LLS/Baylor Patient Advocate: Myeloma Support Group

March is Myeloma Awareness Month and the perfect time to highlight a free support group that is open to everybody at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. 

Every second Saturday, the North Texas Myeloma Support Group meets at Baylor on the 10th floor of the Sammons Cancer Center from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. This group is a wonderful group of men and women that are patients and caregivers; some of whom are 10+ year survivors, some are newly diagnosed, and everywhere in between. The group has speakers who discuss new drug therapies, nutrition, caregiver support, and many other topics specific to their disease.

At a recent meeting, we had a few newcomers to the group, some of whom had recently been diagnosed with multiple myeloma. There is so much information out there to sift through – which doctors specialize in treating myeloma, what treatment to do, what the numbers mean, and how to cope. These patients and caregivers who came to the meeting with a "deer in the headlights" look left  that afternoon with answers to their questions, acknowledgement of their fears, steps to move forward, and a sense of community. We were able to sign them up for the LLS First Connection program and get them plugged in with other resources to help them navigate through their diagnosis.

If you or a loved one have been touched by myeloma, I strongly encourage you to come to one of these groups. 

Blessings,

Kelsey __________________________________________________________________________________

Kelsey Thompson is a Patient Advocate for the North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  She understands the patient experience as a blood and marrow transplant registered nurse.  She is based at Baylor University Medical Center in the Cvetko Center.  She meets with patients and their families after receiving a blood cancer diagnosis.  

Contact Kelsey:
(214) 818-7890 

Kelsey.Thompson@lls.org

What A Weekend: Join Us

It's only Monday but we are looking ahead to a wild and crazy weekend for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) in North Texas.  There are a number of exciting events happening and you are invited to attend each and every one!

SATURDAY

This Saturday morning is the last open training for the SPRUMMER season for Team In Training (TNT).  What is opening training?  It is a chance to preview a typical training with TNT without any commitment.  Meet your potential future TEAM members, your coaches and staff person and get an idea of what the next 12-14 weeks would entail.  There are a number of training locations so contact your local staff to find the sport and training location closest to you.

Kelsey Thompson, the LLS Patient Access Manager at Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center at Dallas, is one of the presenters at Baylor's Super Saturday.  The session runs from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.  The topic is "I Didn't Budget for Cancer" and will be led by Ryan Groce, a financial advisor with Northwestern Mutual.  He will discuss the impact cancer has on your finances, provide a budgeting tool and suggest questions you should ask throughout the process.  Registration for this event is required,

Ivie & Associates, the Big D Climb Presenting Sponsor, is hosting their Annual Rock for the Climb fundraiser this Saturday at Love & War In Texas at the Grapevine location.  This family friendly event is open to all LLS supporters and proceeds will benefit the Big D Climb.  Tickets are available for purchase at the door.

SUNDAY

The North Texas Chapter is launching the inaugural Student of the Year campaign this Sunday at the Allen American's Hockey game.  Come celebrate the new fundraising program and meet the candidates at the 4:00 p.m. game.  Click here to purchase your tickets and $4 of every ticket will support the Student of the Year candidates.  Contact Paige Wiebler if you would like more information.

Schools participating in the Student Series program can also raise funds for their efforts by purchasing tickets to this event.  $4 of each of the tickets purchased under a specific school's name will be credited back to its fundraising.

We hope to see you at one of these events!

LLS/Baylor Patient Advocate: Introducing Blood Cancer 101

Getting a diagnosis of blood cancer is a lot to process in general. Then a new foreign language gets thrown at you with all the new terminology, labs, tests/procedures, and medications. It can be overwhelming and sometimes you just don’t know where to start. I am starting a new class called Blood Cancer 101 to teach you the basics of what blood cancer is, what the terminology means, and help you decipher this new language your doctor is speaking. Whether you are a patient, a caregiver, or you just know someone that has blood cancer, this class is for you. Understanding the basics will not only help you better understand the specifics of your particular disease but it will also help ease some of your anxiety about all these new unknowns.

The first class is on February 16^th from 10:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. in the Cvetko Center (suite 200) at Baylor Scott & White in the Sammons Building. Come join me and start to understand what is going on in your body!

