Page 36 Healthy Cells Magazine Peoria June 2014

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PMRs STAR (Survivorship Training and Rehabilitation) Cancer
Rehab Program is breaking down barriers to cancer rehabilitation
across central Illinois.
The Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (IPMR), founded
in 1950, is helping cancer patients through its STAR Cancer Rehab
Program. The STAR Program is a national program co-founded by
Julie Silver, MD, an associate professor at Harvard Medical School and
a cancer survivor. IPMR received STAR Program certification on April
29, 2013, thereby launching the first and only cancer rehab program in
the Peoria area.
Addressing the Full Spectrum of Care
IPMR welcomes any cancer survivor, newly diagnosed, undergoing
treatment, or post treatment, who is not satisfied with his or her current
level of functioning. Your wellness is our priority, says Kate Horst, PT,
Cert. MDT, STAR/C, program coordinator of IPMR Star Cancer Rehab
Program.
Cancer rehabilitation experience depends on many factors includ-
ing the type of tumor; organs affected; and treatment methods such
as chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation. The rehabilitation team will
develop an individualized program to address functional limitations and
concerns to achieve personal goals.
IPMR's comprehensive, STAR Program certified team is lead by a
physiatrist and may include physical and occupational therapists, pain
management specialists, speech-language pathologists, counselors,
and nutritionists specializing in working with cancer patients.
Telling Hopes Story
IPMRs STAR Cancer Rehab Program has helped numerous cancer
survivors regain their physical and emotional stability. But more than
anything, the program has given them hope.
Susie Brown, who was diagnosed with breast cancer, began the
STAR Cancer Rehab Program on January 20, 2014. Soon after I
joined the program, I met Tricia Saylor [PT, CLT-LANA, STAR/C] says
Susie. From the start, I could tell that Tricia genuinely cared about me
and my problems.
Through the STAR program, Susie gained access to an occupa-
tional therapist to help neuropathy; a physical therapist to combat the
effects of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT) and lymphedema; and a
weight-loss therapist to help her shed the pounds she had gained from
her breast cancer treatment medication.
My therapists were amazing! I feel so much healthier and so much
more like myself! IPMRs STAR Rehab has truly been a gift from God. I
had no idea the wonderful care and compassion that awaited me with
this program!
Excited About Recovery
Gary Tinervin was diagnosed with small cell and non-small cell lung
cancer in February 2013. The radiation burned me so badly, I could
not swallow or eat. I also developed neuropathy in my hands and feet,
chemobrain, and extreme fatigue, says Gary. After four chemotherapy
treatments, I wanted to give up, but Im not a quitter. People have said
to me: You never gave up. Youre a hero! But all I did was survive.
institute of physical medicine and rehabilitation
Finishing the Journey With Flying Colors
By Sara Browning
IPMR STAR Certified Clinical Team
June 2014 Peoria Healthy Cells Magazine Page 37
institute of physical medicine and rehabilitation
Gary's oncologist recommended the STAR program at IPMR. My
first thought was Oh, great. More doctors. More therapy. Then I met
Deb Meyer [PT, CLT-LANA, STAR/C]. And I knew that finally there
was someone who actually cared, and it gave me hope. IPMR even
gave me a scholarship to help with the cost of the program.
Katie Pena, OTR/L, STAR/C, helped him overcome the neuropathy.
Katie is wonderful! says Gary. I also saw a psychologist who I really
enjoyed speaking with as well as a massage therapist who was won-
derful. Never in my life have I been so relaxed!
Gary says the IPMR STAR Cancer Rehab Program has given him
comfort at a time when he thought he was on his own. For the first time
since my diagnosis, I am actually excited about recovery! STAR has given
me a desire to get better as much for the staff at IPMR as for me. Im
no longer just sitting around waiting for the end I have hope.
Discovering Whats Next After Cancer
A lymphoma cancer survivor, Trina Magan worried that the can-
cer would reoccur. On September 11, 2012, I discovered I had two
sites of lymphoma, she says. I underwent chemotherapy every other
week for six months. By April 1, 2013, I literally couldnt breathe. I later
discovered that one of the cancer medications had caused me to go
into heart failure. In addition to the medications side effects, the che-
motherapy basically turned my blood into molasses, and I developed
a blood clot from my knee to my ankle. Neuropathy developed in my
hands, and I had a full blown cataract in my left eye.
After joining the STAR program, Trina discovered that the team of
professionals really listened to her and educated her regarding how
to cope with the damage caused by chemotherapy.
For me, STAR was an after-cancer program. After cancer, you tend
to ask yourself What now? The STAR program is part of this answer! I
thank God every day for STAR. I know now that God has a plan for me
and that He is always in control, says Trina.
Becoming Empowered
After receiving a breast cancer diagnosis, the cancer treatment had
left Shawna Erxleben unable to walk due to severe neuropathy in her
hands, arms, legs, and feet.
More than anything, I wanted to walk again, she says. I would tell
my physical therapists that learning to walk was my first priority, but no
one would listen. It was very frustrating.
Then, I enrolled in IPMRs STAR Cancer
Rehab Program last June, and every-
thing changed. Finally, someone was
actually listening to what was important
to me. There was a time when I thought
I would never walk again. Today, thanks
to the staff at IPMR, I am completely out
of the wheelchair and no longer using a
cane. I can take walks with my husband
again. My life is so much better!
Following Shawnas breast recon-
struction, her occupational therapist,
Katie, began working with her. Katie
has always been ready to go outside
the norm to help me get better. Today,
I am empowered to take back what
chemotherapy took away! Before
STAR, I had never heard of a program
that focused on cancer services and
dealt specifically with areas the chemo-
therapy complicated. I honestly dont
know where I would be today without
the caring people at IPMR!
To learn more, call IPMR at
309-692-8670, 800-957-IPMR, email
star.navigator@ipmr.org, or visit
www.ipmr.org.
L to R: Trina Magan, Gary Tinervin, and Susie Brown. Not pictured is Shawna Erxleben.
Ten outpatient locations www.ipmr.org.