LEADING MEDICINE FA LL 2020
Expanding Treatment Options for AFib Patients Positively in the Right Place for Breast Care
BE VIGILANT ABOUT RESPIRATORY ILLNESS YOUR LINK TO HEALTH INNOVATIONS, NEWS AND TIPS IN NORTHWEST HOUSTON
NEWS & EVENTS
IN THIS ISSUE – FALL 2020
WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY WEBINAR
Date: Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020 Time: 9 a.m. | Location: Online For more information about our events and to register, visit houstonmethodist.org/events or call 281.737.2500.
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VIRTUAL WOMEN’S HEALTH AND WELLNESS EVENT: EMPOWER A HEALTHIER YOU Date: Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020 Time: 4-5 p.m. | Location: Online For more information about our events and to register, visit houstonmethodist.org/events or call 281.737.2500.
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E xpanding Treatment Options for AFib Patients Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a heart condition that causes an irregular heartbeat. This serious condition can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications, so it’s important to get treated.
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e Vigilant About Respiratory Illness B You’ve heard about the dangers of COVID-19, flu and other respiratory illnesses that affect the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. There are steps you can take today to prevent disease and boost your respiratory health.
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Patient Story: Comprehensive Breast Cancer Care at Willowbrook A Annual mammograms were part of Tova Parker’s routine since she was just 36 years old due to several risk factors. A confirmed breast cancer diagnosis led her down a path of comprehensive care at Houston Methodist Willowbrook.
OFFERING SOLUTIONS FOR BACK AND NECK PAIN SUFFERERS
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f you suffer from back and neck pain, you have options when it comes to treatment. The specialists at Houston Methodist Spine Center at Willowbrook are experts in treating back and neck Dr. Hosun pain — from everyday Hwang discomfort to complex conditions and injuries. In addition, during the coronavirus outbreak, you can be confident that we are taking every necessary precaution to keep you safe during your visit. Dr. Glenn “If you wait to do Anderson something about back or neck pain until it’s become debilitating, you’ve waited too long,” said Dr. Hosun Hwang, a boardcertified spine surgeon at Houston
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Methodist Willowbrook Hospital. “We have solutions for patients suffering from long-term or chronic pain.”
COORDINATING YOUR CARE
Our Spine Center provides: A multidisciplinary team of boardcertified doctors Advanced treatments ranging from nonsurgical options to minimally invasive surgery A dedicated clinical navigator Expedited appointments (within two business days)
Personalized care conveniently located close to home “We spend time investigating the underlying cause of your pain and then creating a targeted personalized treatment plan that aims to resolve the issue and improve quality of life,” said Dr. Glenn Anderson, a board-certified neurosurgeon and medical director of neurosurgery at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital.
Request an Appointment It’s important to see a doctor when back or neck pain interferes with your daily life. To schedule an appointment at Houston Methodist Spine Center at Willowbrook, visit houstonmethodist.org/spine-wb or call 281.737.7463.
EXPANDING TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR AFIB PATIENTS
A Dr. Sanjay Kunapuli
Dr. Rajesh Venkataraman
trial fibrillation (AFib) is a heart condition that causes an irregular heartbeat. If you’re experiencing AFib, it may feel like your heart is skipping a beat or fluttering in your chest. You may experience dizziness, weakness, fatigue, shortness of breath, sweating and anxiety — or you may have no symptoms at all with AFib. AFib is a serious condition that can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heartrelated complications, so it’s important to get treated. Treatment varies for each patient, but options may include: Medications, such as blood thinners and medications to control heart rhythms. Ablation procedures, which use electrical signals to destroy the cells causing heart rhythm problems. Implanted devices designed to regulate your heart rate.
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY FOR AFIB TREATMENT
Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital was the first in northwest Harris county to implant the Watchman™ device for AFib treatment. Dr. Sanjay Kunapuli, cardiologist, and Dr. Rajesh Venkataraman, electrophysiologist, both with Houston Methodist Willowbrook, performed the implant procedure in May 2020. The Watchman is a tiny, permanent implant that provides an alternative to blood thinners, which are typically used to prevent stroke, for those with AFib not caused by a heart valve problem. It is designed for patients who can no longer take blood thinners due to complications, such as people with a history of major bleeding due to the drug’s side effects, or those who are at higher risk of bleeding from an injury due to active lifestyles or hazardous work.
