FOLLOW THAT STAR!
To learn about the STAR program and other services
at Methodist Richardson Cancer Center, visit
or call
469-204-6010
.
Making life brighter
after cancer
STAR
More people than ever are surviving
cancer, but life after cancer can still
pose significant physical challenges.
“Studies show that 65 percent to
95 percent of survivors could benefit
from rehabilitation, but less than
10 percent receive it,” says Rebecca
Donnelli, manager of Methodist
Richardson Cancer Center. “That’s
why we initiated the STAR Program®.”
Survivorship Training and Rehab
(STAR) is a certified oncology program
that helps patients whose cancer
treatment is complete or will end soon.
Specially trained caregivers at the Cancer
Center create personalized rehabilitation
plans for patients.
Patient Connie Wright benefited from
compression wraps and massage when
lymphedema developed after breast cancer.
“The occupational therapist helped
reduce the swelling and taught me how to
work on it myself, should it recur,” she says.
with caution
Sports are
a go —
Kids love to run and play, but for children with asthma, exercise
and sports can lead to exercise-induced asthma (EIA).
Children with EIA may have trouble keeping up, feel short of
breath, cough a lot, and experience heavy breathing. Even so,
EIA doesn’t have to slow children down.
“With proper interventions, it is okay for people living with
asthma to exercise,” says Brian Kenjarski, MD, medical director
of the emergency department at Methodist Richardson Medical
Center. “Most symptoms can be prevented.”
Doctors often recommend a two-pronged approach to
managing asthma symptoms:
w
w
Pretreatment
with a fast-acting, short-term medication, such
as albuterol, can reduce exercise-induced asthma symptoms.
w
w
Long-term treatment
with a controller medication like
inhaled corticosteroids keeps the airways fromgetting inflamed.
Dr. Kenjarski adds: “Talk to your primary care provider about
your child’s symptoms, and choose a treatment plan to manage
them during exercise.
“It’s also important to develop an emergency care plan to
know what to do if your child’s symptoms worsen. If asthma
symptoms fail to improve, seek emergency medical assistance.”
EMERGENCY TREATMENT IS CLOSE BY
Methodist Richardson and Methodist
Richardson – Campus for Continuing Care both
offer full-service emergency departments, where
respiratory therapists are on staff 24 hours a day.
To learn more, visit
Methodist Richardson Medical Center
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Fall 2014
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