Rose Medical Center Sponsors Soul to Sole Shoe Drive for Columbine Elementary

Posted on December 21, 2011 by

Every holiday season, Rose employees help kids at risk in the community with the Sole to Soul program. The Soul to Sole program benefits elementary students from Denver Public Schools by purchasing brand new shoes and socks for at-risk children.

Each year, the Rose Employee Activities team chooses a Denver school that primarily serves low-income children. The children are asked to provide two descriptions of what their “dream shoes” would be, and Rose employees volunteer to purchase shoes to make that wish come true for every student.

This year, the chosen school was Columbine Elementary, in Denver. The school enrolls students from age 3 through 6th grade and over 90% of the students are eligible for free or reduced lunch.

Rose volunteers went to the school on Dec. 16 to deliver the shoes to the children, and they a few special guests come with them–several servicemen in the military, and Rocky, the Denver Nuggets mascot. The kids were really excited to get their new shoes (and almost just as excited to meet Rocky).

Here are some pictures from the day. Go to the Rose Facebook page to see the whole album!


 

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2012 Rose Medical Center “Surviving Well” Calendars now available!

Posted on December 9, 2011 by

We are thrilled to announce that the second edition of our Rose Medical Center cancer program “Surviving Well” calendar for 2012 is now available! These calendars are easy to get–just email julia.yugel@healthonecares.com with your name and address and we will mail your copy to you.

One of our Rose patients is highlighted each month of the calendar, sharing his or her story about dealing with cancer. Each story is a unique testimony to our patients, living each day with a joie de vive that brings hope and happiness to us all.

We hope that their stories inspire you throughout the year as much as they have inspired us!

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Live Tweeting a Surgery

Posted on December 2, 2011 by

What if you had early stage breast cancer, and you could have your lumpectomy surgery and full course of radiation treatment all at the same time?

Thanks to a new procedure called Intraoperative Radiation Therapy (IORT), breast cancer patients who meet the medical qualifications can possibly be done with their entire cancer treatment in less than two hours.

At Rose, we are very excited to offer this cutting-edge treatment, and we wanted to do something a little different to educate the public about the procedure, which is why we decided to live-tweet from one of Dr. Barbara Schwartzberg’s IORT procedures.

On Wednesday, Nov. 30, we used the Twitter hashtag #RoseIORT to send updates from the operating room as well as answer questions and offer information about the procedure.

Below is the Twitter transcript, for those who were unable to watch the live feed. To learn more about IORT, click here.

11:19

We will start tweeting in less than an hour! Submit your questions here.

11:30

PGangolly: Why did you decide to tweet from the OR?

11:38

@PGangolly It’s a great way to inform & educate the public about new procedures & technologies that they might not know about. #RoseIORT

12:27

They are getting the room prepped for the surgery and procedure. We should be starting soon. #RoseIORT

12:39

IORT stands for intraoperative radiation therapy. We are now using it to help treat early stage breast cancer. #RoseIORT

12:49

The patient has early stage breast cancer. She’s excited to be in the new trial & get her surgery/radiation treatment at once #RoseIORT

12:53

Limabo88: @RoseMedical What kind of doctor performs this type of surgery? #RoseIORT

12:55

@Limabo88 Our general surgeons, who specialize in breast cancer, perform the lumpectomy & place the balloon for the IORT treatment #RoseIORT

12:57

@limabo88 Then the radiation oncologist connects the radiation technology and administers the radiation treatment. #RoseIORT

12:58

Patient is in her 60s. She has a small 8 mm (3/8 in) cancer in her right breast. #RoseIORT

12:59

Patient has very early breast cancer. She’s a perfect candidate 4 breast conservation (lumpectomy) & radiation as one procedure #RoseIORT

1:03

Dr. Schwartzberg is going through usual preoperative checklists, which is a part of our routine quality assurance. #RoseIORT

1:05

The patient has met w/surgeon and radiologist to make sure she is an appropriate candidate. #RoseIORT

