Cancer Rehab LifeMark Supports Hearth Place Cancer Centre Ski Day

Cancer Rehab/LifeMark Clinics Give Massages at Hearth Place Ski Day

Cancer Rehab/LifeMark clinic give massages at Hearth Place Ski Day 

Ask anyone who attended the 19th annual Hearth Place Ski and Spa Day what they remember most about this year's event, and you'd probably get a variety of answers from the spectacular views, to the great après ski, to the massages offered at the bottom of the hill!

"Many of the skiers were pleasantly surprised when they saw our massage chair set up near the slopes", said Devin Dawson, Registered Massage Therapist from LifeMark Physiotherapy Cambridge Clinic, who donated his massage talents to help restore skiers between runs or after they had finished their runs. "We had a chance to get to know some of the participants as well as chat with them about our cancer rehab program, our support of Hearth Place as well as our variety of other physiotherapy and massage therapy programs."

LifeMark Oshawa and Whitby Clinics Join Hearth Place Fundraisers as Breakfast Sponsor

Krista McIntyre, Clinic Director and Physiotherapist at LifeMark Physiotherapy Whitby, attended the Ski and Spa Day and reported that the fundraiser was an overwhelming success. "Our Oshawa and Whitby clinics donated $300 as a Breakfast Sponsor for the event.We also donated a basket of health and wellness items as a 'gift in kind', consisting of an exercise ball, a gift certificate for a 30-minute massage, exercise band, pens and a calendar." Participants also paid $10 for 10 minute massages by our volunteer massage therapist, Devin Dawson, RMT from LifeMark Physiotherapy Cambridge, with all funds for massages being donated directly to Hearth Place. In total, the net fundraising for Hearth Place from this one day event amounted to $8,200.

Check out these photos of this year's Hearth Place Ski and Spa Day!

To find a Cancer Rehab Canada near you, visit the list of British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, or Nova Scotia locations.

When Do I Become a Cancer Survivor?

By DebiLyn Smith www.debilynsmith.com Author of Running From Cancer: a tilted memoir. A breast cancer "treatment survivor" since May 2011, DebiLyn strives to reduce the 50% of life-style induced cancer patients. "You can run, but you can't hide," she says.

What Happens After Cancer Treatment?

When does one begin to say they are a breast cancer survivor? I have finished the treatments. The medical profession has cut, poisoned and nuked the part of me that contained the psychotically rapid dividing cells known as cancer. I did survive that, with some scary moments of wondering involved. Or do I have to wait until the recommended five years of drug therapy is finished to declare "I made it!" If, that is, I do make it?

I don't want to be ridiculed at a cancer march or a run for the cure as they applaud the champions who beat this disease when I have yet to find out if indeed we did "get it all" or if there is some little piece that survived, starting to multiply someplace else as we speak. It's a very real concern. Worse than the nightmare about going to Sunday school without my underwear on.  I don't know what to trust anymore. My body let me down once. Will it do it again?

They say that one third of women with hormone dependent tumors (like mine) will have a recurrence. Better than half of those five years or more after surgery. Because I opted for the adjunct therapy (the chemo and radiation) combined with surgery my chance of the cancer coming back goes down. I think I'm at a 3-5% chance. It's still enough to make you worry. I've beaten lower odds before in the luck-less life lottery.

Beginning Life-Long Learning to Stay Healthy

Saying you're a survivor implies the war is over but for me, the battle has just begun. This is going to be a life-long assault of learning and doing what I can to survive not just now, but for as many years as I can squeak out of this body.

So despite everything that's been done, I'm determined to keep the numbers on my side. It's a betting game with no guarantees and you must do what you can to help. Swallow large fish oil and Green Tea capsules (anti-oxidants), stuff in the blueberries by the handful, drink the green spirulina/algae with your pinched, drag your butt to the swimming pool, fill those lungs with good clean fresh air, drink water not wine and whatever you do... don't sweat the small stuff.

Possibly when I'm on my  last breath, when I have lived a much longer life, I will finally declare myself a breast cancer survivor. Until then... Game On!

To find a Cancer Rehab Canada near you, visit the list of British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, or Nova Scotia locations.

Footwear Recommendations for Patients with Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

by Paul Mäkinen, C.Ped.(C), C.Ped.Tech.(C)
Certified Pedorthist, Atlantic Region - LifeMark Health Halifax

Proper fitting footwear is a good starting point to help reduce symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy

Numbness in Feet? Changes to Your Footwear May Help

Peripheral nerves are those that connect to the nerves that travel from the central nervous system to the further areas of the body (legs and arms). When a person suffers from Peripheral Neuropathy they typically present with symptoms of altered sensation, numbness/tingling, and some burning pain.

