WELL KEEPING Methodist Healthcare—San Antonio Winter 2023 IN THIS ISSUE: p4 Eight minutes of death brings new life p5 Physical therapy helps soldier with rare condition p6 Soccer players visit Methodist Children’s Hospital Life never fails in bringing us grand surprises— sometimes good, and other times, not so great. For a local resident in San Antonio, Texas, a normal day soon turned into the biggest fight of her entire life. Cynthia Rios, a teacher, wife, and mother of three, noticed a rash on her body had quickly begun to spread. Over a few days, her muscles began to tighten and soon enough, she was not able to move her legs or swallow. Her primary doctor immediately sent her to Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan, where she was diagnosed with dermatomyositis. A rare, autoimmune disease, similar to lupus, dermatomyositis presents a rash and attacks the muscles, causing them to weaken. “The clock was running and I told her that her muscles were getting destroyed, which meant she would be permanently disabled, so we needed to act fast,” said Brian Winn, MD, Rheumatologist. —Continued on next page A patient’s rare, life-threatening disease inspires a husband’s song for a triumphant recovery “Oh God, we will never be the same. For you have touched my body and made me whole again.” Cynthia’s husband, Juan Pablo Rios, sang to the staff a song he wrote about his wife’s journey in recovery. He titled the song “We Will Never Be the Same.”
KEEPING WELL — WINTER 2023 As soon as Dr. Winn noticed her difficulty swallowing, which impacted her ability to breathe normally, the hospital team began aggressively treating her life-threatening disease. They started infusion treatments, similar to chemotherapy, causing her hair to fall out. Shortly after she recovered some strength, Cynthia was admitted to Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan’s Rehab Services to begin therapy for three hours a day. “I couldn’t move, sit, or even get out of bed by myself,” said Cynthia. “I lost around 36 pounds throughout all of this. My muscles were in so much pain, but Dr. Winn said I would be able to walk in a few months with the right amount of therapy.” Cynthia stated she had not gotten out of bed for 20 consecutive days. Cynthia knew this would be a fight for her life, but with the support of her family, she pushed through to start building her muscles again. With the help of the Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan rehabilitation team, she began practicing normal daily activities such as getting into a car, standing, eating regular food to swallow, and putting on shoes and clothes. Soon enough, she achieved her biggest accomplishment—taking her first step. “After the physical therapist took me off the bars, I was able to stand for a whole three minutes,” said Cynthia. “As I started to reach for her, she told me to try and take a step. I surprisingly did it and just kept going. We were so amazed that we both just started crying.” Cynthia shared that after seeing her initial lab results and feeling immense pain, she felt hopeless and wasn’t sure she was going to make it, but the hospital staff wouldn’t let her give up. “Everyone here has been absolutely amazing,” shared Cynthia. “They took great care of me and never let me give up. They knew —Continued from front page A patient’s rare, life-threatening disease inspires a husband’s song for a triumphant recovery my limits, but also what I was capable of despite all the pain. All of a sudden I went from walking 5 feet, to 10 feet, to 250 feet.” After 62 days, Cynthia’s “Independence Day” came and she was officially discharged from the hospital. The staff and leadership team from Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan lined the halls and showed their support as she walked back into the life she once had. Moved by Methodist Healthcare’s mission and the incredible team of caregivers, Cynthia’s husband, Juan Pablo Rios, sang to the staff a song he wrote about his wife’s journey in recovery. He titled the song “We Will Never Be the Same.” These lyrics shared the testament of how Cynthia’s family helped her in the battle of regaining her strength: “Oh God, we will never be the same. For you have touched my body and made me whole again. I’m standing in belief that I will rise again. We will never be the same.” “When we landed here at the Rehab Center, I told my wife ‘I don’t just want a survivor moment, I want this to be a story of hope and care.’ The Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan staff has done nothing but show compassion and care to us, and it’s what the world needs more of. We love that the mission of this hospital includes honoring God, and that’s exactly what you guys have done. I wrote this song because all of you have made our life better, and from this experience, we will never be the same,” said Juan Pablo. Cynthia and her family credit the hospital staff for all their help toward getting her life back. “This all made me realize how many little things I take for granted. I’m so thankful for everything and everyone that helped me get to where I am today,” Cynthia commented. Scan this QR code to listen to this inspirational testimony and song: 2 SAHealth.com
