Griffin Health introduces robotic treatment for prostate condition

DERBY – Griffin Health is offering men an advanced, minimally invasive solution to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), a condition that affects 70% of men over age 60, that eliminates the need for long-term medication treatment and its associated side effects.

Aquablation is a revolutionary procedure that uses an ultrasound-guided, robotic-assisted waterjet to precisely target excess prostate tissue while safeguarding critical anatomy. This treatment offers faster, more effective symptom relief than traditional treatments for BPH.

“Aquablation is a person-centered and compassionate solution for men who want relief from the discomfort and embarrassment of BPH,” said Griffin Faculty Physicians Urologist Dr. Johnson Tsui. “This safe and effective therapy allows men to regain control and improve their quality of life in a matter of days instead of ongoing medication that can have life-changing side effects including dizziness, low blood pressure and sexual dysfunction.”

BPH is a common, non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that affects nearly all men as they age. The prostate surrounds the urethra, which directs urine out of the body. As men get older, hormonal changes can cause the prostate to grow. This can lead to considerable discomfort and, as the prostate presses on the urethra, disrupts urination.

Common symptoms of BPH include frequent urination, especially at night, difficulty starting urination, weak or interrupted urine stream, and a feeling that the bladder isn’t fully empty.

Managing BPH symptoms can involve simple lifestyle changes like reducing fluids before bed, limiting caffeine and alcohol, and staying active. Individuals with BPH are commonly prescribed medications to relax or shrink the prostate. These medications can help, but often cause side effects like dizziness, sexual dysfunction, increased risk of falling, reduced cognitive function, or cardiovascular concerns. Additionally, medications often require ongoing daily use, and some patients may find that their symptoms persist or worsen over time despite treatment.

Aquablation therapy uses advanced ultrasound guided waterjets to deliver a high-velocity stream of water that precisely removes excess prostate tissue, offering faster, more significant symptom relief and reducing the need for long-term drug therapy. This technique is performed under visual guidance, allowing for targeted treatment with minimal damage to surrounding structures. Recovery is typically short and any needed hospital stays are brief.

Clinical studies have shown that waterjet-based therapy delivers superior outcomes compared to medication alone, with higher rates of symptom improvement and patient satisfaction as it preserves sexual function and continence better than many traditional procedures including the most common - Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP). It is especially beneficial for men with larger prostates or those who have not responded to medications.

“If you are experiencing persistent urinary symptoms due to BPH and want a solution that goes beyond medication, this innovative approach may help you regain control and improve your quality of life,” said Dr. Tsui.

For more information about Aquablation therapy at Griffin Health visit www.griffinhealth.org/aquablation or call Griffin Faculty Physicians Urology at 203-944-3712. 

This is a press release from Griffin Health.

Griffin Health in Derby expands advanced prostate cancer treatment

DERBY - Griffin Health, a leader in precision cancer care, recently launched a Pluvicto® (lutetium Lu 177 vipivotide tetraxetan) Theranostics program in its Nuclear Medicine Department, expanding access to a groundbreaking treatment option for patients with advanced prostate cancer.

Developed by Novartis, Pluvicto is a FDA-approved radioligand therapy for the treatment of adult patients with PSMA-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) who have previously been treated with androgen receptor pathway inhibition and taxane-based chemotherapy. 

This therapy targets prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-positive cancer cells, delivering a radioactive payload directly to the tumor, while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

“With the launch of the Pluvicto Theranostics program, Griffin Health continues its commitment to bringing cutting-edge, evidence-based cancer care to our community, ensuring our patients have access to the most advanced treatments close to home,” said Griffin Health Vice President of Diagnostic and Cancer Services Christine Cooper, MS, CNMT, RT(N), RSO, FACHE, FAB. “This therapy revolutionizes personalized medicine and provides new hope for patients who have exhausted other treatment options.”

The Griffin Health Pluvicto Theranostics program is designed to expand access to a cutting-edge, targeted radioligand therapy, enhance coordination of care for men with advanced prostate cancer, and improve quality of life and potentially extend survival for eligible patients. It offers a person-centered multidisciplinary care model, including physicians in Nuclear Medicine, Medical Oncology, and Radiation Oncology as well as Nuclear Medicine Technologists, nursing staff, and patient navigation teams to ensure safe, effective, and personalized treatment delivery. 

As part of a continuous care model, Griffin Health offers PSMA PET/CT imaging for patients to confirm their eligibility before beginning therapy.

For more information, visit www.griffinhealth.org/pluvicto.

Griffin is now accepting referrals for its Pluvicto Theranostics program. Referring providers can contact the Nuclear Medicine Department at 203-732-7271 for more information and orders can be faxed to Central Scheduling at 203-732-1559.

This is a press release from Griffin Health.

Griffin Health in Shelton starts outpatient therapy program for young adults

SHELTON - Griffin Health Psychiatry Services is starting a new therapy program to help young adults impacted by trauma recover and regain confidence.

Strength Awareness Freedom Empowerment (SAFE) is a trauma-informed intensive outpatient program designed to support young adults ages 18-26 in healing from the impact of trauma without the pressure to disclose or relive painful experiences.

