Take Care

Wellness News for Better Living from Terrebonne General Medical Center Winter 2011

Grand Opening of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC

Dear Friends,

I hope you enjoy this very special issue of Take Care magazine. It is a celebration of a three-year mission to bring the very best in cancer care to our community with the grand opening of the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC.

In this issue, you will read about all of the various aspects at the Center that we are so proud to offer to the Tri-Parish area. Just as the butterfly mobile on the cover shows the progression of its lifespan, this Center covers every aspect of cancer care to further the Terrebonne General Medical Center mission of “providing exceptional healthcare with compassion.”

This project has truly been a labor of love by so many people, not just within our hospital, but also in our community. We’d like to thank our doctors, staff and patients for supporting us through our vision to build a comprehensive cancer center.

As we enter the holiday season, take the time to enjoy and appreciate your loved ones. This year, TGMC has much to be thankful for and celebrate. We hope you join us in wishing everyone happy holidays!

Best wishes,

Phyllis PeoplesPresident and CEO

SMARY BIRD PERKINS CANCER CENTER AT TGMC:

Continuing a Commitment TO A HEALTHIER COMMUNITY

Since 1954, Terrebonne General Medical Center (TGMC) has been committed to its mission of “providing exceptional healthcare with compassion.” In that time, the hospital has experienced many milestones in growth and partnerships in order to continue that promise to the Tri-Parish community.

The hospital celebrated its most recent milestone in October with the grand opening of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC. This cancer-fighting facility is the center of all cancer-related services for the region, offering convenient access for patients and their family members at one location, close to home.

“Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC boasts the most prestigious cancer program. For patients, this means our program has met the highest standards for cancer care. The most important aspect of our new Cancer Center is that we are able to keep people close to their family and friends while undergoing cancer treatment,” said Phyllis Peoples, president and CEO of TGMC.

The Center is located on TGMC’s main campus. “The first floor houses our team where radiation therapy is provided, and the second floor is the new home of our medical oncology team, where chemotherapy is administered,” she continued. “With the patients’ best interest in mind, the center’s décor and aesthetics are designed to be calming and inspirational. We want our patients to feel at home and view us as a place of healing so that they can get better and reach future life milestones.”

Dr. Raul Doria

Cover: This free-flying butterfly mobile greets every visitor in the entrance of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC. Read more about this symbol of hope and recovery on page 14. Pictured during the grand opening ceremony of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC are

the executive team members and board of commissioners of TGMC and Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center and the Center’s oncology physicians.

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We built it for you!

We built it for you!

COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CARE—CLOSE TO HOME

Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC is committed to providing an entire continuum of care from preven-tion and early detection to diagnosis, treatment, recovery and survivorship under one roof. This allows patients to stay near family and friends—a vital part of survivorship—while receiving the highest quality care.

The new comprehensive Cancer Center offers community outreach, diagnosis capabilities, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, clinical research trials, surgical interventions and an inpatient cancer unit. “The driving force behind this initiative is the patient—so that we may better serve them,” added Todd Stevens, president and CEO of Mary Bird Perkins. “We are grateful for this partnership so that together we can provide patients with access to everything they need close to home.”

By centralizing cancer services, patients will receive the same professional and compassionate care they have come to expect at TGMC with access to full service, world-class cancer care in their own community.

“Cancer treatment is not some-thing you can conveniently schedule along with life’s other challenges,” Stevens said. “With this cancer facility, we make high-quality cancer treatment and services locally accessible—close to home where people live and work and raise families.”

This optimized care at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer at TGMC is cancer-fighting technology that includes the Elekta linear accelerator, for fast, more accurate diagnosis; advanced intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) treatment capability; image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) treatment capability; positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT) capabilities; sophisticated

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planning stations; and physics and dosimetry quality assurance instru-mentation and software.

When it comes to cancer, it’s more than the technology that matters. The Center offers its patients full support in every aspect of their care in an effort to assist in their battle with cancer.

To help patients and their families handle the many facets of the journey to recovery and survivorship, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC offers a Patient Navigator. The Patient Navigator, a registered nurse, assists each patient to ensure seamless care throughout the cancer treatment process.

Clinical dieticians are also on staff to make recommendations regarding the nutrition and healthy eating that is essential for patients to have the energy they need in their battle with cancer. In addition, oncology social workers advocate for patient and family needs to make certain everyone involved receives the counseling, education and support necessary in the fight against cancer.

“With the new facility, cancer patients have access to services that complement their treatment, such as supportive care and survivorship programs,” explained Stevens. “When Mary Bird Perkins joined with TGMC, we took the time to outline how important those resources are to the patient’s and their family’s well-being, and we brought those to the community.”

BUILT WITH OUR COMMUNITY IN MIND

Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC represents a more than three-year relationship between Terrebonne General Medical Center, Mary Bird Perkins and the Cancer Center Specialists (CCS) physicians.

“What brought us together was largely the desire of TGMC and the oncologists to elevate cancer care in their community,” said Stevens. “Mary Bird Perkins has been around for 40 years and has a presence in many communities across southeast Louisiana. It was a great opportunity to leverage our strengths together in the Bayou Region and help more people.”

