“My patients have taught me what’s most important in life: God, sense of humor, positive attitude and love of family and friends.”
Sallie Blake, RN, Cancer Care and Infusion Center
Radiology:
This Machine Gave Me Peace of Mind
Summer 2004
In the 1970's the now Pella resident, Danny Vitullo, contracted Hepatitis C while in the Army. He did not know about it until 30 years later. It was the year 2000, when Danny tried to donate plasma, that he found out he had the disease. It has been a battle ever since.
At the time Danny worked as a truck driver for Gary Junkins Corporation. In February of 2004 the illness hit hard.
"I was driving a truck in Texas when all of a sudden all of the various health problems being caused by the Hepatitis attacking my liver hit and my body pretty much just shut down," said Danny.
When he returned home Danny's doctor told him he could no longer drive a truck.
"Gary and Cindy Junkins were very supportive," said Danny. "They did everything they could to help me. They are marvelous people."
In May of 2004, now with cirrhosis of the liver due to the Hepatitis C, Danny had an ultrasound done at a Veteran's Hospital. The ultrasound of his liver found lesions that were thought to be cancer.
"They called me and said that they could not get a biopsy to determine if they were cancer because of the health risks," said Danny.
Because he could not have a biopsy done, Danny was told he needed an MRI to determine whether or not it was in fact cancer. There was only one problem, it was May and they could not schedule his MRI until the end of July. Not wanting to wait that long to know whether or not he was living with cancer, Danny called Mahaska Hospital to see if he could get an MRI done more quickly. His appointment was scheduled for the next day.
At his appointment Danny met Mahaska Hospital MRI Technologist, Julie Hartke. During the 45 minute test, she played his favorite kind of music, oldies, to help put him at ease. But that was not all she did to ensure he was comfortable.
"She let me know what was going on every step of the way," said Danny.
Julie also changed the set up of the machine's cushions and coils to accommodate his body and utilized other techniques to make sure he was comfortable during the test. When the MRI was done Danny's wife of almost 25 years, Kathy, was there waiting for Julie with a rose.
"She was a real sweetie," said Kathy. "She even went out of her way to contact the VA for us."
The same day as the test, Mahaska Hospital Radiologist, Dr. Ashraf, finished reading the test films. He had good news. Danny did not have cancer.
"Your radiologist gave me peace of mind," said Danny. "Without Mahaska Hospital, to this day I would still be stressing out, wondering if I had cancer."
Because the spots on Danny's liver wound up being fatty deposits, a symptom of cirrhosis, he is now eligible to be put on a liver transplant list, something he could not be on if he had cancer. While he waits to be put on a transplant list, Danny keeps a positive attitude. He is determined to fight his disease.