When these symptoms present in the feet, there are many things that can be done to help reduce the effects. The first thing to consider is the overall mechanical function of the feet and how that may affect the foot structures. There are many options to help address foot mechanics including custom orthotics, off the shelf orthotics and proper fitting footwear.

Proper fitting footwear is likely the best starting point to help reduce some of the symptoms, according to LifeMark/Centric Health Certified Pedorthist for the Atlantic Region, Paul Mäkinen.  “The most common area of concern with Peripheral Neuropathy, in the feet, is the metatarsal region commonly referred to as the 'ball of the foot' area. These bones and joints will often present with pain, tenderness, and some form of numbness/tingling in the region. The use of a shoe with a stiff forefoot rocker will help to alleviate pressure off this area and will often reduce symptoms by reducing pressure on the metatarsals”, he explains.

Proper Shoe Sizing Includes Width as well as Length

It is also very important to be sure that you have the proper sizing when you select shoes. Not only do you want to be sure that you have the proper length, but the appropriate width is crucial as well. When the width is not correct, you often compress the nerves and structures in the area causing more symptoms.

Some brands/styles of shoes that will offer you good forefoot rocker soles and width options are:

New Balance 928

New Balance 840

Dunham 8000

For additional information regarding footwear and neuropathies in general, please refer to http://www.pedorthic.ca/foot-health/diabetes/?. The footwear considerations for someone with CIPN are very similar to the neuropathies that diabetic’s experience. 

If you have specific questions about footwear/orthotic options for your CIPN related symptoms, contact our Atlantic Region Certified Pedorthist, Paul Mäkinen, by email at Paul.Makinen@centrichealth.ca.

To find a Cancer Rehab Canada near you, visit the list of British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, or Nova Scotia locations.

Challenges and Rewards of Exercising With Chemo Brain

The challenge of doing regular exercise can be overwhelming for a patient with chemo brain

Managing Cancer Rehab Takes A Team Approach

Sometimes the opportunity to work collaboratively from seemingly disparate rehab specialties comes when we least expect it. This is often the case when treating cancer survivors and cancer patients in Cancer Rehab clinics, where we all work together as Physiotherapists, Acupuncturists, Kinesiologists, and Occupational Therapists to help cancer survivors recover from the side effects of their cancer treatment.

Treating an Individual's Frozen Shoulder Also Uncovered Chemo Brain

Recently one of our clinics received a referral for a physio asssessment and physical treatment when the treatment needed was also for chemo brain - requiring both a kinesiologist and occupational therapist.

• The kinesiologist who works with cancer patients will encourage them to exercise to aid in their recovery, but exercise routines are not always easy for cancer patients. The role of the kinesiologist involves recognizing when a patient is having difficulty with proper technique or remembering exercises. These patients may need more one on one instruction, and it is important to provide them with a detailed home exercise program with pictures and instructions that are easy to understand. We know from experience that when a client is having difficulty with the exercise while in the clinic they are definitely going to have trouble at home. Lastly, the kinesiologist will follow up each visit - since repetition is key - and communicate with all team members on progress.

• The occupational therapist treating cancer patients for chemo brain will teach cancer patients how to focus on the positive aspects of what they are doing, recognizing the small gains they make each day. They help patients to organize their thoughts by writing them down and creating a structure or plan, breaking it down in order for it to be less overwhelming. They also ask patients to time their daily activities to allow for complete cognitive rest, away from all mental stimulus including computers and television.

More Awareness of Chemo Brain Needed

Many people, including doctors and insurance companies, fail to recognize the impact chemotherapy can have on the brain and the way we think. It interferes with patients' abilities to multitask and also impairs memory, so that one day they are shown an exercise and the next day cannot recall it. This is not only due to their fatigue and loss of mobility and strength, but due to the mental confusion that comes with chemo brain. The challenge of doing regular exercise and getting back into a normal routine can be overwhelming for a patient with chemo brain.

We have found that managing cancer rehab isn't always what we expect. A lot of education is still necessary, and helping patients get back to living their lives takes a team approach.

There is More to Rehab Than Meets the Eye

Utilizing specialized rehab techniques to assist in the recovery from cancer side effects is still a relatively new field. Cancer patients who utilize rehab services for their recovery benefit from qualified specialists in physiotherapy, kinesiology, occupational therapy and acupuncture to get back on their feet.

Help us to create awareness of cancer rehab by following us on Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus and LinkedIn - help us spread the word!

To find a Cancer Rehab Canada near you, visit the list of British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, or Nova Scotia locations.