Honoring the fallen: City firefighters, officers, emergency personnel pay tribute to first responders who died in attacks

by Justin Story, The Daily News, originally published on 9/12/2011

In a solemn ceremony on a rainy morning, city firefighters gathered Sunday with police officers and emergency personnel at the Bowling Green Fire Department’s central station to remember the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in a 10th anniversary memorial ceremony.

A steady rain that fell through much of the event moved the ceremony into the Moltenberry Headquarters Fire Station on East Seventh Avenue, though the stage from which the speakers addressed the crowd remained outdoors.

Nearly 3,000 people were killed in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania after terrorists hijacked commercial airlines, two of which crashed into the World Trade Center towers and another that slammed into the Pentagon. A fourth crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers took control of the aircraft.

Sunday’s ceremony paid tribute to the first responders who died in the attacks.

“Never in American history has our nation’s public infrastructure suffered such a tragic loss,” BGFD Chief Greg Johnson said.

In all, 343 firefighters, 60 law enforcement officers and eight emergency medical providers lost their lives responding to the attacks.

Several BGFD firefighters, Bowling Green Police Department officers and Emergency Medical Services personnel from The Medical Center took turns reading the names of the first responders killed that day.

The remembrance was punctuated by a bell-ringing ceremony saluting the firefighters who died 10 years ago.

Traditionally, three rings of a bell would signify the end of a shift. BGFD firefighter Keith Potts gave the bell three sets of three rings in honor of the firefighters who died, denoting that their duties have been completed.

Following the bell-ringing ceremony, Sgt. Jeff Manning of the Glasgow Fire Department played a mournful rendition of “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes.

Randy Fathbruckner, EMS director for The Medical Center, put into stark terms the toll that first responders took fighting the fires and tending to the dead and injured in the aftermath of the attacks.

Fires continued to smolder in New York for nearly 100 days and an estimated 14,000 to 19,000 people at the scene began suffering from chronic respiratory ailments afterward.

“One in five Americans knew someone that was either killed or hurt in the attacks,” Fathbruckner said.

Retired BGPD Assistant Chief Marieca Brown sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” near the beginning of the ceremony and Marty O’Callaghan, wife of BGFD Assistant Chief Brian O’Callaghan, sang “America the Beautiful” shortly before the closing.

The ceremony was one of several held throughout the area. Members of the local Rolling Thunder chapter planned to clean headstones belonging to veterans at Fairview Cemetery on Sunday afternoon.

Stephen Racz of Bowling Green Rolling Thunder Chapter 3 said the group’s vice president, Daren Bowen, noticed the condition of veterans’ headstones at another cemetery, which led to Bowen suggesting cleaning headstones at Fairview as a service project.

“We thought it was appropriate that our service project entail something with the veterans, and our chapter decided we would take this upon ourselves as a service project,” Racz said.

In Barren County, Glasgow joined several other communities by sounding outdoor warning sirens for one minute at noon on Sunday as part of a National Moment of Remembrance. Several churches also rang their bells during that time.

Copyright 2011 News Publishing LLC (Bowling Green, KY)

Fighting heart disease: Warren County Heart Walk raises money to help save lives

by Alyssa Harvey, The Daily News, originally published on 9/10/2011

Tracey Stuart wants people to remember one thing if they think they might be having symptoms of a heart attack.

“Seek medical attention. Don’t wait. Don’t assume it’s nothing,” she said.

She knows from experience. Two years ago, at age 40, she had just run a mile and was walking when she experienced a burning sensation.

“I had huge pressure on my chest area from my chin to my chest,” she said. “I wasn’t in a great deal of pain, but it was enough to catch my attention.”

Stuart went to an emergency room and was treated for a heart attack. She later found out that she had a sudden coronary artery dissection, which can be related to female hormone levels. She had 99.9 percent blockage in her left main artery.

“It’s prone to women,” she said. “The hormones associated with pregnancy can affect the lining of the artery, then it ruptures.”

