In January, he couldn’t cross his legs or tie his own shoes. Now, he is ushering in the crowds at Loeb Stadium in Lafayette.

The pain and discomfort drove Dennis Martin to see his primary care physician. After an X-ray, he was referred to orthopedic surgeon Russell Meldrum, MD.

The years of working on his feet had finally caught up with him. His cartilage was gone, and he was in need of a hip replacement.

On May 5, Martin had a posterior right hip replacement. On May 31, he was back in action, working opening night for the Lafayette Aviators Prospect League baseball team at Loeb Stadium.

“I give everyone involved an 11 out of 10,” says Martin. “The entire team has just been amazing. I am certainly grateful for [surgical navigator Jenny Allen] and everything she has done to move me along this journey. She is a godsend.”

In and out in under 9 hours

Martin’s surgery was the first one of the day. He arrived IU Health Arnett Hospital at 6 am. By 7 am, the process started with a spinal injection. The next thing Martin remembers is asking what time it was—9:20 am. As soon as he could walk 100 steps and some stairs, he was sent home—around 2:30 pm. Just under 9 hours at the hospital in total.

The next day, a physical therapy team was at his home to evaluate his progress. He had physical therapy three times a week for the first two weeks, followed by outpatient physical therapy twice a week for two weeks. He was released from physical therapy and his cane by the time the first pitch was thrown.

“You have to do the work”

“I did the work,” says Martin. “You have to do the work. You have to listen. I tried not to take the pain pills and that was a mistake. You need to stay in front of the pain as directed.”

According to Martin, the most difficult part of the recovery process is getting off the toilet seat. He has learned a lot of little tricks along the way, like using the handle of the cane to help get himself dressed.

Ushering at baseball games has been Martin’s side job for the past few years. He has not returned to his full-time position with the Lafayette Parks Department as the bouncing of the lawn mower is a little too uncomfortable. He hopes to seek other opportunities once he is released by Meldrum in early July.

“People who are younger and active, but in pain, should be lining up for this surgery,” advises Martin. “It is life-changing.”

After you have shoulder replacement surgery, rehabilitation is important for a successful recovery. Whether you have a partial shoulder replacement, an anatomic total shoulder replacement or a reverse total shoulder replacement, the procedure is just the first step in eliminating pain and returning to daily life. The recovery process is the next important phase to ensure your new shoulder joint heals properly and you avoid complications.

“It is important to understand that the initial weeks after surgery are meant to allow for soft tissue healing and for bone growth into the implant,” said Dr. Jacob Triplet, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in shoulder and elbow surgery at IU Health.

While the shoulder pain you’ve had for years may improve after surgery, recovery can be challenging. Unlike hip or knee replacement surgeries, which require you to get moving right after surgery, a shoulder replacement is often immobilized in a sling for four to six weeks. This affects driving, especially if your dominant hand is in the sling.

“Hand dominance is a big factor in the recovery process. For a right-handed person who has surgery on that side, wearing a sling affects their quality of life in the short term,” said Ryan Taylor, Physical Therapist and Outpatient Rehab Manager for the IU Health South Central Region, including IU Health Orthopedics & Sports Medicine in Bloomington. “You’ll rely on people to help you with things like putting on your shoes and getting dressed. This is temporary, but something to think about before surgery.”

As you plan for the things you need after shoulder surgery, arrange for friends or family members to help you with transportation, home care and meal prep. Try wearing your arm in a shoulder sling before surgery to understand the limitations you’ll have later. Be sure to talk with your doctor about what to expect after surgery so you are prepared for the limitations.

“Have some questions prepared to ask your doctor about how long you’ll be in a sling, how long until you can go back to driving, working, cutting grass, doing laundry, and getting back to daily living,” Ryan said.