Traumatic experiences can have both immediate and long-term consequences for young adults. These traumas include a wide range of terrifying or life-threatening experiences, including child maltreatment (including physical and sexual abuse and neglect), medical traumas, accidents, natural disasters, war, terrorism, refugee trauma, traumatic loss, severe bullying, and exposure to domestic and community violence. 

The effects can lead to severe disturbances in mood, behavior, attention, attachment, and impulse control, and increase the risk of psychiatric, cardiac, metabolic, immunological, and gastrointestinal illness later in life. There is also a high chance for developing enduring symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Through group-based therapy and support from licensed clinicians trained in trauma-informed care, SAFE helps young adults recover from trauma by navigating challenging topics including identity, relationships, emotional regulation, trust, boundaries, and self-worth.

SAFE starts Aug. 25 at Griffin Health Outpatient Psychiatry, 10 Progress Drive and meets three days a week for three hours per day. 

For more information, call 203-538-6244.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Griffin Health launches Long COVID-19 Therapy Program

Griffin Health has started a new Long COVID-19 Therapy Program to help individuals experiencing lingering respiratory, neurological, and physical symptoms that seriously affect their quality of life./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Health has started a new Long COVID-19 Therapy Program to help the many individuals experiencing lingering symptoms of the virus.

Studies from the Journal of the American Medical Association estimate that 30 percent of individuals infected with COVID-19 continue to have symptoms more than six months after being cleared of the illness. 

The American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation estimates that 11.1 million in the U.S. are living with “Long COVID-19” or “Post-COVID-19 Syndrome.” Known as “COVID-19 Long Haulers,” these individuals develop respiratory, neurological, and physical symptoms that seriously affect their quality of life.

Griffin’s Long COVID-19 Therapy provides a compassionate, comprehensive and coordinated approach to treating persistent COVID-19 symptoms in a way that empowers individuals manage and significantly improve their symptoms.

“The goal of Griffin’s Long COVID-19 Therapy Program is to help COVID-19 long haulers safely and confidently overcome symptoms that are affecting their education, work, sleep, and favorite activities,” said Myra Odenwaelder, DPT, CEAS, Griffin Health Services Assistant Vice President of Therapeutic Services. “If you or someone you know is struggling with Long COVID-19 Symptoms, including fatigue, pain, brain fog, and loss of taste and smell, there are treatment therapies to help you rebuild your abilities and improve your quality of life.”

Griffin’s specially trained team of exercise physiologists and physical, occupational, respiratory and speech therapists treat Long COVID-19 with a holistic, person-centered approach. 

Caregivers evaluate symptoms and how these conditions are impacting patients’ daily activities and overall quality of life to develop a treatment plan that can include physical therapy treatments, such as strength and balance training, occupational therapy treatments, such as energy conservation and environment modifications, and speech therapy, including cognition training and swallowing techniques.

Additionally, Griffin’s Behavioral Health specialists can help relieve Long COVID-19 symptoms related to anxiety and depression.

The program is offered at Griffin’s three convenient Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services locations in Derby, Oxford, and Shelton. To make an appointment or for more information, call 203-732-1340 or visit griffinhealth.org/long-covid.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Recuperation journey: Ran out of peanuts; this lucky guy got an almond

 

There is so much going on in the world I need to take nature breaks throughout the day! 

Photo taken this morning through the front door.

Recuperation journey: Sunday musings

Putting pen to paper
Writing is a beneficial exercise for many folks, including yours truly.

Ever since I was quite young I've had a need to put pen to paper to record any number of things about what was going on around me. 
I suppose regularly jotting things down made them seem more real.
Of course my world was much smaller then and I had no major responsibilities other than my schoolwork.
No dog, no cat, no rabbit, no guinea pig, no hamster. I did have a few green turtles for pets and later tropical fish to feed but that was about it.

Back then I had the time and inclination to write a diary, send written notes to my grandparents and friends, keep track of movies I'd seen, and rate novels I'd read.
I wrote the titles and authors on 3x5 cards and keep them in a recipe box. I may have given them stars or numbers for ratings, can't quite recall. 

I know writing can be therapeutic, and the process of writing therapy is a real thing, and that's what I've been trying to relate here. 

It's about putting one's feelings into words, and being able to look at them in black and white and hopefully better understand them, and oneself. When husband Ralph and I joined the "blogosphere" a decade ago it was a therapeutic writing activity for both of us, and still is.

Life tends to get complicated, and writing about what occurs can help one to deal with the inevitable stress. 

Thanks for getting this far and reading this entire post! I hope you were able to relate to what I was trying to impart.  
Enjoy the rest of the holiday weekend.

Newsletter highlights new businesses in Derby and Seymour, more

Dear readers,

Today's Valley Voice newsletter features the opening of a counseling practice in Derby, a unique shop in Seymour, and a story about snow, cars, and mistaken identity.

Thanks for reading!

We'll be back on Tuesday. Enjoy the weekend!

Patti and Ralph