by Renee Aufdermauer | Dec 18, 2024 | Being Well, Featured, Uncategorized
Michael “Smily” Hurliman’s story begins like many others—a high school kid longing to fit in and be accepted. In his teenage years, Michael quickly became known as the guy who could bring alcohol to the party, earning a false sense of popularity. What started with drinking alcohol soon led to smoking weed, and eventually, Michael was introduced to methamphetamine.
By the age of 17, Michael’s life had already begun to spiral out of control. His first visit to rehab came that year, but quickly relapsed into a destructive cycle of drug and alcohol abuse. Trouble with the law followed. Michael later described this period not as feeling defeated, but as being depleted—there was a void he didn’t yet know how to fill.
Another stint in treatment seemed hopeful but ultimately he failed to remain clean. Michael’s addictions deepened, and he began selling drugs, further entrenching himself in a life of lawlessness. His family, heartbroken and desperate to save him, staged an intervention when he was 21 years old. The confrontation triggered a torrent of emotions, and Michael retreated to his room in frustration.
It was in this pivotal moment that Michael’s fate took a remarkable turn. Holding a nickel he considered lucky, he made a decision. “Heads, I’ll go to treatment,” he said to himself. “Tails, I’ll go on the run.” When the coin landed on heads, Michael honored the result and entered treatment once again.
This time, he stayed clean for a while, but the consequences of his past caught up to him. Arrested for crimes committed during his years of addiction, Michael faced another battle.
After serving his time on parole, Michael moved to Hillsboro in hopes of starting fresh. Unfortunately, he quickly fell back into the grip of drugs and alcohol. It wasn’t long before he met the woman who would become the mother of his son. With the news of a baby on the way, Michael and Jessica made the decision to clean up their hard drug use and try to build a better life for their growing family. For a time, things seemed to be going well. But the pull of addiction was never far behind.
As the years went on, Michael found himself struggling once again. But when Jessica was diagnosed with cancer, everything changed. She fought bravely for almost 11 months before passing away, leaving Michael in a deep state of grief and despair. Her death only worsened the hold addiction had over him.
Hit hard by the loss of his partner and the mounting pressure of his addiction, Michael reached rock bottom. He realized that he couldn’t keep running from his problems and was deeply missing his son. With a long list of warrants, unpassed drug tests, and the looming threat of prison, Michael made a life-changing decision. He called his parole officer and said he wanted to turn himself in and face the consequences.
During court, Michael learned that he qualified for rehab, a decision that would become the turning point he had been waiting for. His prayer was answered, and Michael entered treatment once again, determined to break free from the chains of addiction. This time, he committed himself to staying clean.
Michael returned to Tillamook, drawn by the support system, resources, and people who had successfully overcome similar struggles. He knew he needed to be in an environment that would help him stay on the right path. He joined the reentry program offered at Helping Hands, began attending meetings at the Serenity Club and began rebuilding his life.
Getting clean has transformed Michael in ways he never thought possible. He is now a devoted father to his 15 year old son, and has a steady job at Bob J. Johnson Flooring, and holds the position of President and Board Member of the Serenity Club, where he has served in various roles. His experiences have fueled a deep passion to give back to his community. Michael dreams of helping others break free from addiction and regain their lives, just as he has done.
Michael’s Advice for Those Struggling
For anyone battling addiction, Michael offers simple yet powerful advice: “Just show up to a meeting.” Taking that first step to connect with others who understand what you’re going through can make all the difference. Surround yourself with a clean and sober community—friends who will support and encourage your recovery journey. Building those connections is key to staying on the path toward a better life.
During his time in treatment, Michael found strength in two quotes told to him by an old guy named “1 Legged Larry” that deeply resonated with him:
“All you have to do is change everything.”
“Do the next right thing.”
