Thrive Cancer Rehabilitation Care
A cancer diagnosis can be traumatic, and so can its lifesaving treatments. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery can harm health and cause serious medical problems that interfere with daily function and well-being. Cancer survivors are commonly plagued with symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, insomnia, memory loss, fear, anxiety and depression.
Columbus Community Hospital's Thrive Cancer Rehabilitation Care was created to help survivors physically and emotionally heal from the side effects of treatment so they can recover more quickly and more completely than they would otherwise. The program provides guided care offered by dedicated experts so that survivors can reach their optimal recovery.
Since 2012, more than 140 patients have experienced the benefits of Thrive Cancer Rehabilitation Care’s comprehensive, multidisciplinary cancer approach. That number includes people of various cancer diagnoses, ages and phases of their treatment after diagnosis.
Thrive Cancer Rehabilitation Care addresses the following treatable symptoms in patients with cancer:
- Weakness or fatigue
- Difficulty dressing/bathing/reaching for things
- Inability to complete work or household duties
- Pain
- Persistent swelling
- Problems with memory or speech
- Muscle weakness/paresis
- Joint pain/stiffness
- Impaired balance/dizziness
- Difficulty walking
- Difficulty swallowing
- Change in appetite/significant weight change
- Bowel/bladder problems
- Shortness of breath
- Changes in mood
Program Results
Every one of the patient-reported symptoms listed above, can respond well to the treatment interventions of Thrive Cancer Rehabilitation Care which is only available at CCH’s Rehabilitative Services.
Over the last five years, Thrive participants have experienced reductions in fatigue, pain and distress to significantly lower thresholds, according to our outcomes data gathered on pre- and post- treatment assessments.
The graph below demonstrates the clinically significant, symptomatic improvements CCH Thrive participants experienced in 2015 to 2016.
Testimonials
“Before [cancer rehabilitation] at CCH, I couldn’t get myself off the couch. The therapists find things you can do. They create a program specifically for you. My energy level is much better.” ~ Tom L., prostate cancer survivor
“Therese and Megan created an individualized program for me. I really liked using the Interactive Metronome technology and think it helped make my thinking clearer again.” ~ Rae F., stage III colon cancer survivor
CCH offers one-on-one consultations, free of charge, to help people create a comprehensive approach to their cancer care plan.
Contact Us
To set up an appointment or for more information, please call Rehab Services at 402-562-3333.
Thrive Cancer Rehabilitation Care co-coordinators are Jill Jakub, MOTR/L, CLT and Michell Ruskamp, MS, CCC-SLP, who work collaboratively with Columbus area providers of medical oncology, surgery, radiation oncology, oncology nursing navigation and social services.
If you would like more information about Thrive Cancer Rehabilitation Care, please fill out this request form.
Support for Thrive Cancer Rehabilitation Care services and extensive clinician training in cancer rehab has come from the Columbus Community Hospital Foundation.