Patients Survive and Thrive with Cancer Survivorship Program

A survivor by dictionary definition is a person who survives and continues to function or prosper in spite of opposition, hardship or setbacks. This is why, at the W. Temple Webber Cancer at CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System, a person becomes a cancer survivor upon diagnosis, not when the treatment is finished. “It isn’t always about finishing, it is about living,” explains Yolanda Bone, DNP, RN, ARNP, FNP-BC, nurse practitioner, Survivorship Program Manager, W. Temple Webber Cancer Center. “Every new day results in a cancer patient being a survivor.” CHRISTUS St. Michael offers a Survivorship Program to help patients prepare for and achieve a higher quality of life while fighting cancer. When patients are first diagnosed with cancer, the physical, psychosocial, nutritional and other needs are identified when treatment is first initiated to keep the patient at optimum health during and after treatments. Once needs are outlined, Yolanda can direct patients to appropriate resources to meet those needs. Whether the survivor needs physical therapy at the CHRISTUS St. Michael Outpatient Rehabilitation Center or nutritional counseling with a dietitian, focusing on being healthy in the beginning will allow for more strength and endurance through the continuum of cancer care. Lung cancer survivor Tammy Stuart is currently undergoing treatment for small cell carcinoma. Side effects from her aggressive treatment have included weakness, balance issues and neuropathy. As part of the survivorship program, Yolanda referred Tammy to our Cancer Rehabilitation Program at the CHRISTUS St. Michael Outpatient Rehabilitation Center for balance and hand therapy. “The therapist and staff at the Outpatient Rehab have been wonderful,” says Tammy. “The therapy helped tremendously! Plus, seeing my improvements physically encouraged me and lifted my spirits.” Yolanda also provides patients and their primary care providers a Survivorship Care Plan. The care plan includes a summary of treatment so both understand the history including diagnosis stage, treatments and potential ongoing side effects. “Yolanda has called and checked on me, and I’ve called her with questions, concerns, or if I’ve needed blood transfusions,” shares Tammy. “Yolanda and the entire team from the Chemo and Radiation staff at the Cancer Center to the Outpatient Rehab do an amazing job! They certainly don’t let you go on this journey alone.” For more information on the Survivorship Program, call 903-614-6892. ***The W. Temple Webber Cancer Center at CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System invites all cancer survivors and their loved ones to join us at 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 4, 2017, at the CHRISTUS St. Michael Dining Atrium and Courtyard, 2600 St. Michael Drive, Texarkana, Texas, for a Cancer Survivors Day Celebration. Seating is limited, and reservations are requested. Reservations can be made by calling tollfree 1-855-614-MIKE (6453) or online at https://csmcancersurvivorday2017.eventbrite.com.