Whether you are just starting your cancer treatment journey or have completed your treatment, you may be experiencing a variety of changes or problems that have affected your ability to complete and manage everyday tasks. These challenges could be a decrease in coordination, balance, strength, endurance, flexibility and range or motion, or even just knowledge regarding exercise or swelling (lymphedema).
We have occupational and physical therapists who have completed advanced training in cancer rehab to help with all of these challenges, and an on-site rehabilitation room at the Olathe Health Cancer Center where therapists can provide rehab services to patients in one convenient location. We also have speech language pathology services available through our rehabilitation department for those who are experiencing difficulty with swallowing and speech following surgery and treatments.
We will work closely with you, your physician and nurse navigator to achieve your goals and help you remain as independent and productive as possible before, during and following your cancer treatment.
Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is associated with the feeling of significant tiredness, increased need to rest, decreased motivation, and difficulty sleeping. These feelings are common during and after cancer treatments by many patients and can have a significant impact on their lives. Our Cancer Fatigue Management Program provides a treatment plan tailored specifically to a patient’s functional capabilities, goals, hobbies and interests.
Lymphedema is an abnormal accumulation of protein-rich fluid causing swelling (edema).
Our therapists have completed international training in cancer rehabilitation and are Certified Lymphedema Therapists through the Lymphedema Association of North America (LANA). Olathe Health is the first cancer center in the Kansas City metro to have a tissue analysis tool for early diagnosis of lymphedema, or swelling, in cancer patients. Research has shown this system can diagnose lymphedema as much as 4-10 months earlier than other methods.
The Lymphedema Management Program emphasizes skin care and therapeutic exercise, as well as manual lymph drainage techniques and the use of compression bandaging and garments to mange chronic and progressive lymphedema.
We have compassionate and highly skilled nurse navigators to help ensure your experience is as seamless as possible. Our nurse navigator will assist you with all stages of cancer care, from screening and diagnosis to treatment and survivorship.
Some of the services our navigators provide include, helping patients make informed medical decisions and assisting with scheduling multiple appointments and tests.
Ask your doctor or nurse navigator if the Cancer Rehabilitation program is right for you, or call Rehabilitation Services at 913-791-4325 option two for more information, or to speak to one of our cancer rehabilitation therapists.
