The Cancer Patient Companion  

Many words can be used to describe cancer treatment- a challenge, a battle, a contest, the fight of your life, a life-changing event. However you choose to identify this time in your life, you are embarking on a journey. The Patient Companion has been created as a support for the cancer journey, answering information needs of patients and their caregivers.

As you prepare to undergo treatment for cancer, you should have important information about your care readily available. The Patient Companion helps you organize, providing places to keep appointment times and dates, names and numbers of your healthcare team, and test results. Materials and instructions relating to your cancer diagnosis and your treatment plan are included as well.

The Patient Companion (PC) binder will help you stay informed and in order throughout your treatment period. Knowledge is power – but receiving too much information at once can become overwhelming. Your new Patient Companion contains some basic information about cancer, its diagnosis and treatment. Arranged in color-coded sections, the PC binder is formatted to hold additional information, accessed when you need it (or when you’re ready for it) from the Cancer Support Network (CSN)

The CSN is a complete patient education system designed to interface with the Patient Companion. CSN information is presented on the e/Tablet, in both video and text formats. Print any document that interests you; add it your Patient Companion in the appropriate color-coded section, and soon your PC binder will become a personal, customized reference. This system supplies patients with useful, meaningful and understandable information on a wide range of cancer topics.

You will be your own best advocate when you are able to provide a complete health history. This applies not only to your cancer history, but also any significant health events in your past that may impact your treatment plan. The Patient Companion contains several useful tools created to help you keep track of your health history and treatment. Record information about the drugs you are taking in the Medication log. Keep track of your blood counts and tumor marker levels in the CBC and Tumor Marker logs, and document surgeries and diagnosis procedures in the Procedure log. You will know exactly where to look for your most recent test results.

Absorbing all the initial teaching you will receive may be overwhelming; as your treatment progresses, you can add your questions and answers to your Patient Companion.

You can use this book to keep track of your medications, side effects, instructions, and appointments. You will also find here all the services available at the Bennett Cancer Center; there is a wide range of options for during and after your treatment course.

The Patient Companion was developed as part of the AIM Higher Initiative, a national project to prevent or minimize symptoms associated with cancer treatment by increasing the frequency and quality of assessment of cancer symptoms, to increase and improve the information available to cancer patients regarding these symptoms, and to enhance symptom management. The communication with your doctor and nurses will improve early recognition and intervention to minimize or prevent symptoms as you go through treatment and recovery.

Hematology Oncology, P.C. is one of only 15 practices across the nation that is participating in the AIM Higher Initiative. Joan (RN, MSN) is the Nurse Champion for the development and implementation of the initiative within this practice; she works closely with both staff and patients on a daily basis.

Think of the PC binder as your personal health record, a partner for your journey. Bring it with you each time you come to the practice.

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