October 4, 2019 by Karen Pischke BSN, RN

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Special Discounts and Stories of Survivors

Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment Saves Lives!

Talk to your doctor about screening for breast cancer and for other medical advice.

Stories from Survivors and More Information on Breast Cancer:

Breast Cancer Affects Men and Women. Beyonce’s father Mathew Knowles opens up about his breast cancer diagnosis on Good Morning America.

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May 26, 2019 by Karen Pischke BSN, RN

Home of the Free, Because of the Brave

~ Remembering those we have loved and lost, with gratitude. ~

Dreamtime Wellness™ Offers Discounted Sessions for Stress and Pain Management to Veterans and Emergency Responders, who bravely assist others every day.

~ We Thank You for Your Service. ~

Photos for Inspiration and Meditation – Available in various sizes and media, framed or unframed and as PhotoArt Cards at the Bookstore of Gloucester, 61 Main Street. Gloucester MA. COMING SOON to Cape Ann Giclee On-Line Shop.

Enjoy a Healthy and Safe Memorial Weekend.

~ From Dreamtime Wellness™

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October 30, 2018 by Karen Pischke BSN, RN

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Special Discounts and Stories of Survivors

Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment Saves Lives!

Here are Stories from Survivors and More Information on Breast Cancer –

Talk to your doctor about screening for breast cancer.

Discounted Sessions (hypnosis, meditation, reiki) Offered During the Month of October and November, for anyone in treatment for Breast Cancer. Take part in this special savings through tomorrow!

Discounted Sessions Offered during the Month of November, for any Veteran or Member of the Armed Services in treatment for any cancer diagnosis.

Gift Certificates can also be purchased at discounted prices.

Contact Us for Information and to Register – info@dreamtimewellness.com. 978-283-4258

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Mind, Body and Spirit

Karen Pischke BSN, RN, Alumnus CCRN, Author, Speaker, Nurse Researcher, Photographer. Certified Hypnotherapist, Tobacco Treatment Specialist, Usui Reiki Teacher/Komyo Shihan. Owner/Founder of Dreamtime Wellness LLC. Your Bridge to Health. Promoting Optimal Wellness for Mind, Body and Spirit. Karen is a registered nurse with a background in critical care nursing, cardiac rehabilitation, cardiac risk factor reduction, wellness and integrative healthcare. Incorporating a collaborative, integrative approach, Karen strives to educate and provide evidence-based services and self-care tools that are safe as well as effective at improving health, happiness and wellbeing. www.DreamtimeWellness.com. Find us on Instagram and Facebook.

Disclaimer: This blog provides general information and discussion about health and related subjects. The words and other content provided in this blog, and in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. If the reader or any other person has a medical concern, he or she should consult with an appropriately licensed physician or other health care worker. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. The views expressed on this blog and website have no relation to those of any academic, hospital, practice or other institution with which the authors are affiliated.

November 11, 2017 by Karen Pischke BSN, RN

Reiki for Veterans: Healing the Wounds of War

Photo © Jay Alpert. Reprinted with permission.

Thank You for Your Service!

Dreamtime Wellnesses™ is ‘Giving Back’ to Veterans throughout the month of November.

A Chance Meeting With a Word War II Veteran – A couple of days ago, I rode the elevator at the medical building where I have an office. A man riding the elevator with me mentioned, “I don’t care much for elevators.” Since I work with people in my professional practice to help them overcome fear including ‘fear of elevators,’ his mentioning this led to a conversation we may not otherwise have had.

Turned out Jack, (not his real name) is also afraid of other closed-in spaces, crowds, and fireworks that he related began while on active duty. I asked ‘Which war did you serve in?’ and was shocked to hear “World War 2.” He looked much younger than his stated age of “92.”

We spent the next twenty minutes in the freezing cold as Jack shared his experiences, then and now. Jack said, “four soldiers were from one street in Peabody. I was the only one that made it home.” Jack kept apologizing for “taking up my time.” What he didn’t know is that I so loved talking to him and could have spent hours listening to his story.

Back then, the veterans of WWII and even Korean and Vietnam Wars had little support for what is now diagnosed as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD.) Most of the returning soldiers never spoke about their experiences, not even with their families.

Remembering My Uncles That Served in WWII.

My Four Uncles Serving in World War II – Four out of my eight uncles saw combat in World War 2. My cousin Cindy recently gifted me a beautiful book (*excerpts from her book) about our family’s WWII history, for which am most grateful.

