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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2018-04-05, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2017. LI,, , I)I�,/��i�r; N-1 L- 1v1 .2 R_rff By Denny Scott - The Citizen Fighting cancer can be a long and arduous task involving months, if not years, of struggle and pain. Fortunately for people in Huron County, that war can be waged closer to home thanks to the London Regional Cancer Program's satellite program at the Wingham and District Hospital. Registered Nurse Laurie Bell, who works in both the chemotherapy and emergency departments in Wingham, said that having the site is a boon to anyone undergoing chemotherapy. "For people in Huron County, not having to drive to the city can be a big help," she said, "That's especially true for older people who don't like driving in the city, can't drive long ways or don't have rides. It's a lot easier to get a ride here than to go down to London." Bell explained that part of the desire to be closer to home is the toll chemotherapy can take on people's bodies. "Fatigue comes with chemotherapy, as does nausea, so a shorter drive instead of a two -and -a -half hour drive is preferable," she said. The chemotherapy unit is also smaller than its urban counterparts, making it a little more personal. "When you come in, we know who you are," she said. "In the larger centres, you can be just a number, but here, we know the patients." The centre is open Tuesday through Thursday every week and brings in an average of seven patients per day. Bell said the maximum is eight or nine, depending on how long each session lasts. While having the unit has been a great benefit to local people fighting cancer, Bell said that advancements in the drugs and therapies associated with cancer and chemotherapy have also made life easier for patients. "Chemotherapy has come a long way from what it was," she said, adding that those changes have become apparent even since the site opened in 2002. "Back then, there were only so many medications you could give. Now there are so many more medications and symptom management programs." CIBC Hours: Monday - Friday 9:30 - 5:00 pm 442 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4247 36 King Street, Brussels 519-887-6521 www.cibc.com Gas Station and Express Mart Open 6 am to 10 pm 39977 Blyth Rd., Blyth 519-523-9090 D. C. Craig Excavating • Excavating • Bulldozing • Septic Systems • Drainage • Snowplowing 519-523-4966 Municipality of Morris-Turnberry 519-887-6137 Brown's Pharmasave 198 Josephine St., Wingham 519-357-1629 Free Delivery Service Available Hours: Monday to Friday 9 am - 6 pm Saturday 9 am - 4 pm Senior's Day Every Tuesday and Thursday Seniors 55+ receive 15% off all regular priced items* It's easy to transfer your prescriptions to us! LIVE WELL WITH 11: LI1111'-y_A'A1 R -ST RADAR \r AUTO PARTS "You will find it at CARQUEST" 235 TURNBERRY ST., BRUSSELS 519-887-9661 3878 WELLINGTON ST., 20 KING ST., MITCHELL and CLINTON 519-348-8485 519-482-344 She said that, in regards to quality of life, there have been big improvements with different chemotherapy drugs, saying that immunotherapy and genetic testing are likely some of the most influential. "Now there are some tests for some drugs that work best for people with certain genetic makeups," she said. "They test ahead of time to make sure the drug is the right fit and that's one big change. "Immunotherapy is a newer change that has happened in the last few years and it's very exciting," she said. "It helps the patient's body react to and destroy the cancer cells itself." Another big change has been how the drugs have been administered. While portrayals of cancer wards can sometimes feature people sitting in chairs as they have the drugs pumped into their system, many drugs can now be offered in pill form or through injections. "Patients don't have to spend so much time in the unit thanks to that," Bell said. "There are many different drugs and changes that have happened over the years. People should contact their doctors if they have questions." The site offers not only help for people looking to beat cancer, but also to those involved in other stages of the disease. "We can help put cancers into remission but even with people who are in palliative care, we can help them live a longer life with a better quality," she said. "We