Sep 27, 2019 Reporting from Niles, MI
Community Food Network: A Leg Up on Life - Nancey Shelman
https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/how-we-compare/our-patients/Detail/Community-Food-Network-A-Leg-Up-on-Life/e097bf6e-b403-47eb-b6cc-31ad9b5375ab/?utm_source=Community_Food_Network:_A_Leg_Up_on_Life&utm_medium=PatientStory_Landing&utm_campaign=InternalPages
Sep 27, 2019
Sep 27, 2019
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
When Benton Harbor resident Nancey Shelman, 72, began experiencing pain and cramping in her left leg, she chalked it up to a bad charley horse. She treated her symptoms with heat and massage, and the pain went away.
A short time later, her leg began
Community Food Network: A Leg Up on Life - Nancey Shelman
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
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Community Food Network: A Leg Up on Life - Nancey Shelman
Sep, 2019
When Benton Harbor resident Nancey Shelman, 72, began experiencing pain and cramping in her left leg, she chalked it up to a bad charley horse. She treated her symptoms with heat and massage, and the pain went away.
A short time later, her leg began to swell, and Nancey knew she needed medical advice. That’s when she turned to the Community Food Network (CFN), a program that helps foster community and meet the needs of those facing food insecurity. Operated by New Heights Christian Community Development Association, the program also partners with Lakeland to address the health risks of CFN members.
As a member of the network, Nancey knew she could seek out Lakeland nurse Erin Salvagione, RN, health coach, who usually took her blood pressure readings.
“When Erin felt my leg, it was as hard as a brick,” said Nancey. “She suspected a blood clot and told me I needed to see someone right away. If she hadn’t insisted that I go, I probably wouldn’t have. She may have saved my life.”
Visiting internal medicine resident Stephanie Analytis, DO, also checked Nancey’s leg and agreed with Erin.
After an appointment with her doctor that same day, Nancey underwent an ultrasound to investigate the swelling at the Lakeland Medical Center in St. Joseph. While driving home after the test, Nancey and her fiancé Fred got a call with the results.
“They told me to return to the hospital immediately, because I had a blood clot,” said Nancey. “As soon as I went in and said my name, they knew who I was and took me to a room.”
Special Treatment
A blood clot occurs when a clump of blood changes from liquid to a gel-like state. It can form in any vein and turn especially dangerous if it travels to a certain part of the body such as the heart or brain, blocking blood flow.
As her care team worked to get the blood clot under control with medications, Nancey spent several days at Lakeland Medical Center.
“My nurses treated me like I was family,” she said. “They made me feel very special. If my call light went on, they were right there to help me. They came in to talk anytime I had questions.”
Nancey noticed this high level of care went beyond medical staff.
“The room was consistently clean,” said Nancey. “It was usually the same individual, and she made sure to thoroughly wipe down everything, to make sure nothing would hinder my recovery.”
After the blood clot dissolved, Nancey returned home to slowly resume daily activities and hobbies, including crafting, singing in a choir, attending community events, and participating as a member of the Community Food Network.
Stronger Together
Nancey credits Lakeland nurse Erin and the Community Food Network with being caring and supportive when she needed it most.
“The Community Food Network is a wonderful organization,” she said. “It’s part nutrition, part social, and part medical. It’s very informative. People get together to help the community and each other.”
Participants pay a small fee to maintain membership and help unload the truck, set up, and sort food into boxes. It is also a community where individuals create connections with each other and Lakeland medical staff.
“Erin is a very caring nurse,” said Nancey. “She’s even called me at home to make sure I do what I’m supposed to do when my blood pressure is too high. She goes out of her way for people and has genuine concern for each person in our group.”
CFN Director Dawn Corzine also spoke about this special community relationship. “This story exemplifies the importance of the trust that has developed over the past few years between the Community Food Network members and the Lakeland Population Health team and medical residents. We’re better together. We’re stronger together.”