MOTHER. VETERAN. STAGE 4 CANCER SURVIVOR. Robin Henderson: ‘It’S Never Just You.’ – P
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GUNDERSENYOUR GUIDE TO HEALTH AND WELLNESS EASING THE PAIN Gundersen Palmer offers options for delivering mothers – p. 2 CATCH CANCER EARLY Colonoscopies save lives and are available close to home – p. 3 MOTHER. VETERAN. STAGE 4 CANCER SURVIVOR. Robin Henderson: ‘It’s never just you.’ – p. 5 Gundersen Health System has the following locations in your area. For a complete listing visit gundersenhealth.org. Optometrist joins Easing the pain Calmar Gundersen Eye Clinic • Medical Clinic: 106 East Main St. during delivery (563) 562-3211 Decorah Waukon • Medical Clinic, Behavioral Health, Childbirth is a joyous experience, but it also takes planning General Surgery and Podiatry: and preparation. 1830 State Hwy. 9 KRISTEN REIERSON, OD (563) 382-3140 or (800) 865-3140 “Every woman withstands the stress and pain of labor Eye Clinic: (563) 382-2639 in her own way,” explains Ken Beach, certified registered • Orthodontics: 202 West Main St. Great colleagues, great patients and (563) 382-2525 a great place to live bring Kristen nurse anesthetist, Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital and Clinics. “Our goal is to provide every woman with Fayette Reierson, OD, to the Gundersen Eye • Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital Clinic Waukon. optimal pain control options while still maintaining their and Clinics Fayette: 110 King St. sense of control.” (563) 425-3381 “I am thrilled to be moving back Lansing to northeast Iowa,” says the Elgin Women who deliver at Gundersen Palmer West Union • Medical Clinic: 50 North Fourth St. native. “I am also excited to increase have several options to manage their pain. Gundersen (563) 538-4874 the accessibility of eye care at the Palmer‘s nursing staff offers continuous labor support and Postville Waukon location.” • Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital encourages a variety of comfort measures. They can coach and Clinics Postville: mothers in various relaxation and breathing techniques. 111 South Reynolds St. Dr. Reierson provides primary eye In addition, many mothers have the opportunity to use a (563) 864-7512 care such as glasses and contact birthing ball or sit in a whirlpool. Waukon prescriptions as well as ocular disease management to patients in • 120 2nd Avenue SE “The birthing ball can relieve pain for those having back Medical Clinic: (563) 568-3000 the Waukon region. She can manage labor,” says Beach. “Many mothers also find comfort in Eye Clinic: (563) 568-3378 glaucoma, macular degeneration, our whirlpool. The pain relief properties of water are safe, West Union diabetes and other emergency eye Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital care. simple and effective. The warm water causes blood vessels and Clinics to enlarge and increases circulation. It can also help lower • Hospital: 112 Jefferson St. blood pressure.” (563) 422-3811 or (800) 541-4692 “I started working with Gundersen • Clinic: 110 Jefferson St. as a fourth-year optometry student (563) 422-3817 and was so impressed with the In addition, there are also holistic treatments mothers can Marilu Schauer, of West Union, Iowa, meets with Ken Beach, CRNA, during a Gundersen is published four times a organization I stayed to pursue an receive, such as massage, aroma therapy, music therapy recent appointment at Gundersen Palmer. year by Gundersen Health System. The additional year of specialization in and even dancing. information contained in the magazine is to educate consumers about various ocular disease management. When The continual-drip medications numb her lower body, health subjects and is not intended to a staff position was offered to me, I For women who need more advanced pain management, replace professional medical advice or including her legs, which may limit mobility. Unlike was thrilled to continue to work for Gundersen Palmer offers these options: service. Personal health concerns should other pain reliever options, the mother must remain be brought to the attention of your an organization that values quality • Nitrous oxide: The mother is given a mask that she can physician or health professional prior to in bed with an epidural. The risks associated with an patient care.” put up to her face and inhale nitrous oxide whenever any change in medical treatment, exercise epidural are minimal. routine or diet. she needs it. Nitrous oxide has few side effects for the In additional to primary care service, Dr. Reierson performs neuro-rehabilitation mother, and it does not affect the baby. For permission to reprint any portion of optometry. This service helps patients with visual symptoms after a traumatic For more information about pain management during this magazine, to change your address, • Intrathecals: A small needle is placed between bones in brain injury or concussion. This is a new service to the Waukon location, which was labor at Gundersen Palmer, call (563) 422-3811 or talk to let us know if you are receiving more the mother’s spine and into a fluid-filled sac around the than one copy or if you’d like to be taken previously only offered in La Crosse. with your primary care provider. off our mailing list, write to Gundersen spinal nerves. As the needle is not left, a mother may Business Development and Marketing. walk around. 