Researchers test drug for effectiveness in curbing bone cancer pain

INDIANAPOLIS – Researchers at the St. Francis Cancer Research Foundation are studying the use of an experimental medication’s potential to treat patients having cancer-induced bone pain.

Patients are being sought to participate in a clinical trial testing the use and tolerability of the experimental medication. The Phase II trial, which is being lead by St. Francis cancer researcher Maureen Cooper, M.D., is a double blind, study, whereby neither the patient nor the researchers know if the patient is receiving the actual drug or placebo.

Among the criteria to be considered for the study patients, must have bone-cancer pain resulting from a malignant solid tumor with radiographic confirmation. No initiation of new chemotherapy during the course of the 34-day trial, and subjects may be on other concurrent pain medications.

For more information about qualifying for the trial, call 317-782-7820, contact study coordinator Linda Frazier at 317-833-0068.

More information about other clinical trials under way at St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers is at http://clinicaltrials.ssfhs.org.

The whispering fury: Heart murmurs explained at St. Francis seminar

INDIANAPOLIS – That low whispering inside some human hearts may speak volumes about a person’s health.

At an upcoming "Ask the Doc" program sponsored by the St. Francis Heart Center at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 11, cardiothoracic surgeon Marc Gerdisch, M.D., will explain the importance of understanding why heart valves may cause murmurs and when it’s time to seek treatment.

Heart murmurs are caused by valves inside the heart that don’t close properly. Sometimes, people can live with heart murmurs a long time without any symptoms. However, if the problem becomes more serious, the blood flow to the heart may be affected.

"A heart murmur isn't a disease, most are harmless and can either be innocent (harmless) or abnormal," said Gerdisch, a member of Cardiac Surgery Associates and director of cardiothoracic surgery at St. Francis Heart Center. "People who have abnormal murmurs – most related to congenital heart defects – may have other signs or symptoms of heart problems. In adults, abnormal murmurs are most often due to heart valve problems caused by infection, disease or aging."

People who have innocent heart murmurs have normal hearts. They usually have no other signs or symptoms of heart problems. Innocent murmurs are common in healthy children. Many, if not most, children will have heart murmurs heard by their doctors at some time in their lives.

Surgery, including heart valve repairs and valve replacement, can correct the condition and prevent heart failure.

The free, hour-long program will be at the Johnson County Public Library, 401 S. State St., Franklin. To register, call 317-782-4422, or register on-line by clicking on the Change of Heart classes link at www.stfrancishospitals.org/heart.

To learn more about the services and programs at the St. Francis Heart Center, go to www.stfrancishospitals.org/Heart.

St. Francis COO goes on-line to answer construction, consolidation questions

INDIANAPOLIS -- Whether looking southward from a downtown Indianapolis skyscraper or motorists glimpsing a towering crane near Interstate 65, it’s hard to miss the construction at the St. Francis Hospital-Indianapolis campus.

St. Francis is offering a live blog chat with Chief Operating Officer Keith Jewell from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3, to answer questions about the construction project and what it means for medical services on Indianapolis’ south side.

Jewell also will field questions about the possible future use of St. Francis Hospital-Beech Grove after medical services are consolidated at the Indianapolis campus in early 2011.

Visit the St. Francis Hospital-Indianapolis construction blog at http://stfrancis-Indianapolis.blogspot to post questions to Jewell.

Those unable to participate in the chat session can e-mail questions in advance to the St. Francis Community Relations team by 10 a.m., Feb. 3. http://stfrancishospitals.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=141.

This chat session is s real conversation. For this reason participants should observe the same etiquette when participating in the chat session as they would in day-to-day conversation.

Those who would like to post comments should observe some simple conversational guidelines below. St. Francis reserves the right to delete comments it thinks may be offensive to the audience at large.

Support program helps kids handle grief in loss of loved one

INDIANAPOLIS – Consider the caterpillar: It builds a cocoon and remains safe until it transforms and emerges into a new life, one that takes flight.

Death is a part of the life cycle, and it’s especially difficult for children to grasp and make sense out of it, particularly when they lose a loved one. And that’s why St. Francis Hospice offers Caterpillar Kids, a support program that offers learning experiences for children ages 5 to 12.

St. Francis Hospice will offer its Spring Caterpillar Kids program beginning Wednesday, April 8 and ending May 13. The workshops, which are free, are from 4:30 to 6 p.m. and continue each Wednesday.

Meetings are at Christ United Methodist Church, 8540 U.S. 31 South, one mile north of Greenwood Park Mall.

“Children do grieve and they may express it differently than adults, but their feelings are as genuine and essential in healing,” said bereavement coordinator Karla Norton. “Caterpillar Kids brings children together in a safe, nurturing environment where they receive information about grief and learn healthy ways to cope with the death of a loved one.”

Led by staff trained in bereavement support for children, youngsters participate in storytelling, art projects, games and other sharing opportunities. Parents also are invited to participate in a concurrent session to assist them in supporting their children.

Registration is required. To register or for more information about Caterpillar Kids, call 317-865-2092 or toll-free at 800-390-9915.

More information about St. Francis Hospice is at www.stfrancishospitals.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=280.

Volunteers bring skills, compassion to St. Francis Hospice patients

INDIANAPOLIS – Do you have a special place in your heart for the dying? Perhaps talents or skills you’d like to share with these patients and their families?

St. Francis Hospice is seeking volunteers for a variety of positions and roles, including office assistants, people trained in bereavement to assist with phone calls and support groups and to make visits to patients’ homes and extended-care facilities. Musicians, massage therapists, hair stylists and volunteers with other skills also are needed.

"All St. Francis Hospice volunteers complete an orientation program provided by our staff and have the opportunity to meet other volunteers and to shadow a member of our team to patients’ homes," said volunteer coordinator Glenda Dennison. "Our goal is to create a meaningful experience for volunteers and the patients and families they will work with."

Volunteers must be 18 or older and willing to commit to four hours a week for six months. They must complete a hospital volunteer application process and attend orientation.

To learn more about the hospice volunteer program, contact Glenda Dennison at 317-859-2874, or Glenda.dennison@ssfhs.org.

More information about St. Francis Hospice is at www.stfrancishospitals.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=280.