Cindy’s father (Uncle Mike) was on the European front. My other three uncles from our mother’s side all saw combat in the Pacific. “They all participated in key battles in the war and were awarded numerous wards for their participation and bravery.”(*) Cindy had two other uncles on her father’s side that served, ‘Babe’ and Anthony who were also on the European front. All of our relatives survived the war.

Uncle Warren – Warren was our remaining WWII family survivor, until this past January when he died at the age of 96. He started off in the Navy but was transferred to the Marines as a Corpsmen. “Warren saw about 25 days of constant battle on Iwo Jima.” (*)

Soft-spoken and mild-mannered, I could never imagine my Uncle Warren (or any of my uncles) being in combat. Warren came home from the war with permanent hand-tremors, his only visible ‘scars.’ Many years later, Uncle Warren had the opportunity to return to Pearl Harbor on a U.S. carrier, along with his grandson Michael. There he told me he had the opportunity to “speak with and shake the hands” of former soldiers from Japan, which seemed to be very healing for him.

Uncle Al – Of all my uncles, Al spoke the most about his experiences in WWII, sometimes choking up and with tears in their eyes. He was in the Philippines and Papua New Guinea. I loved looking at his photo albums, which reminded me of National Geographic. Al, a medic received an individual Bronze Star for rescuing and saving some wounded soldiers. “Al had a distant cousin from New Hampshire that was one of the men that assisted in raising the flag on Iwo Jima.” (*)

Uncle Stan – Stan received 3 Bronze Stars while in WWII. He also rarely spoke about WWII. He returned from the Philippines with a pair of bamboo sandals which he gave to his mother, but which have since returned to the Philippines and are now on display there in a museum. (*)

Uncle Mike – Mike was in Germany and the only one physically wounded but refused his Purple Heart because “my mother would have a heart attack if she received a letter stating I had been wounded. He was awarded 5 Bronze Stars, later replaced by a Silver Star.” (*) Prior to enlisting, he worked at Sentinel TV and was responsible for the radio communications equipment.” (*) Uncle Mike was a man of few words, and I don’t recall him ever talking about the war. He died (too) young at the age of 59 of a heart attack, taking his ‘wounds’ to his grave.

My Mother and Aunt’s Role in WWII – My mother and her twin sister (Cindy’s mother) both now 90 years old, worked in a factory that made raincoats for the military. Mom relates a story where she slipped a piece of paper with a note into a pocket of one of the raincoat.

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March 3, 2017 by Karen Pischke BSN, RN

Reiki: “Try It. You Might Like It.”

Your Bridge to Health; Promoting Optimal Wellness for Mind, Body and Spirit

Remember the old cereal commercial with the little boy Mikey? “Try It. You Might Like It.”

Reiki Ryoho is a Japanese Healing Method/Art that began in Japan in 1922 with Founder USUI Mikao Sensei. Reiki (ray-key) sessions are offered through light (or non) touch and without manipulation. With the recipient fully clothed, either lying or seated. Sessions generally create a relaxation response with potential benefits of:

relief of tension (emotional and physical)
increased calm
improved comfort
improved sleep
a greater sense of inner peace.

Each reiki session is unique in how it is experienced. Due to its ease of use, gentle nature and quick relaxation response, many hospitals and healthcare settings incorporate Reiki in oncology, rehabilitation, pain management, and hospice settings. Generally, those receiving a reiki session report a general sense of calmness afterwards, along with varied experiences of sensation (warmth the most common.) One client reports, “Every session is different. And every session is wonderful.”

~ Reiki can best be described through the personal experience of a session. ~

‘Community Reiki Share.’ Tuesday. March 7th. 5:15 pm – 8:15 pm At the Manchester Community Center. 40 Beach St. Manchester-by-the-Sea. Advance Register – info@dreamtimewellness.com.

‘Community Reiki Shares’ are held ‘First Tuesdays’ of the month at the Manchester Community Center. 40 Beach St. Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA. On the MBTA Train line; wheelchair accessible. Reiki Sessions ‘By Donation.’ $20.00 suggested donation. ($10.00 for Seniors, Veterans and those in treatment for cancer.) Participate in some or all of the evening and enjoy the sense of ‘peace, comfort and calm’ that a reiki session can provide.

‘Reiki Shares’ are provided monthly by Dreamtime Wellness™ as an affordable way to ‘try it‘ and see how you might benefit. ‘Reiki Shares’ also support our reiki students in training, seasoned practitioners, and the community. Join as an observer, a practitioner, or come to enjoy a reiki session, meditation and other aspects of Japanese Reiki practices.

