Support during treatment and recovery

Part of delivering personalized care is ensuring that you and your child have access to comprehensive support throughout treatment and recovery. We offer a broad range of services designed to foster healing, facilitate decision-making, help your family cope and much more.

Child life services

Receiving medical care in a hospital or clinic can be upsetting for children. Our Child Life Services team helps patients — and their siblings — manage these experiences, aiming to minimize stress and discomfort as much as possible. During procedures or hospital and clinic visits, child life specialists can:

• Give reassurance by explaining what is happening in child-friendly, developmentally appropriate language
• Provide support during procedures, such as port accesses or dressing changes, by creating a coping plan and using distraction techniques
• Help families adjust to the impacts of an illness and provide guidance on how to talk to peers and others about a medical situation

Massage and aromatherapy

Children undergoing treatment for cancer can sometimes experience difficult symptoms and side effects, such as pain, nausea or neuropathy. Massage and aromatherapy are supportive services that can help alleviate these side effects without placing additional stress on a patient’s body.

Licensed massage therapists can provide massage sessions during a patient’s hospital stay, infusion appointment or before or after a radiation treatment. We provide aromatherapy in conjunction with massage sessions or as a separate service before or after appointments.

Neuropsychology

Childhood cancer treatment can affect a child’s developing brain. Our neuropsychology team assesses children at risk for learning problems after treatment, helping them successfully return to school as soon as possible.

Neuropsychologists conduct a range of tests before and after treatment to understand how your child learns best, providing a detailed, personalized educational plan. A social worker and child life specialist partner with your child’s school to develop a reentry plan.

Pediatric psychology

Coping with a cancer diagnosis and treatment can be emotionally difficult for children. Our pediatric psychologists work closely with parents and children to ensure they have the tools they need to recover both inside and out.

Physical medicine and rehabilitation

Our physical medicine and rehabilitation experts help children recover from treatment and regain function as quickly as possible so they can return to normal activities. Physical medicine will be involved anytime surgery affects a child’s functioning.

Our rehab specialists collaborate with the Therapy Services team to provide:

• Physical therapy to help your child recover mobility and function
• Occupational therapy to help your child regain the ability to perform everyday activities
• Speech therapy to help your child recover the ability to speak and swallow

Nutrition services

It can be a challenge for children to get proper nutrition after brain surgery and other treatments. Our dietitians provide nutritional assessments and develop personalized plans to ensure your growing child is receiving sufficient nutrients to support recovery.

Nurse navigators and care managers

We know how confusing the health care system can be. Our nurse navigators and care managers help guide you through the process by:

• Coordinating appointment scheduling and referrals
• Answering questions about medical forms, letters from insurance companies, lab results and insurance coverage
• Identifying and connecting you to community resources

Social workers

Social workers are an essential part of the care team, assessing your family’s needs, coordinating care, and providing counseling and social support. When you have questions or challenges about your child’s care, our social workers are here to help you get on the right track.

MyChart

MyChart is a secure online system that allows you to access your child’s medical records online anytime. This service is free, and it allows you to:

• View lab results and summaries of hospital visits
• Email questions directly to your child’s physician
• Request prescription refills
• Pay bills

Financial assistance

We care for all patients who come to us for help, regardless of ability to pay. For families having trouble affording the cost of treatment, we offer several financial assistance programs.

Support groups

We offer various support groups to help children, siblings and parents cope with cancer diagnosis and treatment. Our adolescent-young adult support group addresses issues specific to teens dealing with cancer. The Discoveries Program support group meets monthly, helping children emotionally process issues around a loved one’s serious illness.