Living with Cancer
By Jill Russell

When Larry went to the emergency room for severe stomach pain, a cancer diagnosis didn't even enter his mind. That is, until a CT scan showed a 4-cm mass located near his lower abdomen. "It is a scary thing to know you might be a positive diagnosis with a condition that has taken so much life," said Larry. "An initial shock wears off and lends itself to question after question after question. I was confused and needed to understand why even though I knew there was no definitive answer the doctors could provide."

Initial Diagnosis
Larry's mass proved to be benign, but the close call certainly lent itself to the same feelings and emotions to the more than 1.4 million cancer patients, according to the American Cancer Society, and that their families and friends, experience every day. "The time of diagnosis is a time full of emotion for both the patient and the family or caregiver," said Jill Smallwood, program director at Living Well Cancer Resource Center, with locations in Geneva, IL. "Feelings such as disbelief, fear and anger are all normal emotions during this time, and cancer patients and caregivers will adjust to a cancer diagnosis in time."

To help adjust to a diagnosis, Smallwood suggests following advice from the American Cancer Society. First, do your research. Whether you are a patient or a caregiver, discuss the specifics of the diagnosis and plan with doctors, specialists and other physicians as soon as possible. Ask any questions you have about the diagnosis, treatment and recovery. Make sure you understand the next steps of your plan, and whether that includes surgery, chemotherapy or drug treatment. Some patients prefer to seek out a second opinion or discuss their diagnosis with other cancer patients and survivors for another viewpoint on treatment options.

Also, don't be afraid to express your feelings. Discuss how you're feeling with friends, family, doctors or other resources such as a counselor. It's important to reach out to your personal network for support during this time. "We encourage patients and caregivers to follow their treatment plan, but we also encourage them to talk openly about their feelings with their treatment team and discuss the resources available to them to assist in coping," Smallwood said.

Care for the Caregiver
A caregiver's role is equally important during diagnosis and treatment. Just as patients are advised to discuss their feelings, family and friends are too. Smallwood advises caregivers shouldn't be afraid to ask the patient how they can help them. "Asking how you can be helpful allows you to provide the patient with what they need exactly," she said. "They may not want anything, or they may need a meal delivered or something that will truly make their day-to-day life easier during this time. Asking what a patient needs allows them to reach and provides them with a specific need to help them through a difficult time."

Also remember to listen to the patient - a good friend is priceless. Sometimes the best thing you can do is simply listen to the person instead of trying to "fix" or do something for them. Remember to take care of yourself. You can't be a great caregiver if you're not emotionally and physically refreshed. Be sure to take breaks when needed and maintain your regular routine so that the caregiving doesn't overtake every waking moment.

Exercise Treatment Options
Recent studies show that exercise, in addition to your treatment plan, can help the recovery process. In fact, exercise during and after treatment can help increase energy, improve quality of life and lessen negative side effects such as weight gain and pain associated with chemo and drug therapy.

"Exercise helps patients bounce back, strengthen bones and increase their range of motion after surgery," Jeri Lau, personal trainer for Elite Phyisque, Inc. in Downers Grove,IL and volunteer cancer exercise specialist at Wellness House in Hinsdale, IL.. "Patients feel better simply knowing they're capable in doing the exercise."
You should never start an exercise program without a doctor's permission. They'll most likely set guidelines that you should follow in addition to your treatment plan. A general rule-of-thumb is to start out slowly. Limit the amount of weight you lift and progress slowly, being careful not to add on weight too quickly, which can create strain or injury. Also, do not start a program by yourself. Seek out a specialist or a resource center to develop a program tailored to your individual needs. A specialist will create an exercise program based on your diagnosis to target specific needs to help a recover area, increase overall strength and prevent future injury.
Lau suggests starting at two to three times a week, paying special attention to your body as you go along and adjusting your routine off of that.

Resources:
Living Well Cancer Resource Center, 1803 West State Street, Geneva, IL 60134
(630) 262-1111 www.livingwellcrc.org

Living Well offers resources for patients and caregivers for every need. Resources include support and networking groups, individual counseling, educational presentations, mind/body fitness programs, and special sessions. A new series, "Surviving Survivorship," is a six-week panel discussion of five cancer survivors tackling subjects such as relationship changes, intimacy and other issues that patients often struggle with after treatment.