1:06

The procedure is done under general anesthesia. It takes about an hour and a half and is an outpatient procedure. #RoseIORT

1:07

Dr. S is using the sentinel lymph node technique, which allows her to selectively identify lymph nodes that need to be checked. #RoseIORT

1:10

They’re done checking the nodes, & will wait to hear what the pathologists say. #RoseIORT

1:10

In the meantime, they will start the lumpectomy and removal of the tumor. #RoseIORT

1:11

Dr. S made about a 1 ½ inch incision to start the lumpectomy. Doing the IORT makes their entry approach a little different. #RoseIORT

1:12

Dr. S looks at the patient’s mammograms to see exactly where the cancer is and where she needs to operate. #RoseIORT

1:15

Fantastic. Dr. Schwartzberg says they were able to successfully remove the cancer. #RoseIORT

1:16

They’re applying some local anesthesia to the area to make the patient more comfortable (she is already under general anesthesia) #RoseIORT

1:18

Dr. S is taking an x-ray of the breast tissue to make sure that they have identified all of the cancer. #RoseIORT

1:18

The cancer they removed is about the size of a quarter #RoseIORT

1:20

Dr. Schwartzberg performing the lumpectomy. #RoseIORT

1:23

@PGangolly To get the word out about today, we used our social media pages, as well as those of our community partners. We’ll also make transcripts available afterwards.

1:24

Dr. Schwartzberg wants to remind women to get their yearly mammograms. Early detection is key! #RoseIORT

1:26

Nodes look to be cancer free. #RoseIORT

1:26

Now Dr. S. is looking at the cavity to decide what size of radiation balloon to use. #RoseIORT

1:31

They are checking the tissue around the lumpectomy site, before they insert the balloon. #RoseIORT

1:35

They use a temporary balloon to help decide what size radiation balloon to use. #RoseIORT

1:36

Dr. Howell, our great radiation oncologist, is here. She will be the one who does the IORT procedure. #RoseIORT

1:38

The team, looking at the ultrasound to determine balloon size. #RoseIORT

1:39

Fun fact—several people are wearing their Christmas surgical caps today. #RoseIORT

1:42

They’ve calibrated the size and it’s a 30 cc cavity. #RoseIORT

1:43

Now they are putting in the stainless steel shield to help protect the patient’s heart and lungs, etc during radiation. #RoseIORT

1:45

They are putting in a 6 cm shield. She has a shield over her hips and thyroid to protect her as well. #Rose IORT

1:46

Pathology just called to say that we have good margins and can proceed with the IORT procedure! #RoseIORT

1:48

Dr. S is making sure that the shield is covering the right areas. It took only 48 minutes, to get to the radiation portion. #RoseIORT

1:49

They are closing the tissue around the balloon, so that they have good approximation with the radiation. #RoseIORT

1:49

Each patient has a different treatment amount that is precisely calculated. #RoseIORT

1:50

They are going to do 7 minutes of radiation treatment. #RoseIORT

1:51

They are draping the patient for the radiation, and putting up the shield that the radiologist will stand behind. #RoseIORT

1:57

Setting up the room for radiation. #RoseIORT

2:03

We are waiting outside of the OR as Dr. Howell does the radiation. Does anyone have any questions for Dr. Schwartzberg? #RoseIORT

2:05

Radiation is finished! #RoseIORT

2:05

In just 7 minutes, our patient has received her entire course of radiation treatment for her breast cancer! #RoseIORT

2:07

Now, Dr. Schwartzberg is going to close up, and we’re done! #RoseIORT

2:08

Here is the Xoft Accent electric brachytherapy machine they use for the radiation. #RoseIORT

2:12

Dr. Schwartzberg is closing up the area. #RoseIORT

2:13

@PGangolly Dr. Schwartzberg wanted to let you know she’s a GW grad and to say hi to Foggy Bottom for her!

