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A Message from Our Medical Director
Cynthia A. Bergman, M.D.
Complete Care, the Complementary Medicine Program of Fox Chase Cancer Center, addresses the emotional, physical and spiritual needs of cancer patients before, during and after treatment. Designed to help people improve their quality of life, Complete Care is the next logical step in the treatment of cancer patients.
This newsletter has been created to inform you about Complete Care programs and events. Our patients and their families are part of our Fox Chase family. We want to help support you through cancer treatment in every way possible. By offering you Complete Care, we hope to improve the quality of your life while we address your medical needs.
Dr. Cynthia Bergman is a gynecologic oncologist in Fox Chase Cancer
Center's department of surgical oncology and is the medical director of
Complete Care.
Nutrition Management
Provider: Debra De Mille, MS, RD
The Nutrition Management Program of Complete Care was planned to integrate
patients' concerns with a functional diet.
Nutrition is a major concern for cancer patients, who face issues related
to proper diet, weight loss, weight gain and changes in appetite and taste.
In this program, you will learn how to eat and supplement your diet
with your medical therapy.
Our program includes:
- Taking your diet history and assessing your current nutritional status
- Counseling to address specific problems, such as weight and appetite change
- Preventing disease or recurrence through adequate nutrition in dietary and supplemental forms
- Relieving symptoms through medicinal properties of foods and supplements
- Avoiding unsafe exterior effects with proper diet
- Optimizing energy levels and reducing fatigue
Mondays, 12:30 p.m.- 4:00 p.m.
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Massage Therapy
Provider: Therese Connolly, RN, BSN, CMT
The Massage Therapy Program of Complete Care is a program that uses
specific manipulations of the hands on the soft tissues of the body for
therapeutic effects. Therapeutic massage can be an important component
of your cancer treatment as well as for regular health maintenance. By
releasing muscle tension and stress, massage promotes self-healing. It
helps keep the body and mind functioning optimally.
The Massage Therapy Program of Complete Care includes the following massage techniques:
- Swedish massage to enhance circulation, promote relaxation and reduce stress;
- Deep tissue massage to help relieve muscle tension and spasms, reduce pain and enhance mobility.
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 11:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
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Hypnotherapy Program
Provider: Lori S. Lewis, MEd, ACH
The Hypnotherapy Program of Complete Care provides people with skills
to cope effectively with the physical and emotional impact cancer has on
their lives. Hypnotherapy can help patients deal with side effects
of treatment as well as with various emotions.
Some specific goals of hypnotherapy include:
- Reducing anxiety before or after surgery
- Aiding recovery through stress reduction
- Reducing pain through meditation
- Improving appetite during treatment
- Avoiding side effects of chemotherapy
- Enhancing the immune system
- Helping people with or without cancer quit smoking
- Reducing excess weight
Appointment Schedule:
Mondays & Wednesdays 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Patient of the Month: Marcy Fish
Diagnosed with breast cancer in October 1998, Marcy Fish has already
been through The Focus on Healing through Movement and Dance Program
of Complete Care. This program is intended for the breast cancer patient
who is on the road to recovery. Focus on Healing through Movement and
Dance uses music, movement and dance to concentrate on the muscles
affected by surgery and have a positive impact on patients' well being.
Focus on Healing through Movement and Dance requires no special
training or experience and is suitable for women of all ages and fitness
levels. Exercising to soft, soothing music, participants will learn
movements based in ballet and jazz dance. Although the movements concentrate
on balance, all can be done either standing or sitting.
"John Martínez, the manager of the program asked me if I was
interested in a dance therapy program. John had a video of the program.
I watched, enjoyed and joined in. I later signed up for the program.
If it wasn't for the competent physical therapists at Fox Chase, I might
not have been involved in the program."
Marcy said that the dance program heals her body and she feels great.
Her diagnosis or surgical procedure does not keep her from doing anything--even
playing with her two-and-one-half-year-old daughter.
"On a scale of one to ten, ten being the best, I feel like a nine and a half. I have full mobility and I have my life back."
Provider: Lori S. Lewis, MEd, ACH
To sign up for the program, call 215-728-7000.
Lymphedema Treatment Program
Provider: Cheri Doll, MSPT, MLDT
Fox Chase Cancer Center's Lymphedema Treatment Program is available
through Complete Care and the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
The National Lymphedema Network has recognized Fox Chase Cancer Center
as a clinical diagnostic center for lymphedema. Safe and effective,
the program provides:
- Skin care and hygiene
- Manual lymph drainage
- Compression bandaging
- Therapeutic exercises
- Compression-garment fitting
- Home maintenance program
Appointment Schedule:
Mondays through Fridays 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
By physician referral only
For more information and scheduling of an appointment,
please call 215-728-7000.
Complete Care Chronicle Volume 1, Number 2
Published by Fox Chase Cancer Center
1-888-FOXCHASE www.fccc.edu
Editor:
Rose Pollock, Health Educator
Physicians Services Department
215-728-7409
r_pollock@fccc.edu
For Information about cancer or