Life Doesn't Stop For Cancer - But Cancer Changes Life.
Florida Hospital Flagler’s Cancer Rehabilitation Program Can Change Your Life.
This video tells the story of Flagler Beach resident Karen Miller. Karen was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer and was confined to a wheelchair. After receiving Physical Therapy through Florida Hospital Flagler's cancer rehab program, Karen has her independence back. She's progressed so far, she's now able to work out at the YMCA. View the video to see Karen's whole story.
With five hospitals, Florida Hospital is the largest hospital system serving Volusia and Flagler County residents, caring for nearly 35,000 patients every year.
Florida Hospital specializes in a wide range of health services for the entire family, including nationally recognized programs in cardiology, cancer, women’s medicine, neurology, diabetes, orthopaedics and rehabilitation. Florida Hospital offers a comprehensive health network for our community with tertiary level services in Ormond Beach and through our affiliation with Florida Hospital Orlando for many subspecialty programs.
Cancer patients face physical, cognitive and emotional concerns that can affect their quality of life, no matter what type of cancer they have overcome or are currently facing. These individuals need therapy to help offset the health issues they face as a result of either cancer treatments or the cancer itself.
For many cancer patients, the aggressive, life-saving interventions may take a harsh toll on the human body. So while the fight against cancer is being won, patients may experience debilitating fatigue, pain, joint stiffness, weakness, emotional strain and limited mobility. Other problems may include swallowing difficulty, poor nutrition, skin breakdown, bowel and bladder dysfunction, and lymphedema - a swelling condition.
Florida Hospital Flagler’s Cancer Rehabilitation Program meets the challenges facing cancer patients and survivors by providing state-of-the-art rehabilitation interventions while working closely with a patient’s oncology team. The rehabilitation team customizes each patient’s therapy program around their individual chemotherapy cycles, radiation treatments and surgery, helping patients avoid the impairment that often accompanies oncology treatments and returning them to their highest level of function.
We Are Dedicated To Helping People With Cancer Not Only Survive, But Thrive.
The Cancer Rehabilitation Team
Florida Hospital Flagler’s Cancer Rehabilitation team helps patients adapt to his or her situation, whether the changes are temporary or permanent. These professionals may include any of the following:
- Physical Therapists (PTs) help restore mobility and physical functioning, while preventing further disability. PTs work with patients who have lost muscle tone due to prolonged bed rest, have trouble with balance, or use canes as a result of their cancer treatment.
- Occupational Therapists (OTs) focus on upper extremities when treating injuries that affect motion. OTs are trained to evaluate the layout of the home, school, or workplace to increase patients' mobility and assist with activities of daily living.
- Speech Therapists (STs) have specialized training in a variety of speech, voice, and language disorders. With some types of cancer, speech and swallowing can be affected and STs can help patients regain function.
How Cancer Rehabilitation Can Help You
Rehabilitation can improve the quality of life for both cancer patients and their families by:
- Improving physical condition and performance by building strength, endurance, and mobility
- Providing assistance with activities of daily living such as eating, drinking, dressing, bathing, using the toilet, cooking, and basic housekeeping
- Reducing dependency on caretakers
- Helping patients adjust to actual, perceived, and potential losses
- Lowering the number of hospitalizations