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Health Matters: Providence Holy Cross Medical Center | 5 P hillip "Scott" Spooner was enjoying life as a 55-year-old marathon runner and scuba diver from North Hills when, out of the blue, he was diagnosed with stage IV throat cancer. "I had no symptoms, and only one swollen lymph node in my neck. A PET scan showed one lesion on my tongue. My doctor asked if I was a heavy drinker or smoked; neither was the case," explains Spooner. "When he said, 'You have throat cancer,' I just kept thinking, What? I went from someone who ran marathons to someone who had late-stage cancer and might die." Three years after successful treatments eradicated his cancer, Spooner still wasn't back to normal. He lived with daily pain due to scar tissue buildup that blocked the lymph flow in his neck, and he could not move his head and neck without pain. (Lymph is a liquid that cleans the tissue in the body and helps to remove harmful bacteria in the blood.) Driving and working at a computer were issues, and it even hurt to eat. Running and scuba diving were but a memory. Then, when Spooner was at his wit's end, his oncologist suggested lymphedema therapy. Spooner was referred to Providence Holy Cross Medical Center, where he began lymphedema therapy treatments that transformed his health. "When Scott arrived, his left shoulder was severely elevated due to internal tightening, with nearly frozen muscles that adhered to nerves," explains JoAnne Shahnazi, a lymphedema/oncology occupational therapist at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center 's rehabilitation clinic. "This was painful and affected his posture and ability to use his left arm and shoulder. We have been working on softening tissue fibrosis with low-level laser therapy and specialized tools during manual lymphatic drainage from the tissues in his head and neck." Shahnazi worked closely with Spooner to help him get back to his active lifestyle. Thanks to the personalized care he received, he says he can now run again and has better range of motion. WHY THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM IS SO IMPORTANT The lymphatic system maintains fluid levels in our body tissues by removing all the waste fluids that leak out of our blood vessels. It is also an important part of our immune system, as it takes care of bacteria, fungus, viruses and pathogens. When it isn't working, there is stasis and backflow. "Lymphedema leads to chronic inflammation, infection and hardening of the skin that leads to further lymph vessel damage and distortion of the shape of affected body parts," says Shahnazi. Lymphedema therapy can ease swelling, reduce scar tissue, assist with lymph flow and loosen "frozen muscles" to reduce pain, create better mobility and decrease infections. "Had I not walked into the clinic," says Spooner, "I'd probably be homebound. I can't say enough about JoAnne. She has been a lifesaver. The treatments I received really eased my movement, and JoAnne also has opened my eyes to the anatomy of my neck and shoulder. She truly helped me understand what is going on in there in ways I couldn't have done on my own." THE BENEFITS OF LYMPHEDEMA THERAPY Shahnazi recommends that anyone undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments, and oncologists, understand the importance of lymphedema rehabilitation therapy for better quality of life. "I can't tell you how many times a new patient has come in with severe swelling and I've rushed them into the emergency department because they had a dangerous infection," she says. "When lymph nodes are taken out, excessive swelling can happen easily. The stagnant fluid can even become septic in rare occasions, which can be life-threatening." (See "When to Go to the Emergency Department," right.) Luda Gorokhov, the supervisor of Providence Holy Cross rehabilitation programs, says she hopes more people will discover the power of lymphedema rehabilitation services, as well as the other services available, including occupational therapy, speech and language pathology, and outpatient therapy. The Providence Holy Cross rehabilitation program is a true game changer for recovering cancer patients. For more information about the full menu of rehabilitation therapies and treatments at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center, call 844- 987-0486. A Hard Road Back Lymphedema therapy is just what the doctor ordered for Scott Spooner. WHEN TO GO TO THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT When lymphedema is life- threatening, it's critical to get to the ER. Here are the signs of acute infection/cellulitis: • Worsening of swelling • Redness • Tenderness • Body aches • Chills and low-grade fever • Open wound and/or oozing from the body part with lymphedema • Red streaks up the leg or underside of the arm • Itchy skin

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