breast cancer.

I am excited to announce the first Annual Own Your Strength Survivor Photoshoot sponsored by my office Integrated Wellness! This is an opportunity for survivors of domestic violence, sexual abuse or assault, emotional abuse & drug abuse/alcoholism to have a 20 minute photoshoot to empower them in their healing process. This is part of my ongoing commitment to help victims heal, survive & thrive! Please PM me with interest or to get more info. I have 14 spots available. The shoot will take place August 28th at the ICC Horticulture Center in East Peoria. I have 2 photographers lined up & I will be there supporting the participants.

This is a response that I got from a patient when I said I was sorry for feeling like I wasnt able to help them. There are times that I feel like a failure when I don't have the answer & that is because I care so much about my patients.

"Oh you did.
#1 you listened
#2 you were not so arrogant to not admit that even though you know your job well you can't know everything about every illness and don't pretend to.
#3 you said "how can I help?" You did not gaslight.
#4 you helped us get MM cards
#5 you helped get FMLA
#6 you put in a referral
#7 you gave us a good list of supplements and suggested meditation. "

What a beautiful response.