Health Care Professionals Deserve Standing Ovation

I stopped blogging when overgrown connective tissue crippled my fingers from Dupuytren’s Contracture, a hereditary condition. A hand surgeon split my palm open, removed the diseased tissue and attempted to straighten my little finger. The dozens of ragged stitches across my hand healed, but on top of muscle memory, the tendons and ligaments pulled my finger back into a clawed position in a protective natural reaction.

If my pinky was the only problem, I could cope, but while addressing other ongoing health issues, doctors concluded my spine, damaged in too many areas, can’t be fixed. Nothing more can be done medically to alleviate my back problems. My knees are kaput too.

I limp along trying to remain upbeat.

And failing.

Never a candidate for back surgery, knee replacements loom ahead and my finger may be contracted forever. Un-huh. No way. No pity party for me. A hearty can-do cheer would be welcomed.

When my surgeon suggested I see an ergo-therapist,(occupational therapist, aka a hand specialist) for the first time, I thought, “oh no, another specialist!”

Then, I gave it a go.

After a half a dozen visits, the ergo-therapist put my hand in thin, plastic glove and dipped it in warm, melted wax. Then she kneaded my palm and finger to break up scar tissue, restore mobility and coax tendons to loosen their hold on the joint.

I fought back tears of frustration.

“Go ahead. Cry,” she said, patting my arm. “Progress is slow, so hard to see or measure.”

While I gathered my composure, she crafted splints to straighten my finger.

“Wear the hard, plastic orthotic at night; the velcro one in the day,” she instructed. “If it’s too uncomfortable, take it off. Wiggle your fingers. Go for a walk. Relax. Sometimes our bodies need to heal in their own time.”

My physical therapists and chiropractors, too, have always emphasized that mind/body connection. After my accidents, they partnered with me to help me recover and regain as much mobility as possible.

Modern medicine has evolved thousand-fold, but healing remains an ancient art. Those called to the profession — like my son, my daughter, my nieces — are gifted.

Lately, the medical field has been broadsided. Healthcare workers face endless scrutiny and skepticism under a tsunami of misinformation on social media and inaccurate directives from the authorities. That, along with major funding and resource cuts, make their job even harder.

Skilled surgeons helped spare my life, but it was auxiliary health care professionals — therapists, chiropractors, masseurs, counselors, nurses— that saved my broken heart when I wanted to give up.

Never underestimate the healing power of those dedicated people, whose soothing voice and gentle touch (like my “hand whisperer”) ease suffering and save souls.

 

They restored my faith in humanity.

Kindness matters.

More than ever.

Hope in Hopeless Times

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
And the wisdom to know the difference.

My paternal grandmother taught me The Serenity Prayer when I was a child. I turn to this verse in the troubled times of today. Replace the word God with the name of whatever deity you worship or ideology you believe in. An estimated 4,200 religions exist in the world and most adhere to the same tenets.

Each culture is rich in its own way, with its own language, religion, literature, art, music, poetry, traditions and philosophy.

My heart breaks a little more each day knowing that my birth land, a country built on the backbone of indigenous tribes, immigrants and African slaves is now being split apart by violent rhetoric, divisive ideology, religion intolerance, systemic racism, sexism, classism and ethnocentrism.

In the USA, civil rights are being threatened daily by policies eliminating immigration and human rights. Nationalism is sweeping across borders with extreme right wing leaders rising to power in Austria and Italy and threatening to succeed in Germany and France.

Have we forgotten our past?

I never thought I would witness war on European soil during my lifetime. Yet three years after Russia invaded Ukraine, Ukrainian’s battle for freedom and defense of democratic principles rages on. A potential US-Russian peace agreement for Ukraine, without including Ukraine in the discussion, echoes of the disastrous appeasement plan of the Nazi Era that led to WWII.

Europe is not a far away place somewhere. Europe is your neighbor. Europe is my home. In the past, my grandfather fought in WWI; my French in-laws and Norwegian relatives survived the Nazi Occupation. My American peers and I grew up fighting against discrimination and inequality.

My family, through birth and marriage, is American, British, Chinese, French, Irish, Norwegian, Scottish, Swedish, and Ukrainian.

My people are all people.

Set our differences aside. Take off our rose-colored glasses and pie-in-the-sky illusion that conditions are improving. We must face the stark reality of what is happening, not only in the USA, but around the globe. Natural disaster, civil unrest, a wave of extreme right wing ideology and nationalism is spreading.

A half century ago, as an idealistic university student, I started studying social work. When I realized that I could not save the world, I trained as an educator. Serendipitously, while teaching at an International School in Switzerland, I had the privilege to work with students and families from around the globe.