Recovery Timeline

Progress after shoulder replacement surgery is different for everyone, but you can expect:

• Days 1-4: Pain and swelling that tapers off
• Weeks 1-2: Gentle therapy exercises begin
• Weeks 2-6: Sling use followed by light activities, like lifting a cup of coffee or making a sandwich
• Weeks 8-12: Return to normal function
• Forever: 30-pound weightlifting restriction for patients who undergo total shoulder replacement

Pain Management

On the day of your surgery, you will receive a preoperative interscalene nerve block (anesthesia) that lasts 24 to 72 hours. You will need to have pain medications ready for your return home. Surgeons often prescribe scheduled acetaminophen (Tylenol) and an “as-needed” narcotic pain medication. Discuss any concerns you may have about taking narcotic pain medications with your doctor.

“Patients who take Tylenol on a routine schedule after surgery tend to need less narcotic pain medication,” Dr. Triplet said.

“Applying ice to your shoulder can be helpful during those first couple of weeks,” Ryan said. “It is also important to stay consistent with your exercises. Stiffness can lead to pain, and gentle movements prescribed by your therapist can help reduce this stiffness.”

Another way to improve recovery and pain is by getting enough sleep, which allows the body to heal. While sleep can be challenging during the first few weeks, it will improve.

Rehabilitative Exercises

You may wonder when to start physical therapy after shoulder replacement surgery. A few days after your procedure, therapy begins with very small movements in the hand, wrist and elbow that focus on range of motion. You begin with “passive” exercises in which you or the therapist moves your arm for you. Eventually, you will move on to more active movements like shoulder shrugs, elbow raises, and weights. Not all patients will require physical therapy after shoulder replacement.

“Your therapist will give you an at-home exercise program that we update at every visit to continue your progress,” Ryan said. “The shoulder replacement rehab timeline looks different for everyone. For instance, a 40-year-old with a physical job has a different routine than an elderly man who’s retired.”

As you prepare for shoulder replacement surgery, doctors say one of the best things to keep in mind for the recovery process is that it will take time and patience.

“Understand shoulder replacement is a slower process than other joint replacement surgeries. Proper recovery and adhering to the postoperative instructions should hopefully lead to excellent pain relief and function,” Dr. Triplet said.

How far would you drive for a five-minute test? Until recently, patients in south-central Indiana have gone to Indianapolis for FibroScan, a non-invasive test for liver health.

Thankfully, Hoosiers in this region now have access to the revolutionary tool at IU Health Bloomington*.

Why care about your liver?

This organ is essential for cleaning toxins from the blood, and it produces chemicals the body needs to survive. So, when it’s damaged, it’s a big deal.

Liver damage can be caused by various things, including viruses, alcohol use, obesity, and even genetics. Symptoms can include:

• Fatigue
• Easily bleeding or bruising
• Jaundice
• Unexplained weight loss

“Regular check-ups with your doctor can help identify issues early so you can take steps to protect the organ,” says Daniel Selo, MD, IU Health Southern Indiana Physicians Gastroenterology – Hepatology provider. “When the damage is there, identifying the cause of liver damage and working on the treatment as a team with your doctor is essential to reducing your risk of developing permanent damage.”

The organ won’t work normally if the damage progresses into cirrhosis—permanent liver damage from scarring–and could result in liver failure.

“Our liver cirrhosis patients don’t feel good,” says Chris Morron, RN, MSN, CPHRM, IU Health Bloomington PACU, and Endoscopy Clinical Operations Manager. “The FibroScan is a great first step to caring for them and those who haven’t developed the condition.”

What is FibroScan?

FibroScan is non-invasive and uses ultrasound to look at the liver without making any incisions or inserting anything into the body.

“This tool helps us look at the amount of scar tissue and fat in the liver, which guides us on planning patient care going forward,” says Selo. “With the correct interventions, we can potentially prevent liver cirrhosis.”

For five minutes, the patient lies on a bed with their shirt pulled to their sternum, their right arm raised above their head, and their right leg crossed over the left as a technologist presses an ultrasound wand between two ribs to scan the liver beneath.

After a few snapshots with the machine, you’re on your way out the door. The doctor will review the scans and, depending on the results, offer their suggestion for the best course of action at that point.

And if you need your spleen health accessed, the process is the same, just on the other side of the body.

