Having a mastectomy is a major surgery that can leave you feeling weak, isolated, and defeated. However, with physical therapy, you’ll have a support system that will encourage you every step of the way during your recovery process, until your pain has subsided and you have regained your strength.
N E W S L E T T E R
Celebrating 10 Years With Sandy & Alvaro • Supporting Our ProCare PT Breast Cancer Survivor Audrey Gallo Athlete Spotlight • We Appreciate Our Patients • Patient Spotlight BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH POST-MASTECTOMY REHAB & PHYSICAL THERAPY ALSO INSIDE:
EAST PATCHOGUE • 191 PATCHOGUE YAPHANK ROAD • EAST PATCHOGUE, NY 11772 • P : 631.775.0971 RIVERHEAD • 806 EAST MAIN ST • RIVERHEAD, NY 11901 •P : 631. 591.0838
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH POST-MASTECTOMY REHAB & PHYSICAL THERAPY
Havingamastectomy isamajorsurgery thatcan leaveyou feelingweak, isolated, and defeated. However, with physical therapy, you’ll have a support system that willencourageyoueverystepof thewayduringyourrecoveryprocess,untilyour pain has subsided and you have regained your strength. AtProfessionalCarePhysicalTherapy&Rehabilitation,weknowhowdifficult this timecanbe.Weunderstandhowmuchyou’vegone through,andwewant tohelp you get back to your normal daily life. Contact our East Patchogue and Riverhead offices to find out more about post-mastectomy rehabilitation services and how we can help you achieve your goals. How will post-mastectomy rehabilitation benefit me? According to the American Physical Therapy Association, “Postoperative physical therapy that begins as early as 2 days after surgery significantly improves joint mobility and widely improves the quality of life for women who underwent mastectomies.” In fact, inastudypublishedbytheEuropeanJournalofPhysicalandRehabilitation Medicine, researchers examined the effects of physical therapy treatments on women who underwent a mastectomy or segmental mastectomy with axillary dissection. These women were divided into two groups, with one group receiving post-mastectomy physical therapy, and a control group that did not. Women who received the physical therapy rehabilitation treatments began their sessions two days after undergoing surgery. Sessions lasted 40 minutes, 5 days a week, during the duration of the drainage. After the drainage was removed, sessions increased to an hour, and the women completed 20 additional sessions. Improvement in shoulder flexion was reported as early as 5 days after surgery in thetreatmentgroup,andprogressgradually increasedasthesewomencontinued
theirsessions.Resultsofthisstudyconcludedthatthetreatmentgroupexperienced improved jointmobility,reducedpain,andawidely improvedqualityof lifecompared to the control group, that had none of those outcomes.
How can I get started? Physical therapy is an integral part of post-mastectomy recovery. Our physical therapistsarehighly trained inhelpingyouregainyourrangeofmotionasquickly as possible, so you can avoid any unwanted complications, such as lymphedema. If thiscondition (orothercomplications)dohappen tooccur,ourphysical therapist will treat you accordingly and help bring you back to your normal function. At Professional Care PT, you don’t only receive treatment - you receive a team of supporters to help you out and let you know you’re not alone in your journey. When you arrive for your initial appointment, our physical therapist will conduct acomprehensiveexam todetermine thebestcourseof treatment foryourneeds. From there,an individualized treatmentplanwillbedesignedspecifically foryou, including targetedstretches,exercises,andanyadditionalmodalitiesourphysical therapist may deem appropriate. It is likelythatourphysicaltherapistwillalsoprescribegentleexercisesoractivities foryou todoathome, inorder tomaintainprogressandhelpyourrecoveryperiod movealongquicker.Ourphysicaltherapistmayalsoadviseslight lifestylechanges duringyourrecovery time, includingmodifiedwaysofperformingyourdaily tasks to facilitatethehealingprocess,whilemaintainingyour functionand independence. Haveyourecentlyundergoneamastectomy?AtProfessionalCarePhysicalTherapy and Rehabilitation, we are here for you during this difficult time. We want to help yougetbacktoyournormal lifeasquicklyaspossible.Contactustodaytoschedule a consultation and get started on the path toward recovery.
SUPPORTING OUR SURVIVOR Audrey Gallo, Breast Cancer Survivor
AUDREY GALLO , Audrey Gallo, mother of 3 girls, grandmother of 3, and Professional Care PT employee, was diagnosed in July 2015 with Stage 1 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (DCIS), which was detected in tissue samples that were sent to the lab following a routine procedure. Because of a family history of breast cancer, Audrey had always been diligent to schedule regular mammograms and sonograms. However, nothing had been detected in recent prior tests. Audrey feels extremely grateful for the “accidental find” following her procedure. According to her physicians, the cancer may not have been detected until years later, after a tumor had developed enough to be diagnosed.