From my experience, I learned that we are more alike than different.

We all want the same things for those we love — a roof overhead, food on the table, a right to a good education and an equal chance to work and prosper.

Yet as individuals, we remain impotent, helpless and hopeless. How can one human being, especially one with a broken body, ever change the world?

I can’t. But I can reach out to those in my entourage.

We must begin within our immediate circles — families and friendship groups, neighborhoods and schools, churches and communities.

 

As my former coach said, “We have to continue to do the right things, for the right reasons, for all of us.”

It’s so hard to believe integrity matters when countries’ leaders seem to be so hell bent on spinning lies, disbanding public education, health care, social services, and the human rights we fought so long to assure.

How can my country go from being the world’s leading democracy to one of the planet’s biggest bullies?

Political ideologies aside, if any civilization anywhere on earth is to survive, we must find ways to work together on global issues. Poverty, climate change, cyber security, natural resources, future pandemics, nuclear threats and pollution affect all mankind.

An estimated 8.2 billion people representing 4,000 different cultures, speaking 7,000 languages share this planet. We all have to do more at every level in each country to communicate in a common language — the language of humanity.

 

Viking Disease Strikes Hands and Feet

My old friends and teammates will remember my notorious feet with toes so crooked I could hang upside down by them. Back in high school in Sterling, Illinois my podiatrist, Doctor Heffelfinger, gave me my first foot orthoses. He also showed me how to tape each toe to prevent blisters from forming between my phalanges when playing basketball.

Forty years later, I am still doctoring my crazy feet. Dr. Drevo, my podiatrist in Geneva Switzerland, hand crafted custom-made foot orthotics to help my balance, relieve back pain and slow the progression of Ledderhose Disease. Ledderhose disease (also known as Morbus Ledderhose or plantar fibromatosis) causes nodules to develop in the arches of my feet, which can become painful or grow to a size where they affect walking.

Not surprisingly, my foot doctor also diagnosed Dupuytren’s Contracture, which is similar, because the same type of cords and nodules formed in my hands.

Ledderhose and Dupuytren’s Contracture, known as the Viking Diseases, target the fascia. According to International Dupuytren Society.
"Dupuytren's Contracture is a chronic, progressive fibroproliferative disorder affecting the palmar fascia, leading to permanent flexion deformities of the fingers.”

Typically the ring and pinky finger become permanently locked in bent position.

The condition is more common in Northern European countries where the Vikings settled (hence its nickname.) Typically there, it afflicts about 30% of men over the age of 60 and seems to run in families.

As the daughter of a Norwegian mom and Scottish dad ancestry, I am genetically 89% Scandinavian and Northern European. Key genetic risk factors for Dupuytren's crippling hand disorder can be traced back to Neanderthals’ DNA.

Over the past few years, thanks to Dr. Drevo, my foot condition is under control, but the collagen overgrowth went wild, especially in my left hand.

Only 5% of patients with Dupuytren contractures have similar lesions in the medial plantar fascia of the feet. Lucky me!

At my podiatrist’s appointment in May, I showed Dr. Drevo my bent fingers and crippled hand. He recognized the cords of fibrous tissue puckering under the skin of the palm as Dupuytren’s Contracture and urged me to follow up with a hand specialist right away.

At the Hand Clinic of Geneva, I met Dr. Vakalopoulos who asked, “Would you prefer I speak French, English, Dutch or Greek?”

When he described the complex dissection required to prevent digital nerve injury, it helped that he spoke English. He drew lines across my left hand and explained that he would cut into my palm to remove the chords in my palm and pinky. Unfortunately, my disease had advance too far for him to perform a simpler needle aponevrotomy.

The day after surgery, he confirmed with relief that I retained the sensation in my fingertips.

“The surgery was more difficult than I anticipated,” he said. “You have an aggressive form of Dupuytren’s and the collagen had formed spirals around the nerves in the finger joint.”

Dr. V removed the fast growing collagen forming tough bands in the connective tissue of my hand. Two weeks later, in my follow up appointment, after the nurse removed my bandages, Dr. V inspected his delicate artwork. Fifty-eight stitches zig zagged across my palm and pinky.

“That scar would make a great jigsaw puzzle,” my brother-in-law kidded when he saw a photo of my hand.

On the bright side, I retain bragging rights in my extended Olson, McKinzie, Lechault, Carlson, Miles, Westphal, Zhang family. I hold the record for the most stitches. It will be hard to beat!

Never to be discouraged, I wear my scar like a badge of courage. I show off my left hand as a visual reminder of my proud heritage.

