吀䠀䔀 倀唀䰀匀䔀 伀䘀 䠀䔀䄀䰀吀䠀 䤀一 一伀刀吀䠀䔀䄀匀吀 吀䔀堀䄀匀
䘀䄀䰀䰀 ㈀ 㠀
䠀椀最栀 猀挀栀漀漀氀 猀攀渀椀漀爀 一椀挀欀 䴀愀瀀瀀猀 琀愀氀欀猀 愀戀漀甀琀 栀椀猀 爀攀挀漀瘀攀爀礀 昀爀漀洀 愀 琀爀愀甀洀愀琀椀挀 欀渀攀攀 椀渀樀甀爀礀 愀昀琀攀爀 漀爀琀栀漀瀀攀搀椀挀 猀甀爀最攀爀礀
匀瀀漀琀氀椀最栀琀 漀渀 瀀氀愀礀最爀漀甀渀搀 栀攀愀氀琀栀 䬀攀攀瀀椀渀最 礀漀甀爀 欀椀搀猀 猀愀昀攀 昀爀漀洀 挀漀渀挀甀猀猀椀漀渀猀 愀琀 栀漀洀攀 愀渀搀 愀琀 猀挀栀漀漀氀
䄀一 䤀一匀䤀䐀䔀 䰀伀伀䬀 䄀吀 䜀䔀一䔀刀䄀䰀 匀唀刀䜀䔀刀夀 圀䤀吀䠀 䠀唀一吀 刀䔀䜀䤀伀一䄀䰀 䴀䔀䐀䤀䌀䄀䰀 倀䄀刀吀一䔀刀匀 䠀䔀䄀䰀吀䠀 一䔀圀匀 簀 䔀嘀䔀一吀匀 簀 䘀䔀䄀吀唀刀䔀 匀吀伀刀䤀䔀匀 簀 唀倀䐀䄀吀䔀匀 簀 䄀 倀唀䈀䰀䤀䌀䄀吀䤀伀一 伀䘀 䠀唀一吀 刀䔀䜀䤀伀一䄀䰀 䠀䔀䄀䰀吀䠀䌀䄀刀䔀
hb contents
FALL 2018 | VOL. 9, NO. 3
inside...
EDITORIAL
Alicia Wittkopf - Executive Editor Chelbie Birdwell - Design Editor Joe & Emily Shipman - Photography Sonya Cathey - Contributor
WHAT’S THE STORY?
04
Welcome to the new look of healthbeat! Have you got a story or feedback for the team?
I chose Hunt Regional
REACH US AT contact@huntregional.org
Addy Johnson talks about how Hunt Regional helped her heal from diverticulitis
STAFF HRH Foundation Chair - Paul Painter HRH CEO - Richard Carter HRH Foundation Director - Alicia Wittkopf
DISTRIBUTION For inquiries or questions regarding distribution please contact: 903.408.1064
ONLINE Follow us at: www.huntregional.org www.facebook.com/huntregional www.twitter.com/hunt_regional
2 / healthbeat /
08 P08 I CHOSE HUNT REGIONAL One local high school student and his mother share how they turned to Hunt Regional after a football injury
PLUS DON’T MISS ALL THIS
14 P14 PLAYGROUND HEALTH Tips on protecting your children at school and at play in this spotlight on playground safety
16 P16 I CHOSE HUNT REGIONAL Sulphur Springs resident Daniel Farmer talks about how he regained control of his health after bariatric surgery
P07
The Colon: Recognizing problematic symptoms
P13
What’s in a Number: Breaking down ligament injuries
P20
Spotlight on Vaccines: Protecting your entire family
P22
Upcoming Events: What not to miss this season
P23
Director’s Notes: Foundation updates from
Alicia Wittkopf
MESSAGE FROMTHE CEO
W
e have been busy at Hunt Regional completing renovations to our fourth floor which will house new patient rooms, dialysis services, and provide additional space for our overflowing maternity center. Our continued growth is a tribute to so many Hunt County families trusting us with their health. We’re grateful for the opportunity to serve you and your loved ones. The Hunt Regional Medical Partners physician group recently celebrated the grand opening of two new locations. Urgent Care, located in Kari Beth Krossing, is open seven days a week for minor injuries and unexpected illnesses. Hunt Regional
Medical Partners Specialty Practices is now located in suite 100 of the hospital’s professional building, joining all of their specialty physicians and surgeons in one location. Meanwhile, we mourn the recent loss of our longstanding board chairman, Ron Wensel. Ron was a tremendous leader, advocate, and friend to our healthcare community and everyone we served. I had the pleasure of working alongside Ron for 18 years and 12 as chairman. His servant leadership style was well known throughout Hunt County and Ron always gave more than he received. We are blessed to have known you, cared for you, and our hearts will always be filled
80%
WELCOME
welcome
with your laugh, wit, and energy. God bless you for all you gave.