Stuart believes research funded by the American Heart Association helped save her life.

“They were able to do enough research to determine what could happen to me,” she said. “They are making so many advances and affect so many people. It’s just astounding. You can have heart disease and have a very healthy life.”

Stuart is chairwoman of the American Heart Association’s Warren County Heart Walk, which begins at 9 a.m. today on The Medical Center’s front lawn. Activities will include a Kids Zone, health fair, refreshments for walkers and blood screenings. A VIP area for walkers who raised more than $150 will include a masseuse, breakfast and drawings for gift cards. Nearly 400 people are expected to participate.

“It raises money to continue the fight against heart disease and research, for research, education, awareness and advocacy,” said Michelle Alloway, division director of the American Heart Association Great Rivers Affiliate. “I think it’s going to be a great event. Every year we grow and raise more money.”

The event also helps raise awareness, Stuart said.

“If my story touches someone so that they go to the ER instead of waiting ...,” she said, pausing. “People need to be educated about their health and their hearts.”

Last year’s walk raised $69,500, Alloway said.

“Hopefully we’re saving lives,” she said. “Heart disease continues to claim more American lives each year. It needs to be something on our list of priorities to think about.”

Stuart continues to take charge of her health in an effort to prevent another heart attack. In addition to taking preventative medication, she tries to eat right and exercise.

“I went right back to running and haven’t had one problem,” she said. “I think it was a definite eye opener.”

Copyright 2011 News Publishing LLC (Bowling Green, KY)

Interstitial cystitis sufferers have support

by Alyssa Harvey, The Daily News, originally published on 9/10/2011

April Lee used to have a full life.

“I used to have a career. I have a master’s degree in counseling,” she said. “I used to help people with disabilities get back to work.”

About six years ago, the Bowling Green woman had a severe case of endometriosis that was really debilitating.

“I had multiple surgeries for it, but I had a hard time getting well. I tried everything to get well. I’d been to more than 40 doctors,” she said. “I had pelvic pain, pressure, urgency (to urinate) and frequency. I had to get up at nighttime all the time. It got so bad I couldn’t even hold a teacup. You’re really fatigued. It takes a lot out of your body.”

Lee eventually found out she had interstitial cystitis which, according to the Interstitial Cystitis Network website at www.ic-network.com, is also known as bladder pain syndrome, painful bladder syndrome or hypersensitive bladder syndrome. Because patients often think they’re suffering from repeated bladder infections, it may take months or years to be diagnosed.

“It’s like having shards of glass in your bladder,” Lee said. “There’s not a lot they can do for the pain.”

As many as one in five women in the U.S. may be infected, local gynecologist Dr. Mark Yurchisin said.

“It’s a chronic pelvic pain syndrome due to inappropriate stimulation to the nerves in the bladder or urethra,” he said.

Symptoms include urinary frequency, urgency and pelvic pain, Yurchisin said. Patients often experience burning when urinating, wake up at night to urinate and have painful intercourse. The cause is unknown.

“It’s prevalent in both sexes, but it’s more common in women,” he said. “Men show the same types of symptoms as women. They may have pain in the testicles and scrotum. They usually see a urologist.”

Lee said she didn’t know anybody with the condition and wanted support.

“I would sit in (Yurchisin’s) lobby, and he had all these patients that I’d end up talking to,” she said. “I’m meeting people younger and younger who are coming down with IC.”

She gave Yurchisin a list of products that had helped her with interstitial cystitis and talked to him about staring a support group. The result is the Interstitial Cystitis Support Group, which will have its second meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at The Medical Center. Lee has also started a blog for the group at icsupportbg.blogspot.com.

“We want to get these women together and have a speaker and educate them on things that can really help,” she said. “A lot of doctors don’t know what to do with them. They get put on pain medicines that they can become addicted to.”

There is no cure for IC, but it can be controlled, Yurchisin said.

“We can restore patients’ lives in terms of their bladder and sexual function and reduce their pain so they’re just not suffering so much,” he said.

