<p><em><strong>After her own hospitalization, this patient is brightening the lives of others.</strong></em><br></p>
<p><em>By IU Health Senior Journalist, TJ Banes, tfender1@iuhealth.org</em></p>
<p>Her late mother always told Lisa Graves: “Look around you and you can always find someone worse off than you.” </p>
<p>Those are words Graves has lived by. Her mother passed in 2004. There was another lesson Graves learned from her mother – trust your instincts when it comes to your health. Her mother was diagnosed with colon cancer that resulted in three surgeries. So when Graves was experiencing pains in her side she went to urgent care. The pain continued when her doctor applied pressure so an CAT-scan was ordered. </p>
<p>In March, Graves underwent colon surgery. The diagnosis: Stage 3 colon cancer. In the care of <a href=”https://iuhealth.org/find-providers/provider/patrick-j-loehrer-md-7750″>Dr. Patrick Loehrer</a>, Graves completed her final round of chemotherapy on October 3. </p>
<p>“I’m at a loss for words. I can’t begin to describe the care I received. Every time I sent an email to Dr. Loehrer’s office with questions, they connected me with the right person,” said Graves, 57. </p>
<p>Thirty-nine years ago, Graves married her husband, Robert. Together they have two adult sons.</p>
<p>“There are so many times I wish I could call my mom and ask her questions but she’s not here. All I have left is her colonoscopy report that I shared with my doctor,” she said. Her mother eventually recovered from the colon cancer; her death was the result of a stroke.</p>
<p>It has been her husband, Robert who has served as Graves’ constant companion and caregiver. She was hospitalized for three days after surgery and has spent hours at IU Health Simon Cancer infusion center. </p>
<p>“I look around and see all these people and I think how lucky I am,” said Graves, who received a “cancer free” report in July and has a second scan scheduled for December. She recently returned to her job as a custodian at Ben Davis Christian School. She said she feels fine except for some tingling in her fingers and toes – a result of the chemotherapy.</p>
<p>During a recent visit to IU Health Simon Cancer Center she learned about a technique to ease that tingling. Massage therapist Michelle Bailey used a small ball to demonstrate how Graves could practice with the tool to relieve neuropathy. </p>
<p>Also during her visit back to IU Health, Graves brought along gifts for other patients – coloring books, pencils, pens, puzzles, and crosswords. She has made it her mission to donate the items to the Cancer Resource Center to be distributed to other patients and their caregivers. </p>
<p>The IU Health Cancer Resource Center is located on the first floor of IU Health Simon Cancer Center. It is a place where cancer patients and caregivers can receive free information and education to help navigate through their cancer journey. The Center is also home to CompleteLife, a program that provides complementary therapies such as yoga, music, art and massage. </p>
<p>Graves’ recent donation was not her first and she said it won’t be her last. Her goal is to get relief in her hands so she can crotchet afghans for patients. </p>
<p>“Every time I’m there, I look around and say, ‘I’m so blessed. There are people a lot worse off.”</p>

Dr. Philip Krause, clinical cardiac electrophysiology, and retired general surgeon, Dr. Jack Kelley have a lot in common. They’re neighbors. They’ve practiced medicine at IU Health Arnett and they’re both responsible for bringing several medical ‘firsts’ to Lafayette.

“I came here in 1968 and put in the first pacemaker [locally],” shares Dr. Kelley who was looking for a multi-disciplinary clinic with Midwestern values.

Dr. Krause, a graduate of Purdue University and the IU School of Medicine, joined Arnett bringing cutting-edge cardiology care to IU Health Arnett.

“You have people that went before you, that gave the example of how you can work hard, accomplish things and bring new things,” said Dr. Krause. “They’re expecting you to be the next person to do this and they encourage you to do it.”

Read more about the history of Arnett at https://iuhealth.org/thrive/ce…

He knows his blood type. Once it is drawn for labs, he knows how to roll the vials to keep it in the best shape for testing.

Everyone on the team knows how to make his drink—ice, coffee then coffee mate.

He is popular with the team at IU Health White Memorial Hospital. They like his jokes.

“He has a new one every time he comes to see us,” shares Marlene Byroad, medical assistant in infusion services.

Once a month, John Neumann starts his day with Melissa Biddle, lab assistant. She needs to get blood samples to ensure he is ready for his infusion treatments.