Reiki is also offered ‘3rd Fridays’ at the Rose Baker Senior Center. 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. To schedule a session at the Rose Baker Senior Center call: 978-282-6975

Private Reiki Sessions are available at 2 convenient office settings (the North Shore Medical Dental Center and Lahey Danvers Outpatient Center.) Home, hospice and hospital visits are also available upon request.

Contact us regarding informational lectures and programs in your facility. Ask about our Continuing Education offerings for nurses, doctors, social workers and case managers.

Ask Your Doctor. Reiki and other complementary therapies are not meant to be used ‘in place of’ conventional healthcare but as adjunctive (supportive) measures as part of a collaborative and integrative healthcare approach. Before using complementary therapies talk to your doctor. If you are already using complementary therapies, let your healthcare provider know. For more information on integrative therapies – http://nih/nccih.gov

Partnering with charitable causes to help others in need. A portion of our Community Reiki Share proceeds are donated to charities, local and abroad. Contact Us if you are a 501(c)3 that would like to partner with us to receive donations from our monthly Community Reiki Shares – Phone: 978-283-4258 or Email: info@dreamtimewellness.com. Together we can do more.

Welcome Home Cape Ann Veterans! The ‘Welcome Home Cape Ann Initiative’ is welcoming home veterans. A portion of this month’s Reiki Share donations will be offered to benefit these veterans, in appreciation for their service and to support them in a smooth transition back home to Cape Ann.

Relax, and enjoy today, Karen

Karen Pischke B.S.N., R.N., C.C.R.N. Alumnus. Certified Hypnotherapist, Tobacco Treatment Specialist, Usui Reiki Teacher/Komyo Shihan. Owner/Founder of Dreamtime Wellness LLC. Your Bridge to Health. Promoting Optimal Wellness for Mind, Body and Spirit www.DreamtimeWellness.com. Find us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dreamtime-Wellness-/348619611849199.

December 3, 2016 by Karen Pischke BSN, RN

Smoking Cessation – Special Programs for Veterans

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit

Your Bridge to Health; Promoting Optimal Wellness for Mind Body and Spirit

Smoking Cessation – November was Lung Cancer Awareness Month and the Great American Smoke-Out, 2 major incentives to increase awareness for smoking cessation. More support is available than ever before. No time like the present to stop. Just think of the savings you receive once you stop smoking, in health benefits and ‘cash-in-hand.’ A great way to begin the New Year is with a focus on you and your good health. Start to put a plan in place now.

Help is Here!

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has a new program for smoking cessation to help make make it easier to stop, offering support via text messaging. 1-855-Quit-Vet.

Talk to your doctor about group and individualized treatment programs for smoking cessation. Stopping smoking can be a challenge. Medications for tobacco treatment along with tobacco treatment counseling may make it easier. Ask your doctor if you are a candidate for Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT,) Zyban (Wellbutrin) or Chantix.

Addiction is a ‘disease of the brain.’ Nicotine addiction is no exception, and the cigarette companies know as much about the addiction pathway as healthcare providers, finding ways to make cigarettes more addictive so they can sell more cigarettes.

Collaborative, comprehensive, supportive programs make it easier to stop.

Benefits of Stopping Smoking – Click here to see the immediate and long-term benefits for your health and BREATHE EASIER.

Make Smoking History – 1-800-quitnow and www.smokefree.gov offer FREE Help.

Dreamtime Wellness™ offers smoking cessation and tobacco treatment counseling combined with integrative therapies that can help make it easier to stop. As the clinical hypnotherapist for the North Shore Medical Center I participated in a study looking at the use of Nicotine Replacement Therapy, alone and in combination with hypnosis. Ask about special discounts for veterans. 978-283-4258. Info@dreamtimewellness.com.

Stop Smoking, and Enjoy the Breath of Life, Karen

Karen Pischke B.S.N., R.N., C.C.R.N. Alumnus. Certified Hypnotherapist, Tobacco Treatment Specialist, Usui Reiki Teacher/Komyo Shihan. Owner/Founder of Dreamtime Wellness LLC. Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit www.DreamtimeWellness.com. Find us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dreamtime-Wellness-/348619611849199

June 6, 2015 by Karen Pischke BSN, RN

June is PTSD Awareness Month

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind & Spirit

June has been designated PTSD Awareness Month by the National Center for PTSD (NCPTSD).

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder resulting from exposure to a single or multiple traumatic events, such physical or sexual assault, natural or man-made disaster, and war-related combat stress. Symptoms of PTSD include persistent intrusive thoughts and distressing dreams about the traumatic event, triggered emotional responses to reminders of the trauma, efforts to avoid thinking or talking about the trauma, and persistent hypervigilance for cues that indicate additional danger or trauma re-occurring.