SAHealth.com 3 KEEPING WELL — WINTER 2023 Patient and community voices inspire the care experience Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak recently celebrated the oneyear impact of its Patient Family Advisory Council, a group that works to build partnerships within the community and elevate the patient care experience. The council, composed of former patients, their families, community members, and staff, meets monthly in a collaborative forum to discuss and share feedback as well as make decisions and changes that affect the care of those served at Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak. In its first year, the council created a system to recognize and acknowledge spaces for bereaved patients and families. This sparked the idea of having a magnetic blue butterfly placed on the outside door frame of patient rooms to identify sensitive spaces. The blue butterfly is now a standardized process across the hospital and serves as a reminder for the hospital team members to be mindful of sensitive environments before entering a room. This project, among others, is one example of how the council is partnering to enhance the patient and family experience and further Methodist Healthcare’s mission. In a poignant moment that eloquently demonstrated the enduring strength of a mother’s love and the remarkable accomplishments of the medical team at Methodist Children’s Hospital, a mother was at last able to cradle her newborn daughter, 102 days following her birth. Baby Irina made her entrance into the world burdened by a complex cardiac condition known as obstructed infradiaphragmatic Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return (TAPVR), necessitating immediate open-heart surgery in the wake of her birth. Following Irina’s arrival, the hospital room underwent a metamorphosis into a crucible of hope, with resolute healthcare professionals laboring tirelessly to deliver the highest standard of care. “It undeniably marked one of the most joyous days of my life. We had eagerly anticipated her birth, and the inability to hold her over those months was an indescribable anguish. But at long last, that day materialized,” exclaimed the elated mother Flor Torres. The Methodist Congenital Heart Institute, renowned for its distinction as a premier provider of comprehensive cardiac care for neonates, children, and adults grappling with congenital heart ailments, stands as a testament to the convergence of extraordinary medical proficiency with state-of-the-art technology in patient care. In the weeks following that touching reunion, Baby Irina’s progress continued to astonish her doctors and nurses. Her remarkable determination and the unwavering support of her family led to her becoming strong enough to finally go home after seven months spent in the hospital. A HEARTWARMING TRIUMPH Mother holds her miracle baby 102 days after birth
4 SAHealth.com KEEPING WELL — WINTER 2023 Eight minutes of death brings new life After recovering from an infection, Diane Straube (65) started to feel ill again and told her husband that she didn’t feel quite right. They immediately decided to go to the emergency room at Methodist Hospital | Atascosa out of precaution. After dropping Straube off, her husband went to park the car, not knowing that she would soon be in full cardiac arrest before he could make it to the waiting room. As the nurse was putting in an IV, she told Straube that she was in the right place for that and told her to lie back. That’s all she remembers. Straube woke up in a room with many people and in a lot of pain, due to cracked ribs she suffered from the chest compressions she received when caregivers administered CPR. She had no idea what had happened to her. She was transferred to intensive care, where she learned she had had a heart attack and that her heart was functioning at 35 percent with 95 percent blockage. This puzzled her and her family because she had a full cardiovascular checkup a couple of months before, and there were no signs of any problems. On the following day, she was on a helicopter to Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan in San Antonio. Straube quickly underwent a heart catheterization and had three stents placed in her heart. It wasn’t until Monday, May 22, that a cardiologist at Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan told Straube that her heart had stopped for eight minutes. The cardiologist asked Straube if she remembered anything about that time, like maybe a white light. Straube said, “Yeah, my mom was there.” Straube’s son, Austin Straube, who also works for Methodist Hospital | Atascosa, was with Straube throughout her recovery. “I think it’s what our mission/value statement stands for—it is what we live every day. It just truly shows in our interactions with every level of staff—like a family, everyone always smiled.” Straube states this brought her a new outlook on life that she never imagined for herself. “I don’t take anything for granted as I know God’s not finished with me yet,” said Straube. “Family and my health takes on a whole new meaning.” The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) team at Methodist Children’s Hospital joined the worldwide Babies with Books Read-a-thon friendly competition, clocking in a total of 355 reading sessions during the 11-day period. In the NICU, where physical contact may be limited, the power of a parent’s voice remains profound. Reading has been shown to promote stronger bonds and stimulate cognitive and social-emotional development, as well as decrease infant and parental stress. Crystal Gomez was excited to join the effort and read to her daughter Bella Grace, who has been in the NICU since birth over two months ago. “I noticed my baby was more alert and calmer when hearing my voice as I read to her. Reading to her has also helped me overcome postpartum,” said Gomez. Parents strengthen bond with newborns through reading
