---
title: "Cancer special services and support at Sutter Health"
description: "Sutter's special cancer services and support programs offer counseling, pain management and support groups where people can find comfort in shared experiences."
url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/cancer-special-services-support"
---

1.  [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) /
2.  [Services](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services) /
3.  Cancer special services and support

![cancer-special-services-support](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Images/Hero-Images/cancer-special-services-support.jpg?h=2100&iar=0&w=3150)

# Cancer special services and support

We offer special cancer services and support to enhance your well-being through a combination of medical treatments, evidence-based supportive services and integrative practices.

![cancer-special-services-support](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Images/Hero-Images/cancer-special-services-support.jpg?h=2100&iar=0&w=3150)

## Why choose Sutter?

Cancer treatment goes beyond fighting cancer cells. We layer special services into your care journey to give your body, mind and spirit more opportunities to thrive. From complementary therapies to nutrition counseling, we’re focused on a holistic approach to your health. 

We provide [cancer webinars](https://sh-patientwebinars.brightcovegallery.com/category/videos/cancer "cancer webinars") for guidance on everything from treatments and therapies to ways to relieve stress. Our support groups help you connect with people who share your experiences and are a helpful reminder that you’re not alone. Additionally, our survivorship programs are excellent ways to manage long-term wellness emotionally and spiritually.

## By the numbers

### 250+

Cancer Specialists

cover every cancer specialty from breast cancer to bone marrow transplants.

### 20+

Cancer Centers

offer unmatched cancer care on top of 60+ imaging locations.

### 150+

Cancer Clinical Trials

are underway to unlock the next breakthrough cancer treatment.

### Top 100

Nationwide

for high-quality cancer care and access to innovative clinical trials.

## Special programs for cancer patients and survivors

**Art therapy**

Art therapy is available to support emotional healing and self-expression through creativity at many care centers. Led by credentialed professionals trained in both mental health and the arts, these sessions offer a safe, welcoming space to explore feelings, manage stress and connect with your inner resilience. Artmaking can be a powerful way to process life’s challenges and support your overall well-being. Talk with your care team to learn what’s available in your area.

In Sacramento, art therapy groups are available for both adults and children affected by cancer. Healing Images is a free support group for adults with cancer that uses visual arts to help navigate the emotional and psychological impact of illness. The group meets virtually on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month from 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm. The Children’s Art Therapy Support Group (CATS) provides a creative outlet for children and teens (ages 4–18) who have a cancer diagnosis or a family member with cancer. This free program meets on alternating Tuesdays from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm at Sutter Cancer Center, 2800 L Street in Sacramento.

For more information or to register, please call [916-547-9485](tel:+19165479485). 

**Cancer nutrition counseling services**

Nutrition is an important part of your cancer care plan. A healthy diet can help manage the effects of cancer and your treatment. Our goals are to improve your overall nutrition, promote healthy eating habits and enhance your well-being and quality of life.

Your care team includes oncology dietitians, who provide expert nutrition advice and work closely with your oncologist to support you throughout treatment. Dietitians work with patients and their families to:

-   Screen and assess for nutrition risk
-   Instruct on how to minimize and cope with treatment side effects that might lead to weight loss, dehydration and an overall decrease in energy
-   Design individualized dietary guidelines to meet your nutritional goals
-   Offer strategies for family or caretakers to help patients maximize nutrition intake and quality of life
-   Provide information regarding nutritional and dietary supplements

Please contact a member of your care team to schedule a consultation with a dietitian.

**Cancer social work services**

Cancer challenges not only the body, but also the mind and spirit. Our professionally trained social workers specialize in applying clinical, advocacy and community-based skills to help people living with cancer and their families. They’re here to offer emotional support, connect you to community resources and support groups, coordinate referrals, assist in crises and provide counseling on [advance health care directives](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning/advance-directive). Talk with your care team to learn more about our clinical and medical social work services.

**Healing and fitness classes**

[We encourage you to explore](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/classes-events?sc_site=SutterHealth&sc_lang=en) our different types of therapies — art, gardening, music, photography, writing, yoga and cycling — designed to enhance your overall well-being. You’ll also benefit from the camaraderie of others on the same path.

**Living beyond cancer plan**

Your cancer patient navigator can work with you to design a road map that keeps track of any follow-up treatment, next steps and important information needed to coordinate care among your care teams. You’ll also receive assistance for all aspects of your self-care, including nutritional counseling with registered dietitians, psychosocial support with oncology social workers and complementary therapy programs to restore body and soul.

**Music therapy**

At many Sutter sites, you have access to music therapy services provided by credentialed music therapists. Music therapy is proven to improve physical, cognitive, psychological, emotional and social functioning. Music therapists use various techniques and activities, such as listening to music, composing songs and playing instruments, to help enhance your quality of life. Talk with your doctor to learn more about this offering.

**Wig programs**

Some cancer treatments can lead to hair loss, which can have a significant impact on a person’s overall well-being. Wigs can help cancer patients feel and look their best while undergoing treatment.

We collaborate with the American Cancer Society to provide a free selection of wigs through our Wig Program. And because we’re committed to supporting the whole community, our Wig Bank provides these services to all cancer patients regardless of where they receive their care. Talk with your care team for more information about our complementary Wig Program.

## Helpful resources

Allogeneic stem cell transplant

-   [English (PDF)](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/-/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/Services/allogeneic-transplant-booklet-english.pdf)
-   [Spanish (PDF)](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/-/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/Services/allogeneic-transplant-spanish.pdf)

Autologous stem cell transplant

-   [English (PDF)](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/-/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/Services/autologous-stem-cell-transplant-english.pdf)
-   [Spanish (PDF)](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/Services/autologous-stem-cell-transplant-spanish.pdf)

Breast cancer guide

-   [English (PDF)](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/-/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/Services/breast-cancer-binder.pdf)
-   [Spanish (PDF)](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/-/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/Services/breast-cancer-binder-spanish.pdf)

Chemotherapy guide

-   [English (PDF)](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/-/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/Services/chemotherapy-guide-english.pdf)
-   [Spanish (PDF)](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/-/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/Services/chemotherapy-guide-spanish.pdf)
-   [Chinese (PDF)](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/-/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/Services/chemotherapy-guide-chinese.pdf)
-   [Russian (PDF)](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/-/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/Services/chemotherapy-guide-russian.pdf)
-   [Tagalog (PDF)](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/-/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/Services/chemotherapy-guide-tagalog.pdf)

Colon and rectal cancer guide

-   [English (PDF)](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/-/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/Services/colorectal-cancer-binder.pdf)