Blessings,

Kelsey

Kelsey will be writing a monthly blog post in order to keep you informed of the different opportunities LLS and Baylor are co-sponsoring.  Introduce yourself to her the next time you are at Baylor.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Kelsey Thompson is a Patient Advocate for the North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  She understands the patient experience as a blood and marrow transplant registered nurse.  She is based at Baylor University Medical Center in the Cvetko Center.  She meets with patients and their families after receiving a blood cancer diagnosis.  

Contact Kelsey:
(214) 818-7890 

Kelsey.Thompson@lls.org

LLS/Baylor Patient Advocate: Caregiver Awareness Month

"When a patient is diagnosed with cancer, it affects more than just the patient. It affects the whole family. The caregiver’s world changes dramatically too. Instead of their usual routine, their new normal now includes driving their loved one to doctor’s appointments, sitting with them while they receive chemotherapy and blood transfusions, and constantly being worried about the unknown or the next test results. All while trying to be strong and supportive and take care of everything at home. They may now have to learn how to handle the finances, be in charge of carpool, or learn how to cook. 

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of facilitating a caregiver support group. The strength that these men and women have is incredible. They have their frustrations, sure, but they are so involved and know so much about the care being provided. They are the true advocate for their families and that is a really hard job. The Cvetko Cancer Center within Baylor hosts a “Caregiver Coffee Break” on the 3^rd Wednesday of the month from 3:00 -4:00 p.m. This allows the caregiver to leave the bedside for a quick break to decompress and talk with others going through the same process.

There are so many challenges that a caregiver faces when their loved one is diagnosed. But they are also the rock and support system that keeps everything from falling apart when the whirlwind of a cancer diagnosis happens. That’s why supporting the caregiver is just as important as supporting the patient. You, as a caregiver, have to take care of yourself to be able to take care of your loved one.

Blessings,

Kelsey"

___________________________________________________________________________________

Kelsey Thompson is a Patient Advocate for the North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  She understands the patient experience as a blood and marrow transplant registered nurse.  She is based at Baylor University Medical Center in the Cvetko Center.  She meets with patients and their families after receiving a blood cancer diagnosis.  

Contact Kelsey:

(214) 818-7890 

Kelsey.Thompson@lls.org

LLS/Baylor Patient Advocate: Meet Kelsey Thompson

The North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is pleased to introduce Kelsey Thompson, the new LLS Patient Advocate at Baylor University Medical Center.  She is housed at the Cvetko Center and meets with patients and their families following a blood cancer diagnosis in order to determine the best way she and LLS can assist them during their treatment journey.  Below Kelsey introduces herself.

"I grew up, like many of us out there, exposed to cancer because someone close to me was going through it. Being diagnosed with cancer is a whirlwind. There are so many unknowns and so much information being thrown at you, not to mention the gamut of emotions to sift through and process. As a blood and marrow transplant registered nurse, I have seen firsthand what these patients and families go through and struggle with. Things happen so quickly after diagnosis that a lot of times there isn’t time to really understand what is going on or how to handle any of it; you just have to act.

That’s one of the reasons I am excited for this new role with LLS as the Patient Advocate Manager at Baylor. I have the opportunity to meet these patients wherever their greatest need is, whether it is financial resources, disease-specific information, support services, or just being there to listen. If I can make one little thing better for these patients and what they’re going through, then I’ve done my job. The physical and emotional part of cancer is hard enough, finding resources and support shouldn’t have to be.

I’m here in the Cvetko Center, Suite 200, of Baylor Sammons Cancer Center on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. Come by and see me, I’d love to meet you!

Blessings,

Kelsey" 

Kelsey will be writing a monthly blog post in order to keep you informed of the different opportunities LLS and Baylor are co-sponsoring.  Introduce yourself to her the next time you are at Baylor.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Kelsey Thompson is a Patient Advocate for the North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  She understands the patient experience as a blood and marrow transplant registered nurse.  She is based at Baylor University Medical Center in the Cvetko Center.  She meets with patients and their families after receiving a blood cancer diagnosis.  

Contact Kelsey:
(214) 818-7890 

Kelsey.Thompson@lls.org