“In 2008, we decided we would need a top-rated cancer program for TGMC. With that in mind, these three institutions got together to create a document to establish different areas of focus and goals for those areas,” said Dr. Raul Doria, medical oncologist and medical director of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC. “The main goals we established were community screenings and education, cancer research, high quality equipment, and improvement in the care we are already giving our patients.”

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A REFUGE OF HOPEIt was important to provide a place

of hope and recovery for patients and their families visiting the Center. Upon entering the Center, a 30-foot-high by 17-foot-wide free-flying butterfly mobile welcomes every visitor who comes through the doors.

“The butterfly represents a vibrant metamorphosis of how lives change. The butterfly mobile was crafted by an artisan to be a one-of-a-kind work of art to represent hope, strength and change. It is a beautiful work of art for all to enjoy,” said Peoples.

Also part of the Center’s features is a rooftop tranquility garden for cancer patients to enjoy while receiving treatment. The garden is part of a unique approach to cancer care that encompasses the patient’s comfort, not just treating their disease.

“The tranquility garden is located on the second floor. It serves as the backdrop for our chemotherapy treatment area, which overlooks this peaceful, lush greenery that is relaxing and inviting,” explained Peoples. “We wanted to provide a unique area that represents nurturing, care and compassion.”

“It’s all about offering the very best treatment at home, and even when they are at our facility, we

want to make our patients feel comfort-able,” said Dr. Doria. “That’s the whole motivation—to have a cancer program that ensures our community has the best treatment, so the decision to stay at home isn’t a difficult one.”

Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC did not stop there. The new Center was also built with the environment in mind. “The building's construction has followed the principles necessary to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) designation. The LEED rating system promotes green design and construction practices that reduce the negative environmental impacts of buildings and improve occupant health and well-being,” said Peoples.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

The Center’s mission is to improve survivorship and lessen the burden of cancer. This statement encompasses more than diagnosis and treatment; it is also education and prevention, support groups, community involvement and survivorship.

“Part of how we achieve our mission is by educating people on the importance of prevention and early detection,” Stevens explained. “We are passionate about providing free cancer screenings and educational classes throughout the year to those who otherwise may not be able to afford these services. This is

important because early detection of cancer can result in more positive

outcomes and can ultimately save lives.”

As part of the Mary Bird Perkins at TGMC program, commitment to strong

community outreach is evidenced by multiple free

cancer screenings and community education—programs like the Early Bird Mobile Medical Unit, which offers colorectal, breast, prostate, oral and skin cancer screenings to the community at no cost to the patient.

“Knowing that one of the goals of the cancer program is to educate people, we have ongoing awareness and educa-tion programs,” said Dr. Doria. “We want to screen people earlier. With the Mary Bird Perkins Early Bird Mobile Unit, we can go to different places to screen for various types of cancer.”

In the Tri-Parish area, more than 2,300 people were screened for

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colorectal, breast, prostate, skin and oral cancers from 2009 to October 2011. In addition, approximately 2,000 people were reached at education events where cancer information was shared.

“We feel that this aspect of our cancer program provides the necessary resources to provide grassroots efforts in our com-munity to those in need,” Doria continued.

“In cancer care, we’re not going to stop with just a building. It’s an all- encompassing program about the outreach, clinical research trials, world-class technology; it is everything combined,” said Dr. Doria. “That’s the beauty of a program like this. Once you accomplish one goal, you have many other goals to continue to focus on and continue to improve and offer benefits to patients and patient population.”

BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER

In learning about Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC, it is easy to lose track of the many facets the program has to offer. At the end of the day, it is about the patients, their family

and the care they receive at the Center. In 2010, Mary Bird Perkins at TGMC

received a three-year accreditation in radiation oncology from the American College of Radiology (ACR). The ACR awards accreditation to facilities for

the achievement of high practice standards after a peer-review

evolution of its practice. The Center is also

nationally accredited with commendation for excel-lence in cancer care by the

American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, the

gold standard for community-based cancer care.

“We have a dedicated team of highly skilled physician specialists and trained oncology nurses that stay on the cutting edge of the most current treatment options, while striving to make the treatment process as effec-tive, efficient and as individualized as possible,” said Peoples.

“This Center shows the evolution of the hospital, the people and the region the ways we are taking care of cancer patients,” stated Dr. Doria. “By bringing Mary Bird Perkins and the 40 years of cancer care experience, we brought a specialized, more focused

knowledge of oncology. Collaborating together to create Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC, we are more focused and stronger.”

“Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC represents a commitment to our community on behalf of both TGMC and Mary Bird Perkins to create a strong regional comprehensive cancer center with an atmosphere of hope and healing combined with advanced technology for the treatment of cancer,” stated Peoples. “By joining forces, we are able to achieve more together for the people of our community. We have chosen to make this gift to our community now and for generations to come.”

For more information about Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC, please call 888.543.TGMC.

Dr. Raul Doria is a medical oncologist on active staff at TGMC along with Dr. Robert Gamble and Dr. Harry McGaw, and radiation oncologists Dr. Jeffrey Long, Dr. Sheldon Johnson and Dr. Maurice King.

