CTMC Hill Country Health - Winter 2011 - (Page 5)

Werth says. “She was an angel for me and sure lived up to her wedding vows!” His co-workers also became a powerful part of his lifeline. “He’s a compassionate professional,” says Werth’s supervisor, Bob Jones, director of medical imaging, “and consistently received praise from patients, family members and physicians for going above and beyond.” Such compassion was extended to Werth in his time of need. “I had tremendous support from my CTMC medical imaging family,” he says. “They sent cards, called, prayed for me. They offered to do yard work and even brought Christmas to us.” Werth, who also served in the U.S. Marine Corps, had plenty of courage to face the battles to come. His oncology team—James Uyeki, M.D., of Texas Oncology, and Richard Lawson, M.D., of the Centers for Cancer Care, both in San Marcos—immediately started him on chemotherapy. That treatment was followed by five more weeks of chemo combined with radiation. “My doctors had prepared me for the complications of radiation treatments in my throat,” Werth says. In fact, they proactively pulled eight of his molars to prevent deterioration of gum tissue, which can happen when radiation affects the blood supply. Werth still experienced painful gum loss, which left several wounds in his mouth, but his cancer specialists knew that treatment in a hyperbaric chamber was the best way to expedite healing and get him back to his primary battle: the fight against his throat cancer. By the numbers Since opening in January 2010, the Institute for Advanced Wound Healing has reported the following: Advanced Treatment Werth’s doctor directed him to the new CTMC Institute for Advanced Wound Healing, which opened in early 2010. “I was so relieved that I didn’t have to drive to another city for the hyperbaric treatment,” he says. “When someone is already having health problems or going through cancer treatments, any kind of commute can be so difficult.” Hyperbaric treatments, which involve a special chamber that administers pure oxygen, allow physicians to adjust the oxygen level carried through the bloodstream, which stimulates more rapid healing of a variety of wounds. For a month, Werth spent 90 minutes a day inside the spacious, hyperbaric oxygen chamber. “The staff gave me great counseling and instructions,” he says. “They really have a fantastic crew over there.” Patients at the institute can sleep, listen to music, watch television, or bring DvDs to view while resting comfortably in the chamber. Werth’s choice: Turner Classic Movies. “When added to a complete wound care plan, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is extremely effective in healing all types of wounds,” says Patrick Kimbrell, M.D., co-medical director of the institute. “We’re all very pleased with the progress Steve made while under our care.” The Werths were relieved when all the radiation-induced wounds 2 21 24 93 250 average number of hours per treatment median days it takes to heal after care maximum number of hours to confirm an appointment or have a referral accepted* average percentage of successful healing outcomes new patients in the program * Based on insurance allowance Heather McKenzie, M.D., and Patrick Kimbrell, M.D., stand before a state-of-theart hyperbaric chamber at the Institute for Advanced Wound Healing. I had tremendous support from my CTMC medical imaging family. They sent cards, called, prayed for me. They offered to do yard work and even brought Christmas to us. completely healed. Although Werth still faces a few challenges from his cancer treatments, he is gaining muscle weight and beginning to enjoy a universal pleasure once again—whole food. He also looks forward to taking his best girl, Mary, out for a country drive on their Harley and enjoying Banana Split Day with his co-workers soon. p www.ctmc.org 5 http://www.ctmc.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CTMC Hill Country Health - Winter 2011

CTMC Hill country Health - Winter 2011
Contents
HealthCheck Screenings Offer More for Less
Groundbreaking Technology Advances CTMC Care
The Road to Recovery
Heloise to Speak at Hospice Luncheon

CTMC Hill Country Health - Winter 2011