If you or someone you know is looking for support on their recovery journey, there are local resources available to help:
– Serenity Club Tillamook : 5012 Third St. Tillamook, 503-842-1115 (check out their website for meeting days/times
– Celebrate Recovery : Tillamook Church of the Nazarene, 2611 Third Street, Tillamook; 503-842-2549 and St. Mary’s By the Sea, 275 S. Pacific Street, Rockaway Beach, 503-318-2370
– Helping Hands Reentry Outreach Centers- Tillamook Hope Center : Contact Brianne Prince (503) 354-8014
These organizations provide valuable support, community, and tools for overcoming addiction and rebuilding a better life. Remember, you’re never alone—help is available, and recovery is possible.
by Renee Aufdermauer | Dec 5, 2024 | Featured, Uncategorized
Our pets bring joy, companionship, and a sense of well-being to our lives, playing a key role in our overall wellness. Whether it’s a wagging tail greeting us at the door or the soothing purr of a cat, pets help reduce stress and enhance our happiness. However, when fleas invade their space—and ours—it can quickly become a source of stress and frustration. Fleas not only irritate our pets, causing itching and discomfort, but they can also become a nuisance for the entire household. Taking proactive steps to manage fleas helps ensure that the wellness our pets provide is not overshadowed by the challenges these tiny pests bring.
While fleas can be a challenge, there are effective, budget-friendly, and non-toxic ways to tackle the problem. Fleas not only discomfort pets but can also impact human health and the home environment. Thankfully, with consistent effort and the right approach, you can control fleas without resorting to expensive or harmful treatments, keeping your pets and your home a haven of wellness.
Understanding Fleas and Their Lifecycle
Fleas are small but tenacious insects that thrive in warm, humid environments. They go through a complex life cycle with several stages, including eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults. Each stage can resist typical insecticides, which is why it’s important to address fleas at all stages of their life cycle to fully eliminate them. According to the CDC’s guidelines on flea control, a comprehensive four-step process is the most effective way to manage a flea infestation.
The Process to Manage Fleas in Your Home
Sanitation:
Thorough cleaning is the first and most important step in controlling fleas. Fleas and their eggs can hide in pet bedding, rugs, carpets, and even along the edges of walls. To break the flea life cycle, wash all bedding, rugs, and pet bedding in hot water, then vacuum thoroughly, including floors, carpets, and areas along walls. Sweep hard floors and vacuum often to pick up any stray fleas or eggs. This helps to reduce the flea population in your home without relying on toxic chemicals.
Pet Treatment:
It’s essential that every pet in the household is treated. Start by bathing your pets with soap and water to gently kill adult fleas. After the bath, use a flea comb to remove any remaining fleas, paying close attention to the face, neck, and area in front of the tail. Be sure to consult with your veterinarian to choose the best non-toxic flea treatment for your pets. There are many natural flea treatments available that don’t contain harsh chemicals, and your vet can guide you on the safest options.
Home Treatment:
Home treatment should begin at the same time as pet treatment to ensure that the flea life cycle is disrupted. While commercial pest control applicators can provide professional help, there are also natural home treatments available, like diatomaceous earth (food grade), which can be sprinkled around areas where fleas tend to hide.
Follow-Up:
Fleas are tough and resistant to insecticides at various stages of their life cycle. To fully eliminate fleas, you’ll need to follow up with additional treatments. The CDC recommends that you apply two or more follow-up treatments within 5-10 days after the initial treatment. Continue regular vacuuming and cleaning during this period to pick up any remaining eggs and juvenile fleas that might have been missed in earlier treatments.
Fleas are a common challenge for pet owners, but with the right approach, you can manage them without relying on expensive or toxic products. By following the CDC’s four-step process and integrating natural flea control methods, you can protect both your pets and your family from these pesky insects. Regular cleaning, pet treatments, home interventions, and follow-up care are essential to breaking the flea life cycle and keeping your home flea-free.
