Patients, Families, and Caregivers

You will meet a volunteer who will show you the Cancer Centre and answer any questions you may have about the Centre.

You will then have a nursing assessment and a consultation with an Oncologist and/or a Nurse Practitioner, and together you can discuss the most effective care and treatment for you. At this time we strongly recommend having a family member or friend with you. They can help complete the "Patient Information Form" and can write down the answers to your questions.

Your first consultation visit will take approximately 3 hours. Delays may happen, so it is recommended that you do not schedule other activities or appointments that day.

1. Your health card. On the first visit, you will also be required to provide a second piece of photo identification with your address.
2. A family member or a friend who can wait with you, support you and take notes for you.
3. A note pad and pen to take notes or write things down.
4. A list of questions and concerns you may have or want to ask the Oncologist or Nurse.
5. Something to help you pass the time such as a book, magazine or electronic device. Devices that have sound should have a headset or earbuds.
6. Coins for parking ($3), if you are parking in the Cancer Centre lot.
7. Your parking ticket if you parked in the Main Hospital Visitor Lot on Lens Ave. A staff member will validate your ticket to qualify you for the $3 parking rate.
8. If you have oxygen or require medication during your appointment or treatment, please bring enough to cover the time you are here.

Systemic therapy includes:

• Chemotherapy drugs (also called chemo) kill, stop or slow the growth of cancer cells.
• Hormones that change hormone levels to stop or slow cancer growth.
• Biological therapies that stop or slow cancer growth.

• Slow or stop cancer growth.
• Reduce the risk of cancer coming back.
• Kill cancer cells that stay after treatment, have come back or spread to other parts of your body.
• Shrink a tumour before other treatments are given.
• Ease symptoms, such as pain.
• Help other treatments work.

Your care team will decide and explain which systemic therapy will work best for you and your type of cancer.

There are several ways systemic therapy is given:

• By mouth - in a pill, capsule, or liquid form.
• By needle - liquid drugs that will go right into your skin or muscle.
• By needle - into a vein. This is called an intravenous (IV) infusion.

Systemic therapy may be given in cycles. A cycle means you will receive treatment for a period of time, such as a few weeks, and then take a break from treatment. Then you will begin again, followed by a break, and so on. Your care team will tell you how many cycles you need.

Not all of the systemic therapy will be used up in your body. Some of it will still be in your body fluids. To protect your family, you will need to follow your care team's advice for a short period of time. Your Nurse may give you more details about this, depending on your type of treatment.

Each chemotherapy visit will begin with a blood test to see if your blood counts are at the correct levels to receive treatment. Blood should be drawn and processed by the hospital. This ensures faster results and the availability of results directly through the hospital computer system.

The time a chemotherapy treatment takes depends on the drugs being used and can be from one hour to six hours.

Your treatment visits will be booked ahead of time. Each time you are at the Cancer Centre, the Clerk will give you a time for your next visit.

It is important to us that we answer your questions and make you as comfortable as possible. We can also arrange for visiting Nurses or other help at home during or after your treatment.

Treatment Day Instructions

Thank you for being an active participant in your care and respecting the needs of yourself and other patients.

• Please have your lab work completed 24 - 72 hours before your next treatment. No lab work = No chemotherapy
• Please bring all of your current medication(s) with you on the day of your treatment (including pain medication, insulin, etc.) that you may require during your appointment.
• Please reorder medications 3 days prior to treatment.
• Please notify your care team if there have been any changes to your medication or medical history.
• Please limit visitors to one person at a time. Additional visitors may sit in the waiting room.
• Visitors under 16 years of age are NOT permitted to enter the treatment area for safety reasons.
• Please set your cell phone to silent or vibrate.
• To maintain a calm and quiet environment, please refrain from accepting/making calls unless they are urgent.
• You may text message. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available.
• For your personal comfort you may:
• Bring a personal water bottle.
• Bring your own blanket or pillow.
• Bring a snack or boxed lunch.
• Please refrain from eating foods that may have a strong odour as they may contribute to nausea or other symptoms for patients.
• Visitors are NOT allowed to eat in the chemo suite for safety reasons.
• Windsor Regional Hospital is proud to promote a scent and fragrance-free environment.
• Please refrain from wearing perfume/cologne on the day of your treatment. This applies to visitors as well.