Cowboy the Rhino, the beloved mascot of the San Antonio Zoo, surprised children with a visit to Methodist Children’s Hospital, spreading warmth and joy. However, this visit was just one reason for celebration. The San Antonio Zoo had embarked on an ambitious mission to establish the world’s longest line of human footprints for Guinness World Records. Their goal was to achieve a staggering threemile-long chain or 16,000 footprints. Methodist Children’s Hospital’s brave warriors and dedicated hospital team members wholeheartedly participated, having their feet traced as a part of this historic endeavor. Their footprints now forever contribute to this remarkable journey. Tiny feet take big leap toward Guinness World Records SAHealth.com 5 KEEPING WELL — WINTER 2023 Cosmos Akoto Osei, a 31-year-old Army soldier and soon-to-be dad, was recently diagnosed with a rare condition known as exertional compartment syndrome. This condition is an exercise-induced muscle and nerve condition that causes pain, swelling, and sometimes disability in the affected muscles of the arms or legs. In Cosmos’ case, his legs were severely affected. Early this year, he began to experience pain in his legs and attributed it to shin splints. About two weeks later, Cosmos was on his way to the gym when suddenly he couldn’t walk anymore. His condition had gradually worsened to the point where his legs could no longer bear his weight. He was rushed to the emergency room, where diagnostic imaging was completed and surgery was required. Following his surgery, Cosmos was transferred to Methodist Hospital | Texsan for rehabilitation care. Upon arrival, Cosmos was unsure about therapy, but after a week of targeted physical and occupational therapy, he now has a different perspective and is thankful for his therapists. “Everyone here has been very accommodating and friendly,” said Cosmos. He and his therapists have been working on strengthening his upper body, since he is temporarily wheelchair-bound. Some of the exercises focus on biceps and triceps, which have helped Cosmos with daily activities such as moving from his wheelchair to the bed and shower. Cosmos is still undergoing intensive therapy in the barracks but is making strides to get back to his active lifestyle. Army soldier receives physical therapy after developing rare medical condition
San Antonio FC helps kick childhood cancer one goal at a time Methodist Healthcare is proud to be the official Healthcare System for San Antonio Football Club (SAFC) and was excited to be the theme night sponsor, in partnership with Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, for Kick Childhood Cancer (KCCN) in late September. During the game, all of the SAFC players and coaching staff wore special KCCN armbands with Methodist Children’s Hospital pediatric cancer patient names on them, which were represented and played for during the game. Even the SAFC coach wore gold sneakers in honor of Go Gold for Childhood Cancer month. During halftime, Methodist Children’s Hospital staff and patients were recognized, and the SAFC presented Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) representatives with a donation check for their continued work around childhood cancer. These efforts included a jersey auction during the game, which raised $5,118, as well as a generous donation of $3,000 gifted by the players. Additionally, SAFC held a toy drive for KCCN and donated 3½ boxes full of toys for Methodist Children’s Hospital. San Antonio FC won the soccer match against Orange County SC with a final score of 4 to 0. The week of the Kick Childhood Cancer game, SAFC players made a special visit to Methodist Children’s Hospital, where players gifted specially designed t-shirts, soccer coloring pages, and crayons to pediatric patients. For our youngest patients, Methodist Children’s Hospital has a nationally recognized pediatric program, which offers a long-term care approach and is designed around familycentered care integrating child-life specialists, pediatric clinical psychologists, art therapists, a virtual gaming specialist, and oncology social workers. This program is the only program of its kind in South Texas and is ranked among the most experienced programs in the nation. Life doesn’t stop when cancer treatment starts, and Methodist Healthcare is conveniently close to home to help provide a better care experience by keeping families near their loved ones. We extend our greatest gratitude to everyone who helped raise money in support of our smallest patients and the incredible research done to fight childhood cancer. Methodist Healthcare helps to crush the national opioid crisis According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 109,170 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2022, an increase from 2021. Each year, Methodist Healthcare helps to counter the United States opioid and drug overdose epidemic by hosting a Crush the Crisis drug take-back day event. In alignment with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Crush the Crisis aims to educate our communities on the risk of medication misuse while providing a safe and anonymous way to dispose of medications that may be left over from previous procedures or other medical visits. This year, Methodist Healthcare was able to collect over 1,600 pounds of medications, thanks to the support of our community. Together, we help to Crush the Crisis and reverse the trend of prescription drug misuse. 6 SAHealth.com KEEPING WELL — WINTER 2023