Richard Carter Chief Executive Officer
healthbeat: the pulse of health in northeast texas
P
ublished by Hunt Regional Healthcare Foundation in partnership with Hunt Regional Healthcare, healthbeat is a publication for friends and supporters of the Foundation. The goal of the publication is to increase awareness of healthcare advances, opportunities and challenges in the area. Staff members of the strategic marketing & communications department are responsible for the production of healthbeat. All material in this publication is the property of the publisher and is not intended for purposes of medical diagnosis or prescription. Please discuss your health with your doctor if you are considering a medical treatment, therapy or procedure. Stories may not be reprinted or copied without written permission from the publisher. Some photos may include models and may not represent actual patients or situations. Unless otherwise noted, the physicians featured in healthbeat have been granted staff privileges at one or both Hunt Regional Healthcare hospitals but may not be employees or agents of the hospitals or the hospital district. Reader letters, suggestions and questions are welcome. Please call 903.408.1066 or write Editor, Office of Strategic Marketing & Communications, Hunt Regional Medical Center, P.O. Drawer 1059, Greenville, Texas 75403-1059. If you receive multiple copies of healthbeat, need to change your mailing address, or wish to be removed from our mailing list, please write to the address above and enclose a copy of the mailing label from your publication. This publication is neither printed nor distributed at taxpayer expense.
Vaccines aren’t just for kids. More than 80 percent of adults are not up-todate on their whooping cough vaccination. It’s recommended that adults over the age of 18 receive at least one dose of a pertussis-containing vaccine to continue being protected. SOURCE: CDC.GOV
/ healthbeat / 3
feature
ADDY JOHNSON TALKS ABOUT HER DECADE-LONG JOURNEY TO HEALTH THANKS TO HUNT REGIONAL SPECIALISTS AND SURGEONS
I chose Hunt Regional TO GIVE ME MY LIFE BACK BY CHELBIE BIRDWELL
feature It’s taken Addy Johnson over 10 years to get to where she is now. After several surgeries and the help of multiple specialists, she has finally said goodbye to the pain and discomfort that’s plagued her for more than a decade.
Family history
as a colonoscopy to screen for cancer. When diverticulosis progresses to diverticulitis, one or a few of the pouches in the wall of the colon become inflamed, causing severe abdominal pain, cramping, constipation and diarrhea, fever and chills, and nausea and vomiting. In serious cases, diverticulitis can lead to bleeding, tears, or blockages. “I was feeling left-sided pain and discomfort. It was uncomfortable to even walk,” said Addy. Along with the pain, Addy felt limited when leaving her house and in public due to the sense of bowel urgency diverticulitis can create. “It hinders you. Sometimes I didn’t want to go out and about because I was worried about when I would have to go to the bathroom. I wondered, ‘am I going to be able to get through a meal?’ It really runs your life,” said Addy. Over the course of a year, Addy experienced eight diverticulitis flare-ups, leading her to seek the help of Dr.Viet Phuong and Dr. Bindhu Oommen, general surgeons with Hunt Regional Medical Partners Surgical Associates.
Colon cancer is a scary prospect. It’s even scarier when you have a family history and personal experience. For Addy Johnson, she was just 32 when she began to show symptoms that were concerning for such a young woman. When she experienced bleeding after a hysterectomy for endometriosis, she assumed hemorrhoids were to blame. But since her father had passed away after a battle with bladder and colon cancer, she knew she needed to take her symptoms seriously. After a consultation with gastroenterologist Dr. Khaldun Khatib, it was decided that Addy “I was feeling leftwould undergo an exploratory sided pain and colonoscopy, just to be safe. Inside, Choosing surgery discomfort. It was Dr. Khatib discovered that not only did Addy have diverticulosis, she also uncomfortable to Together, Dr. Phuong and Addy had several tubular adenomas— even walk.” made plans for her to undergo a colon pre-cancerous polyps that become resection, a procedure where part of more dangerous as they grow. Dr. ADDY JOHNSON the diseased colon is removed. Khatib was able to remove the polyps, but Addy would need annual “I initially went and saw Dr. colonoscopies to make sure the Phuong who suggested the colon polyps didn’t return as cancer. resection. He explained that I may never have diverticulitis again, or I could have it more often and Thanks to Dr. Khatib’s follow-up plan, Addy knew then the bowel would perforate,” said Addy. her chances of a late colon cancer diagnosis were now greatly reduced. “We chose to be safe with my history and do the resection,” she said. “I think the world of him. He’s been a blessing to me and my family,” said Addy. Before surgery began, the plan was to perform a colostomy—a procedure that brings one end of the What Addy didn’t realize was that this was only large intestine out through an opening (stoma) made the beginning of her battle with gastrointestinal in the abdominal wall. Stools moving through the disease. intestine drain through the stoma into a bag attached to the abdomen. But when Dr. Phuong and Dr. Oommen began Bad progress operating, they realized that Addy’s colon was much sicker than they thought. Instead of the colostomy, After several healthy reports, Addy was able to they performed an ileostomy, a surgery which move her colonoscopies from every year to every involves the lowest part of the small intestine. three years. But while the threat of the polyps During an ileostomy, the surgeon makes an diminished, her pain increased as her diverticulosis opening in the belly wall and brings the end of the advanced to diverticulitis. small intestine through the opening. Similar to a Diverticulosis is a condition that occurs when colostomy, waste moving through the intestine drains small pouches form and push outward through weak through the opening into a bag attached to the spots in the wall of your colon. Diverticulosis is often outside of the body. found through tests ordered for something else, such However, during an ileostomy, it most often
/ healthbeat / 5
feature means all of the large intestine has to be removed. The recovery from either surgery is both physically and mentally challenging. “About 11 to 14 times a day I was dumping that bag. In the first three weeks, I lost 28 pounds,” said Addy. The goal of a colon resection is to rid the body of the unhealthy colon so that gastrointestinal diseases—like colon cancer and diverticulitis—no longer have a hold on the body. After the surgery, the ileostomy bag can either be temporary or permanent. Addy was determined that her ileostomy would fall under the temporary category and was adamant about reversing the procedure and getting back to her normal life. Nine weeks after surgery, Dr. Phuong was able to make that wish a reality.
