The University of Kansas Health System is treating a total of 10 COVID patients today, 8 Friday. Other significant numbers:
- 4 with the active virus today, 3 Friday
- 1 in ICU, 1 Friday
- 1 on a ventilator, 1 Friday
Key points from today’s guests:
Billy Brimblecom, Jr., executive director, Steps of Faith Foundation and Ewing sarcoma survivor
- Billy was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma in 2005 which led to an amputation of his left leg, three inches above the knee.
- His prosthetic leg includes a microprocessor that helps regulate knee resistance, especially going up and down inclines. It allows him to walk around normally
- He says he is lucky to be involved with the new prosthetic exhibition here in Kansas City at the World War I Museum and Memorial as a chairperson to help advocate for people with disabilities.
- Billy is also the executive director of Steps of Faith, which helps get prosthetic limbs for people who don’t have health insurance or insurance that will cover it.
- Every year, Billy helps lead a fundraiser with his friend, Jason Sudeikis (Ted Lasso), who hosts Thunder Gong at the Uptown Theater on November 11.
Dr. Howard Rosenthal, surgical oncologist, The University of Kansas Cancer Center
- Ewing’s sarcoma is extremely rare – about an incidence of one in about 107 million people.
- It is a group of cancers of the musculoskeletal system.
- Billy’s cancer started in the bone, but then extended beyond the bone compromising the nerves and blood vessels, which is why unfortunately, they were not able to salvage the leg and had to perform the amputation.
- About 95 percent of the time, they are able to perform limb preservation surgery, but they do have to preserve life over limb.
- Billy’s prosthetic is made of carbon fiber, so it is really light. It plugs in to recharge the microprocessor each night.
- With targeted muscle reinnervation, they re-route nerves so it eliminates phantom limb pain.
Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director, infection prevention & control, The University of Kansas Health System
- We are seeing the numbers of syphilis cases increase all over the United States. It is increasing locally as well. But the “gold standard” drug to treat it is undergoing shortages.
- Luckily with the health system, our pharmacists and our supply chain people are always aware of these things. They have been planning for this shortage in advance and we have put in place alternative therapies for certain populations with syphilis.
- Separately, the biggest tick-borne disease that people know about is Lyme disease. And while we do have the ticks here in our area that do carry Lyme, we don't see it as much as say other areas like the Northeast or places like Minnesota and Wisconsin.
- We have other bacterial and viral diseases here, most notably Ehrlichia and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Our practice has seen several cases of those this year already.
- There are other tick-borne viruses such as Heartland virus, which was helped to be discovered by a colleague of mine a few years ago. And we also had a virus that was held identified here at the Health System that was Bourbon virus.
- While these viruses do seem to be rare, much more rare than the bacterial causes, we still want to promote prevention of tick bites
Wednesday, July 19 at 8 a.m. is the next Open Mics With Dr. Stites. A life-saving gift sometimes leaves a troubling mark. From rashes to lesions to infections, organ and bone marrow donations can lead to skin disorders. On the Next Open Mics With Dr. Stites, dermatologists delve into post-transplant skin problems, why they happen and how they're treated.
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