Thrive: Survivorship Digital Magazine, Vol. 1, No. 2

Welcome to Thrive

April- June, 2023 Vol. 1, No. 2

As we all thaw out from the long winter months, we hope you enjoy this spring edition of our quarterly Survivorship digital magazine, Thrive. Please check out our new resources guide, our survivor stories, and the great upcoming events.

Designed for adult cancer survivors and their loved ones living with, through, and beyond cancer, the goals of Thrive are to provide important information, share inspiring stories, and offer helpful resources across our Network.

If you have any questions on our content, or ideas for articles in upcoming editions, please contact Amy Litterini at amy.litterini@mainehealth.org. If you haven’t already, please click here to sign-up for future editions.

New Resources Guide Available

In collaboration with our navigation and social work teams, and our community partners, a new resources guide has been developed. Our goal is to provide helpful local, regional, and national sources of information and support. Click HERE to access the guide.

Chapter 1 Survivor to Survivor

Meet Amber…….6

Meet Kim……. 10

Chapter 2 Prevention, Monitoring & Testing

Esophageal Cancer Awareness..19

Head & Neck Cancer Awareness..20

Skin Cancer Awareness…21

Testicular Cancer Awareness..22

Bladder Cancer Awareness…23

Breast & Cervical Cancer

Screening ...24

Chapter 3 Assessment & Treatment

Oncology Nutrition…26

Oncology Rehabilitation…28

Addressing Fatigue…29

What is Palliative Care?...31

Clinical Trials…32

Chapter 4 Care Coordination and Planning

Financial Navigation…36

Chapter 5 Health Promotion

Livestyle Medicine…39

Community Nutrition…41

LiveStrong Programs…43

Oncology Yoga…44

Chapter 6 Network News

News from our Partners…45

Chapter 7 Survivorship Resources ending Library…53

Art Therapy for Radiation Masks..58

Drive Fore The Cure…59

Reel Recovery…60

Relay for L fe…61

Tri for a Cure…62

Walk for Life…63

“Springwillcomeandsowill happiness.Holdon.Lifewillget warmer.”~ Anita Krizzan

Survivor to Survivor

Meet Amber

In 2018, then 34 year-old Amber Faudree had a sensation of stinging on the left side of her tongue. It happened on and off, so she thought it might be due to anxiety from being in a friend’s upcoming wedding, or something that she was doing subconsciously or unknowingly like while sleeping, such as biting her tongue. She also thought maybe she was putting pressure on that area of her tongue with her teeth, like a friction of sorts.

So in the spring of 2019, she mentioned it when she went to see her dentist for her routine cleaning. There was nothing visible, so they agreed to monitor it. By her next dental appointment in the fall of 2019, her dentist suggested that if something was there at her next appointment in six months, they’ll consider looking into it further. By January of 2020, the area of stinging had become a small, red spot on the left side of her tongue and Amber took a picture to document it. In the spring of 2020, of course the pandemic hit, and everything shut down. Subsequently, her follow-up dentist appointment for that spring was cancelled because the office was closed. The spot was still small, red, felt raw, and started to get irritated by eating spicy food. By July, the spot was still there, but it had actually become a small crater, and was more of an indentation at that point. Her speech started to change as she was trying to avoid using that side

of her tongue while she was talking. Food began to get stuck in the indentation, so she decided it would be best to see her PCP.

Her nurse practitioner Brooklee Marshall set up a biopsy with a local ENT (ear, nose and throat physician), which took 5-6 weeks to get the appointment. Subsequently, after speaking with her mother, Amber decided to call back to her PCP to see if they could get her an appointment sooner somewhere else. Luckily, they were able to get her in with Dr. Shane Griffith sooner at Mid Coast Hospital. Due to the pandemic, she was not allowed to have anyone accompany her for any of her appointments. A few days after the biopsy, Amber then received the call that no one wants to get and she instantly knew something was wrong. Brooklee from her primary care office was on the line saying: “Are you home? Are you in a safe place?” She was then told it was cancer, and the biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue. Everyone was surprised and confused because she was young and healthy, never smoked, was only a social drinker, and really had no other risk factors.

Dr. Griffith referred Amber for a consultation with ENT surgeon Dr. Christina Mimikos at Maine Medical Partners Otolaryngology in

Amber recovering in the hospital

Scarborough the following week. By August 19th, she had her consultation and was scheduled for surgery for a hemiglossectomy (partial removal of the tongue), a neck dissection (removal of lymph nodes to stage the cancer), and reconstruction using tissue from her right forearm (a radial forearm free flap procedure). She was connected with a nurse navigator, Amber O’Leary, and referred to a speech language pathologist, radiation oncologist, dentist, and plastic surgeon. Her surgery took place on August 31, 2020, and it took 9 1/2 hours to complete for the procedures on the tongue and neck, as well as reconstruction of the tongue with tissue harvested from her forearm, and then to close the forearm surgical wound by Dr. Zelones. She stayed in the hospital for the following two weeks. Due to the pandemic, only one visitor at a time was permitted during her hospital stay, so the isolation and loneliness were difficult. The surgical oncology floor at Maine Medical Center was a mix of patients, due to the hospital needing more beds for patients with Covid. Amber remembers when she first got to her room from recovery how intrigued and excited her nurse was, because she was an actual surgical oncology patient, when all she had been caring for were patients with COVID While hospitalized, Amber had a tracheostomy (small surgical opening into the trachea [windpipe] for placement of a tube for air exchange), as well as a nasogastric (NG) tube placed for fluids and nutrition directly into the

nose and through the throat into the stomach. She found it frustrating to not be able to talk or convey what she needed at times. Visits with the respiratory therapist, although necessary to help keep her lungs clear, weren’t fun.

The area of surgery on her forearm and wrist healed well, although she lost some sensation in her hand and required a skin graft from her thigh to cover the area. Of the lymph nodes removed from her neck, one of twenty were positive for cancer cells resulting in her final diagnosis of T4aN1M0 tongue cancer. She was discharged on September 11, 2020, but not before agreeing to have a gastrostomy feeding tube (G-tube) inserted through her abdomen directly into her stomach for nutrition. She had some visiting nurses come to her home, and was doing her feeding with the G-tube at night. She did have some nausea associated with her nutrition because she was lying down flat while sleeping, but she found it hard to sleep at an angle. She had a speech therapist helping her to regain the use of her tongue for speech and swallowing during her recovery.

She was referred to medical oncology to consider chemotherapy, which was recommended, Continued

Amber having an infusion in medical oncology

Amber celebrating the end of radiation therapy

along with concurrent radiation therapy, both performed at Central Maine Medical Center close to her home. She had a venous access device, also called a port, placed in her chest for infusions. The question came up about her future fertility at the beginning of treatment, but due to insurance issues and lack of time to decide (as her radiation therapy had already started), she was unable to harvest and freeze any of her eggs. She had thirty radiation treatments and four chemotherapy infusions of the drug cisplatin. She also had weekly infusions of fluid to maintain her hydration.

The chemotherapy caused Amber to lose the lower half of her hair, but she completed all of her treatments on November 13, 2020. As she was going through treatment, she walked her dog, Todd, three times a day.

This was a good way to get out of the house and stay active, which likely kept some of the treatmentrelated fatigue away. Amber also thinks Todd knew

something was wrong with her because he stayed by her side at all times before her diagnosis, and didn't want to leave her.

Amber was off work for six months, but on March 3, 2021, she went back to Talbots in Freeport. She started slowly at 32 hours a week, for four days a week, so that she could see how she tolerated it. As far as side effects, Amber did experience some lymphedema (swelling) associated with her surgery and radiation, for which she saw a physical therapist (PT) who performed manual lymphatic drainage massage and compression. She was taught how to do selfmassage to keep the area from swelling, as well as jaw and neck range of motion exercises prescribed by her PT to maintain her flexibility.