Radiation treatments are often scheduled daily for 1-7 weeks. The type of cancer and the goal of the treatment will determine how many treatments are prescribed by the Radiation Oncologist.

Although cancer cells and normal cells react differently to radiation, it is very hard to destroy cancer cells without damaging some normal cells too. The goal of radiation is to give enough radiation to destroy cancer cells in your body, but only enough radiation so that normal cells can recover. Side effects are related only to the area you are having treated.

Your radiation treatment team will give you instructions about any preparation you need for your daily treatments. The team consists of your Radiation Oncologist (doctor), Radiation Nurse, Clerks and Radiation Therapists. We also have Dietitians, Social Workers and Medical Physicists who are involved in your care.

Your radiation treatment team will ask you questions about how you are feeling and can help you to cope with your side effects. Booklets to help manage side effects are available from any member of your treatment team.

Planning for Your Radiation Treatments
We use a specialized CT Scanner to plan your radiation treatments. It is called a CT Simulator. The CT Simulator looks very much the same as the one you may have seen in the Diagnostic Imaging (X-Ray) department. During your planning session, the radiation therapists will determine the position you will be in for your daily treatments. We may use a specific dye (through an IV injection) or a barium drink to see certain areas more clearly on the scan. On the day of your planning session, it is very important that you follow the preparation instructions that you have been given. The radiation therapy team will create a treatment plan that is specific to you.

Treatment Day Instructions
Go to the Radiation Reception Desk on the ground floor of the Cancer Centre. This is where the clerk will check you into the computer. This tells the treatment team that you have arrived. Remember to bring your appointment card.

You may need to change out of your clothes for your treatment - this information is on your radiation treatment appointment card. The clerk will show you where to change, where to store your clothes and which waiting room to use.

We have warm blankets and warm robes available for all of our patients. Ask any member of the treatment team and we can show you where to get one.

A radiation therapist will come to get you from the waiting room and will explain what will happen during your radiation treatment appointment.

Your radiation treatment visit is usually between 15-30 minutes. Most of this time is spent getting you positioned on the treatment table. The radiation beam is only "on" for a few minutes. The therapists will ask you to hold still and breathe normally. You do not feel anything during the radiation treatment. We may take x-rays and/or a CT scan before your treatment. These x-rays help to ensure you are in the exact position needed for your treatment.

The x-rays do not give us information about how the treatment is working.

The radiation therapists will leave the room to give you your treatment - they can see you and hear you at all times.

You do not become radioactive from the radiation treatments.

If you have any questions about your treatment or how you are feeling, you can speak to any member of your treatment.

The goal of palliative medicine is to provide education and help you and your family make proactive and informed decisions about managing your illness and symptoms. These symptoms may include pain, shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, fatigue, loss of appetite, physical stress, or mental stress. These symptoms may come from the disease itself, or from the treatments used to treat the disease. Medication, radiation therapy, and other complementary therapies may be used to manage symptoms.

The Palliative Care Team is made up of specialized physicians and nurses who work very closely with your larger care team, including oncologists, social workers, dietitians, and the Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) or other community service providers. Our palliative care team works to understand your concerns, needs, and wishes and creates an environment in which you feel comfortable asking questions and actively participating in your own care. Once symptoms have been well managed, many people experience an improved quality of life and reduced anxiety.

During your appointment, members of your care team will talk about the types of treatments that are used to treat your type of cancer. One of your options may be a clinical trial. You will never have to take part in a trial without your permission.

Clinical trials give patients access to new forms of treatment. They also help our staff keep up with advances in cancer care.

If you would like to take part in a clinical trial, ask your Oncologist if there is a trial that is right for you.

View our Clinical Trials Information Sheet.

• The dedicated team of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians with expert knowledge of chemotherapy medications.
• Assistance in managing side effects from treatment.
• Excellent working relationship with the physicians at the Cancer Centre.
• Dedicated Drug Access Coordinators to assist patients with insurance and coverage for medications.

• Cancer Centre, Lobby Level, to the right of the elevators.
• Monday - Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm (closed for lunch from 12:00-1:00 pm)

Please note: There is no delivery service.

