The holidays, usually a time of celebration with family and friends, can be an especially difficult time after the loss of a loved one. “If you’ve lost someone close to you, recognize that the holidays can intensify your feelings of grief and loss,” says Erica Krause-Wagner, FNP, nurse practitioner at the Gundersen Lansing Clinic. “Grief is a natural process, but don’t let it isolate you, especially during the holidays. Instead of avoiding celebrations, surround yourself with family and friends, and continue holiday traditions or begin new traditions.”
Grief is different for everyone and for every situation. According to Krause-Wagner, “There is no set timeline for grief or set stages. It is more like a roller coaster of emotions including shock, disbelief, denial, anger, sadness and guilt.”
Veterans Memorial Hospital will begin the next Prepared Childbirth Education classes (formerly called Lamaze) Monday, January 8, continuing for two more consecutive Monday evenings beginning at 6 p.m. in the Large Conference Room.
The Prepared Childbirth Education classes at Veterans Memorial Hospital are offered in three sessions that allow the expectant parents to choose which topics they wish to learn more on. They may choose to attend one, two or all three sessions. Session 1 covers labor, delivery and the postpartum period following delivery; Session 2 includes relaxation, breathing and pain management; and Session 3 covers infant care. Tours of the OB Department are available with each session as well.
Veterans Memorial Hospital, in cooperation with Northeast Iowa Community College Business and Community Solutions, will be offering an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course in Waukon through video conferencing being broadcast from Calmar. This 138-hour course will begin Thursday, January 4 at the NICC Waukon Center, located at 1220 Third Avenue NW.
Areas of study include an introduction to emergency medical services systems, roles and responsibilities of EMTs, anatomy and physiology, medical emergencies, trauma, special considerations for working in the pre-hospital setting, and providing patient transportation.
Due to additional donations to the Allamakee County Driftless Area Education and Visitor Center on the south edge of Lansing since its opening in August of this year, the Allamakee County Conservation Foundation will be updating the donor wall located within the facility and pictured at right, along with its adjacent listing (pictured below) of the different donor levels and what they represent. Donations to the Center are tax deductible, and donations of $1,000 or more will be noted on the donor wall. Donations will be accepted until January 31, 2018 for the first updating of the donor wall. Anyone wanting to make a tax deductible donation for 2017 should make the donation before the end of December.
The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) reminds Iowans that an annual flu vaccination is the best way to protect them and their loved ones from the flu. As people gather together for holiday meals and parties, they’re more likely to spread illness around. Receiving the flu vaccine will help everyone stay healthy to enjoy all the festivities.
This is especially important during family gatherings that infants, those with chronic diseases, or elderly individuals might attend. Infants younger than six months of age are not old enough to receive the influenza vaccine, so they are at a higher risk of catching the flu from someone else and they have the highest chance of being hospitalized if they get ill. Anyone with flu-like symptoms during the holidays must stay home and away from others.
Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Curtis Kruger by Duane and Sue Vorseth and Mary Fink, in memory of Gene Wilder by Hannah and Brandon Teslow and in memory of Earl and Vivian Iverson by Dave and Laurie Martin, Robert and Kristi Campbell and Dan and Sharon Iverson.
Memorials were also received in memory of Gary Nolting by the Bernard Welsh Family, in memory of Loren Bulman by Jerry and Linda Siegrist, in memory of Tom Duggan by Mae Jean Bakke, and in memory of Verdon “Bud” Swenson by Larry and Jane Lamborn, Mary Ann Hager and Larry and Nancy Straate.
Memorials and donations are greatly appreciated by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation. The Foundation is a 501C3 organization. All donations to the Foundation are tax deductible. Memorials and donations can be sent to 40 First Street SE, Waukon, IA 52172.
The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital will not be holding its monthly Euchre Marathon in December, due to the busy holiday season. The Euchre marathons are held the third Thursday of each month at the Senior Citizens Room at the Waukon Wellness Center and will resume in January.
For more information on the monthly Euchre marathons, call Auxiliary President Nona Sawyer at 563-568-3105.
Veterans Memorial Hospital will not be offering a CPR course in December. The next class available will be offered in January.
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 a two-year period.
Pre-registration plus a minimum of three participants is required to hold the class. For more information and to register for the CPR Course, call Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.
Adam and Megan Martin of Des Moines announce the birth of their son, Boden Adam Martin, born August 6, 2017 at Methodist Hospital in Des Moines. He weighed 6 lbs. 6.6 ozs. and measured 19-1/2 inches in length at the time of his birth.
Grandparents are Duane and Beth Holthaus of Ossian and Jeff and Lori Martin of Waukon. Great-grandparents are Dr. B.E. and Judy Vagts of Ossian, the late Ralph and Olivia Holthaus, Francis and the late Janet Martin of Waukon, and Francis and Joyce Lyons of Waukon.