PTSD Statistics –

According to the National Center for PTSD,

about 7 to 8 percent of the U.S. population will have PTSD at some point in their lives.
about 5.2 million adults have PTSD during a given year.
Veterans with PTSD by service era:
- Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom: About 11-20%
- Gulf War (Desert Storm): 12%
- Vietnam War: Estimated that 30% of Vietnam Veterans have had PTSD in their lifetime.
- Estimated # of Veteran suicides per day – 20 (Source: CDC)

Some Symptoms of PTSD –

Anxiety and/or Depression
Sleep Disturbance and Nightmares
Irritability and outbursts of anger
Difficulty concentrating
Hypervigilance (on constant “red alert”)
Feeling jumpy and easily startled
Substance Abuse
Suicidal Thoughts and Feelings

**Anyone can get PTSD at any age. If you or someone you know are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your physician for assistance.

Some Treatments for PTSD –

Counseling – Psychotherapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Family
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
Medications for anxiety/depression

Complementary and Integrative Therapies for PTSD –

Acupuncture
Hypnosis
Meditation
Qi Gong
Reiki
Relaxation Techniques
Yoga

Many hospitals in the Boston area now advertise integrative healthcare programs. Fort Hood (TX,) Fort Belvoir (VA) and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (MD) offer integrative healthcare services to veterans (Eg. massage, reiki, reflexology and yoga.) A 2008 American Hospital Association survey found that 84 percent of hospitals reported patient demand as the primary rationale in offering complementary and integrative medicine services.

~ Ask your physician about ordering counseling and integrative services for PTSD, stress and/or pain management. When in the hospital, ask if these services are available. ~

Sources and for More Information –

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/basics/treatment/con-20022540

http://www.helpguide.org

http://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/PTSD

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/index.shtml

http://www.cause-usa.org/main/home.cfm?PageID=47

http://www.veteranstoday.com/2009/04/01/army-s-new-ptsd-treatments-yoga-reiki-bioenergy/

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/index.shtml

(*Flag photo shared with permission of Jay Albert. http://capeannimages.blogspot.com. Thanks Jay!)

My Pledge – Veterans diagnosed with PTSD can sign up for a FREE sample session of Reiki during the month of June. Reiki (ray-kee) Ryoho is a Japanese healing method/art that is offered through light or non-touch to create a relaxed state of mind and body. Reiki is offered for relaxation, stress reduction and pain relief, offered as part of an integrative healthcare program. Note: Reiki is not meant to take the place of conventional medicine or healthcare, but is intended as supportive care.

Relax and Restore with Reiki

To Schedule a Sample Reiki Session During the Month of June – Email – info@dreamtimewellness.com or call – 978-283.4258. Register Early. Space is limited. FREE Sample Sessions will be offered to Veterans with a diagnosis of PTSD – Wednesdays in Danvers MA at Lahey Outpatient Center, Danvers MA. Thursdays at the North Shore Medical Dental Center, Peabody MA.

Ongoing Dreamtime Wellness™ Reiki Shares/Clinics (‘By Donation’) –

‘Community Reiki Share’ first Tuesdays in Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA
‘Reiki Clinic’ – second Wednesdays in Danvers MA

‘Reiki Shares/Clinics’ are an affordable way to experience the relaxation benefits of Reiki.

All Levels of Reiki Training Available at Dreamtime Wellness™ – Thorough, supportive training for those that wish to learn Reiki as a tool for ‘relaxation, stress reduction, and pain relief,’ for self-care, with loved ones or at advanced levels, you may wish to work in a professional setting.

When people ask about Reiki, I often think of the Mikey cereal commercial – “Try It, You’ll Like It.” Reiki is best explained through the experience of a session. ~ Karen

~ Karen Pischke B.S.N., R.N., Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, Reiki Teacher/Shihan, Tobacco Treatment Specialist. In addition to a private wellness business, Karen has been employed as the RN/Reiki Provider and Hypnotherapist at NSMC, RN/Reiki Provider at Mass General Cancer Center (Danvers and Boston,) and currently is the RN/Reiki Provider at Lahey Danvers Outpatient Center/for the Pain Management Integrative Healthcare. Owner/Founder of Dreamtime Wellness™ Since 2000. Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind & Spirit. More information can be found at –www.DreamtimeWellness.com. Follow on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dreamtime-Wellness-/348619611849199