Oral Chemotherapy

Drug Costs

Getting Refills

Oncologists and Nurse Practitioners are only able to renew prescriptions they have written. All prescriptions for narcotic medications will be faxed directly to your pharmacy.

Please ensure that you arrive at least 10 minutes before the close of the Lab, in order for your labs to be drawn.

TEMPORARY Location:

• Cancer Centre, Stretcher Bay Area, Ground Floor

Hours:

• Monday - Friday, 7:00 am - 4:30 pm

Check-In:

• Radiation Reception, Ground Floor 

May be closed on holidays.

Please note: The Main Hospital Laboratory cannot take lab requests from healthcare providers outside of the Cancer Centre.

Your team of caregivers includes Nurses, Doctors, Nurse Practitioners, Unit Clerks, Pharmacists, Respiratory, Therapists, Registered Dieticians, Chaplains, Social Workers, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, and Volunteers.

For Your Comfort

• Windsor Regional Hospital parking passes,
• $2 Tim Horton's Gift Cards,
• Windsor Regional Hospital Meal Cards,
• The Windsor Star newspaper, and
• iPads and laptops for you to use.

Concierge Service Hours

Monday - Friday
11:00 am – 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm.
Visit the Concierge Desk on 4 West or dial extension 4T2B (4822).

Cancer at Christmas
We’re talking about what it’s like going through the holidays with cancer and what you can do for the ones you love who are dealing with cancer treatments this holiday season.

Nutrition During Treatment
How to get the right nutrition to keep you strong during treatment. A discussion all about staying healthy, being active, and eating well.

From Partner to Caregiver
From loving spouse to the constant caregiver and about how cancer affects relationships.

Survivorship - The New Normal
We’re discussing life after cancer. For many that may mean celebration, relief, fear, anxiety, and everything in between.

Sexuality, Intimacy, and Cancer
A sensitive and sometimes difficult topic to discuss with special guest Dr. Anne Katz, author of Breaking the Silence on Cancer and Sexuality and Sex when you are Sick.

From the Chemo Suite, with Michelle Prince!
Pulling back the curtains for a peek at life in the chemo suite. Michelle Prince has received her 56th round of treatment and invited everyone to join her for the ride. While receiving the treatment she’ll share her story, offer tips she’s learned throughout her journey, and answer questions.

Plugged in & Social
Exploring the benefits of using social media to share, learn, connect and unwind during cancer treatment. Guest Christy Litster spoke about how a video series highlighting her journey made the experience easier for her, her family, friends, and complete strangers.

Hair Loss - The Second Big Blow
At the Wings to Wellness & Mastectomy Boutique - the most common questions patients ask when they start losing their hair!

Genetic Testing
Is cancer in your genes? How does genetic testing work? Who qualifies? And what exactly can our genes tell us about our cancer risk?

Smoking Cessation
The benefits and challenges of quitting smoking while dealing with cancer and going through treatment.

Fitness After Cancer
Get your runners on, grab some light weights and get moving with CANSWERS CENTRE LIVE! In this webcast we talk about the toll cancer takes on your body and ways you can regain your strength after cancer. There is also a BONUS WORKOUT with special guests from the RENEW fitness program. They have some easy exercises to get EVERYONE moving after an illness or a period of inactivity.

Clinical Trials
Many misconceptions surround clinical trials and cancer. Do you feel like a guinea pig when even just discussing becoming a possible candidate?

Radiation
See inside the Radiation Treatment Room at WRH. Learn what to expect during treatment and see how it all works!

When a Loved One is Dying
Inside the Hospice of Windsor and Essex County with a difficult, but important conversation about what to expect when a loved one is nearing the end of life.

The New Normal 

Talking to Your Doctor
In our CCL final, we examine the patient/oncologist relationship. Dr. Ken Schneider and Dr. Sindu Kanjeekal have a combined total of 40 years of experience treating patients.

Practical and Emotional Support

• Anger, fear, and sadness;
• Coping;
• Money concerns;
• Sexual concerns related to cancer including body image, intimacy, and relationships; 
• The need to learn more about the next steps; and
• The need to talk to someone outside the family.

