| Common Questions |
1. How long is the Home Program?Effective January 2013, our Home Program has changed. Your Home Program will consist of different components that last different durations. You will receive an SDT or PDT device (yours to keep), three months of a core group of supplements and one month of a specific group of supplements (the latter may include IVs, if prescribed). From a support perspective, you will receive weekly phone calls from our consultant for the first twelve weeks. You will also be entitled to monthly evaluations based on your submitted information for up to one year after discharge. Email support will also be available for up to one year. Patients are evaluated based on their communications with the Home Program Support Team and recommended diagnostic (lab and imaging) studies at the recommended intervals. Doctors may recommend changes to the home program at any time depending on the condition of the patient.
SP Activate: As an incentive to stay consistent with your home program, the photo- and sono-sensitive agent, central to the SPDT program, is offered at no additional cost for a period of up to 1 year for all patients on an active, prescribed home program from Hope4Cancer Institute. The Home Program and Your Support Team: The Home Program is a document that outlines your treatment protocols to be carried out at home once you leave the clinic. It also gives you a list of supplies that are provided for you for your first three months of therapies that are included in the cost of your treatment. Your Home Program Support (HPS) team consists of consultants and doctors who will help you carry through with your Home Program, periodically evaluate your progress and make changes to your program if needed. 2. How do I get my Home Program medications and supplies?In most cases, the shipping department will ship all the necessary supplies and medications to the patient’s home a few days before the patient leaves the clinic. If the patient decides to take the Home Program themselves, they can, but they need to inform us of that intention early during their stay in the clinic. International patients will be recommended to bring an empty suitcase with them so that they can take back their initial supplies back with them to avoid any delays because of customs, etc. 3. Who will do the SPDT and other therapies at home for me?The patient and or their family members receive instruction on how to conduct their SPDT and other therapies at home before they leave the clinic. They are also given a Patient Guide that provides instructions on each of the prescribed therapies that they may use at home. 4. Who can I call or e-mail with questions about the therapies?Our Home Program Support Team can help you with any questions you might have in regards to the therapies. 5. Where do I send my lab and / or imaging results once I am at home?Your labs, X-ray, Scans and Ultrasound results can be faxed or e-mailed to the Home Program Support Team. They will have the HPS Doctor review them and contact you to go over the results with you. 6. What kind of diet do I need at Home?Diet should consist mainly of fruits, nuts (except peanuts), salads, beans, fish and vegetables. No Sodium. No processed sugar. You will be trained on various aspects of optimal nutrition while you are at the clinic. You might have specific needs depending on your condition and treatment program which will be outlined to you at the clinic. 7. Can I take some of the recipes home that are used at the clinic by the clinic chef?You are encouraged to speak to, and gather all the recipes you want from the chef at Hope4Cancer Institute. This will give you a wide variety of delicious, nutritious and healthy food you can have at home. You can also request for a compilation of popular recipes that is available in the form of a pdf e-book. 8. Do I need my family doctor to check my IV catheter if I leave with one from the clinic?We recommend that you have your catheter checked at least once a month by a health care professional (nurse or physician) to make sure your catheter is well placed and free from infection. 9. Who can I speak to in regards to medical questions I might have once I leave the clinic and I am at home?While most answers will be available through your communication with your HPS Team, ever so often you may have a medical need to speak directly with the HPS Doctor. Your HPS Consultants can coordinate an appointment for you, through email or by phone. 10. How long can I count on Home Program Support?The Home Program Support system is designed to carry through for a whole year during which you will be receiving support in different formats which is designed to empower you to take charge of your treatment (see question 1 for more details). You are encouraged to stay in touch with us even after that, because we are always excited to hear from you with all your good news! |