Her best advice for other survivors is to:

“Advocate for yourself! Don't be scared….you're not alone. Listen to your doctors. I felt very safe, and well taken care of. It didn't make sense to be afraid and to not ask questions. Make sure you take time to heal. Don't rush. I would not change a thing!”

Amber has a Facebook page called “Cancer is only a chapter, not the whole story”. She recommends that survivors speak to people with a similar diagnosis and experience for inspiration and support. Amber said she feels like this article was: “A full circle feeling for me, how I feel like this is why I went through this journey I did. Or, why I was put on this earth, to do exactly what this is doing, going to help and inspire people. I'm thankful for Dr. Mimikos, and my nurse navigator Amber, for nominating me for this interview!”

Amber holding Todd

Even compression for lymphedema can be glamorous, if you decide it is!

Melanoma survivor Kim

McLaughlin (holding Calypso) enjoys taking care of her grandkids and helping with the animals on her daughter’s farm, Marbell

Acres, in Woolwich.

Meet Kim

KimMcLaughlinistheTownClerkof OldOrchardBeach,andamelanoma survivor. Sheagreedtoshareherstoryinher ownwordswiththegoal,“tosavesomeone’s life”.

January 3rd , 2017, began as any other day. I was still on vacation from Christmas, my favorite time of the year. I was taking a shower and shaving my legs when I noticed a new mole on my right, lower leg. It was small, about the size of a pinhead, but it was a raised bump. I thought it was strange, so I took a photo of it before going to bed that night to see if it stays the same or changes over time.

Over the next few months it got slightly larger, darker and it was itchy sometimes. I had a dermatologist appointment on May 9th , so I thought I would mention it to her. I also had a mole on my upper right front shoulder that I’ve had for years. Every time I would go out in the sun, I tried to put sunscreen on it, but I think I went more times without than with. It was also unsightly.

When I saw the dermatologist, she asked if I had any concerns. I have been going to this dermatologist for several years for yearly checkups. My primary care physician is a strong believer in having your skin checked every year. I told her about the mole on my lower leg. She looked at it with a naked eye and then through a glass instrument and said it was fine that it looked just like the other mole I had just an inch or so away, that I’ve had about 20 years.

I told her how it had grown since January and it sometimes itched. I then told her about my shoulder mole. She said if they concerned me, she would remove the two I was concerned about, but that they didn’t concern her. The procedure was quick and painless, practically. I had one removed in the past that was tested and turned out benign. She wiped my skin, took a needle to inject me with Novocain and within five seconds she scraped it off and it was done. She did that to both spots and I was out the door

with a scheduled, routine appointment for the following year. I never thought another thing of it, because my dermatologist didn’t.

May 17th…my mom had died on December 3rd , 2016, from kidney cancer. My sister and I hadn’t sold her house yet, which was directly across the street from me. My daughter, Megan, and I decided to take the dogs, after work, to my mom’s fenced in yard and let them play. At 6:18 p.m., my cell phone rings. It was a Portland phone number, but I had no idea who it was. I answered the phone it was my dermatologist. She asked me if I was driving…I knew right then something was wrong. She said I was right to be concerned. The test came back that the mole on my lower leg was melanoma. She asked me to get a pen and paper and write down what she said. I was so scared, I ran to my house and grabbed pen and paper and I have no idea what I wrote. All I remember is her telling me that they have come a long way, and people are living longer now, and that she wanted me in for surgery within two weeks.

I walked back to see Megan, and she saw that I was crying. She asked what was wrong and I told her what I remembered from the conversation. We hugged, neither one of us knowing what to think or what would happen next. I immediately called my other daughter, Kristie. She said she would leave work and come here, but I told her there wasn’t anything she could do right now, and to stay at work. I then called my sister, Kelly, who was temporarily living in Colorado. She had just flown out with her son, Gage, for his birthday and our mom’s memorial; now, she’s coming back, again. I loved to see her, and missed her, but I wished she was here under better circumstances.

After I spoke with Kelly on the phone, Megan and I went in the house to wait for my fiancé, George, to come home from a meeting. When he came home, I asked him to sit down, that I had something to tell him. He said we would handle it together.

I wasn’t sure what to think after that night. I was scared, but I didn’t want to believe I had it. If I did, I hadn’t heard of anyone dying from it, and it doesn’t run in my family. I was still scared…scared of what would happen to me, scared for my family, and scared of the operation and its results. I started putting together what I call my “death book”. I wanted to make sure my family knew where everything was my will, my life insurance, car and house insurance, how my mortgage got paid, water, electric, students loans, credit card. You never really think about it. If I’m gone, they need to still function. It’s one less thing to worry about while they are grieving. I was kind of in a daze that week. I went to work and told my staff my diagnosis, and the Assistant Town Manager, so they would know I would be out and why. They were so supportive at work.

On May 23rd I had my consultation with my surgeon (Kim’s surgeon no longer works for MaineHealth). My fiancé George, and daughters Megan and Kristie, all came with me for support. The surgeon explained the procedure she wanted to do wide excision and sentinel lymph node biopsy. She asked me about the other mole. I told her I had that other (the one about an inch away) for about 20 years. She said she was still concerned about it, and asked me if she could remove it. I thought it would be just like what the dermatologist did. Either way, I knew it had to be done. It was definitely not what I expected. She wiped the area clean and then took a needle and inserted it into my leg around the mole; but unlike the dermatologist, she didn’t stop. She put so much Lidocaine in my leg that the whole area around the mole was swollen like I had hives. She then had what she called a “cookie cutter” and punched the mole. It didn’t hurt, but I just stared at it hanging there. She took tweezers, removed it, stitched it, then bandaged it. It bled through the bandage for almost a week. She said she would have the results of that biopsy by the day of surgery so if she had to, she could take care of both at the same time. She said she thought that because my melanoma was on my lower leg, that it would go through my lymphatic

system to my lymph nodes behind my knee, and that’s where she would remove the lymph node, but she would know more once the imaging was done the day of surgery.

We tried to get the surgery scheduled ASAP, but the earliest date was May 31st . I continued to work, even doing the Memorial Day Parade on May 29th . Kelly and Gage flew in that night, and the whole family left for Maine Medical for a 7:45 a.m. appointment at nuclear medicine. The surgery would not be until 11 a.m.

I met with the technician, who explained the first part of the procedure. He was going to insert a needle at four different spots around the mole and inject a blue dye. He would then monitor the travelling of the dye to see which lymph node it traveled to. If the melanoma was travelling, that would be the closest lymph node. I removed my lower clothing and put a robe on. I laid on the table. He said he could give me a shot of lidocaine, but that it would only work at the surface and these needles went deeper than that. I decided to move forward without it. The first needle stung like a bee sting ouch, but the pain subsided quickly. He said we could wait before the next one, but I said I just wanted to get it done like the saying about a Band-Aid®. We did all four, and then into the machine. He said it would take up to two hours to travel (that’s why the surgery was scheduled at 11 am). Within ten minutes, it travelled to the lymph node in my groin. He marked it with a marker so the surgeon would know which one to remove. I asked him if it was good or bad that it travelled that fast. He just said it meant I had a good lymphatic system. He then took me back to my family, and walked us to where we would sign in for surgery.

