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Health for Life is intended to provide general health information only. It should not be used to self-diagnose or as a substitute for advice by a physician or other healthcare professional.

For questions or comments about Health for Life, please write or call the Henry Medical Center Marketing Department, 1133 Eagle’s Landing Parkway, Stockbridge, GA 30281, 678-604-1026.

Charles Scott President and C.E.O.

Jeff CooperVice President and C.O.O.

Donna M. Braddy Director of Marketing, Public Relations, Community Education and Volunteer Services

Michelle A. Nunnally Public Relations Specialist

Health For Life is a Silver award winner at the 2011 Georgia Hospital Association's Healthcare Marketing & Public Relations Society annual Target Awards.

Design and Art Direction by tbg designTerry B. Gardner – DesignerLeigh Delozier – Writer Michie Turpin – Photographer

Health for Life, November/December 2011. Published bi-monthly

by Henry Medical Center. All information herein has been checked

for accuracy to the best of the publisher’s ability. No responsibility

is accepted for deletions, omissions, errors and/or inaccuracies.

No materials contained herein may be reproduced without the

exclusive written permission of the publisher.

©2011 Henry Medical Center. All rights reserved.

Printed in the U.S.A.

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on the cover: Barbara and Alan Heusel share some birthday cake at Logan's Roadhouse.Alan's story on page 2.

Christine Cooper tries on dresses at David's Bridal. Her story on page 6.

Health for Life November/December 2011 page 1

2 Alan and Barbara Heusel - Birthday Blessing

4 Roddy Calicott and Dr. Julian McLendon - Code STEMI

6 Christine Cooper - Breathing Easy

9 Dr. Tom Felcher - Wake-up Call

10 Barington "Bear" Sheneman - Sweet Sounds of Care

13 Foundation News

In this issue - it's all about the Sweetest Things in LIFE

Trey Sheneman comforts his little Bear. Bear's story on page 10.

2

hat started as a birthday dinner soon became a near tragedy for Barbara and Alan Heusel of McDonough. They credit

the Emergency and Cardiovascular teams of Henry Medical Center with playing key roles in saving Alan’s life and giving them a better reason to celebrate.

The couple spent time with family over the weekend, so they planned a quiet dinner for themselves on Alan’s birthday, September 21. He exercised at the gym and began feeling pressure and dull pain in his chest while walking to his car. “I wondered if I’d strained something or pulled a muscle,” he said. Then the pain started radiating toward his back and he began feeling a bit dizzy. “I’ve been a first responder at work for years. I knew what it was.”

Even after talking on the phone with Barbara and his daughter, Alan didn’t mention the chest pain. When he and Barbara met at Logan’s Roadhouse later, he still didn’t say anything immediately.

“I finally asked Barbara to take my pulse and if she had any aspirin. That’s when she got clued in to what was going on.”

They rushed to Henry Medical Center and learned they hadn’t had any time to spare.

“I ran in and grabbed the first person I saw,” Barbara said. “They took us right back. They were very professional and calm while they checked things out, but didn’t waste time.”

When Alan began to have a seizure, Barbara realized things were turning bad very quickly. “The entire atmosphere changed because of the situation. But they were still compassionate to us in the middle of everything else.”

Alan needed to be shocked with the defibrillator several times and flat-lined once. “During this experience I had a vision of a meadow with bright light and flowers. I remember thinking I wasn’t

supposed to be there, and fought my way back.”

Once Alan was stabilized, he was taken to the Cardiac Catheterization Lab. An employee from Admissions brought paperwork to Barbara about that same time, but was quick to step back.

“He didn’t make me sit there and do everything right then,” Barbara said. “He knew I wanted to go with Alan when they moved him. He said, ‘Don’t worry about me – follow him.’ That let me know they haven’t lost the human element of caring for people.”

The ER team stayed with Alan when he went into the Cath Lab.

“I was awake for the procedure and heard the doctors talking about the situation,” Alan said. “The first wire started to break up the blockage. I could feel the pressure come off my chest when the second wire broke through.”