1900 South Avenue, La Crosse, WI 54601, The Waukon practice is growing. Dr. Reierson joins Jim Rixen, OD, at the Waukon eye or call (608) 775-3089 or (800) 362-9567, clinic. Additionally, ophthalmologist Cindy Calderon, MD, regularly treats patients at • Epidurals: An epidural involves placing a small catheter ext. 53089 the Waukon location. in the epidural space of the mother’s lower spinal canal. Volume 5, Number 2 ©2016 Gundersen Health System EOE/AA/TTD/LEP To schedule an appointment with Dr. Reierson, Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, Inc. call Gundersen Eye Clinic Waukon at (563) 568-3378. Gundersen Clinic, Ltd. YOUR GUIDE TO HEALTH AND WELLNESS | 2 Catch cancer before Don’t wait for a heart attack it catches you to think about heart health Colorectal cancer – cancer of the colon “I never really thought about heart to walk in about this time. She and my friend quickly or rectum - is the second leading cause disease; I worried more about cancer,” decided it was time to call 9-1-1, and I agreed. I had an of cancer deaths in the United States recalls Hope Unverzagt of Sparta, Wis. overwhelming sense that something was wrong.” behind lung cancer. Fortunately, it is “I have no risk factors—my blood also one of the most preventable and pressure and cholesterol are good, I At Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, Hope had a curable cancers. don’t smoke, I’m not overweight and procedure to open one of her heart arteries that was my grandparents lived into their 90s. So 90 percent blocked. Today, Hope is doing very well. She Michael LaBelle, MD, “The key to defeating colon cancer Piraon I was very surprised when I had a heart continues to see Dr. Sutthiwan annually, but no longer Gundersen is prevention and early detection,” Sutthiwan, MD, attack at the age of 47.” needs most of her heart medications. Decorah Clinic Gundersen Heart explains Michael LaBelle, MD, a general Institute surgeon at Gundersen Decorah Clinic. “The most effective Hope is living proof heart disease is something everyone “Hope is proof of the test available to detect cancer and precancerous cells needs to be aware of. This importance of seeking (polyps) in the colorectal area is through a colonoscopy.” includes knowing the medical attention right away symptoms of a heart attack, if you have symptoms. People at the greatest risk of developing colon cancer heeding the signs and Because she lives such a include: getting help right away. healthy lifestyle and she got • Patients with a family history of polyps or colon cancer help quickly, her long-term • Patients who are 50 years old or older On April 25, 2013—a date prognosis is very good,” • Patients with a history of polyps emblazoned in Hope’s Dr. Sutthiwan is happy to • Patients with a history of other digestive conditions Marty Samuelson of Decorah, Iowa, is glad he followed Dr. Dan Wientzen’s memory—she was at report. “Hope has done such as Crohn’s disease or Lynch syndrome advice to have a colonoscopy, leading to early detection of cancer. home visiting with a friend. everything right, including Suddenly Hope had what cardiac rehab, eating Dr. LaBelle and his Gundersen General Surgery colleagues, During Marty’s colonoscopy, which was performed at she thought was severe healthy, maintaining Scott Bierman, MD; and Philip Yee, MD, perform Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah, Dr. LaBelle found heartburn, then pain in her a healthy weight and colonoscopies in Decorah, Waukon, West Union and cancer. Marty was diagnosed with rectal cancer. back and left arm. “I got up keeping a good attitude.” Cresco. and felt weird, like I was going “We were able to detect Marty’s cancer before it spread to pass out,” recalls Hope. “I Hope’s last name— While it is a great benefit for patients to receive their to lymph nodes or other parts of his body,” Dr. LaBelle was not feeling very well. I was Unverzagt—is German colonoscopy close to home with a familiar staff, some are explains. “The farther the cancer spreads away from where nauseated, sweat was pouring for “undaunted,” which still hesitant to have a colonoscopy. “I realize the whole it starts, the lower the chance of survival.” Marty is currently off me, and I went downhill is appropriate for her. process can be intimidating, but most people get through undergoing treatment at Gundersen’s Medical Oncology quickly.” This busy mother of 11 it without much trouble, including the bowel prep,” says Dr. department in La Crosse. Hope Unverzagt with her daughter, Bronwyn.