2:18

The recovery from this is pretty quick- Dr. S wants the patient up and walking by tomorrow. #RoseIORT

2:31

The surgery is all done! Now, they’ll take the patient back to Recovery & Dr. Schwartzberg expects her to be walking tomorrow. #RoseIORT

2:46

@myoungnp @mylifelineorg The patient did great

2:47

One question someone asked in email was if all types of breast cancers can be treated with IORT. #RoseIORT

2:47

The answer to that is no, not all types can be. #IORT is primarily used to treat patients with very early breast cancer. #RoseIORT

2:50

Someone else asked, “What is the treatment time compared to regular radiation?” #RoseIORT

2:51

The answer is, regular radiation treatments can take days or weeks. W/ IORT, the patient is done in less than 10 minutes. #RoseIORT

2:55

A big thank you to everyone who followed the surgery! #RoseIORT

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Breakthroughs in Breast Cancer Technologies and Treatments

Posted on November 17, 2011 by

The Rose Breast Center has always been one of the leading providers of breast care in Colorado. By treating more breast cancer patients and providing the latest technologies and treatments, the Rose Breast Center is the place for women looking for their breast care provider.

We are excited to continue this tradition of excellence with three new exciting advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

Dr. John Lewin with the Tomosynthesis machine

First, Rose became on of the first locations in Colorado to offer 3D Mammography – a technology called tomosynthesis. It offers exceptionally sharp images, providing the physician with better visualization and the patient with a reduced chance of callbacks for additional tests.

This state-of-the-art technology takes multiple, low-dose images of the breast from multiple angles (versus the traditional mammogram that takes two angles). These images then produce a series of one-millimeter thick slices that creates a 3D reconstruction of the breast. Currently, tomosynthesis is being done in addition to your routine screening mammogram to create a 3D mammogram of your breasts.

Second, Rose is the first hospital in Denver to offer the latest breakthrough in radiation therapy for breast cancer patients. The Xoft Axxent electronic brachytherapy (eBx) system involves precise placement of a radiation source internally, allowing for a high dose of radiation to be directed at a specific site within the body, while allowing greater protection of the normal tissues in the surrounding area. This technology gives eligible cancer patients a more convenient and comfortable alternative to traditional radiation therapy.

Xoft Axxent eBx technology also offers certain patients the possibility of Intraoperative Radiation Therapy (IORT), which delivers of the entire course of radiation therapy in the operating room at the time of surgery and can possibly eliminate the need for traditional daily outpatient treatments that could last 5-8 weeks.

Third, Rose is one of only a few hospitals in the country to participate in a trial for a new minimally invasive treatment for breast tumors.  The Novilase® treatment has been approved for the removal of benign breast tumors, and now a trial is underway for malignant breast tumors.

This technology allows the physician to ablate the tumor in the breast with heat and energy from a small laser. This minimally invasive procedure takes less than an hour and only requires a lighter anesthesia, so it can be performed in our outpatient surgery setting. Novilase treatment also decreases the possible surgical risks and reduces the patient’s recovery time.

These are just a few of the many developments in store at Rose, and we are excited to begin offering these wonderful new diagnosis and treatment options to patients! For more information about the latest developments at the Rose Breast Center, please visit www.RoseBreastCenter.com.

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Surviving Well: Liz, Breast Cancer

Posted on October 28, 2011 by

Liz Yo discovered a small lump on her breast almost by accident.

“I was standing, with my arms wrapped around myself, and I noticed that something was different,” Liz said.

She immediately went to see her primary care doctor who scheduled a mammogram. What they found was a mass so small that it only showed up on an ultrasound. Liz then had a biopsy at Rose Medical Center to determine if the lump was cancerous.

“For me, the worst part of the whole experience was waiting for a diagnosis,” Liz said. “There is a terrifying period of limbo from finding out you have a lump to finding out if it’s cancer. I had a lot of questions, but not a lot of answers.”

Liz’s radiologist, Dr. John Lewin, called her to tell her the results of the biopsy. The mass was cancerous, and needed to be taken out. Liz said her first reaction to the news was denial, then disbelief.