“I was really in a state of shock, so the communication throughout was very helpful,” said Barbara. “The chaplain also stayed with me throughout the entire process, even when our family and friends got there. How do you say thank you for something like that?”

Alan spent several days at Henry Medical Center before going home.

“Moving from CCU to telemetry was scary because I didn’t have monitors in the room to watch anymore,” Barbara said. “A friend reminded me that God was watching the monitors. The nurses in telemetry were just as wonderful as the ones in CCU. We can’t say enough good things about everyone involved in Alan’s care.”

“The chaplain and almost all of the ER staff came back to check on Alan,” Barbara added. “Quite a few said he was a ‘miracle boy.’”

W

“We’ve become Henry Medical Center's biggest fans. For a very negative event, it had a very positive conclusion.” ~Barbara Heusel

CARDIOVASCULAR SERVICES

Health for Life November/December 2011 page 3

The Heusels appreciate that miracle more every day as Alan continues to recover. “It’s surreal when we think about what really happened,” he said. “We’ve had to make some changes, but I’ve got to remember where we’ve been. I don’t want to go there again.”

“We expected to celebrate Alan’s birthday and ended up fighting for his life,” Barbara said.

“People have said that’s a terrible thing to have happen on a birthday, but we don’t look at it that way.

Now it’s not just Alan’s birthday - it’s the day of his rebirth.”

4

When Henry Medical Center added coronary angioplasty to its list of cardiovascular services, Roddy Calicott was an integral part of the staff training and preparation. Now he can say from personal experience how successful the program has become in less than a year.

Calicott works in the Cardiovascular Department of Henry Medical Center, plus owns a commercial cleaning business with his wife. “I was burning the candle at both ends and neglected my health,” he said.

“There were signs along the way, but people don’t always pay attention to what their bodies tell them.”

One night in early August, Calicott and his wife planned to spend the evening at home with family. Calicott had experienced some discomfort for a few days, but tried to ignore it.

“Then after dinner I started having crushing chest pain,” he said. His wife saw him putting on his shoes and questioned whether they were going to work after all. “I told her we weren’t going to work, but she was going to get me the aspirin and get me to the hospital because I was having a heart attack.”

Because they live at the Henry/Spalding County line, Calicott was afraid an ambulance might not take him to Henry Medical Center. While his wife drove him to the hospital, Calicott alerted his coworkers.

Part of preparing for coronary angioplasty services included establishing teams who are always on the alert for “Code STEMI” cases like Calicott’s. STEMI stands for “ST segment elevation myocardial infarction,” and refers to patients who potentially have an acute myocardial infarction(MI), or heart attack. Each team

FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCEFIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE“I knew the procedures we followed. This really solidified for me how great our STEMI teams are.” ~Roddy Calicott

Carrie Clayton

Roddy Calicott

Courtney McCart Tamara Hogan

Mary Rockwood

Henry Medical Center began providing coronary angioplasty services in February 2011. By October 2011, the hospital had already performed almost 400 angioplasties.

Health for Life November/December 2011 page 5

Physician Julian McLendon knew that Henry Medical Center had implemented a STEMI benchmarking program to treat potential heart attack patients faster than ever before. He just never imagined he would experience the process firsthand.

“I was at work on July 5, and it was a busy day because it was right after the holiday,” Dr. McLendon said. “I felt some chest pain, but it was so sudden it was like someone snuck up behind me and turned a faucet on. I knew something bad was going on.”

Dr. McLendon asked his staff to complete an EKG on him in their office. Results showed he was experiencing an acute myocardial infarction (MI), or heart attack.

“Luckily for me, there’s a cardiology office basically next door in our building,” Dr. McLendon said. By the time he walked to the other office with his EKG, his staff had already called the cardiologist.

“I showed Dr. Amin my EKG and asked what he thought I should do. He said, ‘I think you should lay down and chew this aspirin.’ That’s when I knew things were really serious.”

An ambulance transported Dr. McLendon to Henry Medical Center, where staff in the Cardiac Catheterization Lab was waiting. Exploration showed problems including a 100 percent blockage of Dr. McLendon’s left main coronary artery (sometimes referred to as the ‘widow maker’ because of the high incidence of sudden death when blocked).

