connections - fall 2011

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Husband and wife now cancer-free thanks to robotic surgery

Carrie Bradshaw might wear them, but that doesn’t mean you should

A small tube could help your child fight ear infections

Baby comes just days before mom’s open heart surgery

S o what causes an ear infection? A tiny tube called the eustachian (pronounced

you-stay-shun) tube runs from the nasopharynx at the back of the throat out to the middle ear cavity to keep air flowing into the ear cavity. But a blocked tube prevents this airflow and causes inflammation and fluid buildup, and as a result, the lining of the eardrum screams with pain.

Often ear infections can be treated with antibiotics. But what do you do when your child’s ear infections become more frequent? Ear tubes (also called ventilation tubes) may be the solution. Ear-tube surgery is one of the most common surgeries performed on children—approximately 700,000 in the United States every year.

“Ear tubes ventilate the middle ear by allowing air to be exchanged through the tube,” said Gregory Mulcahy, MD, a board-certified otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat) physician at Liberty Hospital. “This not only helps the ear to vent, it also helps the fluid drain from inside the ear.”

To insert the ear tube, the ENT physician makes a tiny incision in the eardrum. The tube, shaped like a tiny spool with an extension on both ends, is inserted where the incision was made. The shape of the tube helps keep it in place. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and has very little recovery time. As your child grows,

the tubes fall out on their own, and your child’s ears should heal quickly and completely.

Some children may require ear tubes more than once. This is not because the tubes didn’t

work but because your child may need more time to develop the eustachian tube and build an immune system to handle ear problems on its own.

To find out if ear tubes may be the solution to your child’s chronic ear infections, talk to your primary-care physician or pediatrician. To find a physician, visit www.libertyhospital.org and use the Find a Physician tool on the home page.

2 Liberty Hospital Connections www.libertyhospital.org www.libertyhospital.org Liberty Hospital Connections 3

F or are they?

These shoes are made for walking...

Does your child suffer from chronic ear infections?Watching your child suffer from chronic ear infections can be heartbreaking and

nerve-racking all at the same time. This common bacterial infection affects more

than half of all children under the age of 3.

The tube is shaped like a tiny spool and is about the size of this dot.

I tell my patients to study their feet and then study the shoe. If the shoe doesn’t match the width and size of your foot, don’t wear them.

“

”

actual size

It seems everyone is pressed for

time these days, but don’t let it

interfere with your health! We’re

pleased to announce The Breast

Center at Liberty Hospital now

offers walk-in appointments and

same-day test results!

The clinic is open daily with

appointments from 6:30 a.m. to

3:25 p.m. Women 40 and older

should have a mammogram once

a year, so if you’re due for your

yearly exam, why wait?

Liberty Hospital offers walk-in mammogram clinic and same-day results

Visit the center and receive

your results the very same day!

For a sneak peak of what NOT to wear this fall, scan this QR code with your smart phone.

or many women, shoe shopping is one of life’s many joys.

Finding that perfect pair of sling-backs after hours of searching can make you glow with excitement.

But while those shoes might look cute and go with your outfit, they can be a real danger for your feet. “Shoes are the main contributing factor to foot problems in women,” said Matthew Nielsen, DPM, a podiatrist at Liberty Hospital.

Some of the most common problems are bunions, corns and calluses, and more complex issues include hammer toes or frequent pain in the ball of your foot.

A survey conducted by the American Podiatric Medical Association showed 42 percent of women admitted they’d wear a shoe they liked even if it were painful. “I tell my patients to study their feet and then study the shoe,” Nielsen said. “If the shoe doesn’t match the width and size of your foot, don’t wear them. When you wear a shoe that feels tight or constricts the shape of your foot, it’s going to cause problems.”

A ballet flat shoe is a growing trend

in women’s shoes, but just because they’re comfortable doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best for your foot. “If you’re buying a flat pair of shoes, you want to make sure that they have arch support,” said Nielsen. “Shoes with a good arch help the posterior tibial tendon in your foot to release stress.”

High heels can also cause a number of problems. “These shoes cause your Achilles tendon to continuously contract and can lead to multiple

problems in your legs,” he said. “High heels also put an extreme amount of pressure on the front of your foot and after several days of wear can cause you to have pain for days.”

