VERY PASADENA

ONE YEAR DOWN

What a difference a year makes.

by LIAN DOLAN

Last year in this very issue, the Top Doc extravaganza, I wrote a cheeky column about getting my fi rst colonoscopy. I was pretty, pretty proud of myself for being guilted into fi nally taking the plunge(r). I am Generation Colonoscopy, I declared, representing the Over 50 Crowd who engages in endless graphic discussions about health issues. I wrote that our motto is, “ e prep is worse than the procedure.” Empowered and overconfi dent, I strolled into the gastroenterologist’s lair and emerged triumphant and a few pounds lighter. As the magazine went to print, I believed I had conquered the colonoscopy.

A week later, I was diagnosed with colon cancer.

If you’re wondering what it would be like to get that call on a random Monday night, wonder no more! Because living through a pandemic/economic collapse is eerily similar to the shock-and-limbo of a cancer diagnosis. Life or death situation? Check. Putting all your plans on hold indefi nitely and living on a mysterious timeline controlled by medical tests, food deliveries, and meditation apps? Check. Tons of sketchy, unsolicited advice from fl at-earthers who have no medical training? Check. row in a lot of blood draws, learning a whole new vocabulary, and harboring resentment about the hand you’ve been dealt (I’ve never smoked! I grow my own kale! I don’t even like Spam or other processed meats!) and you’re right where I was in August 2019.

But fortunately, I live in a place where there are Top

Docs. And Top Nurses. And Top Techs, Top Oncology Nutritionists, and Top Medical Offi ce Staff Who Are Super Duper Nice to Patients with Cancer. Trust me, it’s Top Health Care here in the San Gabriel Valley. Six weeks after diagnosis, I went in for surgery and had a

... [F]ortunately, I live in a place where there are Top Docs. And Top Nurses. And Top Techs, Top Oncology Nutritionists, and Top Medical Offi ce Staff Who Are Super Duper Nice to Patients with Cancer. Trust me, it’s Top Health Care here in the San Gabriel Valley.

boatload of my large intestine removed, along with a half dozen lymph nodes. First off , colon surgery prep makes the colonoscopy prep look like child’s play. Secondly, rolling down the hallway into that sterile surgical suite while staring at the ceiling was like every medical movie ever. irdly, I don’t recall because that’s when the really good drugs kicked in.

Long story short, I am currently NED— no evidence of disease. ( at’s the medically correct term for “cancer-free.”) I survived the surgery, several CT scans, a year of appointments with a variety of doctors, a scary trip to the ER, another biopsy, a pandemic, a virtual book tour, many supportive yoga classes, phone calls and cards, months on a low-fi ber diet, a trip to the DMV, and fi nally, another colonoscopy this July that came back “clean as a whistle.”

I see you, 2020, but I don’t fear you. ere’s nothing funny about cancer. I’m a big believer in the adage “everything is material,” but even I struggled to fi nd the laughs. When the gastroenterologist told me that my prognosis would be much grimmer if I had procrastinated another six months, I cried. When I got off the elevator on the oncology fl oor for the fi rst time, I cried. When the checker at the grocery store was kind to me after a tough appointment, I cried. When my gynecologist told me that her mom died of colon cancer and she wasn’t going to let that happen to me, I cried. And when the surgeon told me I wouldn’t need any follow-up chemo or radiation because they got it all, I cried. See? Very dehydrating, but not funny.

But in between the tears, I thought a lot about access to these Top Doctors. During every step of my treatment, I realized how lucky I was to have access to good health care. It’s impossible to imagine navigating a cancer diagnosis without access to: good health insurance; coordinated care by multiple doctors; a computer, a cell phone, and Wi-Fi; knowledge of English; days off from work or paid medical leave; extra cash on hand for extra expenses; and a support system of family and friends. Even fi nding somebody to take the day off of work to be your mandatory ride home from a colonoscopy appointment could be a barrier to good health. (No Ubering home allowed.) For many, the journey ends before it begins. at’s not right.

Colon cancer is preventable, treatable, and beatable with early detection. For me, it’s one year down, four more to go before I can put the hashtag #cancersurvivor in my Insta profi le. In the meantime, I’m the self-appointed Generation Colonoscopy Spokespatient. My fi rst order of business is to change the messaging. Get over the prep and get the procedure. Please speak to your Top Doc about making an appointment. Here’s my Top Take-Away: colonoscopies save lives. Like mine. 

BRAHN LAW CORPORATION–

Healthcare legal services for medical practices.

