Maggie McKay (Host): A cancer diagnosis can be difficult news for a person to face, but knowing that exceptional oncology care is available in your community, can provide you with much needed support. Our guest is RN Corey Quigley with Jefferson Healthcare Oncology Clinic, who will tell us about how to get the support you need when facing cancer. This is To Your Health, a podcast from Jefferson Healthcare. I'm your host, Maggie McKay. Corey, thank you so much for being here today to talk about this very important topic that so many people experience, facing cancer and getting support. We really appreciate you making the time.

Corey Quigley, BSN, RN, OCN: It's a pleasure to speak with you today, Maggie.

Host: First of all, what is your role in helping people navigate this tough time?

Corey Quigley, BSN, RN, OCN: Well, I'm the Director of Services here at the Oncology Clinic and Infusion Center at Jefferson Healthcare. So a large part of my role is to make sure that our clinic is running as smoothly as possible to focus on patient care.

Host: And what brings you joy in the work you do?

Corey Quigley, BSN, RN, OCN: The joy comes from my work in making this place a great place to be, a great place to work, so that the team that is here to care for cancer patients, can offer their best in every moment.

Host: What kinds of services can patients expect to receive Corey, when getting care at your clinic?

Corey Quigley, BSN, RN, OCN: Jefferson Healthcare is an accredited cancer center, which means that you can expect to get the same incredible cancer care here in your own county that you would at a larger cancer center in an urban community. This looks like being able to see a specialized oncologist as well as nurse practitioners who focus on oncology care. It means being able to expect the same level of care that you'd receive at a larger center, such as consultations with nutritionists, time with physical therapy, if that's going to benefit your total care. We have interdisciplinary meetings twice monthly where your care will be discussed with radiologists if necessary, diagnostic imaging specialists, surgeons, any aspect of care that could influence your diagnosis, that could influence your treatment and ultimately give you the best possible outcome, however you define that as far as your cancer care goes. We also have a really robust oncology social work program here that helps you by providing emotional support, practical resources and guidance to help both you and your loved ones cope with the challenges of cancer.

Host: It sounds like you've got all the bases covered, which is just unreal. That's awesome. Why is it so important for Jefferson County to have a radiation oncology clinic here?

Corey Quigley, BSN, RN, OCN: One of the hugest challenges in cancer care is the frequency with which you may need treatment. Sometimes treatments are every three weeks, every two weeks. Sometimes we see a patient weekly. Sometimes patients will see us every day, for five days in a row, and then not again for two weeks. So to make the opportunity to get this incredible care in the county where you live, means that you have the time and energy that you need to focus on the things that make you feel well. So if that's time with your family, time with your pets, if it's time resting, if it's the ability to add other supportive care elements into your life to better balance the traditional care and medicines you'll receive in our clinic; that's a win for us.

Host: And how do you advise patients and their loved ones when going through the process of, say, cancer treatments, for example?

Corey Quigley, BSN, RN, OCN: I think one of the greatest things about cancer care here at Jefferson is we do a lot of that advising for you when you first come in and meet with your provider and learn that you're going to need treatment for your cancer diagnosis. You'll be partnered with an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner and they are going to offer you a Chemotherapy Teach. This is an appointment where we go through the potential medications that you'll be receiving. Once your oncologist recommends treatment for your cancer diagnosis, you'll receive a Chemotherapy Teach from our Advanced Registered Practical Nurses. This is a time where you'll learn all about the medications that will treat your cancer, what to expect as far as side effects go. We will also use this time to assess whether you need additional support. For example, meeting with a nutritionist, referring you to our physical therapists.

We'll also do an intake to assess your mental health. And the resources that you may determine are most valuable to you during this journey. That could look like one-on-one counseling, participation in support groups, additional education, or even referrals to community resources. Perhaps your concern is about the ability to travel to and from your appointments.

We can set you up with one of the programs that are based in the county that can assist patients in traveling to medical visits. Perhaps you have a caregiver who could just really use the opportunity to connect with other caregivers going through this experience just like they are. Perhaps then they would elect to attend our caregiver support group, which meets twice a month.

You may find that you just need time to talk about your fears, and we could get you set up for some one-on-one counseling here at the clinic to give you that time to process the loss of control that you're going to experience with this diagnosis. Most importantly, I think the best thing that you can do when you're a cancer patient, is to take a moment and think about what your goals are for your treatment.

Although you'll be surrounded by specialists, you should remember that you are in the driver's seat for this experience, and we are here to support the goals that you have, whether that's quantity of life. Whether that's quality of life, whether that's a symptom free experience as much as possible; we are here to listen to you and create the experience as best we can that's going to make you feel supported and cared for.

Host: I love that you cover all those different topics because being prepared and kind of knowing a little bit about what's coming and being proactive has got to help lessen the fear that goes along with cancer treatments.

Corey Quigley, BSN, RN, OCN: I think you're right. I think that the biggest thing that I've witnessed, I've been an oncology nurse now for 16 years, is the incredible loss of control that one experiences with a diagnosis. It touches absolutely every aspect of your life. So the more that we can support you by answering questions proactively, by educating about any component of chemotherapy care, oncology care, radiation care, end of life care, whatever is going to help you feel like you have the answers you need to navigate this experience with your family and loved ones; is what we'd like to be able to offer here. So also learning how to advocate for yourself.

Not being afraid to speak up when there's something that you don't know, but you'd like to know more about, not hesitating to speak up, whether that's to your provider team or to even the group of people who are supporting you through this journey personally. It is definitely an experience that requires a lot of communication, a lot of patience and a lot of compassion for yourself. And, just knowing that you're not alone and that there's people here at our clinic who are excited to show up every day to think about you first.

Host: That's so nice. Is there anything else you'd like to add, Corey, in closing?

Corey Quigley, BSN, RN, OCN: I think I'd just like to say that I'm exceedingly proud to be a part of the oncology clinic here at Jefferson Healthcare. We truly are an exceptional group of people who show up day in, day out, putting your care first, and that's not lip service. It is truly what brings us joy and we're proud to be here for you during a time that nobody would choose.

Host: Thank you so much again. This has been so helpful and comforting, to know that that level of care is available.

Corey Quigley, BSN, RN, OCN: Thanks so much for your time today.

Host: Again, that's RN Corey Quigley. If you'd like to find out more information, please visit jeffersonhealthcare.org/services/oncology. If you found this podcast helpful, please share it on your social channels and check out our entire podcast library for topics of interest to you. This has been To Your Health, presented by Jefferson Healthcare.