Cnrstn 09.10 - Winthrop University Hospital

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Summer/Fall • 2010Institute for Lung CareYes, You Can Kick the Habit!“I thought the cigarette was strongerthan me,” recalled Westbury residentEleanor Boyd, who, after a 39-yearlongbattle with cigarettes, overcameher nicotine addiction, thanks to herstrong will and the help ofWinthrop-University Hospital’sTobacco Cessation Program.A smoker since her high schoolyears, Ms. Boyd attempted to quitmultiple times throughout her lifewith no success.“I went through the motions ofquitting, but when the cravingscame back, I didn’t have the toolsor the knowledge to deal withthose urges, so I just gave intothem again,” Ms. Boyd said. “Thisbecame a consistent pattern overthe course of my life.”But after watching a closefamily member undergo difficulttreatments for pancreatic cancer,and feeling the damage that cigaretteshad already done to her ownbody, Ms. Boyd desperately wanteda healthier lifestyle.A flyer with information aboutWinthrop’s Tobacco Cessation Program– a free, four week program that utilizesvarious techniques includingbehavior modification, nicotine replacementtherapy and oral medications tohelp participants quit – arrived at Ms.Boyd’s home at just the right time.“Our multidisciplinary staff, comprisedof doctors, nurses, respiratorytherapists and physical therapists, issensitive to the many difficulties peopleface when they decide to stopsmoking,” said Peter Spiegler, MD,Director of the Medical IntensiveCare Unit and Medical Director of theTobacco Cessation Program. “Knowingthat no single approach works foreveryone, our staff works hard toensure that each participant receivespersonalized, professional support.”Upon meeting Mara Bernstein,14 CornerstoneLRT, Administrative Director ofPulmonary Outpatient Services atWinthrop, who moderates the program,Ms. Boyd immediately knew she foundthe help she had been searching for.Mara Bernstein, LRT, Administrative Director ofPulmonary Outpatient Services at Winthrop (left) andPeter Spiegler, MD, Director of the Medical IntensiveCare Unit and Medical Director of the Tobacco CessationProgram at Winthrop (right) join Eleanor Boyd (center)who quit smoking cigarettes with the help of Winthrop’sTobacco Cessation Program.“This program was the right fit for mebecause I knew that if I could feel justa little freedom from nicotine, I wasgoing to hold on to it,” she said.“The goal of the first week is tohelp participants take an active rolein understanding why and how muchthey smoke, as well as their reasonsfor wanting to quit. I also discuss thefinancial and health costs of smoking,”explained Ms. Bernstein. She asksparticipants to fill out a survey indicatingtheir smoking habits todetermine what kind of smoker theyare, and encourages them to keep a“Pack Track” – a log of when, why,who they are with and how they feelwhile smoking, to better understandwhat triggers them to smoke.Ms. Bernstein analyzes the informationfrom the survey and the “PackTrack” during the second session andworks with participants to developbehavior modification plans to helpthem gradually quit smoking.Participants are asked to abstain fromsmoking for a certain number of hoursper day in order to slowly startweaning themselves off cigarettes.The third week is the targetquit week. Ms. Bernstein emphasizestechniques to fight urges tosmoke, and participants areencouraged to use nicotine replacementtherapy or prescribed oralmedications, if needed.Ms. Bernstein also sets up abuddy system so that participantscan help each other stay smokefree,which encouraged Ms. Boydto stay focused on her goal. “Iwas really proud of the peoplearound me who quit, and I wantedto be a part of that,” she said.The final meeting offers continuedsupport and education. “Wediscuss how to maintain a smokefreelifestyle, and I encourageparticipants to share any difficultiesthey are having,” said Ms.Bernstein.Ms. Boyd gradually cut down oncigarettes until the fourth week. Afterthat, a combination of prescribedmedication and behavior modificationtechniques enabled her to finally quit.“Quitting wasn’t an easy task,but I was ready to face it using whatI learned in the program. AlthoughI had tried medication before, itdidn’t work for me until I had anunderstanding of how to break myaddiction. This time, when the desireto smoke came back, I was able tofight it,” she said.Ms. Boyd has been smoke-freesince February 14, 2010.For more information aboutWinthrop-University Hospital’sTobacco Cessation Program, call1-866-WINTHROP. ■
12th AnnualCancer Survivors DayCelebrates LifeA poignant and inspiring celebrationof life, Winthrop-University Hospital’s12th Annual Cancer Survivors Day wasattended by nearly 400 cancer survivors,their loved ones and Winthropstaff. Held at the Long Island Marriotton June 2, the life-affirming eventgathered all in a spirit of camaraderieand joy.“It is your courage and persistencein complying with our oftenrigorous treatments that inspireand motivate us,” said HarryStaszewski, MD, Chief of the Divisionof Oncology/Hematology at Winthrop,and the evening’s keynote speaker.“Every year we look forward to thisevening as a chance to share your joy,to meet with your families and watchyou interact with others who haveshared the same experiences. Yourstories of how you now look forwardto attending soccer games, graduations,weddings, family reunions,births of grandchildren or just goingto the store are heartwarming.”The National Cancer SurvivorsDay Foundation defines a “survivor”as anyone living with a history of cancer– from the moment of diagnosisthrough the remainder of life. Theannual celebration applauds theresilience of the human spirit, as wellas recognizes the significant stridesmade in the fight against cancer.Dr. Staszewski also thankedWinthrop’s Administration and Boardof Directors for their support in pursuinga plan for the aggressive expansionof the cancer program’s facilities, servicesand personnel over the next fiveyears. In treating cancer, he indicatedthat “as exemplified by your largeattendance tonight, the outcomes willbe increasingly positive, the diagnosisless feared, the treatments more andmore successful, and the side effectsless harsh.”Guest speaker and cancer survivorMargaret Mathis shared herstory of survival and hope. First diagnosedwith melanoma in 2001 andthen in July 2003 with Stage IIIA nonsmallcell lung cancer, over the courseof her journey Mrs. Mathis enduredsurgeries, rounds of chemotherapyand radiation. She praised her doctorsand the support given to her by theentire Winthrop Cancer Care Team.“Here I stand, years later,” shesaid. “I have learned so much fromthis experience and have met themost amazing people along the way.”The mother of three grown children,Kelly, Brian and Michael, Mrs.Mathis happily reported that sinceher diagnosis, her daughter has gottenmarried and is now expecting achild – the first grandchild in thefamily. Her son, Michael, was alsoSummer/Fall • 2010Institute for Cancer CarePatricia Schussler, LMSW, Division of Oncology/Hematologyat Winthrop (back row, second from right) shares the joy ofthe evening with members of her support group at theHospital’s Cancer Survivors Day celebration.Jeffrey Schneider, MD, Director of the Lung Cancer Center atWinthrop, treated Margaret Mathis, who related her story of survival tomore than 400 guests at the Hospital’s annual Cancer Survivors Day celebration.getting married in July – anotherhappy event. “This is what survivorshipmeans to me,” she said. Shethanked her children and her husband,Bruce, who “has been with meon the journey every step of the way.”In addition to the dinner celebration,which included dancing and raffleprizes, Winthrop’s Institute for CancerCare sponsored an educational CancerSurvivors Workshop on June 22. Theworkshop addressed cancer survivorshipissues, stress management andhow sleep impacts survivorship.The Institute for Cancer Careoffers the latest developments in thediagnosis and treatment of a widerange of cancers. The Institute’smultidisciplinary staff closely collaboratesin order to offer the mostappropriate medical and supportservices for patients.For information about theInstitute for Cancer Care, visitwww.winthrop.org or call1-866-WINTHROP. ■Cornerstone 15
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