Social Workers can help you with:

• Advocacy support;
• Coping;
• Counseling and dealing with a crisis;
• Dealing with the healthcare system;
• Filling out paperwork and forms;
• Programs to help you with financial assistance;
• Quitting smoking; 
• Showing your community resources and support groups; and
• Talking to children or teens about your cancer.

Nutritional Support

Registered Dietitians can help you with:

• Problems chewing or swallowing,
• Constipation,
• Diarrhea,
• Feeling less hungry,
• Nausea or throwing up,
• Gas or bloating, 
• A sore or dry mouth,
• Taste changes, and
• Weight loss because of cancer or treatment.

Making an Appointment

To see a Social Worker or Registered Dietitian, please ask your care team to make an appointment. You can also call the Cancer Centre at 519-253-5253.

Any patient can get these services once they have been referred and registered at the Cancer Centre. Emotional support is also available for family members.

If you are an inpatient on 4 West, speak to your Nurse about these services.

• Alternative medicine,
• Canadian Cancer Society volunteer drivers,
• Canadian Cancer Society information brochures,
• Community Care Access Centre,
• Counseling for children and adults,
• Chemotherapy, 
• Non-Insured Health Benefits,
• Palliative Care,
• Radiation,
• Traditional medicine/knowledge keepers, and
• Victoria Order of Nurses.

To self-refer to the Indigenous Navigator, please either advise a member of your care team or call 1-844-904-2273 to request an appointment.

To self-refer to the Erie St. Clair LHIN Home and Community Care, please advise a member of your care team.

• Preparing for Brachytherapy
• The Procedure - Seeds
• Brachytherapy FAQ's

• Preparing for Brachytherapy
• The Procedure - HDR
• Brachytherapy FAQ's

RENEW is a survivorship program that is held twice a year. The program has been designed for participants who have completed their treatment. It consists of a five-part educational series on general survivorship, nutrition and eating healthy, active living and exercise and cancer genetics and family tree workshop. The program also offers a ten-week exercise program in partnership with a local gym that customizes training to the individual needs of cancer patients.

Please check with your Nurse for dates, times and locations, or for more information or to sign up for a class, please call 519-253-5253 from Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm.

To view videos of past RENEW sessions, please select from the topics below:

• Surviving, Now What?
• Sexuality and Cancer
• Be Active, Be Healthy
• Eating for a Healthy Life
• Hereditary Cancer and Your Family Tree

The classes are currently on paused. Resumption of these classes are to be determined.

For more information on the classes and how to register, please visit the Lymphedema Website.

Council membership includes patients, family members and caregivers from the Chatham-Kent, Sarnia/Lambton and Windsor/Essex area. Membership also includes cancer program leadership and staff.

The Patient & Family Advisory Council meets four times per year. To acknowledge the significant partnership between the cancer program and patients/family/caregivers, meetings and outcomes are guided by the membership and are led by a Program Chair and Patient Chair.

For more information, please see the documents below, or contact our Call Centre at 519-253-5253.

• PFAC Terms of Reference
• PFAC Expression of Interest

PFAs is another opportunity to provide feedback to the Cancer Program. PFAs are able to determine their level of involvement with initiatives based on their interests. There are various sub-committees for members to choose to join and meetings are on an ad hoc basis until completion of the initiative.

The Patient & Family Advisor (PFA)

For more information, see the document below or contact our Call Centre at 519-253-5253.

• PFA Role Backgrounder and Expression of Interest

To self-refer to The Hospice of Windsor Essex County Wellness Centre please contact Hospice directly at 519-974-7100 (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM).

IF YOU REQUIRE ASSISTANCE WITH TRANSPORTATION, PLEASE CONTACT 519-253-5253.

• Canadian Cancer Society Information Service: 1-888-939-3333
• Cancer Connection: www.CancerConnection.ca

Kingsville Wellness Programs (Hospice Program)

Wellness Centre Programs at Kingsville Community Church
1860 Division Rd. N. Kingsville, ON N9Y2Z1

Kingsville satellite Wellness programs currently include:
Basic Functional Fitness,
Guitar Lessons, and
Coffee House.

