Health

For the third year, Bandmates, Brothers and Friends (BBF) will reunite in Waukon for another night of outstanding musical entertainment to benefit the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation. This year they will be joined by the JayR Brink Band as part of the musical line-up, all to be held Friday evening May 9, from 6-11 p.m. at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon.

The first set of Bandmates, Brothers and Friends members will take the stage to begin the night, offering a variety of older country music, with a second set of BBF  members performing a variety of hits from the 1950s through the 1990s. The JayR Brink Band will close out the evening’s musical entertainment.

by Tami Gebel, OTR/L

Melissa Etheridge, Sheryl Crow, Kathy Bates, Rita Wilson, Hoda Kotb, Wanda Sykes, and Julia-Louis Dreyfus. What do these ladies have in common, besides being famous, beautiful, and strong? They are all breast cancer survivors.

According to the American Cancer Society, the average risk of a woman developing breast cancer is 13%, meaning that there is a 1 in 8 chance for a female to develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in women (Cancer.org). However, over the years the death rate has decreased, possibly due to increased awareness, early detection, and better treatments.

by VMH Community and Home Care and the Iowa Department of Public Health
 
Public health plays an important role in Iowa’s high standard of living. The goal of public health is helping to create an environment where people can live in good health. Public health helps make good health happen in Iowa’s homes, neighborhoods, schools and workplaces.

Public health is more than just state and local government agencies. The public health community works together to fight disease and promote healthy lifestyles through the use of nutrition education, physical activity, immunization clinics, disease surveillance and home nursing and home care aide visits.

The Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, April 17, at 10 a.m. The meeting will be held at Veterans Memorial Hospital in the Large Conference Room, located on the lower level of the hospital.

This diabetes class is open to everyone who has diabetes or has a friend or loved one with diabetes. For more information on the Diabetes Support Group, feel free to call  Angie Mettille, RN, Certified Diabetes Educator at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.

The next LifeServe Blood Center community blood drive will be held Monday, April 7, from 12-5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon.

by Tami Gebel, OTR/L
 
Have you been experiencing pain in your hip or knee? Are you having difficulty completing daily tasks, such as dressing, bathing, and making a meal? Is it becoming more difficult to walk around your house, through the grocery store, or attend special events where there are stairs?

These are some important questions to consider before talking with your doctor about having a hip or knee replacement surgery.  The surgery, and the expected pain and inconvenience, can seem overwhelming, however the after effects can be life changing. The therapy department at Veterans Memorial Hospital is here to help you through the transition from a painful, limiting joint to returning to a fulfilling productive life.

Colon cancer can be easily prevented, yet it remains the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Colon cancer screening tests identify suspicious or pre-cancerous polyps, which can be removed before they develop into a serious health problem.

There are four main testing options for detecting colon cancer: Fecal Occult blood test, Flexible Sigmoidoscopy, Barium Enema and Colonoscopy. Colonoscopies, a very thorough colon cancer test, are performed routinely in the Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) surgical suite and typically take just three hours from start to finish.

Both men and women are at risk for colon cancer. Personal risk varies, so local medical practitioners can help make informed decisions about when to begin testing and the most appropriate testing method for each individual.

Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) will sponsor the next Babysitting Seminar Friday, April 18, from 9 a.m. to Noon. The class will be held in the Large Conference Room located on the lower level of Veterans Memorial Hospital.

Intended participants are individuals 10 years of age and older who are responsible for their own care after school until their parents come home from work, and individuals who care for other children in or outside of their own home. Girls and boys are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Topics to be covered include fire and personal safety, accident prevention and emergency actions, nutritious snacks and basic care of children.

Pre-registration is required by April 14. Online registration is available by using the QR code or may be taken by phone by calling the hospital at 563-568-3411.

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Dianne Wolfe by Gladwin and Darlene Anderson, Brad and Erin Berns, Frank and Patty Goltz,  Marlys Leiran,  Ann Rademaker, Diane Regan, Bill and Beth Shafer, Linda Siegrist, Chuck and Lois Votsmier, Frank and Jean Ann Weymiller, Brian and Denise Wullner, Marilyn Clark and Mary Ann Hager.

Memorials were also received in memory of Ken West by Gladwin and Darlene Anderson, Mary Axmear, Barb Hanson, Arlen and Karlene Wonderlich, Sheila Clair, Charles and Marcie Fritz, Mary Ann Hager, Sigurd and Barb Ness, Pat Pettingill, Sandy Pladsen, Dave and Gail Prestemon, Marvin and Marjorie Strike, and Chuck and Lois Votsmier.

The local Grief Support Group will be holding its monthly meeting at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Tuesday, April 8, at 5 p.m. in the Meditation Healing Center, located just inside the main entrance of the hospital.

This informal meeting is open to anyone suffering from any type of loss whether it be death, divorce, illness or some other grief.

Feel free to attend and bring a friend. This grief support meets the second Tuesday of each month at 4 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon.