Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation takes you back to your ordinary, everyday life

Rehabilitation is the journey from being a patient to getting back to your ordinary life. This is a long but rewarding journey. Along the road there are moments of success and joy as well as of challenges and dismay.

Taking care on one’s wellbeing promotes rehabilitation. Take care of yourself – sleep enough, exercise with moderation and eat healthy and nutritious food throughout all stages of the illness.

The treatment and rehabilitation processes of some cancer illnesses are described on these pages. There is more information on all of this on the web pages of the Health Village (in Finnish) sponsored by specialized medical care.

Supporting rehabilitation

Rehabilitation proceeds in collaboration with health care professionals. It may consist of services, guidance, physiotherapy or training courses.

A rehabilitation counselor is available to provide guidance so that you can maintain your activities and manage your everyday living. Your doctor may refer you for physiotherapy, occupational therapy and nutrition counseling to help you combat the challenges of treatment and rehabilitation.

You may ask the rehabilitation manager if it is possible for you to have a friend accompany you at rehabilitation planning.

Exercise – when?

It’s good for cancer patients to exercise – and it is safe. Even if you feel tired, a walk outdoors may be refreshing and give energy. But you must not overload yourself – the idea is that you exercise only as much as is comfortable and pleasant.

You may have to limit your exercises temporarily while being treated or during the rehabilitation period because of a risk of infection or poor physical condition. Just ask what kind of exercise fits you best.

The nursing personnel and physiotherapists can provide advice on exercise and physical training and help you to maintain a proper level of physical activity.

Local cancer organizations host courses in wellbeing and physical exercise adapted for persons in the rehabilitation phase of their illness.

Nutrition

Healthy nutrition is an important part of your wellbeing and gives you strength throughout your illness and afterwards. Nutrition guidance for cancer patients provides important hints and advice on how to maintain a healthy diet.

Nutritional therapists (dietitians) are available for advice, if needed.

Disability aids

Discomfort and disability caused by treatment or illness entitle patients to personal disability aids, e.g., a wig, support sleeve or breast prosthesis. To obtain such aids, you need a voucher which will be mailed to you on request. The nursing personnel will have more information on disability aids. The rehabilitation counselors and occupational therapists will help you to manage in activities of everyday life and when using disability aids could be helpful.

The nursing personnel assesses your condition while you are being treated and during rehabilitation. For this, they ask questions and use indicators to evaluate pain, nutrition and mood. Often, pain is the most important cancer-related side effect. It can be evaluated by indicators and responds well to treatment. Our goal is to help you to feel as well as possible.

It is not uncommon for cancer treatments to cause side effects during and after treatment. Some side effects are permanent and require adjustment to a new life situation. The nursing personnel is there to help you with advice and information on how to cope with everyday life.

Rehabilitation training courses

For us, your treatment team, it is important that you adapt to everyday life despite cancer and treatments. Kela, the Social Insurance Institution of Finland, and many cancer organizations arrange courses for rehabilitation and adaptation training. Feel free to ask your nursing personnel and the counseling nurse at your local cancer organization for more information about these courses.

The local cancer organization arranges informative events on available support services (in Finnish) and on how you may help yourself toward a normal lifestyle after cancer treatments are over.

Rehabilitation, work, studies

Your condition allowing, you are free to work or study despite your illness. However, practically everyone who gets cancer needs some time of absence from work or studies. Please visit the Abilitator-site for self-assessment of your work ability.

You may also find empowerment by maintaining your contacts with your work or study team. Return to work is facilitated by your occupational health services and the rehabilitation counselor of the hospital. It is wise to plan for the future while still on treatment.

Peer support for patients, family and friends

Peer support provides relief for you and those who are close to you. Volunteers trained by cancer organizations and experts by experience, in addition to health care professionals, are there to support you during your rehabilitation. Together with health care professionals you will be able to identify the best form of peer support for you.

Peer support services are provided by local cancer organizations and national patient organizations which operate in your area. The web page of the Cancer Society of Finland has contact information to service providers. You may book a time for advice service with a nurse for detailed discussions. The web pages of the Health Village (in Finnish) have information on peer support and contacts.

Peer support close to you:

Cancer Society of Western Finland (in Finnish)
Cancer Society of Satakunta, Pori District (in Finnish)
Cancer Society of Pohjanmaa, Vaasa District (in Finnish)

Rehabilitation and palliative treatment

Cancer is not always treatable and then the goal of treatment is symptom relief. This type of care is called palliative (in Finnish) and, ultimately, end of life care is needed. Nevertheless, much can be done, and rehabilitation aims at providing the best possible quality of everyday life.

During palliative care we support you, your family and friends. If you wish, you may have someone close to you to accompany you to every consultation visit.

Wellness

Please take care of yourself and wellbeing also while being treated and after treatment end.

Family and friends

Don’t allow yourself to be left alone with your thoughts. There is support also for family and friends.

The wellbeing services counties

The wellbeing services county of Southwest Finland

The wellbeing services county of Satakunta

The wellbeing services county of Ostrobothnia