A SAFE ALTERNATIVE
The Watchman is placed through a narrow tube that’s inserted through a small incision in the patient’s leg and guided to the heart. It takes about an hour to implant the device, and most patients will go home the next day. “The Watchman has been studied for more than 20 years, and more than 100,000 people have received the implant worldwide,” said Venkataraman. “It’s a safe alternative that can provide a very significant benefit for patients.”
REDUCING STROKE RISK
“Because of their irregular heartbeat pattern, patients with AFib often experience blood pooling in a pocket of the heart called the left atrial appendage,” said Kunapuli. “If a blood clot escapes the appendage and moves into an artery, it can eventually block the flow of blood to the brain and cause an ischemic stroke.” The Watchman works by plugging off the appendage and preventing blood from pooling and clotting. “Eventually, heart tissue grows over the Watchman to form a natural barrier against blood clots,” said Venkataraman.
Schedule an Appointment To find a doctor or schedule an appointment with a specialist at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, call 281.737.2500.
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BE VIGILANT ABOUT RESPIRATORY ILLNESS
Y Dr. Fadi I. Abu-Shahin
ou’ve heard about the dangers of COVID-19, flu and other respiratory illnesses that affect the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. There are steps you can take today to prevent disease and boost your respiratory health in case you do get sick. Taking good care of your lungs can improve your quality of life and protect against respiratory illnesses that can take a toll on your lungs.
RECOGNIZE SERIOUS SYMPTOMS It’s important to know that anyone can have mild to severe symptoms with either COVID-19 or flu. “Respiratory illnesses pose a greater risk for older adults and people who have underlying health conditions,” said Dr. Fadi I. Abu-Shahin, hematologist-oncologist at Houston Methodist Cancer Center at Willowbrook. “For example, family members living with a smoker are more likely to develop pneumonia, bronchitis, ear infections and asthma.” Monitor your symptoms if you’re not feeling well: Mild respiratory symptoms include having a low-grade fever, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, mild cough and mild body aches. What to do: Get tested for COVID-19. Stay home and isolate yourself from others to avoid spreading illness, even if you test negative for COVID-19. Moderate respiratory symptoms include fever over 100.4 F, persistent cough, temporary shortness of breath
and feeling like you need to stay in bed. What to do: Get tested for COVID-19 and contact your doctor about worsening symptoms. Severe respiratory symptoms include difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, wheezing, pain or pressure in the chest, confusion, trouble staying awake and bluish lips or face. What to do: Seek emergency medical care for severe respiratory symptoms. Mild cases of respiratory illness can often be managed with rest, fluids and fever-reducing medicines at home. However, don’t wait to see a doctor if you’re in a high-risk group and experiencing worsening symptoms. Mild or moderate symptoms can quickly become severe for older adults and those who have heart disease, diabetes, cancer or chronic respiratory problems.
MANAGE YOUR HEALTH CONDITIONS
If you have chronic respiratory conditions, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), it’s important to manage the condition closely with your doctor. Keeping up with your regular checkups is essential in controlling symptoms and protecting your health. Continue taking medications as directed and contact your doctor with any questions or concerns about managing your condition. Houston Methodist is doing telehealth visits and video visits to help patients feel more comfortable and reduce exposure. Ask your doctor for recommendations before going in for appointments and consider having medications sent directly to your home so you don’t have to make extra trips to the pharmacy.
LUNG CANCER SCREENING A respiratory condition that often goes undetected until it spreads is lung cancer. That’s why staying on track with lung cancer screening is important. If you’re a current or former smoker, ask your doctor about lung cancer screening.
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Who Should Get Tested? Testing may be recommended if you meet the following criteria: Age 55-77 years No current signs or symptoms of lung cancer Tobacco smoking history of at least 30 pack-years (calculated
by multiplying the number of packs smoked per day by the number of years smoked) Current smoker or former smoker, who has quit within the last 15 years Have not had a chest CT scan in the last year
Make an Appointment
A written order is required for all lung cancer screening procedures. Request an order or schedule an appointment by calling 713.441.LUNG (5864). Visit houstonmethodist.org/lung-screening for more information.
