Health

An estimated 252,710 new invasive cases of breast cancer are expected to occur among women in the United States during 2019 and about 2,470 new cases of breast cancer are expected in men in 2019. In total, an estimated 40,610 deaths (40,170 women and 440 men) are anticipated from breast cancer in 2019. These numbers have steadily decreased since 1990. The American Cancer Society states the decrease represents progress in both earlier detection and improved treatment.

October is National Physical Therapy Month. Patients who would prefer to try just about anything before taking prescription opioids to treat their physical pain are not alone. According to a new report, most Americans would rather use a drug-free approach.

Earlier this year, data was collected from nearly 63,000 American adults, 78% of whom prefer to find another option to treat pain rather than taking medication prescribed by their doctors. The use of narcotics is viewed as a “crisis” or a very serious problem, and most people do not want to get caught up in it.

This study could mean that in the future, patients and health-care professionals alike will try drug-free treatment options before relying on opioids.

Instead of using pain medications, those surveyed in this recent study chose physical therapy as the safest option in treating pain.

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital has announced they are offering full scholarships for two individuals from the community to attend the Emergency Medical Technician (E.M.T.) course held this winter in Waukon. The course will be co-sponsored by Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) and Veterans Memorial Hospital. The classes will begin January 7 at the NICC Waukon Center.

There is a great need for more EMTs in the area so the hospital Auxiliary, in an effort to help recruit, will pay the NICC college credit fee for two individuals this upcoming semester. Classes will meet twice per week with additional clinical time at Veterans Memorial Hospital and other larger medical facilities.

Those eligible have until December 7 of this year to enroll in or change Medicare drug plans for 2020. Don’t wait until the last minute. Remember, if you’re on Medicare and don’t have drug coverage, or the coverage you have is not as good as Medicare’s, you will face a penalty for each month you delay enrolling.

If you have questions about Medicare drug coverage call your local SHIIP counselor at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411. SHIIP volunteers are available to meet individually with anyone in the community who wishes to compare the Medicare Part D plans available for 2020. Appointments are required. Call Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411 to schedule your appointment. You will need to bring your Medicare card, current Part D plan card and a list of your medications from your pharmacy. SHIIP is a free, confidential service of the State of Iowa.

With possible vaping-related deaths dominating news headlines, there is an increased concern on its effects and associated lung illnesses. Health officials are worried that there is a possible connection between vaping and a number of multi-state deaths that have occurred in the United States. While it’s not necessarily clear what is causing the lung damage, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a warning to discontinue vaping pending further investigation into the surge of lung-related deaths.

LifeServe Blood Center is asking community members who have never donated blood to step up and do their part to boost the local blood supply. Blood cannot be manufactured in a lab, and there is no substitute for it. In order to ensure blood will be available for local hospital patients in their critical time of need, new donors are being relied on to roll up their sleeves.

The standard blood donation process only takes an hour, start to finish, with the actual blood collection procedure only lasting about ten minutes. One donation can save the lives of up to three local hospital patients. Be the lifesaving link and schedule an appointment at an upcoming blood drive in the local community.

The Waukon Community Blood Drive is scheduled for Thursday, November  7 from 12-5 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 614 Rossville Road, Waukon.

The local Grief Support Group will not be meeting at Veterans Memorial Hospital until after the first of the year, 2020. When the January date is set, notice of the next meeting will be published.
 

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Maggie Kruse by Chuck and Lois Votsmier, Jerry and Linda Siegrist, Bob and Linda Thompson, Hilmen Christianson and Butch and Lois Fossum.

Donations were also made to the Foundation in honor of Dr. Chelsea McMillan by Pat and Kathy McMillan, Don and DiAnne Haler, Richard and Liz Seibert, Dave and Sandy Lyons and Russ and Mary Jo Meyer.

Memorials and donations are appreciated by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation. The Foundation is a 501C3 organization. All donations to the Foundation are tax deductible. Memorials and donations can be sent to 40 First Street SE, Waukon, IA  52172.
 

October is National Physical Therapy Month. Tim Anthony of Lansing credits the therapy staff at Veterans Memorial Hospital for his successful recovery following a serious accident last winter.

February 19, 2018, Tim was snowmobiling near Spokane, WA with the Army buddy he had traveled out to see. Neither of them were wearing helmets when they hit a patch of ice and sped out of control and crashed. Fortunately, Tim’s friend only needed some stitches, but Tim experienced a head injury that would consume his next year of life to overcome.

“My friend told me he had to do CPR to get me to start breathing again right after the crash,” explains Tim. “He called 911 and I was airlifted to the nearest ER. I stayed in that hospital for the next month where they removed a section of my skull so my brain would be able to swell. I had a traumatic brain injury, was unconscious and was not doing well. Chris and our children arrived at the hospital and were a great support to me.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Veterans Memorial Hospital continues to offer state-of the art 3D mammography, for early detection of breast cancer.  The advanced breast tomosynthesis technology installed less than two years ago provides exams that are clinically proven to significantly increase the detection of breast cancers, while simultaneously decreasing the number of women asked to return for additional testing.