MAGAZINE

TOP

ATTORNEYS

2017-2019

• Medical Board and Medical Staff matters

• Medical group formation, governance, management and operations • Hospital / Physician relationships

• Medical practice contracts, affi liations and separations • Medical practice asset sales; physician retirement

Kathleen Brahn

Attorney at Law

BRAHN LAW CORPORATION

790 East Colorado Boulevard 9th Floor Pasadena, CA 91101 tel.: 626-898-9153 fax: 626-385-4464 email: kbrahn@brahnlaw.com website: www.brahnlaw.com

HATHAWAY-SYCAMORES VIRTUAL DINNER PARTY AND COOKING CLASS

Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services’ “Dinners from the Heart” tradition was reimagined for the digital age of social distancing with a Virtual Dinner Party and Cooking Class. The agency partnered with famed Pasadena chef and longtime supporter of Hathaway-Sycamores, Claud Beltran of Bacchus' Kitchen and Claud & Co. Catering, and Ascension Cellars, a boutique Paso Robles Winery, for this event. In addition to the good company, food, and drink, the assembled group was making a positive difference in our community as all proceeds from the evening will go directly to help children, young adults, and families impacted by COVID-19, including providing critical mental health services.

ARMENIAN GENERAL BENEVOLENT UNION BLOOD DRIVE

The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) Glendale-Pasadena Scouting chapter organized and hosted a blood drive in collaboration with the American Red Cross at the AGBU Center in Pasadena. The AGBU GlendalePasadena Scouts and the American Red Cross collected 33 pints of life-saving blood, and every participant who gave blood helped their community beyond measure during this critical time.

VIRTUAL PASADENA CHALK FESTIVAL

This year’s Pasadena Chalk Festival, produced by nonprofi t Light Bringer Project, took place virtually. Although state health guidelines precluded the staging of large public gatherings, festival organizers and the participating artists were not to be stopped. Artists executed their murals over the virtual festival time period in their own neighborhoods and local spaces.

Murals were posted throughout the virtual festival on Facebook and Instagram at @pasadenachalkfestival and #pasadenachalkfestival.

Ask the Expert Series: Glaucoma

with SCEI’s Founding Director, Dr. Rohit Varma

Q: What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a disease that affects the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain. It affects peripheral vision fi rst followed by central vision. If undiagnosed in later stages, vision loss will be permanent.

Q: Who is affected by glaucoma?

Two percent of the general population is affected by glaucoma and half of those people are undiagnosed. You are at a higher risk if you have a family history of glaucoma, have had ocular trauma, infl ammation of the eye, or previous eye surgeries.

Q: Who can diagnose glaucoma?

An optometrist or ophthalmologist can evaluate for glaucoma during a routine eye exam using eye pressure measurements, visual fi eld test (a computerized test that measures your peripheral vision) and by looking at the optic nerve. If surgery is needed or diagnosis of glaucoma is in question, you might be referred to a glaucoma specialist, who is an ophthalmologist with additional training specifi c to glaucoma and glaucoma surgery.

Q: What are the fi rst signs of glaucoma?

Glaucoma is often called the sneak thief of sight because in most cases there are no early symptoms or signs: no pain, blurred vision or eye redness. The vision is lost slowly over several years or decades, starting with peripheral vision. If glaucoma is diagnosed after vision is lost, there are no current treatments available to restore the sight. Our goal is to diagnose and treat glaucoma at early stages prior to vision loss. At Southern California Eye Institute, we have state-of-theart equipment to help diagnose optic nerve disorder/glaucoma in its infancy.

Q: I have heard there are different types of glaucoma. What is the most common one?

The most common is openangle glaucoma. It is more prevalent in mature people, ages 60 and above. The intraocular pressure in the eyes is elevated and the drainage channels are open though not functioning properly. Another form of openangle glaucoma is low-tension or normal-tension glaucoma. It is a highly aggressive and progressive form that is not characterized by elevated intraocular pressure and often affects younger people above age 40 and of Asian descent.

Another category is closed-angle glaucoma, which occurs when outfl ow channels of the eye are closed by the iris (colored portion of the eye). Usually people are predisposed to closed angles by the anatomy of the eye. It can be treated by an ophthalmologist in the offi ce prior to any damage occurring.

Q: Is the treatment the same for all glaucoma patients?

No, treatment depends on the kind of glaucoma, stage of the disease (early or late) and the patient’s lifestyle. As a glaucoma specialist, I may offer eye drops or laser treatment to lower intraocular pressure as a fi rst step. If the disease isn’t responding well to the fi rst step or is more advanced, I may recommend surgery. I make sure to discuss all the available options with my patients.

Q: Would you recommend a second opinion before agreeing to laser treatment or surgery?

Absolutely. If you have any doubts it is benefi cial to obtain a second opinion. It all depends on the situation and treatment recommended. For example, if the glaucoma is uncomplicated and in its early stages, then laser may be indicated. But if there is severe damage or previous laser treatments have been ineffective, then surgery may be a better option. The bottom line for everyone to remember is that regular eye exams are critical to detecting and treating glaucoma to prevent blindness.

Southern California Eye Institute- Pasadena is located at 625 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Suite 265, Pasadena, CA 91105

DESTINATIONS

TRAVEL | GETAWAY | NEIGHBORHOOD

TWO WAYS TO GET AWAY SEE TRAVEL PAGE 28