Informed Magazine - Winter 2009.pdf - Parma Community General ...

Lucky to be alive, survivor touts
Cancer Center’s caring team
Paula Hlucky walked into the
Emergency Department a year ago
certain that she was about to receive
a death sentence. Fear had prevented
her from pursuing a diagnosis that she
suspected would be breast cancer, and
she had little hope of recovering.
But hope is exactly what surgeon
Patrick Renner, MD – and the
Cancer Center’s team of
specialists – gave her.
“Honestly, Parma
Hospital saved my life,” said
Hlucky (pronounced “lucky”),
who was 44 at the time. “If
I had waited any longer, I
probably wouldn’t be here.”
Dr. Renner performed a
biopsy and diagnosed Hlucky
with advanced breast cancer. He then
referred her to Breast Health Educator
Jessica Young and Anmarie Haynes, an
oncology social worker. Both women
guided Hlucky through her treatment,
which included both chemotherapy and
radiation therapy.
Young facilitates the Breast Cancer
Support Group, which draws a few
dozen survivors from all over the
region on the third Wednesday of every
month. From sessions on yoga and
upper body exercise instruction from a
physical therapist to guidance on finding
undergarments for prostheses and even
a Silly Hat Day to show off wigs and hats
for chemotherapy patients, the group has
grown a strong following.
Lollie Stager, a member of the
Kindred Spirits survivor network
exclusively for breast cancer patients
at Parma Hospital, says the energy
flowing through the survivor
meetings is powerful. Stager
places calls to breast cancer
patients shortly after their
surgery, and directs them
to the resources they may
need.
“When you have
walked in their shoes, you
can understand the shock
of the diagnosis and the
fear of the changes it may bring to
their life,” Stager said.
Hlucky found comfort in the
American Cancer Society program
“Look Good, Feel Better.” The two-hour
sessions hosted bimonthly involve
advice from a licensed cosmetologist on
ways to manage skin changes and hair
loss. Patients receive complimentary
cosmetics, fragrances and toiletries.
But what lifts Hlucky’s spirits most
is knowing she can reach people like
Young and Haynes when she needs
them.
“It’s been a long road, but I’m on the
road to recovery,” Hlucky declares.
“Thank you for
helping to save
my life…
All your help has
really brightened
my days.”
- Paula
Accredited with
commendation
Both men and women have a one in three risk
of developing invasive cancer in their lifetimes,
according to state data. Parma Hospital’s Cancer
Center provides a healing environment with
compassionate caregivers along with the most
up-to-date medical and radiation therapies for
patients facing this challenging disease.
The Commission
on Cancer recently
awarded a three-year
accreditation with
commendation to the Cancer Center, whose
physicians are affiliated with the Cleveland
Clinic’s Taussig Cancer Center, ranked #1
in Ohio by US News & World Report. The
accreditation gave special recognition to quality
improvements, compliance and an active
outreach program.
New technology guides treatment
Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) is the
latest treatment available at Parma Hospital’s
Cancer Center. IGRT will be used in many types
of cancer, including cancers of the prostate,
head and neck, upper abdomen and the
extremities.
With IGRT, the treatment team has a threedimensional
view inside the patient. The
equipment is engineered to function with the
patient on the table so adjustments can be
made with the patient in place.
“This is the latest generation of imaging
technology on the radiation treatment machine,”
said Suzan Cheng, MD, a radiation oncologist.
“IGRT heightens our ability to position the
patient accurately to target radiation and assess
the response of the tumor to the treatment.”
These high-tech advancements are backed by a
comprehensive network of support for patients.
“Once treatment commences, each team
member provides personalized attention to
meeting the psychological, social and spiritual
needs of each patient and family,” said Dr.
Cheng. “We believe our comprehensive support
is integral to their positive experience.”
Paula Hlucky, center, found hope in the resources
and guidance provided by Oncology Social Worker
Anmarie Haynes, left, and Breast Health Educator
Jessica Young, right. The trio is pictured here in
the Resource Library in Parma Hospital’s Cancer
Center, a place that evokes a feeling of peace for
patients like Hlucky, on the 1-year anniversary of
her diagnosis of breast cancer.
Winter 2009 Informed 3