After all, I am a Golden Warrior Viking.

“You Don’t Look Sick” Fibromyalgia Awareness May 12, 2025

If I have the courage to confess my vulnerability, to share my struggle with a hard to diagnose, difficult to treat, invisible illness ravaging lives, can my words help others in pain?

Three decades ago, my chiropractor in Switzerland, suspected my back problems were due to more than injuries. He surmised that I had fibromyalgia (FM) a musculoskeletal disorder that causes chronic over-all body pain. He recommended seeing a rheumatologist.

Unfortunately, most people suffering from FM either go undiagnosed for years or are misdiagnosed. On May 12, 1992, Fibromyalgia Awareness Day started to bring attention to this misunderstood disease and commemorate Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, who also suffered from fibromyalgia.

FM can include fatigue, anxiety, migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, skin sensitivity, stiffness and autonomic system dysfunction. It impacts the muscles, and can lead to pain numbness, tingling, twitching, restless legs and osteoarthritis. FM also often includes other co-infections and immune system dysfunction, which is why it is paired with CFS.

With FM, the stress response, an automatic brain reflex, is on autopilot. The brain sends out fight or flight signals with widespread effects. It’s as if one’s body is locked in a state of hyper vigilance, like a smoke alarm going off forever without a fire.

The problem lies with the amplification of pain and sensory processing in the central nervous system. Part of the brain goes haywire in glial cells.

“Most doctors don’t believe FM exists,” my Swiss rheumatologist told me, when he confirmed my FM diagnosis in 1996. “You are lucky that I do. Fortunately, you are protected by your profession. As a physical education teacher, you move all day. Movement is the best treatment for FM.”

At the time of my diagnosis, skepticism reigned within the medical community and general public. I suffered in silence and charged forward, determined to raise a family, teach and coach kids to never give up.

No matter how hard I try to manage pain, FM waxed and waned. Every flare up sent me spiraling in despair.

I remain locked in a state of hyper vigilance and heightened anxiety. FM deregulates sleep causing insomnia. With my body’s inability to enter the deep sleep stage, my muscles and brain never go into a restorative state, which results in muscle tenderness/pain/inflammation.

Specialists know that FM disrupts hormones, burns out adrenal glands, increases chronic pain and affects the sympathetic nervous system, but they still don’t know how to diagnose or treat it.

The clinical signs are nonspecific and overlap with other diseases. Ironically, researchers found eerie similarities between FM and long COVID, which helps legitimize FM. Research on long-haul COVID, which has similar effects, may offer hope.

Experts also know that fibromyalgia tends to run in families. My paternal grandma suffered from it back in the early days when FM was known as rheumatism or fibrocystic. My sister also has fibromyalgia.

Due to a lack of research and the difficulty in identifying causes of the illness, many practitioners still do not believe that the disease exists.

Believe me it’s real. As an iron-willed McKinzie descendant, resiliency is my middle name. As a former pro athlete, who has overcome many debilitating injuries, I am as tough as they come. Yet, the pain of FM can knock me to my knees.

Though the cause is unknown, there is a genetic predisposition. FM often manifests after a car accident, (check) or illness like Lyme disease (check 2) and the physical or emotional trauma after the loss of a loved one, parent or child (check 3).

There is no known cure, but thankfully fibromyalgia is not a death sentence like some forms of cancer and other illnesses.

My health is compromised, but I am still here fighting!

Many treatments fall short. Sleep aids to regulate sleep dysfunction, myofascial massage, exercise, diet, yoga, relaxation and breathing techniques can help.

I am not a trained heath practitioner. I cannot offer medical advice, but as a fellow human being,

I can share insight on how to cope.

I can validate that your pain is real.

I can remind you that you are not alone.

I can you cheer you on from my mountaintop!

Not Always Easy Flying easyJet

Though fewer people are flying abroad this summer, visitors are welcome everywhere in the UK and Europe. For travelers, who dare to hop the Big Pond, easyJet airlines offer low cost flights to most anywhere from the UK or Switzerland.

In 1995, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou founded the company to provide affordable air travel to the masses by offering low-cost fares in Europe. Thirty years later, easyJet operates over a 1,000 routes to 30 countries.

The company was founded in Luton, a city an hour north of London. Initially only two aircraft flew from Luton Airport to and from Glasgow. easyJet expanded to include popular holiday destinations. It has become one of the largest and most successful low-cost carriers in Europe.

Unfortunately, the airline is notorious for changing arrival/departure times and cancelling flights at the last minute, leaving travelers stranded. When all goes right, you can’t find a better bargain, but when issues occur, you are on your own.