He recommends varying your shoes from day to day so your foot doesn’t get used to one certain type of shoe. If you’re going to wear heels, he recommends picking a shoe with good arch support and a wide heel,

which provides more stability for good balance and allows your body to better distribute your weight.

And don’t forget cushion support, or invest in silicone foot gels. Finally, remember that you get what you pay for. So if you plan on wearing those new shoes for a long time, splurge for a pair that meets all the above criteria.

So now that you know, what are you waiting for? Get shopping!

cardiac catheterization lab. The stent placed by Rajendran Sabapathy, MD, a Liberty Hospital cardiologist, revealed something a little more serious.

“Sometimes they schedule bypasses,” she said, “and there was no scheduling. It was ‘This needs to happen now.’”

Ricklefs had suffered a spontaneous coronary dissection of the left anterior descending artery. In other words, part of her heart was literally tearing away. An extremely rare condition, only about 300 cases have ever been documented. In fact, many present as sudden death and are only discovered upon autopsy. Studies have shown that half of patients with this tear die immediately.

Ricklefs was in good health with no history of heart problems, but nevertheless her window of time was shrinking. She was rushed to open-heart surgery, where Michael Gibson, MD, a cardiothoracic surgeon, bypassed the tear and repaired her heart.

“For someone who’s never had the signs,” she said, “there’s this kind of disbelief, like ‘Is this really happening?’”

Mostly affecting women, Gibson said

that hormonal changes during pregnancy and delivery compromised the integrity of her artery. Once that happened, the tear could have been caused from a spike in blood pressure once she got home. Even something as simple as lifting a heavy object would be enough to create the rip.

“It’s a rare thing, a spontaneous thing,” he said. “There’s nothing that someone can do to prevent it.”

But after a successful surgery on a Thursday, she was back home to her family the next Monday. And part of that family was a newborn baby she

was anxious to get to know. But the recovery process and medications she required after surgery made breast-feeding impossible, something she wasn’t prepared to accept.

However, with help from the staff of the Liberty Hospital Birthing Center, she was able to start pumping milk and slowly adjust her medications over several weeks until she could begin feeding Abram naturally.

“She was very dedicated to continuing the breast-feeding process,” said Norma Reedy, a lactation consultant at the hospital. “I’d have to give her five stars. A lot of people would have given up, but, by golly, she did it!”

Now back home, she’s once again surrounded by her church community, friends and family, who help with the kids, cook meals, and just generally support her as she progresses down the road to recovery.

She keeps up with her rehab and is currently working on her arm strength—now up to 15 pounds.

While she’s not back to picking up her two-year-old yet, she can at least care for her new baby like she wants to, something she’s incredibly grateful about.

“We’re just very thankful to be here,” she said. “I’m glad

they have the cardiac team there. It was one of those things where I think my life was in their hands, and I’m very thankful that it was in their capable hands.”

Today, as she lifts her new baby to her chest, her hands are full once again—this time in the best way possible.


A mom’s new baby comes just days before a

Itwas a Thursday, and Connie Ricklefs had her hands full. Married with three

kids, she delivered her newest, Abram, the Monday before. Houseguests

were everywhere in her Kansas City home as family and friends showed up

to visit the new baby, greet the family and drop off food.

Chaos to say the least, but in a good way. After all, Abram came into the world

without much fuss—the easiest of her three deliveries, she said. But excitement

accumulates fast, and she didn’t feel right. Chest pains were followed by shooting

arm pain—classic heart-attack signals.

“I really thought I was having a panic attack, just kind of adjusting to being a mom

of three.”

She tried to convince her mother and husband it was nothing; she tried to convince

the ambulance crew it was nothing. She still didn’t believe it lying on a table in the

BEFORE THE STORM

It was one of those things where I think my life was in their hands, and I’m very thankful that it was in their capable hands.

“”

rare tear in her heart, known for sudden death

Scan this code with your smart phone to watch an animation of the kind of tear Connie suffered.

ABOVE: Brad and Connie Ricklefs finally enjoy some relaxing time at home with their new son, Abram. Just five days after delivering, Connie suffered a heart attack due to a rare tear in her heart.