of support. But that didn’t stop her from feeling overwhelmed by the reality of living with an ileostomy bag. “I had the best support system with family and with co-workers and the best healthcare team. Yet even with all of that, I still felt alone,” remembers Addy. “I didn’t know where to go,” she said. She began to wonder how other patients without a network of family and friends coped with life after ostomy surgery. She decided to use her struggle for good, and with the help of Hunt Regional administration, formed an ostomy support group. The group meets from 10-11:30 a.m. on the fourth Saturday of each month in the Weaver Conference Room at Hunt Regional Medical Center and allows those with ostomies to share what they’ve learned with others. Reversal “Some of the members will bring supplies that may not work for them Addy had her ileostomy bag for two “I’m just grateful. anymore and other people that use months before she was well enough to that supply get extra materials that they I would do it all try and reverse the procedure. wouldn’t normally have,” said Addy. over again in a When an ileostomy is temporary, “We talk a lot about our situations, a patient uses the ileostomy bag while heartbeat.” things that we can do to improve, they recover from their first surgery. doctors, and other resources. I really Because a colon resection is a major ADDY JOHNSON hope that people walk away from the surgery, the body needs this time to meetings feeling like they’ve been helped rest and heal before it is well enough to or know where they can go for help,” attempt a reversal. she said. If the patient is a candidate for reversal, a surgery will be done to reattach the ends of the small intestine. After the reversal, the ileostomy bag is no Quality of life longer needed. Addy’s reversal was a success. But because of her long journey and health history, she was at risk Addy’s surgeries worked as they were intended. for infection and other complications. To prevent Her diverticulitis is gone and she says her quality of infection, she underwent three weeks of wound care life is better than she could have expected. before she was finally in the clear. “I’m just grateful. I would do it all over again in a Even though Addy’s surgery ended up being more heartbeat,” she said, thankful her pain is now a thing extensive than originally planned, she says she credits of the past. Dr. Phuong for getting her to where she is today. Reflecting back on her surgeries, Addy says one “He is A-1. I just love him. He went above and of the things she remembers most about her stay at beyond for me and my family, and I’m grateful to him Hunt Regional was the care she received. for everything,” she said. “From beginning to end, I had the best care ever. “I like to share my story because, through it all, I felt like I was family to them. They treated me like I had the best people.You know, what doesn’t break they would treat their family,” she said. you makes you stronger. It really does,” she said. “The quality and care that you’re getting is above and beyond. It’s exceptional care.”
Finding support During her recovery, Addy says she had plenty
6 / healthbeat /
LEARN MORE ABOUT GENERAL SURGERY: WEB: www.huntregionalmedicalpartners.org
THE COLON DECODING YOUR SYMPTOMS
D
iverticulosis is quite common, especially as people age. Research suggests that about 35 percent of U.S. adults age 50 years or younger have diverticulosis, while about 58 percent of those older than age 60 have diverticulosis. Most people with diverticulosis will never develop symptoms or problems. Diverticulitis occurs when you have diverticulosis and one or a few of the pouches in the wall of your colon become inflamed. It can come on suddenly and cause other problems. People are more likely to develop diverticulosis and diverticulitis as they age. Other conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome and peptic ulcers, cause similar symptoms, so these
symptoms may not mean you have diverticulosis. If you have symptoms such as bloating, constipation or diarrhea, or pain in your lower abdomen, see your doctor. In most cases, when you have diverticular bleeding, you will suddenly have a large amount of red or maroon-colored blood in your stool. Diverticular bleeding is rare. If you have bleeding, it can be severe. In some people, the bleeding may stop by itself and may not require treatment. However, if you have bleeding from your rectum—even a small amount—you should see a doctor right away. If your bleeding does not stop, a surgeon may perform abdominal surgery with a colon resection. In a colon resection, the
35%
feature
surgeon removes the affected part of your colon and joins the remaining ends of your colon together. If you have diverticulitis with mild symptoms and no other problems, a doctor may recommend that you rest, take oral antibiotics, and follow a liquid diet for a period of time. If your symptoms ease after a few days, the doctor will recommend gradually adding solid foods back into your diet.