For more information visit: https://www.cdc.gov/fleas/section-name/index.html
For more local health and wellness information, visit www.tillamookcountywellness.org or follow Tillamook County Wellness on Facebook and Instagram.
by Guest | Nov 21, 2024 | Featured, Uncategorized, Why I'm In
Written by: Sarah Ermer, MPH, CHES; Prevention Specialist at Tillamook Family Counseling Center
What drew you/your organization to partner with Tillamook County Wellness?
I’m a recent transplant to Tillamook; I moved here at the end of January for my position at TFCC. When I was preparing to move, I was doing some searching online to learn more about health initiatives in the county. I distinctly remember sitting at my parents’ dining room table looking at the Tillamook County Wellness website on my laptop and thinking, “Wow, Tillamook County has a great system for health promotion!” After officially moving and starting at TFCC, I knew I needed to prioritize getting to know as many different people and organizations as I could in order to do my job well. One of the first people I talked to was Michelle Jenck, who is the coordinator for Tillamook County Wellness. My background and current position are well-aligned with Tillamook County Wellness, so she connected me with the Health Promotions committee. The rest is history!
What, if any, changes have you seen come about as a result of this work?
I haven’t been here long enough to say first-hand what larger changes have come about as a result of Tillamook County Wellness, so I’ll share about a moment that stands out to me. One of the first community events I went to was Healthy Kids Day at the YMCA, where the Tillamook County Wellness Access to Physical Activity committee held the Bike Rodeo. I was amazed by the number of bikes and helmets that were available to go home with families! After watching a long line of kids practice bike safety around the parking lot, I have no doubt that even that event alone created positive change.
What have you learned from being involved in this work?
One of my favorite parts of being involved in Tillamook County Wellness, and of Tillamook as a whole, is seeing how the community really does come together to make things happen. I’ve learned a lot about all the systems at play in the area, and the fact that Tillamook County Wellness brings so many of them together is an amazing model for any community that wants to build stronger coalitions. I’ve learned what it really looks like to work as a community!
What are your hopes for this work as it relates to you/your organization?
My work is focused on substance misuse/addiction prevention, and doing that work effectively means looking beyond substance use alone. If we want to prevent young people from drinking or using drugs, we have to be willing to go beyond telling them what NOT to do. It means creating an entire community that supports people who are struggling with their mental health, who need a place to go, or who need positive, healthy activities to help build their confidence. I’ve seen how effective Tillamook County Wellness is in mobilizing people to support health initiatives; I hope that we can continue to mobilize in building support for both physical and mental health access.
What are your hopes for this work as it relates to changing community health in Tillamook County.
Much like my hope as it relates to me/my organization, my hope for our community health is that our collective idea of health and wellness continues to expand. In so many communities, support for different areas of health is siloed. Mental health, physical activity, nutrition, healthcare, social connectedness, financial wellbeing… they all play into our quality of life. I hope that Tillamook County Wellness can continue to be a part of the bridge that connects all these areas of health.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Tillamook County has been such a wonderful place to live and work. Thank you to everyone who has been so welcoming! I’m excited to continue to be a part of this community 🙂
For more local health and wellness information, visit www.tillamookcountywellness.org or follow Tillamook County Wellness on Facebook and Instagram.
by Guest | Oct 28, 2024 | Being Well, Featured, Uncategorized
…to taking action for breast cancer prevention and healing.
October is breast cancer awareness month. It’s also my birthday month, and I’m happy to say, I’ve come a long way in my healing as I now feel honored to share my birthday month with this awareness as many of us would like to not have to touch it with a 10 foot pole. You see, I’ve learned much about breast cancer from lived experience, both my own diagnosis and one of my sisters. My sister’s story ended with her dying from metastatic breast cancer only 2 years from her original diagnosis. I’m currently 2.5 years out and doing great as I plan to continue to do.
