Thank You to Our Sponsors Thank you to the following businesses and individuals for supporting Mary Greeley Medical Center in 2012. Sustaining Sponsors McFarland Clinic PC The Miracle of Families Innova Ideas and Services, A Sigler Company In This Issue Life Saver Sponsors e’ve all heard the phrase “miracles of modern medicine.” It In a touching story about end-of-life care, a young woman dying of Ask the Doctor Ames National Corporation and affiliates Boone Bank and Trust Co. Wreminds us of how the medical field is constantly evolving, breast cancer reached out to her grandmother, a long-time volunteer Why drought provides no relief during allergy season, and First National Bank improving, and achieving new things we never at Israel Family Hospice House. In another article, Reliance State Bank other insights from allergist Dr. John Wheeler. ...................2 State Bank and Trust Company, Nevada thought possible. a Chinese student attending Iowa State University Ames Tribune This issue of Health Connect has plenty of brought her ailing father from Beijing to Iowa The Gifts of Hospice Pacemaker Sponsors “miracles.” Our cover story is about the growth of knowing he would get better care here. Two families demonstrate their heartfelt appreciation for Epic First American Bank our robotic-assisted surgery program and the many Medicine is powerful, and it does incredible compassionate end-of-life care. Plus: Important information Kinzler Companies benefits it offers to patients. We have an excerpt from things for patients at Mary Greeley. Families, which Sauer-Danfoss about advance directives. ...................................................4 a book by Ames writer Fern Kupfer, which is, in part, come in many shapes and sizes these days, are just as Caretaker Sponsors about how genetic counseling indicated her high risk powerful. We see them every day at Mary Greeley, A Different Kind of Cancer Story Alpha Copies & Print Centers Jester Insurance Services for cancer and inspired her to take action. There’s an providing support and comfort for their loved ones. In an exclusive excerpt from her new book, Fern Kupfer Wells Fargo amazing story about a Huxley mom who agreed to They drive us to provide our patients with the details her incredible decision to have major surgery as a Sponsors become a gestational carrier for a woman who feared highest quality patient care, and to strive to make precaution against cancer. ............................................... 10 Alfred’s Carpet & Decorating, Inc. she’d never become a mother after facing cancer. sure the miracles of modern medicine are available Bankers Trust Sue Ellen and Bill Burke But there’s a bigger force than medicine in much to the central Iowans we are so proud to serve. Robot In Celebrations Party & Rental Store of what you’ll read in this issue: Family. Colorfx Mary Greeley’s robot-assisted surgery program takes a Deb and Bill Fennelly The mom who agreed to be a gestational carrier significant leap forward, which means more benefits Gateway Hotel and Conference Center and the woman she helped didn’t know each other but were connected BY BRIAN DIETER Great Western Bank for patients. .................................................................... 14 Knapp Tedesco Insurance Agency, Inc. by their respective parents. The patient featured in our robotic-assisted MGMC PRESIDENT AND CEO Kreg Tool Company surgery story knew she needed to get her gallbladder taken care of NAI Electrical Contractors Special Delivery Nyemaster Goode, PC because the pain was distracting her from time she wanted to spend A cancer survivor becomes a mom with some unexpected help Karen and Robert Shirk with her kids. Sign Pro from back home—an absolutely unforgettable story. ........ 19 Wolfe Eye Clinic On the cover: Be Part of the Vision Dr. James Partridge and nurses Geana Davidson, Mindy Rash An invitation to get involved with Extraordinary Visions. 22 and Chelsie Stensland with the da Vinci robot at Mary Greeley Medical Center. About This Publication Contact Us Opportunity for Support President and CEO Brian Dieter Schedule of Events, Classes and Clinics.............26 Health Connect is published four times Individuals are encouraged to contact Your contributions can help us care for a year for residents of central Iowa by Mary Greeley Medical Center if they those who come to us at every stage Director of Marketing Mary Greeley Medical Center. For more have any concerns about patient care of life. Charitable giving to support Mary and Community Relations information about Health Connect, and safety in the hospital that have Greeley Medical Center has played a Steve Sullivan please contact the Mary Greeley not been addressed. If the concern significant role in shaping your medical Editor Medical Center Community Relations continues, individuals may contact The center. To learn more, contact the Mary Steve Sullivan Department at 515-239-2038. Joint Commission at One Renaissance Greeley Medical Center Foundation at Boulevard, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181. 