I love being a part of Cancer Wellness at Piedmont Columbus - Piedmont Healthcare
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July/August 2021
I love being a
part of Cancer
Wellness at
Piedmont Columbus
At Piedmont, we treat the patient – not just
the disease. Because cancer treatment
involves more than medical care, free
services and programs such as yoga,
cooking demos, expressive art classes and
counseling are also available to anyone
affected by cancer at any phase in his or
her journey through Cancer Wellness at
Piedmont, regardless of whether or not
they are a Piedmont patient. Each month,
hundreds of cancer patients, survivors
and caregivers look to Cancer Wellness at
Piedmont for support. To view the class
schedule for all of our locations, visit
piedmont.org/cancerwellness.
Thank you to our donors!
As a not-for-profit entity, Piedmont relies on the generosity of
others like those who support Cancer Wellness at Piedmont in
order to offer many programs, services and advanced medical
technology to the community. For more information or to
donate in support of Cancer Wellness at Piedmont Columbus,
visit piedmont.org/pcrfoundation or call 706.660.6115.
Piedmont thanks you for caring for our patients!
July is Sarcoma Awareness Month
What is a soft tissue sarcoma?
A soft tissue sarcoma is a cancer that grows from one
of the “soft tissues” in the body. These include the
muscles, nerves, blood vessels and fat.
Soft tissue sarcomas develop when normal cells in
a soft tissue change into abnormal cells and grow
out of control. There are many types of soft tissue
sarcomas. The type depends on the kind of soft tissue
the cancer grows from.
Soft tissue sarcomas are more common in adults than
in children. They can grow anywhere in the body, but
they happen most often in the arms or legs. They can
also grow in the belly, or on the belly or chest wall. What is soft tissue sarcoma staging?
Cancer staging is a way in which doctors find out
whether a cancer has spread past the layer of tissue
What are the symptoms of a soft tissue sarcoma? where it began and, if so, how far.
The most common symptom is a lump that grows
slowly over weeks to months. The lump doesn’t The right treatment for you will depend a lot on the
usually cause pain. type and stage of your soft tissue sarcoma, and where
it is in your body.
Having a lump doesn’t always mean you have a soft
tissue sarcoma. But if you have a lump that doesn’t go
away, tell your doctor or other healthcare practitioner. How is a soft tissue sarcoma treated?
Most people with a soft tissue sarcoma have one or
Other symptoms of a soft tissue sarcoma depend on more of the following treatments:
where the cancer is in your body. For example, a soft
tissue sarcoma in the belly can cause belly pain or • Surgery – Doctors can sometimes do surgery to
bloody bowel movements, or make you feel full after remove the soft tissue sarcoma.
eating only a small amount of food. • Radiation therapy – Radiation kills cancer cells.
• Chemotherapy – Chemotherapy is the medical term
Is there a test for a soft tissue sarcoma? for medications that kill cancer cells or stop them
Yes. To check if a lump is a soft tissue sarcoma, from growing.
doctors usually perform: • Other medicines – These include medicines called
• Imaging tests – Imaging tests create pictures of “targeted therapies” that work only for cancers that
the inside of the body. Doctors can order different have certain characteristics. Your doctor might
imaging tests, including an X-ray, an MRI scan, or a do tests to see if your soft tissue sarcoma might
CT scan. respond to these types of medicines.
• A biopsy – During a biopsy, your doctor will take a
small sample of tissue from the lump. Then another What happens after treatment?
doctor will look at the sample under a microscope After treatment, you will be checked regularly to see if
to see if it is cancerous the soft tissue sarcoma comes back. Follow-up tests
usually include exams and imaging tests. You should
also watch for new lumps, because a new lump could
mean the soft tissue sarcoma has come back.
What happens if the soft tissue sarcoma comes Always let your doctors and nurses know how you
back? feel about a treatment. Any time you are offered a
If the soft tissue sarcoma comes back, your doctor treatment, ask:
might treat it with surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or • What are the benefits of this treatment?
targeted therapies.
• Is it likely to help me live longer?
• Will it reduce or prevent symptoms?
What else should I do? • What are the downsides to this treatment?
It is important to follow all your doctor’s instructions • Are there other options besides this treatment?
about visits and tests. It’s also important to talk to your
• What happens if I do not have this treatment?
doctor about any side effects or problems you have
during treatment.
Getting treated for a soft tissue sarcoma can involve
making many choices, such as what treatment to have.
A Survivor in the Spotlight
LaShandra (Shan) Hill-Covington’s two
battles with breast cancer, the early death of
her mother, and many other life experiences
created a “sourness” that she realized were
LEMONS. Shan shares her essays of her
journey and leaves us with freshly squeezed
LEMONADE. You can find her book on
Amazon.
Shan was born June 23, 1980 in Columbus,
Georgia. She proudly proclaims herself
to be a “Georgia peach for all her life”.
Shan is a graduate of George Washington
Carver High School and holds a degree in pharmacy Technology from Columbus
Technical College, She has been employed in Education as a Paraprofessional
and as an ABA tutor to children with autism. Shan and her husband Tony are the
proud parents of Antonio and Shabrea and the proud grandparents to Mackenzie.
