- Cancer Care, Women's Health, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogKaren Jones remembers the fear and frustration she felt after discovering the lump in her breast. The medical care and emotional support she received at the Breast Center at the DeCesaris Cancer Institute helped both her and her husband, Doug, through the difficult time. “The people at the hospital were so reassuring,” says Doug who accompanied her to all of her appointments. “You felt so much more comfortable after you talked to them.” Now that she is cancer free, Karen has become a mentor, sharing her experience with other patients at the Breast Center. “We have the most amazing facility here in Annapolis,” she says. “I’m always the first one to say ‘You don’t need to leave this city or state to find excellent medical care.’” Today, Karen has a much greater appreciation for life’s smallest pleasures; the breeze on her skin, the sound of birds in the trees and the change of seasons. She and Doug are closer than they’ve ever been, and they cherish more moments together. “I’m just glad I have her,” he says. Karen is proud to be able to say she is a cancer survivor, and she uses her experience to help others through their journey. “I feel better than I felt before my diagnosis, and I think it’s because I’m taking better care of myself.”
- Cancer Care, Men's Health, Women's Health, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogYvette Garity had tried to quit smoking on her own, but it just wasn’t working. So, in 2003, after 42 years as a smoker, Garity enrolled in the smoking cessation program at AAMC. As it turns out, that program may have saved her life. The coordinator of the cessation program, Sue Glover, R.N., recognized that the 58 year-old Edgewater resident’s smoking history suggested a high risk for developing lung cancer. She recommended Yvette for the Lung Screening program. “I thought, that’s good,” Yvette said, “because I will be able to see how much my lungs have improved by quitting smoking.” But on the first scan, they found it, the early stages of lung cancer. Within weeks, doctors had removed half of her left lung. “I had no reason to suspect anything,” Yvette said. “If I had not decided to participate in the cessation program, I would not have been recommended for the screening, and they would not have found my cancer early.” “Lung cancer often has few or no symptoms in the early stages,” said Stephen Cattaneo, M.D., “But our best shot of clearing a patient of lung cancer, is to find it early.” That’s why Dr. Cattaneo urges smokers and patients with a history of smoking to talk to their doctors about their risks and ask if the lung screening program is right for them. “Cancer isn’t just something that happens to other people,” Yvette said. “It can happen to you, and by the time you realize or feel any symptoms, it may be far more difficult to treat.” Yvette was lucky the doctors found her cancer early. She has been cancer free since August of 2003. By the summer of 2012, she had just completed the relay for life, and was preparing to retire from her position as an executive assistant in the Maryland Judiciary. “I’m starting to relax and enjoy life,” she said, adding that she has saved all of her smoking money for cruises. “I’ve been cruising every year for the past five years.” With that extra money, and a cancer-free take on life Yvette cruised to St. Thomas for her nephew’s wedding, and then again to watch her son tie the knot as well. “I have a new appreciation for life,” she said. “Every day is a gift.”
- Cancer Care, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIt had been thirty-six years since Sunny Janin quit smoking, and while asthma had been a problem for her, she had not expected the lung cancer that snuck up on her. At 66, the Stevensville resident had been seeing her doctor for follow-up after knee surgery at AAMC. She had lost weight, and was fatigued and having night sweats. The doctor ran some tests to see what was going on. Because of her history, CT scans revealed a few spots on her lungs that a bronchoscopy and biopsy had missed. She was immediately placed in the lung screening program where she was closely monitored with CT scans every three months. Her original fatigue and night sweats were unrelated to any lung problem, and they quickly passed. She assumed her health was fine. For a year-and-a-half her CT scans remained the same. Then, doctors saw a change in her lungs between one scan and the next. It was stage one lung cancer. “Within three weeks, I was in surgery,” Sunny said. “It was caught so early I didn’t need any other treatment with radiation or chemo.” Her thoracic surgeon Stephen Cattaneo, MD, said regular lung screening with CT for high risk patients like Sunny has been proven to save lives because it can catch the cancer in its early stages when treatment is most effective. “Most lung cancers aren’t found until they’re fairly wide spread within the chest or until they’re metastatic,” he said. “I didn’t have any symptoms. But AAMC is very aggressive about early detection. That was the key for me,” explains Sunny. Now, at age 70, she continues to practice yoga and care for her husband. “I have a full life,” she says, enjoying her grand children, proctoring for the community college, and until recently, serving as a tour guide at the Naval Academy. “It was that early detection that was key for me.”
