RVMC Your Health Spring 2009

8/14/2019 RVMC Your Health Spring 2009

1/12

SpRogue Valley Medical Center Health Newsletter

INTHISISSUE

TomoTherapy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Stroke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Pediatric Sleep. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Colon Cancer Therapy. . . . . . . . . . . 8

Colon-healthy Recipe. . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Hospice Volunteers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Your Health Goes Green . . . . . . . . . 12

TBringing


2/12

It would be diffi cult to park your car in

your garage with your eyes closed. Now

imagine that someone moved the garage.

Wouldnt you want to know where it was?

Some cancers, such as prostate cancer, pose asimilar problem for doctors because the cancer

is in a part of the body where it

can shift and move. Doctors

need to know precisely

where the tumor is

to deliver the most

effective dose

of radiation.

omoTerapy,the newest form

of radiation

therapy for

certain cancers, gives doctors that ability, and

it is now available at Dubs Cancer Center at

Rogue Valley Medical Center (RVMC).

Te omoTerapy Hi-Art treatment

system combines intensity-modulated

radiation therapy (IMR)the mosteffective form of radiation therapywith

the image precision of a C (computerized

axial tomography) scan to guide radiation

exactly to tumor areas. Patients lie on a table

that moves through a donutlike opening. As

they pass through, the IMR heads spin

around inside the donut, sending

radiation beams at an infinite number

of angles to reach the exact location

of the tumor. Tis maximi

reaching the cancer while

to the surrounding healthy

omoTerapy repres

radiation approach for maradiation oncologist Jere S

We are going to take a sca

table right before we treat

can shift the radiation righ

Current treatment sys

getting a C image of the

positioning the body at a l

targeting the tumor based

works extremely well for mfor ones in very sensitive p

spine and the neck or in a

as the prostate.

We were already usin

Dr. Sandefur says, but o

all these parts into one pac

then we treat it at the sam

better, and bringing it to th

was something we had to d

TT Revolutionary Cancer Treatment Now at Rogue Va

2 | Read more about the new TomoTherapy treatment system at www.rvmc.org

A patient does not have to

go out of town to get the

best treatment available.

Jere Sandefur, MD


3/12

Previously, local patients had to travel either to Salem or

to the University of California at Davis near Sacramento for

omoTerapy. Tanks to generous and ongoing community

support through the Asante Foundation, this startlingly

successful therapy is now available here.Te cancer specialists at Dubs Cancer Center on the RVMC

campus can help you decide if omoTerapy is the right choice

for you or your loved one.

For more information call 1-877-789-8666.

Center

When Jed Meese needed care for his prostate cancer, he wanted treatment to give himself a winning edge. o do that, he had tWashington state.

I am very fortunate. I could afford to leave the area. Some peopl

Meese. He and his wife, Celia, are supporting omoTerapy by donato the Asante Foundation. It is very important for everybody in the a

notch hospital with cutting-edge treatments like omoTerapy, expl

Te Asante Foundation will continue to raise funds to cover its c

Ameen, Asantes chief development offi cer. Our Foundation Board f

radiation therapy would make a difference to our communitys cance

they shouldnt have to wait or travel hundreds of miles, she continue

Jed and Celia Meese give to the hospital

because of their belief that philanthropy

leverages partnerships among the hospital,physicians, and the community. ogether

we create a connection of care.

Jed put it this way: We have been

very fortunate and we like to give back.

By giving to RVMC, you can make a huge

difference in a lot of peoples lives.

And we hope others do the same,

Celia adds.

CommunitySupportMakesTomoTherapyPossible

To make a gi, go to www.rvmc.org, key

Jed and Celia Meese


4/12

Leon Carrau was opening the garage door

I just fell over. It was a stroke. I had no

was angry because I couldnt move my

I couldnt talk, he recalls. His wife, Jackie, di

soon the Phoenix Fire Rescue arrived. Tey caFlights, who got Carrau to Rogue Valley Med

(RVMC), a certified Primary Stroke Center, f

Rapid response is the key, says Margare

BSN, Stroke Program Coordinator. During a

of blood to the brain is blocked. With every p

during a stroke, more brain function is lost.