Find a specialist
LOCATE TRAINED HEALTHCARE EXPERTS NEARYOU
G
eneral surgeons work with gastroenterologists to treat and manage disorders of the diseases of the gastrointestinal tract after diagnosis. These include conditions involving the pancreas, liver, gallbladder, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and colon. Other specialties found at Hunt Regional include urology, internal medicine, cardiology, neurology, orthopedics, wound care, and more. Hunt Regional’s medical staff includes experts for multiple healthcare needs.Visit www.huntregional.org/ourdoctors to find a primary care physician or specialist near you.
Diverticulosis is quite common, especially as people age. Research suggests that about 35 percent of U.S. adults age 50 years or younger have diverticulosis. SOURCE: NIH.GOV
/ healthbeat / 7
feature
GREENVILLE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYER NICK MAPPS TALKS ABOUT HIS RECOVERY FOLLOWING A TRAUMATIC KNEE INJURY AND ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY
I chose Hunt Regional TO GET ME BACK IN THE GAME BY CHELBIE BIRDWELL
feature Football players know the risk of playing such a physically-demanding contact sport. But the love of the game keeps them coming back.When a devastating injury on the field threatened to take Greenville High School student Nick Mapps out of the game for good, his family turned to orthopedic surgeon Dr. Joshua Acree to help take him off the bench.
more commonly known as the ACL and PCL. Of the four major ligaments in the knee, Nick had torn two. His injuries would require surgery. But his mother, Kristi, was focused on getting him back home to Greenville before moving forward. Luckily for Nick, another team mom put his mother in contact with Dr. Joshua Acree who began making plans to treat his injuries. An orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist, Dr. Acree joined Hunt Regional Medical Partners from Pittsburgh, where he was the team physician for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Naturally, he was the first choice A huge blow for Nick’s surgery. “As I was on my way to the Marshall hospital, Nick Mapps is no stranger to working hard to I got a call from Dr. Acree. He asked if we would achieve a goal. By his junior year of high school, rather have Nick’s surgery performed in Marshall or he was the leading rusher and receiver for the in Greenville. I told him we wanted him here,” said Greenville High School Lions’ football team. Kristi, adding that Dr. Acree even offered to make a house call when they returned home. On October 20, 2017, everything changed in a matter of seconds. It was the middle of the night when Nick and Kristi arrived home from Marshall. True to his word, “I was coming in motion, getting the ball, and I ran Dr. Acree was there the next morning. for about 10-15 yards. Then, one of the defenders dove at my knee and the bottom of my cleats stuck “He visited with him. He started into the ground. I couldn’t move. He him on the things that he needed and just kept coming and they all jumped gave him his pain pills. He was really, on my back,” said Nick, recalling the really helpful. I’ve never seen a doctor moments in the game against Marshall who cared so much,” said Kristi. “I couldn’t move...my High School that led up to his injury. The surgery would fix his knee, but leg just snapped.” “My leg just snapped,” he said. Nick’s season was over. He was told it would be at least 10 months before he Fans in the stand recall seeing the NICK MAPPS was able to return to athletic activity. lower part of Nick’s leg in the shape of an L. It was completely perpendicular to his other leg. As Nick laid on the ground, he Surgery didn’t feel much at first. But when he tried to move, he was met with excruciating pain. On the day of his surgery, Nick was nervous. But As the Marshall ambulance team made their way more than anything, he was ready to be put back on the field, the Lions’ athletic director and head together. coach, Darren Duke, tried to convince Nick not to “I was a little scared, but mostly I was just ready look. But he couldn’t resist. to get it over with,” said Nick. “Coach Duke was covering my eyes, telling me Until his injury, Nick accounted for over 40 not to look at it. But I was getting up, trying to see,” percent of the team’s yards. Now, he was stuck in said Nick. a hospital bed watching the Lions finish the season As they loaded him into the ambulance, without him. Nick remembers asking for his mother who had Nick’s surgery was a success. Dr. Acree was been unable to attend the game. The emergency able to repair his torn ligaments without any responders prepared to pop his dislocated leg back in complications. He would have a painful recovery, but place, just as a sedative rendered Nick unconscious. he would be back. After five days in the hospital, Nick was discharged. He was ready to begin rehabilitation.