Seated left to right: Dr. Long, Dr. Doria. Standing left to right: Dr. McGaw, Dr. Gamble

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The team of oncologists at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at Terrebonne General Medical Center (TGMC) provides a comprehensive cancer care program to its patients. This program has many facets, but two of the more prominent are medical and radiation oncology.

Medical oncology serves as the leader of the oncology team, providing primary care to cancer patients. “A medical oncologist is the patient’s main doctor, the one who will walk them through their journey with cancer,” said Dr. Harry McGaw, a medical oncologist at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC.

“It’s a job description we don’t take lightly at this hospital,” Dr. McGaw explained.

Typically, someone is referred to a medical oncologist by his or her primary care physician due to an abnormal problem, such as an unusual lump or bruise. The oncologist will first look into the patient’s medical history, take a physical, and run tests to check for pathogens.

If cancer cells are found, the doctor will review the pathology results with the patient and discuss what the results mean. If it is cancerous, they will explain what kind of cancer it is and

what can be done. The oncology team will “stage” the cancer to measure the severity of the cancerous cells or tumor and its location in the body.

Based on the treatment plan prescribed by the oncology team, a combination of medicine, radiation therapy or surgery may be used to fight the disease. For surgery or radiation therapy, the person will be referred to the appropriate physician. The medical oncology team handles all medicinal treatments, such as hormone therapy, oral medication and chemical (chemo) therapy. A patient that has surgery will be released back into the care of a

medical oncologist, and the same occurs for those who undergo radiation therapy.

“Modern oncology is steering away from

intravenous (given by vein) to oral medications that target the cancer

cells specifically,” said Dr. McGaw. “Those types of medicines have a lot fewer side effects than chemo.”

According to Dr. McGaw, there are new cancer drugs being developed all the time, but they’re expensive. Immuno therapy medications and others, such as those that inhibit blood vessels in tumors, may be a better alternative to chemo for some patients.

“I’m excited about the new facility for Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC, it will be good for the patients,” said Dr. McGaw. “Medical oncology is about the people, and—more than anything—the new facility is a tangible example of the hospital and community’s commitment to cancer patients.”

Medical oncology is just one aspect of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC that is helpful for cancer patients. There are three main ways to treat cancer: surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is an important part of many patients’ journey through cancer. Fifty to sixty percent of patients will need radiation therapy at some point in their journey with cancer.

Medical oncologists refer many patients who require radiation therapy. At Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC, the journey for cancer patients where radiation therapy is being consid-ered always begins with a consultation, including a detailed history and physical exam. The radiation oncologist then often consults with the patient’s other physicians to help determine if radiation therapy is the best treatment.

According to Dr. Jeffrey Long, a radiation oncologist at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC, modern cancer treatment is much more of a team approach now than it ever used to be. “Cancer treatment has become more and more complex. So, a team approach is really best for our patients.” Dr. Long practices radiation oncology full time at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC.

“The radiation oncology department at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC is part of an interdisciplinary team approach that involves multiple physicians from different medical specialties,” said Dr. Long. “No two patients with cancer are exactly the same. We all strive to offer the best

Medical and Radiation Oncology: A Team Approach to Cancer

Dr. Jeffrey LongDr. Harry McGaw


treatment approach based on the individual patient and their disease.”

Treatment planning, or simulation, is the first step in the process of deliver-ing radiation therapy. The team at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC will typically obtain a computerized axial tomography (CT or CAT) scan of the area that needs radiation therapy. A radiation therapy planning computer— “a technological marvel,” according to Dr. Long—is a state-of-the-art computer that allows the physician to determine how to optimally deliver radiation therapy.

“Our goal is to get as much radiation to the cancer and the area that needs to be treated, while reducing the amount of radiation to the healthy surrounding tissues,” stated Dr. Long. “This helps to reduce side effects during treatment and reduces the risk of long-term adverse effects while maximizing the probability of a cure.”

Once the computer planning is done, the patients come in for daily

radiation therapy treatments, Monday through Friday, five days a week. The number of treatments varies, typically, between two weeks and eight and a half weeks. Dr. Long said that many patients are very happy to discover how easy daily radiation therapy treatment is.

For each daily treatment, our technical staff aligns the patient on the treatment table under the Elekta linear accelerator (shown on page 4), a machine that produces high-energy x-rays that can treat cancer anywhere in the body.

The side effects of radiation therapy depend on the area of the body being treated and how much of the body is being treated. Many patients are delighted to find that they have few or no side effects from their radiation therapy treatment. Other patients may have mild side effects that are easily controlled with simple medications. Some patients may have more significant side effects. Other cancer-fighting technologies include the advanced intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) treatment capability; image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT)

treatment capability; and positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT).

“The radiation oncology department at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC recognizes that optimal cancer treatment is more than just machines;

we have an outstanding staff that is very experienced, compassionate and provides excellent care for our patients in a healing environment,” said Dr. Long. “People can truly receive excellent cancer care close to home.”

In 2010, Mary Bird Perkins at TGMC received a three-year accreditation in radiation oncology from the American College of Radiology (ACR). The ACR awards accreditation to facilities for the achievement of high practice standards after a peer-review evaluation of its practice.

