There is a disease lurking that affects the men we love. Over 240,890 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed this year in America and 1in 6 men will die from the disease. Don’t let the men you love become a statistic, take action.

September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness month, and in honor, we are partnering with Advanced Urology Associates to offer FREE prostate cancer screenings on September 12,14, & 15 from 2:30-3:30 p.m. at Silver Cross Specialty Care Pavilion,1300 Copperfield Ave.,Joliet. Learn more and make an appointment here  or call 888-660-HEAL (4325) today!

What is it?

The prostate is a gland located in front of the rectum and underneath the urinary bladder. It is found only in men. The size of the prostate varies with age, so in younger men, it is typically the size of a walnut, but it can be much larger in older men. The prostate’s job is to make some of the fluid that protects and nourishes sperm cells in semen, making semen more liquid. Just behind the prostate gland are the seminal vesicles that make most of the fluid for semen. The urethra, which is the tube that carries urine and semen out of the body through the penis, goes through the center of the prostate.

What happens?

Several types of cells are found in the prostate, but almost all of prostate cancers develop from the gland cells. Gland cells make the prostate fluid that is added to the semen. Other types of cancer can also start in the prostate gland, including sarcomas, small cell carcinomas, and transitional cell carcinomas. 

Some prostate cancers can grow and spread quickly, but most of them grow slowly. Prostate cancer can often be found early by testing,which is why it is so important for men over 45 to get screened annually. African American, or men with a family history of cancer may want to start screening earlier.

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To its owner, the mobile phone is an indispensable lifeline at times of crisis, reuniting loved ones separated by unforeseen events at the touch of a button. But for emergency responders making life-and-death decisions, the phone poses a conundrum: Which of the numbers stored in its electronic address book should they call to reach your next of kin?

Problem solved!  Silver Cross Hospital has just launched a smartphone application that could save your life in an emergency. The I.C.E. (In Case of Emergency) application creates one central location to conveniently store information about your health conditions and current medications along with emergency contacts.

“Emergency responders are trained to search people’s cell phones for ICE information in the event of an accident or other emergency,” says Dr. Silvio Morales, medical director of the Silver Cross Emergency Department. “Having your emergency contact information stored in the app provides them, with one touch access to who you are and your key medical information to allow for proper, informed care during an emergency.”

Silver Cross Hospital’s ICE application is free and now available for download at the iTunes App Store.   For tips on  installing or using the app, watch the video below.

The Silver Cross Healthy Community Commission has announced that Hines Veteran’s Administration has accepted Silver Cross Hospital’s offer to sell 4.4 acres of its Joliet campus. The existing two-story 60,000 sq. ft. Emergency Department building will be transformed into an outpatient clinic to service area veterans after Silver Cross Hospital relocates to New Lenox on Feb. 26, 2012. The new V.A. Outpatient Clinic is expected to open in March 2013 following completion of renovations.

“Silver Cross Hospital is pleased that the emergency department on the Joliet Campus will be put to good use as a Community Based Outpatient Center for veterans,” said Paul Pawlak, President and Chief Executive Officer at Silver Cross Hospital. “Health care for veterans will be greatly improved and we applaud the Veteran Administration’s decision to relocate and expand the clinic. I personally am delighted that Silver Cross could help make this dream come true for the many veterans in our community.”

When Silver Cross announced its plans to build a replacement hospital at I-355 and Route 6, local community leaders came together with hospital executives to form the Silver Cross Healthy Community Commission.The Commission’s goal is to improve the quality of life for the residents on the east side of Joliet through campus redevelopment, workforce development, and improving access to health care services.

“We are thrilled that part of the Silver Cross campus in Joliet will become an outpatient health center,” said Margie Woods, Chair of the Silver Cross Healthy Community Commission. “I want to thank all the members of the Commission, the Buffalo soldiers, Commander Cannup, Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson and Silver Cross Hospital for their hard work in making this happen. Our veterans deserve the best healthcare and this new clinic will be fantastic—bringing more health care services closer to their homes.”

Breast cancer is a devastating disease, affecting more than 254,000 American women each year, according to the American Cancer Society. The emotional and physical results are very different now from what they were in the past, new kinds of treatments as well as improved reconstructive surgery options mean that women who have breast cancer today have better choices.

“It is so important to have a discussion about reconstructive breast surgery with your doctor and a plastic surgeon before a mastectomy. The plan is different for every woman and there are many options available depending on a patient’s preferences, size and shape of breasts, details of the cancer diagnosis, and involvement with radiation. These are all important factors when creating the right treatment plan for a patient,” says Dr. Roxanne Sylora, plastic surgeon on staff at Silver Cross Hospital.

