Health

An estimated 252,710 new invasive cases of breast cancer are expected to occur among women in the United States during 2018 and about 2,470 new cases of breast cancer are expected in men in 2018. In total, an estimated 40,610 deaths (40,170 women and 440 men) are anticipated from breast cancer in 2018.  These numbers have steadily decreased since 1990. The American Cancer Society states the decrease represents progress in both earlier detection and improved treatment.

by Renee Stokman, Mammographer,
Veterans Memorial Hospital
 
I’ve heard about 3D Mammograms…why are they better?
Veterans Memorial Hospital is proud to be offering, for a second year, this new 3D equipment to the members of our community.  When you come in for your 3D mammogram, you really won’t notice much of a difference compared to the 2D (regular) mammogram. We still start with two images of each breast, and we still use compression to get adequate visualization of the breast. When we take your images, we get an additional set of thin slices of your breast. The images we get are similar to a CT scan, where the doctor is able to scroll through your breast slice by slice. When we view the breast this way, we can detect smaller cancers earlier. There is also a lower chance that you will get called in for additional images due to overlapping dense breast tissue.

by Amy Robinson, P.T.,
Director of Rehabilitation
Veterans Memorial Hospital

What is Physical Therapy Month?
October is Physical therapy month, and it’s a time when physical therapists and physical therapist assistants educate communities about who we are and what we do.

October is the month to start a Medicare Part D check-up for 2019. Individuals should watch their mailbox for news about Medicare drug plans and changes coming next year. Participants will be able to enroll in or change their Part D plan for 2019 from October 15 through December 7, 2018.

Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon has a Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) counselor available throughout the entire enrollment period.   SHIIP is a free, confidential service of the State of Iowa.  SHIIP volunteer Russ Hagen will be available to meet individually with anyone in the community who wishes to compare the Medicare Part D plans available for 2019.   Appointments are required.  Call Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411 to schedule an appointment. Those seeking information will need to bring their Medicare card, current Part D plan card and a list of their medications from their pharmacy.

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care is offering flu shots every Wednesday afternoon during its regular immunization clinics. The next flu shot clinic will be held Wednesday, October 17 from 1-6 p.m. and again Wednesday, October 24 from 1-4 p.m. The Community and Home Care Immunization Clinic is located on the upper level of Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon.  

Immunization clinics are held from 1-6 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of the month, and from 1-4 p.m. all other Wednesdays. Flu vaccine, pneumonia vaccines and tetanus vaccines will be available.

Medicare does cover the costs of a flu shot. Billing for vaccinations will be completed by the Community and Home Care staff, but participants will need to bring their physician’s name and their new Medicare number or private insurance card with them. Those who do not have insurance that covers these can also pay for these vaccines.

Veterans Memorial Hospital will not be offering a CPR course in October. The next class available will be offered November 21.

The cost of all CPR classes, for certification or recertification, at Veterans Memorial Hospital is the same and all registrants should bring along their own pocket mask. The card received with the course does certify attendants in CPR for two years.

Pre-registration plus a minimum of three participants is required. For more information and to register for next the CPR Course, call Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.
 

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital will be holding its monthly Euchre Marathon for all individuals of the community interested Thursday, October 18. Men and women are welcome to attend, even if not an Auxiliary member. The Euchre marathons are held the third Thursday of each month at the Senior Citizens Room at the Waukon Wellness Center.

The Auxiliary’s Euchre Marathons begin at 11:30 a.m. with dinner, if chosen.  Call Northland Agency on Aging at 877-838-8077 if choosing to eat dinner. Card playing will follow at 12:30 p.m. until approximately 2:30 p.m. Anyone wishing to stay and play cards following the Senior Citizens meal is welcome to do so. All proceeds go towards the Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital. Prizes will be awarded.

Anyone interested in attending but preferring to play Bridge is also welcome to join in. It is asked that they come with their own table of four players, however.

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, October 18 at 10 a.m. The meeting will be held at Veterans Memorial Hospital in the Large Conference Room, located on the lower level of the hospital. This diabetes class is open to everyone who has diabetes or has a friend or loved one with diabetes.  For more information on the Diabetes Support Group, call  Angie Mettille, RN, at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.
 

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital will be holding its annual Pillow Perk Monday, October 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Lower Level of Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Kraft Pillow Service will be on site to make old pillows look like new. Everyone is encouraged to bring in their feather pillows to the Pillow Perk to be cleaned, sanitized and given new ticking. Foam and Dacron pillows may also be renovated by this process. People are also encouraged to bring in their feather beds and have them made into pillows.

Mayo Clinic Health System – Franciscan Healthcare announces the hiring of a new provider for the Waukon clinic. Board-certified nurse practitioner Linda Fuller will join the Family Medicine team, which includes Steven Perkins, D.O.; nurse practitioners Linda Fuller, Elizabeth Leschensky and Michelle Mertens-Dodgen; and certified physician assistant Sara Winters.

“I’ve enjoyed living in Rochester while working for Mayo Clinic for the past 12 years, but I’m even more excited to join the team in Waukon,” says Fuller. “I grew up on a small family farm in southern Illinois, and immediately felt at home in Waukon surrounded by fields and friendly people. I can’t wait to join the stellar team at the clinic, and provide care to - and develop relationships with - the good people of Waukon and the surrounding communities.”