A BLOCKED PASSAGE

“K idney stones are more common in the industrialized world

because of our diet,” said James Magera, MD, a board-certified urologist at Liberty Hospital. “Dehydration and a high intake of salt and protein are leading causes of kidney stones.”

Stones, which are typically composed of calcium, oxalate, phosphate, and uric acid, are formed when the urine is supersaturated. A stone forming causes no symptoms. However, when the stone exits the kidney, the trouble begins. That stone blocks the flow of urine out of the kidney, causing it to stretch and causing terrible pain.

“If you are suffering from severe pain in the kidney area that won’t go away, I suggest you seek medical attention immediately,” Magera said.

The Liberty Hospital Emergency

Department has a team of physicians and staff available around-the-clock to provide care and treatment for kidney stones.

“When a patient has symptoms of a kidney stone, a CT scan is performed, and we also examine the urine to look for an infection and blood,” Magera said. “Depending on the size and location, the patient is given several options of treatment.”

If the stone is small, you may be able to pass it with help from medication. Shock-wave lithotripsy is another noninvasive procedure and uses high-energy sound waves to blast the stones into fragments that are then more easily passed in the urine.

“If the stone is large and close to the kidney, the patient has a small chance of passing it without the help of a urologist,” he said.

Depending on the location of the stone, a ureteroscope – similar to

a small telescope – is inserted through the ureter to retrieve it or disintegrate the stone with laser energy. For an extremely large stone, a urologist will partner with an interventional radiologist to insert a small pipe into the kidney to directly treat the stone with larger instruments too big for the urinary channels.

Kidney stone treatments are often performed as outpatient procedures at Liberty Hospital, so you can rest easy at home. Magera advises patients to drink more fluids, reduce their salt intake and moderate their calcium to one gram per day to help reduce the risk of reoccurrence.

For more information about the Liberty Hospital Emergency Department or to find a physician, visit us on the Web at www.libertyhospital.org.

EVERY YEAR MORE THAN A HALF MILLION PEOPLE RUSH TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM WITH SEVERE PAIN IN THEIR LOWER BACK AND NAUSEA CAUSED BY A KIDNEY STONE.

W hen you’ve been married 39 years, you share a lot of interests and life

experiences. Debbie and Clayton Hampy can now add robotic surgery to the list.

When a mass was found on her kidney (later found to be a renal cell carcinoma), Debbie was sent to Justin Albani, MD, a urologist at Liberty Hospital. After a barrage of tests, Albani suggested surgery to remove the mass—and he suggested using a robot to help.

Albani is one of the many doctors using Liberty Hospital’s da Vinci robotic surgery system to assist with surgeries like this one, a

laparoscopic partial nephrectomy

(removal

of part of the kidney). The system allows the physician an improved and 3-D view of the body with greater dexterity. For the patient, it can mean less blood loss, less pain, a lower risk of infection, and a shorter hospital stay.

The system replicates the surgeon’s movements and allows the physician to be more precise, advancing his or her technique, and enhancing the ability to perform complex minimally invasive surgery.

Debbie said the whole process was over before she knew it: “I can remember them giving me a pain injection and rolling me down the hallway, and the next thing I knew I woke back up and said, ‘Is it already over?’”

Instead of the traditional surgery done in the past that would have removed the entire organ, this surgical technique allowed Debbie to keep three-fourths of her kidney. Now she is cancer-free and back to her work at a Liberty elementary school.

“I feel like I’m just back to normal,” she said. “I can’t really even tell I’ve had the surgery!”

And while some patients might be unaware that such a technology exists – or even a little nervous about its use – Debbie didn’t need any convincing.

“She wasn’t apprehensive and was very aware of the potential benefits of this technique and thus embraced the technology,” Albani said.

That’s because her last visit to his office was with her husband, Clayton, who had his prostate removed in 2008 by Albani and his team using the da Vinci system. Retired from General Motors, he is now living cancer-free after a successful robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy.

Albani said that as the role of robotic surgery expands, more and more patients are becoming interested.