Neither of us were paying enough attention to our risk factors and we had several. There were many factors involved including earlier cancers and radiation treatments, environmental toxin exposures (we all live in a chemical soup world, reducing our exposures and supporting our body’s pathways of elimination are key) emotional and physical overwhelm/high stress, over-nurturing others and under-nurturing the self. Sound familiar anyone? 1 in 8 are the current statistical numbers of breast cancer occurrence among women. Also, did you know? 1 in 100 men are affected. Each story is unique and there are certain things that put each of us in different risk categories.
Knowing our risk factors, how many we have and what we can do to lower our risk factors with lifestyle modification are all within our control. I knew I was in a higher risk category from having had radiation therapy in my early 20’s. I knew I functioned at a high stress level, saw signs of estrogen dominance, was persistently overweight for many years, chronically inflamed and worked nights often as a birth doula plus a few other factors. Yet I just hoped eating organically and not exposing myself to more radiation would keep me healthy. It wasn’t enough. Receiving the diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma right after my sister’s passing was a doozy of a hit too, but through my lifestyle adaptions it has ultimately brought me back to my earlier life goal of longevity (living to 100 or beyond!) and living that life in vibrant wellness. Good health has always been a passion of mine, but it’s funny how we can let stress and certain situations lead us to believe we should accept less for ourselves. Ultimately cancer has taught me how to live well again. Thank goodness! However, it was not easy to go through to get myself back on track. I don’t actually recommend it 😉 It is therefore, my pleasure and task to share with others what they can do to ideally avoid diagnosis by steering away from known risk factors and incorporating lifestyle habits that decrease risk factors. I love sharing preventive habits and skills in general for us all (including prevention of other diseases too I’d like to add).
Know your risk factors. How many of these align with you?
Risk factors from CDC
- Being a woman
- Age: most diagnosed after 50
- Having BRCA1&2 genes (genetics can be dimmed or brightened with lifestyle)
- Reproductive history – beginning menstruation before age 12 and menopause after 50 – also – First baby after 30, no breast feeding, no full term pregnancy
- Having dense breast tissue/connective tissue (hard to read in mammograms and needs better lymph movement and movement in general) Ultrasound and thermography** are better at reading dense breast tissue **note that thermography isn’t currently utilized by conventional medicine.
- Having a personal history of breast cancer
- Other breast diseases such as atypical ductal hyperplasia, lobular carcinoma in situ
- Family history of breast or ovarian cancer (with or without BRCA gene) first degree relative; mom, sister, daughter – mother or father side
- Previous treatment with radiation (such as Hodgkins lymphoma also a sign the lymph system needs support)
- Exposure to DES drug – diethylstilbestrol – 1940-1971 – miscarriage prevention (mom and baby at higher risk)
- Not physically active
- Overweight or obesity after menopause
- HRT – hormone replacement therapy and slight increased risk seen from birth control pills.
- Drinking alcohol – risk increases with the more a woman drinks
- Smoking
- Night shift work
I would also add: environmental and food chemical additives that can overload our lymph and endocrine system as well as harm our gut microbiome.
Now to the empowering stuff!
What we can do: Taking action is key!
Eat more whole food plants! Eat more colors, eat seasonally, locally and clean/organic whenever possible. Check out the EWG’s list of clean 15 and dirty dozen to know what produce is ok to buy conventional/clean15 and which are ideal to buy organic/dirty dozen) Visit a local farm and enjoy their produce. They need our business through the cooler seasons too. Add one more vegetable to every meal and one new color a week. Ask about the farm’s growing habits. Find farms that don’t use chemicals. Many practice organic methods but don’t carry the certification yet and they’re happy to answer your inquiries.
Exercise! Move your body in ways that make you happy and feel good. Get moving every day. And this doesn’t mean stressed out running around, no, that’s counter productive. This means, enjoy a walk, hike or bike ride. Prioritize the time to commit to regular movement. You are so worth it! Walk one day, take a movement class another day such as Yoga or Joy Lymph Flow (a class I lead in Rockaway Beach and Nehalem) Tai Chi, Qigong or whatever you fancy, but it should bring ease to your body and time for repose. Turn on the music and dance! A fabulous way to heal many layers and promotes connection and health within the family if you live with others.
