Vim & Vigor - Winter 2017 - Parrish Medical Center - 51

has been inactive," Richardson says. If a
person is accustomed to activity, however, he or she is encouraged to keep up
the good work.
Still, it's always a good idea to communicate exercise plans to your physician.
"Your physician may have recommendations for changes to activities at diﬀerent
stages of treatment," she explains.

RIGHT PHOTO BY THINKSTOCK

How will
treatment affect
my appearance?

Chemotherapy and radiation can wreak
havoc on your looks in a variety of ways,
including hair loss, sensitive and dry
skin, a pale or sallow complexion, dark
under-eye circles, uneven skin pigmentation, puﬃness and nail discoloration.
How cancer therapies aﬀect hair, skin
and nails varies, depending on the type
of cancer and the treatment's intensity.
"Cancer treatment can aﬀect your
appearance. It's important to ﬁnd out
what to expect, then take action to do
something about it," Richardson says.
One source of support is Parrish's
Cancer Care Boutique. Located on the
ﬁfth ﬂoor at Parrish Medical Center
(PMC), the boutique provides a pampering environment with the resources to
help cancer patients adjust to the social
and psychological eﬀects of cancer.
The boutique is used to focus on a
person's self-esteem and well-being by
providing wigs, turbans, hats, bras and
prostheses. Educational consultations
are also given. The boutique is available
to patients with all types of cancer, with
an emphasis on breast cancer.
Local experts help cancer patients
receive healing experiences in the boutique. Aja Assad, owner of Aja Salon &
Day Spa in Titusville, is an American
Cancer Society volunteer who facilitates
the Look Good Feel Better program at
PMC. "She has volunteered her expertise in cosmetology for many years and
is dedicated to improving the lives of
those undergoing cancer treatment,"
Richardson says.

What if I lose
my appetite?

A healthy diet is more important than ever during cancer treatment,
when you must strive to keep your
energy up and maintain your weight.
Yet many cancer drugs can zap your
appetite or cause nausea, mouth sores
or a metallic taste in the mouth, making
even favorite foods unappealing.
What to do? Keep your eye out for the
triggers that aﬀect your appetite, such
as certain smells. If your appetite has
shrunk or you feel full fast, eat smaller,
more frequent meals. For expert advice,
consult a dietitian who specializes in
cancer treatment.

How will it affect
my family?

Cancer treatment aﬀects more
than your health. It also aﬀects your
family. Suddenly, household duties
will need to be divided up in new ways.
Meanwhile, your spouse might tag
along to doctor visits, help you weigh
treatment options and take charge of
communicating your health news to the
rest of the family.
Even with a generous outpouring of
support from family and friends, caregivers say it can be a lonely, frightening time that demands a high degree
of courage and faith, according to the
National Cancer Institute. Richardson
says open communication is the key to
drawing closer as a family in these trying times. ■

YOU DON'T
HAVE TO DO
IT ALONE

Parrish knows that being diagnosed with
cancer is a diﬃcult time for you. You'll
have more questions and concerns about
your health. You might need help getting
care. At Parrish Cancer Center, there is
help-and hope.
The patient navigation program will
beneﬁt you by improving access to
healthcare services and information,
reducing delays and missed appointments and increasing satisfaction with
your experience.
Your patient navigator will make sure
you get the best care possible. Your
patient navigator will:
3 Guide you through the healthcare
system
3 Help you ﬁll out insurance forms
3 Help you ﬁnd ways to pay for healthcare if you don't have insurance
3 Direct you to services for further
diagnosis and treatment
3 Direct you to local resources
and support
3 Help you keep track of and ﬁnd ways
to get to your appointments
3 Help you get your questions
answered
3 Help you ﬁnd more healthcare
information

CALL

Let Us Be
Your Guide
For more information about
the patient navigation program
at Parrish Cancer Center,
call the patient navigator at
321-268-6111, ext. 3544.

WINTE R 2017

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