“Most people have a positive

operatorSurgeon uses robotic surgery to help husband and wife

KEEPS THE BODY FROM FLOWING

reaction to the thought of ‘robotic surgery’ as they welcome new technology and generally associate it with better outcomes,” he said. “It’s still pretty rare to have a husband and wife whom I have both operated on with the da Vinci system, but it’s certainly becoming more prevalent. What’s more

common is that I have operated on many patients and their friends and family members as they hear about good experiences and outcomes with the system, and that’s very rewarding.”

To learn more about da Vinci, visit www.libertyhospital.org and click on Robotic Surgery.

Click on the QR code with your smart phone to see a da Vinci surgeon delicately peel a grape using the robotic system!

One smooth

The da Vinci system uses very small instruments that require only dime-sized incisions in the body.

www.libertyhospital.org Liberty Hospital Connections 9

AARP Safe Driving ProgramLiberty Hospital and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) present the AARP Safe Driving Program. This program, taught by an AARP instructor, is offered as a one-day course for drivers 55 years of age and over as a refresher class in safety rules and safe-driving techniques. The objective of the course is to decrease the number of traffic accidents and injuries in the mature driver. Class availability is limited to 28 participants.

Date: Sept. 22Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.Location: Liberty Hospital

Education CenterCost: $14 for non-AARP members and

$12 for AARP members. Members must show their card upon arrival to receive the discounted price.

For more information or to register, please call Beverly Hunter in Trauma Services at 816-792-7248.

Care in Your Home: Home Health and HospiceThis is an interactive presentation that offers an overview of accessi-ble services to assist you in caring for a loved one at home. Informa-tion about a variety of resources will be made available to you as well as opportunities to have your questions answered.

Date: Oct. 18Time: 2 to 3 p.m.Location: Home Health and Hospice offices, 1134 W. Kansas St., LibertyCost: FreeFor more information, call 816-407-2100.

Heartsaver AED and CPRThis course teaches adult, child and infant CPR and the use of an AED for

victims 1 year of age or older. Wear loose, comfortable clothing. You will be practicing skills that will require working on your hands and knees, bending and standing. This class is taught by American Heart As-sociation instructors following AHA guidelines. You will receive a course completion card with this class. A nonrefundable fee covers class materials. Participants must be 12 years of age or older. CPR classes are held monthly, and registration opens 30 days prior to class date.

Dates: Sept. 15, Oct. 13, Nov. 22Time: 6 to 9 p.m.Location: Liberty Hospital Education Center

Health on the Internet:Basics for 50+Would you like to learn to find health information from credible sources on the Internet? The focus of this single-session class is health information for seniors new to the Web. Basic instruction in using the Internet to find credible websites is offered in a hands-on class. All ages are welcome to attend. Class size is limited.

Dates: Sept. 2, Oct. 10, Nov. 23Time: 2 to 3:30 p.m.Location: Doctors Building, computer classroomFor more information or to register, call 816-415-7778 or 800-203-9094.

Palliative Care at HomeDo you want to be able to give a loved one the end-of life care they need in your home? This course is available to provide resources for you to assist in your decisions regarding compassionate end-of-life care for you and your family.

To schedule an appointment, call 816-407-2200.

Community Education Classes Community Education Classes

8 Liberty Hospital Connections www.libertyhospital.org

GREAT AMERICAN

SMOKE UTSaturday, November 12 • 9 a.m. to noon

Cancer Center (On the campus of Liberty Hospital) • 2529 Glenn Hendren Drive, Liberty, Missouri

Breathe easier with some help for your lungs! In honor of the nationwide Great American Smokeout, join us for a fun event that includes:

• Healthy screenings

- Free pulse oximetry screenings

- Free blood pressure screenings

- $99 Chest CT lung screenings

• Yoga demonstrations

• Learn how food can help you beat the habit

• Fun giveaways, food, and lots more!

If you’re a current or former smoker (or have prior lung issues), come learn how you can get back on the path to healthy lungs!

Learn more at www.libertyhospital.org or call 816-407-2317.

Prediabetes ClassThis one-time class is for people who have been diagnosed with prediabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, hyperglycemia or insulin resistance. This class is taught by a certified diabetes educator and will include instruction to delay the onset of type-2 diabetes as well as nutrition and exercise information.

