Key points from today’s guests:
Tracy Mason, breast cancer thriver
- Tracy regularly receives treatment at The University of Kansas Cancer Center as she recovers from breast cancer.
- Like most cancer patients, she has day-to-day challenges such as getting to the Cancer Center.
- She appreciates the resources and support that the Cancer Center provides for her so she can get the treatment she needs.
- She has used a variety of support groups and resources such as Breasties, Gilda’s Club, the American Cancer Society, and Missys’ Boutique.
- She encourages people to live their life and find people who can identify with you and support you.
Lizzie Wright, program director, Turning Point
- Turning Point (TurningPointKC.org) offers classes and tools to empower those affected by chronic illness.
- It offers online programs as well to reach people in rural Kansas and even out of state.
- The programs are focused on providing teaching skills for people to better manage their illness, whether it be cancer or any other serious or chronic physical illness.
- We want to be a gathering place for people when they get that diagnosis and leave the doctor's office to be able to go and manage the stress and anxiety and all the life changes that happen. So, our specialty is providing a real curriculum taught by anybody that's certified in their field.
- We have onco-psychologists and clinical social workers that can teach patients to help better manage their illness. It could be meditation and mindfulness programs. It could be yoga. We have 90 programs in any given month online and in person as well.
- One size does not fit all. Everybody is different. Everybody is an individual. Some people want to go to support groups, some people don't, so there's just no right or wrong way to seek out the support. Just be graceful with yourself and tune into what you think that you need and ask for help if you need it.
Malia Opat, social work case manager, The University of Kansas Cancer Center
- This role is meant to support patients and can be different depending on the patient's needs.
- Some of patients need access to transportation services or lodging services and we connect patients to community resources. Others we may meet one time and they don't need additional support. And others we follow for emotional support or guidance with navigating life with a cancer diagnosis.
- There are some local and national financial assistance that some patients may qualify for and I'm trying to connect patients to see kind of what resources they may be eligible for. There are a team of financial counselors that we rely on heavily to help patients navigate the ins and outs of their insurance and what it covers because it can be overwhelming.
- There are dietitians that cover various patient needs. Depending on the type of cancer diagnosis they have and the type of treatment they have, dietitians may have different recommendations. Even our oncologists are relying heavily on our dieticians that patients can meet with and get scheduled with to provide recommended diet plans to help with recovery.
- Don't be afraid to ask for help and use your support system to get through a cancer diagnosis. Each of us cannot go through life by ourselves without using support.
Monday, Oct. 30 at 8 a.m. CT is the next Morning Medical Update. We meet a former chaplain at Children's Mercy Hospital and ask what happens when cancer treatment ends up causing more cancer.
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