“Time is of the essence with anything in medicine, but especially for cardiovascular services,” Dr. McLendon said. “Because my office is in Jackson, I would’ve had to go much further for treatment if Henry Medical Center didn’t have the Cath Lab.”

Dr. McLendon was back to work and his normal routines in a few short weeks, thanks to stent placements that day and two weeks later.

“Everybody is shocked when they hear what happened,” he said. “I don’t have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, I don’t smoke, I’m not overweight, I don’t have a family history of heart disease. But you can’t argue with the facts. I tell people that if I can have a heart attack, anyone can.”

“I’ve always talked with patients about risk factors for heart disease, but I stress it more now,” he added. “Get a stress test to catch problems before a big problem can happen. Know your risk factors. See a doctor right away if you experience any signs or symptoms of trouble.”

And don’t forget that help is close by.

“Henry Medical Center is the closest facility for us, and the staff there does a fine job. I’m happy and blessed that Henry Medical Center is right here and has a cardiac cath lab. If I’d had to go all the way to Atlanta, I could’ve been in a much worse state.”

includes four people who are able to respond and be at the hospital in 30 minutes or less after receiving a call.

“I knew exactly what was going on,” Calicott said. “I sent the team a text saying they would be getting a call for an MI and that it was me.”

Once at the hospital, Calicott underwent the standard EKG and other assessments.

“I heard them page ‘Code STEMI’ overhead and asked if it was me. They said yeah, and I told them I’d already called the team and they were on their way.”

The accepted “gold standard” for getting STEMI patients from their first intervention when they arrive at the hospital until they have balloons inserted to widen blocked coronary arteries is 90 minutes.

The average time for these patients at Henry Medical Center is less than 60 minutes.

Calicott talked and cracked jokes through the EKG and evaluation. “Once I got in the Cath Lab, the reality hit,” Calicott said.

“I’m diabetic, I’m overweight, I smoke. I started wondering how bad things were going to be. The team told me that was the quietest they’d ever seen me.”

Calicott needed a stent to clear one completely blocked vessel. He was back to work in only weeks, but with a whole new perspective.

“It’s quite different being on the other side of the situation,” he said. “To see how far the team has come and to know I was part of the training just blows me away.

That team saved my life.”

Saved by STEMI

Henry Medical Center began providing coronary angioplasty services in February 2011. By October 2011, the hospital had already performed almost 400 angioplasties.

6

Christine's sister Courtney is also getting married in the spring of 2012.

Health for Life November/December 2011 page 7

Stockbridge resident Christine Cooper has many things on her mind as a college student, volleyball coach, and bride-to-be. The idea of her dealing with spontaneous pneumothorax – a collapsed lung without any obvious, traumatic cause – seemed farfetched, until pain outweighed everything else.

Cooper was making her bed one morning in September when she suddenly experienced terrible back pain.

“Sitting didn’t help. Lying down didn’t help. I’ve never had any physical problems, so I got up to try and walk it off. It didn’t help either.”

Cooper called her father, Henry Medical Center’s Vice President and COO Jeff Cooper. “By that time the pain felt like it started around my shoulder blade and pushed forward,” she said. “It seemed to be growing.”

Once Cooper arrived at Henry Medical Center, tests showed she had a collapsed lung. “I couldn’t believe it,” Cooper said.

“I asked, ‘Are you kidding?’ and they said, ‘No.’ I never thought something like that would happen to me, especially doing something so simple.”

Most patients who experience pneumothorax can attribute it to an accident, rib fracture, or other chest trauma. Cooper was part of the smaller percentage of patients who experience spontaneous pneumothorax – a collapsed lung without any obvious, traumatic cause.

“Spontaneous pneumothorax is more unusual, but not unheard of,” said Brian Myers, MD. “In most of these cases, the patient develops a small blister on her lung called a bulla or bleb. The blister pops, which allows air to escape into the chest cavity.”

As the air escapes, the lung collapses, leading to sharp chest pain or tightness, shortness of breath, easy fatigue, or other symptoms.