The condition is treated with dietary restrictions to prevent irritation to the bladder, Yurchisin said.

“What I find in my population is the need to eliminate acidic foods, nicotine, caffeine, alcohol and tomato-based products,” he said.

There are three drugs that are most commonly used – Elmiron, which helps the bladder heal, Elavil, which helps reduce pain and urgency, and Hydroxyzine, an anti-inflammatory, Yurchisin said.

“These therapies take a long time to work. The medications are slow-working,” he said. “The results may not be seen for three to six months. Substantial improvements may take a year or more.”

IC is very elusive, Lee said.

“It’s not always that you can follow the diet and things will be all right,” she said. “Sometimes it flares up. I go to the chiropractor and that seems to help.”

Watching her diet, reducing stress and having physical therapy can help, Lee said.

“Drink a lot of water and rest,” she said. “You have to listen to your body.”

Although it has been mentally hard to adjust to making the necessary changes to keep herself healthy, Lee said she plans to keep talking to people about IC so she can find others who may need help.

“Even though it’s your bladder and it’s not something people want to hear about, I try to talk about it,” she said.

Lee hopes the support group helps a lot of people.

“It is a very painful disease that’s not understood,” she said. “It means a lot to have support.”

Upcoming support group meetings will be at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 19, Nov. 16 and Dec. 14 at The Medical Center.

— For more information, email aprilslee@windstream.net.

Copyright 2011 News Publishing LLC (Bowling Green, KY)

'Buds to Blossoms' - NICU reunion will bring together children and families with doctors, nurses, staff involved in their care

by Alyssa Harvey, The Daily News, originally published on 9/2/2011

Mandy Emedi strived to be prepared when she found out she was going to be the mother of twins about three years ago.

“We found out we were having twins pretty early in our pregnancy. We tried to glean as much knowledge as we could,” the Bowling Green woman said. “Having multiples, we knew there was an increased risk for premature birth.”

Still, she was surprised when she went into labor at 341/2 weeks.

“I had my mind set on a healthy pregnancy,” she said. “It was a complete shock when I went to the hospital. That was the most scared I had ever been.”

Emedi and her husband, Janko, welcomed twin daughters, Anna and Brooklyn. The babies stayed in the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit for 10 days to get help with eating and gaining weight.

“We were very lucky,” she said. “There were no major complications at all.”

During that time, Emedi formed a bond with the NICU staff.

“We spent so much time there working with the nurses and doctors, we felt like they were our family,” she said. “They really, really connected with the families. They are there as much for the parents as they are for the babies.”

While in the hospital, Emedi learned about The Medical Center’s annual NICU reunion, which brings together the children and their families with doctors, nurses and staff members who were involved in their care. It gave Emedi a real milestone to look forward to.

“It was a goal of mine to take two healthy babies to show the nurses and doctors,” she said.

“Buds to Blossoms,” the fourth annual NICU reunion and open house, will be from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 11 at The Medical Center Auditorium.

“The theme is decided upon by a committee of staff nurses and marketing,” said Debbie Smith, charge nurse for the nursery and NICU at The Medical Center. “The babies begin as little buds and then blossom.”

The reunion has drawn as many as 300 people, Smith said. There are games, prizes and food. Parents are asked to send stories, pictures of their babies in the NICU and current pictures of their children. The pictures will then be used in a slide show during the reunion.

“It’s a wonderful event. The nurses look forward to it each year,” she said. “It’s so rewarding to see these babies come back. Here they come back as beautiful children, looking wonderful and doing well.”

The event not only reunites parents with the medical staff, but also with other parents.

“Parents get to know each other in this situation,” Smith said. “There are parents who form friendships that last for many years.”

Emedi helps parents who have babies in the NICU as a support parent with The Medical Center’s NICU P.E.A.S. (Parent Encouragement and Support) Group, which offers peer support for the parents of premature or ill newborns. She has been a support parent since the beginning of the year.

