Queen’s new cancer program is well worth the effort

By KATHLEEN DREESSEN, Register Correspondent

Bob Hauch is a seventh-grade teacher at St. John’s Lutheran School and an active coach in basketball, volleyball and track. During what he thought was a routine colonoscopy last August; he was diagnosed with colon cancer.

“I was able to teach through the first semester during chemotherapy and radiation, but my first surgery had complications and I was in the hospital for six weeks,” said Hauch, 58. “I had liver surgery in May and spent seven days in the hospital.”

Hauch wants to return to his classroom when school resumes in late August. To ready himself, he’s enrolled in the new Cancer Wellness Program at Queen of the Valley Medical Center.

“The Cancer Wellness Program has been a two-year project in the making,” said Mike Smith, a physical therapist and catalyst for the program. “I’ve always had an interest in using exercise to relieve pain. Our vision is to become the premier regional center for cancer wellness and rehabilitation. We want to (help) our participants (shift their) identities from cancer patients to proactive cancer survivors.”

The goals of the exercise-based support group of the Cancer Wellness Program are to improve physical fitness, improve quality of life and reduce the side effects of cancer treatment such as fatigue, depression, nausea and a decline in self-image.

“Literature supports the benefits of exercise during and after cancer treatments,” said Smith. “The components of our program are monitored exercise, education and support. There are two phases. The first includes exercise testing, safety training, monitored exercise and education sessions. That is twice a week for one month. The second phase lasts two months and consists of independent exercise, exercising with partners and periodic reassessment.”

The first phase is carried out in the Cardiac Rehab space in Synergy Medical Fitness Center at Queen of the Valley Medical Center. In the second phase, the participants may use any of the Synergy equipment and facilities they wish.

“The emphasis is on safety,” said Smith. “We monitor their progression in frequency, intensity, time and type of exercise.”

Cindy Brady is in her third week of the program and has already noticed a positive change.

“I’m sleeping better, my energy level is higher,” said Brady, 52. “It’s an amazing difference. My mind is clearer. Chemo destroys your mind; it’s so frustrating. There’s a definite difference now.”

Brady has had four primary cancers, thyroid, uterine, lung and breast. She is still battling the lung and breast cancers.

“I wasn’t a smoker; it made me so angry,” said Brady, a single mother of three. “You never know from day to day how you’ll be. You don’t know what to expect. It’s a lonely disease. The Cancer Wellness Program was something I could grab hold of. I’d joined a gym, but I never had the energy to go. This is such a positive thing that makes me feel good. Exercise gives me energy.”

Brady explained that her oncologist’s staff gave her information on cancer and treatments, but something was lacking.

“There wasn’t nutritional support or exercise support. I’m so thankful for Mike and the Cancer Wellness staff. It’s a safe place and they make sure you’re not doing too much.”

The program has a staff of seven, including nurses, rehab aides, physical therapists and a group exercise leader. Group education classes are offered in topics such as stress management and nutrition. One-on-one sessions are also available.

“We started with a small pilot program of 10 participants, five of which completed the 10-week program,” said Smith. “In that short time, we saw increased aerobic capacity and increased quality of life scores.”

Because of successful fundraising, the current participants are on scholarships. The program will continue fundraising efforts and has received support from the Queen of the Valley Foundation but future participants may have to share in funding the program.

“We are depending on community support,” said Smith. “We would like to keep it at no charge, but we need people in the community to buy in and invest in this. We’re trying to build public awareness.”

Short-term goals include collaborating with existing cancer resources in the community and expanding the exercise offerings, such as group classes and equipment choices. In the long term, the group hopes to have a mentor program and group endurance activities, similar to the Avon Walk for breast cancer or Team in Training for leukemia and lymphoma.

For now, participant Bob Hauch is concentrating on building aerobic endurance and strength to face his seventh-grade class at St. John’s in August.

“The Cancer Wellness program does several things for me,” said Hauch. “It makes me schedule activities, it’s well monitored and I’m around other people in similar or even worse situations. It’s about appreciating their efforts to push ahead and share their success. Since I started a month ago, I’ve noticed I’m more energetic and stronger in everyday activities.”

Hauch credits his faith and the support of others for helping him through his diagnosis and treatments. He’s ready to start his final round of chemotherapy, which is expected to last three to six months.

“I don’t know how the chemo is going to affect my exercising,” said Hauch. “But the wellness program gives me something to focus on. The staff helps you if you’re giving up too easily or pushing yourself too hard. When you have cancer, some days are better than others, but I’d very much recommend the Cancer Wellness program.”

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