What does a patient navigator do?

What do you do?
Believe it or not, I get this question a lot. “What does a patient navigator do?”

I’m the person that takes all the stuff that gets in the way, out of the way, so you can get the care you need.

I used to be a runner. I didn’t do hurdles, but I remember always thinking, how do they do that?

Imagine us standing at the starting line, staring down the track at the rows of hurdles. I know you’re wondering, “How do I get over these?” But then you hear me say, “Wait a second,” as I walk down the track and remove each hurdle before walking back to the starting line so we can walk down your path together.

But what does that really look like?
When I become your patient navigator I can see the clinic schedule as well as what drugs you are taking. This allows me to populate my calendar with dates I know, from experience, you will most likely be experiencing side-effects. In my opinion, side effects can be one of the most scary things...what’s “normal” and to be expected and what’s not?

We’ll talk about your treatment experience. If necessary, we’ll get you back into the doctor, which starts with another phone call I make to your doctor’s nurse.

Going through any change alone, let alone treating your cancer, is tough. That’s why I’m here. Don’t be afraid to call. I can help you work through the obstacles but I can also just talk. Sometimes it’s nice to just think out loud with someone. That someone is me.

Part II: Five strategies for coping with fear of recurrence

In my previous post we talked about the fear your cancer will come back. If you missed it you can read it here (click on this link).

Strategies to cope with fear of recurrence include:

• Talking with your health care provider about a customized follow-up care plan based on your diagnosis and treatment.
• Gathering reputable, evidence-based information. Your health care team can help identify what symptoms to monitor and what not to worry about; every ache does NOT mean the cancer has recurred.
• Reducing your stress level. Different folks find different strategies helpful – experiment with a variety of methods (e.g., walks, yoga, gardening) and create a toolbox of calming thoughts and behaviors.
• Understanding that fear of recurrence is normal – you are not “crazy” for feeling fearful.
• Getting help.

Although fear of recurrence is a completely normal response, that does not mean you need to suffer through it alone. If the emotional upset interferes with what you want to be doing and thinking about, help is available (e.g., individual counseling, support groups, etc.). If you had diabetes no one would suggest that you simply will your blood sugar into a normal range. Cancer can be an isolating enough experience; you need not suffer the emotional roller coaster by yourself. Fear, anxiety, and depression can be treated and the quality of your life improved.

Many cancer survivors report that as they work through the distress, they feel renewed vigor, have a greater appreciation of life, improve their health behaviors, reassess their priorities, and experience a greater sense of “being in the moment.” Providence Regional Cancer System has resources and support to help you navigate fear of recurrence.

• Combating End of Treatment Stress
• Cancer Transitions Program: Have You Just Completed Active Cancer Treatment
• Survivorship Evenings & Free Resources

Bagpipes and fiddles are good for your soul!

Harmony & Hope
Tuesday, July 12, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Providence Regional Cancer System
4525 Third Avenue SE, Lacey
All are invited, to RSVP call 360.493.7768
View flyer >>

James Lechner, MD, oncologist and medical director of the Providence Regional Cancer System, had a brainstorm last year at band camp. An accomplished fiddle player himself, Dr. Lechner and his wife Michele, a bagpiper, regularly attend music schools, where they take intensive instruction from well-known, professional musicians.

Dr. Lechner was energized by the music of an ensemble of acclaimed Cape Breton fiddlers—and the idea for Harmony and Hope was born. Dr. Lechner invited his musical mentors to perform at the first Harmony and Hope concert in January of this year, featuring Cape Breton fiddlers Andrea Beaton and Glenn Graham playing alongside bagpiper Colin Gemmell.

Nearly 200 people attended; the enthusiastic reviews poured in.

Soon, a second Harmony and Hope celebration was on the books for July 12. Dr. Lechner says he has wanted to present an event like this for years. “I’ve had a desire to do some kind of culture and humanities program for local cancer patients, although I wasn’t sure what shape it might take,” he says. “I believe we humans need arts in our life. Patients in the middle of cancer treatment are not always able to enjoy art and music. They are wrapped up in therapy, they very likely feel ill a lot of the time. The pleasures of life are often put on the back burner during treatment.”

We hope all patients, family members, staff and others will enjoy the performance as part of a social outing, in a safe place where you already feel comfortable. See you there!

You might also like:

• It was a beautiful evening ...
• A little lotion and a lot of hope

Your treatment is over? ... but we're still here

A diagnosis of cancer and the subsequent treatment can feel overwhelming. The expectation is that when treatment ends, life will get back to “normal.” The days wind down and it is finally the last radiation treatment and/or chemotherapy infusion. You and your loved ones may expect that you will be immediately ready to jump back into your pre-cancer activities at 100%.

Surprisingly for some, ending active treatment is not the end of the cancer journey. Indeed, when treatment ends you may finally have the physical and emotional energy to start processing information and feelings that were too threatening to contemplate while rushing from doctor appointments to phone calls with the insurance company. You may feel abandoned and unsure of what to feel and do next. The transition from cancer patient to cancer survivor can be very challenging.

Some cancer survivors report that ending treatment is more stressful than the initial diagnosis. Although surgery, chemo and radiation are not pleasant, they feel like very powerful weapons. When they end, you may wonder how successfully you will be able to keep the cancer at bay. Furthermore, you may still be experiencing symptoms from the treatment such as fatigue and neuropathy; they do not end the moment you walk out of the cancer center on the last day of treatment.

You may feel inundated with a mountain of tasks that were put off while the treatment was ongoing. Unfortunately, the supportive folks who gathered round during the acute phase of your illness usually retreat during this transition time, thinking you do not need help anymore. You may even be told, “What are you worrying about? You’re done!”

You are not “done.” I would argue that the time when treatment ends is just the beginning; the beginning of processing one’s experience and starting to heal physically, emotionally and spiritually. And even if you are not cured of the cancer, healing is possible.

For those of you who have finished treatment, what challenges have you faced in making the transition from patient to survivor? Do you have any coping strategies you have found helpful?

Providence Regional Cancer System has resources and support to help you navigate through this transition.

• Combating end of treatment stress
• Free resources

Cancer Survivor Event: In your own words

Jan Crawford and her daughter Cortney Crawford join James Lechner, MD, medical director of the Providence Regional Cancer System, following his lecture on Patient Physician Communication. 
 

Another mother and daughter pair, Linda Buzbee and Norma Frey, take a break from the Survivor Celebration with Cobie Whitten, PhD, psycho-oncology consultant with Providence Regional Cancer System. Cobie spoke on Emotional Adjustments after Cancer.

Here's what a few participants had to say:

I enjoyed the presentations - very helpful and informative. I was somewhat reluctant to attend as I was recently diagnosed and had surgery and didn't know if I could deal with the info - it was uplifting and good to know about the resources available and everyone was so helpful and caring...It's nice to have a resource in the community.

This was a wonderful event. Thank you so much for this informational, inspirational and celebratory day...

I am so glad I came. I had been in the caregiver mode for about 15 months. My survivor just got married and moved. Seven days later my medical issues started and two days later I was diagnosed with cancer. This is a new look at the cancer world!! I needed this!

We loved seeing each and every one of you and can't wait to see you at our next event! Be sure to check the blog regularly for the latest and greatest happening at and around Providence Regional Cancer System.

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Did you miss the other presentations? View the rest of them online.