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Hyperbaric Oxygen

You may recall Theresa had mouth cancer in 1997. At that time, treatment involved radiation in her mouth area which caused her teeth to decay. It also resulted in blood circulation to be reduced to about 20% of normal in her jaw. Recently a tooth needed to be pulled. However, the dentists don't want to do it when her circulation is so poor. (Extraction with the poor circulation could get infected and result in having to remove part of her jaw.) The treatment to improve the circulation is 20 sessions followed by surgery followed by 10 more sessions for a total of 6 weeks, each session being 1.5 hours, in a chamber that increases the pressure to the equivalent of 46 feet under water or 2.4 atmospheres. During these sessions, she breathes pure oxygen. The 30 sessions should improve her blood circulation to 80% of normal, after which, the tooth can be extracted. Below are some pictures of Theresa and the chamber she visits every day in downtown Minneapolis at Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC).

Looking through the open chamber door at Theresa in her assigned chair with her oxygen mask on.

Theresa through porthole on side of chamber.

Half of the chamber complex. Similar extension behind the round part.

Theresa at the door of the chamber and the control panel

Map showing available Hyperbaric Chambers across the U.S.

The chamber and control panel.

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