Quit smoking and don’t drink alcohol or limit your intake. Mocktails made with herbs are power packed with more phytonutrients that help us stay well and are an actual treat vs. a known risk factor.
Switch to natural household and personal care products. Don’t use anything with “fragrance” listed as an ingredient or chemical names you can’t pronounce or artificial colors. There are so many products out there, it can be overwhelming. Environmental Working Group also has a Skin Deep database listing products that are free from chemicals. It’s not one product that becomes the problem, it’s the many products together, it becomes a toxic load the body can’t handle. Switching to natural cleaners and personal care items actually uplifts our health instead.
Discuss your risk factors with your ND or MD and meet with a health coach like myself for support in making changes to your lifestyle at a pace that works for you to live a life that’s shown to be more preventive in lowering your risk factors and ideally avoiding this disease. I also teach breast massage for self-care and home screening. 3 This article is dedicated to those we’ve loved and let go of too early due to this disease and to those facing it now and in the future. May we all be free, live in flow, know ease and enjoy self care first so we may indeed be well and remain here for others.
Written by Elizabeth Golden Seaver, Health and Wellness Coach, Nehalem, OR and Tillamook County Wellness Coalition Member.
You can reach out to her at: goldenkeywellness.abmp.com, wingforwisdom@gmail.com
Other wellness questions? Email us at info@tillamookcountywellness.org. For more local health and wellness information, visit www.tillamookcountywellness.org or follow Tillamook County Wellness on Facebook and Instagram.
by Guest | Oct 11, 2024 | Being Well, Featured, Uncategorized, Work Well
Let’s face it: Whether you’re a single parent, have a supportive co-parent, or are part of a large, supportive family system, parenting well is hard. Kids, no matter how much we love them, don’t come with instruction manuals and often push us to our limits.
We want to bring our best selves to this parenting endeavor; we know how we treat and invest in our children will have lifelong repercussions . . . but sometimes we need a little support.
Engaging your child resourcefully, creatively, and educationally, boosting and encouraging playful curiosity, and celebrating developmental milestones—that’s what our family educators do every day. We believe that parents are their kids’ first and best teachers and we want to equip parents to engage their kiddos with creative, fun learning activities all year long.
Did you know that year-round support from Healthy Families and Early Head Start is available to families in every part of Tillamook County? Here’s what you need to know about our three Child & Family Programs, all housed under Community Action Team:
Healthy Families:
– Register your child within 90 days of birth
– Known for their diaper program
– Regular home visits, frequency of visits based on need
– Healthy Families – Community Action Team (cat-team.org)
Early Head Start:
– Registration accepted year-round, ages 0-3
– Weekly home visits
– Biweekly socializations/play dates
– Educational and literacy focus
– Seamless transition to Head Start (preschool, ages 3-5)
– www.nworheadstart.org
Head Start:
– preschool (drop off/pick up)
– only available to families living in Tillamook proper at this time
– 2 locations: 1100 Miller Ave, Tillamook, OR and 3808 12th Street, Tillamook, OR
– www.nworheadstart.org
We are a resource for you and want to make your parenting journey a little less
overwhelming, so you can offer your kiddo your very best self!
To reach out and ask questions, please contact:
Christina Pfister
Family Advocate for Early Head Start
971-813-9450
cpfister@nworheadstart.org
Written by Christina Pfister, Family Advocate for Early Head Start
Other wellness questions? Email us at info@tillamookcountywellness.org. For more local health and wellness information, visit www.tillamookcountywellness.org or follow Tillamook County Wellness on Facebook and Instagram.
by Guest | Oct 3, 2024 | Being Well, Featured, Uncategorized
Over the last few weeks, I have been reading a great book about addiction*. Preventing addiction is, after all, the core of my work as a Prevention Specialist. One line in particular stuck with me:
“The prevention of substance abuse needs to begin in the crib—and even before then, in the social recognition that nothing is more important for the future of our culture than the way children develop.”