“The program was not in existence when my girls were born,” she said. “There is so much emotion and uncertainty that go in a NICU stay.”

Emedi said her children, now 21/2, are doing well.

“They’ve completely caught up with the growth curve,” she said. “Emotionally, they’re where they’re supposed to be.”

Emedi took her daughters to their first reunion when they were a few months old. She is just as excited to take the girls to the upcoming NICU reunion.

“It’s such an opportunity for families to come back,” she said. “I just want to go back and say think you for giving our girls a healthy start.”

— For more information, call 796-2144.

Copyright 2011 News Publishing LLC (Bowling Green, KY)

Runners getting in shape for Medical Center 10K

by Alyssa Harvey, The Daily News, originally published on 8/27/2011

When Rodney Rogers has driven into town lately, he has noticed an increase in the number of people running and walking on Cemetery Road.

“One morning I counted 50 people on the side of Cemetery Road,” said Rogers, chairman of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce. “I’m sure that it’s in preparation for the 10K.”

The Medical Center 10K Classic 2011 will be Oct. 15. For a list of race times, entry fees, the route or to register, visit www.themedicalcenter10kclassic.com. Online registration will close at midnight Oct. 12. The Medical Center Health and Fitness Expo, which features national and regional manufacturers and vendors, and the 10K Classic Southern Foods Pre-race Pasta Party will be at 4 p.m. Oct. 14.

“We still hear stories that they are continuing their walking or running or have joined a gym or have run in another race,” said Doris Thomas, race director and vice president of marketing and development at Commonwealth Health Corp., parent company of The Medical Center. “Our hospital is not only focused on taking care of you when you’re sick, but also helping you stay healthy. Staying active will improve your quality of life.”

Tommy Loving, director of the Bowling Green-Warren County Drug Task Force and race co-chairman, said there will be a cash giveaway.

“You don’t have to be in the race. You show up and participate,” he said. “We’ll give $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000 to three lucky individuals. It’s a lot of fun.”

Graves-Gilbert Clinic pediatricians are sponsoring the Children’s Classic Race for the second year.

“We want to promote healthy lifestyles in our children,” said Graves-Gilbert pediatrician Dr. Debra Sowell. “We had more than 600 last year, and we’d like to exceed that this year.”

Bowling Green Independent Schools Superintendent Joe Tinius, race co-chairman, said the 10K would be the state championship for the Road Runners Club of America, bringing runners across the state. He remembers a time when there weren’t so many runners in Bowling Green.

“When I first came to Western Kentucky University 39 years ago, there certainly weren’t 50 people running on Cemetery Road and Kereiakes Park. There were just a few of us thought to be complete idiots running around town,” he joked, laughing.

Training for a race is a good way to develop fitness, he added, and those who want to run in the 10K or any of its other races can be ready in time for the event.

“That is enough time to prepare,” he said.

Andrea Norris, community wellness manager at The Medical Center’s Health and Wellness Center and a coordinator of the event, said people have started signing up for the 10K.

“We already have a great participation from church and corporate groups,” she said. “I hope everyone will join us in the race for everyone.”

— For more information, a complete schedule of events and the route, call 796-2141 or visit www.themedicalcenter10kclassic.com.

Copyright 2011 News Publishing LLC (Bowling Green, KY)

Living with food allergies: Local group meets monthly to provide medical information and support

by Alyssa Harvey, The Daily News, originally published on 8/20/2011

The green wristband featuring a cartoon walnut that Kenny Burton wears on his wrist is not just a fashion accessory.

It’s a lifesaver for the 3-year-old Bowling Green boy. The wristband shows people that Kenny is allergic to tree nuts such as walnuts, almonds, cashews, pistachios and pecans.

“He was about 2 when he started showing signs,” said Mary Beth Burton, Kenny’s mother. “He’d say, ‘My tongue feels weird’ or ‘My chest hurts’ or he’d vomit.”

