Cancer support

Cancer can be an emotional and physically taxing time, but at Colorado Blood Cancer Institute, we work to ease your journey. We offer a variety of cancer support services, including transportation, support groups, mental health support, classes and educational materials.

Cancer support and services we offer

We are committed to helping you and your family live with the realities and emotional challenges of cancer. Our psychosocial team consists of psychologists, social workers and resource coordinators, all of whom are committed to providing the behavioral and practical support you need during this difficult time.

Basics of psychosocial oncology

While the cancer experience is physical in nature, it is also emotional. Our psychosocial oncology department is led by psychologists, financial coordinators and masters-prepared, licensed social workers who are available to you and your family to help with practical matters before, during and after transplant. The range of services they offer includes:

• Assistance in obtaining medical leave or disability
• Emotional support
• Help with practical issues such as transportation and housing
• Identifying and accessing grants and resources in the community
• Providing education on what to expect in the transplant process
  

Since some of the discussions you have with our team can be difficult to absorb, we recommend taking notes and bringing someone with you to appointments, so someone else will hear the information as well.

In addition to conversations with our multidisciplinary team, we are committed to helping you with both verbal and written forms of education on what's to come, including:

• Computer-based programs
• Interactive classes
• Manuals
• One-on-one staff sessions

Mental health support

If you are experiencing troubling mental health symptoms for more than a few days, we invite you to mention this to the transplant staff. It's important to have someone to talk to about feelings that arise during blood cancer treatment, so you can be reminded you are not alone.

Since blood and marrow transplants can bring about fatigue, nausea and chronic pain, in addition to worsening emotional symptoms, our team closely monitors your overall wellness, intervening with medication or behavioral tools as needed.

A common feeling you may experience is a loss of control. Giving up your independence, sense of routine and normalcy can be frustrating, as can relying on others for care. It's important to set realistic expectations and discuss questions, concerns and uncertainties with your team, so you can feel confident as you move forward with your life.

As your transplant nears, you may face nervousness or problems with sleep and mood. Medications can be helpful for managing these anxieties, as well as deep breathing, relaxing imagery or progressive muscle relaxation exercises. Please let your transplant physician or the transplant psychologist know if you are experiencing any of these types of issues.

Caregivers in the transplant process

A transplant is not possible without the support of one or more caregivers. We rely on caregivers to relay information about your physical and emotional well-being, as they are the ones that will be by your side 24/7 throughout the transplant process. The time commitment for a caregiver can range from two weeks to over three months, depending on the type of transplant you receive, so your coordinator will discuss specific requirements beforehand.

Caregivers are often responsible for ensuring that changes in your medications or treatment plan are carried out at home. They may also assist with transportation, cooking and cleaning. If you are considering a transplant, you will need to identify who could serve in this role, as it may be several people.

Caregiver class

A two-hour caregiver class is held twice a month to help you and your caregivers learn about what to expect from transplantation and recovery. It is a program requirement that both you and your caregivers attend. Registration for the class will be arranged through your transplant coordinator.

Topics in the class include:

• Caregiver responsibilities
• Central venous catheter (CVC) care
• Financial and insurance issues
• General overview of transplants
  
• Issues to consider when planning for a transplant
• Nutritional guidelines
• Psychosocial issues

Manuals

A "patient and caregiver" manual will be given to you by your transplant coordinator early on. This manual contains detailed information about all aspects of the transplant process, and was designed as a resource to help you and your family understand what to expect. While certain information will be reviewed with you by your transplant coordinator, you and your caregivers are expected to review the manual and ask questions.

Support for caregivers

The transplant process can also be difficult for caregivers and family members, as they experience many of the stresses and feelings that patients experience. As a caregiver, it is important to take care of yourself as well. This may mean scheduling a break for yourself or alternating caregivers so longer breaks can be arranged. Even if it is not possible to have more than one caregiver, it can help to have friends or family assist with daily tasks, such as meals, house cleaning, childcare, laundry, transportation or fielding phone calls. All of these duties take energy, and yours will be limited, so take advantage of offers for help.

Additionally, the transplant process can place stress on family and marital relationships. Often, when people don't feel well, they are more irritable, and can direct that irritability towards supportive family members. Playing this role can be difficult when you are already picking up extra duties, so it is important for family members to seek support for themselves.

Children's care

Children have an especially hard time if a parent or loved one is ill. Since children can be particularly sensitive to changes in their routine, it is important to try and maintain a regular schedule. In an age-appropriate way, talk with them about what to expect, and be sure to tell them how their needs will be taken care of throughout the transplant process. Providing an outlet to talk about normal feelings and fears is essential. Sometimes a parent is unable to hear these fears without feeling they need to “fix it," so a referral to a child therapist or support group for children with ill parents may be helpful. Please ask a social worker for assistance if you need some direction or referrals.

Financial support

The financial necessities of cancer care can make a stressful situation even more stressful, so our financial coordinators are here to help ease those worries. Financial coordinators work with you, your caregiver and insurance provider to obtain reimbursement for costs related to transplantation. With an elevated understanding of the various physical, medical and social problems that can affect you throughout this process, they will help you understand the cost and reimbursement for your care before treatment begins.

Housing and transportation support

Your transplant coordinator will discuss any housing needs you may have during the transplant process. If the distance from your home to our facility does not meet program requirements, alternate housing will be required. The cost of this housing may be covered by your insurance. However, if it is not, this will be your financial responsibility. Our housing coordinator will work with you on your options and help secure local housing. We also offer numerous transportation options. Please contact a member of the social work team if you have any questions.

Infertility support

Due to chemotherapy's effects on hormones, sperm and egg production, infertility can arise as a result of a transplant. However, it is very difficult to predict who will experience permanent sterility or infertility from this, as infertility depends on many factors, including your age and chemotherapy dosage.

Surgery and radiation procedures, such as total body irradiation (TBI), also increase your risk for infertility. Individual treatment factors, such as location and doses of radiation, affect the chances of becoming infertile. It is very important to discuss any infertility issues and available fertility options with your physician, coordinator or nurse.

Spiritual support

Should you need it, our hospital has chaplains available for religious and spiritual support. You can ask your transplant nurse coordinator or inpatient transplant nurse to contact the chaplain while you are here. Once you have connected, the chaplain may also be of help in finding others to meet with you who may also share your spiritual beliefs.