“Melissa is extremely important,” explains Neumann. “She is the collector of data. She is questioning and evaluating everything to ensure that I am ready.”

Neumann is retired. His career was in measurement sciences. He worked with Sun Chemical Corporation, a global multi-national corporation, training staff around the world. He was the lead auditor for ISO 9001 Standards, ensuring that local supplies and local teams around the world made the same quality products, no matter their location. He took data and created algorithms to ensure the labs were performing the same methods which ensures quality, technologies and protocols. Neumann has capabilities in several languages and holds multiple patents in developmental of instrumentation. He is a senior statistician in the American Society of Quality.

Many years ago, he ended up in the intensive care unit. His body was essentially shutting down as it reacted adversely to statin medications taken for cardiology issues. He rehabbed at Home Hospital in Lafayette for several months so he could return to work. Within two years his system was shutting down again.

Michael Lockwood, MD, FARC, (now retired) was the one who finally diagnosed him with necrotizing autoimmune myopathy (NAM). The condition is characterized by signs of necrosis, or cell death, in the muscles, which causes weakness and fatigue. There is no known cure. Monthly infusions can successfully manage symptoms and now have become a way of life for Neumann.

Treatment includes high-dose corticosteroids and administration of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) including premeditations to prevent infusion reactions.

Being a statistician, Neumann reads the detailed paperwork provided with each treatment. He keeps track of every infusion and his reaction so he knows what to look for when things start to change.

For example, he knows he needs the name brand Privigen®—nothing can be substituted. There is an ingredient missing in the generic versions, and without it, his system starts to degrade.

Neumann has been receiving monthly infusions for the past 20 years. He was receiving them at IU Health Arnett Cancer Center in Lafayette but in 2019, he realized he could transfer his care to IU Health White Memorial Hospital which is a tad closer to his home in Delphi.

Neumann’s infusions are two days in a row every 28 days. The first day of infusions takes longer due to the blood draws, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm. Day two is a little shorter 9:30 am – 3:30 pm.

“The team at both the Lafayette and Monticello locations are phenomenal,” reports Neumann. “I recognize the greatness of the hematology team. I have taught hundreds of people over the course of my career—you can recognize the characteristics. No team has the capabilities, the compassion, the drive that can match the hematology teams at both Arnett and White Memorial.”

Neumann also appreciates the maintenance of the parking areas and sidewalks at IU Health White Memorial and reports it is impeccable. He can park close during the snow and ice without worry.

Before he figured out his specific need for Privigen®, his treatments were debilitating, and it would take three team members to help him get in and out of his truck. He knows exactly how many steps there are from his truck to the treatment area and back to his truck at IU Health White Memorial. How easily he can make that walk is how he judges how well he is doing.

“Every day is a gift,” shares Neumann. “I wouldn’t be here without God, my wife, Dr. Lockwood and this team. Heidi is an earth angel. She has the knowledge, efficiency—rechecking, rechecking to get everything right.”

“He takes a special interest in the nurses and the effort they put forward,” explains Heidi Jordan, infusion nurse at White Memorial. “It just touches my heart. He brings us chocolates, roses, etc.”

Neumann is also a fan of the food at White Memorial, sharing that it tastes so good. It gets delivered to his room with a smile. “The presentation—it all alludes to care. A human being prepared this for me with care,” shares Neumann.

It is important for our patients to be able to get the care they need, close to home. Did you know IU Health White Memorial is offering expanded infusions services? The dedicated space will not only increase comfort and convenience for patients but provide a much-needed service for White County. To schedule an infusion appointment at IU Health White Memorial, call 765.838.6885.

A lesser-known side effect of radiation treatment is a sunburn-like reaction on the areas of the body where the radiation is targeted.

“It’s a sunburn like you’ve never had,” shares IU Health Arnett senior public relations coordinator Rhonda Jones, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017.

Part of her treatment included seven weeks of radiation. “Every day for 15 minutes, and you think, ‘15 minutes, that’s no big deal’ … but it’s exhausting,” shares Jones.

IU Health Arnett now has new technology that more effectively delivers radiation to targeted areas of the body. The linear accelerator at the Arnett Cancer Center, the most advanced linear accelerator in the state, delivers radiation treatments in less than half the time as previous radiation technology in some cases and with greater precision—meaning faster cancer treatment and reduced side effects.

Doctors can now cut what was once seven weeks of radiation down to three.