We sat down and they called me to the desk, and gave me a black call box, like at a restaurant. I asked if it reached to the cafeteria. The room was so crowded, there wasn’t any room and my family was hungry. I couldn’t eat, but I wanted them to. I was told it would reach,

Impacting Melanoma in Maine

Left: Laurie Seavey, Practice Safe Skin Manager for Impact Melanoma, and right, Kim McLaughlin, Town Clerk of Old Orchard Beach, with newly installed sunscreen dispensers in Old Orchard Beach in 2021.

so we went there. Within a few minutes, my beeper went off so we went back. The nurse signed me in and then said I could go back to the cafeteria. A little while later, it buzzed again at 10:15 a.m. We went back and the nurse met me again, and took me in. She forgot I was in the cafeteria. She said, “You didn’t eat anything, did you?” I told her I was hungry, but I knew I couldn’t eat anything.

I was brought in the pre-op area, where I was met by the surgeon, the nurses, and the anesthesiologist. They put an IV in my hand and rolled me into the operating room. My family each had a moment to visit with me before I went in. The room was small, so only two could be there at a time. Well, George, Megan, Kristie and Kelly all took turns, two at a time. Gage stayed in the waiting room since he was only seven; it would be too scary for him and he wouldn’t understand, so a family member always stayed with him.

They wheeled me into the operating room and transferred me to the table. They told me they would put a breathing tube down my throat, but it would be put in after I was asleep and removed before I awoke. I was nervous about that because when my mom had surgery, they hit a sensory nerve and she never smelled or tasted anything the rest of her life…ten plus years.

I also told the anesthesiologist I didn’t want to wake up during surgery, but didn’t want to sleep for hours like my last surgery in 1999. He said they have come a long way. He put a mask on my face, and told me to relax and breathe deeply. I was waiting for him to ask me to count, but I was out before my third deep breath.

I woke up in post-op. I had been out less than two hours, including the surgery. I couldn’t tell that I had even had the tube in my throat. I couldn’t feel any pain. They moved me to another curtained room again, only a couple people could come in. I had something to drink and crackers; of course I saw nurses and the surgeon. They removed the IV and I got

dressed. The surgeon said to call and schedule a follow- up. George went to get the car and I was transported out in a wheelchair.

The pain didn’t hit for a couple of days. My first follow-up was on June 9th . Kelly had already flown back to Colorado, but George, Megan and Kristie took me. When they had done the surgery, they couldn’t close the gap, so they had taken a donor graft from my thigh and used blue mesh to put over the hole. I was told it would eventually fill in. Well, that graft was more painful than the other two procedures. After two days, and blood seeping through the bandage, we changed the bandage OMG. The bandage stuck to the graft ouch. I cried when I changed that bandage. Well it continued to bleed, so I called the doctor’s office and said it was still bleeding a few days later. They said not to remove the bandage, but keep putting more bandages on top. Well it kept bleeding, and I kept adding more bandages. On the day of the follow-up, by the time I got there, I had bled through my pants. They changed the bandage. Then they looked at my lymph node incision, which had plastic strips on the top of stitches and said that was healing well. They went to take off the bandage where my melanoma was. They told me to “be prepared”, that it was going to “look a lot different than what I would think”. The nurse took the ace bandage off, then the gauze, then removed the yellow Xeroform® OMG I was shocked, and so was my family. I couldn’t believe it. She was right…I wasn’t prepared. There was a big hole with blue mesh in it, and 12 staples all around the edges. They had also sutured the bandage in, so I also had four marks where the stitches were. Above the wound was the word “YES”. The nurse said they write that in ink to make sure they have the correct leg. The surgeon looked at it, and said another week before I could shower ugh. Also, they wanted to wait another week before removing the staples. The nurse was then telling us about the bandaging needed for daily dressing changes.

The Xeroform® needed to be folded like an accordion, and placed over the wound. It was painful. She was pressing on the staples and the wound. Her words hit me, though, “You can be killed with kindness”. In other words, this may be painful but it has to be done. A 3x3 gauze pad with saline solution went next, then a dry 4x4 gauze pad, then a gauze wrap was put on. Then, she wrapped me from toes to knee in two ace bandages. I was told that visiting nurses could change the bandage for me each day at the house, because I wouldn’t be able to do it on my own, and I didn’t want my fiancé or children to have to do it.

The next day, a visiting nurse came to the house and asked if I was going to work, which I was. She said visiting nurses are only for people who are homebound, so she wouldn’t be able to come and change my bandage each day. So, I had no choice. She taught my fiancé how to do it, and he had to change it each day.

June 26th was my fiancé’s family vacation in New York, and we drove there. My foot was so swollen, I spent most of the time lying in bed with my foot elevated that week.

On July 19th the surgeon said for me to get a compression stocking. I went to a distributor in Scarborough and they outfitted me for an expensive compression stocking. Well, the fluid came out the melanoma surgery wound. I called the doctor, and she said to take off the stocking. An infection was diagnosed on July 21st , and more wound care and two rounds of antibiotics followed.

On July 30th , I hosted my daughter Kristie’s bridal shower. I was so worried it wouldn’t be perfect because I was still recovering. My cousin Debbie and my Aunt Priscilla helped, as did my co-worker Charlene, and it was great.

On August 3rd , I had to teach a New Clerks Workshop in Waterville. Luckily, my co- worker was attending the class, so she drove me August 5th was Illumination Night in Ocean Park. I never miss Illumination Night, but I did that year. I just couldn’t walk it.

On August 8th, I had my three-month follow up with my dermatologist. She said to scrape off the surface of the wound to speed the healing of my melanoma surgical site. She also said I would have a permanent indent.

On August 11th , the surgeon said they would continue to monitor the redness and soreness for infection. She said I could walk, but no exercise. The foot would continue to swell until the lymph node healed.

On August 26th , I was actually able to walk in the Save a Stray in Freeport. It was rough, though.

On September 1st , I had my last appointment with the surgeon. She said there wasn’t anything further she could do, and it would have to continue to heal on its own, which could take up to a year.

February 27th , 2018, my dermatologist saw another mole, this time on my left knee. She removed it. Phew, a week later her nurse called to say it was benign.

In 2021, Kim partnered with ImpactMelanomaas an advocate for melanoma prevention and awareness, and was the inspiration for the installation of the sunscreen dispensers around Old Orchard Beach and at other locations.

Fast forward to 2023, Kim credits her PCP for suggesting regular check-ups with a dermatologist, and knows she was her own best advocate when she knew something wasn’t right on her skin. She hopes her story will inspire others.

For more information about melanoma and advocacy activities, please see next, and go to: https://impactmelanoma.org/.

PARTNERS IN PREVENTION.

WHERE SUPPORT IS NEEDED, SUPPORT IS GAINED

We know full well that a melanoma diagnosis can be a vulnerable time in a person’s life. It’s hard to grasp, and often, it’s even more difficult to know where to turn when looking for some shouldered support. IMPACT Melanoma recognizes the strength that group settings can have when people come together to share sensitive feelings and concerns about their illness. Thus, we’ve long been on the forefront of offering support groups for patients and caregivers as an outlet to address fears and uncertainties surrounding a lifealtering diagnosis.

All of our support groups offered through IMPACT melanoma are free of charge and are available in multiple locations, including virtual support groups for those who may not be able to attend an in-person group.

By coming together with others at support groups, patients and caregivers can:

• Gain information about this disease

• Reduce feelings of isolation

• Develop coping skills

ARE YOU IN NEED OF A SUPPORT GROUP?

We have many support groups in place to help you navigate your personal journey with people who have walked down a similar path, including a virtual group open to all patients regardless of where they seek treatment.

For more information about our Support Group program(s), www.impactmelanoma.org/get-support.

“Our support group has been key to my well-being through my diagnosis and healing. We learn so much from each other’s experiences regarding treatment decisions and how a diagnosis effects every aspect of life. It’s so immensely helpful to receive the unique support from others who also have a melanoma diagnosis.”

