Henry Mayo Headlines

Jim Gilbert

JGilbert2

"One minute of chemo is far worse than a lifetime of colonoscopies"

After completing the procedure at Henry Mayo's outpatient Gastrointestinal Lab, he realized he had worried needlessly about taking the test - it was a breeze.

During his next visit, Jim met with his doctor to determine his treatment plan for his newly diagnosed colon cancer.

"If I could say just one thing to anyone who would listen, it would be that my cancer could have, and would have, been prevented if I had my colonoscopy when I was 50," Jim said.

Read more below.

Routine Screenings Critical to Colorectal Cancer Prevention
Henry Mayo Continues to Stress the Importance of Prevention and Intervention

While Colorectal Cancer Awareness month is coming to an end, this is, by no means the end to Henry Mayo's efforts to shed light on the importance of colorectal cancer screenings.

Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and third leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the U.S., yet it is one of the most treatable forms of cancer when detected early. In fact, when found early and treated, the survival rate is 90%. Thanks to improvements in prevention, early detection, and treatment, more than a million people in the U.S. count themselves as survivors of colorectal cancer.

"I am fortunate to be a colorectal cancer survivor," said Jim Gilbert, a Henry Mayo patient. "I experienced the best care possible during my treatment at Henry Mayo and credit the doctors, nurses and staff for my recovery. However, had I done a routine colonoscopy when I was supposed to, I could have saved myself and my family much pain and heartache."

Colorectal cancer doesn't have any boundaries; it affects men and women and you don't have to have any symptoms at all to have full-blown colorectal cancer. It is estimated that as many as 60% of colorectal cancer deaths could be prevented if all men and women aged 50 years or older followed screening recommendations established by the American Cancer Society.

The American Cancer Society recommends that everyone 50 years and older should begin testing and be tested regularly, with colonoscopies being the best way to detect this deadly cancer.

To locate a physician who can provide more information on colorectal cancer screenings and prevention, call Henry Mayo's physician referral line at (661) 253-8888 or visit online.

Henry Mayo Honored Nationally for Stroke Care

2012 Silver Plus Quality Achievement Award

Henry Mayo was recently recognized with the prestigious Stroke Silver Plus Quality Achievement Award, a national recognition for the hospital's commitment to, and success in implementing a higher standard of stroke care.

The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Silver Plus Quality Achievement Award, recognizes Henry Mayo's dedication to creating a comprehensive system for rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke, which includes being equipped to provide immediate brain imaging scans, having neurologists available to conduct patient evaluations and using clot-busting medications, when appropriate.

This award demonstrates that Henry Mayo's staff continues to be committed to providing life saving care and improving outcomes for stroke patients; as time lost is brain lost when it comes to a stroke.

According to the American Heart Association, stroke is one of the leading causes of death and serious, long-term disability in the United States. On average, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds; someone dies of a stroke every four minutes; and 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year.

To find out more about Henry Mayo's Advanced Primary Stroke Center, please click here or contact us at (661) 253-8651.

Blood Drives Save Lives

Henry Mayo Achieves Platinum Achievement Award for Blood Donations

Henry Mayo recently received the Platinum Achievement Award for its blood drive collections during the American Red Cross Regional Awards Presentation. Henry Mayo partners with the American Red Cross to host six blood drives each year, with the blood collected staying local to save the lives of our patients.

You too can help save a life at Henry Mayo's next blood drive:

April 5, 2012

7am to 7pm

Clinical Education Center on the hospital's campus

For more information, call (661) 200-1306 or visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code Henry Mayo.

Jim Gilbert, Colorectal Cancer Survivor

"One minute of chemo is far worse than a lifetime of colonoscopies"

Jim's cancer journey began when he approached the age of 60 and decided it was finally time to get his long-overdue physical. The last in his series of tests was a colonoscopy, something he knew he should have had 10 years earlier, but he just kept putting it off. After completing the procedure at Henry Mayo's outpatient Gastrointestinal Lab, he realized he had worried needlessly about taking the test - it was a breeze.

A few weeks later, Jim and his wife Bernie were celebrating the news that Bernie's breast cancer was finally in remission. However, the day took a turn for the worse when Jim met with his doctor to determine his treatment plan for his newly diagnosed colon cancer.

"If I could say just one thing to anyone who would listen, it would be that my cancer could have, and would have, been prevented if I had my colonoscopy when I was 50," Jim said. "Believe me; one minute of chemo is far worse than a lifetime of colonoscopies."

Jim's doctors at Henry Mayo developed a detailed treatment plan that included radiation and surgery followed by six months of chemotherapy. "I was so very blessed to have a team of doctors, nurses and hospital staff that made my medical (and emotional) needs a priority," said Jim.

The day Jim was declared cancer-free was a day celebrated by both of his families - his loved ones and his friends at Henry Mayo. "I cannot begin to express my gratitude to everyone at Henry Mayo for giving me my life back," said Jim.

After three glorious years of living cancer-free, Jim received the bad news that he had cancer again, this time in his right lung. The oncology team at Henry Mayo once again sprung into action, developing a treatment plan that would eventually save Jim's life. Comforted by the knowledge of his previous experience at Henry Mayo, Jim knew that his doctors, family and faith would see him through.

When asked how he was able to get through two bouts of cancer, two surgeries, radiation and almost a year of chemotherapy, Jim answered, "I showed up and I didn't give up. I left the miracle of medicine in the hands of my doctors and nurses at Henry Mayo and worked on the miracle of faith with my family."

As for the experience and the impact it has had on his life, Jim said, "I was blessed to have been treated in the world-class manner at Henry Mayo and, while I met such amazing and talented people, it pains me to know that all of this could have been prevented had I just had that colonoscopy when I was supposed to."

Don't wait to schedule your colonoscopy. To locate a physician, visit online or contact us at (661) 253-8888.

Thank you for your time and feel free to contact us with any questions, comments or input.