Programs
CREATIVITY
Art Therapy Meditation
Art therapy is a therapeutic technique rooted in the idea Learn to meditate and move through the world in a more
that creative expression can foster healing and mental well- peaceful way. Numerous benefits include enhanced
being. Art therapy can improve cognition, reduce stress, and immune system, reduced inflammation and less anxiety.
facilitate feeling of well-being or pleasure. Spend time with Date TBD
a local artist exploring various themes and self-expression
through different art media. Join us weekly as we explore Oncology Massage Therapy
painting and other creative techniques in a supportive We offer 30-minute complimentary massages for patients
environment. Program is free to all JBACC patients and in active cancer treatment. Massage therapy has been
caregivers. All materials provided (funding made possible by shown to improve quality of life for those with cancer.
the Piedmont Columbus Regional Foundation). Come relax Benefits include improved relaxation, sleep and immune
and let your creativity flow! Date TBD function as well as relieving anxiety, pain, fatigue and
nausea. To schedule an appointment with one of our
MOVEMENT massage therapists, call Cindy Ivey at 706.320.8718.
By appointment only.
Gentle Yoga
Participants are guided through breath-work, simple yoga Pastoral Care
postures and deep relaxation. Yoga calms the mind, body Available upon request.
and emotions so even first-time participants enjoy an
improved sense of wellbeing. Date TBD
SUPPORT
Survivorship Exercise Class Better Breathers (COPD) Support Group
This is a safe, inviting exercise program developed to For patients with COPD, lung cancer, and other lung
improve the physical health and quality of life for people diseases. Please call 706.321.6603 or email michael.
with cancer. You are invited to join us in the June B. Wright nwogbo@piedmont.org to reserve your place! Date TBD
Community Conference Room (located on the 2nd floor of
the John B. Amos Cancer Center). Date TBD Gastrointestinal Diseases Support Group
Guest speakers will share how to combat this disease.
KNOWLEDGE Please call 706.321.6603 or email michael.nwogbo@
piedmont.org to reserve your place! 7/21, 8/18
Chemo Education
Classes are personalized for every patient starting Man-to-Man Support Group
chemotherapy. Please call 706.571.1368 or email ana.gutierrez@piedmont.
org to reserve your place! 7/20, 8/17
Patient Advocacy Group
In this unique forum, patients and caregivers are giving Multiple Myeloma Support Group
an opportunity to point out areas that could use some Please call 706.321.6603 or email michael.nwogbo@
improvement, and give recommendations based on their piedmont.org to reserve your place! 7/28, 8/25
experiences here at the center. 7/19, 8/16
New Patients Support Group
Radiation Education Please call 706.571.1368 or email ana.gutierrez@piedmont.
Classes are personalized for every patient starting org to reserve your place! 7/13, 7/27, 8/10, 8/24
Radiation therapy.
Next Step Support Group
Smoking Cessation Please call 706.321.6603 or email michael.nwogbo@
Please contact Michael Nwogbo at 706.321.6603. piedmont.org to reserve your place! Date TBD
By appointment only.
Woman-to-Woman Support Group
PEACE Please call 706.320.8762 or email mary.williams1@
piedmont.org to reserve your place! 7/14, 8/11
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is an art and science of using botanical
essential oils to promote health and wellness. Learn the SUSTENANCE
basics of aromatherapy and create an uplifting essential oil Nutrition Counseling
blend to use at home. Date TBD Our licensed Registered Dietitians provide nutrition
counseling for cancer patients during and post treatment.
Healing Touch and Reiki They provide customized therapies to help patients stay
Individual sessions that focus on the energy system of the motivated, chart progress, and achieve nutrition health
body to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and minimize goals. Individual sessions by appointment.
side-effects. Date TBD
July 2021
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Virtual New Virtual Woman
Patients to Woman
Support Group Support Group
(Ana Gutierrez), (Mary Williams),
10-11 a.m. Noon-1 p.m.
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Virtual Patient Virtual Man-to- Virtual GI
Advocacy Man Support Support Group,
Group, 5-6 p.m. Group (Ana Noon-1 p.m.
Gutierrez),
Noon- 1 p.m.
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
Virtual New Virtual Multiple
Patients Myeloma
Support Group Support Group
(Ana Gutierrez), Noon-1 p.m.
3-4 p.m.
August 2021
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Virtual New Virtual Woman
Patients to Woman
Support Group Support Group
(Ana Gutierrez), (Mary Williams),
10-11 a.m. Noon- 1 p.m.
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Virtual Patient Virtual Man-to- Virtual GI
Advocacy Man Support Support Group,
Group, 5-6 p.m. Group (Ana Noon-1 p.m.
Gutierrez),
Noon- 1 p.m.
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Virtual New Virtual Multiple
Patients Myeloma
Support Group Support Group
(Ana Gutierrez), Noon-1 p.m.
3-4 p.m.
29 30 31
Location and Contacts
Piedmont Columbus Regional OUTREACH
John B. Amos Cancer Center Michael C. Nwogbo, MBA/HA
1831 5th Avenue Oncology Outreach Coordinator
Columbus, Georgia 31904 706.321.6603
michael.nwogbo@piedmont.org
NURSE NAVIGATORS
Mary E. Williams, RN, BSN, OCN COUNSELING
Breast Health Navigator Ana Gutierrez, MSW
706.320.8762 Oncology Social Worker
mary.williams1@piedmont.org 706.571.1368
ana.gutierrez@piedmont.org
Nicole Martin, RN, BSN, OCN
Lung Health Navigator
706.320.8615
nicole.martin@piedmont.org
SOCIAL WORKERS
Connie M. Flannigan, BSW, MBA
Case Manager Associate
706.320.8829
connie.flannigan@piedmont.org
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