Wellness House, 131 N. County Line Road, Hinsdale, IL 60521
(630) 323-5150 www.wellnesshouse.org

Wellness House is a community-based independent organization that offers psychosocial support, education and information, as a complement to medical treatment to cancer patients, their families and friends.

Delnor Health & Wellness Center,
1803 West State Street , Geneva, IL 60134
(630) 208-3358 www.livingwellcrc.org

The Survivor Care Program at Delnor H & W is a lifestyle maintenance program designed for the cancer patient who has completed physical therapy and would like to continue with an exercise program with trained professionals.

Local area hospitals are a great resource and all offer support groups for both patients and caregivers, educational seminars and a network of nurses and doctors ready to assist you on your road to recovery.

Whatever your diagnosis, communication is a major factor in your treatment plan. Whether it be to your doctor, family, friends, support group or your body when exercising, listening and expressing your feelings is key to getting the most from your treatment plan. "There is something for everyone's journey," Smallwood said. "It is just a matter of matching what's offered to what they need."
 

 

Your Hospital: Provena Mercy Medical Center
It’s Not Just a Job, It’s a Mission

Medical caregivers are in growing demand due to a combination of factors, including the increase in the number of people needing medical services. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 78 million people between ages 44 and 62 live in the U. S., and that is the age range in which many medical problems begin to surface, such as heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis. Additionally, many healthcare employees are closing in on retirement age, particularly in specialty nursing such as the operating room, where the average age of nurses is 50. With several different specialties within the healthcare field, there are a variety of job openings to meet any interest. These factors add up to a gold mine of opportunities for anyone interested in a fulfilling, secure career with a true work/life balance.

Who Makes a Great Healthcare Worker?
People drawn to careers in health care tend to share certain personality traits, such as compassion. The care that Provena employees give patients demonstrates that trait and it is such an integral part of the organization that it is spelled out in Provena's mission statement, and greatly contributes to the success of our health system.
Healthcare workers also need sharp critical thinking skills to be able to react quickly in urgent situations, and the physical demands are high when working with patients who need assistance. Healthcare careers allow the flexibility of working in both rural and urban environments, as well as the flexibility of choosing different specializations and work hours that can accommodate other obligations.

Find Your Niche
Many healthcare career paths have a wide range of specializations from which to choose. For example, nurses can work in obstetrics, the emergency room, critical care, pediatrics, and surgery-just to name a few. Other in-demand fields include physical therapy, pharmacy, imaging, and physician assistants. The size of the Provena system also makes it easy for employees to explore different options and find just the right fit for them. Many people begin healthcare careers as technicians and work their way up through both experience and education.
The nursing profession opens many doors. It's a career where you can go to school for one or two years and become a registered nurse and begin working while continuing your education. With more advanced degrees, there are even more opportunities in management, administration, teaching, information technology, and business. Provena fosters this atmosphere of learning by offering tuition reimbursement programs for those who want to earn healthcare degrees. Provena also offers professional development opportunities for employees to continue to develop certain skills. The healthcare industry offers stable job security, which is increasingly important in today's economy, and along with that stability comes good compensation and benefits. Many factors make health care a great career option, but the driving factor is the desire to help.
To see what job opportunities await you at a Provena facility, visit www.provena.org .
 

 

Incontinence Issues
By Catherine L. Tully

According to the Illinois Urological Institute, incontinence is defined as the inability to stop urine leakage. Contrary to what many people may think, incontinence is a problem that can happen at any age, and it is not just a problem that is common to women. Men--and even children can experience this issue as well.

Incontinence in itself is not considered a disease, but rather a symptom of an underlying problem. Luckily this condition is highly treatable, and once a diagnosis is made, a treatment program can begin that will address the underlying cause. According to the National Association For Continence, the condition affects 200 million people worldwide.

There can be secondary complications from being incontinent as well, such as rashes and skin infections. In addition, many people who experience this condition report that it affects their social life and work as well.