Dates: Sept. 15, Oct. 20, Nov. 17Time: 6 to 8 p.m.Location: Doctors Building, ground floor, Classroom 1Cost: $25 (nonrefundable)Register at www.libertyhospital.org.

Total Joint Replacement This class is designed for patients scheduled to undergo total joint replacement. Patients, family members of patients, and anyone interested in learning about rehabili-

tation after total joint replacement are invited to attend. This program is offered on Tuesdays. Registration is not required.

Sept. 6: 8:30 a.m. to noonSept. 13: 3:30 to 6 p.m.Sept. 20: 8:30 a.m. to noonSept. 27: 3:30 to 6 p.m.Oct. 4: 8:30 a.m. to noonOct. 11: 3:30 to 6 p.m.Oct. 18: 8:30 a.m. to noonOct. 25: 3:30 to 6 p.m.Nov. 1: 8:30 a.m. to noonNov. 8: 3:30 to 6 p.m.Nov. 15: 8:30 a.m. to noonNov. 22: 3:30 to 6 p.m.Location: 3 East Classroom and waiting roomCost: FreeFor more information, call 816-792-7030.

Yoga ClassFind your inner Zen with Liberty Hospital’s Yoga class. The course is

offered in two different sessions on Monday and Wednesday evenings. Sessions are ongoing and par-ticipants may sign up for individual classes. The course is designed for beginners (ages 15 and up) and will be taught by a certified yoga instruc-tor. Yoga straps and blocks will be available for participants to use, but we recommend that you bring your own yoga mat to each session.

Dates: Sessions are ongoing; please see our website for the next available session. Time: Monday, 5 to 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, 5:30 to 6:45 p.m.Location: Liberty Hospital Outpatient Rehab, 130 S. Stewart Road, LibertyCost: $14 per session or $66 for six classes

Diabetes ClassDiabetes management instruction

is coordinated by a nurse who is

a certified diabetes educator and

includes information on diabetes

management, medications, stress

management, diet and exercise.

This class requires a physician

order and is charged to your

insurance company.

Dates: Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28

Oct. 5, 19, 26

Nov. 2, 16, 23, 30

Time: 8:45 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Location: Liberty Hospital

Education Center

For more information, call

816-792-7267.

Alzheimer’s Support GroupLiberty Hospital offers a monthly education and support group for anyone who has a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s. Dates: Sept. 15, Oct. 20, Nov. 17

Time: 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Locations: Home Health and Hospice

offices, 1134 W. Kansas St.,

Liberty

For more information, call Ruth Schnakenberg or Ellen Long at

816-407-2200.

Diabetes Support GroupsThese support groups are for individuals with type-2 diabetes. These groups offer an educational presentation and time for you to discuss diabetes management issues. Type-2 DaytimeDate: Oct. 20

Time: 10 a.m.

Type-2 EveningDate: Nov. 3

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: Doctors Building,

ground floor, Classroom 1

Pumpers Support GroupFor individuals who are insulin-dependant, this group offers a brief instructional or educational offering followed by discussion and time to share problems or solutions. Dates: Sept. 17, Nov. 19

Time: 10 a.m.

Location: Doctors Building, ground floor, Classroom 1

Stroke Support Group Liberty Hospital offers a monthly stroke support group for stroke survivors and their family members. This group provides education, friendship and mutual support. Dates: Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 8

Time: 1:30 p.m.

Location: Education Center

For more information, call Nancy Schneider at 816-792-7105.

www.libertyhospital.org Liberty Hospital Connections 11

Baby Care BasicsBaby Care Basics prepares you for survival of the first two weeks at home with your new baby. This free class provides basic parenting skills, including bathing, diapering, dressing, comforting, feeding and safety issues for the newborn. Registration is required. Dates: Sept. 27, Oct. 25, Nov. 17

Time: 6 to 9 p.m.


Education Center

Register at www.libertyhospital.org.

Big Brother/Big Sister ClubBig Brother/Big Sister Club stimulates discussion with expectant siblings and their parents about the upcoming birth and family changes. This free class includes a tour, video, discussion and a painting session! An adult must accompany the child/children. Age limit is 3 to 7, and class size is limited. Your child must be registered to attend. Dates: Sept. 17, Oct. 1, Nov. 5

Time: 9:30 to 11 a.m.

