Central Alberta Cancer Centre Patient Guide to Cancer Care Red Deer Regional Hospital 3942 50A Avenue Red Deer, Alberta T4N 6R2 Main Desk: 403-343-4526 Cancer Patient Education Last updated: 22-May-14
Table of Contents About Us 3 How to contact us Services we offer Opening hours Meet our staff Scroll down to the page you need or click on the headings on the left to go directly to that section. All blue links displayed in this guide can be clicked to be directed to that website. Your Arrival 5 How do I get to the cancer centre? Your Visit to the Cancer Centre What types of appointments might I have? 6 What should I bring to my appointments? Where can I get something to eat and drink? Where can I fill my prescriptions? Covering the Cost of Your Cancer Care How can I get help to cover the cost of my prescriptions? How can a social worker help me? How can a cancer patient navigator help me? 9 Questions about My Cancer Care 11 Last updated: 22-May-14 2
About Us Central Alberta Cancer Centre Located at the: Red Deer Regional Hospital 3942 50A Avenue Red Deer, Alberta T4N 6R2 How to contact us: Main Reception: 403-343-4526 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Services we offer: Chemotherapy Blood transfusions Blood withdrawals from central line (PICC) Central line care Radiation therapy (select tumour sites only) Last updated: 22-May-14 3
About Us Meet our staff: On our staff we have: Doctors Oncology Nurses Medical Physicists Radiation Therapists Nurse Practitioner Social Worker Cancer Patient Navigator Dietician Clerical Staff Health Record Information Management Staff Last updated: 22-May-14 4
Your Arrival How do I get to the Cancer Centre? Click here for a map to the Central Alberta Cancer Centre. The entrance to the Central Alberta Cancer Centre (CACC) is to the west of the main doors of the Red Deer Regional Hospital. If you enter though the Hospital, please ask staff for directions to the Cancer Centre. When you arrive at the Cancer Centre go to the CACC Main Reception. Our receptionist will check you in and let you know where to go. Where do I park? You can park at the Red Deer Regional Hospital. There are handicapped parking spots available just outside the front door. Our parking lots fill up fast, so come early for your appointment. Please buy a ticket from the ticket dispenser. You will find many of these around the parking lot. Remember to put your ticket on your car s dashboard. If the main parking lots are full, you can find metered street parking on nearby streets. You can get to the underground parking from 43rd Street. Last updated: 22-May-14 5
Your Visit to the Cancer Centre What types of appointments might I have? 1. Appointments (consultations) to talk about your cancer and care. You will talk about your: Cancer diagnosis Cancer treatments Chemotherapy teaching Ongoing care Follow up care 2. Treatment appointments might include: Chemotherapy Radiation therapy Supportive treatments (such as blood transfusions, central line care, hydration and palliative care) 3. Appointments for tests Last updated: 22-May-14 6
Your Visit to the Cancer Centre What should I bring to my appointments? Your Cancer Care Identification Card Alberta Health Care Card and photo identification card All the medicines you are currently taking including vitamins and natural health products Your pain medicines (if you are taking any) A list of questions you may have (for ideas go to page 11) Something to read or movies to watch (DVD players are available at the centre) Music and earphones Money for parking or to buy something to eat or drink A person to listen and take notes during your doctor s appointment such as a family member or friend Computers are available in the Patient Library/Resource Centre Now avaliable Last updated: 22-May-14 7
Your Visit to the Cancer Centre Where can I get something to eat and drink? There is a coffee shop on the main floor of the hospital where you can buy food or drinks. There is also a cafeteria on the lower level. If you are getting treatment over lunch you will get a small lunch. We do not have a microwave on site to warm up food. Where can I fill my prescriptions? You can fill your prescriptions at your local pharmacy. The staff at the David Thompson Dispensary only fill prescriptions related to chemotherapy, and cannot fill your prescriptions. The staff are willing to answer questions about medicines, side effects, complementary and alternative medicines. You may contact our pharmacy staff at 403-343-4802. CACC Pharmacy Hours are from 8:30am to 4:00pm. Did you know? Natural health products may affect the way your body responds to cancer treatments. Always tell your doctor all the medicines you are taking, including natural health products, etc. You should bring an updated list to every appointment. Last updated: 22-May-14 8
Covering the Costs of Your Cancer Care How can I get help to cover the cost of my prescriptions? Alberta Health Care pays for the costs of your chemotherapy and radiation therapy. However, it does not cover pain and anti-nausea medicines. It is important that you have some type of private or provincial health insurance because some medicines are expensive. If you have no drug coverage, we encourage you to apply for Alberta Blue Cross Non-Group coverage as soon as possible. It will take 3 to 4 months before Alberta Blue Cross starts covering your medicines. For example, if you apply on March 1st you will not get drug coverage until July 1st. You can find information and application forms for Alberta Blue Cross Non-Group coverage at: http://www.health.alberta.ca/services/drugs-non-group.html If you need help with drug coverage or need more information about Alberta Blue Cross Non-Group, call your social worker or cancer patient navigator. If you do not have a social worker please ask the cancer patient navigator how you can access a social worker. If you have private or public insurance find out: If you have a yearly maximum for prescriptions What is your co-pay portion If your plan is a direct bill plan or a reimbursement plan What level of coverage you have i.e., full or partial coverage You may need to get more coverage. Last updated: 22-May-14 9
Covering the Costs of Your Cancer Care How can a Social Worker help me? A Social Worker can help you with: Counselling Financial concerns Information on transportation and a place for you to stay Finding support services You can contact your Social Worker at 403-343-4485. How can a Cancer Patient Navigator help me? A Cancer Patient Navigator can help you: Understand your cancer and related treatments Learn about resources and services to support you and your family Please call your Cancer Patient Navigator at 403-406-5524. Last updated: 22-May-14 10
Questions about My Cancer Care Your cancer doctor will answer most of your questions while you are talking about your cancer care. Listen carefully and be clear with your doctor about your concerns. If you wish, you can use these questions to guide you when you are talking with your doctor. Make sure you get all the answers you need during your appointment. 1. What kind of cancer do I have, and where did it start? What is the name of my cancer? 2. Has the cancer spread to other parts of my body? If it has, where? 3. How advanced is my cancer? 4. What treatment option or options do you recommend for me? 5. What are the goals of the treatment you recommend? 6. If I choose not to have treatment what will happen? Click on each of these helpful links for more information Canadian Cancer Society American Cancer Society National Cancer Institute OncoLink My Health Alberta Last updated: 22-May-14 11