Radiation oncology guide

-   [English (PDF)](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/-/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/Services/radiation-oncology-english.pdf)
-   [Spanish (PDF)](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/-/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/Services/radiation-oncology-spanish.pdf)
-   [Chinese (PDF)](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/-/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/Services/radiation-oncology-chinese.pdf)
-   [Russian (PDF)](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/-/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/Services/radiation-oncology-russian.pdf)
-   [Tagalog (PDF)](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/-/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/Services/radiation-oncology-tagalog.pdf)

Walk your way to wellness

-   [English (PDF)](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/-/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/Services/walking-in-the-right-direction-english.pdf)
-   [Spanish (PDF)](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/-/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/Services/walking-in-the-right-direction-spanish.pdf)

## Webinar gallery

[View all webinars](https://sh-patientwebinars.brightcovegallery.com/category/videos/cancer)

1 / 3

1 / 3

![thoughtful-female-cancer-patient](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Images/people/women/thoughtful-female-cancer-patient.jpg?h=483&iar=0&w=724)

## Predict cancer through genetics

If you have cancer or a family history of cancer, consider genetic counseling and testing with trusted professionals at Sutter.

[Explore genetic counseling](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/genetic-testing-counseling)

![thoughtful-female-cancer-patient](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Images/people/women/thoughtful-female-cancer-patient.jpg?h=483&iar=0&w=724)

## Classes & events

[View all classes & events](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/find-event-results?limit=10&query=%22%5C%22Cancer%5C%22%22&verticalKey=events)

-   Support Group
    
    ### [Breast Cancer Support Group-Beginning the Journey to Wellness (Online)- Ridley-Tree Cancer Center- Santa Barbara](https://ewp.seatrobot.com/66f32bee33ea82483f1ddb0b/6a3ab655077e99c7f71e53ee/)
    
    Thursday, November 12, 2026
    
    This group provides a safe place for those living with breast cancer to exchange information and provide mutual support.
    
-   Class
    
    ### [Knitting Together - Ridley-Tree Cancer Center Santa Barbara](https://ewp.seatrobot.com/66f32bee33ea82483f1ddb0b/6927769aec5f7dedbaeae9ea/)
    
    Thursday, October 29, 2026
    
    Join our knitting circle and take part in the creative process and enjoy the company of other knitters.
    
-   Class
    
    ### [Finding Joy Through Painting - Ridley-Tree Cancer Center Santa Barbara](https://ewp.seatrobot.com/66f32bee33ea82483f1ddb0b/6924bd32ff16e86e5e01aaa9/)
    
    Monday, November 2, 2026
    
    This painting class offers individuals receiving treatment for a cancer diagnosis a safe and therapeutic space to express themselves through art.
    

[View all classes & events](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/find-event-results?limit=10&query=%22%5C%22Cancer%5C%22%22&verticalKey=events)