Location: Birthing Center – third floor of

the Medical Plaza East building


Breastfeeding BasicsBreastfeeding Basics provides information for expectant families to identify the benefits of breast-feeding for mom and baby. This free class is intended to help manage breast-feeding for the first few weeks at home. Liberty Hospital is an official Medela pump station, and a lactation consultant can answer all your questions as well as provide information regarding pump rental/sales and supplies. Registration is required.

Dates: Sept. 7, Oct. 5, Nov. 2

Time: 6 to 9 p.m.

Location: Liberty Hospital Education Center


Childbirth ExpressThe Childbirth Express class is the answer to a busy schedule. Topics for this free class include interventions, complications and pain management. Childbirth Express is fast-paced and video-driven and devotes less time to relaxation/breathing practice. A guided tour of the Liberty Hospital Birthing Center is included. We suggest that you have completed this class by the time you are at 36 weeks gestation. Registration is required. Dates: Sept. 24, Oct. 12, Nov. 19

Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.


Education Center


Prepared Childbirth SeriesThis free, two-class childbirth series covers the mechanics of the labor and birthing process. The class offers breathing and relaxation techniques as well as comfort measures and the role of the coach. Topics also include interventions, complications and pain management. A guided tour of the Liberty Hospital Birthing Center is included. We suggest that you complete this class by the time you are at 36 weeks gestation. Registration is required. Dates: Sept. 8 and 15

Oct. 4 and 11

Nov. 3 and 10

Time: 6 to 9 p.m.

Location: Liberty Hospital Education Center


GenerationsGenerations provides grandparents with new information about infant care, safety issues and the art of grandparenting in support of today’s new family. Generations is offered quarterly for new grandparents as well as those who are experienced. A virtual tour of the Liberty Hospital Birthing Center is provided at the end of class. Registration is required. Date: Sept. 14

Time: 6 to 8 p.m.

Location: Education Center


Infant MassageInfant massage is a two-part class that teaches parents different massage techniques and strokes for baby. Infant massage encourages bonding, and your baby benefits from tactile, visual and vocal stimulation. Also, infants who are massaged may sleep better and will be more alert when they are awake. Preterm infants may gain more weight when massaged. Preferred age range is newborn through 6 months. Registration is required. Dates: Sept. 15 and 22

Oct. 13 and 20

Nov. 10 and 17

Time: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.


Education Center


10 Liberty Hospital Connections www.libertyhospital.org

Birthing Center Education

All Birthing Center education classes are free, but registration is required. To register, visit www.libertyhospital.org or call 816-792-7227.

Support Groups

Hope for the HolidaysThis special program is designed

for adults who have experienced

the death of a loved one in the

past year. This program will be

educational and will offer

suggestions on ways to cope with

grief during the holiday season.

Date: Nov. 3

Time: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and

7 to 9 p.m.Location: Home Health and Hospice offices, 1134 W. Kansas St., Liberty

For more information or to register, call Ruth Schnakenberg or Ellen Long at 816-407-2200.

Tree Memorial ServiceBeginning in 2001, an annual

memorial service was created to

honor loved ones who died

during the past year.

This service is for our hospice

and hospital families and for

families in the Liberty and

surrounding communities.

Date: Oct. 16

Time: 2 p.m.

Location: Liberty Hospital TreeHouse

For more information or to register, call Ruth Schnakenberg or Ellen Long at 816-407-2200.

2525 Glenn Hendren Drive Liberty, Missouri 64068 www.libertyhospital.org

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID

Permit #46

Liberty, MO 64069

LUNG CANCER SCREENINGBreathe easier with a

ARE YOU A CURRENT OR FORMER SMOKER?WORK AROUND ASBESTOS OR SECONDHAND SMOKE?

{ }The CT lung screening at Liberty Hospital is

painless and noninvasive and uses low-dose

X-rays to screen the lungs for cancer.

Just a few minutes of your time.

Just $99.

Schedule yours today at

816-792-7016 or just walk in!

Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

connections - fall 2011

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