Many of our patients have told us, “The cure should not be worse than the disease.” Therefore, Symptom Management is an important part of cancer treatment. Symptoms can include, but are not limited to, nausea and vomiting, pain, mouth sores, anxiety, sleeplessness and fatigue. These symptoms may be secondary to the cancer treatment or even from the cancer itself.

Patients should be very honest with doctors and nurses about how treatments are affecting them and their quality of life. They should be an active partner in their treatment and help their care team to decide what will work best.

• Massage - A soft tissue manipulation that improves nutrition and circulation to the tissues while promoting a sense of well-being. Massage may be helpful in managing the symptoms of nausea, anxiety, pain, shortness of breath and sleeplessness. All of our massage therapists employed by Mercy Cancer Centers are licensed under the State of Ohio Medical Board and have received a certificate in advanced study of "Massage for People Living with Cancer."
  
  

  St. Charles Mercy Hospital Available free to patients receiving outpatient radiation and chemotherapy 419-696-7281	St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center Available free to all cancer patients admitted to SVMMC 419-251-6352
  Mercy Hosptial of Tiffin Complimentary Health Services By appointment: 419-448-3108	Mercy Hospital of Willard Mercy Rehabilitation and Wellness Center By appointment: 419-964-5700
  *St. Anne Mercy Hospital 3404 W. Sylvania Ave. Toledo, OH 43623 419-407-1168

  
  
  
• Guided Visualization/Relaxation - Directed visualization that harnesses the power of the mind to help heal and alleviate symptoms such as pain, nausea, sleeplessness and anxiety. The mind can be a very powerful ally in the fight against cancer and Guided Imagery taps into this untapped potential. This can also be used specifically with chemotherapy, radiation and to prepare for surgery. CD's are available for you to take home and use throughout your cancer treatment experience and group classes are offered to help you use this very powerful tool while you are undergoing your treatment and beyond.
  
  

  St. Charles Mercy Hospital Available free to patients receiving outpatient radiation and chemotherapy 419-696-7281	St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center Available free to all cancer patients admitted to SVMMC 419-251-6352
  *St. Anne Mercy Hospital 3404 W. Sylvania Ave. Toledo, OH 43623 419-407-1168

  
  
  
• Healing Touch & Reiki - Forms of energy work that balance and restores the energy field of the body while promoting a deep sense of relaxation. These therapies may be beneficial in controlling symptoms, such as anxiety, pain and nausea, by using a very gentle form of touch. Healing Touch or Reiki are also quite useful to a patient who cn only tolerate light touch, or one who needs deep relaxation.
  
  

  St. Charles Mercy Hospital Available free to patients receiving outpatient radiation and chemotherapy 419-696-7281	St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center Available free to all cancer patients admitted to SVMMC 419-251-6352
  Mercy Hospital of Tiffin 419-448-3108	*St. Anne Mercy Hospital 3404 W. Sylvania Ave. Toledo, OH 43623 419-407-1168

  
  
  
• Biofeedback - Biofeedback is a technique of consciously controlling bodily functions that are thought to be involuntary such as pain, blood pressure, etc.
  
  

  Mercy Hospital of Tiffin Outpatient Center 419-448-3108

  St. Charles Mercy Hospital Center for Health Promotion Behavioral Health Services 419-696-7203

  
  
  

• Nausea and Vomiting Treatment Guidelines
• Cancer Pain Guidelines

*The Mercy Cancer Center at St. Anne is a department of St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center.