Te RVMC stroke team was ready for Ca

stabilized him and kept the blood flowing to h

blood thinners. After a stay in the stroke unitthe Inpatient Rehabilitation Center (IRC), wh

more than three hours of intense therapy ever

Carrau is a documentary filmmaker who

sense of detail and continuity. And the IRC a

effective. Tey schedule you tightly up there,

Tey dont mess around, and they are determ

the CNAs [certified nursing assistants].

oday, Carrau is at home, doing his exerc

I want my mobility back, he says. And I ca

4 | To print a copy of the stroke scorecard, go to www.rvmc.org, keyword:

W I S, Ev S


5/12

to the people at Rogue Valley Medical Center.

Margaret Brewer agrees: Te teamwork of

emergency services, the stroke team, critical care, and

the IRC is what creates success for our stroke patients.

WHYAPRIMARYSTROKECENTER?For the 220 patients treated for stroke at RVMC

in 2008, it means that they had a better chance

to save brain function. RVMC has met demanding

treatment standards to fast-track patients

suspected of stroke so that

doctors can

begin brain-saving treatments immediately.

Only 36 percent of Americans live near

a hospital designated as a stroke center. In Oregon

only RVMC in Medford and three hospitals in

Portland have Primary Stroke Center certification.Our physicians have extensive specialized training,

and we have established proven standard protocols

that minimize the long-term effects of a stroke,

says Brewer.

HOWISSTROKETREATEDATRVMC?Doctors may open blocked arteries using drugs

or a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI),

commonly known as coronary angioplasty.National guidelines call for angioplasty within

90 minutes of a patients arrival at the hospital.

At RVMC the average is less than 60 minutes

and often 30 minutes or less. From 2003 to

2007, the mortality rate for angioplasty

patients from stroke or heart attack was

3.1 percent. Te national average is

10 percent.

MEDFORDT, M5:30 7 .Smullin HealRVMC camp

Presented byJuan M. CastOregon Surgic

YREKAW5:30 7 .Yreka CommMain RoomPresented byMark A. Eato

Oregon Surgic

No fee. PleaseCall 1-888-6or register onwww.rvmc.org

Up to 80 perpreventable, yleading killerUnderstandin

risk is lifesavi

BeStroEducat

To register for other community health education classes, visit www.rvmc.org, key

May Is National Stroke Awareness Month

treatment standards to fast-track patients

suspected of stroke so that

octors can

ODoct

or a

comat

90

At

a

2

To register for o


6/12

Jay Reeck, MD, EN, recalls

mother who stayed with her c

every time he stopped breathi

him a little nudge to wake him

It was obstructive sleep apneathat blocks the airway, causing wa

sleep. A child with OSA may stop

a moment but will awaken and sta

again. It really scares parents, say

and they should seek medical adv

Te best place to begin is with

evaluation and sleep study. Rogue

Center in Medford, the only pedi

the region, is now offering sleep sages three to 17.

Obstructive sleep apnea leave

droopy all day. But it often has th

children, causing symptoms that m

deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD

If a child is snoring, he migh

times a night and have fragmente

Lee Harker, MD, a pediatric sleep

the chair of Womens and Childre

6 | Read more about pediatric sleep disorders at www.rvmc.org, keyword:

I Y C A


7/12

Rogue Valley Medical Center. Poor sleep affects

school performance and certainly can result in

behavior problems.

If your child exhibits symptoms of OSA, he or she

should be evaluated. A sleep study is the only certainway to make a diagnosis.

We can diagnose all pediatric sleep disorders,

says Beth Mortonson, clinical manager of Rogue

Valley Sleep Center. And we have seen remarkable

turnarounds in the behavior of children treated for

sleep apnea.

Even if a sleep disorder is strongly indicated,

parents should get a sleep study for their child before

seeking treatment, recommends Dr. Harker.

Recent studies have shown that children

with sleep apnea are particularly susceptible to

complications after tonsillectomy. With a proper

diagnosis, insurance is more likely to pay for an

overnight stay after a tonsillectomy, Dr. Harkerexplains. Tat first night can be pretty rocky. I

recommend you discuss having a sleep study with

your doctor. If your child has true sleep apnea, he

or she should be watched overnight in the hospital

after surgery.

For the child mentioned at the start of this article,

a study at the Rogue Valley Sleep Center diagnosed

his OSA. Te pediatrician sent him to Dr. Reeck,

who removed the childs tonsils, and the OSAstopped.

