'I didn't know'

Five times. How can that be? Just today I heard it five times, and I wonder how many days before that I have I heard the same thing: “I didn't know.” For me, it would be good to never hear that again from any of my patients.

In 2004, Dr. Sara Cuccurullo stated in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Board Review that, “rehabilitation of the patient with cancer should begin when disability is anticipated, rather than after it has occurred.”

I had always done orthopedic and sports medicine care, but 17 years ago, an MD I respected greatly asked me to take a look at a patient of his and determine a plan of care for her. She was a breast cancer patient and she had had lymph nodes removed with radiation. Her arm was terribly swollen and she was in a lot of pain. Her arm was so heavy she could barely lift it. I was taken aback. I had never seen anything like this before. And from that moment on, I decided that no one should ever have to suffer like that. I didn't want to hear “Well, I just didn't know”. So I made it part of my mission to care for breast cancer patients (and all oncology patients) in my office along with my sports and orthopedic patients.

Quickly I realized that if I could see a patient after surgery and once their drains were removed, I could decrease the chance of physical disabilities early on, just as Dr. Cuccurullo had reported. I realized prevention was the key to positive outcomes for people with cancer. So the quest began to never hear those words again.

Step Forward for Oncology Care is the four-step program that came out of that process. It is for anyone who has had any type of surgery for oncology care. So as soon as your drains are removed, you need to schedule a physical therapy evaluation by a therapist who is educated in oncology care, to create a baseline for your health plan. Ask your MD for a referral. Come and learn the four steps, so you know how to be proactive in your health and healing process to complete your recovery. It consists of exercises, special massage, skin care and compression garments (move over Spanxs).

Recovery from Cancer is not complete without physical therapy rehabilitation. Rehabilitation is not only for problems that are already present, but to help prevent problems from ever occurring.

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Sheree DiBiase, PT, has been a physical therapist for 32 years and is the owner of Lake City Physical Therapy in Coeur d'Alene, Hayden and Spokane Valley. She is currently certified through Stanford University in the LeDuc Method of Lymphedema care for oncology patients. All of her staff are trained in oncology care and ready to make a plan for you and your oncology needs. Don't wait, and never say “I didn't know.” Call today: Coeur d'Alene office (208) 667-1988, Hayden office (208) 872-4201, Spokane Valley office (509) 891-2623.