- Frank

Prevention, monitoring and routine testing for new cancers, cancer recurrence, and/or late effects of cancer treatment

This quarter, we feature awareness of esophageal, head and neck, skin, testicular and bladder cancers.

TwotypesofEsophagealCancer:

1)Adenocarcinoma, the type most common in the western world, which usually results from long lasting reflux disease, and

2)Squamous Cell Carcinoma, which is often linked to smoking and drinking alcohol.

EsophagealCancer is INCREASINGRAPIDLY

The type of Esophageal Cancer caused by reflux disease is increasing at a faster rate than any other cancer in the U.S. Sadly,only those who catch their cancer at the earliest stages are likely to be cured. So finding the cancer early is very important.

Only one in five patients diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer will survive five years because it is most often caught at late stages. The disease is often only discovered when patients have a hard time swallowing because of a large tumor in their esophagus.

Though considered a rare disease, Esophageal Cancer takes more American lives each year than melanoma skin cancer or cervical cancer.

Screening for Barrett'sEsophagusand EsophagealCancer

The best way to diagnose Barrett's Esophagus or Esophageal Cancer is to look into the esophagus with a special camera. This procedure is called an "upper endoscopy" or EGO.

A doctor will pass a flexible tube with a light and camera on the end through the mouth and into the esophagus and stomach. Patients are given medicine to help them avoid discomfort and they sleep through the procedure (sedation). This can be done at the same time as a colonoscopy which screens for colon cancer.

Newer technologies are also available that don't require patients be sedated, such as a scope that goes through the patient's nose or a small camera fitted in a pill that patients can swallow

If Esophageal Cancer is caught in early stages, or even before it becomes cancer, patients have a good chance for survival. That is why it is important to pay attention to symptoms of GERD.

TalktoyourDOCTOR about your concerns if:

You have more than occasional heartburn symptoms

You have experienced heartburn in the past, but the symptoms have gone away

You have any pain or difficulty swallowing

You have a family history of Barrett's Esophagus or Esophageal Cancer

You have an ongoing, unexplained cough

You have been speaking with a hoarse voice over several weeks

You have a long lasting, unexplained sore throat

You cough or choke when you lie down

A white or red patch on the gums, the tongue, or the lining of the mouth

Lump or a sore in the mouth, throat or neck that does not heal

Pain in the mouth, neck, throat, upper teeth, face, or chin that does not go away

Sinuses that are blocked and do not clear, or chronic sinus infections that do not respond to treatment with antibiotics

Bleeding through the nose

Unusual bleeding in the mouth

Change or hoarseness in the voice

Trouble breathing or speaking

Pain or ringing in the ears, or trouble hearing

A sore throat that does not go away

Difficulty or pain when swallowing

Numbness or paralysis of the muscles in the face

Swelling or other trouble with the eyes

Frequent headaches

Swelling of the jaw

SPOT SKIN CANCER™

1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.

The ABCDEs of Melanoma

Anyone can get skin cancer, regardless of skin color.

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. However, when detected early, melanoma can be effectively treated. You can identify the warning signs of melanoma by looking for the following:

When caught early, skin cancer is highly treatable.

Skin Cancer Self-Examination

How to Check Your Spots:

A B C E

A stands for ASYMMETRY One half of the spot is unlike the other half.

D 6mm

B stands for BORDER The spot has an irregular, scalloped, or poorly defined border.

C stands for COLOR The spot has varying colors from one area to the next, such as shades of tan, brown or black, or areas of white, red, or blue.

D stands for DIAMETER While melanomas are usually greater than 6 mm, or about the size of a pencil eraser, when diagnosed, they can be smaller.

E stands for EVOLVING The spot looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape, or color.

Example:

Performing a skin self-exam means taking note of all the spots on your body, from moles to freckles to age spots. Skin cancer can develop anywhere on the skin and is one of the few cancers you can usually see on your body. Ask someone for help when checking your skin, especially in hard-to-see places like the scalp and back. Follow these steps:

1 2 3 4 5

Examine your body front and back in a mirror, then look at the right and left sides with your arms raised. Examine the back of your neck and scalp with a hand mirror. Part your hair for a closer look at your scalp. Bend your elbows and look carefully at your forearms, underarms, and palms.

Check your back and buttocks with a hand mirror.

Finally, look at the backs of your legs and feet, the spaces between your toes, and the soles of your feet.

If you wear nail polish, remember to check your nails when the polish is removed.

To learn more about skin cancer detection and prevention, talk to a board-certified dermatologist or visit SpotSkinCancer.org

A testicular self-exam is an easy way to identify testicular tumors, or other problems, and can be lifesaving. All men and teenage boys should learn how to do a testicular self-exam.

The best time to examine your testicles is just after a warm bath or shower, the scrotal skin will be relaxed. It’s best to do the exam while standing up. It only takes a few minutes.

How to do a Testicular Self-exam:

1. Examine each testicle. Gently but firmly roll each testicle between the thumb and forefingers of both hands. Feel the whole surface. The firmness of the testicle should be the same all around. It’s normal for one of the testicles to be slightly larger than the other.

2. Find the epididymis and vas deferens. These are soft tube or cord-like structures above and behind the testicle. Become familiar with how these cords feel so you can note any changes.

3. Look for lumps, swelling or things that don’t seem right. Lumps or bumps are not normal (even if they cause no pain). Pain is also not normal.

4. Check yourself at least once per month. Regularly look for any changes in size, shape or texture.

If you notice a lump or any changes over time, you should seek medical advice. It may not be testicular cancer, but if it is, this cancer can spread quickly When it’s found early, testicular cancer is curable

Testicular Self-Exams

About the Urology Care Foundation

The Urology Care Foundation is the world’s leading urologic foundation – and the official foundation of the American Urological Association. We provide information for those actively managing their urologic health and those ready to make health changes. Our information is based on the American Urological Association resources and is reviewed by medical experts. To learn more, visit the Urology Care Foundation’s website, UrologyHealth.org/UrologicConditions or go to UrologyHealth.org/FindAUrologist to find a doctor near you.

Disclaimer

This information is not a tool for self-diagnosis or a substitute for professional medical advice. It is not to be used or relied on for that purpose. Please talk to your urologists or health care provider about your health concerns. Always talk to a health care provider before you start or stop any treatments, including medications.

For more information, visit UrologyHealth.org/Order or call 800-828-7866.

Blood in urine

Main symptoms

Frequent urination or pain when urinating

Abdominal, lower back & pelvic pain

Repeated urinary tract infections

Incontinence

Tiredness

Main

Smoking and other tobacco

causes

Weight loss

Parasitic infections

Past radiation

Exposure to chemicals, exposure inflammation especially at work

Chronic bladder

It is not always clear what causes bladder cancer, and some people can be diagnosed without having had exposure to any of the listed causes.

Assessment & Treatment

Assessment and treatment of long term or late effects of cancer treatment

This quarter, we feature oncology nutrition, addressing fatigue, speech therapy, and palliative care.

The Role of Clinical Nutrition in Oncology

By Katelyn DeRaps, MS, RD, LD, Clinical Dietitian, Southern Maine Health Care

Consuming a healthy diet is commonly considered in discussions involving oncology care. Not only can a healthy diet help to prevent many cancers, nutritional strategies are integral throughout the entire continuum of cancer, starting at diagnosis, continuing throughout treatment, rehabilitation, and survivorship. Optimal nutrition is necessary to maintain health and strength in order to help fight cancer. Registered Dietitians (“RDs”) are an essential part of the multidisciplinary team involved in the care of patients with cancer.