Jones, who underwent radiation before the linear accelerator was available in Lafayette, shares firsthand insights on what this technology really means to patients with breast cancer.

More than 95% of breast cancers can be treated and cured with early detection. Read more about mammography options and other technological advances.

• Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Why getting checked can be lifesaving
• The importance of an annual mammogram
• The importance of self-examinations and following up
• The role of a Nurse Navigator in cancer treatment
• Technology advances in breast cancer treatment
• Advances in technology helping IU Health Arnett doctors treat breast cancer

<p><em><strong>A pulled muscle lead this outdoor enthusiast to the care and diagnosis he needed at IU Health Simon Cancer Center.</strong></em><br></p>
<p><em>By IU Health Senior Journalist, TJ Banes, </em><a href=”mailto:tfender1@iuhealth.org”><em>tfender1@iuhealth.org</em></a></p>
<p>He was 36 when Aaron Kohn was diagnosed with Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The American Cancer Society reports the average age at diagnosis for CML is around 64 years. About half of the cases are diagnosed in people 65 and older. </p>
<p>It’s estimated that about 8,860 new cases of CML will be diagnosed this year (5,120 men and 3,740 women). CML starts when cells in the body grow out of control, and can become part of cancer that spreads throughout the body. </p>
<p>Kohn was diagnosed in 2008 with a slow-growing variant. He may not have discovered it all if it hadn’t been for a pulled muscle. </p>
<p>“Hindsight is 20-20 and I was probably sick for several months prior. I was losing weight and bruising,” said Kohn, who is in the care of <a href=”https://iuhealth.org/find-providers/provider/larry-d-cripe-md-5543″>Dr. Larry Cripe</a> at IU Health Simon Cancer Center. During his initial doctor visit for his pulled muscle, Kohn received lab results showing an elevated white blood cell count. He went directly to ER and was admitted to IU Health Methodist Hospital. A bone biopsy confirmed his diagnosis. </p>
<p>Initial treatments of chemotherapy resulted in liver and cardiac issues. Kohn was in the care of <a href=”https://iuhealth.org/find-providers/provider/naga-p-chalasani-md-5316″>Dr. Naga Chalasani</a>, who specializes in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, and <a href=”https://iuhealth.org/find-providers/provider/richard-j-kovacs-md-7412″>Dr. Richard Kovacs</a>, who specializes in cardiology. </p>
<p>“One of the things I like about Dr. Cripe is that he surrounds himself with the best team members,” said Kohn, who ended up having cardiac ablation. “I felt like I was surrounded by the dream team.” </p>
<p>Kohn grew up in Michigan City, Ind. and studied technology at Purdue University. He has served as the Chief Information Officer for Young & Laramore advertising agency since 1999. He lives downtown, works downtown, and his wife, Kristin Kohn, is the owner of “Silver in the City,” located on downtown’s Mass Avenue. They have one son who attends Butler University and a daughter who attends Herron High School. </p>
<p>“I love getting my care from a community campus. I walk to Methodist Hospital and ride my bike to Dr. Cripe’s office,” said Kohn. “I grew up in a science-based household. I had the ‘why moments’ when I was in ER but when you’re in a major metropolitan city with so much quality care you need to allow yourself to grieve but to also understand that there are people there who know how to treat you,” said Kohn. “I see a lot of rural people coming in for treatments and I make it a point to connect with them because this is my home. I tell them they are in the right place and I promise them they will get the best care. There is a community network in our city of healthcare but a teaching hospital is a draw because we receive care from people who are teaching the next generation about healthcare.”</p>
<figure><img src=”{asset:2958673:url||https://cdn.iuhealth.org/news-hub/kohnweb2.jpg}” data-image=”2958673″ style=”opacity: 1;”></figure>
<p>In his spare time, Kohn enjoys spending time on his “mini homestead” smoking meats and briskets and enjoying family time. He is an avid woodworker and loves spending time outdoors. </p>

COVID-19 shined a spotlight on the profession, but respiratory therapists were saving lives long before that.

Since 1947, they’ve been taking care of our lungs and the ways we breathe.

These medical partners are experts in a key part of life: breathing.

They are the ones who help your loved ones with chronic conditions like asthma.

And the ones that help patients who need oxygen or stop breathing completely.

Their ultimate goal is to calm and assist patients in breathing more freely and help get them back home to their daily lives.

Watch the video below to learn more about these integral team members.