So far, Mary Beth Burton and her husband, Jody, have been able to treat Kenny’s allergic reactions with a diphenhydramine such as Benedryl, but they still worry.

“In the beginning, it was the element of the unknown and how to handle it,” she said. “The biggest stress is when he’s not with us.”

The Burtons attended a recent meeting of the Food Education Allergy Support Team of Kentucky, which includes parents of children with food allergies, individuals with food allergies and community professionals supportive of those affected by food allergies.

“What we do is about protecting the lives and promoting the well-being of those with food allergies. Managing food allergies is all about finding that balance. I do this for my 4-year-old son, Will, who is wonderful and perfect in every way regardless of his severe dairy and nut allergies,” said FEAST President Dawn Fraze. “When someone at a FEAST meeting shares a resource, a tip, an idea or a listening ear, it helps me to help my son. The FEAST support groups and programs not only provide information but also a network of others who understand and want to help each other.”

FEAST meets at 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at The Medical Center’s Health and Wellness Center at Greenwood Mall. This month, the organization had its annual food allergy and emergency training program.

“What we have to be prepared for is accidental ingestion because it’s going to happen at some point,” said Graves-Gilbert Clinic allergist Dr. Diana Cavanah, who is also medical director for FEAST. “It can happen to anybody, no matter how vigilant we are.”

According to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, about 11 million Americas suffer from a food allergy. Eight foods account for 90 percent of all reactions in the U.S.: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish and shellfish. It is estimated that between 150 and 200 people die annually from anaphylaxis to food, including children and young adults. There is no cure. The only way to prevent a reaction is through strict avoidance of the allergy-causing food.

For that reason, it is important to recognize the reaction, Cavanah said. Some signs include hives, swelling, vomiting, diarrhea, swelling of the throat or difficulty breathing.

“Not everyone’s reaction will be the same,” she said. “Everyone needs to have an allergy action plan in place.”

Participants received copies of FAAN’s Food Allergy Action Plan, which detailed steps on treating a food allergy, including when to give a shot of epinephrine, for severe symptoms such as shortness of breath and swelling of the throat or tongue, and when to give an antihistamine for mild symptoms such as an itchy mouth or mild nausea. Cavanah said people should make copies of the plan on brightly colored paper and fill out the information as completely as possible.

“Take it anywhere that your child is and you are not, like church, the nursery or school,” she said.

Those with food allergies should be equipped with medication such as a single dose of liquid or fast dissolving antihistamine or an epinephrine shot in case they have a reaction, Cavanah said.

“You do not want to keep (antihistamine) capsules because it takes a little longer to dissolve,” she said. “We recommend having two (epinephrine shots) available.”

When children are small, it’s easier to carry supplies. As they age, however, it’s harder to get them to carry what they need. Cavanah suggested attractive pouches that can fit into cargo shorts or a belt buckle.

“It’s hard, particularly with boys,” she said. “It’s just not cool to carry around an EpiPen.”

It’s vital that people know how to give injections correctly, Cavanah said.

“The most important thing is how you hold it. Put your palm out like that,” she said, placing the EpiPen in her open palm before enclosing it with her thumb and fingers. “Pull the blue (safety) cap straight out. Once the cap is out, it’s ready to fly.”

Next, the person giving the injection should firmly push the orange tip against the outer thigh and hold it for 10 seconds.

“It’ll go right through clothes. The needle is coming out the orange end. Press it until it clicks,” Cavanah said. “The medication does burn and sting. Gently rub (the area) to make sure the medication is absorbed and dispersed.”

The injector should be put in a bag along with any empty antihistamine containers that were used during the attack, Cavanah.

“It’s because (medical personnel) want to see exactly what you gave them,” she said.

Kenny has already learned to help others keep him safe.

“He will tell people, ‘Is that safe? Have you read the label?’ ” Mary Beth Burton said. “We got him (the wristband) because we though he might be more apt to wear it.”