What does an oncology dietitian do?

As the experts and leaders in human nutrition, Registered Dietitians are qualified to develop and implement strategies to optimize dietary intake for patients diagnosed with cancer. Dietitians help to diagnose, prevent, and treat some common adverse effects of cancer such as malnutrition and unintended weight loss. Each of these have been shown to result in subsequent issues, such as:

 Poor ability to tolerate treatments

 Decreased physical function and performance

 Lower quality of life

 Increased risk of surgical complications

 Poor wound healing

 Increased risk of cancer progression and recurrence

 Reduced survival

 Increased morbidity and mortality

 Improve or maintain body weight and muscle mass

 Increase energy and strength

 Improve patients’ ability to tolerate treatment

 Decrease treatment interruptions and side effects

 Aid in healing and recovery

 Support immune function

 Improve long-term patient outcomes.

How it Works:

Dietitians can help fight against cancer-related malnutrition, including preventing or slowing down the rate of unintentional weight loss, by:

a. Helping patients maximize calorie and protein intake, such as: 1) providing recommendations for oral nutrition supplements, meal and snack ideas and recipes; and 2) assisting with the management of tube feeding and/or alternative forms of artificial nutrition if needed (IV nutrition/TPN)

b. Helping to manage side effects of cancer treatment. Common side effects during cancer and anticancer treatments can include poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, taste/smell changes, difficulty chewing or swallowing, etc. Having one or more of these symptoms can prevent patients from being able to obtain the adequate food and nutrients necessary to maintain health and strength to help fight cancer. RDs can provide advice to help manage these eating problems.

RDs can help patients create their own individualized and specific nutritional interventions, which will aim to:

c. Identifying potential malabsorption and/or nutrient deficiencies, and providing recommendations for appropriate supplementation.

RDs can also provide the following services:

a. Answer questions about nutrition/herbal supplements

b. Help manage comorbidities (Chronic Kidney Disease, Diabetes)

c. Counseling for cancer prevention and survivorship

b. Debunk nutrition related myths

It is strongly encouraged that patients with cancer have the opportunity to work with a registered dietitian to help improve their health and quality of life, and to mitigate the potential detrimental effects that can arise during cancer and its treatment.

To set up a visit with a registered dietitian, patients can request a nutrition referral from their primary care provider or their oncologist.

Oncology Rehabilitation:

TheRoleof SpeechTherapyinHead&NeckCancerSurvivorship

ByKarenYarumian,MSCCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathology works with patients diagnosed with head and neck cancers to provide therapy before, during, and after cancer treatment. It is more than just talking. Speech Therapy can include voice, speech and language, as well as cognition to you during this process.

Before-Treatment:

 Checking out how your body swallows before any cancer treatment

 Starting swallowing exercises to help keep your swallowing muscles as strong and mobile as possible.

 We’ll teach you ways you can prevent choking on food or beverages.

 We’ll teach you how to keep your mouth as clean as possible to reduce risk of pneumonia.

 We will discuss some potential diet changes to consider.

During Treatment:

 We will continue to monitor your swallow.

 X-Rays can be performed to determine how well you are swallowing and safe diet consistency or thickness.

 We can work on swallowing exercises to make your swallow as strong as possible.

 We can review any diet modifications with you.

 We can work with you to ensure your mouth stays clean to reduce risk of pneumonia.

Post Treatment:

 Helping you swallow food as much like you did before treatment as possible. Sometimes doing some training with family helps!

 We will adjust exercises for strength and range of motion post- treatment.

 Sometimes X-Rays are helpful after treatment to determine how well you are swallowing and see if diet consistency or thickness needs to change.

 We will continue to support you in your recovery.

To set up a visit with a Speech-Language Pathologist, patients can request a Speech Therapy referral from their primary care provider or oncologist.

Addressing Cancer-Related Fatigue

From the Oncologic Academy of the American Physical Therapy Association

What is cancer-related fatigue? Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is defined by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) as a “distressing, persistent, subjective sense of physical, emotional, and/or cognitive tiredness or exhaustion related to cancer or cancer treatment that is not proportional to recent activity and interferes with usual functioning. Compared with the fatigue experienced by healthy individuals, CRF is more severe, more distressing, and less likely to be relieved by rest.” CRF is reported more frequently than any other symptom of cancer and cancer treatment and affects 70-80% of cancer survivors at all stages of disease and recovery – during treatment, in advanced disease, and in remission.

What causes cancer-related fatigue? CRF can be a side effect of many common cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and stem cell transplant. In some cases, it may also be due to the cancer process itself. Other preexisting health conditions may also increase fatigue symptoms related to cancer or cancer treatment.

How do I know if I have cancer-related fatigue? There is no single way to diagnose CRF as it is experienced differently by different people. Signs and symptoms of CRF can include but are not limited to:

• Feeling tired, weary, exhausted even after a good night’s sleep

• Lack of energy/prolonged tiredness after activity

• Weakness, heaviness in arms/legs

• Listlessness or irritability

• Trouble starting or finishing tasks due to tiredness

• Needing to sleep during the day

• Unable or needing help to do usual or desired activities

• Being too tired to eat • Difficulty with concentration and memory

• Limiting social activities due to tiredness

Treatment for Cancer-Related Fatigue To date, the only intervention for CRF supported by research evidence is exercise. In particular, aerobic endurance training in combination with moderate resistance strength training have been shown to improve physical performance and reduce fatigue and are recommended as essential components of treatment by the NCCN.

Full publication and references available here: CRF-Fact-Sheet-for-Consumers.pdf (oncologypt.org)

Tips for Addressing Cancer-Related Fatigue

Communication is key: Discussing symptoms with your providers is the first step. They may consider testing (e.g. lab work), and/or recommend you see one or more specialists. Eating a healthy diet, staying hydrated, having good sleep habits, and getting regular physical activity are also important.

Tracking symptoms can help: Providers may ask about the frequency (how often) and intensity (how severe) your symptoms of fatigue may be. Your provider may ask how intense your fatigue is on a 0-10 scale, where 0 is no fatigue and 10 is the most severe fatigue possible. Having an understanding of trends can also be helpful to know how symptoms change over time. A monthly calendar for recording your fatigue level can work well to keep track, identify patterns, and help to remember when discussing symptoms with your provider.

Fatigue Scale

For more information about cancer-related fatigue and how to manage it, click here for an informative video: Cancer Related Fatigue – YouTube

For information on how physical activity can help cancer-related fatigue, please check out this helpful guide from the American Cancer Society and the American College of Sports Medicine: Moving-through-Cancer-booklet-DIGITAL_2023.pdf (exerciseismedicine.org)

What is Palliative Care?

By Paige Tobie

What is Palliative Care?

• Palliative Care is specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness.

• Palliative Care focuses on providing relief from symptoms and stress of a serious illness, with the goal of improving quality of life for both the person and their family.

• The Palliative Care team is a group of specialty-trained physicians, advanced practice providers (NPs/ PAs), nurses, social workers and chaplains.

• The Palliative Care team works with the person’s other medical providers to provide an extra layer of support.

• Palliative Care can help at any age, at any stage in a serious illness, and can be provided along with curative treatment.

The Palliative Care Team Will:

• Treat symptoms to improve quality of life

• Help talk about your goals and what’s most important

• Help with medical decisions and preparing for the future

• Provide relief from the stress of serious illness

• Provide spiritual support

• Assist with advance care planning

For more information about Palliative Care, please click here:

https://getpalliativecare.org/ For more information regarding local access to palliative care, please click here:

https://www.mainehealth.org/Services/Palliative-Care

Clinical Trials

As you consider treatment options for yourself or your loved one, you may consider participation in a clinical trial. Click here to access more information and see a list of open clinical trials locally: For PatientsMHIR (mmcri.org). For a complete list of trials open in the U.S. and abroad, visit www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Care Coordination

Care Coordination and planning includes communication and partnerships between the survivor and providers for ongoing survivorship care

This quarter, we feature our financial navigation team.

