Cancer Rehabilitation: What Do You Do After Surviving Cancer?

There are many things that happened head oncology patients for which they can benefit from rehab. Particularly for dietary and physical therapy occupational therapy. -- their range of motion issues is... See More

There are many things that happened head oncology patients for which they can benefit from rehab. Particularly for dietary and physical therapy occupational therapy. -- their range of motion issues is peripheral neuropathy issues. There is pain issues. As well as some emotionally -- psychological. I'm -- cancer survivor and when I was diagnosed with cancer I actually felt pretty good going into treatment. I got sicker and sicker and sicker when I'm sick -- that I can. Ever imagine. I was actually told that I was done -- just needed routine follow up care. And it was hard being done because -- didn't feel very -- I was very very sick and I needed rehabilitation at that point. After I rehabilitated myself I decided to. I -- -- and best practices evidence based -- model for cancer rotation of the star program survivorship training and rehabilitation. And these are certifications that hospitals institutions cancer center's clinical groups and hospitals -- So that they and not the best practices cancer rotation model that's based on research. What helps most of my patients Semitic and relate them. And me myself not going through cancer about my family I can only relate to experience that I -- Going through this education I -- was put together by someone who knows all the pieces that are listening and happy. Sometimes I think that cancer patients are reluctant to speak not -- you know what I know I had cancer he saved my life. I just have a little discomfort and this bothers me they tend not to they're just so grateful for their life and the -- that they've gotten. They tend not to ask for more. But there's a lot more that we can give there's a lot more that they deserve and this program organizes it in -- way that makes it at the top of everyone's mind. We're not gonna provide services if we don't have -- necessary and we may not have been necessary if we don't ask. The star certification have been adopted throughout the nation yet many star certified hospitals and clinical group practices as well as many start clinicians certified. Physical therapists occupational therapy speech language pathologist society has since line. My vision really is that best practices cancer -- -- be offered everywhere in the country. Right now it's very sporadic where you can get services but in Rhode Island. The entire stage we'll have access. And my vision is that other states will follow this and that everywhere. There -- be star programs and star certified facilities of the cancer survivors know that when they go to that practice that hospital. That they're getting research based cancer -- patient care. An acute care setting I have a better understanding -- dinner -- aspect dietitians. Physical therapy speech therapy. The pharmacology all at area have a better understanding going through the program now of what -- focuses to get the patient to be functional. That's a very good thing as a clinician and hone in on my skills to have a better understanding of what the patients going through and what's expected of them from. All aspects of the Madison. Star program and a great job bring awareness on the population that surfaced as well. This is what this program is -- is trying to -- everybody's direction different profession. Refreshments Gloria -- Has a mission of awareness education. Support for survivors. And and also raising funds for much needed programs in Rhode Island. We've noticed over the years that there's been an absence. Services and and a real plan in the post treatment. Part of breast cancer we had contacted Rhode Island rehab and racism from we have. And also. -- from psychological senators to see how we could go about you know putting this together. Henry introduced us doctor Julie silver. And and the start. It was love at first -- we. You know introducing best practices for the state. We have eleven COC accredited hospitals him. What we would like to see our dream is to have all of them certified. And then all of them working together so that survivors are survivors throughout the state have a place. Have a place to go. And a plan. Post. There's now a lot more -- and stroke in orthopedics and there are success. After they've gone through treatment or surgery. There hasn't been that. Cancer. And cancer rehab and that has changed and there has been -- greater cancer survivorship and so. As therapists we need to make these patients' functional and return back to society. And that's what you're trying to do here.