For more information about medical and radiation oncology offered at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC, please call 888.543.TGMC.

Dr. Harry McGaw is a medical oncologist on active staff at TGMC along with Dr. Raul Doria and Dr. Robert Gamble. Dr. Jeffrey Long is a radiation oncologist on active staff at TGMC along with Dr. Sheldon Johnson and Dr. Maurice King.

“Medical oncology is about the people, and – more than anything – the new facility

is a tangible example of the hospital and community’s

commitment to cancer patients.”

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Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC provides patients and the Tri-Parish community with the most advanced cancer treatment in the United States. The new dedicated cancer treatment facility, which opened in October, is bringing treatments to the area that would have not normally been available locally and, in some cases, regionally.

Dr. Robert Gamble, medical oncologist/hematologist, is one of four doctors on the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC oncology team. “The treatments that Mary Bird Perkins make available to us are treatments that patients might normally

find at larger national cancer treatment facilities. This is a great addition and offering for our local patients, and we are certainly looking to help make a difference in the Tri-Parish community,” said Dr. Gamble.

These trials range from diagnostic, preventative, treatment to quality of life (or supportive care trials). Diagnostic trials are conducted to find better tests or proce-dures for diagnosing a particular disease or condition. Preventative trials look for better ways to prevent disease in people who have never had the disease or to prevent disease from returning. The quality of life trials work to improve comfort and quality of life for individuals with chronic illnesses. The Center offers several options in clinical trials including breast, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, gynecology, head and neck, lung melanoma, and myeloma.

In addition, facilities like Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC will be able to offer newer and better treatments to patients more frequently because of the

Clinical Trials

PAVING THE PATH TO SUCCESS FOR MANY CANCER PATIENTS

Dr. Robert Gamble

access that Mary Bird Perkins brings to the partnership. “We are seeing significant breakthroughs about every two years. Lately, we’ve seen strong advances and breakthroughs with melanomas and brain cancers. For years, these were some of the most difficult forms of cancer to treat,” explained Dr. Gamble.

By utilizing the clinical trial program’s national network, patients are able stay at home while receiving treatment. “Eighty-five percent of all cancer patients are treated within the community in which they live, and Mary Bird Perkins gives access to trials from national and global sponsors at a local level,” explained Donna Bryant, clinical research executive director at Mary Bird Perkins. Staying home for treatment allows patients the benefit of being closer to friends and family. “We like to keep our patients in their communi-ties so they don’t have to travel,” said Bryant. “There is a level of comfort there that just cannot be duplicated.”

Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC believes communities benefit when the expertise of hospitals, local physicians, support organizations and the cancer-only focus of Mary Bird Perkins are linked together to form a comprehensive cancer program. Mary Bird Perkins coordinates the entire continuum of cancer care for patients through comprehensive cancer programs with TGMC.

“We are all genuinely excited to be able to offer these types and levels of treatments to our community. Aside from being doctors, we are all a bigger part of this community—we live here, and we want our neighbors to be happy and healthy,” said Dr. Gamble.

For more information about clinical trials at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC, please call 888.543.TGMC.

Dr. Robert Gamble is a medical oncologist on active staff at TGMC along with Dr. Raul Doria and Dr. Harry McGaw, and radiation oncologists Dr. Jeffrey Long, Dr. Sheldon Johnson and Dr. Maurice King.

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But the Early Bird’s services don’t stop with screening. There is a full-time licensed practical nurse who navigates a patient to a resolution if there is an abnormal finding, said Duffin. This includes explaining the finding, identify-ing barriers that might prevent the patient from reaching resolution, locating a physician who will treat the patient, or helping them navigate the public hospital system.

Just like a physician’s office, the Early Bird sends reminder cards for annual breast and prostate screenings. “For a lot of people, we have become their provider of choice,” Duffin explained. The Early Bird took flight in the Bayou region in 2009.

From January 2009 through October 2011, more than 2,300 patients in the Tri-Parish area were screened. Of that, 10 were diagnosed with cancer and 46 required navigation for an abnormal finding. “Your chance of surviving cancer

Early detection saves lives. That’s the message Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC is spreading across the Tri-Parish area. With a mobile medical unit, educational outreach programs and resources, medical screenings and information are now available at no cost to many uninsured and underinsured residents.

The Early Bird is a 50-foot mobile medi-cal unit with three fully equipped exam rooms. It is staffed with a driver/outreach coordinator, an early detection specialist and a Patient Navigator. As screenings are an important factor in early detection, breast, skin, prostate, colorectal and oral cavity screenings are offered with related residents from internal medicine, dermatology and ENT. “For people who have had no cancer screenings in the past year and no health insurance, these services are provided at no cost,” said Renea Austin Duffin, vice president of cancer programs at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center.

Bringing preventative care to a community changes behavior and helps catch cancer earlier, said Duffin. The early detection specialist, who lives locally, coordinates with area businesses and selects locations that are easily accessible.

“We try to make it as convenient as possible,” explained Duffin. “A lot of people are afraid. They have no regular physician or insurance. They fear going to a hospital or clinic unless something is wrong.”

is better when it is detected earlier,” said Duffin.

