September 23, 2010
New Cancer Rehabilitation Program
 Cancer survivors face physical, cognitive and emotional concerns that can affect their quality of life, no matter what kind of cancer they have overcome or are currently facing. And now, these individuals have a new option in care when it comes to offsetting the health issues they face as a result of their cancer treatments or the cancer itself.
“For many cancer patients and survivors, the aggressive, life-saving interventions can take a harsh toll on the human body,” said Raechel Bradford, Florida Hospital Flagler Physical Therapist. “Patients can experience debilitating fatigue, pain, joint stiffness, weakness, cognitive issues, emotional strain and limited mobility. Other problems often include swallowing difficulty, poor nutrition, skin breakdown, bowel and bladder dysfunction, and lymphedema - a swelling condition.”
Typically, cancer patients need therapy after surgery has been performed, but there are cases when it is appropriate for a patient to have therapy before, during or after radiation treatment, or any time during chemotherapy. Sometimes, cancer survivors can benefit from therapy years after their cancer treatments.
“Many times after radiation, patients experience a tightening of the skin and surrounding tissue, and sometimes this tightening can linger for several years,” Bradford said. “We’ve had great results with cancer survivors coming in three, four and five years out of cancer treatment to restore their range of motion and mobility.”
One such patient benefitting from this new service is Flagler Beach resident, Karen Miller.
“I started having pain in my breast,” Miller said. “I let it go for awhile because I had assumed it was a cyst, but when the pain got really bad and I lost use of my arm, I got scared and came running to Florida Hospital Flagler.”
As it turns out, what Miller thought was a cyst was actually Stage 4 breast cancer.
“I lost use of my leg, my arm, I was basically stuck in a wheelchair,” said Miller. “Everything was difficult for me. I had to wash dishes from a wheelchair. I couldn’t reach up into the cabinets. I couldn’t even pull out a gallon of milk to pour into my coffee in the mornings. It was very uncomfortable and I didn’t like not having control of those normal basic things you do for yourself every day.”
Miller was referred to Florida Hospital Flagler’s new Cancer Rehabilitation program, and within a few months, Miller was able stand up straight and walk on her own. Now she’s progressed so far, she’s even going to the YMCA for regular work-outs.
“I didn’t know anything about physical therapy when I first came here,” Miller said. “When I came in they were terrific, very welcoming, and made me feel very comfortable. They didn’t look at me and say ‘Aw, man, this girl’s got Stage 4 cancer, what are we going to do for her?’ No, they went out of their way to help me get back to being mobile.”
While Miller is thankful for the Rehabilitation Department at Florida Hospital Flagler, she believes that a positive, personal attitude can play a large role in beating cancer.
“You control your own life and if you want to move forward and fight things, you have to be headstrong and willing to commit,” she said. “I’m so glad that I talked to my doctor about physical therapy because I don’t think I would be as good as I am now if it weren’t for physical therapy.”
Click here to see a video clip about Karen Miller and this new service. It aired on newstations Channel 6 & Channel 9 on September 24, 25 and 27.
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