PROTECT YOUR LUNGS EVERY DAY
Here are steps you can take to help keep your lungs healthy: Get regular exercise. Being physically active can increase lung capacity and improve lung function. Exercising makes your heart and lungs work harder, which increases oxygen and improves circulation around the lungs. Any form of exercise that involves taking deep breaths can help improve your lung capacity.
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Quit smoking and vaping. Smoking irritates the airways and impairs lung function. Vaping releases chemicals that also cause long-term damage to the lungs. Smoking and vaping can lead to lung cancer and COPD, and worsen complications due to COVID-19 or other serious respiratory infections. “It’s never too late to quit,” said Abu-Shahin. “You can still benefit from quitting smoking regardless of your age. If you’ve already been diagnosed with a smoking-related illness, including cancer, quitting smoking can help.” Talk to your doctor about getting support to quit smoking.
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Minimize exposure to allergens. Allergens can trigger respiratory problems and other issues. Keep allergies in check and improve indoor air quality with these tips:
Avoid mold spores Control dust mites Keep surfaces in home clean and uncluttered Minimize pet dander Prevent pollen from getting inside by keeping windows and doors closed Ventilate when using products with strong chemical odors
STAY HEALTHY
“Following good respiratory habits will help to keep you and your family safer,” said Abu-Shahin. Stay vigilant with these tips to prevent the spread of illness: Stay home from work or school if you feel sick Practice social distancing Get a flu shot Wear a cloth mask in public Wash hands often Wipe down frequently touched surfaces
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Breast Care Center at Willowbrook
POSITIVELY IN THE
RIGHT PLACE FOR CARE
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or Tova Parker, mammograms were as routine as eating breakfast, going to work and getting a mani-pedi. Annual mammograms have been part of her routine since she was just 36 years old. Even though she didn’t have any familial high-risk factors, her doctor encouraged starting mammograms early due to other Dr. John Shuck risk factors — including having dense breast tissue and being a Black woman, who are historically underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed for cancer. Since moving from Maryland to the Houston area for work in 2015, she had been going to a breast clinic not affiliated with Houston Methodist. Parker made a habit of scheduling her mammogram to coincide with her birthday month, October, which is also Breast Cancer Dr. Liza Awareness month. In October 2019, she went Thalheimer in for her annual screening and felt something a little off about her right breast. “It was a little heavier, though there were no visible signs of abnormality,” she recalled. She asked the technician to take a closer look, but was told that would require a diagnostic screening, and she’d have to reschedule in a month. Hesitant to delay her annual mammogram, Parker decided to go ahead with the routine screening, which came back clear.
A CHANGE OF PLANS
One month after her mammogram in October, Parker prepared to go back to Maryland for the Thanksgiving holiday that year. And that’s when she felt a small lump in her right breast, the same breast that she had asked the technician to take a closer look at. Instead of calling the breast clinic she had visited, she reached out to her trusted gynecologist, Dr. Lexanne Mauney with Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, who told her to come in. After examining the breast, Mauney urged Parker to go to the Houston Methodist Breast Care Center at Willowbrook for an ultrasound and diagnostic mammogram. Shortly before the December holidays, Parker received the news that she had stage 3 invasive ductal carcinoma, triple negative breast cancer — a more aggressive cancer that traditionally has a poorer prognosis than other types of breast cancer. Though Parker was obviously upset by the news, when she came to the Breast Care Center, “the whole team surrounded me with compassion,” she said. “They let me know that my
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diagnosis was not a death sentence, and empowered me with resources and information to be active in my medical treatment.”
SECOND OPINION PROVIDES CONFIRMATION
Parker is an engineer, and though she immediately trusted her new team, her analytical mind guided her to seek a second opinion. “This is my life we’re talking about, and I knew that I needed another expert to confirm the diagnosis I received,” Parker remembers. Though they stressed the urgency of starting treatment right away, the doctors supported her and expedited the process. “The second opinion that I received from another wellrespected medical institution was consistent with what I had been told by my Houston Methodist team, from the diagnosis to the treatment plan — everything was identical, but it was the bedside manner of the medical teams that differed significantly,” said Parker. “The feeling was cold. I was in a medical facility, not in a place of caring. Everything was fast, with very little personal interaction.” The second opinion not only confirmed her medical diagnosis, but that she had chosen the right place with Houston Methodist at Willowbrook.