For many women, the Early Bird screening is their first mammogram. On a positive note, 13 percent of those screened were under 40, proof to Duffin that women are hearing the message of early detection.

The early detection specialist is also active in the community at educational programs such as health fairs, speaking engagements and the TGMC OutReach Center at Southland Mall. The TGMC OutReach Center also offers Freedom From Smoking®. “This American Lung Association program provides guidance to stop smoking, as well as remain smoke-free,” said Clarke Currie, cancer program director of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC.

By detecting cancer earlier, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC can educate, empower and screen residents of the Tri-Parish area to save lives, increasing chances for long-term survival. “We care about the community in which we live, work and serve people; our goal is to reduce the incidence and mortality of cancer in southeast Louisiana and improve the quality of life of those living with cancer,” said Currie.

For more information on free cancer screenings and upcoming events, visit the news and events page at TGMC.com or please call 888.543.TGMC.

SPREADING THE WORD ABOUT

Early Detection

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For Tri-Parish area patients diagnosed with cancer, Julia Light is their new best friend. As a Patient Navigator, Light is there to educate, reassure, assist and remove barriers to care for cancer patients, both inpatient and outpatient, at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC. Light, who is a RN and a BSN, brings 15 years of experience as an oncology nurse to the position, allowing her to uniquely understand the challenges of the diagnosis.

“I think of myself as the patient’s personal cancer care coach,” Light ex-plained. “I am there to provide emotional support, arrange transportation, educate the patient on his or her disease and treatment plan, translate the medical terminology, obtain referrals to support groups and other community resources, find financial assistance to expensive chemotherapy pills, and coordinate care among medical providers. It is about

removing roadblocks to treatment so that patients are able to keep their appointments, follow their treatment regimens, and receive the support that they need.”

The Patient Navigator ensures each cancer patient at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC receives continuity of care, right from the first appointment with an oncologist. This is especially important in oncology as it can involve multiple disciplines such as medical oncology, radiation oncology and surgery. “Add that to the fear associated with the diagnosis of a life-threatening disease and it can very quickly become overwhelming,” Light explained. “Continuity of care, making sure that everyone is on the same page, if you will, helps us as caregivers to gain the patient’s trust, and this allows the patient to feel more in control of his or her situation.”

Patient Navigator: Helping Cancer Patients Stay on Course

ANSWERING TOUGH QUESTIONS

Education is one of the most important parts of the Patient Navigator’s role, particularly as the patient faces treatment. “A lot of the fear that one has at diagnosis is related to not knowing what will happen to you. Once you give the patient knowledge, some of the fear starts to subside,” Light said. By counseling and educating cancer patients for several hours before they start treatment, she addresses important topics including potential side effects, what to eat, how to avoid infection, and the treatment schedule.

Light doesn’t shy away from the tough questions patients ask either. “We’ll talk about this question, ‘Will I die?’” she explained. “We talk openly about these issues.” Thanks to recent


RESOURCES AND SUPPORT GROUPS

advances in cancer treatment, Light helps patients understand they can have many more years with a good quality of life, even if a cure is not possible.

A RESOURCE FOR SUPPORT

From greeting cancer patients with educational materials and comfort items, courtesy of Ladies Night Out funds and a grant from the Susan G. Komen Foundation, to sharing information on the numerous support groups and resources available, Light becomes an ally, an advocate and a teacher for patients at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC. She’s there through the chemotherapy education, followed by the chemotherapy, and any necessary surgery or radiation therapy. And she’s there to help patients transition back into the “real world,” where they won’t have caregivers nearby, so she outlines clear follow-up instructions.

The Ladies Night Out Fund raises money to provide care and comfort items, including wigs, scarves, hats, etc., and/or services for patients undergoing active cancer treatment in the Tri-Parish area. Patients can browse these items, provided to them at no cost, in a special “Beautiful You” room in the hospital. “It is meant to be a warm and soothing environment for women to come and try on wigs and headdresses during their time of treatment,” said Light. This service is available by appointment through the navigator’s office.

Camping isn’t just for kids anymore. Every October, Camp Bluebird welcomes 50 adult cancer patients from the Tri-Parish area to Lumen Christi for education, support and even a little fun. Each camper takes home a bit of nature by building a bluebird house to foster bluebird preservation.

Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC offers numerous resources for cancer patients. Please call the number listed for more information and meeting locations.

Bosom Buddies Support Group: A support group for breast cancer survivors. Meets the 4th Wednesday of each month from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch is provided every other month. For more information, call 858.7020.

Nosotros–10 Steps to Recovery Support Group: For all cancer patients and their families. Led by Dr. Raul Doria. Meets the 3rd Monday of each month at 6 p.m. For more information, call Dr. Doria’s office at 857.8093.

Look Good–Feel Better: Makeovers for all cancer patients in association with the American Cancer Society. Led by licensed cosmetologists. For more information, call TGMC’s OutReach Center at 858.7020.

Camp Bluebird: An adult cancer camp allowing participants to enjoy fun activities while camping inside with other survivors. Held annually in October. For more information, call TGMC’s Patient Navigator at 850.6307.