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{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Making the Most of Every Day Living Fully Despite Cancer","thumbnailUrl":"https://cf-images.us-east-1.prod.boltdns.net/v1/static/817826402001/617679d0-a919-45d6-b5df-a7f66e125b10/6570c133-ea8d-4e4b-a3dd-c6494d9ac003/1280x720/match/image.jpg","uploadDate":"2019-07-17T20:23:51.216Z","embedUrl":"https://players.brightcove.net/817826402001/79bcaa57-54d7-453c-9f1f-8ab3ef7b15de/index.html?videoId=6058602292001","description":"Cancer seminar presented by Teri Collet, ACSW, LCSW, ACHP-SW.","duration":"PT39M50S","transcript":"TERI COLLET: Yeah, it's always a little striking\nwhen I realized how long ago I finished school.\nI teach a little bit at Fresno State.\nAnd I taught at Stanislaus state.\nAnd I tell the students so in 1987,\nwhen I got my master's, it's like, oh, that was so long ago.\nIt's kind of those things how time goes.\nAnd that's part of what I get to talk about today.\nSo I am not going to separate what I talk about\nor how I talk for providers and how\nI talk for those who are living with metastatic disease\nor those who love and care for someone\nwith metastatic disease.\nWhat I want to talk about is living.\nGranted, living when we have a serious illness\nas its own challenge.\nLiving with advanced age is it's own challenge.\nBut I am going to say living life is challenging if we\nare mindful and we live fully.\nAnd I can tell you, working with people at the end of life\nfor 20 years and a part of that was grief counseling\nfor 20 years, I never met anybody who said,\nI wish I spent more time at work,\nI wished my garden was more perfect,\nor I wish I had more dollars my bank account.\nWe're going to talk about living, realizing\nthat sometimes it's easy to lose sight\nand the challenges that we face in remembering to live fully\nare something we can be mindful of and to overcome.\nIf you're someone that likes notes,\nthe green hand-outs on the right side of your packet,\nthe first page is the outline, feel free to glance\nat it if you like.\nThe other though, the last two pages, the last page\nis double-sided.\nPlease set it to the side.\nThat is actually some tips, and tricks, and ideas\nso you can implement when I am talking about today.\n\nSo when I talk about living fully\nand when I talk about kind of living now,\nI want to put it in the context that for most of us,\nwe spend our lives looking forward at the future.\nYou look at any lovely poster of the woods.\nAnd there's that path to just kind of goes forever.\nAnd it never ends, because none of us like to that.\nAnd I call it my occupational hazard,\nwhich is I am very mindful that someday my path will\nhave an end.\nAnd I choose to live intentionally.\n\nIt's not just these little posters that\nhave us living future focused.\nI've got a 21-year-old.\n\nHe's in college.\nAnd he's constantly hearing, what\nare you going to do when you get out?\nWhen are you getting out?\nWhat's your next semester look like?\nWhat your first job going to be?\nWhat's your end goal?\nSome one starts work and what do we say, how long are you\ngoing to be here?\nWhen are you retiring?\nWhen you're retired, it's like, so\nwhat are you going to do next?\nHow many kids?\nHow many grandkids?\nWhat happens when a couple gets married?\nFirst thing, oh, congratulations.\nCheer's, and when are the grandbabies coming?\nOh, I'm pregnant.\nGood for you.\nWatch out for that morning sickness, woo,\nand those sleepless nights, oh, those terrible twos,\nand when they're a teen.\nIt's always about what's next.\nAnd we forget to live in the now.\nAnd when living in the now is challenging, it's harder.\nAnd I'm going to say when the future feels a little scary,\nmaybe feels a little uncertain, sometimes\nthere's not a lot of looking forward.\nAnd when we can't look forward, we tend to look back.\nI'm going to assume most of you have had grandparents\nat some point in time or the elderly neighbor\nor been in a nursing home.\nAnd what did people talk about?\nWhat they talk about is what is natural, is looking back--\nback in my day.\n\nSo it makes sense that we reflect.\nAnd in living in the moment, it's OK to be looking back,\nbecause hopefully we're reflective.\nAnd when we have positive things we reflect on,\nI want encourage you to share those memories.\nThis is the first summer I get to have my son\nhome from college, because he goes to school in Southern Cal.\nWe spent lunch together yesterday.\nAnd I'm like, oh, you know what, do you remember?\nAnd he's like I do.\nAnd didn't we do this?\nI didn't think you'd remember.\nHe was six.\nWhat a thrill that he remembers.\nWhen my husband and I talk about when you were little\nand we all laugh, what joy that brings, joy to me\nthat someone I love has such wonderful memories of something\nthat was important to me and that I always hoped\nwas important to him.\nAnd when I get all the kids together--\nand they love to harass their dad--\nand we get to share in those silly things\nand those funky things, to know that my kids will always\nremember those things, that's a gift.\nThere's some amazing positive energy\nthat comes from hearing our kids remember, from hearing\nour grandkids, from hearing our friends.\nSo I encourage you, one, to share those memories.\n\nAnd I encourage you to listen as they remember,\nbecause it really is a gift.\n\nNow, I am a social worker.\nAnd we always look at the positive.\nAnd then we get realistic, because I\nbelieve I'm not the only person that when I look back\nit's not always positive.\nThere those things that go, dang, I just wish I had,\nor, man, I wish I hadn't.\n\nAnd most of us have those.\nBut what we tend to do is we hold them all inside.\nLet's just hope you remember, because I don't really\nwant to have to think about it.\nBut that carries an enormous emotional burden.\n\nSo if when you look back, you begin\nto remember those things with some regrets,\nI encourage you to kind of voice them, to speak them,\nbecause it's those things we try to hold\ninside that end up keeping the most power.\nHow many of you have ever been in a library or a church\nand somebody maybe burps and it becomes funny,\nbut you can't giggle, because, clearly,\nwhere you are it's just not appropriate\nand that makes it even more funny?\nAnd so you are trying so hard, and you can't stop giggling.\nIf you were in a restaurant and you giggled, poof, it's done.\nBut the holding it inside is where all that emotional power\ncomes from.\n\nSo be brave.\n\nAnd I want you to consider clearing the air.\nThis is a time when maybe we say, I'm sorry,\nor I wish I had done it different.\nAnd it could be really little.\nWhen I was 13, I have a list of things.\nI went, mom, I am so sorry.\nNow, that I am a parent, I really get it.\nI am so sorry.\nAnd I am sure she's like, well, now she gets it.\n\nSometimes they're big.\nSome of our regrets, some of our I'm sorries,\nand I wish I had done it different can be huge.\nIf they're huge, others remember it.\nIt's not like you're reminding them of something\nthey didn't remember and how healing to say,\nI've not forgotten, and I'm sorry.\nAnd I going to say I'm not speaking\nto people who are physically well or people who are older.\nI am speaking to all of us.\nWe ought to be saying it now.\nWhy are we still carrying it?\n\nWhat about, I forgive you?\n\nI'm going to tell you forgiveness\nis one of the harder things that people say and live out.\nAnd a part of it is because, again, we\ngo back to our society.\nWe teach people that forgiving means it's OK.\nThink of the playground.\nTeacher, teacher, Billy stepped on my toes.\nTell her you're sorry.\nSorry.\nTell him, it's OK.\nIt's OK.\nWell, he's not sorry.\nAnd it's not OK.\nI'm going to tell you that's not what forgiveness really is.\nForgiveness is I choose to no longer be angry\nor to hate you for whatever.\nI choose to no longer hold you emotionally ransom.\n\nPerhaps, I choose to show more grace or more mercy\nthan that to which you're entitled.\n\nForgiving can actually be selfish.