Physicians often correct the situation by inserting a chest tube to help drain air from the chest cavity and allow the lung to re-expand and heal. Dr. Myers performed the procedure on Cooper, but also spent time educating her about the risks of reoccurrence.

“I’m very grateful that Henry

Medical Center is so close

to home. I don’t know what

would’ve happened if I had

to go further away.”

~Christine Cooper

Christine's sister Courtney is also getting married in the spring of 2012.

SURGERY

8

Dr. Brian S. Myers

“I felt fine when I left the hospital, but kept wondering if it would happen again,” Cooper said. “It seemed like I was walking on eggshells the next week.”

The following Monday, Cooper’s pain returned. “At least we knew the drill this time,” Cooper said. “I knew what was happening and Dr. Myers had said if it happened again he could do surgery to fix it for good.”

Cooper went into surgery almost immediately after arriving at Henry Medical Center. “Dr. Myers talked to me about everything so I knew exactly what would be done, what kinds of

medications I would have, what I might be

feeling from the anesthesia. I felt totally relaxed going in.”

Dr. Myers found a small bulla near the top of Cooper’s lung. He removed the affected piece of lung and closed the area with a procedure called pleurodesis.

During pleurodesis, the surgeon uses an irritant to make the pleura – the sheets of tissue covering the outside of the lung and lining the chest cavity – stick together.

“The technique for pleurodesis has improved over the years,” Dr. Myers explained. “Old techniques used chemical fluids around the lungs allowing patients to avoid surgery, but it was a very painful procedure. Now we use talc to coat the lungs and kind of paint inside the lung cavity. The patient has surgery, but it doesn’t take long and the lung can no longer collapse.”

“Dr. Myers said there’s less than a one percent chance it will ever happen to me again,” Cooper said, “so I’m much more confident now. The hardest thing afterwards was making myself slow down until I could rebuild my lung capacity. I feel great and think it was a huge success.” •

Wake-up Call

Stockbridge dentist Tom Felcher, DDS, spent the Saturday of Labor Day weekend on landscaping work at his Atlanta church. As he was leaving he was involved in a head-on collision with a tree on Ponce de Leon Avenue.

Health for Life November/December 2011 page 9

“I was stunned by the airbag exploding against my head and upper body,” Felcher said. “The next recollection I have is finding myself alone in our church – I somehow managed in my semi-conscious state to punch in the security code to enter the church in search of help.”

No one was in the church on a late Saturday afternoon. By the time Felcher returned to his wrecked car, a wrecker service and the police were on the scene.

The next night, Felcher told friends at a Bible study about the event. A physician in the group had once fractured his ribs and sternum in an accident, and urged Felcher to have a chest X-ray as soon as possible.

“Being a stereotypical male, I said I would – but

“What I take away from all of this is that life is precious.” ~ Tom Felcher, DDS

procrastinated until the Tuesday after Labor Day.”

When Felcher saw his primary care physician, an X-ray allowed the physician to rule out any broken bones but diagnosis a pneumothorax (collapsed lung). Felcher went to Henry Medical Center, where further tests confirmed the diagnosis. His right lung had collapsed by approximately one-third.

A chest tube was inserted through Felcher’s ribcage to remove fluid and accumulated blood so the lung could reinflate. He was able to return home three days later.

“I’ve been very blessed with good health and had never experienced such a crisis,” Felcher said. “I thank those at Henry Medical Center for helping me get back on my feet and on the road to recovery.”

10

“God positioned people in the hospital

to watch over Bear and us. We only

knew his caregivers two weeks, but it

feels like we’ve known them forever.”

~ Jenny Sheneman

Health for Life November/December 2011 page 11

Doctors told Locust Grove residents Jenny and Trey Sheneman there was a chance their baby would be born with medical complications. Baby Barington came into the world with no signs of Down syndrome or hydrocephalus, but he did have a rare condition no one had expected.

Barington

Sheneman“ ” sweet sounds of care

WOMEN'S SERVICES

12

“Bear” was born at Henry Medical Center on Dec. 9, 2010. “Staff from the NICU was there to observe since they thought he might have Down syndrome,” Bear’s mom Jenny said. “They checked Bear immediately and then gave him to us to love on. My mom and sister-in-law noticed that his ears were small, but we didn’t think anything about it.”