Paging Dr. Acree
Nick had suffered a traumatic knee dislocation and had torn his anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament, and his posterolateral corner— 10 / healthbeat /
Putting in the work For the next five months, Nick spent most of his
feature
feature free time in rehab, working on regaining the strength Ten months after his injury, Nick says he feels he had lost. great and is ready to play again, thanks to Dr. Acree and his surgery team. “They had me working on my leg. I couldn’t bend it at all, it was so hard to me,” said Nick. “I didn’t think all of this was going to work out. In my head I was just saying, ‘I don’t think it’s going to go Even though the rehab process was hard, Nick right,’” said Nick, who was unsure if he would ever pushed through the pain, attending rehab sessions be able to be a part of the team again. three times a week. “But Dr. Acree talked to me, “After I finished each workout, and I realized, ‘yeah, I trust him.’ He it would be sore,” he said. said he was going to get me back,” From December through said Nick. “I’ve come a long way from April, Nick tested the limits of his And get him back to health he healing leg, determined to play where I was. At first, I didn’t did. football his senior year. think I was going to be able “I feel like I’ve come a long way His mother, Kristi, says he was to get back out there and do from where I was. At first, I didn’t almost ready to give up. Thankfully, think I was going to be able to get he kept going. what I used to do.” back out there and do what I used “It was so much pain he to do,” said Nick. NICK MAPPS wanted to give up, and I told him “I just stay in the weight room no. It gets hard before it gets working on it every day,” said Nick easier. So you have to just be patient,” his mom said. Even after such a traumatic experience, Nick says he isn’t “They kept pushing me and keeping positive scared to get hurt again. In fact, he says he doesn’t things in my head,” said Nick. even think about. After months of hard work and difficult exercises “I’m just ready to get out there and play,” he said. which pushed him to the brink of quitting, he was discharged and cleared to play. He would start his senior year back on the field he loves. WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Back on the field
12 / healthbeat /
ONLINE: www.huntregionalmedicalpartners.org CALL: 903.408.7768
SAFE SPORTS COMMON SENSE PRACTICES
S
ports-related injuries can have a substantial impact on the long-term health of student-athletes. You know that your child should wear safety equipment for the big game. But are you equally vigilant at your child’s practice? If you aren’t, you’re not alone. According to Safe Kids USA, 33 percent of parents take more safety precautions for games, even though 62 percent of organized sports-related injuries happen at practice. There’s no doubt that sports benefit kids. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that every child participate in sports or another activity that promotes physical activity. So what can parents do to make practices safer? First, make sure your child is healthy enough to play sports in the first place. Children should receive sports physicals
before signing up for any sport. Make sure that practice facilities are safe and that kids wear the proper safety equipment for their sport. Equipment should fit well and look well maintained. Children should wear the same equipment for practice as they do at games. Don’t allow your child to overtrain. In the past, youth athletes played different sports each season. Now, kids face pressure to choose one sport and play it all year, leading to overuse and repetitive-motion injuries, such as pitcher’s elbow. Encourage children to try different sports. Keep kids fueled. Overexertion and dehydration also pose problems on the practice field. Provide healthy snacks, and make sure that kids drink enough water. In
hot weather, coaches should give children frequent breaks. Make sure that your child is mature enough to participate. In general, kids aren’t equipped for the rules and cooperation required in team sports until age six or seven. But each child develops differently. Don’t push children if they’re not ready.
50%
feature
For more information about sports medicine, visit www. huntregionalmedicalpartners.org
What’s in a number?: BREAKING DOWN LIGAMENT INJURIES
Injured ligaments are considered sprains and are graded on a severity scale. If you have an injured ligament, your doctor may mention its “grade.”
Grade 1: The ligament is mildly damaged in a Grade 1 Sprain. It has been slightly stretched but is still able to help keep the knee joint stable. Grade 2: A Grade 2 Sprain stretches the ligament to the point where it becomes loose. This is often referred to as a partial tear of the ligament. Grade 3: This type of sprain is most commonly referred to as a complete tear of the ligament. The ligament has been split into two pieces, and the knee joint is unstable.
Overuse injuries are responsible for nearly half of all sports injuries to middle and high school students. Work with a physician or therapist to avoid overuse.