Its great to have parents come back and

say, Oh, my gosh, they are sleeping so well!

Its amazing to see their faces just light

up, says Dr. Reeck.

o get a sleep study for your child,

contact your physician. For more

information call the Rogue Valley

Sleep Center at(541) 774-5750

.

We have seen remarkable

turnarounds in the behavior of

children treated for sleep apnea.

Beth Mortonson

CanItAfChildsHIt Might Be a Sleep Disorder

Achild withpoor healdiffi culty conc

and/or develo

hyperactivity, problems.

Deep slee

hormones nec

growth and bu

says Annemari

pulmonary spe

with sleep apn

reach or maint

preventing thehormone and

her heart wo

constantly s

to overcome

that the


8/12

Rogue Valley Medical Center and the American

Cancer Society encourage anyone at average

risk to begin screening for colon cancer

starting at age 50.

According to the 2007Annual Report to theNation on the Status of Cancer, 19752004, the death

rates from colon cancer dropped 4.9 percent per year

in men and 4.5 percent per year in women between

2002 and 2004.

Tese declines can be attributed to prevention

and early detection of the disease through screening

as well as to effective treatment. But despite the

progress, colon cancer remains the third-leading

cause of cancer death in both men and women inthe United States.

WHATARETHERISKS?You have average risk for colon cancer if you

are age 50 or older or have a personal or family

history of the disease. Your risk increases if you

are overweight or have a diet high in red or

processed meats.

HOWDOIGETCHECKED? Yearly stool blood test (FOB)

immunochemical test (FI)

Flexible sigmoidoscopy every fiv

double-contrast barium enema e

Colonoscopy every 10 years

o see how you can get screen

doctor or call the American Cance

toll-free at 1-800-ACS-2345 [1-8

Have you heard the phrase H

the colon? Te colon, or large intes

final stage of the digestive tract, w

of beneficial bacteria help finish d

food and promote the absorption

minerals, and healthy fats.

8 |

Health is the greatest

human blessings.

Hippocrates (460 B.C.370

G S B C C


9/12

Colon cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells

lining the colon. It is imperative to get regular screening

tests done for early detection. When detected

early, cancer can often be cured.

You can also greatly reduce your risk ofcolon cancer with some basic lifestyle choices:

Exercise daily. Find an activity you

enjoy; youll do it more often.

Eat several servings of vegetables daily,

including legumes such as beans, peas,

and lentils.

Enjoy fresh fruit and whole grains.

Moderation is the key for all foods. Also,

if you drink alcohol, by all means drink

in moderation. Tis means up to one

drink a day for women and two at the

most for men. Wine, especially red wine,

is the most healthful.

Enjoy the sun often but for short periods

and with sun block protection. A vitamin D

supplement is a good idea if your

vitamin D level is low.

If you smoke, quit. Call the American Cancer Society

at 1-800-ACS-2345 [1-800-227-2345] for help.

For more healthy recipes, go to www.rvmc.org, keyw

Minestrone

Minestrone is a versatile and delicious Italian classic. It can be a light, fragrant soup isummer or a hearty warming stew in winter.

INGREDIENTS

1 onion, finely chopped

1 cups chopped celery

1 tablespoons olive oil

4 cups chopped tomatoes or 6 ounces tomatopaste with 3 cups vegetable, chicken, or beef stock

2 bay leaves1 teaspoon oregano

2 teaspoons basil

Pinch fennel (optional)

1 to 2 cloves garlic, crushed

2 cups or more chopped vegetables: carrot,zucchini, potato, broccoli, green beans, greenpepper, cabbage, peas, corn, and/or mushrooms

1 cup cooked beans: black, garbanzo, kidnnavy, lima, and/or pinto

Handful raw or cooked whole-wheat pastand/or cup cooked grains: barley or wi

1 cup greens: spinach or kale (optional)

salt and pepper to taste

cup chopped parsley (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS Saut onion and celery in oil until soft.

tomatoes or stock and bring to a simme

Add herbs and vegetables. Simmer for 1

Add beans, pasta, and grains and cook f30 minutes.