Reconstructive breast surgery restores the breast’s appearance after a mastectomy. Surgery can rebuild the shape of the breast(s) using artificial implants or tissue from other parts of the body. Women choose breast reconstruction for many reasons, including:
• To make their breasts look balanced when they are wearing a bra
• To permanently regain their breast shape
• So they don’t have to use a form that fits inside the bra (an external prosthesis)
There are often many options to think about when contemplating breast reconstruction, including when to start any treatment.

•  Immediate breast reconstruction is done at the same time as the mastectomy. An advantage to this is that the chest tissues are not damaged by radiation therapy or scarring, which often means that the final result looks better. Also, immediate reconstruction means less surgery. After the first surgery, there still may be a number of steps that are needed to complete the immediate reconstruction process. If you are planning to have immediate reconstruction, be sure to ask what will need to be done afterward and how long it will take.
•  Delayed breast reconstruction means that the rebuilding is started later. This may be a better choice for some women, depending on their treatment plan or their health status. Certain factors can increase their risks of complications.

Have more questions? Want to learn more? Join  Dr. Sylora on Wednesday, September 7  for a free girl’s only discussion on “Re-Shaping “The Girls”. This will be held at the Silver Cross Center for Women’s Health, 1870 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Register to attend here or call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325).

Summer may be slipping away, but that doesn’t mean summer treats should stop! Take a little time for yourself and indulge in some peace of mind with a osteoporosis bone density screening. Call before August 31 and mention ICE CREAM for a free Dove Ice Cream bar, our treat!

Why ice cream you ask? It has calcium! Calcium is a mineral that is necessary for life, yet many Americans do not get the amount of calcium they need every day. Calcium is important to build stronger, denser bones early in life and to keep bones strong and healthy later in life. Our bodies cannot produce calcium which is why it’s important to try to get enough calcium through the foods we eat.  

So why hesitate? Get a dose of calcium and relax in the beautiful atmosphere of the Silver Cross Center for Women’s Health. We’ll have you in and out!

Plantar fasciitis is a painful condition caused by overuse of the heel of the foot. This condition is a common problem that can cause nagging pain in the heel of the foot. In fact,“The plantar fascia is the flat band of tissue that connects your heel bone to your toes. It supports the arch of your foot. Repeated movements can strain the arch and cause tiny tears in the tissue, causing your feet to get weak, swollen, and inflamed,” says Dr. Paul Kirchner, podiatrist on staff at Silver Cross. This heel pain affects nearly two million Americans each year.

Most people with plantar fasciitis have pain when they take their first steps after they get out of bed or sit for a long time. You may have less stiffness and pain after you take a few steps. But your foot may hurt more as the day goes on. It may hurt the most when you climb stairs or after you stand for a long time. 

While no single treatment works best , there are many things you can try to help your feet get better, including resting your feet and icing the heals of your feet throughout the day. “It is very important for people to use the right shoes, and make sure their feet are getting the proper support,” shares Dr. Kirchner. 

If you would like to learn more about the latest treatment options for Plantar Fasciitis, Join Dr. Kirchner’s free lecture, “Feet First: Running & The Injured Athlete” on Wednesday, August 24 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Silver Cross Hospital Conference Center, 1200 Maple Rd., Joliet.  Register to attend online or call (888)-660-HEAL (4325).  

Free Screening: Join the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Silver Cross Hospital , 250 E. Maple St., New Lenox on Wednesday, August 31 from 1-4 p.m. for free heel and foot screenings. A physical therapist will provide a screening of the foot to determine possible causes of plantar fascia pain. Participants will receive a free home exercise program and tips for preventing plantar fasciitis. To schedule your screening, please call 815-463-6123.

“People think they’re the only ones dealing with this,” says Kris Jenner, reality superstar. “When you realize that the woman sitting next to you is probably going through the same thing, you feel less lonely.”

Urinary (or bladder) incontinence is when you are not able to keep urine from leaking from your urethra, the tube that carries urine out of your body from your bladder. Every day, women are living in shame and fear of their next urge because they don’t understand why this is happening.

On a recent episode of Keeping up with Kardashians, Kris Jenner shares her own confusion with her body when she “has an accident” at a restaurant (after her daughter doesn’t let her out of the booth in enough time to go to the bathroom). After Jenner returns to the table, mortified, her family  insists for her to get this reoccuring issue checked out and she  soon learns she has stress incontinence.

“Urinary incontinence isn’t a disease, it’s a symptom,” says Dr. Nicole Gress, obstetrics and gynecology physician on staff at Silver Cross Hospital. “It can be produced by everyday habits, underlying medical conditions or physical problems.” 

