At Mercy, we recognize that the physical stress of battling cancer can sometimes take an emotional toll on patients and their families. From the moment of diagnosis through every step of the treatment plan, our social workers are here to help and support you in every way they can. They are Licensed Clinical Social Workers and members of the Association of Oncology Social Workers. They can connect you with appropriate support groups and community resources to help you deal with the many challenges related to dealing with the diagnosis of cancer, including insurance, financial, transportation, housing, and other day-to-day needs. They are also trained in the latest stress management and relaxation techniques that many patients find extremely helpful.
To contact Lenore Kraus, LCSW, OSW-C please call (207) 553-6867
To contact Colleen O'Connor, LCSW please call (207) 553-6869
If you or a loved one is facing a diagnosis of cancer, call us today and let us show you how we can help. We are here to support, educate, assist and advocate for patients in a variety of ways. Please feel free to contact one of our oncology social workers at one of the above numbers.
We would like to share with you an essay written by one of our patients about her experience with one special nurse at Mercy Oncology-Hematology:
“Care and Common Sense”
One nurse’s smiling face, light touch, and straightforward approach made all the difference. In March 2009, I finished my last of 33 radiation sessions for treatment of early stage breast cancer. This was the fourth step along the sometimes scary and difficult journey towards the elusive goal of a “cancer survivor.” First step: Absorbing the frightening news of the breast cancer diagnosis with all its terrors and ambiguity. Second step: Undergoing the lumpectomy and the sentinel node biopsy with the resulting “lymph node positive” bad news. Third step: 18 weeks of driving back and forth to the hospital for chemotherapy infusions and weekly blood counts. During the third step along my journey, Carolyn was my oncology nurse—and also my cheerleader and coach. How I hated having that needle go into my chest, but there was something about Carolyn’s firm, matter of fact “1, 2, and on the count of 3” predictable prick that gave me confidence. I knew I was in good hands. Then, with a quick step, she would disappear down the hall, return with the reports, and help me interpret the numbers. I felt empowered and encouraged in being able to comprehend the weekly fluctuations.
Each time I came into the hospital for my treatment, I would arrive with a long list of questions. Why was I feeling hyper after the prednisone? What would help my fatigue? What did she think about vitamin and herbal supplements? What could I do about the tingling and numbness in my hands and toes? Carolyn always took the time to answer all the questions. She went right to the basics: good diet, exercise, rest, and massage. She provided explanations that made sense and practical suggestions that were not costly, often referring me to the readily available expertise and multiple resources of colleagues, doctors, nutritionists, and social workers in the oncology department. When my sister came to visit from out of town, Carolyn even knew the best local diners for fish and chips. Sometimes I thought that Carolyn knew more about chemotherapy than the doctors. The doctors knew the chemistry. Carolyn knew me, and the hundreds of patients who had come before me. She was able to anticipate and empathize with my feelings almost as if she had gone through this herself. Carolyn watched out for me and made things easier. Early on, she intuited how much I enjoyed and benefitted from the massage treatments at the hospital and made sure in scheduling my appointments that they always coincided with the availability of the massage therapist. Carolyn even took on my insurance company when they refused to cover the $9,000 (x6) Neulasta “day after” shot to boost white blood cell count. With a definitive, “Oh, I can handle that,” she did just that. The claim was processed, saving me the burden of numerous back and forth calls navigating the medical insurance maze to plead my case.
Now, nine months later, and appropriately coinciding with the advent of spring, I am grateful to be through the surgery, chemo, and radiation, and ready to take back my life. It is an occasion for appreciation and recognition of those many individuals who helped me maintain a sense of hope, humor, and grace along the way. It was not only Carolyn’s firm needle pricks that instilled trust, but also the warm reassurance at the end of each treatment, “Be sure to call me if….” I have not yet called, but knowing she is there makes a world of difference.
I am still mulling over Carolyn’s gentle parting advice…”Think about what you might give back as a buddy.”
~ Meg Warren, Mercy Oncology-Hematology Center patient
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