For the patients

The IU Health Bloomington team knows how important this tool is for their patients, so they worked hard to train and get the technology to their facility.

Bringing care closer to home makes it more accessible, and this team is proud to be able to help their patients in their community.

*Physician referral is required.

When Sterling Clark began working at IU Health Tipton around two years ago, someone special in his life joined the team as well–his son Sheldon. Though they work in different departments, Sterling in Supply Chain Logistics and Sheldon in Environmental Services, the two get to see each other often.

For Sheldon, his father sets an example of the type of man he wants to be at work and at home. For Sterling, he is grateful to have extra time with his son as he gets older.

By Tam “Joey” Ngo, tngo2@iuhealth.org, IU Health Foundation writer

Five IU Health team members around the state have won the 2023 Lynda A. Merriman Award for Compassionate Care. Thanks to the generosity of IU Health Foundation donor Chuck Merriman, this award honors the kind of dedicated IU Health team members who eased his wife Lynda’s seven-month battle with cancer at the IU Health Simon Cancer Center and IU Health University Hospital. “The Lynda,” as the award is nicknamed, is a cash award, and its winners are nominated by their peers at IU Health hospitals statewide.

The 2023 winners are:

Leah Edgarton, PT, works at IU Health Methodist Hospital in the Rehab to Home (RTH) program, where patients receive post-acute inpatient rehab services. Many of these patients speak only Spanish. According to Edgarton’s nominator, Kellie Rush, Edgarton went above and beyond by independently learning Spanish, in addition to using the healthcare system’s automated translation service, MARTTI. “Leah recognized that nothing is better than the opportunity to directly communicate with a patient,” said Rush. During one co-evaluation with a Spanish-speaking patient, the team lost its connection with an interpreter, so Edgarton stepped in to converse with the patient in Spanish. Edgarton’s colleague said, “I joked to her that I had no idea she could speak Spanish. That’s when she told me she couldn’t, but ever since beginning to work on the RTH team, she felt she needed to learn.” Edgarton, who uses podcasts to study Spanish, also politely asks Spanish-speaking families to speak slowly as she learns. Seeing this, Rush said, “It only takes a brief moment before you experience the compassionate care she spreads to all patients and team members.”

Cheri Weisheit, RN, who has worked at IU Health West Hospital for six years, was nominated for the Lynda by her colleague—and patient—Sharon Niese. When Niese underwent a stress test and a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE), Weisheit volunteered to serve as her nurse for both procedures. “She talked with me before the procedure and helped calm my fears, and was as happy as I was when I received good results,” Niese said. “Cheri pours her whole heart into everything and makes it her goal to make the day as easy for everyone as she can, and she never asks for or expects anything in return.” This act of compassion inspired Niese to nominate Weisheit for the Lynda Award, but another teammate of Weisheit added, “I was in complete shock the first time I heard her ask if there was anything she could do for any of us before she left work. It was such a small and simple thing to ask but meant so much.”

Amanda Engle, RN, works in Oncology at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. Recognized as the team’s cheerleader by her nominator, Shannon Craig, Engle once volunteered to take an on-call shift for a fellow nurse. Craig said, “Our on-call shifts start at 8 pm. Shortly after 8, Amanda received a call from the triage nurses that a young patient was declining, and the parent requested a nurse visit. Amanda arrived at the home to find the patient having uncontrolled symptoms, and the medications in the home were not seeming to help.” They decided to move the patient to the hospital, but a bed was not immediately available. Craig said Amanda stayed with the family for four hours, giving medications, lending emotional support, and trying to calm their fears. “Amanda never left their side, giving the very best care she could to both the patient and family,” said Craig. “I know that the patient and family in this story, as well as all our others that she comes in contact with, are in the very best of hands.”

