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GETTING STARTED
Understanding cancer and your chemotherapy | You are beginning a journey through chemotherapy as a treatment for cancer. The therapy will be challenging to the systems of your body and will create physical, as well as emotional stress. The key to maximizing your therapy while minimizing your discomfort is for you to be informed and prepared. This seminar is offered free of charge.
GETTING STARTED . . . Understanding cancer and your chemotherapy, a 1½-hour session offered by Cancer Care Resources, is designed to give you a more comprehensive understanding of cancer and chemotherapy treatment.
This class offers cancer patients the following:
• A better grasp of what to expect during chemotherapy.
• Effective means of managing side effects of therapy.
• Understanding and exercising your Patient’s Rights.
• Ways to communicate effectively with your medical team.
• A forum to discuss issues or voice concerns.
• A sense of regaining control of your life.
• Encouragement and optimism about your therapy.
Nutrition and physical activity recommendations are offered and individual appointments for personal assessments are available.
Please begin this critical phase of your treatment with the knowledge and experience of prior patients, caregivers and health care professionals.
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STRATEGIES FOR LIVING WITH CANCER |
Learn in a supportive and compassionate environment how to affect positive, productive change in your life while dealing with the illness.
Many of us are faced with the challenge of living with a chronic condition such as cancer. These illnesses can produce physical and emotional symptoms that may seem overwhelming, such as fatigue, frustration, pain, and stress. However, recent studies have identified effective tools to manage these conditions and they are significantly improving the quality of life for many patients and their families.
The Chronic Disease Self Management Program, a nationally recognized course developed by the Stanford University School of Medicine’s Patient Education Research Center, is at the core of our seminar. The presenters, specially trained facilitators who have chronic conditions themselves, teach adults coping skills for living with long-term illness.
They cover such topics as:
· disease related problem solving
· managing emotions
· benefits of exercise and nutrition management
· cognitive symptom management
· communication skills
· developing a partnership with your physician
· use of community resources
· managing medications
· advanced directives
Note: This program does not replace education programs related to a specific cancer condition
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TAKING CARE OF YOU
Powerful tools for Caregiving |
This six-week series is designed to help family or friends who are caring for someone with cancer. Those assuming this responsibility will learn the importance of remaining healthy and stable while assisting the patient. They will also gain tools to make their efforts more effective.
The classes do not focus on the disease process or how to provide care, but on helping the caregiver to cope with the emotional and physical aspects of helping someone who is ill with cancer.
Class topics include:
· Stress – understand your feelings; reduce guilt, anger, depression.
· Communication – with family, the health care team and others.
· Organization – planning, goal setting and problem solving.
· Care for yourself - the challenge of maintaining balance during the journey and strategies for taking care of YOU.
The class meets weekly for 2 ½ hours for six weeks. Call (503) 528-5236 for the next available session.
(Note: All participants will receive a copy of The Caregiver Helpbook, developed by Legacy Caregiver Services, which covers these topics in more detail.) |
FAMILY CAREGIVER CLASS |
This class is offered every eight weeks and is usually an all day session, offering tips on providing physical care to those who need assistance. It is taught by a variety of healthcare professionals and is focused on practical help. Topics include: Comfort measures and nutritional support, social and emotional aspects of caregiving, community resources and agencies, mobility and skin care issues, transfers, bed mobility and wound care. |
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