About cancer rehabilitation at Ascension Saint Agnes

Getting the right care is important to help you recover and feel more like yourself again. When you choose cancer rehabilitation services at Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, you get an experienced team of physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists. Every appointment with your care team starts with a compassionate conversation. We answer your questions and get to know you. So, you get a personalized cancer rehabilitation care plan. And with a plan, comes hope.

Helping you manage your recovery after cancer treatment is our priority. Your doctor and care team start by listening to understand you and your health concerns. Our care teams at Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital Rehabilitation Services in Baltimore, help you focus on healthy lifestyle choices. We’re here to support you throughout your recovery from treatment and beyond.

Treating swelling and fatigue from cancer treatments

Lymphedema is a condition that causes fluid buildup and chronic swelling in your arms or legs. When fluid in your lymph system doesn’t drain properly, the surrounding tissues swell and may cause discomfort. It can be caused by a cancer tumor that blocks your lymphatic system or a specific cancer treatment. This condition can also be caused by arthritis, infection, inflammatory disease or a hereditary condition.

Physical therapists are trained in combined decongestive therapy for lymphedema. At Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital, schedule care with specialists in manual lymph drainage, exercise therapy and skin care. We use compression bandaging and compression garments to help you manage swelling between therapy sessions.

Feeling tired is a common side effect after having chemotherapy, radiation therapy or surgery. When you want to start moving again and become more active, rehabilitation therapy can help. Our rehabilitation care team creates a personalized fitness plan that balances exercise and nutrition to help you manage stress and build endurance.

Multispecialty rehabilitation care team for oncology rehabilitation

Cancer treatments can affect other parts of your body too. Talk with your care team about your concerns. We listen to understand you, your needs and your personal goals. Then, we work with you to create a rehabilitation care plan that’s right for you. Depending on your needs, your cancer care plan may include other supportive services:

• Audiologists and rehabilitation specialists evaluate ototoxicity, a hearing or balance problem that sometimes develops after having cancer treatment.
• Occupational therapists address your concerns about memory and concentration and how to do daily living activities.
• Physical therapists deliver therapies to help manage symptoms and restore strength and mobility.
• Speech therapists specialize in methods to improve swallowing disorders and speech delays.

Other rehabilitation services

Care teams at Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital provide comprehensive rehabilitation services — from evaluating your symptoms to delivering personalized therapies and treatments. We provide care for many conditions, such as:

• Balance disorders
• Bone and muscle conditions
• Brain and spine disorders
• Hand and wrist injuries
• Hearing loss (audiology)
• Joint injuries of knee, hip, shoulder, and ankle
• Joint arthritis
• Lymphedema
• Speech disorders
• Swallowing disorders
• Stroke-related conditions
• Work injuries

Talk with your doctor about a referral for physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, or an audiology evaluation.

Learn more about our cancer services.

Cancer support programs and services

You will have a patient coordinator as part of your care team. They can connect you with other support services, such as emotional and spiritual support, social workers, palliative care specialists, nutritionists, rehabilitation specialists, financial assistance advisors, support groups and more.