News reports claim Patrick Swayze to be treated with CyberKnife at Stanford. Locally, Carilion's CyberKnife has already treated more than 200 patients

Some news outlets are reporting that actor Patrick Swayze will undergo CyberKnife treatment for pancreatic cancer. CyberKnife is exciting new technology... people in Southwest Virginia have known that since late 2005, when Carilion first put its CyberKnife into operation.

In addition to treating cancer in the cranial (head) area - CyberKnife's precision robotic tracking system lets doctors treat cancer in other places on a person's body, including the spine, liver, pelvis, ovaries and lungs. The use of CyberKnife to treat lung cancer has jumped recently, with more than 5000 cases treated world-wide, and several in Southwest Virgina.

Click below for a report by WDBJ Health Report Joy Sutton.

People With Heart Attack Symptoms Need to Call 911 Sooner

Being able to recognize the signs and symptoms of a heart attack is important... but that's just the first step. Calling 911 quickly can get you to the hospital for treatment before the attack causes major damage. With Carilion's Field Heart Alert program, treatment can begin as soon as the rescue squad reaches you.

Click below for a recent story by WSLS anchor Karen McNew on the subject.

Symptoms of a Heart Attack

Chest pain is a major symptom of heart attack. However, some people may have little or no chest pain, especially the elderly and those with diabetes. This is called a silent heart attack.

The pain may be felt in only one part of the body or move from your chest to your arms, shoulder, neck, teeth, jaw, belly area, or back.

The pain can be severe or mild. It can feel like:

• Squeezing or heavy pressure
• A tight band around the chest
• Something heavy sitting on your chest
• Bad indigestion

Pain usually lasts longer than 20 minutes. Rest and a medicine called nitroglycerine do not completely relieve the pain of a heart attack.

Other symptoms of a heart attack include:

• Shortness of breath
• Nausea or vomiting
• Anxiety
• Cough
• Fainting
• Lightheadedness - dizziness
• Palpitations (feeling like your heart is beating too fast)
• Sweating, which may be extreme

Studies have shown that women may have undiagnosed warning signs weeks, months, or even years before a heart attack. Women's symptoms may be different than men.

Carilion Doctor, Roanoke County Firefighter Receive Medical Hero Award from American Red Cross for Heart Alert

The American Red Cross Roanoke Valley Chapter honored local heroes this morning with Celebration of Heroes community awards breakfast. Among the honorees, Paul Frantz, MD, Medical Director of Carilion's Cardiac Services, and Paramedic Chad Wheeler, of Roanoke County Fire/Rescue's Fort Lewis Fire Station.

Dr. Frantz (second from the right) developed Carilion's Heart Alert program, which makes it possible for paramedics in the field to identify a heart attack and bypass the hospital emergency room, getting heart attack victims directly into treatment, saving valuable time. Chad (far right) used the hart alert protocol last year to save Salem resident Dave Cole (left).

To learn more about Heart Alert, and Dave Cole's story, click here.

Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital Participates in Community-Wide Disaster Drill

(This was a Drill - The patients pictured below are volunteer actors from Franklin County High School)

CFMH participated in Franklin County's community-wide disaster drill. The scenario, a shoot at Franklin County High School, comes just three weeks after reports of a gunman caused a real-life lockdown at Ferrum College. CFMH received 8 "patients" from the incident. The goal is to treat everything as if it was real - and learn how we can be better prepared.
The pictures below show the CFMH command center, and patients arriving at the Emergency Room. Click on the picture to see a larger version.














Click below to watch a short video clip of the drill as it happened inside the hospital.

JDRF 5th Annual Star City Gala honors Carilion Clinic Children's Hospital

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation will honor Carilion Clinic Children's hospital at its annual Star City Gala. The event is Saturday, April 26th from 5:30 to 10:00 at Roanoke Country Club and features entertainment and silent auctions. For tickets and more info contact JDRF at 540-772-1975, or email them at greaterblueridge@jdrf.org.

Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital Disaster DRILL - update

THIS IS A DRILL

Update 11:41

Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital has recieved a total of 8 patients.
No additional patients are expected.
1 patient has been transferred to another facility.
7 patients remain in the hospital - these patients have non-critical injuries

Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital Disaster DRILL - update

THIS IS A DRILL

Update - 11:25

Carilion Franklin Memorial has received 8 patients. The hospital is expecting an additional 5 patients. All of the patients have non-critical injuries.