Ovarian Cancer Canada

P: 1-877-416-7970
W: www.ovariancanada.org

Windsor-Essex Prostate Cancer Support Group

P: Preston and Germaine: 519-839-5723
Don Batten: 519-776-8834
Ian Bentley:59-735-7267
Wayne Zimney: 519-996-5795
E: wecpsg@gmail.com
W: www.wpcsg.com

Wigs
If you would like a wig, the best time to buy one is before you lose any hair, especially if you want a wig that looks like your style and colour. It helps the stylist create the best match. Some women use the change to try different styles and colours!

Many insurance companies pay for a wig when there is a written prescription from your Oncologist.

Hats, Scarves, and Turbans
Some people find that the easiest and most comfortable choices are hats, scarves or turbans. You may have these already, or buy custom items made for people who are getting chemotherapy.

You can visit the Women’s Resource Centre in the Cancer Centre lobby. There you will find a brochure called "Community Resources for Wigs, Hats, Scarves, and Turbans." It has a list of local people and companies who sell these items.

The Psychosocial Health Services department also has hats and scarves for patients.

The Look Good Feel Better Program helps with ways to tie scarves, and ways to make you look and feel better while losing hair during and after chemotherapy. It is a free program held once per month at the Cancer Centre. Ask a member of your care team for more information.

Breast Prosthesis
A breast prosthesis is a breast form that can be used after a mastectomy to replace the removed breast. You can use two if you had a double mastectomy. This can help to balance the body and to protect against back and neck pain and a sagging shoulder. It may also help bras and clothing to fit better. Breast prostheses come in many shapes, sizes, and materials.

You can visit the Women’s Resource Centre in the lobby of the Cancer Centre. There you will find a brochure "Community Resources for Breast Prosthesis". The brochure has a list of local people and companies that sell breast prostheses. They also sell healing kits after surgery.

• You often have to pay the full cost and will be given back your money by the ADP 
• Private Insurance companies may cover the rest of costs not paid for by the ADP

For more information about ADP, contact:

Assistive Devices Program

• Information on how to alleviate the appearance-related effects of cancer and its treatment, including cosmetic hygiene, sun care, skincare, cosmetics, and nail care.
• Discussion and demonstrations on hair alternatives.
• It's more than make up - it's a safe environment alongside other women dealing with similar issues and challenges.

You'll also take home a complimentary kit with information and products.

In our region, Look Good Feel Better workshops happen regularly, year-round, in three places:

• Windsor Regional Cancer Centre,
• VON Chatham - Kent, and
• Canadian Cancer Society, Lambton Unit.

• Are between the ages of 18 and 65
• Have paid into the CPP for a certain number of years 
• Are disabled according to CPP rules (a disability can be physical or mental)

• Money to help you and your family with living costs;
• Benefits for you and your family, including prescription drugs, vision care, and nutrition products for some patients; and
• Help to find and keep a job, and move up in your career.

• Call 1-800-789-4199
• Visit www.mcss.gov.on.ca and click on “Social Assistance”

• Call 1-800-575-5386
• Visit www.health.gov.on.ca and search for “Trillium Drug Program” 

• Talk with a Social Worker at the Cancer Centre
• Or, call the Ontario Regional Office at 1-866-225-0709

Social Services Benefits

• Windsor Office: 519-255-5200
• City of Windsor - Social Services
• Leamington Office: 519-946-9988

For patients with a low platelet count or on blood thinners, you should speak to your Oncologist or Nurse before getting a flu shot.

Family members and caregivers of patients receiving treatment are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated as well.

Your Oncologist also has the opportunity to discuss treatment options at Multidisciplinary Cancer Conferences that are attended by cancer specialists. Some of these disciplines may include Oncology, Surgery, Pathology and Diagnostic Imaging, and so on. Multiple experts provide a consensus opinion in the decision-making process for cancer treatment.

Can a family member get information on my behalf?

To protect your confidentiality, we need your permission if we are to speak to a family member. If you wish to appoint one family member as your spokesperson, please tell us who that person will be. Please talk to a member of your health care team about your wishes regarding confidentiality.

What if I have a non-cancer-related health concern?

For health concerns unrelated to your cancer diagnosis, please contact your primary care provider. If you do not have a primary care provider, please let your care team know so that they can help you locate one.