After consulting with various surgeons and her family, Audrey made the decision to move forward with a bi-lateral mastectomy in October 2015. What also followed were numerous reconstructive surgeries. Since her journey began, Audrey has been an advocate in the fight against breast cancer. She has participated in local fundraisers and charity events hosted by her team of surgeons from The Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Group, PC, of Great Neck. She particularly credits Dr. David Light. On October 16th, 2019, Audrey will once again be “walking the runway”, along with doctors, surgeons, and celebrities, in the 3rd annual World of Pink Survivor Gala & Fashion Show, an event that honors breast cancer survivors. On October 20th, the “ProCare in Pink” team will be hitting the pavement at the annual MAKING STRIDES AGAINST BREAST CANCER WALK, held at Jones Beach, in honor of our survivor Audrey and all men and woman that continue to battle this disease, and those who have lost the fight. “In the beginning stages of my diagnosis, people would tell me that I was about to embark on a tremendous journey. At first, I didn’t quite know what that meant, but now, years later, I completely understand. I have been fortunate to meet so many wonderful people along the way. Men and women who have walked different paths. Together we have been able to help each other through. In addition to my own health, I now focus on the health of my daughters. It is important to empower them and so many others with the tools and resources to help make sure that they live a healthy, cancer-free life.” - Audrey Gallo
The Mavericks picked up their first win of the season and first NE10 victory recently when they defeated Pace, 1-0. Mercy has been led by Alyssa, who has a team-high three points on a goal and an assist. graduate and PCAP-athlete is off to an amazing start with the Mercy Field Hockey Team! ATHLETE SPOTL I GHT ALYSSA SACCO , Patchogue-Medford
There were lots of wonderful emotions during this year’s ProCare Summer Party as we recognized and celebrated both Sandy Paritsky and Alvaro Phan on their 10-year anniversary at Professional Care Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation. We are truly grateful for their service and continued dedication to our practice, making it what it is today. CELEBRAT I NG 10 YEARS WI TH SANDY AND ALVARO!
N E W S L E T T E R
ProfessionalCarePT.com
PAT I ENT SPOTL I GHT Itmeanssomuch tous toseeourpatientsmakesuchamazingprogress in their journeytorecoveryandwe lovewhentheysharetheirsuccessstorieswithothers! “When I initially saw my hand specialist a few years back for the pain and weakness in both thumbs, I was prescribed a topical cream for pain and braces forbothhands tobeworn throughout thedayandnight. Iworriedabout theside effectsofthemedicatedcreamand foundthebracesclumsyanddifficulttowear. As time passed, everyday activities such as turning doorknobs, opening water bottlesand jars,usingkitchenutensilsandmakingbedsbecamemoreandmore difficult and many of these tasks were handed off to my husband. Recently, I heard of an excellent Hand Therapist working at PROCARE and on a routine visit to my Family Medicine physician I requested a prescription for OT. I was hoping a thorough evaluation and a home program of exercises would slow the progression of my arthritis. I never expected to actually improve! My strength and ability to perform simple tasks continues to increase as my pain continues to decrease. After approximately 2 months of therapy, I couldn’t be more pleased with my results. Ihaveverysignificant improvement inmystrengthand Iam learning to use my hands in ways that do not put additional stress on my joints. I actually attempt thingsnow that Iwouldpassoffwithouta thought. Things likeshuffling playingcards,openingwaterbottles,andopening jarsarebecomingeasierand easier. The education and therapy I continue to receive has had such a positive impact on my life. The warm atmosphere of caring and listening that Amanda fosters around and among her patients gathered at her tables is exceptional. I feelveryblessedtohave foundanOccupationalTherapistwho isalsoaCertified HandTherapist. IwouldrecommendAmandaandPROCAREwithoutreservation. My experience here could not be more beneficial and enjoyable. Oh, I should mention that I still let my husband make the bed!” WE APPRECIATE OUR PATIENTS! October is National Physical Therapy Month and Professional Care PT & Rehabilitation would like to show appreciation to all of our wonderful patients by hosting our annual “Patient Appreciation Month”. Make sure to stop down to the front desk at our East Patchogue and Riverhead offices during your next appointment and pick up this year’s special ProCare Fall Mug!
- Louann Ramsden
A R E Y O U L E T T I N G Y O U R PA I N H O L D Y O U B A C K ? C A L L T O S C H E D U L E Y O U R A P P O I N T M E N T T O D AY !
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online