Miss Fix-It: Cancer Services’ New Partnership

Cindy, bottom right, with some attendees of our 
Digestive and Urinary Cancers Survivorship event.

At Cancer Services partnership is one of our favorite words and with the help of many partners, we want to “fix” your cancer-related issues. Thanks to a new partnership with Get Your Rear in Gear, our clients now have access to Cindy Schneider, a Certified Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurse.

But what is an ostomy? For many of our clients living with digestive and urinary cancers it’s a word they know all too well. An ostomy is an opening of the intestine into the wall of the abdomen, required for some patients after the surgical removal or the healing of part of their colons, rectums or intestines.

Patients sometimes feel embarrassed about their ostomies and often find their loved ones are uncomfortable discussing them. Many are sent home with little long-term training or resources to help them adjust. This is where Cindy comes in! In addition to attending support group meetings, Cindy is available for phone consultations and home visits to coach “ostomates” on how to make their ostomies work into their lives, as well as offer emotional support. Cindy says, “The best advice I can give to ostomy patients is that you can still do everything you did before your ostomy. If something isn’t working for you, I can help fix it.” Connecting clients with Cindy’s expertise is another example of how we’re improving life for those living with cancer.

Cancer Services also has a large amount of donated ostomy supplies available to clients free of charge. Our Digestive and Urinary Cancers Support Group meets the third Monday of each month at noon at Cancer Services. Call 225-927-2273 to learn more about the group or our ostomy support services.

Making Their Cancer Care Complete

Cancer Services continued our Survivorship Events, marking Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month with a luncheon for our Digestive and Urinary Support Group this past Monday.

At the luncheon, attending survivors and their loved ones shared their stories as well as talked their concerns and asked questions about their colorectal, bladder, liver, testicular or prostate cancer. Several of the survivors emphasized the importance of getting tested regularly and urged everyone at the luncheon to encourage their family and friends to forgo the embarrassment and get colonoscopies and exams.

Also at the luncheon, Cindy Schneider was introduced as a new aspect of the support group. Cindy is an ostomy nurse who will attend the monthly meetings and be available to provide support and answer questions needed by the survivors. This is made possible through a grant from Get Your Rear in Gear and the Colon Cancer Coalition. (The next Get Your Rear in Gear 5K is coming up on April 28. Click here to register and support local colorectal cancer initiatives!)

The survivorship luncheon and support groups are a great way to share experiences from cancer treatment and to find encouragement and hope. One survivor spoke about how great it was to see a fellow liver cancer survivor who is about to have a 10 year anniversary since diagnosis. Another survivor stressed the importance of having a positive attitude during treatment.

Cancer Services fully recognizes the importance of support as part of our clients’ cancer care and we offer over 15 support groups that meet monthly; our Digestive and Urinary Group that meets every third Monday of the month at noon at Cancer Services. For more information on this support group or other services offered by Cancer Services please visit our website or call Esther at 225-927-2273.