may be able to shrink tumours that can't be cured and that can help." The satellite site takes in patients from Goderich, Bayfield, Kincardine, Ripley, Teeswater, Walkerton and all points in between, Bell said. It has three doctors and three specially -trained nurses who work with the oncology team from London, as well as chemotherapy - certified pharmacy technicians, lab technicians and dietitian for consultation. For more information, visit the Listowel Wingham Hospitals Alliance website at www.Iwha.ca or call the Wingham and District Hospital at 519-357-3210 'PharmaChoice • We provide full prescription and OTC services. • We'II deliver free. • We waive the ODB co -pay. • We're open Monday to Saturday. • We'll arrange for transfer of your prescriptions. • We'II listen to what you need. Ph: 226-889-4152 Fax: 226-889-4155 453 Turnberry St., (Main) Brussels Brussels Lions Club was • •. //w. ,, .,.,..n ....:........... TRANSPORT LTA Safe, Dependable Trucking Service • Livestock • Bulk Brussels, Ontario 519-887-6122 1-800-667-8399 Clinton Chapel Blyth Chapel gateau -el, FUNERAL HOMES 519-482-9521 Christopher M. Smith Mark R. Rushton Amanda Rich The tradition of service continues... Brussels Agromart Ltd. • Crop Inputs • Crop Consulting • Crop Protection Products • Seed • Custom Application www.brusselsagromart.ca delib MAPLESEED+ rr Your forage partner l� Brussels 519-887-6273 AUBURN o A U T O 5 A L E S o "GOOD OLD-FASHIONED SERVICE" For all your vehicle and repair needs 37117 Blyth Rd., Goderich, ON 519-524-9878 THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2017. PAGE 11. Fighting cancer close to home The Wingham and District Hospital has paired with the London Regional Cancer Program to offer chemotherapy in Huron County for the past 16 years. Through offering the service locally, the medical professionals at the site are able to provide personal, local service to those undergoing chemotherapy. Registered Nurse Laurie Bell, left, explained that over the past 16 years, she has seen many improvements to chemotherapy and other cancer -fighting programs that help local patients. She is shown above in the chemotherapy ward with patient Tracey Simpson. (Wingham Hospital Foundation photo) Brian E. Wightman Certified General Accountant • Personal & Corporate Tax • Accounting & Bookkeeping • Agricultural Services Seaforth - 519-527-1331 Email: wightman @ bellnet.ca 523-9308 .ToA (VW —Gewem/Rp'pairo Located 2 miles south of Blyth corner of London Rd. & Hullett McKillop Rd. Repairs to all makes & models of cars & trucks Used Car & Truck Sales 519-523-9308 Jack Van Dorp Howson & Howson Ltd. Flour Mill Blyth 519-523-4241 Todd Wheeler Insurance Inc. AGENT: TODD WHEELER 75 Sports Dr., Brussels, ON NOG 1H0 MCKILLOP MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY twheeler@ mcki I lopmutual.com OFFICE: 519-357-0155 • FAX: 226-889-8944 BRUSSELS FOODVAND 38 King Street, Brussels Open 7 days a week 519-887-9740 FEEDS FEED STORES DUNGANNON 519.529-7951.1.800-665.5675 WALTON 519-887-6023 Support the Canadian Cancer Society www.cancer.ca iverside Funeral Home Inc. 401 Albert Street, Box 340 Brussels, ON NOG 1H0 Phone: 519-887-6336 Fax: 519-887-6438 www.riversidefuneralhome.ca Jacquie Gowing Accounting Accounting, Income Tax & Business Management Personal, Farm, Business & Corporate • Monthly Bookkeeping Services • Electronic Tax Filing jgowing623@gmail.com 519-887-9248 RAL. BURNSIDE 1 Engineers and Environmental Consultants 1-800-265-9662 www.rjburnside.com Dewe amet CONCRETE FORMING For All Your Concrete Needs! COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL • Foundations • Floor Finishing • Circular Tanks • Sandwich Walls FREE ESTIMATES RR#3 Blyth — Fax 519-523-9604 519-523-9971 WINGHAM OPTOMETRY CLINIC Dr L McCarthy • Dr K Alton • Dr S Doorn • Dr K Hagerman 9 Patrick Street West, Box 88, Wingham, ON NOG 2W0 Tel : 519.357.1282 • Fax: 519.357.4509 email: reception@winghamoptometry. com Christine's Clothes Closet e9' Intimately yours *iiuj Maw April 24 For tickets call 519-357-1051 47 208 Josephine St., Wingham Josephine Street Wingham Shopping Plaza WINGHAM 519-357-9990 Owners/Operators Jenny & Bill McGrath Jr. Blyth Road, BLYTH 519-523-9990 Professional Sales • Service • Installation Andersen d: DASHWOOD® Hindus and Dons „rrce 1928 41 Third St. Vanastra 519-482-7869 IF BUSY CALL 519-482-5816 www.dndglass.ca •