You’re NOT a Bad Parent

When it comes to calling the Illinois Poison Center (IPC), I have heard parents say, “I would have called but I didn’t want to look like a bad parent,” or “I am afraid you will report me to the DCFS?”  I’ve heard this refrain from young mothers, Facebook followers and even a public official; many parents are afraid to contact our free, confidential medical service for fear of being labeled a “bad” parent.

As an emergency physician and toxicologist, and the father of two children, I understand on a personal and professional level, that children can and do get into everything.  In the time it takes you to turn around, a small child can swallow a battery or drink your eye drops.  In fact, close to 49 percent of all calls to the IPC are regarding children 5 years of age and under.

At the IPC, we have a top-notch team of physicians, pharmacists, nurses and specially trained poison experts available 24 hours per day seven days per week to provide treatment advice on poison exposures. This skilled staff manages 90 percent of calls at home without referral to a health care facility. We do not report parents to authorities; that’s not our job. Our job is to ensure your safety and the safety of your loved ones by providing access to comprehensive treatment advice.

I know the overwhelming feelings of anxiety and fear when something may be wrong with your child- panic ensues and your thoughts often turn to the worst case scenario. In that stressful moment when you discover your child in the medicine cabinet or playing with household chemicals or other potentially hazardous substances, I’m encourage you to call the IPC at 1-800-222-1222 to for free, confidential treatment advice for your child.

Dr. Michael Wahl.

Medical Director

Illinois Poison Center

Help In the Fight Against Breast Cancer!

Bon-Ton has a goal of raising $500,000 for its breast cancer charity partners through its annual trademarked program, Charge Against Breast Cancer™ and the October Pink Shops. Bon-Ton has donated a total of $4.2 million to these charities throughout the years. 

The October Pink Shops will be open in all stores and online at www.bonton.com beginning on September 18 for National Breast Cancer Awareness month. 

The shops will feature over 20 items from the women’s, cosmetics and home departments that will support the cause. The shops will include the exclusive Bon-Ton Pink tumbler, which retails for $10. 100% of net proceeds of the tumbler sales will benefit the charities and Bon-Ton hopes to donate $30,000 just from the tumbler alone. Other items include two pink Woodwick candles, a Jasmine Rose plush robe, Coach signature fragrance, Columbia fleece with the Breast Cancer pink ribbon logo as well as tee shirts from Bon-Ton’s exclusive private labels Relativity and Ruff Hewn.

The beneficiaries include: The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center, Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Iowa; Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation; and Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota. This year the charity roster will also include the local Milwaukee Susan G. Komen chapter. Bon-Ton has pledged to raise $100,000 in support of the 15th anniversary of Susan G. Komen for the cure of Southwest Wisconsin.

Silver Cross Offers Health Screenings in October

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month,  Silver Cross Center for Women’s Health will offer  $100 screening mammograms including the radiologist fee for patients who call by October 31 to schedule an appointment before Nov. 31, 2013. The Center is located on the Silver Cross Hospital campus, 1870 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox. A physician’s order is required. Cash, check and credit cards accepted at time of appointment—insurance will not be billed. Call (815) 300-7076 and mention SPECIAL MAMMOGRAM to schedule your mammogram. For a referral to a doctor, call the Silver Cross free Physician Referral Service at 1-888-660-HEAL (4325) of visit www.silvercross.org

Blood Pressure Screening
Silver Cross offers free blood pressure checks daily from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Silver Cross Health Center, 12701 W. 143rd St., Homer Glen. Walk-ins welcomed. For more information, call (708) 364-6337.

Calcium Artery Scoring
Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox and the Silver Cross Health Center—Homer Glen offers a quick and painless test using a high speed CT scanner that can measure calcium deposits in the coronary arteries to determine your risk of having a heart attack. Calcium artery scoring is ideal for men over age 45 and women over age 55 who smoke, have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or a family history of premature coronary artery disease. This scan is available for $200.  Call (815) 300-7076 for an appointment.

Fall & Balance Screenings
According to the National Council on Aging, every 15 seconds an older adult is seen in an emergency room for a fall-related injury. To help reduce preventable falls, The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Silver Cross is offering FREE Fall and Balance screenings on Thursday,Oct. 17 at Silver Cross Professional Building, 1051 Essington Rd., Joliet; Tuesday, Oct. 22 and Wednesday, Oct. 23 at Silver Cross Hospital-Pavilion A, 1890 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox; and Tuesday, Oct. 29 at Silver Cross Health Center, 12701 W. 143rd St., Homer Glen.  The screening includes blood pressure readings, balance assessment, recommendations referrals for treatment if needed.  If you or a loved one experiences dizziness or vertigo, frequent falls, near falls or is simply afraid of losing balance, schedule an appointment by calling (815) 300-7110.

Incontinence Risk Assessment
Bladder control issues are not a normal part of aging and they are not something women should have to live with.  Take control of your pelvic health by completing a Sliver Cross Hospital’s short quiz at www.silvercross.org to find out if it is time you reached out for help.

Prostate Cancer Screening
Prostate cancer remains a leading cause of death among men.  But when diagnosed early, can be treatable. Silver Cross Hospital in partnership with Advanced Urology Associates  will offer free prostate cancer screenings for men Friday, Oct, 11 from 8 to 9 a.m. in the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center at Silver Cross Hospital, 1850 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox. Two simple methods are often used in screening for prostate cancer—a digital rectal exam, in which a doctor feels the prostate gland through the rectal wall, and a blood test, in which a blood sample is tested for the presence of a substance called prostate specific antigen (PSA). Men should begin screening for prostate cancer at age 50, unless there is a family history of prostate cancer. Those men should be screened at age 40. To schedule an appointment, visit www.silvercross.org  or call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325). No walk-in appointments will be accepted.

Scoliosis Screenings
Dr. Anthony Rinella, spine surgeon, will offer free scoliosis screenings Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Silver Cross Health Center, 12701 West 143rd St., Homer Glen. To register, call (877) 694-7722. The screenings are free and available for children and adults.

Sleep Disorders Assessment
Having trouble sleeping?  Silver Cross Sleep Disorders Center now offers a free online risk assessment at www.silvercross.org/sleepdisorderscenter.

Stroke Risk Assessment
Each year, nearly 800,000 Americans suffer a new or recurrent stroke. That means on average, a stroke occurs every 40 seconds. Find out if you are at risk and what you can do to prevent a stroke from occurring by taking the Silver Cross Neuroscience Institute’s free stroke risk assessment at www.silvercross.org/neuro.