health & wellness >> continued from page 48 Experience The St. Joe's Lung Cancer Program Offers the Latest Diagnostics, Treatment By Jack Weiner, President and CEO St. Joseph Mercy Oakland I Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in men and women combined, but recent treatment breakthroughs provide ways to earlier diagnose and better treat the disease. St. Joseph Mercy Oakland's Lung Cancer Program offers the latest in diagnostics, treatment and clinical trials. Here's why you should seek out St. Joe's for lung cancer diagnosis and treatment. We offer: • A quicker path to diagnosis and treatment with twice monthly multidisciplinary Lung Tumor Board meetings attended by a team that includes nationally recognized experts in Radiation Oncology and Thoracic Surgery, along with specialists in Pulmonary Medicine, Medical Oncology, Pathology, Radiology and others. Working together, the team develops a personalized cancer treatment plan for each patient designed to deliver the best outcomes. • A lung cancer nurse navigator who facilitates care for each patient. She provides patient education, coordinates appointments and provides additional emotional and resource support throughout each patient's treatment journey. • Our nationally recognized specialists have dedicated St. Joe's affiliated lung cancer practices and are skilled and experienced in the latest cutting-edge diagnostic and treatment technology. • Superdimension Navigational Bronchoscopy System, Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) and Low-Dose Lung CT screening for the latest in detection, diagnosis and staging, along with da Vinci robotic-assisted surgery. • A Surgical Pavilion with modern surgical suites that offers the most up-to-date technological advances in the area. • Access to nearly 150 clinical trials through our Community Clinical Oncology Program (CCOP), the same trials accessed by the Mayo Clinic. This means patients can receive cutting-edge treatment while remaining right in our community. • Access to educational information in our Cancer Resource and Support Center, within the Alice Gustafson Center on the hospital campus. • A Cancer Center that offers an environment of patient comfort and dignity in both the physician office and the infusion center. For more information on St. Joe's Lung Cancer Program, call Patti Moore, Lung Nurse Navigator, at 248-858-3471. When you're looking for the latest, comprehensive and compassionate lung cancer care, come to St. Joseph Mercy Oakland, where our clinical outcomes speak for themselves. Discover Remarkable ADVERTISMENT 1973890 50 October 29 .201 Gadgeel, a lung cancer specialist, is the leader of the Thoracic Oncology Multidisciplinary Team at Karmanos and professor at Wayne State University School of Medicine. "I was so impressed by his patience and his compassion:' Turk said. Turk underwent radiation and che- motherapy. Four years later, however, a new spot appeared on her left lung, requiring two surgeries. Earlier this year, doctors discovered another can- cer. Again, she began chemotherapy and radiation, completing treatments this summer. Along with her medical treatment at Karmanos, aiding in Turk's emotional recovery have been the supplemen- tal therapies offered at Karmanos' Weisberg Cancer Treatment Center on Northwestern Highway in Farmington Hills. She has taken part in standard massage, Reiki (a form of gentle mas- sage) and art and music therapies through the Healing Arts Program there. "The people at Karmanos are very special human beings:' she said. "They respect you, and they understand how difficult and scary this process is." Turk said that her ongoing diagno- ses have affected her family, especially her son, Ian, 29, as well as the clients she treats as a social worker in private practice. "I worked as much as I could dur- ing the first diagnosis of cancer:' she said. "This time, it's been much more difficult on my patients. The hardest person to tell was my son:' with cancer. I recommend to all my patients that they take advantage of this beneficial program:' The program is aided by monies raised through philanthropy, including the Hank Greenberg Memorial Golf Invitational, an annual event of the Michigan Jewish Sports Foundation, which was held in June at Franklin Hills Country Club. Being the golf aficionado, Turk hopes to play in next year's outing. A grant from the Jewish Women's Foundation also assists the Karmanos program. POSITIVE THINKING In addition to taking part in the Healing Arts Program, Turk said she has many "remarkable" friends who all serve as caregivers and helped her through her diagnoses. Doctors also credit Turk's positive attitude for her surviving lung cancer for as long as she has. "Cancer is on the periphery of my life Turk said. "It does not define me:' Turk says that she grew up with her positive attitude, thanks to her grand- mother, Sadie Wilner, who she calls "a remarkable human being:' "My grandmother had a strength about her and had an attitude that you can do anything you want to. She was my role model:' she said. "The last thing she said to me was, when you come to the end of your life, it doesn't matter what your accomplishments are or your wealth. It's about the lives you have touched. I thought, that's prob- ably why I became a therapist. "I love what I do and I think work has given me tremendous strength:' Turk said. "You have to view cancer as not a death sentence. You can decide whether to be a survi- vor or whether you'll die from cancer. "I believe I am bigger than cancer:' * SOOTHING 'HEALING ARTS' Despite her ongoing battle with cancer, Turk enjoyed a summer full of golf, whether it was on her favorite course, Moose Ridge in South Lyon, or Beech Woods Golf Course in Southfield. She said she also enjoyed the Karmanos' Healing Arts Program, which is funded by the Leah A. Davidson Elizabeth A. Katz is the external A . Endowment for the Healing marketing and communications man- Kathleen Hardy Arts. ager with the Barbara Ann Karmanos Kathleen Hardy, oncology Cancer Institute. social worker at Karmanos, said hundreds of people have been assisted by the Healing Arts Program. details "We include art and music therapies, For more information about massage, guided imagery, meditation, Karmanos Cancer Institute's yoga, journaling and more Hardy Healing Arts Program, contact said. "These integrative therapies have Kathleen Hardy at hardyk@ been shown to reduce anxiety, depres- karmanos.org or (248) 538-4712. sion, stress, muscle tension and, in To make a donation, visit some instances, pain. www.karmanos.org/leahfund "The workshops are free and open or call (313) 576-8110. to anyone in the community living