NEWS DESK
Hospital sets state asthma surgery benchmark SURGERY to ease the suffering of long-term asthma sufferers is now available at Frankston Hospital. It is the first time surgery to reduce the effects of asthma attacks on chronic asthma sufferers for whom traditional medications do not work has been offered in Victoria. Peninsula Health’s director of thoracic medicine, Professor David Langton, performed the procedure for the first time last week while accompanied by Harvard professor of medicine, Dr Armin Ernst, who pioneered the procedure. The bronchial thermoplasty procedure involves inserting a bronchoscope, or small tube, down the patient’s airway and into their lungs whilst they are under anaesthesia. A heat probe is then used to treat the muscles that cause bronchospasm. “By weakening these muscles they will no longer be able to cause wheeze and asthma attacks,” Prof Langton said. Debra Clarke is one of two patients for whom Professor Langton will be performing the surgery on for the first time. The 53-year-old mother of three has spent suffering from the effects of asthma since being diagnosed at 15 months of age. “I’ve had asthma for as long as I can remember and nothing has ever been able to relieve the constant wheeziness. I’ve never been able to be as active as I want to be. I never played sports. Even in school I used to hide my head in my bag to take my puffer for fear of being labelled as not
Breakthrough: Professor David Langton, third from left, conducts the first bronchial thermoplasty procedure on a patient in Victoria at Frankston Hospital. Debra Clarke, top right, was diagnosed with asthma at 15 months of age and hopes the surgey will lead to an improvement in her quality of life. Pictures: Yanni
normal,” Ms Clarke said As a chronic asthma sufferer she has spent her life on medication to try and relieve the constant heaviness in her chest. “I’ve had all the traditional medication and tried all the experimental trials I could, including going onto chemotherapy medication. “I am now at the point where the constant use of cortisone steroids is having a significant toll on my
body. My hair is thinning, my skin is weak and I am constantly covered in bruises. I have had to give up so much of my quality of life including my job because of my asthma. “One of the side effects of the use of steroids to treat asthma is getting diabetes. My dad, who was also a chronic asthma sufferer, passed away from steroid induced diabetes at 59. I really don’t want that to happen to me.” Ms Clarke hopes the surgery will
reduce her reliance on the cortisone steroids, minimise their effects on her body, and reduce her risk of getting diabetes. “Within six months I’m expecting to see my quality of life improve dramatically,” she said. “I’m just looking forward to doing those things we take for granted like breathing and walking with ease and without the fear of suffering an attack.”
The bronchial thermoplasty is only available for patients following a specialist review. Patients must have severe and persistent asthma that is not well controlled despite taking currently available medications. Since the procedure was approved for use in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration in 2013 it has been performed on less than 20 patients in hospitals in Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth.
QUALITY AND SERVICE AT THE RIGHT PRICE
5
6
7
8
9
10
13 11 12
4
3 2
1
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.
2400 (w) X 1500 (h) 2400 (w) X 1500 (h) 3740 (w) X 2100 (h) 2 @ 1870 (w) X 2100 (h) 2400 (w) X 1500 (h) 900 (w) X 1200 (h) 1800 (w) X 2100 (h) 2400 (w) X 600 (h) 1500 (w) X 1200 (h) 2400 (w) X 600 (h) 600 (w) X 600 (h) 800 (w) X 1800 (h) 800 (w) X 1800 (h) 800 (w) X 1800 (h)
House lot custom made dual blinds $3,562 installed SAVE $1188
House lot custom made Holland blinds $1,624 installed SAVE $541
Upgrade to painted basswood plantation shutters in master suite for only $400
extra
Save a minimum of 20% off Venus Blockout Roller Blinds
Save a minimum of 20% off Solarscreen Roller Blinds
Fantastic Prices on Plantation Shutters, Roman Blinds, Vertical Blinds, Timber Blinds, Curtains.
Save a massive 40% off Selected Wilon Fabrics. (roller blinds only)
50% OFF
“Ask about specials on Romans, Venetians & Verticals”
(max two blinds) *Roller and Roman blinds only
“Great prices on all jobs, big or small”
Blind Motorisation
50 Hartnett Drive Seaford 9782 4142 19 Treloar Lane Pakenham 5940 3866
www.jaleighblinds.com.au
Conditions apply - All prices based on the floor plan displayed subject to fabric selection. Shutter offer excluding installation and based on dual blind house lot offer. Frankston Times 21 July 2014
PAGE 3