What you economize on your ticket, you pay for in wear and tear on your body. Taller, bigger build bodies beware! Space is limited. Seats do not recline. This no frills airline offers minimal comfort and service in order to maintain bottom line costs.

Different from other low budget airlines, easyJet slashed prices by introducing online booking and check-in systems. But travel on easyJet is never for the feint-hearted. Just purchasing an online ticket takes the patience of a saint.

Flying economy without any baggage is a great deal, but any other accommodations, inflate the price. Seat reservation, luggage and speedy boarding are extras!

Boarding from the tarmac, like the old days, can be chaotic.

Snacks, meals, drinks, even water must be purchased by credit card only.

easyJet policy limits your carry on bag size to 45 x 36 x 20cm and it must fit under the seat. A second cabin bag, no larger than 56 x 45 x 25cm, is an additional fee. A checked luggage for the hold can cost more than flight.

Since our son and daughter-in-law live in the UK. We have become seasoned easyJet travelers, so I can offer useful tips.

  • When they announce your boarding gate, always at last minute, run!
  • No one cues in lines like at Disneyland. Passengers herd at gate, like cattle awaiting slaughter.
  • Stand your ground. Hold your place in line directly behind the speedy boarders.
  • Board as early as possible to assure you and your luggage sit together!
  • Better yet don’t carry baggage. Wear it. (A 22-pocket Scottevest, a special US survivalist jacket, works well if you can afford it.)
  • Have a back up plan for late arrival at your destination.
  • Enjoy your journey, but no matter where you go, stay zen.

Bon voyage!

Raclette – a Franco Swiss Favorite For 400 Years

Natives living in the French Savoie region or in the Swiss Alps will argue ’til the cows come home over who first invented raclette, but everyone who tries this traditional cheese/potato dish agrees it’s great. Raclette is thought to be at least 400 years old and remains popular today.

For centuries, herders in Europe’s mountainous regions have survived on this simple dish of boiled potatoes covered in melted cheese.

During its production, the raclette cheese is washed with salted water and bacteria smears. It must rest in a cave (real or man-made) with 100% humidity and a temperatures of about 60 degrees F,° which accelerates the breakdown of the protein and fat, creating different flavors, nutty, creamy and a bit buttery and aromatic when heated.

On every visit home to Switzerland, my adult kids request raclette. Instead of the traditional equipment meant for the half cheese, we use an electric grill with individual serving trays and raclette cut into portions. Since moving to the mountains, we decided to try the authentic dish.

As you enter our village of St. Cergue, the Beef’n Cheese Restaurant is easy to locate off the round-about. A giant, red ceramic cow with a white cross symbolizing the Swiss flag, stands on the balcony. Locals stop for a beer at the cafe table out front.

The interior of the restaurant is a bit kitsch, but charming with its spotted cow upholstered chairs, long wooden tables, a wall-sized hearth and local decor. Cow bells hang from wooden beams, antique skis stick out of giant milk jugs and ski posters from the 40’s decorate the walls.

Our waitress brought us a half a wheel of cheese melting on the authentic raclette machine. Gerald tilted the wheel and scraped the top layer of cheese onto our plate of unpeeled potatoes. Raclette comes from the French word "racler," which means to scrape.

A basket filled with giant, marble-sized spuds are served with finger-sized vinegary cornichons and white cocktail onions. We ordered a side of charcuterie, a wooden cutting board laden with ham off the bone, jambon cru (dried beef) and dried saucisson à l’ail (garlic).

The “all you can eat” meal costs 31CH ($35) per person, which for a Swiss tourist town, is not unreasonably expensive. Traditionally, raclette is served with white wine, but our Frenchman ordered a Scramble Noir, a sublime red blend of five different grape varieties. Red or white wine, whatever, the French and Swiss agree never drink water with raclette. It will make your stomach bloat in indigestion!

Raclette was added to the 2024 World Championship Cheese Contest in Madison, Wisconsin.
”I personally love it," John Jaeggi, a contestant, said. "When it's cold, it's OK. But melted, oh my gosh, it's really good."
Though less well known in the US, I’ve yet to meet an American that didn’t enjoy raclette.

“Trader Joe’s stocks this cheese around the holidays,” my best friend, who moved back to the States, says, “I call and order ahead before it even hits the shelves, so I can throw raclette parties all winter.”

Whenever anyone visits us in Switzerland, we share this convivial meal and create memories for guests to take home.

No matter how many visitors we’ve served, we will never beat the new record!

In Martigny, Switzerland on April 5th, organizers of 'The Biggest Raclette Party in the World` brought together 4,893 people, including 361 raclette- scrapers, to claim the title.