As physicians and nurses cared for Bear, they determined he had a condition known as microtia atresia (meaning the patient’s external ear has grown abnormally and there is no external ear canal).

“The problem with Bear’s ears really threw us off,” Jenny said. “It wasn’t something detected on ultrasound or something we knew to look for.”

“It’s a rare condition, especially when both ears are affected,” Trey added. “But they knew right away what it was.”

The diagnosis and all the changes it would mean to their family shocked the Shenemans. Staff at Henry Medical Center did all they could to ease the transition.

“They were so attentive and reassured us that this wasn’t a life or death situation,” Trey said. “There were lots of other babies in the NICU at the same time, and some of them were sicker than Bear. But we all got the same level of care.”

One thing that impressed the Shenemans was the hospital staff ’s willingness to help however they could.

“They didn’t see something they couldn’t fix and send Bear off to another hospital,” Trey said. “They wanted

to do whatever they could here, and they brought the specialists here to us instead of us having to go to them. That meant a lot.”

Bear and his parents spent seven nights and eight days at Henry Medical Center. During that time, they were visited countless times by staff and physicians.

“We had nurses checking on us before or after their shifts, and they let us spend as much time with Bear in the NICU as possible,” Jenny said. “God provided for us and really gave us peace of mind. So many nurses

we knew or that we knew through friends helped take care of Bear. He really had angels looking over him.”

Hearing tests at Bear’s six-week mark showed he could hear sounds in normal ranges despite the malformations. Physicians believe Bear’s internal ear structures are intact, so he hears by sound vibrations transmitting straight through his skull to the internal ear canals.

“He has a special hearing aid on a cool sports band that has helped condition him,” Trey said.

“He doesn’t always want to wear it, but he’s gotten better at localizing sound even without it.”

Bear could have surgery in a few years to create new ears and external ear canals. In the meantime, his parents are enjoying watching him grow and learn every day.

“His world hasn’t been perfect, and he still has some uphill battles,” Trey said. “Our ‘normal’ is different from other parents. But that’s OK. Bear’s a fighter, and he’s going to come out on top of things.”

Health for Life November/December 2011 page 13

Henry Medical Center’s Laurel Park Receives Van through Grant from the Hospital’s Foundation

Henry Medical Center Foundation (HMCF) recently received a $48,000 grant from the Chaparral Foundation to purchase a 10 -

passenger van for the hospital’s Laurel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation facility.

The van, which has a wheelchair lift, will allow staff at Laurel Park to take residents on outings including local shopping trips and sporting events in Atlanta.

A reception was held at Laurel Park as residents and HMC staff gathered to celebrate the van’s delivery from Allan Vigil Ford Lincoln Mercury.

Golf Tournament

Thank you to everyone who came out and supported the 2011 HMCF Golf Tournament! It was a beautiful day and everyone had a great time. In all, more than $40,000 was raised for programs and services at Henry Medical Center.

2011 Annual Holiday Celebration and Christmas Tree LightingTHURSDAY, DeCeMBeR 1, 2011 6–8pm on the HMC SoUTH LAWN

CARRIAGE RIDES WITH SANTA REFRESHMENTS ENTERTAINMENT By:HeartSong Henry • The Tussahaw Young Singers •HMC Employee Choir • Pate's Creek Elementary School • Cotton Indian Elementary School

HONORARy TREE LIGHTER: Dr. Joe Blissit

TREE LIGHTING PROVIDED By:Christmas Decor - A complete holiday design, installation and removal service. 678-583-4455

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: Brasfield & Gorrie • The Henry Players •Sodexo • Einstein’s Bagels

Foundation News

Al-Anon Meets every Wednesday and Saturday in the Foundation Education Center, 7:00–8:00pm.

Ala TeenMeets every Wednesday in the Foundation Education Center, 7:00–8:00pm.

Alcoholics Anonymous Meets every Wednesday and Saturday in the Foundation Education Center, 7:00–9:00pm. Cancer education/Support Call 678-604-1040 for more information.

