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              • Healing Connections

              Healing Connections

              Healing Connections is a virtual group program for patients who have had breast cancer surgery.

              The program is designed to support you as you move through your cancer treatment. It includes sessions on emotional, social, nutritional and physical health. These sessions are led by dietitians, physical therapists and occupational therapists.

              Each session includes education, information about community supports and opportunities for you to ask questions. You can choose to attend the sessions that will best support you and work with your schedule.

              Eligibility

              Anyone who has had breast cancer surgery in the Edmonton Zone can self-register for the program. You must be a resident of Alberta and be in the province when attending.

              Session topics

              Nutrition (Tuesdays)

              Our registered dietitian will teach you about healthy eating after breast cancer surgery to help you heal. You will also learn about the side effects of cancer treatment related to nutrition along with food myths.

              Physical therapy (Wednesdays)

              Our physical therapists lead exercise sessions that include feedback.

              Level 1
              This session covers information on regaining shoulder movement after surgery and how to safely stretch and exercise at home. Other topics include proper posture and how to massage a scar.

              Level 2
              This session builds on the stretching exercises from Level 1. We also show you how to do strengthening exercises.

              You can receive assessment and treatments as an outpatient at the Misericordia Community Hospital. Your treatment may qualify for funding from Alberta Health Services if you had surgery within the last 12 weeks.

              Occupational therapy (every second Thursday)

              Our occupational therapist will teach you about lymphedema, energy conservation, mental and emotional health and sexual health.

              Schedule

              SessionDayTime
              NutritionEvery second Tuesday12:30 - 2 p.m.
              Physical therapyWednesdays12:30 - 2 p.m.
              Occupational therapyEvery second Thursday12:30 - 2 p.m.

              Each session includes check-in and registration, a presentation and time for questions.

              Registration

              You can register for the sessions you feel would be most helpful to you. You have four weeks to complete your session(s).

              You can register before your surgery, but you cannot start the program until one week after your surgery.

              Zoom

              We offer our sessions through Zoom, an online meeting platform. You will receive invites that allow you to phone into a session or join using your computer. For physical therapy sessions, you will need to use a computer that has a microphone and webcam.

              How to register

              Call 780.735.2757 and be prepared to provide your:

              • provincial health number
              • email address
              • choice of sessions

              After you register

              Once you register for a session, you will receive two emails. The first will explain how to use Zoom, and the second will include your Zoom meeting invites.

              Contact

              Phone: 780.735.2757
              Fax: 780.735.2621

              Peer support group

              The Healing Connections peer support group offers a safe and secure drop-in space for adults aged 18 years and older who have recently been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer and are undergoing treatment. Led by a nurse facilitator and joined by peers or former patients, the group provides support, shared experiences, and connection.

              Eligibility

              The group is open to adults who are:

              • 18 and older
              • Alberta residents in the surgery and/or treatment phase for breast cancer and receiving their care in Edmonton

              There is no registration or fee to attend the group.

              Schedule

              The group runs weekly on Tuesdays, excluding statutory holidays, from 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

              Contact

              Location

              Wellspring Alberta — Edmonton HouseExternal Link
              11306-65 Ave NWExternal Link
              Edmonton, ABExternal Link

              The location offers free parking and is wheelchair accessible.

              Contact

              Phone: 780.735.2757

              Resources

              General

              Resources to guide you through your breast cancer journeyPDF Document

              Nurse consultant

              The Healing Connections nurse consultant supports patients after their breast cancer surgery by offering extra help and resources. You can choose to be contacted after your surgery.

              The nurse consultant provides personalized information based on your physical, emotional, and social needs. This includes sharing details about Healing Connections programs such as physical therapy, occupational therapy and nutrition.

              Hours

              Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

              Contact

              Jessica Cortes, nurse consultant 
              Phone: 587.983.6821

              Nutrition

              ResourceSourceFormat
              Eating well after breast cancerExternal LinkCanadian Cancer SocietyWebpage
              Healthy eatingExternal LinkCovenant HealthPresentation
              Nutrition and Breast CancerPDF DocumentAlberta Health ServicesPDF
              Nutrition informationExternal LinkBC CancerWebpage
              Nutrition Myths and Cancer ClassExternal LinkAlberta Health ServicesClass
              Nutrition Services in AlbertaExternal LinkAlberta Health ServicesWebpage
              Recipes for healthy eatingExternal LinkAlberta Health ServicesWebpage
              The High Protein Cookbook for Muscle Health During Cancer TreatmentExternal LinkUniversity of AlbertaDigital cookbook (free)
              Treatment side effectsExternal Link
              (9:45)
              Covenant HealthPresentation

              Physical therapy

              ResourceSourceFormat
              Aerobic exercisesExternal Link
              (6:20)
              Covenant HealthPresentation
              Alberta Cancer ExerciseExternal LinkAlberta Health ServicesClass
              Arm and shoulder exercisesExternal LinkMyHealth AlbertaVideo
              Axillary web syndrome (stretches and exercises)PDF DocumentAlberta Health ServicesPDF
              Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN) courseExternal LinkCross Cancer InstituteClass
              Physiotherapy Breast Class for Patients Receiving Radiation TherapyExternal LinkAlberta Health ServicesClass
              ROM and postureExternal Link
              (11:00)
              Covenant HealthPresentation
              Scar massageExternal LinkMyHealth AlbertaVideo
              StrengtheningExternal Link
              (7:20)
              Covenant HealthPresentation

              Occupational therapy

              ResourcesSourceFormat
              At Home: What to Watch ForExternal LinkMyHealth AlbertaWebpage
              Cancer and SexualityExternal LinkMyHealth AlbertaWebpage
              Cancer-Related Fatigue video seriesExternal LinkMyHealth AlbertaVideo
              Energize—Cancer-Related Fatigue EducationExternal LinkCross Cancer InstituteClass
              Fertility and YouPDF DocumentAlberta Health ServicesPDF
              How to Manage Cancer-Related FatiguePDF DocumentAlberta Health ServicesPDF
              Look Good Feel BetterExternal LinkCross Cancer InstituteClass
              Low Sexual DesirePDF DocumentAlberta Health ServicesPDF
              Lowdown on Down ThereExternal LinkCross Cancer InstituteClass
              Lymphedema, energy conservation and mental/ emotional healthExternal Link
              (10:57)
              Covenant HealthVideo
              Making the Most of Your Time and EnergyPDF DocumentAlberta Health ServicesPDF
              Sexual Health and CancerPDF DocumentAlberta Health ServicesPDF
              Sexual Health Information for WomenPDF DocumentAlberta Health ServicesPDF
              Sexual Health ResourcesPDF DocumentAlberta Health ServicesPDF

              Feature story

              Covenant Health partners with Wellspring to host Healing Connections group

              Healing Connections’ move to Wellspring location offers a nurturing community for breast cancer patients seeking comfort and solidarity.

              Cancer care
              Read

              February 06, 2024

              Covenant Health partners with Wellspring to host Healing Connections group Healing Connections volunteers provide peer support and advice to cancer patients

              Share

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