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COMMUNITY
A Holistic Approach to Cancer Care
W hen Marge Carden was diagnosed Marge's sister, Beverly Cole, has attended each An Inspiring Loser
with lung cancer in 2011, her Cancer Well-Fit session as Marge's support
ensuing chemotherapy exhausted person, and she has noticed the difference the As Adrienne Uzamo has learned, the services
her. Walking from her bedroom to course has made in Marge's life. provided at WCNH may prevent illness. When
the couch each morning was a chore that Adrienne committed to improving her health
would require her to lie down. After Marge's “She's got that energy, that big laugh and in 2014, she weighed 366 pounds. She could
physician was satisfied with the results of the smile back. Coming to Cancer Well-Fit gives barely walk, relying heavily on a cane that
chemotherapy, Marge opted to take a break. her reason to get up and get dressed,” said made her look much older than her 54 years.
Beverly.
“I'm a huge believer in quality over quantity. “When I joined, I wasn't able to do the
I'm just not interested in laying around and not It's because of patients like Marge that the weights, so I started doing water aerobics,”
really being here,” said Marge. leaders at WCNH are committed to said Adrienne.
continuing the program. Despite
When her daughter urged her to recent cuts in grant funding, As she gained strength, she incorporated
get active, Marge discovered WCNH feels so strongly about weights and cardio exercise into her routine.
the Cancer Well-Fit project Cancer Well-Fit and its impact She has dropped from a size 36 to a size 14,
at Wellness Center, that the program is here to with a goal of wearing a size 10 before 2016.
Navicent Health (WCNH). stay. More importantly, Adrienne's commitment to
wellness has strengthened her heart – valuable
Approximately 20 “Even if we lose all grant because of an extensive family history of heart
oncology patients and dollars and don't sustain any failure and stroke.
their supporters meet new grants, the program is
three times per week for not going away. Whether we “I made myself a promise that I was going to
this 12-week program. make money or lose money, come to the gym at least five days a week, and
Classes are divided into two we believe it is one of those work as hard as I could for at least one hour.
segments - a strength training things that we need to do. It's This pool is a lifesaver for me,” said Adrienne.
portion for the body, and an part of our oncology services
educational portion for the mind and pathway to better health,” said Kevin For more information on Wellness Services, Navicent
soul. The holistic approach to care covers a Carter, Director of Wellness Services, Navicent Health, please visit NavicentHealth.org, keyword
wide variety of topics in addition to regular Health. “Wellness Center.”
exercise. Instructors lead in stress relieving
therapies including yoga and tai chi. Therapists Carter's hope is that, one day, programs like
incorporate art, dance and music into the Cancer Well-Fit will be reimbursed as a
program. Life coaches discuss perspective and rehabilitation program or healthcare service.
life choices while nutrition counselors lead
cooking demonstrations and clinicians discuss “There is no doubt, studies have shown that
the side effects of medication and treatment. cancer rehab is very important, from the
physical exercise and strength training to the
“We know exercise will give you energy, and social aspect,” said Carter.
when you're going through chemo or radiation,
there is a fatigue factor. They're going to get For more information on Wellness Services, Navicent
the whole gamut of the clinical and holistic Health and Cancer Well-Fit, please visit
approach. But sometimes our patients just NavicentHealth.org, keyword “Cancer Wellfit
need the social factor – getting out of bed and Project.”
getting here, being stimulated through
conversation and laughter. That's also exercise
that's good for the body and good for the soul,”
said Sandra Stone, Cancer Well-Fit
Coordinator.
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