Laura Herthel, RN, has worked for 32 years at IU Health Bedford Hospital. Her nominator, Melissa Mitchell, said, “Many people with 31+ years of experience would be creatures of habit stuck in ‘This is the way we have always done it’, but Laura rolls with the punches, goes with the flow and helps others adjust to change along the way, too.” During the pandemic, Mitchell said, the surgery team was asked to provide many different types of care because surgeries were temporarily suspended. “In spite of the alteration of work environment and schedule, Laura showed up with the same welcoming face, kindness, grace and willingness to help those in need,” Mitchell said. “She partnered with our house supervisors to help oversee the needs of team members all across the facility, and they expressed gratitude for her assistance.” Mitchel believes nursing is not as simple as applying a skill set. “If I were on the receiving end, I would want a nurse with Laura’s knowledge, experience and skill set, and I would appreciate her empathy and compassionate touch,” Mitchel said.

Chelsea Redwine, RN, serves on the Labor & Delivery unit at IU Health Arnett Hospital. According to her nominator, Erin Dubin, Redwine goes above and beyond by preserving mementos for patients who have lost babies. “I have witnessed first-hand these incredible mementos including pictures, molds of hands and feet, and locks of hair that Chelsea has carefully curated to offer some sort of peace for these families,” Dubin said. When a family recently arranged for a photographer to capture images, the pictures were not good because the fetus was covered in debris from the delivery. “Chelsea and another co-worker took this fetus, cleaned them up, did mementos, and presented the family with what seemed like a brand-new baby, bringing the family to tears,” Dubin said. “Simple things like this make Chelsea special; she focuses on the small things that mean so much.” These acts of compassion inspired Dubin to nominate Redwine for the Lynda. “I am so lucky to have someone to look up to at work like Chelsea, and our patients are beyond lucky to have someone like her working here at IU Health Arnett,” Dubin said.

In the early 2000’s, Rebecca Sullivan set a goal to run a marathon in all 50 U.S. states. Doctors diagnosed her with cervical cancer a short time later and medication side effects, including neuropathy, threatened her ability to run. “At first [the neuropathy] was very mild and then in 2020 I was in a clinical trial for a drug and it just really made it much worse,” said Rebecca. “Now I just always tell my doctors, when we’re making treatment plans, about my lifestyle and what’s important to me… I don’t want to go on drugs that are going to cause huge problems down the road.” About two years ago Rebecca was referred to IU Health Arnett. Her clinical team in Lafayette began genomic testing to find a treatment option that would attack her cancer while also allowing her to stride toward her goal.

By Emma Avila, epackard1@iuhealth.org, writer for IU Health’s Indianapolis Suburban Region

A nickel-sized cancerous tumor on Michelle Vincent’s tongue changed her life. After surgery at the IU Health Schwarz Cancer Center, she is using her voice to help others.

For Melissa Vincent, a simple trip to the dentist changed her life. When she went for a routine visit in late 2019, the dental team noticed a few faint gray lines under her tongue, which can be indicative of cancer.

Over the next few months, an oral surgeon performed a biopsy and diagnosed her with moderate dysplasia, which is a precancerous condition. In early 2020, Vincent’s oral surgeon closed his clinic for two months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By the time she returned in May, her tongue was visibly worse, and she was referred to Indiana University Health.

She connected with Dr. Michael Sim, a surgeon specializing in head and neck oncology and microvascular reconstruction at the IU Health Joe & Shelly Schwarz Cancer Center in Carmel.

Sim took a biopsy of Vincent’s tongue. It confirmed her precancerous condition had worsened to cancer. The diagnosis was stage one squamous cell carcinoma.

Sim ordered a positron emission tomography (PET) scan, which uses a radioactive substance called a tracer to look for disease in the body. It showed Vincent had a tumor, about the size of a nickel, in the left side of her tongue. The best option to treat it would be through surgery.

“It is the most common type of oral cancer we see, arising from the tissue that forms the mucosa, or outer lining, of the mouth, including the tongue,” Sim explained. “It is standard of care to treat oral cancers with surgery first to provide the best outcomes possible.”

Preparing for surgery

For Vincent’s case, Sim performed a glossectomy, a surgical procedure in which the affected portion of the tongue is removed. It was scheduled for June 26, 2020.