\nI don't want to carry this anymore.\nAnd I am going to let it go.\nI'm going to accept who you are, who we are now,\nand choose to accept it for what it was and no longer live it.\nIt can also be selfish--\nselfless, I'm sorry.\nIt can be selfless.\nI don't want you to think I hate you.\nIn a perfect world, it's both.\nIt takes care of my emotional needs.\nIt takes care of their emotional needs.\n\nBut I'm sorry, and I forgive you.\nThere is a physician named Ira Byock.\nAnd he writes about the four most important things, the four\nthings that matter most, and then actually changed it\nto the five things that matter most.\nAnd this is part of what he talks about.\nI am sorry, and I forgive you.\nNow, when we say these things, we always\nhope for their best response.\nI'm going to pick on my son.\nHoney, I am so sorry when you were 13\nand I said you couldn't play football, because I\ndidn't want you to get hurt.\nAnd now, I realize I deprived you of this great opportunity.\nHopefully, he's going to that's, OK, mom I get it.\nYou didn't want me to get injured.\nI'm kind of glad I picked up bad mitten instead.\n\nMaybe not, but you know.\n\nActually, it was rugby.\nLet's just not go there.\nHopefully, that's his response.\n\nThere is always a risk I am going\nto take that he's is going to say,\nyou know what, I feel like if only\nyou had let me play football, my life would\nhave been so much better.\n\nI am taking that risk that that's\nthe feedback I'm going to get.\nIt's not ideal, because I love the perfect little hallmark\ncard ending to this dialogue.\nAnd yet, it opens the communication.\nIt opens that opportunity to go, just so you know,\nI wasn't trying to deprive you, or I'm\nsorry that I punished you in these ways.\nIt was the what I thought was best.\nI realized it was probably too harsh,\nor I'm sorry, maybe for my infidelity.\nI don't think there was excuse, but I am sorry,\nor I'm sorry for being the rebellious teenager.\nWhatever these things might be, little or not,\nwe don't get to control their response.\nSo we hope for the best.\nAnd when it isn't, we say I at least did my part.\nAt this stage of my life, all I can do is say,\nI wish I did it different.\nAnd that's kind of my walking my side\nof the street, my kind of cleaning my side of the street.\nNow, what they do with it, at least, they know.\n\nIn order to minimize some of these regrets,\nthe I just wish I had done, I just\nwish I had said, among those things is\nwe want to say these things now that are loving,\nthat are honest, that are important,\nrather than not saying them.\nSo again, the occupational hazard\nof working with people who grieve and are\nat the end of life is I consistently tell those\nthat I love that I love them.\nAnd I'm consistently struck by what\nthe impact that has on others, but also\nthe impact it has on me.\n\nI was a single mom for a lot of years\nand I would always tell him, I just love you.\nI'm so glad I get to raise you.\nHe was like 16, clearly not very interested in mommy mushy stuff\nfrom what I had expected.\nAnd we were talking.\nAnd I said the best thing I ever did was have you.\nHe went, really?\n\nWhy are you so surprised?\nAnd he said, but you never said it that way before.\n\nSo that kind of added.\nAnd there's actually been some writing\nthat says women tend to keep saying things,\nbecause I want to make sure you know.\nOftentimes, gentleman will say, I told you once.\nAnd if it changes, I'll let you know.\nNow, if that is how you live your life, regardless\nof the gender, I encourage you go ahead and say it again,\nbecause it's amazing what that does for our relationships.\nWhat about thank you?\nThank you for getting my slippers,\nor thank you for buying milk today.\nWhat about thank you for your patience with me?\nWhat about thank you for just sitting down and sharing\nthese memories with me?\n\nThank you for being a great person.\nThank you for being the person I can talk to\nand share my feelings.\n\nWe say thank you for refilling my water cup.\nWhy not thank you for filling up my heart.\n\nA lot of people have these things we always\nthink about doing some day.\nSometimes they're big, like I'd like\nto take a six month cruise.\nMaybe we don't do those things today.\n\nBut what about, I would love some day to just go to the park\nand read a book in the shade.\nWhy haven't I done that?\nI would love to go see my grandson play Little League\nor watch my granddaughter at her piano recital.\nDo it.\nDon't add to the potential of regret.\n\nGo see your neighbor's garden.\nGo see your family member's garden.\nGo bring them flowers from yours.\nGo plant the plant just because it's pretty.\nAnd does it fit with the decor?\nMaybe not, but, gosh, I love these flowers.\nI'm going to stick a plant in my garden so I can see them.\n\nWhat are you waiting for?\n\nSometimes a part of what we want to do\nis maybe write a letter to somebody.\nMaybe it's a thank you letter, or an I love you letter.\nAnd maybe it's a, sorry, I wish I were different letter.\n\nPersonally, I found my first Mother's Day\nI wrote to my mother this card.\nI was like I find myself remembering this and this.\nAnd the memories just kept going.\nSo I grabbed another piece of paper.\nAnd this cute little Mother's Day card\nhad like four pages in it by the time I was like,\nand when I was a teenager and when I got married.\nIt was like all these memories came back.\nLet's share them.\nWrite it now, creating memories for our loved ones.\n\nBack in kindergarten where the kids come\nhome with like the handprint that's been painted on it,\nI'm going to tell you those things are precious.\nHave you done with your spouse?\nHave you done one with all the generations?\nHave you done it in red, white, and blue\nso you can put it up for 4th of July?\nWhy not?\nHow cool to be able to have that.\n\nSome people take the opportunity now\nand start messages, notes, or cards for the young people\nkind of just in case.\n\nI have a lady who soon as she had a grandchild--\nand she, again, had no health condition.\nShe was not of a significantly advanced age.\nShe bought a birthday card for every year\nuntil that grandchild turned 21 and signed it and said,\njust in case, I want to guarantee my granddaughter has\na birthday card for me.\nWow.\nOK.\n\nWhy not?\n\nI know somebody else, who every year on her grandchildren's\nbirthday writes them kind of a journal about their year,\nwhat they're like, what the child's\nlike from the grandparents eyes, what the grandparents like,\nwhat they enjoyed doing, these great memories.\nAnd they write these things knowing when the child's 18,\nthey are going to give them the journal.\nWhat a neat idea.\nAnd she says, I hope they'll look at it eventually.\nI'm like, oh, yeah.\nOh. yeah.\n\nWhat I learned from those at the end\nof their life is some of the questions become,\nis the world any different because I was here?\nHave I made a difference in any way?\nPart of what I'm sharing with you, part of how I live my life\nis their legacy.\nIt's learning what matters and living it every day.\n\nMaybe we create these memorable belongings, these handprints\nand what not.\nMaybe instead of going to Target and buying whatever gift,\nmaybe we find those gifts that are sentimental that\nhave family history.\nAnd that's what we give our kids and our grandkids.\nHoney, this was grandma's when I was seven.\n\nHow cool.\nAnd now they get to hear the story from me.\nAnd I get to see them receive it.\nIs that as cool as an Xbox game?\nI don't know.\nWhen you're 10 or whatever, maybe not.\nBut I tell you, that's an investment in their future,\nand the family legacy, and those family histories\nand how wonderful to get to see it\nSo as I'm talking about these precious things\nand I'm talking about living now, some of you\nare thinking, oh, neat ideas.\nSome of you are thinking, if you only\nknew how exhausting it is just to live in my life right now,\nyou wouldn't be encouraging me to do all these other things.\nAnd that leads me to the next part and perhaps\nthe most important part.