515-239-2147 or visit Medical Advisor Visit Us on the Internet You may also call 800-994-6610 or www.mgmc.org and click Giving to Steven Hallberg, M.D. Learn more about Mary Greeley Medical e-mail [email protected]. Mary Greeley Medical Center. Design Center’s programs and services at Green Light Creative 4 10 14 www.mgmc.org. Photography Jim Heemstra Ngaire West Johnson Rick Stowell Video Production Jason Mortvedt 2 HEALTH CONNECT | FALL 2012 1 arning: You may sneeze while reading this. It’s allergy season, and as hay fever, can be more prevalent in the fall. In some, nasal symptoms Wnearly 55 percent of the U.S. population suffers from some sort from fall allergens can even make their asthma worse. of nose-annoying, eye-watering symptom brought on by pollen, dust Ragweed pollen is a powerful fall allergen. In fact, a single plant and any number of other microscopic meanies. This is a busy time for can produce around one billion pollen grains, which easily become McFarland Clinic allergist and immunologist Dr. John Wheeler, who airborne. Ragweed is not just a country weed, either. It finds the higher Ask the Doctor: practices in Ames, Ankeny and Nevada. But Wheeler has taken a few temperatures around concrete to be a great home, so we find ragweed moments to offer some expert insights into allergies, including what to in the city as well as in the country. These pollens can travel hundreds look out for this fall, and whether this darn drought is helping or hurting of miles. Allergy Advice allergy sufferers. Mold can also be an issue as it thrives in the typical dampness of fall. Mold spores are also kicked up by combines during harvest season, and Q: While a majority of Americans have some like pollen, become airborne. form of allergy, many don’t, which is so unfair. What exactly is an environmental allergy, and Q: We’re experiencing one of the worst droughts why doesn’t everyone have them? on record. Could the drought be affecting my A: Allergy is an abnormal immune response where the body’s immune allergies? system sees an allergen, such as fall pollen, as a foreign invader that A: Absolutely. When there is no rain, pollen continues to float around in it needs to fend off. Histamine is produced, and the runny nose and the air. Rain washes the air as it falls, capturing pollens and depositing watery eyes help to dislodge the invader. Each person’s immune system them on the ground. A drought brings wind and dry air, which blows the is different, and how it reacts to foreign materials, such as proteins on pollen around. In addition, dry air dries out nasal passages, making them pollens, is also unique. more sensitive to allergens. One solution is to use saline sprays to hydrate the nasal passages. Q: Allergies have an awful lot in common with colds. How do I tell the difference? Q: When I’m considering over-the-counter (OTC) A: It can be tricky to distinguish between a cold and hay fever. medications for my allergies, what should I Common colds often have a runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, look for? Dr. John Wheeler, possible scratchy throat, cough, muscle aches, headache, or a post nasal A: Look for less sedating medications if you are driving or are involved an allergist with drip, depending on the virus. Colds can occur year-round; however, they in activities that require high concentration. Monitor the OTC nasal McFarland Clinic, are most prevalent in the cold weather seasons. Colds typically last less sprays and eye drops for medications that may be associated with treats patients in Ames, Ankeny than a week and are treated with rest, fluids, over-the-counter medications dependence. Always read the label to monitor for side effects, which and Nevada. and chicken soup. differ from medication to medication. Make sure the medication is age Environmental allergies can cause similar symptoms, but they often appropriate, and carefully read for the correct dosage in children. strike in the growing seasons. The duration of symptoms is also a clue. If symptoms linger past one week, they could be related to allergies, Q: When should I consult a physician about my especially during a seasonal allergy season. Environmental allergies can allergies? How serious should they be before I cause sufferers to experience more nasal congestion and more infections, seek medical attention and possible prescription including sinus infections. We sometimes see increased sinus infections in remedies? people during their worst allergy season. A: When your symptoms are distracting you from the important things in your life, then it’s time to seek help from an allergist. Allergies Q: And here’s another thing they have in cost Americans millions of dollars in lost productivity, missed days of common: No cure.