Beautiful You: Provides wigs, scarves, turbans and hats to cancer patients. Available by appointment only. Hours: Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. to noon. For more information, call TGMC’s Patient Navigator at 850.6308.

Nosotros support group in action.

MAKING ALL THE DIFFERENCE

Response to the addition of a Patient Navigator to the cancer care team at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC has been positive. “Patients appreciate having that one point of contact person that can answer their questions, listen to their concerns, and point them in the right direction,” said Light. “We want to bring patient focus back to cancer care.” By answering questions, providing resources and lending support, the Patient Navigator program at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC is making a difference in the lives of cancer patients.

“Adding the nurse navigator to our cancer team has provided a needed ‘helper’ for cancer patients and their families, and we have already begun to see the positive results in our patient satisfaction surveys,” said Clarke Currie, cancer program director at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC. “We take our commitment to providing exceptional healthcare with compas-sion to our patients seriously, and Julia supports that commitment very well.”

For more information about Patient Navigators and the cancer support offered at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC, please call 888.543.TGMC.

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In addition, every newly diagnosed cancer patient is provided with a comfort bag that has essential items which will be of use to the patient while undergoing treatment. Our goal is to assess patients on a case-by-case basis and provide these necessary items/services so that they can get the treatment needed in order to get better.

Please save the date for the 6th Annual Ladies Night Out, a Cancer Fundraising Gala, which will be held on March 9, 2012, at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center. The program is about remembering, honoring and celebrating those who have been touched by cancer. Your support is greatly appreciated—as you can see, it allows Mary Bird Perkins at TGMC to provide a great number of resources to our patients.

Mary Bird Perkins at TGMC Open– Golf TournamentThe Adams Golf Pro Tour Series and Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC held the 2011 Mary Bird Perkins at TGMC Open in September at Ellendale Country Club. All proceeds from the event were donated to Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC to provide free cancer screenings, prevention education classes, transportation assistance and more. The tournament attracts several of the top professional golfers on the Adams Golf Pro Tour Series every year to Houma.

The week’s festivities began with a celebration called The Taste of the Tournament Par-Tee and Auction. In addition to the three-day tournament for the pros, a four-man shamble format was played with three amateur golfers and an Adams Tour pro per team. Also, a free junior clinic was held for kids ages 6–16.

The 2012 Mary Bird Perkins at TGMC Open is scheduled for April 2–7 at Ellendale Country Club. For more information on Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC, please call 888.543.TGMC.

CCancer touches countless lives every day. With your support, you can help in the fight against this difficult disease. Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at Terrebonne General Medical Center’s (TGMC) mission is to increase survivor-ship and lessen the burden of cancer in Houma and the surrounding communities. Through your support, every gift makes a difference.

Ladies Night Out and Mary Bird Perkins at TGMC Open–Golf Tournament are two community events that benefit Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC. These events raise funds for patient care, education and research, and also raise public awareness about the importance of cancer prevention, treatment and early detection services. All funds raised stay within the Houma community.

Ladies Night OutLadies Night Out is a cancer fundraising gala whose mission is to raise funds to provide care and comfort items and/or services to those patients of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC undergoing active treatment for cancer. The proceeds generated from the gala have been used to provide necessary items/services for cancer patients such as deluxe blanket warmers, durable medical equipment, nutritional supplements, household bills, transportation, hotel expenses (for out-of-town families) and wigs.

12

Mary Bird Perkins at TGMC Receives Community Support

Ladies Night OutSAVE THE DATE

FOR THE 6TH ANNUAL

A CANCER FUNDRAISING GALAFriday, March 9, 2012 | Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center

Tickets will be available in December. Call 888.543.TGMC for information.


information, she has also provided peace of mind throughout this trying journey. “Through my experience with Julia, I realized that while isolated by the diagnosis, we are never alone,” Couvillon said.

Wendy Couvillon wears her hope as a shield arming her for the battle that lies ahead. “The whole journey has been filled with a sense of hope. It’s easy to get jaded in everyday life, but this whole experience has been hope-affirming.”

Though she has five years of medications and periodic check-ups in front of her, Couvillon believes that laughter and sense of self will serve

her well in the fight against breast cancer. “There’s always hope, but

you’re going to need laughter. You can’t take yourself

too seriously in this,” she said. In addition to her message of

positivity, Couvillon encourages women to

trust their instincts when it comes to any physical changes. “I would’ve never thought this could happen to me at 39. Be your own advocate. Check yourself. Trust yourself. Listen to your body.”

Talk to your doctor about scheduling a digital mammogram through the TGMC Women’s Imaging and Breast Center or call 985.858.7180 for more information.

time for breast cancer as a mom, wife and teacher,” she said.

Now, she is fighting breast cancer with help from the team at Mary Bird Perkins at TGMC. Dr. Raul Doria, medical oncologist and medical director of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC, is her physician and serves as both a source of information and a beacon of encouragement. “Dr. Doria has been a lifeline,” Couvillon says of her oncologist. Upon diagnosis, he assured her that while being upset was part of the journey, there was no need to be afraid. Couvillon also cited the seamless care and attention to patient comfort at the hospital. “Whether I’m just there for lab work or medication adjustments, there is no rushing. They take their time with you. It’s not just about physical survival—but also emotional and spiritual survival,” she said.