According to pkdcure.org, The PKD Foundation is the only organization in the U.S. solely dedicated to finding treatments and a cure for polycystic kidney disease (PKD). Since 1982, the foundation has funded more than 1,300 research projects and leveraged $1.5 billion in research funds. PKD is an inherited disorder in which clusters of cysts develop primarily within your kidneys, causing your kidneys to enlarge and, ultimately, lose function. A number of patients who undergo a kidney transplant at Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant have been diagnosed with PKD. It is also likely that patients have been managing the disease for years, and one of the biggest challenges they face is finding the right healthcare provider. The hospital is proud to guide these patients as they go through their transplant journey. The annual Walk for PKD occurred on Sept. 9, 2023, at OP Schnabel Park. Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant partnered with our local PKD chapter to promote awareness, along with raising funds for research, education, and advocacy for those fighting against PKD. The hospital encouraged employees and their families to attend and donate to this important cause. Every year, Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant sponsors the PKD Foundation. This year, the hospital sponsored $5,000 and raised a total of $1,952. Thank you to all those who contributed! Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant takes part in Walk for PKD Thousands join San Antonio Walk to End Alzheimer’s Methodist Healthcare is honored to have been a presenting sponsor of the 2023 Walk to End Alzheimer’s. In partnership with Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., and the support from the community, more than 3,000 people and 351 teams showed their support during the Saturday, October 21 event to raise money for Alzheimer’s research and awareness. More than 6 million people live with Alzheimer’s in the U.S., and according to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1 in 3 seniors dies of Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. Together, we are on a mission to help raise $1 million for the Alzheimer’s Association of San Antonio and South Texas. These funds will go toward finding a cure for this devastating disease. Methodist Healthcare alone has raised over $120,000 and counting! It’s not too late to support this important cause. You can help us reach $1 million by donating today. SAHealth.com 7 KEEPING WELL — WINTER 2023
METHODIST HEALTHCARE 8109 Fredericksburg Road San Antonio, TX 78229 U P. SSrt.eaPsnoodrsatt readdg e PAID SP ea rnmAi nt tNoon.i o1 4, 0T X9 Articles in Keeping Well do not necessarily rMcMea eepmttr hhep oosu edds neii sststt ti HHnh ceoe l asuopl dtpi heti n:ca aMl i , or Meen tsef hatoochf di ol di i dts oi ti esc sCtt . ohHMri ol sdes ptr pehr i naot a’ cds l ti Hsi | ctSoi nHps gpeo i cast i ptaa il l t, t ay l aMMMneeedttt hhhT ooor adddnii i ssss tttp HHlHa oeon asst pl ,pt iMhi tt caaeal l tr| |heNMohodeori tsst rtphoei Htpaaoosl sslti p.taaAi rtneda , lda|i tnTi doe nx sa al n , MMMI n feee ottt rhhhmooo ddda iii tsssi ottt nHHH i ooon sss Kppp iii Ettt aaaE lll P||| I NASH ttGi l oal snWCceooEOus LnaaLtkar c, nyo.d m e s f r o m a wcty hooi adnu tcre emhr r aenanasygl toaehr coqaef urc meet spye tordi ooui cvnr ai sdhl eeae rabx . pl otMeuh rot, t dpss el p. el I esaf csmyi efoi accu yochnboatenva teucestanentdy ff i2rne0sp2e3ho ff rv©teodCs.oanedyilCluosmtrmatuionnicsa. tions, Inc. All rights KsHS eaEer naEv l i PAtc hI enNct faGoor ner Wi , to8h, E1 eT0L X9fLr 7i Fi es8r ne2pd2dus9eb, ral i ti ncsekdhl seepbpdauh atrorgs no aRen osc aoodmf , Mm eu tnhi to yd i s t 210-575-0355, website SAHealth.com. Dan Miller, President and CEO Palmira Arellano, Vice President of Community Engagement Cheri Love-Moceri, Associate Vice President of Communications Melissa Geedman, Director of Corporate Communications Good to know Call-A-Nurse for Children from Methodist Children’s Hospital 210-22-NURSE (210-226-8773) Monday through Friday, 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. Weekends and major holidays. When your child has a medical need, Call-A-Nurse for Children from Methodist Children’s Hospital has specially trained pediatric nurses to assist you with medical advice concerning your child. HealthBus and Well Waldo’s Wheels 210-MHS-RIDE (210-647-7433) HealthBus for adults and Well Waldo’s Wheels for children and expectant moms provide transportation from your home to your doctor’s office or hospital and then pick you up later and take you home. This service is especially helpful for adults and children with special needs that require extra transportation assistance. For information on how to schedule a ride and the specific hospitals and ZIP codes served, please call 210-MHS-RIDE. Medical Advice for Adults 210-575-0355 Available 24/7 Bye-bye, bottled salad dressings; hello, simple and delicious vinaigrette! This healthy salad vinaigrette has been seen on social media by more than 500,000 people. This recipe is easy to prep, delicious, and adds the perfect mix of tang to your salads. The honey is optional, as is adding some fresh herbs, such as oregano and thyme. The dressing keeps well in the fridge for at least a week, so be sure to make at least double. Having homemade dressing in the fridge always leads to having more salads. Ingredients » ½ cup olive oil » 1 shallot, finely chopped » 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar » 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard » 1 teaspoon honey (optional!) » Juice of 1 lemon » Salt and pepper to taste Instructions: 1. Combine all the ingredients in a jar with a lid. 2. Shake and enjoy! Healthy habits through the holidays Claudia Zapata Elliott, Health Ambassador for Methodist Healthcare, shares a healthy and delicious salad dressing
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