If you’re embarrassed about having a bladder control problem, you may try to cope on your own by wearing absorbent pads, carrying extra clothes, or avoiding going out. You may even cut back on drinking liquids and risk dehydration to avoid wetting episodes. But there are better ways to manage urinary incontinence through effective treatments. Take control of your pelvic health by completing a short Pelvic Risk Assessment  to find out if it’s time for you to reach out for help and how you can regain your quality of life.

“Treatment for urinary incontinence depends on the type of incontinence, the severity of your problem and the underlying cause,” says Dr. Gress. “A combination of treatments is usually recommended, starting with the least invasive options such as physical therapy.” The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) at Silver Cross provides pelvic floor rehabilitation. Patients meet with therapists who have specialized training in pelvic-floor muscle disorders and develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to each woman’s needs. 

“This is something you don’t have to live with, there are many options to help,” says Valerie Paluszak, physical therapist and pelvic therapy specialist with the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Silver Cross. Learn more about our pelvic medicine program here.

Patricia Heeg uses the Lite Gait machine during a physical therapy session with physical therapist assistant Jaime Holzouser at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Silver Cross Hospital.

After suffering from two small strokes in the last year and undergoing months of extensive therapy at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) at Silver Cross Hospital, Patricia  Heeg refuses to let her illness stop her from collecting toys for the children of Will County. For the past three years, Heeg has been President of the Reindeer Toy Run, which is hosted by the American Legion Post #13 in Plainfield, where she organizes a 100-mile motorcycle run. All proceeds for the event go to the children in Will County whose parents can’t afford to buy Christmas gifts.

“To give back to these kids is such a worthwhile cause,” said Lockport resident Heeg. “Every child should have a happy holiday season and I’m not allowing my illness to slow me down from collecting donations for the Reindeer Toy Run. I’m still fully committed to helping the kids.”

Even though Heeg does therapy three times a week for three hours each day, she still manages to find the energy and motivation to visit area businesses asking them for their support in providing monetary or toy donations for the Reindeer Toy Run.

According to the National Stroke Association, a stroke or “brain attack” occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery or a blood vessel breaks, interrupting blood flow to an area of the brain.  When either of these things happen, brain cells begin to die and brain damage occurs. When brain cells die during a stroke, abilities controlled by that area of the brain are lost.  These abilities include speech, movement and memory.  How a stroke patient is affected depends on where the stroke occurs in the brain and how much the brain is damaged.

Heeg’s husband Leonard of 51 years is also a motivation. “Since Pat’s strokes the therapists have taught me how to be a better caregiver by really listening to my wife so I can fully understand what she needs and can help her. This tip has greatly helped Pat and I as we have worked through her recovery,” shares Leonard Heeg.

 Thanks to her treatment plan at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Silver Cross Hospital during the past several months, Heeg has gained body strength by using the Lite Gait machine during body weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT). “This new therapy equipment has allowed Pat to regain strength in her legs and core,” says Jaime Holzhauser, Physical Therapist Assistant for the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Silver Cross Hospital. “The machine helps Pat build strength by using faster speeds and increasing amounts of body weight while walking in a safe environment. This allows her to improve her gait speed and balance.”

 Heeg’s husband Leonard of 51 years is also a motivation. “Since Pat’s strokes the therapists have taught me how to be a better caregiver by really listening to my wife so I can fully understand what she needs and can help her. This tip has greatly helped Pat and I as we have worked through her recovery.”

Heeg, like many other patients at RIC at Silver Cross, prefer to have therapy sessions on the Lite Gait. “I like it because it’s a combination of a treadmill and parachute.  It’s actually fun to do,” says 70-year-old Heeg.

In order to have a successful recovery, Heeg strongly encourages other stroke patients to begin their speech and physical therapy sessions as soon as possible and do exercises at home. “My motivation to get well was to be with my husband, three children and grandchildren, and be able to honor my commitment to the kids for the Reindeer Toy Run,” said Heeg.

For more information about the services at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Silver Cross Hospital or to schedule an appointment with a physician’s order, contact a Silver Cross location close to you. Find them here. 

Learn more about the Reindeer Toy Run and see how you can help, fan them on facebook or visit here.

For Therese Nappier, undergoing bariatric lap-band surgery in 2005 not only transformed her life, but continues to transform WITH her life. Shortly after the procedure, Therese became pregnant with a beautiful baby girl, but this did not have any implications with her lap-band. Watch her testimonial here:

Don’t let your weight stop you from living, regain your life and learn how BMI Surgery can help you. Join us any Wednesday at 5:45 p.m. for a FREE educational program, Obesity & Your Health: Is Weightloss Surgery For You? Register here or call 1-888-660-HEAL.