Packed with a full range of services tailored toward the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, the Center also provides recovery and survivorship assistance on mental, emotional and spiritual levels. A unique service is the presence of the Patient Navigator. This position is filled by a registered nurse whose purpose is to provide information and support options geared specifically toward each individual patient.

Patient Navigator Julia Light, RN, served to acquaint Couvillon and her family with what to expect along with various support resources. Light informed her about special undergarments designed specifically for mastectomy patients, prosthetic options, and even put her in touch with an American Cancer Society contact who is a breast cancer survivor. The Patient Navigator not only equipped the Couvillons with

WWhen asked what initially came to mind in regards to her experience with breast cancer, Wendy Couvillon described the deeply personal journey that she travels daily since being diagnosed with the disease that affects one in eight women in the United States each year.

Last May, Couvillon, a high school teacher in her late 30s, was getting ready to go to work and felt what seemed to be a pulled chest muscle. She initially assumed it was a simple muscle strain, but when the tightening in her chest wall continued two days later, she decided to see a doctor just to be sure. “I was lucky to be seen so quickly. I got a mam-mogram three days later at the TGMC Women’s Imaging and Breast Center, and they were pretty sure it was cancer.” A biopsy was performed, confirming that Wendy Couvillon had breast cancer. “We immediately began to re-evaluate what our life was going to look like,” she said.

Couvillon chose the most aggressive treatment possible—a bilateral mastec-tomy. “I have six daughters. There was no

PATIENT FINDS PEACE AND HOPE ALONG JOURNEY TO

Breast Cancer Recovery

Couvillon is pictured with five of her six daughters.

Winter 2011

M

14

A HIGH-FLYING MESSAGE OF

Hope and RenewalPatients entering the new Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC are greeted by a larger than life message of hope. Perched in the soaring entrance, an oversized, brightly colored mobile traces the butterfly’s journey from cocoon to taking flight. The butterfly is a symbol of hope and recovery for cancer patients.

The mobile, designed by Mettje Swift of Banner Art Studio in Colorado, is approximately 30-feet high and 17-feet across. It is topped with a free-flying butterfly with a six-foot wing span. “The butterfly represents a vibrant metamorphosis of how lives change. The butterfly mobile was crafted by an artisan to be a one-of-a-kind work of art to represent hope, strength and change. It is constructed and hung in way so that it stands out and commands a certain presence in the front lobby area. It is a beautiful work of art for all to enjoy,” commented Phyllis Peoples, president and CEO of TGMC.

Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC also offers a rooftop tranquility garden, which not only increases the hospital’s green space, but reduces overall energy costs. Best of all, it is strategically placed for the cancer patients to appreciate while receiving treatment. The various horticultural interests include “Blush Pink” Nandina, “Pixie” Loropetalum, Petite Pink Oleander, Evergreen Giant Liriope, Foxtail Fern, Adagio Maiden Grass, Little Gem Magnolias and Vitex.

“The rooftop tranquility garden is patient-focused and is designed to help our patients cope with the stress that accompanies illness,” explained Clarke Currie, cancer program director at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC. “There is also value for the medical oncology staff providing cancer care; the nature view through large windows will afford them some tranquility during their busy days, too.”

Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC is on track for LEED Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council thanks to a design incorporating sustainable components. It would be only the second commercial construction LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification project in the Houma region and the only LEED-certified hospital construction in Louisiana.

In its construction, 88 percent of all waste and debris was recycled. Designed by Chenevert Architects in Baton Rouge

and built by the McDonnell Group, the building used a previously developed site and existing building structures, as well as low-VOC paints, primers, adhesives and flooring. The building has four- to eight-foot thick concrete walls with three inches of concrete to encapsulate radiation.

It features regional materials, a storm drainage retention system to reduce the impact on the municipal water supply and drainage system, and a green roof. Special lighting controls reduce overall power usage.

In addition to a non-smoking worksite, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC followed an indoor environmental air quality program during construction, followed by a complete post-construction flush of the air system, removing all pollutants. It also uses High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters in the HVAC system.

“Having LEED certification means we have the cleanest building possible in which to treat our patients,” explained Clarke Currie, cancer program director at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC. “For immuno-comprised patients, this can be an important component in their overall care.”

“It makes me proud to belong to an organization that thinks about our planet and energy conservation and materials that are biodegradable.” stated Dr. Raul Doria, medical oncologist at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC. “The whole building is thought out to preserve energy and protect our planet.”

NEW CANCER CENTER QUALIFIES FOR

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

“Having LEED certification means we have the cleanest building possible in which to treat our patients.”– Clarke Currie, cancer program director at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC

Terrebonne General Medical Center

Kudos

Amy A. LeBoeuf

My mother was recently released

from Terrebonne General Medical

Center, which compelled me to

relay this message regarding the

care she received. It seems so

instinctive to immediately complain

when things are wrong, however

neglect to compliment when things

are right. I wanted to take the opportunity

to explain how pleased both

my mother and our family were

regarding the exceptional care

she received during her stay at

TGMC. Her night nurse, as well as

her day nurse, went beyond their

call of duty! They were extremely

attentive, professional, responsive

in answering all of our questions

in detail, polite, empathetic, and

had an excellent bedside manner.