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLuminis Heath Doctors Community Medical Center (LHDCMC), a non-profit community-based hospital in Prince George’s County for almost half a century, joins a premier group of organizations that have received Pathway to Excellence® designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). The Pathway designation is a global credential that highlights LHDCMC’s commitment to creating a healthy work environment where nurses feel empowered and valued. Luminis Health’s nurses are an integral part of the healthcare team, with a voice in policy and practice. Pathway nurses are engaged, resulting in higher job satisfaction, reduced turnover, improved safety, and better patient outcomes. As a Pathway organization, LHDCMC leads the effort to enhance quality of care, patient and nursing safety, and the future of healthcare delivery. “Our Pathway to Excellence journey reflects how our nurses’ commitment to excellence is shaping our workplace,” said Crystal Beckford, Chief Nursing Officer at LHDCMC. “Built on years of hard work and dedication, this recognition highlights our focus on shared decision-making, quality care, and professional development, all of which lead to improved patient outcomes.” “We are incredibly proud of this recognition from the ANCC because it highlights our commitment to creating an exceptional work environment for our nurses,” said Deneen Richmond, president of LHDCMC. “As we approach our 50th anniversary next year, we remain steadfast in delivering high-quality care close to home. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team.” This distinction comes on the heels of LHDCMC being recognized as a high-performing hospital by U.S. News & World Report and by the American Heart Association for excellence in treating diabetes.
- Primary CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe dog days of summer are upon us. It’s a time when many of us go outside to have fun, but spending time outside in extreme heat can cause heat-related illness and, in severe cases, heat stroke. Our experts provide guidance on understanding how to prevent, recognize and treat it. What is heat stroke? This is the most severe form of heat-related illness. It occurs when your body overheats due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures or intense physical activity in hot weather, and it can happen in minutes or over hours or days. When it happens, your body temperature may rise to 104 degrees or more. Take caution if the outside temperature is over 77 degrees, and consider over 85 degrees to be dangerous. Even on cloudy days, high temperatures can cause heat stroke. There are two primary types: Exertional heat stroke affects people who are active outdoors in hot conditions, such as athletes, laborers, or first responders. Strenuous exertion and heat can overwhelm the body’s cooling system. Non-exertional (classic) heat stroke affects vulnerable populations, such as older adults, young children, or people with chronic illnesses. It can occur without physical exertion, particularly during heat waves. How to prevent heat stroke Here are some ways you can help yourself stay safe during hot weather: Drink plenty of fluids, especially when outdoors. Avoid caffeinated or alcoholic beverages. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, and light-colored clothing. Limit outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day, typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Take frequent breaks in the shade or cool areas if outdoors. Sunburn can affect your body’s cooling ability, so use sunscreen. Check with your doctor to see if any medications you use can increase the risk of heat stroke. Recognizing the symptoms Early treatment for heat stroke can be the difference between life and death. If you recognize any of the following symptoms in yourself or someone else, get immediate medical attention: Core body temperatures of 104 degrees or higher are the main sign of heat stroke. You may need a rectal thermometer because other types may not be accurate in heat stroke. You may become confused and agitated, slur your speech, be irritable, delirious, suffer seizures, or lose consciousness. For classic heat stroke, your skin may feel hot and dry. In exertional heat stroke, your skin may feel moist. Either way, it’s a sign that your sweating mechanism is not cooling your body. You may feel sick to your stomach, nauseous, or vomit, which can contribute to dehydration. Your skin may turn red and flushed as your body temperature rises. Heat stroke makes your heart work harder to cool your body so you may breathe rapidly and have a strong pulse. How to treat it? If you think someone near you is experiencing heat stroke, here’s what you should do: Call emergency services. This is a medical emergency requiring quick intervention, so call 911 immediately. Move to a cooler place. Get out of the sun and into a shady or air-conditioned location. Cool their body. Apply cool water to the skin with a sponge, garden hose, or wet towel. Use ice packs or cold, damp cloths on the armpits, groin, neck, or back, where blood vessels are closest to the skin and cool the body more quickly. Use a fan. A fan increases cooling by moving air that helps evaporate water from the skin. Hydrate carefully. If the person is conscious and can drink, give them cool water or a sports drink. Do not use caffeinated beverages or alcohol, as these can increase dehydration. Monitor symptoms. Keep a close watch on the person until emergency medical help arrives. The next time you are making plans to go outside on a hot day, make a plan for staying cool and hydrated to stay safe. If you recognize symptoms in yourself or others, seek medical help immediately. Click here to learn about emergency medical care at Luminis Health. Author Gillian Lowe, MD is a primary care provider at Luminis Health.
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