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Patient Support Services

Being diagnosed with cancer is a difficult experience for patients and their loved ones. At San Antonio Regional Hospital, we recognize that such a diagnosis can create issues and concerns that may influence a patient's ability to deal with this disease. Our goal is to help our patients and their families cope with cancer in a manner that will reinforce a healing environment both here and at home.

Physical Therapy

One complementary cancer treatment that may be used as part of the cancer rehabilitation process is physical therapy. Physical therapy helps patients and their caregivers regain a sense of hope and control over their health by teaching proper and safe exercise to rebuild function, endurance, and muscle and bone strength.

Patients undergoing cancer treatment may experience one or more of the following side effects:

  • Decreased muscle strength
  • Decreased bone density
  • Peripheral neuropathy related to chemotherapy
  • Fatigue
  • Lymphedema risk
  • Difficulty walking
San Antonio Regional Hospital physical therapists will help address each of these issues through education and exercise. Some patients may already have strength loss due to another concurrent disease such as diabetes or heart disease. Maintaining strength during cancer treatment helps to prevent or decrease the risk of complications and enhance quality of life.

Nursing Services

We also believe that no patient should have to live with cancer diagnosis and related treatments without support services. Our oncology team of physicians, nurses, and other health professionals provide a tremendous amount of ongoing support and one-on-one teaching with the patient and his or her family to help them manage the physical and emotional aspects of living with cancer.

Nutritional Services

Nutrition plays an important role in good health, but it can be especially critical when it comes to cancer prevention and treatment. Food is one of the few things you can be in control of during your treatment.

Proper nutrition can be very difficult. San Antonio Regional Hospital's Nutrition Services is here to help you make informed decisions about nutrition and answer any questions you may have about how it can complement your treatment plan.

Nutrition consultations are available with our registered dietitians—simply ask your nurse to arrange a consultation.

Pain Management

Patients with cancer may experience pain for a variety of reasons as a result of tumor growth, advanced cancer, or treatment side effects. At San Antonio Regional Hospital, we are dedicated to helping patients deal with pain.

For patients who experience persistent chronic pain, help is available from physicians who specialize in pain management. Because chronic pain is a complex problem, individualized treatment plans may include the following:

  • Medications and other medical treatments
  • Nerve blocks, vertebroplasty, spinal analgesics, or other procedures
  • Relaxation/biofeedback therapies
  • Physical therapy
Pain can be managed effectively in most patients with cancer or with a history of cancer. An accurate diagnosis of the cause and type of pain is key to finding the most effective treatment.

Psychosocial Services

At San Antonio Regional Hospital, we can provide access to licensed social workers to help with your psychosocial challenges in the face of cancer.

Our social workers provide emotional support to patients and their families through individual counseling and support groups. They also help patients with financial challenges by connecting them to services and resources in their communities, such as disability programs, supplemental programs like Medi-Cal, and medication assistance programs.

To contact a licensed social worker, please ask the hospital operator, at 909.985.2811, to connect you to one.

Wellness Programs

A cancer diagnosis may cause feelings of stress, isolation, depression, and hopelessness. Wellness programs can provide:

  • Feelings of community in safe and comfortable environments
  • Resources for education and information
  • Places to gain support and nurturance
  • Environments of acceptance and hope
  • Ways to learn how to live fully with a cancer diagnosis
To learn more about San Antonio Regional Hospital's Wellness Programs, please call 909.944.WELL (9355).

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