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Taking Care of Cancer
I nfortunately. cancer is a disease lhat affects many
people - adults and children of all ages. It is a word lhat we
all dread. Being diagnosed with cancer can he a terrifying
experience. However, the good news is that with early
detection and aggressive treatment, many cancers can he
treated successfully.
I)r. I'arooq Vkhar. a medical oncologisl/hematologist.
has joined the staff of Houston Medical Center, bringing a
new level of expertise to the treatment of cancer in Houston
County, lie completed fellowships in Oncology and
Hematology from the Medical l Diversity of South Carolina
at Charleston and Emory l Diversity. I)r. \khar received
training in bone marrow transplantation from the Fred
Hutchinson Cancer Research Center at the t Diversity of
Washington and completed his residency in Internal
Medicine at Loyola l Diversity Medical Center in Chicago.
In addition to treating cancer and its related diseases.
Dr. \kbar and his office practice, Houston Cancer Cooler,
provide diagnosis and treatment for henign and malignant
hematological problems, as well as evaluation for hone
marrow transplants, “'flic objective of my practice is to help
with the battle against cancer, which unfortunately will be
the number one cause of death by the year 2000," he adds.
“We offer an innovative multi-disciplinary approach with
slale-of-tlie-art equipment and management.”
\eeording to Houston Healthcare Complex CKO l)r.
Skip McDannald. the addition of Dr. \kbar to the hospital's
medical stall is an added plus for the community. “We are
excited to have I )r. \kbar as a member of our medical
team, offering a serv ice that is very much needed in our
Bitten By The Flu Bug
Many seasons, especially holidays, bring us pleasure.
Rut seasons can also bear unwelcome gilts. As winter
approaches, the most noteworthy of these is the flu.
Nearly everyone gels the flu sometime in their lives,
and it's never a pleasant experience. High fevers, muscle
aches and lack of energy all conspire to keep you
bedridden. How can you avoid it?
For starters, gel the flu vaccine, “'flic flu vaccine will
cause your body to start building up antibodies
against the flu,” says Danny Cialpin, K.V,
assistant director of nursing for
emergency services at Houston Medical
Center. “F.ven if you still get the llu, the
vaccine will lessen ils severity.”
Vnd that's the catch: you can still
contract the flu even if you've had the
vaccine. “Kaeh year the flu is a different
strain of llu,” say s Galpin. “F.ven if you take
the vaccine, anew bug may come along
that’s not specific to that vaccine. But with
the vaccine, you at least build up some
immunity, even if it's not for that specific
hug.” I
lon can also be careful about 1
exposing yourself to the bug. “Limit f
your contact with other people who A
might be carrying the flu bug,” adv ises '
Richard Sullivan, VI.D., Medical Director
of the emergency Department at Houston Medical Center.
“This is especially important for people with a weakened
immune system such as the very young, the very old or
anyone who’s sick. They’re all more predisposed to getting
a bad ease of the flu.”
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Travel places serious demands on cancer patients and
their families. In addition to stress and financial concerns,
palietds also face difficulties when medical emergencies
related to their cancer arise. I )r. \kbar cites this as the
primary reason for his relocation to an area lhat did not
have a medical oncologist available.
W ith new cancer treatments being developed each day.
Dr. \kbar works to keep himself aware and up-to-date of
Ihe latest medical news and breakthroughs. In addition In
reading numerous medical journals, he also consults
various online medical services and maintains close contact
with the medical libraries at the universities which he
attended. “My natural curiosity and optimism led me into
Ibis field,” fie says. “When I see a person with cancer. I
want to give them the best treatment possible.”
Dr. \kbar's practice, Houston Cancer Center, is
located al 212 Hospital Drive, Suite G. in Warner Robins,
and can he reached at 529-0100.
\lso recommended are a steady llow of v itamins and
lots of liquids. Rut if you or a member of your family gets
the llu, what should you do?
For starters, remember your family physician or, if after
hours or weekends, local Med-Stop clinics, where you can
easily gel the treatment you need. “Patients should come
directly to the KR only if they're unable to hold fluids down,
or if they're having shortness of breath,” says Dr. Sullivan.
“All oilier symptoms can be handled at the
doctor’s office or at the Med-Stops.”
r J “Most flu symptoms we see -
such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
and fevers - are things that can be
treated in the family doctor’s office
or the Med-Stops,” says Galpin. “Since
the Med-Stops are only open 12 hours
per day - from 7 in the morning until 10
at night -you have to come to the KR
any other time.”
\ Flu drains not only your energy,
but also your body’s fluids. “The
l biggest problem people have is
I 1 dehydration," says Galpin. “If a
1 person comes to the Med-Stop
and we see they’re in need of
~J l\ fluids, we will certainly refer
/ / them on to the emergency
room.”
When you have the llu, you will have to let the bug run
its course, which can take a week or more. The best things
you can do are to drink lots of water and get plenty of rest.
community,” he says. “His
expertise and training in med
ical oncology allows patients
here in our community to have
their cancer treatment without
having to drive out of town for
serv ices. Asa medical
oncologist, Dr. \kbar is
available to work closely vv itti
other physicians and surgeons
in treating cancer patients.”
Med-Stop
or Emergency
Room-Where
to Go?
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' The need for immed
iate medical attention can
be scary, stressful and
costly, yet it doesn’t have
to be. If a minor injury
or medical condition does
not require the intensive
technical services of the
Emergency Room, anil if
. a family physician is
unavailable, the Med-Stop
is the answer.
“It is always important
to assess the severity of an
injury,” says Richard
Sullivan, M.D., Medical
Director of the Houston
Medical Center
Emergency Department.
“When doing so, keep in
mind that both the
Pavilion and the Parkway
Med-Stops are equipped
with laboratory and X-ray
services and primarily
treat minor illnesses and
injuries like sprains, insect
bites, minor cuts, minor
burns and cold and llu
symptoms.”
The llu season is an
especially active time for
both the KR and Med-
Stops. Dr. Sullivan advises
that most llu cases can he
handled at the family
doctor’s office or the Med-
Stops. Those suffering
from llu should only seek
help at the KR if they
experience shortness of
breath and cannot keep
fluids down.
If you’re unsure
vv helher you should go to
Ihe KR or a Med-Stop, call
the Pavilion Med-Slop al
925-2845 or the Parkway
Med-Stop at 925-9750.
For lile-lhreatening emer
gencies, always call 911.