Co-Dependents Anonymous (CoDA) Call 678-604-1040 for more information.

CPR and First Aid Rescue techniques are taught by the American Heart Association guidelines. Call 678-604-1040 to register.

Diabetes Self-Management Two-day classes are held each month.

evening Seminar Series Lung Disease Seminar is an annual program that provides patients and families with the most current information on prevention and treatment.

Diabetes Support Group Meets third Tuesday of each month in the Foundation Education Center at 6:00pm. Pre-registration required. Call 678-604-5106 for more information.

Fibromyalgia Support Group Meets Last Thursday of each month in the Foundation Education Center, 7:00–8:30pm.

Georgia Losing for Life Weight Loss SurgeryMeets second Saturday of each month in the Foundation Education Center, 11:00am–Noon.

Grief RecoveryCall 678-604-1054 forregistration, dates and times.

Hearts of Henry A support group for anyone with Heart Disease. Meets first Thursday of each month in the Foundation Education Center, 6:00–8:00pm. Call 678-575-7746 for more information.

LaLeche League Provides education, information, support and encouragement to women who want to breastfeed. Meets second Thursday each month, 6:30pm in the Women’s Service Classroom on the 4th floor of the North Tower.

Lupus Support Meets second Saturday of each month in the Foundation Education Center, 11:00am–1:00pm.

Narcotics Anonymous Meets every Friday from 8:00–9:00pm in the Foundation Education Center, and every Sunday in the Executive Dining Room, from 5:30–6:30pm.

overeaters AnonymousMeets every Saturday in the Foundation Education Center, 9:00–10:30am.

Post-Partum SupportTelephone support provided to new mothers and family members. Call 678-209-4739.

Rachel’s GiftInfant BereavementSupport GroupFor Parents, Families and Friends who have experienced a loss through miscarriage, stillbirth or infant death.Meets second Thursday of each month in the Foundation Education Center, 7:00–8:00pm.Call 770-320-7059 for more information.

Sisters By ChoiceFor women diagnosed with breast cancer. Meets second Tuesday of each month in the Foundation Education Center at 7:30pm.

First StepsOffers emotional support, current parenting information, community resources and follow up contacts to parents of newborns. The program also offers telephone follow up for the baby’s first three to six months. Call 770-507-9900 for more information or to volunteer.

Get Moving Again For hip and knee surgery patients. Meets the last Saturday of the month.

Health Fairs Free screenings are offered for blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, bone density, prostate and many other services.

Look Good Feel Better This program is designed to help women undergoing cancer treatment to regain self-confidence and control over their lives. Meets at Henry Radiation Oncology Center monthly from

Southern Crescent Parents of MultiplesMeets fourth Thursday of each month in the Foundation Education Center, 7:30–9:00pm.

Southside Weight Loss Surgery GroupMeets fourth Tuesday of each month in the Foundation Education Center, 7:00–8:30pm.

Stroke ResourcesCall 678-604-1040 for more information.

WomenHeartMeets first Tuesday of each month in the Foundation Education Center, 6:00–7:30pm. Call 678-575-7746 for more information. This group is open to men and women.

10:00am–12:00pm. Call 770-631-0625 for dates and to register.

on-Site Health Related classes Henry Medical Center offers customized on-site health related classes that can be conducted at your business, school, or organization. Call 678-604-5182 for more information.

Paradise empowers Teen Parent Program (PETPP)A parent education program for pregnant or parenting teenagers under 20-years-old who reside in Henry County. Home visits are held once a month. Classes meet second and fourth Tuesday of the month, 5:00-6:30pm in the Women’s Service Classroom on the 4th floor of the North Tower. Call 678-472-2427 for more information.

Planning for your Final Healthcare Learn how you and your family can discuss and plan in advance for health care at the end of life. Call 678-604-1054 for more information.

Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Infant Care Teen ClassClasses offered twice a year to pregnant teenagers age 12-19 years old. Call 678-604-4896 for more information.

Support Groups

Classes and Services For more information about classes, please call 678-604-1040.