Planning

Oncology Patient Financial Navigation

What is Financial Toxicity?

According to the National Cancer Institute, financial toxicity (also called financial stress, financial hardship, or economic burden) describes problems a cancer survivor has related to the cost of treatment. Research has found that cancer survivors are more likely to have financial toxicity, and usually report higher out-of-pocket spending, than people without cancer. The impacts of financial toxicity vary from person to person as cancer treatment can affect one’s ability to work and pay bills. Some cancer survivors report spending more than 20% of their annual income on medical care.1

How can an oncology patient financial navigator help?

Oncology Patient Financial Navigators help to simplify a complex journey. We know that a cancer diagnosis is scary and emotional. You might be feeling overwhelmed with new information about your diagnosis, tests, treatment options, medicines, symptoms, office visits. Many patients tell us they are also worried about how much their treatment will cost and how they will pay for it.

We are here to help: You will have the opportunity to connect 1-on-1 with an Oncology Patient Financial Navigator. They will help by:

•Answering your insurance questions and explaining your benefits and out-of-pocket costs

•Setting up payment plans

•Connecting with the billing teams to deal with questions or issues

•Applying for additional financial resources, including medicine cost assistance, Social Security benefits, and Medicaid coverage

How much does this cost?

This is a completely free service for you and your loved ones.

To Connect with an Oncology Patient Financial Navigator: Call 207-661-0161 or 207-661-0160 to speak with one of our Oncology Patient Financial Navigators.

Meet Our Financial Navigators

ByDanaScipione

I have been working in the healthcare system since high school! I started in nutrition services, and then onto Patient Access in the Emergency Department at Southern Maine Healthcare. I relocated to Massachusetts for four years to be closer to a family member who had been diagnosed with cancer, and began a new role as a “Certified Application Counselor” at UMass Memorial Healthcare. There, I developed my skills at assisting folks with both financial and social services to meet their healthcare needs and ensuring compliance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Also participating in the communities outreach events to enroll individuals and families in an affordable health coverage plan. Upon returning to Maine, I jumped right into a similar role in the Financial Counseling department at Maine Medical Center that focused more on the internal financial services (free care, payment plans, etc.) After spending some time in a similar leadership role at Spectrum Healthcare Partners, I came back to MaineHealth to lead the pilot Financial Navigation program. Providing not only a more comprehensive experience for oncology patients, but for our organization. In order to demonstrate being patient centered (one of our values); we want to make this a one-stop-shop for oncology patients. Healthcare systems can be difficult to navigate and rather than passing someone around from department to department, we want our patients to be able to come to us with whatever their need is and do whatever we need to do in the background so that we can provide them with answers, solutions, etc. If you’re curious of what a specific treatment would cost you out-of-pocket with or without insurance; have a bill you just can’t pay all at once or struggling to get answers, and feeling overwhelmed, give us a call, we’re here to help!

ByCynthiaMillsap

I have had a long career in health care starting in my early twenties as a Pediatric Medical Assistant. After two years, I went back to college to finish my degree in Psychology and Art History. While still in college, I worked as a Community Services Liaison for an outpatient mental health clinic. After a few years, I was offered a position in Pharmaceutical Sales and Sales Management, and I spent 20 years with that company in Colorado. I left that position to be closer to home and family to work as a Specialty (Lyme Disease) Medical Practice Manager in New York. My career then brought me to Maine where I worked for MaineHealth as a Patient Advocate assisting patients with Social Security and Medicaid applications, eventually moving into a Financial Counseling role with MaineHealth where I was selected to participate in the new pilot role of Oncology Financial Navigator at the South Portland Cancer Care Center. This position now encompasses all MaineHealth Cancer Care facility patients throughout Southern, Western and Mid Coast Maine.

Dana Scipione, MaineHealth Oncology Financial Navigator

Cynthia Millsap, MaineHealth Oncology Financial Navigator

Health Promotion

Health promotion includes strategies such as healthy eating, physical activity, and stress management in cancer survivorship

This quarter, we feature our Lifestyle Medicine team, nutrition, and movement through fitness and Yoga.

Lifestyle Medicine

Maine Medical Partners Lifestyle Medicine Offers Health Coaching and Group Medical Visit Options

By Amy Pearl, MA in Health and Wellness Coaching, BSN, RN, CHWC

Lifestyle Medicine is a medical specialty that uses evidence-based lifestyle interventions to treat, prevent, manage, and in some cases reverse chronic conditions such as: high blood pressure, obesity, high blood sugar, anxiety, and many other conditions. The goal is to provide a supportive environment where patients can learn lifestyle interventions through education and peer/provider support while working on health behavior changes. Lifestyle Medicine addresses: nutrition, physical activity, stress management, restorative sleep, social connection, and avoidance of risky substances.

Patients have the option of participating in Maine Medical Partners Lifestyle Medicine program, either in a virtual group setting or one-on-one. Each session is facilitated by a registered nurse/certified health coach and two primary care doctors with specialized training in lifestyle interventions, Dr. Katie Sharp and Dr. Ted Wissink..

According to Dr. Wissink: "I think this bias towards medications and procedures for chronic health conditions without even considering lifestyle treatment approaches is doing the patient and our system a disservice since behavioral approaches tend to come with substantially less side effects and costs compared with the conventional treatments, and tends to benefit several different chronic health issues at the same time."

The sessions are designed to help support patients through education and goal setting. If you’re interested in a referral, please discuss Lifestyle Medicine with your provider.

Katherine

MD

Theodore R

MD

Sharp,

Wissink,

Boning Up on Nutrition and Exercise Habits for a Strong Skeleton

By Judy Donnelly, RDN, LD| Nutrition Program Manager, Dempsey Center

Our skeleton supports us, allowing us to move and protecting our internal organs from injury. Bone tissue is alive with bone marrow producing red and white blood cells as well as platelets. When you’ve had a cancer diagnosis, it’s important to know that radiation therapy, surgical procedures that impact hormone production, some chemotherapy drugs and other medications used to treat cancer, can have an impact on the risk of developing osteoporosis, a medical condition in which the bones become brittle and fracture more easily.

Treat your bones to a little tender loving care, by eating foods that provide calcium, vitamin D and vitamin K to keep them strong.

Calcium- Eat 3-4 servings of calcium rich foods every day. Dairy products, such as low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese are concentrated sources, but there are many others! Alternative milk beverages, such as soy milk, oat milk, and others are fortified with calcium. Other sources include green vegetables (kale, bok choy, and broccoli), canned salmon with the bones, legumes, tofu, and nuts and seeds.

Check out the salmon recipe next page!

Vitamin D- This vitamin helps us absorb calcium more efficiently and can be found in salmon, sardines, mushrooms, and fortified foods like orange juice, dairy products and alternative milk beverages. It can be hard to get enough vitamin D from your diet. Ask your doctor to test your vitamin D and consider a supplement as needed.

Vitamin K- This vitamin, found in green leafy vegetables, is also important in formation of bone tissue. A serving or 2 of leafy greens every day will provide both calcium and vitamin K. Serve up your Lemon Mustard Salmon Salad on a bed of greens!

When it comes to bone health, it’s more than just your diet. Not exercising and not being active for long periods of time can increase your chances of getting osteoporosis. Like muscles, bones become stronger – and stay stronger – with regular exercise.

