Cancer is something very difficult to deal with, even for a family member. Coming to London Ontario with my mom for her treatment, is definitely different. First and foremost the Canadian Cancer Society is amazing, the provide free rides to and from treatment. They also will help you with your things, and make sure you get checked in.
This is the Residence Inn by Marriott, and cancer patients stay for free( the room is $165 a night). The only thing you pay for is the meal plan, which is $65 and if you can't afford it.. the hospital has a form you can fill out and they will cover the costs. The rooms are pretty great too, 2 bedrooms, a kitchenette, a common room and a bathroom.
These are just a few pictures from our room, we have a nice view from room. There is also a workout room, and a special room for the cancer patients. There is a shuttle that runs to and from the hotel to the hospital, every half hour.
This is the LRCP, this hospital is huge. Not only is it a cancer program but also a children's hospital too. It's one amazing place as well, everyone that's part of your cancer team is great. You can ask anything and it will be answered. There is a Tim Hortons in this part of the hospital (department A) and also one with a full cafeteria in Department D and the 3rd floor. It's a hospital, so you could get lost.
This is the radiation machine used at the hospital, it's worth a few million dollars.
- Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells by damaging their DNA.
- Radiation therapy can damage normal cells as well as cancer cells. Therefore, treatment must be carefully planned to minimize side effects.
- The radiation used for cancer treatment may come from a machine outside the body, or it may come from radioactive material placed in the body near tumor cells or injected into the bloodstream.
- A patient may receive radiation therapy before, during, or after surgery, depending on the type of cancer being treated.
- Some patients receive radiation therapy alone, and some receive radiation therapy in combination with chemotherapy.
The local YMCA has a program called Wellspring, it's just for cancer patients and their families. Some of the programs are: - yoga
- T'ai Chi
- Qi Gong
- Expressive Programs like art therapy
- body-mind meditation
They also have a programs for kids with cancer. They have some support groups you can participate in as well.
All of which are FREE!!!
I took a bit of a different way with this post, but this is something that means a lot to me. Check out things in your local community, to see what places you have or what services you have available to you and your family. So in closing today, hug your family a little tighter today.
Women don't forget to check yourself everyday for lumps, it could save your life.
