A cancer diagnosis is hard on the patient, but it is also an emotional rollercoaster for the caregivers, who help and stand side-by-side with the patients through treatments, doctor’s appointments, good times, and even bad ones.
So caregivers: The experts at the CyberKnife Center of Miami – a state-of-the art, free-standing radiation treatment center in the heart of South Florida – understand your role and while we are always here for our patients, please know we are here for you caretakers too. And we celebrate you.
To that end, we want to give you some tips on how to cope with being a caregiver. We know you put your loved one’s needs before your own, and we know your loved one having cancer takes a psychological toll on you as well.
But first and foremost, you must take care of yourself so you can take care of your loved one with cancer and others who may depend on you as well.
- Find some time to relax
- Eat properly
- Get rest
- Stick to a routine
- And know that it is okay to ask for help. That does not make you weak.
The National Cancer Institute also recommends:
- Joining a support group
- Keeping a journal
- Talking to others about what you are feeling
- Staying in touch with friends and others who are near you
We know these suggestions are easier said than done. That is why at CyberKnife Miami we take pride in the fact that we treat – really treat – the whole family. And we want caregivers to know we are a resource for you too.
Our patients are not statistics. That is why we spend time talking through options with patients and their caregivers. And one thing we do better than anyone else is listen.
“I think the most common comment I get from patients is that “you probably have no idea how good your staff is. They take a potentially frightening experience and make it a warm and friendly one,” says Dr. Mark Pomper, medical director of CyberKnife Miami and board-certified radiation oncologist when asked about one thing that sets CyberKnife Miami apart.
Our job is to help you and your loved one navigate this difficult process with as little stress as possible.
In fact, we tell our patients and their caregivers that we will hold their hand through the entire process. And we take that promise very seriously.
We help our patients and their families through treatments, scans, insurance questions, logistical issues and the list goes on …and on.
Cancer Treatment Miami
CyberKnife Miami uses state-of-the-art image guided radiotherapy treatments — stereotactic body radiation therapy or SBRT — to treat cancer and other medical issues requiring radiation.
We treat spine, brain, lung, kidney, pancreas, liver, prostate, and lymph node tumors. We also treat lymphoma and other conditions in the body where radiation treatment is necessary.
CyberKnife’s missile guidance technology enables the SBRT to track a tumor’s movement in real time. The technology delivers radiation directly to the tumor, while leaving healthy surrounding tissue unharmed. With CyberKnife, patients often need a shorter course of treatment than with traditional radiation because SBRT is targeted radiation.
Our doctors and staff are experts in the field. Our compassion and personalized treatment can be the difference you need when it comes to treating your cancer.
If you would like to find out more about treatment with CyberKnife call us at 305-279-2900 or go to our website now for more information www.cyberknifemiami.com.