Survivorship is a great time to bone up on healthy diet strategies, especially those that help you maintain strong bones. The Dempsey Center will be offering Nutrition and Exercise for Bone Health during the coming months. Keep an eye on our digital program guide for more information!

https://issuu.com/dempsey-center/docs/programming_guide

Serves: 4

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

Lemon Mustard Salmon Salad

INGREDIENTS

15 oz can Wild Alaskan Salmon (with skin and bones), drained

1 ½ TBSP Dijon mustard

1 TBSP + fresh squeezed lemon juice

Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

Pinch of salt

¼ cup finely diced celery

3 TBSP finely chopped fresh flatleaf parsley or 1 ½ TBSP dried

INSTRUCTIONS

Place the salmon in a bowl and break into small pieces with a fork. Stir in the remaining ingredients.

Sample and adjust the flavor to taste with a pinch of salt, spritz of lemon, extra celery or cayenne.

TIPS & NOTES:

Serve as a sandwich filling, on a salad or on a simple bed of greens.

LUNCH // DINNER

IMPROVE SYMPTOMS THROUGH SIMPLE MOVEMENT AND BREATHING.

Yoga for Cancer

WEEKLY PROGRAM STARTING

TUESDAY MARCH 28, 2023 • 10:00AM TO 11:00AM

This weekly program is designed to limit stress, reduce fatigue, and promote healing for cancer patients and their caregivers, pre, post, or during treatment. Walk-ins welcome.

What you can expect:

• A better sense of well being

• Stimulated immune system

• Help with building bone density

• Increased strength and flexibility

Movement Room at the Mid Coast Center for Community Health & Wellness

329 Maine Street-SOUTH ENTRANCE, Brunswick

For more information call (207) 373-6585 or visit midcoasthealth.com/wellness

LeahTitcomb, Certified YogaInstructor, Master Reiki Practitioner and Founder of Forever Wild Yoga

Network News

From Our Network Partners

• Franklin Memorial Hospital, Farmington

• LincolnHealth-Miles, Damariscotta

• MaineGeneral Medical Center, Augusta

• Maine Medical Center, Portland

• Memorial Hospital, North Conway, NH

• Mid Coast Hospital, Brunswick

• Pen Bay Medical Center, Rockport

• Southern Maine Health Care, Biddeford

• St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, Lewiston

• Waldo County General Hospital, Belfast

• Western Maine Health, Norway

News Across the Network

Sugarloaf Charity Summit

The Sugarloaf Charity Summit is an annual fundraiser that benefits MaineHealth’s own Martha B. Webber Breast Cancer Center in Farmington, as well as the Maine Cancer Foundation and the Dempsey Center. Franklin Community Health Network’s

communications and public affairs manager, Jill Gray, is on the event planning board, which held its first in-person summit since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Paige Teller, MD, Oncology Medical Director, Breast Care Clinic, organized the team, “MaineHealth Cancer Care Network (MHCCN): Hitting Slopes, Raising Hopes,” which was the top team fundraiser for the event – raising over $9,000. In its 23rd year, this year’s Charity Summit on January 28th raised a record-breaking $400,000!

MaineHealth Team Members at the Summit Gala (L-R): Andrea Patstone, MaineHealth Coastal Region President; Andy Mueller, MaineHealth CEO; Evelyn Taylor, Senior Director, Oncology Outpatient Services; Paige Teller, MD, Oncology Medical Director, Breast Care Clinic; Caley Vasil, MMC Outpatient Care RN Patient Navigator; Jillian Smith, MD, MMC/SMHC Oncology Breast Surgeon; Jen Novak, MMC Outpatient Care RN Patient Navigator; Magda Alden; MMC Outpatient Care Social Worker.

What’s New at Maine Medical Center

Healthcare Heroes Recognition

Healthcare Heroes is a program through MMC’s Philanthropy department to honor caregivers who have made a meaningful difference in the lives of our patients and families. Healthcare Heroes is part of our Annual Giving Program, and all donations directly support patient care, staff education and training, research, and innovation.

Thoracic Oncology’s Cassidy Calvert Recognized

“I would be greatly remorse that after receiving the wonderful care from MMC Cancer Institute if I didn’t bring to light the efforts of Nurse Navigator Cassidy Calvert. After being diagnosed with lung cancer I began getting calls about scheduling various medical procedures and appointments. I began to panic as I was worried about forgetting dates, times and locations, and was feeling the stress. I was a mess and then came Cassidy Calvert who introduced herself, described her job and what she was going to do, which was basically coordinating things to make it easier on me and taking care of everything. Cassidy began coordinating the scheduling of appointments, procedures so that it was easier for traveling and explaining instructions or obtaining information I was requesting. Cassidy was always very professional and thorough, but most of

all very caring. Anything I needed was just a phone call away. It was such a relief to just concentrate on the cure and not have to worry about anything else. I thank God every day that Cassidy entered my life when she did and wanted MMC to know how lucky they and their patients are to have such a person working for them. Cassidy defines ASPIRE, as stated on you website.”

Radiation Oncology’s Vanessa Bradbury Recognized

“It's been a while, but I want you to know I never would have survived 50 rounds of radiation without you. I cannot thank you enough for all of your smiles, kindness, patience, and humor. You are just the best and I will always be grateful!”

“Vanessa is so deserving of this award! She goes above and beyond every day for both her patients and staff. She is an excellent communicator- she is a natural leader, a positive presence in the office, a great listener and she's always there to help- no matter how busy things get. Vanessa is (continued)

Left:VanessaBradbury,RN,BSN

CassidyCalvert,BSN, RN,CMSRN

someone I have looked up to from day one and continue to do so as she has taken on more of a leadership role. She always puts patients first and tries to improve the patient experience. She has been incredibly helpful in improving the workflow at MMC with our inpatient cases as well as helping to facilitate care for inpatients who need to be transported to outpatient centers for radiation while the machine is being replaced at MMC. We are so lucky to have her- she is indeed a healthcare hero!”

“Vanessa is a great nurse manager, she communicates frequently w/ nursing re: updates, etc. She is attentive to her nursing staff with needs & always willing to help out in any way she can. She holds high the standards of nursing in our Radiation Therapy Dept. Vanessa is an asset to our great RT Nursing Team.”

“Vanessa turns patients’ lives around every day with her caring words, big hugs, and listening ears. She embodies the essence of what it is to be a nurse! We are so lucky to have a leader in Vanessa, as she brings her heart and soul to all that she does, every day.”

Food Pantry Opens

The MaineHealth Food Pantry at Maine Medical Center provides healthy food to MaineHealth patients who are experienceing food insecurity. Our pantry is set up like a small grocery store where visitors can shop for high-quality, free food for their entire household. We prioritize fresh, local and culturally important foods as much as possible. Making sure that everyone has access to nourishing food is an important part of the MaineHealth mission: working together so our communities are the healthiest in America. The food pantry is made possible through partnerships with community-based organizations such as Good Shepherd Food Bank and will eventually be open to all community members. For more information, please click HERE.

What’s New at Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care

MaineGeneral Breast Cancer Support Group back to in-person meetings

The COVID-19 pandemic changed many things for cancer patients, family members and survivors. Among those changes was the suspension of in-person support groups. After three years, the Breast Cancer Support Group held at MaineGeneral’s Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care (HACCC) is back to in-person meetings. Held at the cancer center, the group runs on a peer-support-group model, meaning attendees run the group with guidance and suggested topics from HACCC Holistic Health Care Coordinator Heather Moore, LSW.

“Our first meeting back was in February and we had 10 people there, which was a good number for a start,” Moore says. “We encourage everyone to join us. The group is open to all and you don’t need to pre-register. We want to make this as easy and flexible for people to join as they can, for as long as they want to.”