“Hearing Dr. Sim explain how he would reconstruct my tongue, using my own wrist tissue and an artery from my left arm, sounded crazy in the moment. But it was also comforting. I trusted Dr. Sim implicitly and felt grateful he had a plan that would remove the tumor from my tongue,” she said

Part of the procedure included skin from her leg grafted onto her wrist to help cover the area where the tissue and artery were taken. Also, lymph nodes from her neck were removed for testing to assure that the cancer hadn’t spread anyplace else in her head or body.

When Vincent woke up after surgery, she was happy to learn Dr. Sim had removed the tumor successfully and that her lymph nodes showed her body was free of the cancer.

“The surgery went as perfect as we can ask for, and she recovered well after surgery without any complications,” Sim said.

“I knew in my soul I would be okay, and that God was using Dr. Sim to help heal me,” Vincent shared. “I know the Lord was sanctifying my life through cancer for new purposes.” She added, “I’d be remiss though if I didn’t say what a huge blessing it was that neither chemotherapy or radiation were required as part of my postoperative care.”

The road to recovery

Vincent remembers how intensive the first month of recovery was, something Sim had told her to expect. She followed a strict regimen of cleaning and caring for the areas affected during surgery.

Seven days after the procedure, the staples in her neck where the lymph nodes had been taken were removed. The stitches in her arm dissolved and her wrist had accepted the skin from her leg that was grafted onto it.

Though everything else was progressing smoothly, Vincent was still getting used to the feeling of the changes in her mouth.

“The side of my tongue that was replaced by my wrist felt heavy and dependent on the non-affected side to move it,” she recalled.

Her speech was difficult at first, but it came back within a week.

“Dr. Sim encouraged me to talk,” she said. “I’ve always been a talker. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and my career choices have always required that I rely heavily on my ability to speak.”

Vincent returned to IU Health University Hospital every six months for imaging to confirm the cancer had not returned. By September 2022, all the images showed that there were no signs of cancer, and she was released from Sim’s care.

The toll cancer takes on mental health

Though Vincent healed physically from the surgery to remove her cancerous tumor, she did not expect the affect her journey would have on her mental health.

“Honestly, the easiest part of my cancer journey was having the surgery,” she explained. “The hardest part has been the head game that’s followed. Even as a person with a deep Christian faith, I recognize that my brain needs the same care my body received after the glossectomy.”

Vincent and her husband documented every part of her cancer journey, which she shares through her blog and an outreach ministry they call Simply Spoken Life, which was named to give a nod to Sim and the successful glossectomy that has her speaking again. Through her work, Vincent enjoys sharing what a successful journey through oral cancer can look like, and she also says it has been therapeutic.

Now, almost three years post-surgery, Vincent regularly attends two IU Health cancer support groups, one held virtually through IU Health West and another at the IU Health Schwarz Cancer Center.

“I knew, in my spirit, that I needed to be with people who have walked my same path,” she said. “So, when I learned IU Health and the Schwarz Center Cancer offer support services for cancer patients, I was confident I’d receive even more great care, and maybe also make some new friends.”

Finding support among other cancer survivors

Michelle Hoy, an oncology social worker at IU Health West, hosts Virtual Cancer Support Group. The group started during the COVID-19 pandemic and is open to anyone with any type of cancer being treated at any hospital.

“We have people attend from as far as Canada and North Carolina, as well as many locations across Indiana,” Hoy said. “Emotional support is key when dealing with a cancer diagnosis. Some days will be harder than others. Knowing where to find support on the days you need it can be very beneficial in coping with your illness. Some people find support from family, friends, neighbors and coworkers. Many find support groups can be helpful in a different way than family and friends. Talking with others who have had cancer, even if it is a different cancer from yours, can help you feel less isolated, better understood, and even learn about resources that have helped others in a similar situation.”

Erin Kollada, a speech-language pathologist at the IU Health Schwarz Cancer Center, with the help of a few others, runs a support group called Community & Connection. It is for people with oral, head and neck cancer.

“The goal of this group is to provide an opportunity for community, connection, education and support for patients, families, friends and caregivers who have experienced the impact of head and neck cancer and its treatment,” Kollada explained. “I want patients to know there are several resources available for social and emotional support, both within the medical community and outside of it. Working with a behavioral health provider who specializes in the oncology population is ideal, but everyone has different needs which are met in various forms.”