Types of Incontinence

There are three main types of urinary incontinence: stress incontinence, overflow incontinence and urge incontinence. Stress incontinence most often happens when a person is laughing, coughing or doing other activities that put pressure on the bladder. The urine leakage is a result of a bladder sphincter that is not functioning properly. Overflow incontinence takes place when the bladder leaks urine from being too full.

Urge incontinence is due to bladder contraction, which then causes an urgent need to urinate. Sometimes people can also experience a mix of both stress and urge incontinence. Obtaining the correct diagnosis is crucial in treating the condition.

Causes of Incontinence

The causes of incontinence are extremely varied. Some risk factors include things such as smoking, being overweight, prostate problems, neurological disorders, obstruction, pregnancy and childbirth. Certain medical conditions such as vascular disease or diabetes can also increase the risk. Temporary incontinence can sometimes be caused by things such as medications, over-hydration and alcohol.

Diagnosis

Many people believe that incontinence is a normal part of the aging process, but this is actually not the case. People who have had episodes of this condition should discuss it with their physician so that they can obtain information that will help in treating the underlying issue. Since the condition can be an embarrassing one, many people do not talk about it. The National Association For Continence estimates that two-thirds of individuals who experience loss of bladder control symptoms do not use any treatment or product to manage their incontinence. This is unfortunate, since it is a highly treatable condition.

Discussing any related difficulties with a physician is the first step toward getting help. A regular physician may refer their patient to a urologist, who specializes in treating these kinds of issues. In either case, the doctor may want to run some tests to help determine the exact nature of the condition. Some common tests include things such as a urinalysis and blood test. Sometimes more extensive means may be needed, such as a pelvic ultrasound or a stress test. The ultimate goal is to locate the underlying cause of the incontinence so that it can be addressed.

Treatment

There are many different types of treatments for incontinence, and each focuses on fixing the cause of the condition. Some of the most common treatments include:

· Medication. Oral medications are often used to help treat incontinence; and are sometimes used in combination with other methods.
· Behavioral treatment. This focuses on techniques such as emptying the bladder at regular intervals, which can help prevent episodes of urge incontinence. Fluid restriction is another method that is sometimes used. With stress incontinence the muscles of the pelvic floor can be weak, and pelvic muscle rehabilitation with a physical therapist is sometimes recommended.
Anne Biala, PT, MPT practices out of AthletiCo's Oak Park facility and she says, "A physical therapist who specializes in incontinence or pelvic floor dysfunction can assist clients in strengthening the pelvic floor muscles to decrease occurrences of incontinence throughout the day. Pelvic floor strengthening exercises (often referred to as Kegel exercises) focus on providing awareness of the musculature, progressive muscle strengthening and coordination of these muscles in conjunction with daily activities." Other behavioral treatments include biofeedback and bladder re-training.
· Surgical treatment. Surgery tends to be the last resort for incontinence issues. Success rates are typically very high, and there are only a small amount of complications reported. There are a number of surgical treatments available, and these can be discussed with a physician to determine the most appropriate method for the patient's particular issue.

Summary

Many people experience some type of incontinence and the success rate for treating the condition is quite high. Talking with a doctor is the first step. Once the nature of the problem has been identified, an appropriate treatment can be prescribed to address whatever the underlying issue is. For more information about incontinence, visit the National Association For Continence at www.nafc.org.
 

Feeling sad, stressed or anxious?

Learn more at National Depression Screening Day October 10, 2008

With soaring gas prices, rising mortgages and a recession looming, no one can blame you for feeling anxious and overwhelmed. These days it is common and understandable to be angry, worried and even gloomy, especially if you lost your job, your house, or are stressed about paying the bills.

Worry, anger and stress are normal, appropriate and even necessary during life's difficult moments. But when negative feelings prevent you from doing your daily activities or interacting with friends and loved ones, it might be time to seek help.

At this free, public event you can take an anonymous test to see if you might suffer from depression or a related disorder and learn how to get help. To find a participating screening site near you, visit www.mentalhealthscreening.org  (beginning September 1, 2008).

Attend a National Screening Day on October 10, 2008, and take the first step to feeling like your old self.



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