SOURCE: STOPSPORTSINJURIES.ORG
/ healthbeat / 13
real health
Spotlight on safety: KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE WHILE THEY PLAY Playgrounds are important places for children to have fun, explore, and grow. Children learn through play. However, playgrounds can also put children at risk for concussion. 14 / healthbeat /
A
s millions of students return to school this fall, teachers will plan their school supply list, and parents will carefully make sure their child is prepared with each and every item. Safety should also be on everyone’s back-to-school list. Each year in the United States, emergency departments treat more than 200,000 children ages 14 and younger for playground-related injuries. About 45% of playground-related injuries are severe– fractures, internal injuries, concussions, dislocations, and amputations. About 75% of nonfatal injuries related to playground equipment occur on public playgrounds. Most occur at schools and daycare centers. To help keep your child safe,
make sure they are using playground equipment that is right for your child’s age. Check that playgrounds have soft material under them, such as wood chips, sand, or mulch. After a fall or a bump to the head or body, look for one or more of these signs and symptoms of a concussion: headache or pressure in head, nausea or vomiting, balance problems or dizziness, or double or blurry vision, bothered by light or noise, feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy, confusion, concentration or memory problems, or just not “feeling right.” If you see any of these signs or symptoms and think your child has a concussion or other serious brain injury, seek medical attention right away.
feature Sulphur Springs resident Daniel Farmer was overweight for most of his adult life. After years of trying with no success, he had accepted his size as a fact of life. When diabetes and other health problems began taking over, Daniel decided it was time to make a change—for good.
Phuong.
Preparing for surgery
Dr. Phuong wasn’t the first bariatric surgeon Daniel met with. He had attended consultations before, and had even spent money attending seminars. “I was skeptical,” said Daniel. “The other doctor was charging for Out of control seminars and classes. It was several hundred dollars that the insurance didn’t cover,” he It took more than 20 prescription pills said. each day to keep Daniel Farmer’s health To Daniel’s surprise, there were no under control—if you could call it that. strings attached when he attended Dr. In addition to his medication, unmanaged Phuong’s informational session. Only a diabetes left him taking in almost 100 units doctor who wanted to help. of insulin twice a day. High cholesterol and Before undergoing bariatric surgery, high blood pressure rounded out his list of patients must undergo ailments, not to mention a series of tests to arthritis and back pain. confirm that they are In short, he was barely ready, including nutrition getting by and most likely “I was a walking stroke. The counseling and mental close to a serious health doctor couldn’t tell me when health screening. event—such as a heart “They run you through attack or stroke—at the the heart attack or stroke that a mental test. I knew who young age of 42. I was going to have would I was before and I wanted “I was a walking happen, of course, but it was to be that person again, stroke. The doctor so I was ready. I passed couldn’t tell me when the going to be the big one.” the screening with flying heart attack or stroke colors. I wanted to be that DANIEL FARMER that I was going to have small guy who was going would happen, of course, to live,” said Daniel. but it was going to be the Prepared for the big one,” said Daniel. challenges of recovery Aware of how serious his health and ready to begin his new life, Daniel problems had become, Daniel even called underwent gastric bypass surgery in August his wife to say goodbye after his diabetes 2017—a decision that would change his life diagnosis landed him in the hospital several forever. years ago. “I don’t even want to say it, but I was dying,” said Daniel. A lifestyle change Weight is a big factor when deciding to have weight loss surgery. But so are many other health factors. By the time he reached After only two days of recovery in the 380 pounds, Daniel’s weight was impacting hospital, Daniel was ready to start his weight his sleep and his relationships. His sleep loss journey. apnea and snoring had become so severe, he But once at home, he was forced to and his wife were no longer able to sleep in make changes that were completely different the same room. than his previous way of life. With health hazards controlling his life, “We’d go to McDonald’s and sit down Daniel’s primary care physician, Dr. Bridgette and eat. I’d eat six cheeseburgers. I was so Coker, suggested he visit Hunt Regional used to that eating. My mindset was set on Medical Partners Surgical Associates for a that way of eating,” said Daniel. bariatric surgery consultation. It was there But after surgery, Daniel’s body could no that he met bariatric surgeon, Dr.Viet 16 / healthbeat /
DANIEL FARMER TALKS ABOUT REGAINING HIS HEALTH AND HAPPINESS FOLLOWING GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY AT HUNT REGIONAL
I chose Hunt Regional TO GIVE ME A NEW NUMBER BY CHELBIE BIRDWELL
feature longer tolerate his previous habits. To help retrain his body, Daniel attended nutrition counseling with Sally Rhodes, Hunt Regional’s registered dietitian for bariatric surgery and diabetes patients. “Learning what to eat and what not to eat is a big help, like protein. Knowing I need protein has helped a lot,” said Daniel. “Sally is brilliant when it comes to food. She knows what she’s talking about,” he said. After learning how to nourish his body properly, Daniel’s weight began to fall dramatically. Before his surgery, Dr. Phuong asked Daniel to set a realistic goal weight which they agreed was 230 pounds. At his sixth month follow-up appointment, Daniel was already down to 250 pounds.
