Support
Psychological Services
Patients and their families may experience difficulty coping with the stress of cancer and cancer treatment. Tennessee Oncology provides psychological services to help you and your family to prevent, control and manage the stresses associated with receiving a cancer diagnosis and navigating treatment.
Our licensed psychologists can help with feelings of depression, distress, fear or anxiety that you or your family may experience. We can help you learn to use tools, such as relaxation, visualization, and guided imagery. Addressing negative feelings can influence your response to treatment. Appointments with our psychologist can be made for you individually or with your family or support team.
Ask your physician or contact Tennessee Oncology Psychological Services directly at (615) 871-9996.
Hints for Patients
Seek information.
Write down your questions to make sure you don’t forget anything you want to discuss.
Bring someone with you to see the doctor who can help ask questions as well as remember and understand new information.
Take your time.
Important decisions such as a choosing a doctor, deciding on a treatment, or surgery, should be carefully considered. Take time to think and talk with others about the options and what is best for you.
Join a support group.
Support groups offer interaction with people who have had similar experiences. They can be a very good network to give you reassurance and first-hand experiences.
Take good care of your body.
Learn about and practice good nutrition, relaxation techniques, and healthy habits that help your body heal.
Treat yourself well.
Celebrate triumphs, no matter how small. Reward yourself with a massage, a walk in the park, or anything that will give you peace of mind and joy.
Hints for Friends
Food is love.
Ask what your friend would like when taking food because preferences can change when getting chemotherapy. Remember to take in a dish that does not need to be returned.
Keep in Touch.
Remember treatments last 3 months on average. Greeting cards, postcards and humorous emails are another way to express your love. Avoid "Get Well Soon" messages unless that is the case.
Make appointments fun.
Combine a doctor’s visit with a fun activity, go out to lunch, stroll a mall, etc.
Keep your friendship a two-way street.
Take time to listen to the cares and concerns of dealing with cancer and treatments, but continue to share your life with them too. As someone accepting kindness and generosity, your friend will appreciate the opportunity to reciprocate.
The human touch is healing.
Hugs encourage and reassure. Hold their hand to let them know they are not alone when receiving news or test results.
Use the same language.
If the patient says cancer, you can say cancer. If the patient says tumor or malignancy, use those words.
Everybody's batteries need to be recharged.
Take over care giver duties for an afternoon. If you are that caregiver, give yourself some time off. Leave any guilt you might have behind and have a good time.
Patient Directive Forms
Community Resources
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
www.cancer.org
Davidson County: (615) 327-0991
Cancer Answer Line: 1-800-ACS-2345
AMERICAN RED CROSS
www.redcross.org
(615) 250-4300
GILDA'S CLUB
www.gildasclubnashville.org
(615) 329-1124
LEGAL SERVICES OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE, INC.
www.las.org
(615) 244-6610
LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA SOCIETY OF AMERICA
www.lls.org/tn
Davidson County: (615) 331-2980
National Offices: 1-800-332-2980
LODGING
Guest House Inn
www.guesthouseintl.com
(615) 329-1000
Hospital Hospitality House
www.hhhnashville.org
(615) 329-0477
ACS Hope Lodge
www.cancer.org/Treatment/SupportProgramsServices/HopeLodge
(615) 342-0840
Ronald McDonald House
www.rmhcnashville.com
(615) 343-4000
MEDICARE
www.medicare.gov
1-800-633-4227
PearlPoint Cancer Support
www.pearlpoint.org
(615) 467-1936
(877) 467-1936
SARAH CANNON CANCER CENTERS
www.sarahcannon.com
(615) 342-1725
TENNCARE HOTLINE
www.tn.gov/tenncare
(615) 743-2000
UNITED WAY HELP LINE
www.unitedwaynashville.org
(615) 269-4357