Add greens and parsley and bring to a bSalt and pepper to taste, and enjoy! Serv

Colon-he


10/12

10 | Read more about how you can become a hospice volunteer at www.rvmc.org, keyword:

H V Provide a Caring Touch

Asante Hospice is a life-enhancing support

system of nurses, social workers, care aides,

and volunteers who help patients live well

and at home as they enter the end stages of life.

In operation for more than 17 years,the Asante Hospice team consists of 27 nurses,

6 social workers, 4 care aides, and more than

45 active volunteers who served more than

750 families in 2008.

We ease the process for everyone involved,

with emphasis on emotional, social, spiritual,

and physical support for patients as well as their

families, says Katie Adkison, manager, Asante

Hospice. And volunteers are an important partof that emphasis.

Volunteers share with me that they are

honored to be present during someones end-

of-life journey, says Sally Melton, director of

volunteers. Beyond this, they often state that this

shared process helps them face their own mortality

and prioritize their life choices.

Hospice volunteer Lesley Nelson agrees. I

was asked by one of my clients why anyone would

choose to spend even a day of he

the dying, she says. My first an

felt natural for me to do this at th

being semiretired with grown chi

Te complete answer, of coucomplex, and Nelson says that ev

the end of life informs me of so

to my own life and my own acce

own mortality.

For example, one client expa

of the wordfriendfor her. Barely

patient whispered, Friend, I kno

be a long processcan we talk?

Im still touched, says Nelscompanion on a journey rather t

separated from the dying process

be addressed by a given name. It

gratifying to grow and learn to b

way to people I might otherwise

If you or someone you know

information about becoming a h

or about Asante Hospice Services

Melton at(541) 789-6859

.


11/12

Asante is a communitorganization. To supwe do at Rogue Valley M

or Three Rivers Commu

to honor someone, or toplanned gis, contact th

in Medford at (541) 789-

Grants Pass at (541) 472

online atwww.asante.org

make a donation.

If you wish to be removed from our mailing list, please contact Asante Communications andMarketing at (541) 789-4241.Articles in the RVMC Your Health newsleer are intended for general informationonly and should not be construed as medical advice or instruction. For diagnosis and treatment of specific conditions,

consult your physician.

BecomeaPartofYourCommu

To make a gi, go to www.rvmc.org, key

BE STROKE SMART

M | T, M 12 | 5:30 7 ..Smullin Health Education Center, RVMC

Presented by Juan M. Castillo, MD, FACSOregon Surgical Specialists, PC

Y | W, M 20 | 5:30 7 ..Yreka Community Center, Main Room

Presented by Mark A. Eaton, MD, FACSOregon Surgical Specialists, PC

Breast surgery: yesterday,today, and tomorrowPresented by Stephen Lovich, MD

M | T, M 19 | 5:30 7 ..Smullin Health Education Center, RVMC

Is It Alzheimers?Presented by Patrick Gillette, MD

Y | W, M 27 | 5:30 7 ..

Yreka Community Center, Main RoomTreating and Beating CancerPresented by RVMC Cancer Services

Y | W, J 3 | 5:30 7 ..Yreka Community Center, Main Room

M | T, J 30 | 5:30 7 ..Smullin Health Education Center, RVMC

A Closer Look at the NICU:

Taking Care of the Little Ones

Presented by Lee Harker, MDRVMC, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

M | T, J 16 | 5:30 7 ..Smullin Health Education Center, RVMC

C H E

Visit www.rvmc.orgor call 1-888-688-4920 to request the Community Health Education events calendar.

All classes are free. Please register. Call 1-888-688-4920 or register online at www.rvmc.org/classes-events.


12/12

RVMC is becoming more environmentally

friendly. Te hospital is using green

cleaning supplies, reducing plastic and

paper use in food service, making the change

to paperless medical records, and developing anall-new facility plan to become LEED certified to

significantly lower its use of water and energy.

As part of this plan, this newsletter is now

printed in a smaller size on all-recycled paper made

from farmed trees, using eco-friendly soy-based

inks. In doing so, every issue of the new Your Health

newsletter is saving 256 cubic feet of wood while

using 64 percent less energy and water and creating

74 percent less air pollution. Another benefit: thissmaller size saves more than $25,000 annually in

postage, freeing funds for improved patient care.

View Your Health online at www.rvmc.org, keyword: w

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RVMC Your Health Spring 2009