Jody Burton said people don’t always understand the severity of Kenny’s food allergies. The family not only has to look at food, but also products such as lotion and soap to make sure they are free of tree nuts. He compared the nuts that Kenny is allergic to to poison.

“We’ll hear people say, ‘Just scrape it off,’ ” he said. “Why don’t I just go get some poison and put it on your food and tell you to just scrape it off.”

Mary Beth Burton said they want Kenny to be happy and healthy despite his allergies.

“He can do anything any other child can do,” she said.

— For more information, visit the FEAST Kentucky website at www.kyfeast.org.

Copyright 2011 News Publishing LLC (Bowling Green, KY)

Living with pain: Fibromyalgia can significantly affect patients’ quality of life

by Alyssa Harvey, The Daily News, originally published on 8/6/2011

Judy Stevens has a heart for helping patients with fibromyalgia.

“It affects men and women, but is more prevalent in women. Five thousand Americans at any given time have fibromyalgia in the U.S. Most of them are undiagnosed, which means they’re undertreated,” said Stevens, an advanced practice registered nurse, family nurse practitioner and owner of HealthFirst Family Clinic. “Their families don’t believe them and think they’re lazy. Once they have the diagnosis, that validates their condition and their symptoms so that they don’t think they’re crazy or a hypochondriac.”

Fibromyalgia is a chronic neuropathic pain that can be accompanied by other symptoms, such as depression, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome and sleep disturbances, said Dr. Neha Pansuria, a rheumatologist at Graves-Gilbert Clinic.

“It’s distinct from other types of pain,” she said.

Stevens agreed.

“It’s widespread chronic pain all over the body. These patients have a heightened sense of pain,” she said. “Their pain receptors are nonfunctioning. A handshake and pat on the shoulder would be painful for them where it would not be painful for us. Some have a lot of difficulty turning in bed because it’s so painful.”

The other conditions that can accompany fibromyalgia can make life difficult.

“They can have problems with relationships because of their mood or because of fatigue. Even something like preparing a meal is difficult,” Stevens said. “If it goes undiagnosed and untreated, they could lose work, stop doing things enjoyable to them and get depressed. It affects quality of life significantly.”

The cause of fibromyalgia is unknown and there are no specific tests for it, Pansuria said. Instead, medical professionals rule out other conditions before making a diagnosis.

“It’s a diagnosis of exclusions,” she said.

Stevens said there may be associated conditions with the fibromyalgia. For example, a person who has been in an automobile accident or someone who has been a victim of domestic violence may develop it because of injuries and stress.

“There are a myriad of issues involved,” she said. “You have to look at the big picture overall.”

Because fibromyalgia presents itself in different ways in different people, there are a variety of ways to treat the pain and other symptoms.

“Education is important,” Stevens said. “When patients have knowledge of this condition and how it’s affecting them, then they’re empowered to become a partner in health care.”

Treatment may include regular exercise; medication such as Lyrica, Cymbalta or Savella; or daily deep sleep hygiene, Pansuria said.

“Going to bed at a regular time, using calm music or light, some people like to read – that helps put them to sleep,” she said.

Stress can also be a factor, Pansuria said.

“They should avoid stressful situations that can exacerbate their pain response,” she said.

Stevens helps patients with fibromyalgia obtain intermittent leave from their jobs if necessary.

“I work with employers because I want them to remain employed. They could miss as many as one to three days of work at any given time,” she said. “During that time I want their jobs to be protected. That’s another stressor. We know that stress impacts their pain.”

Talking to others in similar situations may also help. Stevens is a facilitator for a new support group for people with fibromyalgia and their family and friends. The group meets from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of each month at The Medical Center’s Health and Wellness Center at Greenwood Mall.

“The support group is not only going to target the patient and help them understand the disease process and what they can do to help themselves, but also friends who suspect a friend may have fibromyalgia,” she said. “When families are involved, the patients tend to do better. They respond so favorably it changes their lives.”

Copyright 2011 News Publishing LLC (Bowling Green, KY)