\nAnd that is conserving your energy\nBut I want you to think of it in a whole different way.\nSo when we think of conserving energy, it's like no, no, no,\nconserve your energy.\nI'll go get the iced tea.\nOK, maybe.\n\nBut I'm talking about conserving energy in a whole other way.\nBecause energy is the most valuable commodity\nyou have, especially as one who is not well.\nWhen we're younger, when we have it an episodic illness--\nI have a cold.\nI take a little decongestant.\nI take some Tylenol.\nI plunge through.\nAnd In a few days, I start to feel better.\nAnd boy, isn't that nice.\n\nI hazard a guess for some of you,\nthere is no trudging through and relief that comes in a few days\nand now we're back to normal.\n\nSo on some level, we have to accept what is.\nAnd what is means there is not a lot of energy.\nAnd there's not a lot of fighting through.\nSo I want to encourage you to focus on that\nwhich is most important.\n\nSo I'm going to pick on 4th of July,\nbecause it's the nearest holiday that tends\nto have traditions for people.\nIf you think of something else that's\nmore significant for you, maybe it's Father's Day.\nIt's coming up closer.\nMaybe it's Tuesdays, because you do Taco Tuesday at your house.\nMaybe it's not until Thanksgiving or New Year's.\nBut think for a minute about 4th of July or your day.\n\nWhat is it that makes 4th of July feel like 4th of July?\nWhat are the best one or two parts of 4th of July?\n\nIs it watching the parade, getting those little fireworks\nfrom the stands and doing them in the yard,\ngoing to the city's big fireworks,\nthe barbecue, that best hamburger or dog recipe?\n\nNow, think of everything else you\nhave to do to make a 4th of July work.\nSo I have some people over, that means\nyou got to clean the patio.\nYou got a clearly clean the house.\nMy gosh.\nYou can't have people over with a house like this.\nThere's dishes in the sink.\nAnd then you got to make the patties, which of course means\nyou got to go buy the stuff.\nAnd then you got to do all of that,\nwhere maybe what's most important to me is\nthe parade and the fireworks.\nIf I spend my energy running the vacuum,\nand cleaning the toilets, and doing the dishes,\nmaking sure the laundry is put away,\nand that the patio is cleared off,\nhow much energy do I have to just enjoy the fireworks?\nPerhaps, none.\n\nI was a caregiver for five years of my life.\nAnd the person for whom I provided care,\nhis daughter was going to be baptized.\nAnd that was very important to him\nspiritually and in terms of church and family traditions.\nSo he got up early that morning, normally needed to sleep in,\nbecause he didn't sleep well at night.\nBut he got up early that morning, showered, shaved,\ntrimmed all of his facial hair so it was just right.\nDid his hair so it's just right, wore a tie, a little hard,\nbut managed to get it.\nClothes not the most comfortable,\nbut had to look just right.\nGot everything sat, did all of his stuff, went to church,\nand fell asleep when she was being baptized.\n\nGreat intentions.\nHe almost maybe forgot that he doesn't\nhave the energy he used to.\nAnd he wasted his energy on looking perfect\nand missed the one big thing it was all about.\n\nSo when we think that 4th of July,\nthe big thing is the parades and the fireworks,\nmaybe it's OK if my patio isn't perfectly swept.\nMaybe this is the time for all those people who've said to me,\nlet me know if you need anything.\nI go, would you mine, just sweeping it\noff my patio for me?\nWould you mind just running the vacuum in the living room?\n\nOr I go, wait, the people coming to my house\nreally right here to see my house.\nThey're here to spend the day with me.\nAnd as much as 4th of July is amazing,\nbecause of my great recipe for potato salad and macaroni\nsalad and the five ways I marinade\nthe hamburger meat for hamburgers,\nis doing all of that worth not staying awake for fireworks?\n\nIf they're that important to me, maybe I make it a potluck.\nMaybe I get the little frozen patties.\nMaybe we go to Jack in the Box and get a bunch of hamburgers.\nIs that the ideal way I like to do 4th of July?\nNo.\nBut what's the one or two very most important parts\nof the 4th of July?\nAnd let me build everything around that.\n\nI would encourage you to take a moment right now.\nThink of the next event or day that's\ncoming up, whether it's Sunday afternoons, Tuesday nights\nwith your favorite TV show, Father's Day, 4th of July.\nThink for a minute.\nWhat day is that for you?\n\nAnd what is the one or two most important?\n\nNow, think of everything else she'd have to do,\nyour vacuuming the living room and sweeping off the patio.\nWhat can you either not do or ask someone else to do?\n\nBecause it's easy to go, but I can still do that,\nbut it's not.\n\nAnd whether you're trying to live intentionally,\nwhether your energy is limited because of illness,\nwe all ought to be considering these kinds of things.\nIf your health care provider, I want\nto encourage you to ask that of the people\nthat you help take care of.\nDon't forget.\nWhat's the most important part?\n\nPart of the other things we can do\nis we can plan our activity when our energy is the best.\nFor some of us, that's the morning.\nI wake up.\nAnd I feel pretty good.\nAnd then it's a day goes by, I have less energy.\nSo if I want to get together with somebody,\nwhy would I plan a late dinner?\nWhy don't we plan a breakfast or a cup of coffee?\n\nIs after a nap, OK.\nThere is no rule that says you can't have lunch at 3 o'clock\nafter your nap.\nIt doesn't have to be at noon while you're\nfighting to try and stay awake.\n\nIf you have to clean house, do it a day or two before.\n\nHire a housekeeper.\nEasier said than done for most of us.\n\nI mention the holiday meal at 4th of July.\nThere's something wonderful about a potluck.\nThere's something tremendous about letting\nother people in the family make the recipe,\nbecause now everyone's going to know how to do it.\nAnd that tradition gives to keep going\nwhen I am not able to do it.\nI could sit-in the chair and dictate all day long.\nIt's great.\nAnd now they get to follow the recipe\nor try to make the pecan pie the perfect way.\n\nWhen we think of these kinds of things\nand we think about energy being such a limited commodity\nand time being a limited commodity,\nwe want to consider spending as wisely as some people--\nperhaps not everyone-- as wisely as some people\nspend their money.\nWould you go to Subway, or McDonald's, or spend $100\nto get a sandwich or a Big Mac?\nMost of us would go, it is so not worth $100.\nIs it worth an entire days energy\nto argue politics, scrub your toilets,\nor watch your grandkids?\n\nMaybe and maybe not.\nOnly you get to decide what it's worth.\nSo the perspective really is what price am I\npaying for what am I getting.\nAm I paying $100 to get one chicken strip,\nor am I paying $100 for the pot of gold?\nAnd again, everyone's pot of gold is different.\nYou give me a day with my granddaughter,\nI'm completely worn out.\nI can't answer one more question, one more\nwhy question, but it's the best day.\nIt's worth all my energy to have her for a day.\n\nDepending, perhaps when she's older, it may not be enough.\n\nBut I want you to consider that.\nConsider investing in your relationships.\nThere are those people in our lives\nthat we're with because we love them, because we enjoy them,\nbecause we bring quality to their lives,\nand they bring quality to ours.\n\nAnd then there's those others.\n\nHow much time and energy are you spending with those others?\n\nIs that worth the price you're paying?\n\nYou're all here today on a Saturday.\nI imagine there's other things you could have done,\nbut you know, you believed this would be valuable.\nSo instead of mowing your lawn this morning or jogging\nwith a friend if you're so inclined, you're here.\nI hope you did that as intentionally as I did.\nI knew this was valuable.\nI knew this was a rich opportunity.\nAnd therefore, I paid the price to be here.\nThink of those people in your lives.