Seeing the benefits
parent I wanted to be being that big. But now we have a grandson and I’m going to be active and a big part of his life,” said Daniel, adding that he also has a second grandchild on the way who he plans to treasure just as much. One unexpected side effect from Daniel’s surgery and weight loss has been a distinct decrease in his depression. “Before, I never went anywhere. I was scared to talk to people,” said Daniel, who was on medication to treat his depression until March of 2018. “Just by “Being this myself, Daniel and son in the overalls from p. 17 I quit healthy again is a taking miracle. It truly is it. I told my wife I was done. I didn’t need it, I was too happy,” said Daniel. a miracle.”
When Daniel first saw his primary care physician following his surgery, she was in tears from his appearance. “It floored her, the difference I’d made,” said Daniel. But her tears were not just from his weight loss. They were also due to the dramatic changes in his health. Once DANIEL FARMER out of control, Daniel’s diabetes is now Life-changing gone. And his cholesterol is back within a healthy range. Now a year out from surgery, Daniel “Before surgery, my A1C was so weighs 180 pounds—200 pounds less high it didn’t register. Their scale goes to 14 and than he did before. mine was off the charts. Now it’s at “I recommend it to anybody. It is life-changing,” 4.8,” said Daniel, said Daniel. overjoyed with the He says that he owes it all to God and Dr. Phuong. improvement in In fact, he is so thrilled with his results, he has even his diabetes levels. found himself marketing for Dr. Phuong whenever he “My has the opportunity. cholesterol is “He and his team are amazing. I bet I took 100 perfect, better cards and I gave them all out,” said Daniel. than I was when I As for what the future holds, Daniel has long was 15 years old. passed his goal weight and is now focused on It’s been amazing,” maintaining his newfound health. he said. “Being this healthy again is a miracle. It truly is a For his five miracle,” said Daniel. children and “I’ve got a beautiful wife I get to spend the rest of grandson, Daniel’s my life—my long life—with now. Not just a little bit weight loss has longer. I get to watch my grandkids grow up,” he said. meant getting back the dad and Daniel with his daughter before surgery grandfather that LEARN MORE ONLINE had been sidelined for so long. ONLINE: www.huntregionalmedicalpartners.org “It has made things a lot better. I’m trying to show CALL: 903.408.5770 everybody I’m a different person. I wasn’t quite the 18 / healthbeat /
WEIGHT LOSS EXPLORING SURGICAL OPTIONS
A
bout 70 percent of American adults are overweight or have obesity. Extra weight may put people at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, and certain cancers. Research shows that even a modest weight loss of 5 percent can result in health benefits. Bariatric surgery is an operation that helps you lose weight by making changes to your digestive system. Some types of bariatric surgeries make your stomach smaller, allowing you to eat and drink less at one time and making you feel full sooner. Other bariatric surgeries also change your small intestine—the part of your body that absorbs calories and nutrients from foods and beverages. Bariatric surgery may be an option if you have not been able to lose weight or maintain weight loss using other methods
such as lifestyle treatment or medications. Bariatric surgery also may be an option if you have serious health problems such as type 2 diabetes or sleep apnea. Bariatric surgery can improve many of the medical conditions linked to obesity, especially type 2 diabetes. Studies show that many people who have bariatric surgery lose about 15 to 30 percent of their starting weight on average, depending on the type of surgery they have. However, no method, including surgery, is sure to produce and maintain weight loss. Some people who have bariatric surgery may not lose as much as they hoped. Over time, some people regain a portion of the weight they lost. The amount of weight people regain may vary. Bariatric surgery does not replace healthy habits, but may make it easier for you to consume fewer
calories and be more physically active. Choosing healthy foods and beverages before and after the surgery may help you lose more weight and keep it off long term. Regular physical activity after surgery also helps keep the weight off. Remember, reaching your goal depends not just on the surgery but also on sticking with healthy lifestyle habits throughout your life. For more information about bariatric surgery, call 903-4085770.
How does it work: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q
A
30%
feature
: What is the the difference between open and laparoscopic surgery? : In open bariatric surgery, surgeons make a single, large cut in the abdomen. During laparoscopic surgery, the surgeon makes several small cuts and inserts a small camera to see better. Laparoscopic surgery has fewer risks and may lead to a faster recovery. However, if you have a high level of obesity, have had stomach surgery before, or have other medical problems, you may need open surgery.
Studies show that people who have bariatric surgery lose an average of 15 to 30 percent of their starting weight. SOURCE: NIH,GOV
/ healthbeat / 19
real health
Spotlight on vaccines: HOW THEY HELP MORE THAN JUST YOUR CHILD
School-age children– from preschoolers to college students– need vaccines to protect them from diseases that can be serious and sometimes lifethreatening. 20 / healthbeat /
G
etting your child all their vaccinations on time is one of the most important things you can do as a parent to ensure your child’s long-term health, as well as the health of friends, classmates, and others in your community. Parents who choose not to vaccinate their children increase the risk of disease, not only for their own children, but also for other children and adults. For example, vulnerable newborns too young to receive the maximum protection of vaccines or people with weakened immune systems, such as transplant recipients or some people with cancer, are at higher risk of disease. Also, outbreaks of whooping cough at middle and high schools can
occur as protection from childhood vaccines fades. However, those who are vaccinated against whooping cough but still get the disease are more likely to have a mild case compared to those who never received the vaccine. Contrary to what you may think, vaccines do not overload the immune system. Your child’s immune system successfully fights off thousands of germs every day. Even if your child gets several vaccines in a day, the vaccines make up only a tiny fraction of the germs their body fights off. Getting every recommended dose of every vaccine provides children the best protection possible. If you’re unsure of your child’s recommended vaccines, check with your child’s doctor.
