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Orthopaedic Oncology
Living With Cancer
Living with cancer causes many physical, psychological, social and spiritual
changes in our patients and families. While sitting in the waiting room, you
are surrounded by people who are at all different stages of survival. Someone
may have just been diagnosed with cancer and is crying; others may be pale
in color and bald because they are having chemotherapy. Some people just had
surgery and are walking with crutches and braces or casts; some may have suffered
a complication or a disease setback. And yes, some people may be in the office
for their routine visit nine years out from surgery!
The first stage of your relationship with us focuses on diagnosis and treatment.
Stress and confusion occurs because of the foreign environment, terminology
used and chaos caused by the disruption in daily family, work and social interests.
The next stage, usually after surgery, is a time of recovery and reentry back
into daily routines. However, the future of remaining disease free is still
worrisome. It is necessary to continue with office visits and x-rays to rule
out recurrent or metastatic disease. The focus of patients during this time
is to regain their strength and endurance that were lost during treatment.
Eventually, there should come a time when you can finally consider yourself
cured. Some patients experience a lot of setbacks before they reach the comforting
feeling of being cured. They fight infections, tumor recurrence and disease
metastases which require more surgery and more invasive treatments. Sadly,
some patients just cannot overcome their disease.
The emotions experienced in our office by both patients, families and staff
are intense. The pace of the office is fast and the environment may be stressful
as patients anxiously wait for diagnosis or continue with long term care.
Occasional feelings of 'fragmented care' are normal because of your dealings
with the oncology team (surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists,
radiologists, and nurses). Our goal is to provide you and your family with
supportive, quality care.
Surviving Cancer
Only those who have been diagnosed with cancer and undergone its treatments
can truly understand the physical and emotional impact that cancer has on
every aspect of one's life. That is why we make every effort to introduce
patients to each other who have similar diseases and surgeries. Resuming daily
activities, work, school, sexual and social relations may be difficult. Sharing
experiences from those who know what it is like is very beneficial according
to most of our patients.
Late effects of cancer treatments or treatment-induced second malignancies,
while rare, can occur. That is why medical follow-up is necessary for ten
years. Physical effects of cancer treatment can range from minor problems
such as daily fatigue, skin and appetite changes, to more severe problems
causing infertility, chronic nerve pain, lung or bowel difficulties. Thorough
physical exams and follow-up x-rays and scans are important for cancer survivors.
Knowledge is powerful. Knowledge about your body, your disease and its treatment
gives a sense of control over the stressful, unpredictable situation of living
with and surviving cancer. Ask questions. Visit our Educational Resource Rooms
and experience the many support groups and inservices offered for cancer patients
and their families.
Cancer Resource Room: Cox Building Room 110 617-724-1822 Mon.-Fri. 9:00-5:00
p.m.
Eleanor and Maxwell Blum Learning Center: White Building First floor
American Cancer Society (Hope, Progress, Answers) 1-800-ACS-2345
American Cancer Society - Cancer Survivors 1-877-333-HOPE
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