\nYou don't have to say anything out loud.\nIt may not be proper.\n\nIf you had one four hour stretch, just one from now\nfor six months, who would you want\nto spend those four hours with?\n\nWhen was the last time you spent four hours with them?\n\nAnd what are you waiting for, and where else are you\nspending that time and energy?\nAnd what are you getting for it, or what\nare you able to give for it if you're\nthinking of spending my time in ways that serve others?\nIs this is valuable?\n\nWhen we think of the energy for conversations,\nwhen we think of the time and energy we spend--\n\nexcuse me-- we think of the time or energy we spend,\nwe also want to be able to spend it getting the most out\nof our medical appointments, exactly to Karen's point.\nI can walk in passively and sit and wait while my doctor tells\nme something, walk out and say to the person\nin the car with me, did you know what he was saying?\nI'm not quite sure what he meant.\nIt takes a lot of energy to get to the doctors,\nto have that appointment, and to get back home.\n\nOne, I don't need to get dressed up\nand put my hair together and my make-up on to go to the doctor.\nI can save my energy for something more positive.\nBut we don't tend to think that we are purchasing a service\nwith health care providers.\nNow, granted my insurance pays for it and my copay,\nbut financially, our time, our energy.\nWe are a equal partner in what we're doing.\nWe're an equal partner in our health care.\nAnd I hazard a guess, as the one who's\ngot a health care need, if there's a battle between me\nand somebody else, me and the doctor, me\nand his aid, medical assistant, me and the nurse,\nI kind of win.\nI'm the patient.\n\nSo I want to take a moment before my appointment\nand prepare the scripting, as Karen mentioned.\nWhat do I want to make sure he knows?\nWhat do I want to be sure to ask her?\n\nI encourage you to use a little of this time and energy\nto jot it down, because you know how\nyou walk in the office with these four things.\nYou asked the first one.\nThey give you the answer.\nYou're like, oh, OK.\nAnything else?\nI know there were three others, or was there anything else?\nJot it down.\nIf you're comfortable, take someone else in there\nso two of you were hearing it, going they said this, right?\nThat's what they meant.\nOK.\nOK.\nThat's what I thought.\nJust want to sure I heard it right.\nBecause your time and energy is valuable.\n\nI did counseling for a lot of my life.\nAnd I tell people, I know social work.\nI know grief.\nBut you know you.\nAnd it's where the two come together\nin this magical intersection is where the relationship happens\nis where the healing occurs.\nIt's whether it's healing physically, whether it's\nhealing emotionally.\nIt takes the two.\nIt takes the communication.\nIt takes the connection.\nSo I encourage you to make the most of your doctor's\nappointments, both before and during.\nHave you've ever taken your car into the shop?\nAnd I don't know cars.\nAll I know is it's making a funny sound.\nAnd the guy says, oh, it's your struts.\nOh, OK.\n\nAnd then I leave, going, I guess, it's my struts.\nDon't know what I do.\nHe doesn't realize I don't understand.\nHe probably doesn't realize he's using jargon that I\nhave no idea what it means.\nI told my husband, it's like we just\nneed to simmer it on low for about 10 minutes.\nI'll be right back.\nHe went, is this a low simmer?\nI meant you turn the burner to a low flame and let it sit.\nI knew what I meant.\nWe all fall victim to that.\nSo ask, clarify, because if you're\nspending-- how long do you spend at the doctor's,\nleaving your house, doing your thing, coming back, two hours?\nIf you have to wait a long time, maybe more.\nThat's a lot of energy and a lot of time.\nMake sure you're spending it the way you want to need.\n\nSo talking about this, talking about living in the present\nis foreign, as I mentioned.\nWe're all future focused.\n\nIf you want to make your present valuable,\nif you want to make your future valuable,\nI encourage you to truly make the most of every moment,\nmake the most of every day, and live with the awareness\nthat our time and our energy really are limited resources.\nAnd they're gifts we give to people when\nwe spend our time with them.\nThey're gifts we can give ourselves\nwhen we take care of ourselves if we\nget the massage or the manicure, or sit-in the garden,\nor watch a favorite TV show.\nI encourage you please to live fully and make\nthe most of every day.\nThank you."}
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{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Introduction to Your Cancer Journey","thumbnailUrl":"https://cf-images.us-east-1.prod.boltdns.net/v1/static/817826402001/c5f07dc1-0aa9-4d66-9440-486fae8798d0/0706d7b1-2485-4fd9-be2c-b2a4c47d4994/1280x720/match/image.jpg","uploadDate":"2020-10-23T23:19:04.597Z","embedUrl":"https://players.brightcove.net/817826402001/79bcaa57-54d7-453c-9f1f-8ab3ef7b15de/index.html?videoId=6204298718001","description":"Learn about the Sutter team who may be helping you on your journey.","duration":"PT15M41S","transcript":"KERRI: My name is Kerri, and I am an oncology nurse at Sutter.\nWe have created this short video to help introduce you\nto your oncology journey.\nWe will be introducing you to people on the Sutter Health\nteam who may be helping you throughout your journey.\nBefore we begin, we want to say that the content is not\nintended to be a substitute for professional medical advice,\ndiagnosis, or treatment.\nAlways seek the advice of your physician\nor other qualified health provider\nwith any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.\nDifferent treatment for different people.\nIt is important to remember that everyone experiences cancer\ndifferently.\nEven though you may have the same type of cancer\nas someone else, your treatment plan may be different.\nYou will work with your doctor to find the treatment plan that\nis best for you.\nKeeping your appointments is one of the most important things\nyou can do during your cancer treatment.\nWhen you and your doctor decide on your specific treatment,\nyou will be given a schedule.\nFor instance, your doctor calculates the specific amount\nof chemotherapy or radiation you need over a set amount of time\nbased on guidelines that are followed throughout our country\nand the world.\nIt is very important that you keep your appointments,\nand if you are not able to, contact your care team\nas soon as possible so we can keep you on schedule to make\nyour treatment a success.\nSo now we will tell you about some\nof the people who may be helping you along the way.\nWe have placed pictures of some of our clinicians\nproviding cancer care throughout our health system\nso you can get a sense of the team who\nis here to support you.\nAll of your individual providers work together with you\nas a team to ensure communication\nthroughout your journey.\nNurse Navigators.\nFinding out you have a serious health problems such as cancer\ncan be a shock.\nIt can bring in a lot of different feelings, which\ncan make it hard to take in all that your doctors are telling\nyou about your diagnosis and your treatment.\nA Nurse Navigator can help you better\nunderstand the care you receive and what to expect.\nYou can talk to this person about any fears or concerns\nyou have about your cancer and your cancer treatment.\nNurse Navigators have expertise in cancer care.\nLike doctors, they specialize in different types of cancer\nand different types of treatments.\nDepending on the Navigator, he or she\ncan also provide support for your family\nand other caregivers.\nThey may be able to help you with things like coordinating\nreferrals to other cancer specialists,\nidentifying your goals of care and what is important to you\nto maintain quality of life during your treatment\nand after, helping you find the right care and resources.\nThis may include counseling or support.\nHelping you with advanced care planning.\nAnd as I mentioned earlier, your Nurse Navigator\ncan also provide support for your family\nand other caregivers.