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Chemotherapy 
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When you hear the words cancer and chemotherapy, what images come to mind? Perhaps a friend or family member received chemotherapy and it went well for them. They were supported by caring medical personnel, received helpful treatment for side effects, and their pain was managed successfully. Or perhaps someone you loved suffered with untreatable cancer. You are left mostly with sadness, and fearful memories.
Your past cancer experience is one of the first and most important things that Ellen, RN, and the other team members of the Chemotherapy Department (pictured here) want to know. Because, Ellen says, this sets the stage for the patient's own experience. And it helps us know how to work with them through education and communication to make their experience the best it can be for them.Communication becomes the key. Ellen sees their role, in part, as "switchboard operators," connecting patients to whoever or whatever they need to help their treatment process go smoothly. A large part of our goal is to be that communication link between doctors and our patients. Often a person in a rural area first gets a diagnosis of possible cancer from a family practice doctor. Then a general surgeon may confirm the diagnosis. Next the patient sees an oncologist who plans the therapy.
We have a strong commitment to these patients to pull things together for them. We may not always have the answers, but we generally can find answers for them.
There are support resources in the community, on the web, and here in our department. Betsy and Ellen have a wealth of knowledge and experience spanning 12 years to assist families and patients to find the support services that will best assist them and their needs.
Cancer remission is not the only goal of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy can be used to create comfort and ease pain. Its use may reduce tumor size, which can diminish internal pressure, and that in turn lessens pain. It can be used to slow the speed of the cancer growth to gain time and quality of life.
"I used to take life way too seriously," Ellen admits. "Most of my humor now comes from the patients. They are the ones who share their humor with me. You really learn to live each day and enjoy it in whatever you do. This work has changed my life tremendously." | |
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