Both support groups meet monthly, and Vincent has found both beneficial.

“We lament a little bit,” she said with a bit of a laugh. “After cancer you manage these, sort of, new emotions. It’s just like anything hard in life, every now and then, the teapot has to let the steam out, so to speak.”

Vincent added, “Both Michelle and Erin do a phenomenal job of guiding these important conversations. It’s been a blessing to hold space with people who understand my feelings. We also celebrate each other’s successes, the hurdles we’ve cleared and the people who’ve helped keep us alive.”

The goal is education and awareness

Through sharing her story, Vincent hopes to offer encouragement to other cancer survivors and their loved ones.

“I have, very literally, grown to love my scars. They’re my storybook. I use them as a platform to share my faith in Jesus. I’m overwhelmed with joy about my surgery outcomes and how great my care at IU Health has been.”

Through her openness and vulnerability, she has even made an impact on her care team.

“Ms. Vincent is an amazing human being,” Sim said. “She is a true warrior and an inspiration.”

Now, Vincent hopes to use her journey to spread awareness.

“I want other cancer patients and their families to see that you can get better physically. And mentally, which I’m learning is a huge component of cancer care, you can also feel healthy and whole.”

In June 2022, John Korzec was having trouble walking and breathing. Diagnoses of COVID-19, lymphoma, and severe aortic stenosis may have felt like the start of a spiral, but IU Health was here to help.

Megan Monnier, NP, and Andrew Ferguson, MD, with IU Health Southern Indiana Physicians Cardiology helped improve his quality of life with TAVR.

Watch the video above to learn more.

Dr. Karl Janich is a neurosurgeon at IU Health Arnett in Lafayette. Prior to attending medical school, Dr. Janich was a full-time paramedic where his love of neurosurgery developed. “It was the neurotrauma that seemed to be the most interesting to me. Then I went to medical school and I found out that a lot of neurosurgery patients actually got a whole lot better than I thought they would,” said Dr. Janich. “Now I get to see people get better by my hands and it’s very gratifying.”

“I was so happy to know the baby was safe”, says Amber Beavens, unit secretary for Mother/Baby at IU Health Arnett Hospital.

“When my kids were little, we did not think much about car seat safety,” says Beavens on why she volunteered to become a car seat safety technician. “Through my 15 years here, I have learned how important car seat safety truly is. Then I became a grandmother almost two years ago, and it became a passion.”

Six weeks ago, Beavens installed a car seat for a family as they prepared to take their newborn baby home from Arnett Hospital. She provided additional education about car seat safety and proper installation techniques. Last week, that family was t-boned near the back door where the baby was seated. The baby was unharmed because the car seat was installed properly.

“The family may have to get a new car, but their family is intact,” says Selina McNulty, manager of Mother/Baby. “What we do every day made a difference to that family. It is a good reminder of why we do what we do.”

Arnett car seat program reaches milestone

IU Health Arnett has the most successful car seat program in the state of Indiana. On May 31, the IU Health Arnett Permanent Fitting Station completed its 15,000th car seat check since opening on May 1, 2009.

Following the car accident, the family was treated at the Arnett Hospital Emergency department. As is protocol, the Emergency department reached out to the car seat safety technician asking for a replacement car seat so the infant could be sent home safely after being released from care. Car seats should be replaced after a moderate or severe crash according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“Sometimes it is nice to hear about the difference you make,” says Beavens. “I was just doing my job. I can only imagine the outcome if the car seat was not installed properly.”

Make sure your car seat is installed properly

More than half of car seats are not used or installed correctly according to Safe Kids Worldwide. Ensure you child’s car seat is installed properly. Schedule a car seat fitting appointment with IU Health Arnett Hospital’s Permanent Fitting Station. A Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) will check the car seat installation free of charge.

Parents and caregivers can call IU Health Arnett Childbirth Education department at 765.838.4670 to schedule an appointment.