Jan
09
notepad for writing New Year's resolutions

3 things for cancer survivors to think about when choosing their New Year’s resolutions

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When it comes to starting the new year off right, we all know the typical resolutions. They range from losing weight to traveling more, getting more organized or maybe spending less money. But New Year’s resolutions for cancer survivors are a little different. They tend to revolve around things that will make survivorship easier, which makes it very important to see them through. However, having recently been through a battle with cancer, you may find it mentally, physically, and emotionally difficult to maintain that commitment all year long. That’s why we’ve come up with a few things for cancer survivors to consider when deciding on and trying to stick to your New Year’s resolutions.

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Jun
22
Lu and Gabe are the faces of the Chemo Duck cancer program

Provision employee uses her family’s cancer experience to help and inspire other patients

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To say the things Lu has done in her life are inspirational, might be an understatement. As a Care Coordinator at Provision CARES Proton Therapy, Lu is often the first person a cancer patient speaks to when they call our center. Her ability to put others at ease makes her a calming presence for people who are coping with stress and uncertainty as they seek out treatment options.

Her gifts come naturally, but they’re also amplified by her own life experience. Lu’s family has dealt with cancer on more than one occasion – her son was diagnosed as an infant; her husband got cancer more than a decade later. Not only did she find a way to channel that experience to help Provision patients, but she also used it as an opportunity to start the Chemo Duck program, helping thousands of pediatric patients cope with cancer treatment.

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Jun
03

Raising awareness and celebrating life during National Cancer Survivors Month

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June is National Cancer Survivors Month and each year, on the first Sunday of June, we celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day!  With nearly 17 million people in the U.S. living with and beyond cancer – and 43 million cancer survivors worldwide – we all know someone whose life has been touched by cancer.

Naturally, this is a very special event for our Provision family. Since 2014, more than 5,500 patients have been treated in centers developed by Provision. We are so grateful to have been a part of each of their journeys. In honor of them, we wanted to share this blog that includes more information on cancer survivorship and how you can join in on the June activities.

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Apr
20
Felicia rings the bell after completing proton therapy for breast cancer

Breast cancer patient says proton therapy allowed her to ‘go on with life’

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The way Felicia sees it, her cancer journey wasn’t a marathon. It wasn’t even just one race. Instead, it was a series of short courses, each with its own finish line.

And proton therapy was her final finish line. The one that meant the most.

“I took it in chunks. I looked at everything as a finish line,” she says. “Like going through chemo. Just get to that finish line. And proton therapy is my last finish line, so I’m excited!”

The road to that final finish line included mountains of research. She chose to be her own health advocate and made sure she knew each and every one of her treatment options. Ultimately, she took a path that led her to Provision CARES Proton Therapy.

“I still have a lot of life ahead of me. I’ve got things I want to do. Proton therapy makes me feel like my cancer is truly out of me and I’m done. Let’s go on with life. Let’s move forward!”

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Mar
29
Cancer patient holding covid vaccine information card

COVID vaccine and cancer: What patients need to know

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Published: Mar 29, 2021 at 12:57 PM EDT

The development and availability of COVID-19 vaccines has stirred up many questions, as well as some confusion. The influx of COVID vaccine information (and misinformation) can be even more daunting for cancer patients and survivors.

To help cancer patients better understand the vaccines, Provision CARES Proton Therapy hosted a special chat session with board-certified radiation oncologist Dr. James Gray, who gave a great presentation on “COVID-19 Vaccine and Cancer: Facts vs. Fiction.”

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Mar
16

The importance of nutrition for cancer prevention, management, and survivorship

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March is National Nutrition Month – an opportune time to raise awareness about the important role of nutrition for cancer prevention, cancer management, and survivorship.

Nutrition is an often overlooked, but essential, piece of the puzzle when considering a cancer patient’s overall health. This article outlines a few keys to nutritional success that can help lower your risk of cancer. It also discusses how cancer patients can help manage their nutrition during treatment, along with some tips to continue living a healthy life after treatment.

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Jun
07
Kids playing at summer camps for cancer support to help alleviate anxiety and fear

Summer Camps for Cancer Support for Kids (& Kids at Heart)

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For many kids (and kids at heart), summer camps are one of the best parts of summer and are often a normal part of childhood.  As most families who have experienced cancer can attest, normalcy during cancer treatment is extremely important. However, when a cancer diagnosis affects a child or parent in the family, summer camp might not be an option due to a child’s medical needs or the lack of extra finances to pay for traditional summer camps. Fortunately, there are many summer camps for cancer support specifically designed for children with cancer, siblings, or even the whole family. The camp experience can provide positive benefits that will last long after summer ends. Camp attendance may help lessen feelings of anxiety, depression, or loneliness and increase self-esteem, body positivity, and coping abilities. CONTINUE READING

Oct
30
physical therapy can help manage lymphedema symptoms

Lymphedema therapy is available at Provision

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Provision Physical Therapy performs lymphedema therapy on breast cancer patients.  These patients benefit from the nurturing and therapeutic treatments.  As part of the comprehensive services offered at the Provision Healthcare campus at Dowell Springs, this beneficial therapy for cancer patients is available right here in Knoxville at Provision Physical Therapy.

Sometimes, the effects of breast cancer don’t end with surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. The cancer itself, and the treatments used to fight it, can leave women with other health concerns.

That’s where Provision Physical Therapy comes in. We provide treatment for lymphedema, a condition that can arise when lymph nodes are damaged or removed during breast cancer treatment.

“Provision was one of the first to bring this method of treatment to town,” said Dr. George Webber. “It is a huge step forward in how we treat lymphedema.”

The lymph system takes fluids and waste products away from the body’s cells, pumping them to locations where they can be eliminated from the system. When the system isn’t functioning properly, the patient can experience a buildup of fluids, ranging from mild swelling and heaviness to full-fledged fibrosis, in which the build-up is thick like putty.

Provision’s physical therapists are careful to keep treatment for lymphedema gentle, private, and personal, empowering women by teaching them exercises and self-care regimens to keep lymphedema at bay. We understand our patients have already gone through a lot, so we treat them in a nurturing, caring way.

Treatment for lymphedema is four-fold:

  1. Gentle massage techniques are used to guide fluid build-up towards functioning lymph nodes in other areas of the body.
  2. Exercises use the body’s natural muscle action to pump fluids out of areas affected by lymphedema.
  3. Compression uses a firm sleeve or glove to keep fluids from building up.
  4. Women are taught skin care and risk-reduction practices to help minimize lymphedema.

This treatment practice operates under the “knowledge is power” mantra. After all, if you know how to take care of yourself, you are empowered to do just that.

Even as advanced cancer treatments like proton therapy help to decrease the incidence of lymphedema in breast cancer patients, it’s still important to remember that early intervention is crucial to treating the condition.

The goal of the lymphedema community is to have earlier intervention for women with higher risk. Provision is honored to work with patients dealing with this condition and and we are always thrilled to see them overcome so many obstacles!

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For more information about lymphedema treatment, please call Provision Physical Therapy at 865-232-1415 or e-mail info@provisiontherapy.com.