When cancer enters your life, disruption and fear can take over. The answers you seek don’t seem to come quickly enough.
Avera Cancer Institute professionals have walked the cancer journey with tens of thousands of patients. They know the next few days and weeks are hard.
“When you get that news, you have to take time to process what is happening. Give yourself grace,” said Christina Early, Manager of the Avera Cancer Institute Navigation Center in Sioux Falls. “Let your health care team come alongside you for support and to answer questions you may not even realize you have.”
It’s vital to realize you’re not on your own. Your cancer care team will work with you to organize a treatment plan. It will be your plan, designed and developed exactly for you.
“Our role is to be there as your collaborator,” said Jess Moriarty, CNP, an oncology nurse practitioner at Avera Cancer Institute in Marshall, MN. “For that teamwork to succeed, we will need your input, cooperation, questions and concerns.”
The sole focus is to achieve the most positive outcome for you, the patient.
What Do You Do?
Use your phone or a notebook and start writing down your questions and concerns. As you meet with your health care team, review those questions with them, and make sure you write new questions as needed.
It’s helpful to have a place to record questions by your bed, because questions can undoubtedly come up at night.
“We want to be your go-to source of information,” Early said. “We are a team, and we want to develop a relationship with you and your loved ones on your journey.”
It’s smart to bring a support person with you to appointments. It could be a spouse, friend or family member. “You’ll receive lots of information about your diagnosis and treatment, and the other person can help you listen, take notes and ask questions,” Moriarty said. “Never forget your cancer situation is not like any other one, so all your questions, worries or issues all are valid.”
You questions might include:
- What is my cancer’s stage and size?
- Has it spread to other places in my body?
- Will additional tests be necessary to confirm my diagnosis?
- What treatment options are available?
- How will treatments affect my quality of life?
- How long will the treatments last?
- What type of side effects might I have?
- Are there any diet or drinking restrictions?
- Are there any lifestyle changes I should consider?
- Who do I talk to if I have questions on finances or if I need resources?
What to Look for in Your Team
Your cancer clinician knows to use a comprehensive team approach; by working with other experts, you get opinions on the latest services and newest technologies. As you progress in your cancer journey, your care team may include a medical oncologist, surgeon, radiation oncologist and more.
Avera’s Cancer Navigation Center is available by phone, 24/7, for anyone who has questions.
In addition to the navigation center, patients may have access to an in-person navigator, depending on their cancer type and location.
“We answer any question at any time that you or a loved one may have,” Early said. “If we’re not the right person, we will connect you to someone who can help you. Our role is to be that one-stop resource for you.”
Navigators help the whole team help you.
“Our care model is holistic, meaning we look at physical, mental and spiritual aspects, and how we can help you,” Moriarty said. “We can also help with social and economic questions and issues.”
As a treatment plan is decided, your team will discuss all options with you. This includes a whole-person – or holistic approach – to consider everything from:
- Financial support
- Integrative medicine
- Spiritual care
- Mental health counseling
- Physical activity and rehab
- Diet and nutrition
Clinical trials may also be part of your conversation with the care team. These trials look at the newest treatment options, and they’re made available in addition to standard treatment when patients are good candidates. “Avera continues to expand clinical trial access to patients across our system,’ Moriarty said.
You can decide if you want to look into these leading-edge approaches, or not.
“Avera understands quality care, closer to home, is better,” Early said. “That’s why we have cancer experts in every part of our system’s footprint.”
Moriarty said feeling comfortable with your team can make a giant difference.
“Trust is vital to having a good relationship with your care team,” she said. “When you’re confident in our effort and abilities, you will likely do better in your treatment.”
What Do Avera Cancer Navigators Do?
Foremost, they answers questions for patients. In addition, our navigators provide education to help patients understand their diagnosis. That way, a patient is better able to make treatment decisions, facilitate appointments and stay informed of available resources.
Whether on the phone or in person, navigators serve as a go-between for the patients when they have multiple physicians and appointments. Most navigators will be as involved as the patient needs them to be. Some patients may have needs and questions that require a few conversations each week during treatment, and some individuals may only need periodic support.
Whether going through tests to rule out a cancer diagnosis or managing the many appointments that occur after a cancer diagnosis, having knowledgeable and supportive resources can be invaluable.
Where Can You Go for Information?
Your health care team, including your medical oncologist, is a best starting point, and an excellent resource. Patients can use online tools to get answers to questions.
“We know how scary cancer is, but we can help you navigate this journey,” Early said.
Learn more about Avera’s full-service cancer care program, and how it can help you if you get a diagnosis.