Moore says she knows there are a number of support groups across the state that are still relying on virtual attendance. She’s grateful that the HACCC Breast Cancer Support Group can have people attend together and in person.

“As a breast cancer survivor myself, I know that this group provides an important healing environment. Being in person helps build those ties and friendships that are hard to create virtually. I hope that anyone who is interested joins us.”

The support group meets on the third Wednesday of each month from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., at the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care, 361 Old Belgrade Road, Augusta.

If you have questions about the support group, please call Heather at 207-626-4850.

What’s New at St. Mary’s

St. Mary’s was awarded a one-year grant through the Maine Cancer Foundation for our “Showing Up: Improving Access to Care for Patients with Cancer” project. This grant will allow our Infusion Center to assist patients in getting to and from appointments in a timely, cost-efficient manner. Providing transportation assistance for cancer patients is crucial for ensuring that they receive the care and treatment they need. Many cancer patients require regular appointments, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and follow-up visits, which can be challenging to attend without transportation. Lack of access to transportation can lead to missed appointments and delayed treatment, which can negatively impact the patient's health and wellbeing. This grant also gives us the ability to get patients to St. Mary’s on an urgent, but not emergent, situation (i.e., needs a blood transfusion or G-CSF infusions (Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor) to increase white blood cell count due to chemotherapy). Also, if transportation after appointments fails, this grant is a great back up to ensure patients get home safely. Providing transportation assistance can alleviate some of the stress and discomfort associated with treatment, allowing patients to focus on their recovery. Additionally, transportation assistance can provide a sense of security and comfort to patients and their families, knowing that they have reliable transportation options to and from appointments.

Maine Cancer Foundation’s grant is offered as part of their ongoing efforts to reduce cancer incidence and mortality in Maine. They have invested over $15 million since 2015 in support of cancer prevention, early detection and screening, and access to care for all Mainers. To learn more about Maine Cancer Foundation, visit www.mainecancer.org, or contact Katelyn Michaud, katelyn@mainecancer.org, 207.773.2533.”

The legacy of St. Marguerite d’Youville, our foundress, lives in the employees of St. Mary’s every day. In keeping with her words, our Infusion Center staff have created a resource space to provide those in need with some essentials like food, self-care products, and a rotating assortment of hand-knitted items.

“We will continue to love and serve.”

What’s New at Mid Coast Hospital

Resources & Quarterly Calendar

Learning Resource Center: Lending Library

Browse eBooks, audiobooks and more. We are always adding new ones!

OverDrive is our virtual library where you can check out eBooks and audiobooks and download them to your device. Email us your name and mailing address at learningcenter@mainehealth.org for a library card number. If you’d like to see more books about a certain health topic, please let us know!

Here For Now: Living Well with Cancer Through Mindfulness (EBOOK)

By Elana Rosenbaum

Through narrative, guided exercises, and meditations, Here For Now was the first book to apply the principles of mindfulness meditation to living with cancer. This book empowers the reader to transform suffering into compassion and joy. Follow Elana's journey as she experiences the shock of her own cancer diagnosis, the vulnerability of being a patient, the gratitude of survival and recovery, as well as the ability to live with uncertainty and help others live wholly and fully. Elana's career and life experience combine to make her a unique and powerful voice on living with cancer, one which cancer patients, survivors, family members and health professionals will turn to again and again.

Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness (AUDIOBOOK) by

Jon Kabat-Zinn

Stress. It is everywhere around us. Even worse, it gets inside us: sapping our energy, undermining our health, and making us more vulnerable to anxiety, depression, and disease. Now, based on Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn’s renowned mindfulness-based stress reduction program, this groundbreaking book shows you how to use natural, medically proven methods to soothe and heal your body, mind, and spirit. By using the practices described within, you can learn to manage chronic pain resulting from illness and/or stress related disorders…discover the roles that anger and tension play in heart disease… reduce anxiety and feelings of panic…improve overall quality of life and relationships through mindfulness meditation and mindful yoga.

Kimiko Does Cancer A Graphic Memoir (EBOOK)

By Kimiko Tobimatsu, Keet Geniza

At the age of twenty-five, Kimiko Tobimatsu was a young, queer, mixedrace woman with no history of health problems whose world was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. In an instant, she became immersed in a new and complicated life of endless appointments, evaluations, and treatments, and difficult conversations with her partner and parents. Kimiko knew that this wasn't what being twenty-five was supposed to be like ... but then, she didn't have a choice.

Mindfulness: An Eight-Week Plan for Finding Peace in a Frantic World (EBOOK)

By Mark Williams, Danny Penman

The life-changing international bestseller reveals a set of simple yet powerful mindfulness practices that you can incorporate into daily life to help break the cycle of anxiety, stress, unhappiness, and exhaustion. Mindfulness promotes the kind of happiness and peace that gets into your bones. It seeps into everything you do and helps you meet the worst that life throws at you with new courage.

The Mindfulness Solution to Pain: Step-by-Step Techniques for Chronic Pain Management (EBOOK)

by Dr. Jackie Gardner-Nix, Lucie Costin-Hall

Your mood, thoughts, and emotions can affect your perception of pain and even your ability to heal. In fact, your past life experiences influence your current physical challenges: "your biography influences your biology." While treatments like medication and physical therapy can be enormously beneficial to the body, to maximize pain relief, it's necessary to take advantage of the mind's healing abilities. This book offers a revolutionary new treatment approach, mindfulness-based chronic pain management, that helps you harness your mind's power to quiet your pain and put you in control.

The Cancer Wellness Cookbook: Smart Nutrition and Delicious Recipes for People Living with Cancer (EBOOK)

by Kimberly Mathai, MS, RD, CDE & Olivia Brent

Whether you are a cancer patient undergoing treatment, a caregiver, or a survivor, you’ll find this cookbook and nutritional guide essential it includes the latest scientific research on improving the lives of people living with cancer. Created by Seattle’s Cancer Lifeline, The Cancer Wellness Cookbook features nutritional plans and 100 recipes focusing on the foods that have been shown to prevent and forestall the spread of cancer. With super healthy and delicious ingredients like berries, mushrooms, beans, tomatoes, and fish, these dishes taste great and are filled with the nutrients that aid a person undergoing chemotherapy and other cancer treatments.

The Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center provides compassion, support, wellness groups, advocacy and education for patients, families, and friends in the midst of a cancer diagnosis, treatment and/or remission. Email:

info@bethwrightcancercenter.org

The Cancer Resource Center of Western Maine offers one to one support; resource navigation services; in-person, virtual and recorded wellness programs and activities; support groups; complementary therapy; travel and food assistance; all FREE - to anyone impacted by cancer.

The Dempsey Center provides personalized care through counseling, support groups, nutrition, integrative therapies, movement and fitness, and more at no cost.

Survivors Are Giving Back

Deb Cupo’s life changed when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021. During such a challenging time, she was grateful to her care team. It moved her to give back, as well as pay it forward to those facing their own cancer. She and Joel Harris started the annual Drive Fore The Cure events to support essential investments in the MaineHealth Cancer Care Network’s ability to provide the highest level of care available for all people seeking care in Maine.

Deb combines her love for golf with her passion for improving cancer care for other Mainers.

The community-building and fundraising success of the gala and tournament at Falmouth Country Club inspires us to continue. Learn more about this summer’s events:

www.driveforethecuremaine.com

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Eliza Warren Giberson Cancer Care Philanthropy Liaison

We would like to thank our donors and grant funders for their generous support of the MaineHealth Cancer Care Network and the patients and families we serve.