“I remember thinking ‘Is this really happening to me?’ It wasn’t until later that the news hit me harder,” she recalled. The news also came as a shock to her husband.

“He was so amazing the whole time, but I think that my having cancer was harder on him than it was on me,” Liz said. “I think sometimes it’s easier for the person who has cancer than for their loved ones.”

Soon after the diagnosis, Liz had outpatient surgery and was back home and walking her Bernese Mountain dogs two days later.

“My surgeon, Dr. Barbara Schwartzberg, was great about walking me through everything beforehand, which really helped,” Liz said. “She described what was going to happen so I could visualize it. I had practically no pain afterwards.”

Liz says that doing research after her diagnosis was what helped get her through and let her play an active role in her treatment process.

“My doctors gave me the treatment plan and thanks to my research, I felt that the options they presented to me seemed like the right course of action,” Liz said.

Liz had several rounds of radiation, and six months after her diagnosis, was declared cancer free.  Every three months she goes back to see her oncologist, and she has a mammogram every six months.

Liz says that her experience made her realize how lucky she was.  “I realized how fortunate I was to have a job I loved and also a great family.”

Appreciating life was just one of the things that cancer taught Liz, who offers this advice to women.

“Know yourself, so that you can tell if there is a change. If you find a lump, be patient and don’t freak out. Educate yourself so it’s less scary and finally, keep a positive attitude.”

The Rose “Surviving Well” Calendar is a 15-month calendar highlighting our cancer services, physicians, and some inspirational stories from our patients. Liz is our survivor for October, which is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

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Rose Knows…The Cutest Babies in Denver

Posted on October 17, 2011 by

Was your baby born at Rose? Do you think your baby’s face is cutest one in town? Then here is your chance to show the world!

Today, HealthONE launched an online photo campaign to promote some of the cutest Baby Faces in Denver. The babies featured were born at any of Healthone’s six acute hospitals in Denver, including Rose Medical Center.

The campaign is the first of its kind in Denver and invites parents to upload a picture of their baby for the chance for their baby to be featured on a Denver billboard.

Hospitals in the HealthONE Women’s Care Network deliver nearly 30 percent of the babies born in the Denver metro area, more than any other hospital system. The other hospitals in the network include The Medical Center of Aurora, North Suburban Medical Center, Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center, Sky Ridge Medical Center and Swedish Medical Center.

To enter a Rose Baby, parents or guardians can upload a baby photo along with the baby’s name and date through the entry form found on the Rose Babies Facebook page. All entries will be posted on the page for fans to view, like and comment on. (If your baby was born at one of the other HealthONE hospitals, you can enter here.)

Every week, Rose and the other five HealthONE hospitals will choose its “Baby of the Week” from their submissions to be featured on a billboard in downtown Denver rotating daily. The promotion will continue until Jan. 1, 2012. For more information, rules and regulations and to enter, please visit www.facebook.com/RoseBabies.

Here’s a couple of the entries so far! To view more pictures and like the one you think should be on the billboard, click here!

Samuel, born on April 20, 2011.

Hailey, born on November 2, 2010.

Oliver, born on February 21, 2011

Audrey, born on June 10, 2011

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Rose employees help Light the Night to fight leukemia and lymphoma

Posted on September 27, 2011 by

Light the Night is an annual walk put on by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in communities all around the United States and Canada, and the proceeds raised goes to funding research and support for blood cancer patients. The Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society holds walks in Colorado Springs, Boulder and Denver.

The walk is held during the evening, and walkers carry illuminated balloons in three colors. Survivors carry white balloons, supporters carry red balloons and people walking in  memory of a loved one carry gold balloons.

On September 22 at the Denver Light the Night, 86 Rose Medical Center volunteers participated, and our team raised over $1700 for the cause!

We would like to give a great big thank you to everyone from Rose who participated or donated.

 We also had a Rose BBQ before the event, with grilling, a potluck, and activities for the kids. Below are some the the snapshots from the night. Thank you everyone that participated and we look forward to participating again in 2012!

 

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