Look Good...Feel Better

THURSDAY, MARCH 6th 3-5 PM 10 CENTRAL LOUNGE

Look Good. . . Feel Better is designed to help cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation cope with the appearance related side effects of their treatment.

The Volunteer Services Department sponsors the program as a free, non-medical product-neutral program in partnership with the American Cancer Society.

Trained cosmetologists teach women how to handle skin changes and hair loss using cosmetics and skin care products donated by the cosmetic industry. Free cosmetic kits are provided as well as advice on wigs, scarves and other accessories to disguise hair loss.

Please reach out to women on the unit to see if they are interested in attending. Space is limited. Must register in advance to attend: 212-746-3947

Boundaries

Just a reminder...As a Nancy's Friends volunteer, you have a special role. You are there for patient's week after week and surely have created a special bond with some patients who have been here for an extended amount of time. It is very important to remember that you can not give out your personal information to patients or their families. If someone asks you, and you have any questions about how to handle the situation, please let me know. You are here as a friend, but also as a professional.

Knit for Nancy Hats

Dear Volunteers,

In addition to the knit hats donated by volunteers, we have received a new shipment of Knit for Nancy hats! These hats are donated by the Nancy Klauber Forest Foundation from their annual fundraising event in the fall. These knit hats are very special, as each one was hand knit in memory of our program namesake, Nancy, who was a patient here on Greenberg 10. The Knit for Nancy hats are mostly all in colors of baby pink (Nancy's favorite color), white, and purple and have a flower that is reference to our logo.

Please distribute all Knit for Nancy hats in a Knit for Nancy bag with tissue paper and a card that says "Knit for you with Love." These materials can be found in our cabinet in the 10 Central Lounge. It makes a big difference to give out a Knit for Nancy hat all wrapped up - patients love receiving presents!

CancerCare: Metastatic Breast Cancer

What does Metastatic mean?

Metastatic means that the cancer has spread from its point of origin (in this case, the breast) to other parts of the body.

What types of treatment are available?

There are three subcatagories of treatment for metastatic breast cancer.

1. Hormonal: Estrogen therapy. This affects selective estrogen re-uptake inhibitors.
2. Chemotherapy: Agressive therapy that often involves multiple drugs and many side effects.
3. Targeted or Biologic: using an antibody to target cells that overexpresses a protein.

Angio-genesis inhibitors can also be used. These cut off blood supply to tumors, and therefore block the ability of the tumor to feed itself.

What are some side effects of treatment for metastatic breast cancer?

Side effects can be caused not only by the disease itself, but by the specific treatment for the disease.

Pain, fatigue, nerve damage, anemia, and psychological concerns are all common side effects. It is important that every patient communicate with their care team and take control of their treatment and focus on wellness.

• Remember that volunteers NEVER share medical information with patients! This is for your personal use only and should never be discussed with patients. If patients have questions or concerns about their treatment, please encourage them to bring it up with their medical care team. =)

Dog Visit Lists - Paws for Patients

As many of you already know, our pet therapy program is very popular! Once a week, patients are able to get dog visits at the bedside. This is an incredibly theraputic activity for patients, and always brings a smile to everyone's face. =)

I am leaving a folder in the 10 South Filing cabinet with blank pet therapy forms. If a patient requests dog visits, please make a note in the binder and also add their name to the formal list that the Paws for Patients people use. This list is kept in the 10 Central Report room on the bulletin board behind a picture of some cute canines!

Nurse Practitioners

A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse who has completed specific advanced nursing education (generally a master's degree) and training in the diagnosis and management of common as well as complex medical conditions. Nurse Practitioners provide a broad range of health care services.

Nurse Practitioners provide care in offices, family practice offices, urgent care centers, and rural health clinics, and in some states must maintain collaborative working relationships with physicians while in other states the term "collaboration" is used in a broader sense. In the US NPs are licensed by the state in which they practice, and have a national board certification (usually through the American Nurses Credentialing Center or American Academy of Nurse Practitioners). Nurse Practitioners can be trained and nationally certified in areas of pediatrics, geriatrics, family, psychiatry and acute care.

Nurse Practitioners treat both acute and chronic conditions through comprehensive history taking, physical exams, prescribing medications, physical therapy, ordering tests and therapies for patients, within their scope of practice. Many NPs have a DEA registration number that allows them to write prescriptions for federally-defined "controlled medications". Nurse Practitioners may also bill insurance companies for services performed. An NP can serve as a patient's "point of entry" health care provider, and see patients of all ages depending on their designated scope of practice. The core philosophy of the field is individualized care. Nurse Practitioners focus on patients' conditions as well as the effects of illness on the lives of the patients and their families. Informing patients about their health care and encouraging them to participate in decisions are central to the care provided by NPs.*

* Taken from Wikipedia.com

New Isolation Precaution Signs

Hi all!

Although many of you have already seen these signs on the unit, I wanted to bring it to your attention that the signs to indicate isolation precautions have recently changed. Not only does it list the precaution you should take, but now there are pictures indicating what should be worn (for example a duck-billed mask in respiratory isolation). I think the new signs are a big improvement!

Thriving After Life's Bum Rap

Sometimes coping with a serious illness can cause you to think about the positive things that are in your life. Nancy's Friends volunteer Arline wanted to share this article posted in the NYTimes. Jane Brody writes about how cancer can cause you to see things from a different perspective.

Thriving After Life's Bum Rap

The New York Times

By JANE E. BRODY
Published: August 14, 2007

American Cancer Society / NYP-Weill Cornell Quarterly Breakfast

YOU'RE INVITED!

Who: Nursing staff, nutritionists, social workers and volunteers
What: Breakfast with the American Cancer Society
When: Thursday, February 7th at 7:30am
Where: 10 Central Patient Lounge

Come learn about the ACS Hope Lodge ACS outreach programs, NYPH oncology outreach activities, and meet some of the New York ACS staff members.

Please RVSP to me (Jen) if you would like to attend.

Thanks!

New Additions

Hi Everybody!

I wanted to let you know we received some new items to distribute to patients.

• We have new knit hats and even a scarf available (next to DVD cabinet)


• A calendar should anyone ask (10S filing cabinet)


• Playing cards (10S filing cabinet)


• Classical CD (next to DVD cabinet)


• CD "Music to Heal the Mind, Body, and Soul" - perfect for anxious or depressed patients. (Please sign out - I will leave in DVD cabinet)

I also want to remind you all that there are still pillowcases that can be distributed! They were decorated by children at the annual "Knit for Nancy" event this past fall.

Jen

C-Diff And What You Can Do To Prevent Outbreak

What is c-diff?

C-diff (Clostridium difficile ) is a bacteria that colonizes in the human intestine and colon. People who have c-diff will have diarrhea and abdominal pain. It is spread when someone touches their infected stool. C-diff is resistant to most antibiotics.

C-diff is a nosocomial infection, also known as a hospital-acquired infection, which means that it is often a result of treatment in a hospital. Patients in a hospital usually have a weakened immune system and are on antibiotics to treat a primary disease. This makes them more susceptible to c-diff.

As you learned in orientation, you must always follow the proper isolation procedures. C-diff is very common in hospitals and there are patients that we visit that will have it. This is why it is so important to wear a gown and gloves when patients are on contact precautions. You should ALWAYS wash your hands with soap and water (not just purell) if you were wearing gloves and have just left a contact room.

This is not only for your safety, but for the safety of all the patients on the floor. You do not want to be the one responsible for an outbreak!! The nurses may let you know if a patient has c-diff, please do not hesitate to visit that patient. If you follow the proper protocol, there is minimal risk – this is why the isolation procedures are in place!