A COMMUNITY OF CARE
Parker expressed gratitude for her comprehensive team, including experts at Houston Methodist Cancer Center at Willowbrook, and how they responded to her approach to cancer. “I’m a positive person, and I need to be with other people who are also positive, to match my energy.” From her first imaging appointment with radiologist Dr. Ainel Sewell and throughout her treatment with all her providers, Parker’s infectious attitude was met with equal enthusiasm. “My infusion team was great,” raved Parker. “I chose to celebrate throughout my healing and not wait until treatment ended. I couldn’t wait until I rang the bell. I danced at every one of my treatments. I danced because of my faith in God and the confidence in my team. I knew that I was already healed.” Her oncologist Dr. Fadi Abu-Shahin got used to taking a selfie with Parker at each appointment for a blog she began writing to document her journey. “At first, writing the blog was cathartic,” recalled Parker, “and then I saw that people were being helped by the positivity, strength, authenticity and humor throughout the blog.” As a result of her blogging, several other breast cancer patients at Houston Methodist have become avid readers and Parker is mentoring a few patients as a result of her writing. To date, the blog has also been featured by several breast cancer support organizations.
Parker’s approach to her therapy was always positive, while applying her analytical mind to the science behind the cancer. She appreciated the time Abu-Shahin took to explain every aspect of the treatment plan and test results. Parker’s treatment plan included chemotherapy and a double mastectomy. When she reached the second half of her chemotherapy treatment, Abu-Shahin approached her about participating in a clinical trial. “The data was still being collected on the clinical trial, so it wasn’t clear that it would improve my outcome, but it wasn’t for me that I did it, it was for the greater good,” said Parker. Following the clinical trial Parker opted for a double mastectomy. Her surgical oncologist Dr. Liza Thalheimer and reconstructive surgeon Dr. John Shuck guided her through the decision-making process. “The type of surgery is a personal decision for each patient and no two patients are the same,” said Thalheimer. “For most, there are multiple options for surgical intervention. By letting Tova decide to undergo bilateral nipple sparing mastectomies, she was able to regain some autonomy. This creates a feeling of empowerment in a situation that is often out of the patient’s control.” “Thanks to advancements in surgical techniques, such as the nipple sparing approach, breast resensation and using the patient’s own tissue, we can provide dramatically improved, more natural results for patients, like Tova,” said Shuck. On June 19, following her surgery, Parker got the news that there were no visible signs of cancer. “I had an appointment the following week, but everyone on my team reached out to congratulate me right away,” said Parker. From her first moment there to the news of her “freedom” from cancer, Parker found the world-class care, compassion and positivity she needed in the Houston Methodist Willowbrook community. Parker hopes other women will trust their intuition when it comes to breast cancer screenings, and that if they do get a cancer diagnosis, they can engage their own version of positive healing to overcome the challenges they face along the way.
“I'M A POSITIVE PERSON, AND I NEED TO BE WITH OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE ALSO POSITIVE. MY INFUSION TEAM WAS GREAT!” — TOVA PARKER, BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR
Schedule Your Mammogram
Talk to your doctor about breast cancer screening recommendations and call 281.737.7465 or visit houstonmethodist.org/imaging to schedule a mammogram at the Houston Methodist Breast Care Center at Willowbrook or the Houston Methodist Breast Care Center in Towne Lake.
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LEADING MEDICINE IN GREATER HOUSTON
Getting your annual mammogram is still important. Houston Methodist can see you safely. Getting your annual mammogram is one of the most important steps you can take to stay healthy. That’s why our Breast Care Centers are taking every necessary precaution during the coronavirus pandemic to keep you and our staff members safe.
281.737.2500
HOUSTONMETHODIST.ORG/WILLOWBROOK
During the coronavirus pandemic, we are:
Screening all patients, ensuring only those without COVID-19 symptoms are seen in the office.
Wearing masks and other personal protective equipment while providing patient care.
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Implementing additional sanitation processes to disinfect all equipment and surfaces.
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HOUSTON METHODIST BREAST CARE CENTER IN TOWNE LAKE
Redesigning waiting rooms and check-in procedures to ensure social distancing.
To schedule your mammogram, visit houstonmethodist.org/breast-care or call: Willowbrook: 281.737.7465 Towne Lake: 281.737.1832
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