Health

Reservations are being taken now for the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation’s 27th  Annual Christmas Fantasy held Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, November 9, 10, 11 and 12, at the Allamakee Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon. The theme will be “Never Stop Believing.”

Reservations are now being taken for the popular Saturday and Monday Noon luncheons and the Saturday evening Wine, Cheese and Dessert Event. The luncheons are sponsored by the Allamakee County Cattlemen’s Association, and will be held Saturday, November 10, at Noon, and again Monday, November 12 at Noon. A full meal will be served plus entertainment will be provided at both events. All guests will have ample time to view all of the displays. Reservations can be made by calling 563-568-6262.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Radiology Department at Veterans Memorial Hospital holds extended hours into the evening to allow for more mammogram appointments to be scheduled after work, making the option of mammography more accessible.

Mammography (an x-ray picture of the breast) is the single most effective method to detect breast changes that may be cancer, long before physical symptoms can be seen or felt. Early detection, followed by up-to-date treatment, provides women with better chances for long-term freedom from the disease. But mammography screening must be done routinely.

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care continues to offer flu shots every Wednesday afternoon during their regular immunization clinics. The next flu shot clinics will be held Wednesday, October 24 from 1-4 p.m. and then again Wednesday, October 31 from 1-4 p.m. and each Wednesday afternoon thereafter. The Community and Home Care Immunization Clinic is located on the upper level of Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon.

Immunization clinics are held from 1-6 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of the month, and from 1-4 p.m. all other Wednesdays. Flu vaccine, pneumonia vaccine and a combination of flu and pneumonia vaccine will all be available. Tetanus shots are always offered as well.

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Lillian Christianson by Jim and Ele Klenske, Jane Dietrich, Bob and Linda Thompson, Sigurd and Barb Ness, Marcella Selberg, Carol Moe, Mae Jean Bakke, Marlys Leiran, Ernie and Donnalee Osland, and the Allamakee County Food Shelf.

Memorials were also received in memory of Tony Schulte by Tom and Joan Fritz, in memory of Leonard Heiderscheit by Dr. Bill and Libby Withers, and in memory of Lucille Halverson by Patsy Kerndt, Richard and Annabelle Marti and the family of Lucille Halverson. In addition, the Foundation also received a donation from Marlene “Mickey” Cook.

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.
 

The LifeServe Blood Center will not be holding a blood drive in Waukon in November. The next Waukon blood drive will be held Monday, December 10 from 12-5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon. The LifeServe Blood Center supplies Veterans Memorial Hospital with its blood and blood products.

The LifeServe Blood Center seeks donors to ensure a safe and plentiful blood supply in Iowa. Because there is no substitute for human blood, the need for donors is continuous. How much does blood donation help? The LifeServe Blood Center provided the following statistics:

· Cancer: up to eight platelet units per week.
· Burn Victims:  Up to 20 plasma units.
· Automobile Accidents:  Up to 50 red blood cell units.
· Premature Infants:  Up to five units.
· Heart Surgery: Up to six red blood cell units plus six platelet units
· Organ Transplants: Up to 25 plasma units plus 30 platelet units plus 40 red blood cell units.

An estimated 252,710 new invasive cases of breast cancer are expected to occur among women in the United States during 2018 and about 2,470 new cases of breast cancer are expected in men in 2018. In total, an estimated 40,610 deaths (40,170 women and 440 men) are anticipated from breast cancer in 2018.  These numbers have steadily decreased since 1990. The American Cancer Society states the decrease represents progress in both earlier detection and improved treatment.

by Renee Stokman, Mammographer,
Veterans Memorial Hospital
 
I’ve heard about 3D Mammograms…why are they better?
Veterans Memorial Hospital is proud to be offering, for a second year, this new 3D equipment to the members of our community.  When you come in for your 3D mammogram, you really won’t notice much of a difference compared to the 2D (regular) mammogram. We still start with two images of each breast, and we still use compression to get adequate visualization of the breast. When we take your images, we get an additional set of thin slices of your breast. The images we get are similar to a CT scan, where the doctor is able to scroll through your breast slice by slice. When we view the breast this way, we can detect smaller cancers earlier. There is also a lower chance that you will get called in for additional images due to overlapping dense breast tissue.

by Amy Robinson, P.T.,
Director of Rehabilitation
Veterans Memorial Hospital

What is Physical Therapy Month?
October is Physical therapy month, and it’s a time when physical therapists and physical therapist assistants educate communities about who we are and what we do.

October is the month to start a Medicare Part D check-up for 2019. Individuals should watch their mailbox for news about Medicare drug plans and changes coming next year. Participants will be able to enroll in or change their Part D plan for 2019 from October 15 through December 7, 2018.

Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon has a Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) counselor available throughout the entire enrollment period.   SHIIP is a free, confidential service of the State of Iowa.  SHIIP volunteer Russ Hagen will be available to meet individually with anyone in the community who wishes to compare the Medicare Part D plans available for 2019.   Appointments are required.  Call Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411 to schedule an appointment. Those seeking information will need to bring their Medicare card, current Part D plan card and a list of their medications from their pharmacy.

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care is offering flu shots every Wednesday afternoon during its regular immunization clinics. The next flu shot clinic will be held Wednesday, October 17 from 1-6 p.m. and again Wednesday, October 24 from 1-4 p.m. The Community and Home Care Immunization Clinic is located on the upper level of Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon.  

Immunization clinics are held from 1-6 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of the month, and from 1-4 p.m. all other Wednesdays. Flu vaccine, pneumonia vaccines and tetanus vaccines will be available.

Medicare does cover the costs of a flu shot. Billing for vaccinations will be completed by the Community and Home Care staff, but participants will need to bring their physician’s name and their new Medicare number or private insurance card with them. Those who do not have insurance that covers these can also pay for these vaccines.