If hospitals were employed with

more of these types of individuals

the medical care community

would never receive complaints. I

would also like to commend the

emergency room nurses for their

exceptional care. This type of

care is very worthy of receiving a

complimentary letter.

All of the CIS physicians, nurse

practitioners, registered and

practical nurses, aids, foods service

personnel, and housekeeping were

all so pleasant and attentive to my

mother’s needs!

Sincerely,

15

TerrebonneSUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY

ACS Relay for Life:The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life Fundraiser was held in April. Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC had six teams and raised $11,640. The hospital also hosted the survivors’ tent and cooked a delicious jambalaya for the survivors and volunteers.

Bayou Region Habitat for Humanity Women’s Build and 5K Run:In April, several Team Terrebonne volunteers helped build a home for the Habitat for Humanity Women’s Build project on Bon Jovi Lane in Gray. Team Terrebonne volunteers also assisted with the Bayou Region Habitat for Humanities Home Run 5K event.

The Courier Presents the TGMC 5K Run for Excellence:This annual event was held in May and boasted record-breaking attendance. Approximately 70 Team Terrebonne volunteers joined in on the festivities by distributing T-shirts and water, serving food, and participating in the 5K Run/Walk.

Healthy From Heart to Sole Cardiac Screenings:Two free cardiac screenings were provided by TGMC and Cardiovascular Institute of the South to community residents in June and July. At the events, more than 200 people were screened for ankle brachial index (ABI), cholesterol levels, blood pressure, body fat and body mass index. These free screenings were made possible from the proceeds of the Houma Heart & Soles Half-Marathon.

Team

C E L E B R A T E T H E S E A S O N W I T H C A N C E R - F I G H T I N G I N G R E D I E N T S

The holiday season is well known for indulgence and weight gain,

but there is no better way to celebrate than with delicious

foods that promote good health. Choosing a diet rich in color,

flavor and nutrients can help in the fight against cancer.

Fill your table with these cancer-fighting foods to give your

holiday recipes a nutrient-rich, flavorful makeover:

1. Beans: Beans contain a number of phytochemicals, which have been shown to prevent or slow genetic damage to cells. While this makes beans beneficial for helping to reduce your risk of many types of cancer, specific research has suggested they are especially potent in preventing prostate cancer.

2. Berries: The two most widely studied cancer-fighting compounds in berries are ellagic acid and anthocy-anosides. Ellagic acid is believed to help prevent skin, bladder, lung and breast cancers, both by acting as an antioxidant and by slowing the reproduction of cancer cells. The anthocyanosides in blueber-ries are currently the most powerful antioxidants known and are beneficial in the prevention of all types of cancer.

3. Cruciferous Vegetables (broc-coli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale): Cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and kale, are rich in a variety of compounds that have been shown to slow cancer growth and develop-ment in a number of laboratory studies.

4. Dark Green Leafy Vegetables: Leafy green vegetables, like romaine let-tuce, mustard greens, chicory and Swiss chard, are rich sources of antioxidants called caroteniods. These compounds scavenge dangerous free radicals from the body before they can promote cancer growth. The vegetables are also rich in folate, a vitamin shown to reduce the risk of lung and breast cancer.

5. Flaxseed: Flaxseed in the form of oil and meal contains phytoestrogens believed to reduce the risk of breast, skin and lung cancer. Research on the potency of flaxseed as an anti-cancer food is still underway.

6. Garlic (including onions, scallions, leeks and chives):

Garlic contains a number of compounds believed to slow or

stop the growth of tumors. One such compound, diallyl disulfide, appears to be

especially potent in protecting against skin, colon and lung cancer.

7. Grapes: Grapes and wine contain a chemical called resveratrol, which has been shown to be a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. Red and purple grapes are the richest sources of resveratrol.

8. Soy: Soy is rich in isoflavones, compounds that have been shown to protect against cancer of the bladder, cervix, lung and stomach. Soy also contains components that resemble some of the body's natural hormones. These components may be beneficial in preventing breast and prostate cancers.

9. Tomatoes: The anti-cancer compound found in tomatoes, lycopene, has been shown to be especially potent in combating prostate cancer. In addition to preventing prostate cancer, lycopene may also protect against breast, lung, stomach and pancreatic cancer. 10. Whole Grains: Whole grains contain a variety of anti-cancer compounds, including fiber, antioxidants and phytoestrogens. When eaten as part of a balanced diet, whole grains can help decrease the risk of developing most types of cancer.

Terrebonne General Medical Center8166 Main StreetHouma, Louisiana 70360

Take Care is a publication of Terrebonne General Medical Center.President and CEO Phyllis Peoples Editor Ann Dupre

This newsletter is produced as a community service to the residents of southeast Louisiana.Entire publication ©Terrebonne General Medical Center 2011. All rights reserved.

For information: Marketing & Planning Department, Terrebonne General Medical Center, PO Box 6037, Houma, LA 70361-6037; call us at 985-873-4616; or visit us on the Web at www.tgmc.com.

"Providing Exceptional Healthcare with Compassion"

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