The University of Kansas Health System is treating a total of 8 COVID patients today, 9 Friday. Other significant numbers:
- 2 with the active virus today, same as Friday
- 1 in ICU, 0 Friday
- 1 on a ventilator, 0 Friday
Key points from today’s guests:
Ana Campistol, stage four gastric cancer patient, had stomach removed
- In 2021, Ana was diagnosed with heartburn by her original doctors, but she knew it was something more.
- She was encouraged to get a second opinion and The University of Kansas Health System diagnosed stomach cancer.
- Ana had to have her stomach removed completely and was concerned about how she could live without her stomach.
- She doesn’t feel the difference today and only notices she gets “full” quicker.
- Ana credits her doctors for getting her back to life so she could do things with her kids and still go to restaurants.
- She is very thankful for her medical team, her family and friends.
Dr. Weijing Sun, medical oncologist, The University of Kansas Cancer Center
- Heartburn and stomach cancer share common symptoms, but if those symptoms persist for too long, that is suspicious and a scope can be performed to look at your stomach further.
- Ana had a very unique stomach cancer and treatment has to be started as soon as possible.
- About 10 percent of stomach cancer patients may be genetically linked based on family history.
- Be sensitive to your body’s symptoms and make sure you communicate those issues with your doctor.
Dr. Mazin Al-Kasspooles, surgical oncologist, The University of Kansas Cancer Center
- There are two types of Stage 4 cancers with stomach cancer.
- Some scans have a difficult time catching one type of Stage 4 stomach cancer.
- HIPEC was the most appropriate form of treatment for Ana.
- This involved two parts: removing the tumor and then continuous profusion of heated chemotherapy to destroy tiny cancer cells left in the area.
- This treatment has been done with other types of cancers, but not extensively with stomach cancer, so this was a “think-outside-the-box” moment.
Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director, infection prevention & control, The University of Kansas Health System
- The CDC is reporting that foodborne illnesses have returned to the pre-pandemic levels, so hand hygiene may not be taken as seriously as before.
- In addition to hand hygiene, it's also important to make sure countertops and utensils are cleaned before using one utensil and going from one type of raw food to another.
- Also, the cooking time is extremely important, making sure you're cooking it as directed.
- Solid commercial food production practices and continued global surveillance of food issues can also help.
Wednesday, July 12 at 8 a.m. is the next Open Mics with Dr. Stites. Wegovy, Ozempic and similar drugs are changing how patients approach weight management. We’ll look at how the drugs fit into the bigger picture of weight loss and what happens once the prescriptions run out.
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