\nInfusion nurses.\nShould you need IV chemotherapy, immunotherapy,\nor blood products, the infusion nurses\nwill be another team of people with resources and knowledge\nsupporting you throughout cancer treatment.\nSutter's infusion nurses have advanced\ntraining in the safe preparation and administration\nof chemotherapy and immunotherapy.\nThis amazing team of nurses will help\nensure that the IV treatment you receive\nis administered safely through the right IV device\nand will monitor your response to therapy.\nInfusion nurses work closely with your physician\nand our pharmacist to be sure you were tolerating\nyour infusion and that you are comfortable during\nyour procedure and treatment.\nThese nurses are an important part of your team\nand typically have years of oncology experience\nto help make your journey one that is well informed and safe.\nYou may have a different infusion\nnurse with each treatment.\nRadiation oncology nurses.\nShould you need radiation therapy\nas part of your treatment plan, the radiation oncology clinic\nnurses will be important caregivers.\nIn partnership with your provider and radiation\ntherapists, they will follow you closely during your treatment\ncourse, helping with communication between you\nand your provider, assisting with any referrals\nyou may need, like to a dietician, a social worker,\nor other support services.\nThey can answer questions and help\nyou understand parts of your treatment\nand what side effects to expect, offering ideas about how\nto keep feeling good throughout treatment.\nRadiation therapists.\nThe radiation therapist as part of the care team that\ntreat patients with cancer through the use of radiation\ntreatments, working closely with their doctors and nurses.\nRadiation therapists operate the machines\nsuch as linear accelerators to deliver concentrated radiation\ntherapy to the area of a patient's tumor.\nIf you get radiation as a part of your cancer treatment,\nyour radiation therapist will be someone you usually\nsee every day, and you will find that they\nare in incredible support during treatment.\nDosimetrists.\nDosimetrists are people who work behind the scenes that\nare a vital part of your radiation oncology team.\nThey work with the radiation oncologists, radiation\ntherapists, physicists, and others\nto create treatment plans as prescribed by physicians.\nThe dosimetrists work with computer software,\nthe laws of physics, math, and their knowledge\nof human anatomy to help create a safe radiation treatment\nplan for you.\nWhile you most likely will not meet them,\nthey provide the utmost care and concern for you\nduring treatment.\nPhysicists.\nRadiation oncology physicists are also\npeople who work behind the scenes that\nare a vital part of your radiation oncology team.\nThey are responsible for ensuring patients receive\nthe safest possible treatment delivered\nwith advanced radiation oncology treatment.\nThey work alongside the physician, radiation therapist,\nand dosimetrist to help ensure accurate delivery\nof all aspects of the treatment prescription,\nincluding quality assurance.\nRadiation oncology physicists are certified in their field\nand are scientists trained in medical and radiobiological\nsciences.\nSchedulers.\nYou will meet schedulers at each location,\nand there are different schedulers for your doctor's\noffice and the infusion center.\nThey are there to assist you in turning your visit\nto the doctor's office, infusion center, and other treatment\nlocations.\nMost insurance plans require authorization\nfor any treatment, and our scheduler\nwill keep you up to date on the authorization\nwhile scheduling your appointments.\nUpon completion of each appointment,\nyou will have a plan for your next visit.\nPlease check in with your scheduler at each visit\nso that you stay updated.\nFinancial coordinators.\nThe financial impact of cancer treatment\ncan vary with each patient and family.\nOur financial coordinator is here to assist you from\nbefore your treatment begins to treatment completion.\nThey work behind the scenes to validate your insurance\ncoverage and authorizations and can\nhelp locate copay assistance and other resources.\nYou can call them if you need help\nunderstanding your insurance.\nThe Patient Access Center is also\navailable to assist you with additional coverage questions.\nYou can see the phone number here on the screen,\n1-855-398-1637.\nDieticians.\nA dietician can provide you a nutrition assessment\nand counseling where you can get support and learn\nhow to eat well from a registered dietician\nor nutritionist who works in cancer care.\nHe or she can help you plan meals and find food and drink\nthat you like and can eat and will work closely\nwith your doctor and nurses to help ensure\nthat whenever possible, you are able to maintain\na safe, healthy weight.\nFor some cancer patients, treatment\nmay cause too much weight loss, and the dietician\nmay recommend additional support for you.\nOur dieticians are available to you with recommendations\nfor helping you feel your best before, during,\nand after cancer treatment, and they\nwill help you to learn healthy eating habits.\nSocial services.\nCancer care can be complex, and the role\nof our oncology social worker is to help patients, families,\nand caregivers to deal with the challenging\nexperience of facing cancer.\nSometimes called licensed clinical social workers\nor social workers, they're educated\nand skilled to assist with the psychological, social,\nspiritual, and emotional concerns that arise when\none has a cancer diagnosis.\nThey can provide important guidance\nin learning to cope with your cancer.\nSocial workers are available throughout all phases\nof cancer care.\nThey are also able to provide counseling, advocacy, referrals\nto community resources, and support groups.\nThey can also help you figure out advanced care planning\nand what health care you would like in case\nyou are unable to make your own decisions.\nAdvanced care planning should be considered\nthroughout your life, and it is always a good idea\nto review it when you have a change in your health\ncondition, like being diagnosed with cancer.\nPharmacists.\nSutter oncology pharmacies provide evidence based,\npatient centered medication therapy management\nand direct patient care for individuals\nwith cancer, including treatment assessment and monitoring\nfor potential adverse drug reactions and interactions.\nBasically, they help manage the preparation of your medicine.\nThey have experience in infusion therapy and symptom management\nand are an essential part of our team.\nThey help in educating staff and patients\nand work closely with your physician\nto help ensure the treatment you are receiving\nis the most appropriate therapy considering your health status,\npreexisting medical conditions, and the type of cancer\nyou have.\nWhile you may not meet your oncology pharmacist,\nknow that they are one of your biggest champions\nand are working diligently to ensure\nthe best possible outcome with the treatment\nyou are receiving.\nThey are key partners with physicians and nurses\nto ensure your safe infusion.\nRehab services.\nSome people will need rehabilitation services\nas a part of their cancer care.\nIf you do, our physical, occupational,\nand speech rehabilitation therapists\nwill be here to help you.\nYou may need their support before,\nduring, or even after your treatment.\nA physical therapist or a PT program\nwill assist with therapeutic exercises that\naim to reduce fatigue and improve physical function\nby maximizing strength, balance, and mobility before,\nduring, and after treatment.\nAn occupational therapist, or OT,\nfocuses on activities of daily living,\nsuch as dressing and bathing.\nOTs assist with quality of life by working with patients\non maintaining and improving activities, function,\nand independence.\nSpeech therapy works with patients whose treatment\nmay cause problems with talking, voice changes, dry mouth,\nswallowing difficulties, and memory and concentration.