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Welcome to Patient & Caregiver Orientation
Receiving a cancer diagnosis can cause distress and uncertainty.
Our goals for this orientation are to:
1. Reduce your stress during this difficult time.
2. Provide you with the best possible experience.
3. Prepare you for your appointments.
4. Tell you about the amenities onsite.
5. Introduce you to the Support Services team.
What to Bring to Your Appointment
 Relative or friend to help remember what is said.
 Paper and pen to take notes.
 List of questions to ask your doctor or nurse.
 List of all current medications, vitamins, herbs and their doses.
 Medical information, x-rays, or other tests, if requested.
 Forms you were asked to bring.
 Contact information for your referring doctor, if you have one.
 Insurance information, insurance cards or Medicare card.
 Calendar to keep track of appointments.
 Items to help pass time (books, crossword puzzles, computer).
MyChart – Access Your Medical Record Online
MyChart is a free service available to all UVA patients. MyChart
offers a convenient health connection wherever you are,
whenever you need it.
You Can Use MyChart to:
• Request or see appointments
• Communicate with your doctor’s office
• Request prescription renewals
• View test results
• Review information from recent visits
• Enter or view your medical history
Call 434.243.2500 or ask your healthcare provider to help you
set up your MyChart account.
When You Arrive
Options for parking and wheelchair assistance:
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Free Parking
– Lee Street garage
– 11th Street garage
– Remember to get parking ticket validated in clinic.
Valet Parking
– Cost $6 (cash only)
– Monday – Saturday, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
– Free for handicapped or disabled veteran license plates,
tags, or placards.
Wheelchair assistance is provided by the front door team.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
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What type of cancer do I have?
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What is the stage or extent of my cancer?
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What treatment do you recommend?
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What is the goal of treatment?
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What are the possible risks or side effects?
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How will you know my treatment is working?
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
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What can I do to be ready for treatment?
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What patient education do you provide?
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Will my insurance cover treatment?
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What costs will I have?
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Who do I contact if I have a question?
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What types of services are available?
Cancer Center Amenities
Café
Located on the first floor, the café offers a variety of healthy
selections including:
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Hot breakfast items
Prepared soups and sandwiches
Snacks
Beverages
Complimentary Fruit Infused Water – a favorite!
Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Cancer Center Amenities
Outpatient Pharmacy
– Located on the second floor.
– A convenient retail prescription service for patients.
– Hours 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Quiet Spaces
– Meditation Room located on the first floor.
– Commemorative Garden outside at the corner of Lee
Street and Jefferson Park Avenue.
– Rooftop Garden – access from fourth floor.
Support Services
In addition to the specialized clinical care you receive from
doctors and nurses, UVA Cancer Center Support Services team
helps you and your caregivers through your journey with
cancer.
Most Support Services are located on the first floor; however, a
member of the Support Services team may also meet with you
in the clinic.
To schedule an appointment for any of these services please
call 434.924.9333 or toll-free 800.223.9173.
Support Services
American Cancer Society Patient Resource Navigator
A navigator can help you with the practical needs of a cancer
diagnosis and treatment. Our navigator can help arrange
transportation to and from treatment, provide referrals to local
resources and help you find financial assistance programs.
Counseling
A cancer diagnosis can bring emotional and psychological
distress. Our Clinical Social Workers are trained to help with
adjusting to the illness, anxiety, and depression. They can help
with difficult family or social situations. They draw from
strengths of the patient and family to find solutions, increase
coping skills, and seek out resources. Services include
individual, family and group counseling and support.
Support Services (continued)
Financial Coordinator
Our financial coordinators can help you learn about your out of
pocket costs and the overall cost of your care. They can
connect you to drug assistance programs and talk to you about
payment plans. They can also help you apply for financial aid.
Flourish Boutique
This special place offers products to help with side effects of
treatment. Items include skin care products, wigs, scarves,
jewelry and other gifts. Our certified mastectomy fitter
provides fittings for bras, prostheses and camisoles. Flourish is
also home to Ramon’s Room, which provides free wigs,
scarves, and caps.
Support Services (continued)
Nutrition Counseling
Good nutrition is an important part of your recovery during
every phase of treatment. Our nutritionist has special training
in cancer and can work with you to find the best foods for your
recovery. She can help you with weight gain or weight loss
from treatment. She can also help with loss of appetite, taste
changes, and meal planning.
Psychology
Psychologists play a key role in supporting patients, families,
and caregivers through the stress of cancer and treatment. Our
clinical psychologist can help you if you develop mental health
issues as a result of your cancer. She can help treat symptoms
that impact your ability to function or engage in treatment.
Support Services (continued)
Palliative Care
Palliative Care is a special team approach to managing
symptoms. These include pain control, shortness of breath, and
sleep problems. Symptoms may include mood changes, fatigue
and emotional stress. Palliative care eases suffering for
patients and caregivers. The goal is for you to have the highest
quality of life possible.
Spiritual Care and Guidance
The chaplain is available to help support you and your family
during this stress-filled time. She can listen and help you
reflect on your own emotional or spiritual concerns. She can
provide support whether you are part of a specific faith
tradition or not. She can offer prayer, or simply sit and talk.
Support Services (continued)
Tobacco Cessation
Our free service helps tobacco users address their addiction to
tobacco. Our tobacco treatment specialist helps you create a
custom plan to quit. She can help you address nicotine
withdrawal, anxiety and coping with stress. She can also help
with recovery from relapse and maintaining your weight.
Caregiver Support
Family and caregivers play an important role in a patient’s cancer
journey. Counseling and educational materials are available to
provide support to stay emotionally strong and healthy.
Caregiver Café – The Chaplain hosts a session for caregivers every
month. Caregivers can stop by to get support and educational
materials.
Find more helpful information for caregivers at:
American Cancer Society: http://www.cancer.org/treatment/caregivers/
National Cancer Institute: http://www.cancer.gov/publications/patienteducation#family-and-caregivers
Educational Resources
There is a lot of information available on the Internet. It is important to
get your information from reliable sources to ensure it is accurate, easy
to understand and up-to-date. Here are a few resources we recommend
using when looking for health information:
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American Cancer Society – www.cancer.org
CancerCare – www.cancercare.org
Cancer Legal Resource Center – www.disabilityrightslegalcenter.org
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society – www.lls.org
MedlinePlus - www.medlineplus.gov
National Cancer Institute – www.cancer.gov
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship – www.canceradvocacy.org
We Are Here to Help
Remember, we are here to support you during your diagnosis,
treatment, and beyond. Please don’t hesitate to meet with the
Support Services team to get help with many of the issues that
are normal when someone receives a cancer diagnosis.
To schedule an appointment for any of these services please
call 434.924.9333 or toll-free 800.223.9173.
Last updated: 060216