Support for Cancer Patients: Healing More Than The Body

The battle against cancer involves more than the body; the mind, emotions and spirit are affected as well. As a Christian healing ministry, Baptist provides cancer patients and their families with the physical, spiritual and emotional resources they need to face the demands of coping with a serious illness.

:: Cancer Patient Orientation Program
:: Cancer Rehab
:: Case Management
:: Creative Arts
:: Hats, Wigs, Prosthetic Bras
:: Hederman Room
:: Lymphedema Management Program
:: Mental Health Services
:: Nutritional Support
:: Pain Management
:: Pastoral Care
:: Pharmacy Services
:: Resource Library (This link will take you to the Hederman Cancer Center page.)
:: Salon Services
:: Serenity Garden (This link will take you to the Hederman Cancer Center page.)
:: Specialized Nursing
:: Support Groups, Educational Programs
:: Transportation Assistance (This link will take you to a different page.)
:: Additional links to outside resources

Cancer Patient Orientation Program
Baptist Cancer Services provides a patient orientation program that gives patients a complete overview of cancer treatment, combining information about radiation therapy, chemotherapy, nutrition and several other important topics. The program is offered twice a week. During orientation, each participant receives a handbook that contains all the information from the class, along with a calendar for recording doctors’ appointments; website resources; and a place to record their lab work, weight, and other information. The handbook is a useful tool for patients to use to keep all their information in one place and to make note of questions they want to ask their physicians on the days they have appointments. :: back to top

Cancer Rehab
Cancer Rehab is a free, supervised exercise program intended to help cancer patients combat fatigue during treatment. A nurse, an exercise physiologist and selected Healthplex staff oversee the program which includes a limited assessment, exercise on equipment, and chair aerobics. Classes are one hour in length and are offered on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons in the Activity Room located on the second floor of the Hederman Cancer Center. :: Click here for more information. :: back to top

Case Management
A case manager is available to help patients and their families with issues related to Medicaid, Medicare, SSI, Disability and Vocational Rehabilitation. :: back to top

Creative Arts Program
Baptist offers all patients the opportunity to participate in a creative arts programs. These programs are designed to help cancer patients communicate their feelings, tell their stories and assist and enhance the healing process while reducing the stress and anxiety often associated with their disease. All programs are free, but space is limited and registration is required.

Art Therapy
This series of art workshops is designed to help cancer patients express their feelings and experience themselves as unique and creative individuals. Participants do not have to be artists or have any art experience. The instructor is a licensed art therapist and all supplies are provided. Art Therapy meets in the Activity Room on the second floor of the Hederman Cancer Center. Call the Navigator at 601-974-6238 for a current schedule.

KnitTogether
This knitting group is designed to help cancer patients draw strength from each other and enjoy togetherness as a group. Each participant will be provided all materials for the first beginner project. The group meets in the Hederman Room on the fifth floor of Baptist Medical Center. Both beginners and experienced knitters are welcome. Appointments can also be made for individual instruction at the patient’s convenience. Call the Navigator at 601-974-6238 for a current schedule.
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Hat, Wigs, Prosthetic Bras at Appearances
Regardless of age, a woman's feelings of well-being are impacted by how she feels about her appearance. Appearances, located on the ground floor of the Hederman Cancer Center, offers a full range of products and services--from skin products to beautiful hats, scarves and wigs--to assist women with special appearance needs. For women battling breast cancer, Appearances offers an extensive line of breast protheses in various styles and sizes along with certified staff specially trained to provide fitting assistance. :: Click here for complete details about hours, other products and services.
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Hederman Room
Located on the inpatient cancer unit, this comfortable retreat offers home-like decor with comfortable chairs and sofa, books, a TV and VCR and games. This room is the location of a weekly Meet & Greet. :: back to top

Lymphedema Management Program
To assist patients with lymphedema, a not-uncommon side effect of some cancer treatments, Baptist offers a two-phase treatment program administered by a physical therapist certified in lymphedema management. The program involves gentle massage to reduce fluid build-up in affected areas, followed by the application of bandages to maintain a gentle pressure that keeps fluid from re-accumulating. :: back to top

Mental Health Services
Supportive counseling is available by a Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist and an Oncology Counselor to help cancer patients and their families develop coping strategies for managing the emotional aspects of cancer treatment. Strategies may include helping family members learn how they can support the cancer patient, and helping cancer patients learn how to effectively communicate their needs. :: back to top

Nutritional Support
A registered dietitian is available in the Hederman Cancer Center designated solely for cancer patients to provide one-on-one counseling to develop nutritional strategies to complement cancer treatment. :: back to top

Pain Management
Our pain management nurse is available to help patients manage pain at any point of treatment. :: back to top

Pastoral Care
Our chaplains are available to assist patients and families with the fear and emotional stress surrounding a cancer diagnosis. There is a chaplain on call around-the-clock to assist patients in the hospital. :: back to top

Pharmacy Services
A registered pharmacist offers patient education and serves patients' chemotherapy needs from a satellite pharmacy located adjacent to the Outpatient Infusion clinic on the second floor of the Hederman Cancer Center. :: back to top

Salon Services
Cancer patients are sometimes admitted for long periods of time. Baptist Cancer Services provides a salon for inpatients who may just want a shampoo or a cut. The salon is located just inside the Hederman Family Room on the cancer unit. :: back to top

Specialized Nursing
Included on staff at Baptist are a number of oncology certified nurses. Specially trained in the care of cancer patients, they are a valuable resource for cancer patients and their families. They are on hand to answer questions and to help patients understand more about cancer and treatments. Enterostomal nurses are here to assist patients with particular needs related to ostomies.
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Support Groups, Educational Programs
"The Positive Ones" breast cancer support group, "Us Too" prostate cancer support group, and "Walking Forward" gynecologic cancer support group are available for patients and their families. The groups meet periodically in the Hederman Cancer Center. Facilitated by professionals on staff at Baptist Cancer Services, support groups focus on helping patients learn coping skills by sharing information in a caring environment.

Baptist Cancer Services also provides many programs for patients and their families. Educational programs are offered on a regular basis on a variety of topics including “Nutrition for Cancer Patients,” “Managing Fatigue,” “Sleep Interventions,” and many more topics.

Programs are also offered in conjunction with the American Cancer Society, including “Look Good Feel Better,” a seminar that provides free cosmetics and instructions to women currently undergoing cancer treatment. The American Cancer Society also offers an interactive class, "I Can Cope," for those who are unable to attend classes in person. :: Click here to learn more about their online program.

Other educational programs are offered in partnership with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Please call the Navigator at 601-974-6238 if you would like to receive a monthly calendar of events. :: back to top

Additional Links to Outside Resources
:: CaringBridge
CaringBridge is a free, private, personalized website for easier communication with family and friends during a health crisis, treatment and recovery. The mission of CaringBridge is to bring together a global community of care powered by the love of family and friends in an easy, accessible and private way. When you click the CaringBridge link, you will be leaving Baptist's website. :: back to top