\nSometimes we call this chemo brain.\nCancer genetic surfaces.\nAbout 10% of cancers occur because of genetics or things\nthat you may have inherited from your family.\nWhether you have specific genes may affect the best way\nto treat your cancer.\nIf your doctor thinks it is appropriate,\nhe or she may order a genetic test\nto understand more about your cancer.\nOften your doctor will first refer you\nto a genetic counselor.\nA genetic counselor is trained to understand your family\nhistory, specific cancers that could\nbe of concern, and what genetic tests are available to you.\nSometimes genetic counselors meet with people\nand determine that genetic testing is not needed.\nIf you are referred to a genetic counselor,\nhe or she will work with you to determine if genetic testing is\nappropriate for your case and answer any questions you have.\nIf it is appropriate for you, you\nshould then get to decide whether or not\nyou want to have testing, which is usually done with a blood\nor saliva sample.\nOnce the results are received, the genetic counselor\ngoes over them with you and ensures your oncologist also\nhas them.\nYou and your medical team would then\nbe able to factor those results into your treatment plan that\nis best for you.\nAdditional services.\nSutter Health has several cancer centers\nthroughout northern California that are here to help you.\nDepending on your location, there\nare a variety of services available to you\nand your family to help you along your journey.\nYour health care team will partner\nwith you to match the services you need to help you\nfeel your best during treatment and beyond.\nSome of the other services that may be available\nare clinical trials research, integrative medicine,\nlaboratory services, and survivorship support.\n\nThank you so much for taking the time to learn about some\nof the people who will be with you along your cancer journey.\nIf you have any questions about your cancer treatment,\nplease talk with your team.\nAcross our Sutter Health system, we\nare here to support you and wish you the very\nbest throughout your treatment."}
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{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Sutter Health: Understanding Your Cancer Care","thumbnailUrl":"https://cf-images.us-east-1.prod.boltdns.net/v1/static/817826402001/36ced606-8ea5-40eb-b1ab-53a03b73a392/e09c1e55-63f5-4c0f-985f-77e76716a316/1280x720/match/image.jpg","uploadDate":"2020-11-20T00:03:25.129Z","embedUrl":"https://players.brightcove.net/817826402001/79bcaa57-54d7-453c-9f1f-8ab3ef7b15de/index.html?videoId=6211060742001","description":"Here are three questions to ask whenever you see your healthcare team or are worried. Understanding your cancer care can help you rest easier, cope with treatment and recover. Use this video guide to better understand your cancer care.  ","duration":"PT5M34S","transcript":"LIZZIE: Hi.\nMy name is Lizzie, and I'm a clinical coordinator here\nat Sutter.\nWe put together this short presentation\nto give you some tips that may help you understand\nyour medical care better.\nThe content is not intended to be\na substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis,\nor treatment.\nAlways seek the advice of your physician\nor other qualified health provider\nwith any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.\n\nBeing diagnosed with cancer feels pretty\noverwhelming for most people.\nThere is so much to understand and so much to do.\nIt can be a very scary time in your life,\neither as a patient, family member, or other caregiver.\nBecause of that, many people have a hard time\ntaking in all of the information that their doctors, nurses,\nand other staff try to give them.\nI know I personally had a very serious health\nissue a few years ago, and even as a medical professional,\nI had a hard time understanding and remembering\neverything I needed to do.\nI couldn't understand all the information I was getting,\nso I couldn't always figure out what questions to ask.\n\nWe want to make sure that you understand as much as possible,\nbecause when we understand better\nabout what is happening to us or to a loved one\nand what we should do next, we generally\ntend to be able to cope better and rest easier.\nWe use this resource.\nIt's not a Sutter creation.\nIt's from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.\nIt's called Ask Me Three, and it gives you three questions\nthat you can ask your health care provider anytime\nyou have an encounter with them, either in person\nor on the phone.\nWe are going to go over this document with you\nnow so you have a sense of what questions\nyou can ask to understand your cancer diagnosis\nand treatment better.\nThis also applies to caregivers and loved ones.\nIt's just as important for caregivers\nto understand how to care for their friends and family.\nThe first question is, what is my main problem?\nThe second question is, what do I need to do?\nAnd the third question is, why is it important\nfor me to do this?\nSo when should you ask questions?\nYou can ask questions when you see a doctor, nurse,\npharmacist, or other health care provider,\nwhen you prepare for a medical test or procedure,\nor when you get your medication.\nAnd what happens if you ask and you still don't understand?\nThis is completely normal and expected.\nPlease let your health care provider know if you still\ndon't understand what you need.\nYou might say something like, this is new to me.\nWill you please explain that one more time?\nDon't feel rushed or embarrassed if you\ndon't understand something.\nAsk your health care provider again.\nOK, so who needs to Ask Three?\nEveryone wants help with health information.\nYou are not alone if you find information about your health\nor care confusing at times.\nAsking questions can help.\nThe Institute for Healthcare Improvement\nreminds us that we can write down our provider's answers\nto those three questions.\nThey have a brochure that you can see here,\nbut all you need is a piece of paper.\nSo as a patient or as a caregiver,\nyou can bring that piece of paper into your appointments\nand write down the answers to the three questions.\nAnd remember, the questions are, what is my main problem?\nWhat do I need to do?\nAnd why is it important for me to do this?\nAsking these questions can help you take care of your health,\nprepare for medical tests, and take your medications\nin the right way.\nYou don't need to feel rushed or embarrassed if you\ndon't understand something.\nYou can ask your health care provider again.\nWhen you Ask Three, you are prepared.\nYou know what to do for your health.\nIf you are nervous to ask your provider questions, don't be.\nYou may be surprised to learn that your medical team wants\nyou and your caregiver to let them\nknow that you need help or more information.\nThey want you to know all that you\ncan about your health or condition or that of your loved\none.\nThey want you to know why their instructions are\nimportant for your health.\nAnd they want you to know steps that you\ncan take to keep you healthy and keep\nany conditions under control.\nThe Institute for Healthcare Improvement\nalso recommends that you bring your medications with you\nthe next time you visit a health care provider.\nYou can also write the names of the medications\ndown and bring that list with you.\nAgain, we are showing their brochure here,\nbut all you need to do is write your medications\non a piece of paper and bring it to your appointments.\nLike many people, you may see more than one health care\nprovider, and it is important that they all know about all\nof the medications you're taking.\n\nThank you for taking the time to review\nthe Institute for Healthcare Improvement brochure with us.\nWe want you to understand as much as possible\nabout your care and the care of your loved one.\nDon't forget to Ask Three anytime you need to,\nand always call your doctor's office\nif you have any questions."}
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