Fall 2016 Edition

As a clinical neuropsychologist fellowship trained at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Petya Demireva, Ph.D., focuses her practice on cognitive function in patients treated for brain tumors and cancer-related neurological disorders. Her arrival at TIRR Memorial Hermann in October 2015 added strength to the hospital’s growing cancer rehabilitation program.

More than 14 million people are cancer survivors in the U.S., a number expected to rise to almost 19 million by the year 2024. Many survivors say they felt very supported during treatment but found it hard to transition to a new way of life when medical care ended. In response to these and other needs, facilities across the Memorial Hermann Cancer Network offer rehabilitation programs to help cancer survivors move forward. Sandy Miller, RN, NE-BC, and Carolina Gutiérrez, MD, address current issues in cancer survivorship and rehabilitation.

Lymphedema is a very common diagnosis after lifesaving head and neck cancer treatments, and it profoundly affects patients’ quality of life. Among those who have developed lymphedema is Elías Torres, who benefited from the teamwork between TIRR Memorial Hermann Outpatient Rehabilitation and the division of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center. The interdisciplinary collaboration brings together surgical oncologists and rehabilitation professionals focused on improving life for survivors before, during and after cancer treatment.

Last year Vern Oakum was among the men surprised with a diagnosis of breast cancer. “I noticed a lump on the left side of my chest and thought it was a pulled muscle because I’d been working out the week before,” says Oakum, who is 54. “When it didn’t go away, I went to my primary care physician, who ordered an ultrasound and mammogram, both of which came back inconclusive.” After reviewing the results, Oakum’s doctor referred him to Liz Lee, MD, a breast surgeon affiliated with Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center. She saw him early the following morning for an examination and biopsy.

Dr. Holmes referred Rozelle for prehabilitation – occupational therapy in advance of mastectomy to optimize the outcome and help improve quality of life after treatment. “I’m a big believer in prehabilitation,” Dr. Holmes says. “When we see cancer patients, we’re very aware that they have lives beyond diagnosis and treatment. Patients who have mastectomy and lymph node dissection, as Leigh did, will lose some range of motion in the arm and shoulder on the affected side and also be at risk for lymphedema. If a patient is deconditioned before chemotherapy, an exercise program can help with fatigue during treatment. We can address all of these challenges before treatment.”

A new cancer exercise and education program is available at TIRR Memorial Hermann Outpatient Rehabilitation-Memorial City. This program is part of TIRR Memorial Hermann’s Strength Unlimited, a community-based wellness and recovery program for children and adults that provides an enriched environment for people of all levels of ability to optimize their recovery and create a path for lifelong health and well being.

It’s not uncommon for patients treated for spinal cord tumor to require rehabilitation following surgery. Among them was Alabama resident Jennifer Kennedy, who was referred to Laurence Rhines, MD, professor of neurosurgery at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, when her neurosurgeon in Birmingham discovered a complex cervical spinal cord tumor. Thanks to the cancer center’s collaboration with TIRR Memorial Hermann, Kennedy was able to return to work four months after her surgery.

Approximately 200 health care professionals, including physicians, nurses, therapists, case managers, social workers and psychologists, attended the 1st MD Anderson Cancer Center and TIRR Memorial Hermann Cancer Rehabilitation Symposium, held May 13-14 at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. The symposium focused on “Shifting Paradigms in Cancer Rehabilitation.”

Cancer rehabilitation has emerged as an important part of the comprehensive treatment programs offered through the Memorial Hermann Cancer Network. Patients also benefit from prehabilitation, which helps prevent or lessen the severity of anticipated treatment-related problems that could lead to later disability. TIRR Memorial Hermann takes rehabilitation a step further through Strength Unlimited, a community-based wellness and recovery program that provides an enriched environment for people of all levels of ability to optimize their recovery and create a path for lifelong health and well being.