Support Services
Living with a serious disease is not easy. People with cancer and those who care about them face many problems and challenges. Having helpful information and support services can make it easier to cope with these problems.
Wig and Mastectomy Fitting at Baptist Home Medical Equipment
Your medical needs may extend far beyond the doors of a hospital or oncologist's office. At every Baptist Home Medical location you will find a boutique for chemotherapy and surgery patients filled with wigs, turbans, scarves, bras, prostheses, gowns and bathing suits. Best of all, our certified mastectomy fitter has years of experience and can help you feel and look your best. For more information call (865) 573-0777.
Buddy CheckThe Buddy Check™ program encourages all participants to recognize that
breast self-examination (BSE) is just one part of a very important three-part program for the early detection of breast cancer. The three-part program-physician examination, routine screening mammography, and breast self-examination- is recommended by major national health organizations including the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Click here for more information.
Cancer Care Coordinator
St. Mary's Cancer Care Coordinator is a licensed RN that serves cancer care patients by helping them navigate the myriad of issues that support and impact their care. The Care Coordinator is available to help with insurance coverage and issues, transportation assistance, identifying appropriate support programs, compiling educational materials, securing prescription medication assistance and more. Patients agree this service is invaluable during their period of care and is a very important part of the comprehensive cancer program.
Cancer Resource Center
The Cancer Resource Center at St. Mary's North Cancer Center is a place where patients and their families can gather and research information related to their cancer diagnosis. Through a variety of resources such as books, pamphlets, videos, Web sites, and computer programs, patients and family members can educate themselves about their diagnosis, treatment and support options.
Cancer Well-fit Program
The Cancer Well-fit program is an exercise regimen specially designed for cancer care patients to improve their recovery process and reduce fatigue levels during and after treatments. Founded in 1994 at the acclaimed Santa Barbara Athletic Club, the program has received many accolades such as the International Health, Racquet, and Sports Club Association's prestigious "Wellness Best Practice Award" in 1999. St. Mary's provides this exemplary program free of charge for cancer care patients. Cancer Well-fit is offered at Mercy Health & Fitness Center, next to St. Mary's North Cancer Center . For more information, please contact Nicole Yarbrough at (865) 362-8510.
HomeCare Services
Mercy HomeCare Services provide high-quality, cost effective care through a staff of skilled professionals that includes registered and licensed nurses; physical, occupational, and speech therapists; clinical social workers; and home health aides. For more information on HomeCare, click here.
I Can Cope
Sponsored by the American Cancer Society, this is a support group for any person effected by cancer of any kind. Click here for dates and registration.
Look Good...Feel Better
Cancer can rob a woman of her energy, appetite and strength. But it doesn't have to take away her self-confidence. Look Good...Feel Better is a free program through the American Cancer Society that teaches beauty techniques to women cancer patients in active treatment to help them combat the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatments. Local Beauty Consultants instruct women on the best ways to enhance appearance during care regimens. Instruction is also offered on skin and nail care, and how to cope with hair loss through the use of scarves, turbans and wigs. Each participant receives a complimentary cosmetic kit to use during and after the program. Click here for class dates and to register.
Nutritional Counseling
Diet is an important part of cancer treatment. Eating the right kinds of foods before, during, and after treatment can help patients feel better and stay stronger. To ensure proper nutrition, a person has to eat and drink enough of the foods that contain key nutrients. For many patients, however, some side effects of cancer and cancer treatments make it difficult to eat well. Eating guidelines for cancer patients can be very different from the usual suggestions for healthful eating. The Mercy Cancer Centers’ registered dietitian is available to help cancer patients and their families or caregivers sort through nutrition recommendations and learn tips to help cope with the effects of the cancer and its treatment. After treatment as you begin to feel better, our dietitian can show how a healthy diet helps patients regain strength, rebuild tissue, and feel better overall. For more information on Nutritional Counseling, click here.
Spiritual Care
As members of the health care team, the Spiritual Care Department is a service department of the health system designed to give spiritual assistance to persons of all faiths. Our hospital chaplains are trained specialists. Their clinical and theological training and experience enables them to provide competent, compassionate spiritual and emotional support for needs that may arise as a result of your illness or confinement. Clergy of all religious denominations are welcome to visit their members at any time. Should you desire a special visit from your clergy, the Spiritual Care Department will contact them for you if you wish. Contact the Spiritual Care Department at (865) 545-7923.
Mercy Residential Hospice
The concept of allowing terminally ill patients to live in a home-like setting while having their medical, emotional and spiritual needs met became a reality in 1999. Mercy Residential Hospice is designed to meet the needs of patients who have chosen palliative care and prefer to spend their last months in a home-like environment. Keeping families together in a setting of comfort and peace is an important goal of the program. For more information on Residential Hospice, click here.
Supportive Care Team
Supportive Care is a concept that is currently finding new life in healthcare systems. Often referred to as Palliative Care or Comfort Care, Supportive Care offers patients in the later phases of their disease access to a variety of specially trained professionals. A team of physicians, nurses, therapists, nutritionists, chaplains and others work with patients and their families to identify goals and medical treatments that honor a patient's choices during this sacred time of life. For more information the Supportive Care Team, click here.
Transportation Service
Getting to and from cancer treatments and appointments can be trying in such a difficult time. Mercy Cancer Center provides transportation assistance to those who need help. Call the Cancer Center at (865) 545-7817 for more information.