In memoriam:
HUNT REGIONAL HEALTHCARE REMEMBERS THE FRIENDS WE LOVE AND MISS Ronald Wensel - HMHD Board Chairman Lou Green - Volunteer Loretta Kibler - Former Board Member / healthbeat / 21
events
season events this
CHECK OUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN HEALTHCARE THE NEXT FEW MONTHS
SEPTEMBER
ATRIAL FIBRILLATION AWARENESS MONTH Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is the most common type of heart arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat). If you have AFib, you may experience heart palpitations,
MORE INFORMATION: www.huntregional.org
OCTOBER
PAIN AWARENESS MONTH Chronic pain can not only interfere with your life, but can cause fear and frustration as a remedy is sought. Our pain management techniques and procedures can help provide the relief you need. MORE INFORMATION: www.huntregional.org/neurology
OCTOBER
chest pain, and other symptoms. It’s important to work with a cardiologist to diagnose and manage AFib. LEARN MORE: www.huntregional.org/cardiology
PHYSICAL THERAPY MONTH Hunt Regional Medical Center offers both inpatient and outpatient physical therapy
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27
SPOOKTACULAR GLOW 5K The Hunt Regional Healthcare Spooktacular Glow 5K & Monster Mile will be held at the Greenville Sports Park on Saturday, October 27, 2018 from 6-9:30 p.m. This year’s event will benefit the expansion of the Mary Rich-Lynch Cardiac Rehabilitation Center at Hunt Regional Medical Center. Come early and enjoy an evening full of family-friendly activities including glow face painting, a teddy bear clinic, bounce houses, and much more! READ MORE: www.huntregional.org/glow5k FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: 903.408.1068
MORE INFORMATION: www.huntregional.org/rehab
entry information is available online.
OCTOBER 11
MORE INFORMATION: www.B4TC.org
BRAS FOR THE CAUSE
SEPTEMBER
OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH An estimated 1 in 75 women will develop ovarian cancer in her lifetime. The good news is that when diagnosed and treated in the earliest stages, the 5-year survival rate is over 90%. Talk to your doctor about screening.
featured event
to help patients with pain management, gait problems, balance disorders, stroke recovery, post-surgery recovery, and many other conditions.
Save the date for the 10th Annual Bras for the Cause. We are cele“BRA”ting 10 years of cancer support in Hunt County! Unlike many fundraisers that feed into national organizations, the money raised at Bras for the Cause is used to serve the needs of women and men fighting cancer right here at home. A full list of categories and additional
RON WENSEL WAS A PILLAR OF SERVICE AND PHILANTHROPY, NOT ONLY IN HUNT COUNTY BUT ACROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS. HE HAS BEEN A LEADER FOR BOTH THE HOSPITAL BOARD AND THE HUNT REGIONAL HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION, SERVING FOR MORE THAN 18 YEARS. HIS CONTRIBUTION TO HEALTH CARE IN OUR COMMUNITY IS IMMEASURABLE, AND WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR HIS GUIDANCE AND FRIENDSHIP.
Notes
FROM FOUNDATION DIRECTOR ALICIA WITTKOPF
I
joined Hunt Regional over five years ago. In that time I have had the pleasure of working alongside Ron Wensel on a number of projects. No matter what we were working on, he was helpful, funny, optimistic, invested, and smiling. Each time he walked into the office he spread sunshine. Ron was genuinely interested in my staff and their lives, as well as mine. He always asked about my husband and our girls and shared stories about his and Julia’s most recent adventures. He took interest in my professional development as well by introducing me to the
Texas Hospital Association staff and encouraging me to take advantage of their resources. The remarkable thing about Ron was that this high-level engagement was not unique to me; he treated everyone he ever met like a close friend that he would move mountains to assist. I will always remember and appreciate his guidance and his illuminating grin. Thank you, Ron, for being an advocate for healthcare, children, and civic service, a procurer of friends, a generator of ideas, and a difference maker for our community. Your generous spirit will be missed
and your contributions remembered. Rest in peace my friend.
Alicia A. Wittkopf, Director Hunt Regional Healthcare Foundation / healthbeat / 23
share your story Do you have a story about your patient experience? We want to hear it! Tell us about it at www.huntregional.org/shareyourstory.