Whether we are talking about addiction, mental health, or any number of other health outcomes, a child’s early development lays the groundwork for their future wellbeing. The notion that a child’s lifelong development is swayed by their earliest years can add a sense of urgency to days that are already strained in time and attention. The good news is that the conversations and daily interactions that parents have with their children are incredibly powerful in building resiliency, and that there are resources right here in Tillamook County to help parents explore what that means. But more on that at the end.
One side of the adolescent-substance-use-prevention coin is directly teaching kids about how alcohol and other drugs are harmful to their health. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) “Talk. They Hear You.” campaign offers information for parents and caregivers on how and when to have conversations about alcohol and other drugs. Though it can feel like children don’t listen, the reality is that parents are among the strongest influences in their child’s decisions around substance use—they do hear you. Consider SAMHSA’s tips on age-appropriate conversations about substances:
- Under age 8: Explain the importance of good health and taking care of their bodies. If they take any vitamins or medications, explain that vitamins are to help them grow and medications are to help them be healthy. However, they should only take vitamins or medications that are given to them by a parent or caregiver, and taking someone else’s medicine could hurt them.
- Ages 8-12: Start asking open-ended questions, like what they have heard about alcohol or drugs. Let them know you are ready to talk if they ever have questions. Use “teachable moments”, like seeing alcohol or substances in movies, ads, or in stores, to explain that these substances are harmful to their bodies and health.
- Ages 13-16: Remember that many teens have peers or friends who may drink or use substances, so be ready to have direct conversations about what they have seen or experienced. Remind them that their brains are still developing until their mid-20s, and that avoiding substances is important to their health and growth. Clearly outline your family rules and expectations about underage substance use.
- Ages 17-20: Maintain clear rules that your child is never to use substances while they are underage or get into a car with a driver who has been drinking or using other drugs. Have conversations about adult responsibilities and decisions, and how they can continue to navigate substances and their health as they become an adult.
The other side of the adolescent-substance-use-prevention coin is, simply put, helping children build resiliency. The ability to manage stress and overcome challenges will serve children for their entire lives. This is certainly easier said than done. Many adults, myself included, struggle to consistently practice heathy ways of coping with stress. Fortunately, parents and caregivers in the Tillamook/Clatsop/Columbia region can take an Active Parenting class for free. This Active Parenting series will teach over 3 sessions: communication, problem-solving, discipline, family enrichment, and encouragement. Active Parenting provides an opportunity for parents to connect, while learning how to make the most out of those daily interactions and conversations with their children, how to pass on resilience, and how to focus on intentional, positive interactions and relationships with our children.
If you want to take advantage of the resources that are available to parents and caregivers, here is how you can find out more:
- “Talk. They Hear You.” webpage: samhsa.gov/talk-they-hear-you/parent-resources
- Active Parenting: The next Active Parenting series will be held on November 7, 14, and 21 from 6:00-7:45pm, via Zoom. To sign up, email MelissaCS@tfcc.org.**
- Parent and Caregiver Resource Workshop: An opportunity to connect with others to learn about and share information on resources available for parents, caregivers & children and why they matter. This workshop will be held on Tuesday, October 8 from 6:00-7:30pm, via Zoom. To sign up, email MelissaCS@tfcc.org.**
- “Resilient Me” is a coloring page for kids to help them identify the tools that they already have to help them be resilient. Download, print, and work through it together!
Be well, and happy fall!
* In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts– for any who are curious. Though first published 17 years ago, the content and propositions have largely stood the test of time.
**Mis is one of the amazing facilitators for Active Parenting, and is an invaluable resource for parenting education here in Tillamook County. Attending her sessions fills the soul!
Written by: Sarah Ermer, MPH, CHES; Prevention Specialist at Tillamook Family Counseling Center
