Patient Perspective: Ellen
July 28, 2016. I can’t remember my husband’s birthday but I will never forget that day. It’s the day I began my journey as a breast cancer patient, diagnosed with invasive mammary carcinoma that had spread to my lymph nodes. This proved to be the toughest and in some ways, the most enlightening experience of my life. Life before surgery was very different. Packed with long work weeks that required significant amounts of global travel, I was always on the go, managing my work and personal life with fine precision and continuously working hard to keep my life under control. On July 28th, all of that changed. I was suddenly out of control of what was happening to me and my family. I was deeply impacted by both the physical effects of my cancer and the change in my perspective on life. My doctors provided excellent patient care but I still worried constantly. There are so many things going on with my body that no one seems to address. What exactly did the surgery entail? What can I do and not do? What type of bra should I be wearing? What are those ‘vein looking’ things (cords) under my arm? How do I get back the full use of my arm? Just to name a few. While the physical effects of my diagnosis were significant, the impact on my perspective was greater. Being home and away from the office for several months was eye opening. I felt closer to my son and husband, began to laugh more, and feel emotions more strongly than I had in years. I realized I had let my job consume my life–consume my time, my emotions and my general sense of well-being. That was something that had to change once this was all over. Enter TurningPoint. My call to them was the smartest decision of my journey! They not only help with the physical effects of my treatment, they provide unending support, guidance and compassion. You feel it from the moment you walk through the door and receive a warm smile and greeting from Sandy. Having physical therapy with Grayson and Anita is like visiting a girlfriend. I can pour my heart out to them and even cry (which has happened a few times) without feeling judged. They care about me, all of me. I have come to look forward to my visits and always feel great when I leave … physically and emotionally. I feel very blessed to have found TurningPoint!
Patient Perspective: Nancy
When I received my cancer diagnosis I was new to Atlanta and went back to Philadelphia (where I had lived for 40 years) for my surgeries and reconstruction. Traveling was a challenge but worth it emotionally. My husband, son and close friends offered support. My career has been mainly Interior Design and a Retail store…it was my vocation and my passion. I continued to work and complete the projects I had started. After the surgeries were completed I felt alone with a number of unanswered questions. I felt depressed and overwhelmed. TurningPoint gave me hope and understanding of what was happening to my body. They gave me a place to ask questions and felt safe. It was a very scary time for me, as it must be for many people. They helped me return to my hobbies, travel and antiquing and spending time with my grandchildren. TurningPoint gave me hope.
Patient Perspective: Peggy
September 2015 started out just like any other month. That was until I noticed some skin changes and saw my doctor. He sent me to have a mammogram and biopsies to discover what was happening. When I heard the words “you have cancer” it turned my world upside down. How would I tell my family? I have two boys and a husband that depend on me. Being very active at the time, I wondered how my life would change. It was determined that I would need aggressive treatment. Intense chemotherapy and radiation left me with many issues such as burning and shooting pain in my right arm upon lifting and lymphedema in my right arm. While shopping, I could not lift my arm to reach the top shelf. When I went to TurningPoint for help with my lymphedema, they took the time to evaluate me to see what my issues were. Their therapists were compassionate and put me at ease. TurningPoint determined that I did not have nerve damage, but had bad cording in my right arm. I was ecstatic when I heard they could work with me to get full mobility of my arm and remove the pain. TurningPoint fitted me for my glove and sleeve, and now my arm no longer swells while walking. The exercises they taught me keep my arm flexible and strong. Shopping is now a breeze and I can reach those top shelves. TurningPoint has allowed me to keep up with my hobbies. I enjoy painting with my pink sisters, keeping up with my family activities, cooking, playing with my toy poodle and helping others who have been diagnosed with cancer. TurningPoint has so many things to offer, from physical therapy to counseling services. At TurningPoint you are more than a patient, you are a person and a friend. The massage therapy keeps you physically able to do the things you love and the dietitian shows how to boost your immune system and reduce side-effects of chemotherapy. The counseling services help you cope and manage your stress. TurningPoint gave me my life back and I cannot thank them enough. I hope all women with breast cancer learn about TurningPoint because they provide the means to get your life back on track, and everyone deserves a chance to have a happy and healthy life.
March is National Nutrition Month®
Q: What is special about National Nutrition Month®? A: “Put Your Best Fork Forward”! National Nutrition Month® is a nutrition education campaign created every year in March by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. During the month of March we focus on the importance of making informed food choices. “Put Your Best Fork Forward” is this year’s theme, which serves as a reminder that each one of us holds the tool to make healthier food choices. Making small changes during National Nutrition Month®, and over time, helps improve health now and into the future. Evidence has proven that making dietary and lifestyle changes can prevent diseases even before they occur, and for cancer survivors this means a decreased chance for recurrence. Often times my patients come to see me frustrated and confused by all the conflicting nutrition information they’ve read or heard about on the internet, not to mention the “free” nutrition advice from family and friends. They are stressed, worried and fearful of eating the wrong thing, and come for guidance and clarification on what they should be eating. My approach is simple, make small changes and set attainable goals. Small changes reap large rewards, and simple, attainable goals are worth their weight in gold. My focus is to cut out foods that cause inflammation and add foods that decrease inflammation. The first step in doing this it to incorporate more plant-based foods, whole fruits and vegetables in particular. If there’s only one thing you’re willing to change, increased consumption of whole fruits and vegetables is one to work on. Striving to get a variety of color on your plate daily is an easy goal to attain. Variety is key. Each fruit and vegetable has a different vitamin and mineral profile, and by eating a rainbow of color every day you’re guaranteed the best benefit from your efforts. Try to incorporate the following colors daily. Nutrients in Red Fruits and Vegetables Include: Lycopene, ellagic acid, Quercetin, and Hesperidin, to name a few. These nutrients reduce the risk of prostate cancer, lower blood pressure, lower LDL cholesterol levels, scavenge harmful free radicals, and support healthy joints. Nutrients in Orange and Yellow Fruit and Vegetables Include: Beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, flavonoids, lycopene, potassium, and vitamin C. These nutrients reduce age-related macular degeneration and the risk of prostate cancer, lower LDL cholesterol and blood pressure, promote collagen formation and healthy joints, fight harmful free radicals, encourage alkaline balance, and work with magnesium and calcium to build healthy bones. Nutrients in Green Vegetables and Fruit Include: Chlorophyll, fiber, lutein, zeaxanthin, calcium, folate, vitamin C, calcium, and Beta-carotene. The nutrients found in these vegetables reduce cancer risks, lower blood pressure and LDL cholesterol levels, normalize digestion time, support retinal health and vision, fight harmful free radicals, and boost immune system activity Nutrients in White fruits and Vegetables Include: Beta-glucans, EGCG, SDG, and lignans that provide powerful immune boosting activity. These nutrients can reduce the risk of colon, breast, and prostate cancers. During National Nutrition Month and beyond, make small, healthier food choices, one forkful at a time.
