Our visit there today was a very good experience. Everyone was very kind and informative. They have made a difficult situation so much better. Thank You.
Some degree of depression, anxiety or fear is normal when patients and families are coping with cancer. These feelings range in intensity from person to person and from one day to the next. You may find that counseling helps ease these feelings. An oncology social worker, support groups and spiritual support are available to help patients and families manage their distress. Monument Health Cancer Care Institute has a variety of other resources available to patients, their families and the community.
Available Resources
Our Patient Support Team is here to provide emotional support for you and your family. We work with your cancer providers to make sure you are as comfortable as possible at any stage of your cancer diagnosis by providing pain and symptom management services. We can also help you work through everyday stressors and burdens so you can focus on what is truly important to you.
We have a number of support groups and educational classes available for patients and family members. For more information, call (605) 755-2300.
Coping with Cancer Support Group
The Coping with Cancer Support Group is a chance for cancer patients and those affected by cancer to talk with others who have had similar experiences. It’s meant to be a supportive and confidential environment for people to talk about their experiences and bounce ideas off one another. This support group is facilitated by one of the Patient Support Team social workers or a nurse practitioner.
Coping Skills
This class will introduce a variety of coping skills such as deep breathing and distraction techniques that will assist in managing anxiety due to a cancer diagnosis, cancer treatment or everyday stressors.
Fighting Fatigue
A major symptom of cancer and cancer treatment is fatigue. This class will go over techniques that can help lessen fatigue and gain/conserve energy. You will learn tactics to get better sleep, practical ways to schedule activities and other methods for fighting fatigue.
Children and Cancer: Navigating the Conversation
Explaining cancer to children can be one of the most difficult issues that arise during your cancer journey. If you or loved one are struggling to talk about cancer with children, please join Cancer Care Institute social workers for an educational class on talking to children about cancer. Social workers will discuss tips and ideas on how to help navigate this discussion for children of all ages.
Guided Imagery
Guided Imagery is the practice of using your imagination to focus on the positive and to relax your mind and body. Guided Imagery can come in many forms, such as someone reading a script, listening to a CD or watching a YouTube video. It can also include things such as deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation.
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recognizes the benefits of rehabilitation for cancer patients and recommends that therapy begins at diagnosis.
What is cancer rehabilitation? Monument Health Orthopedic & Specialty Hospital is proud to offer comprehensive rehabilitation for those recently diagnosed, going through treatment, or survivoring cancer.
Our cancer rehabilitation team is made up of physical, occupational and speech therapists who are trained to address musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and functional problems that may arise. The most common physical symptoms associated with cancer treatment are fatigue, stiffness, weakness and pain. All of these issues can be lessened, resolved, or prevented with rehabilitation.
Who could benefit from Cancer Rehabilitation? People who:
- Are newly diagnosed with cancer
- Are In the midst of cancer treatment
- Have completed cancer treatment
What to expect:
- During your evaluation, the therapist will assess your pain, fatigue, musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary, lymphatic and functional impairments.
- The therapist will evaluate and treat swallow, voice and speech difficulty.
- You and your therapist will design a treatment plan specific to you to address current impairments and those that may develop as a result of cancer treatment.
- Treatment programs can include upper and lower extremity and core strengthening, prescriptive aerobic exercise, tissue mobility, manual fibrosis therapy, manual therapy/myofascial release, lymphedema risk reduction, self-care and comprehensive home exercise program.
Benefits of Cancer Rehabilitation:
- Decreased pain
- Decreased fatigue
- Improved strength and mobility
- Improved cardiovascular function
- Reduced soft tissue restrictions
- Improved balance and decreased fall risk
- Reduced risk of lymphedema
Services include:
- Therapy Services – Monument Health Orthopedic & Specialty Hospital
- Home+ Home Health promotes healing in the comfort of the patient’s home while providing a comprehensive range of high-quality services and professional care.
- Pain Management
- Lymphedema Clinic
- Massage Therapy Call 605-755-2549 to schedule an appointment with Jamie Clark, the only massage therapist in South Dakota to be recognized by the Society for Oncology Massage as a preferred practitioner.
- Nutrition Services
Survive & Thrive is a wellness program designed to facilitate recovery and rejuvenation for patients who are currently battling, or who have completed cancer treatment.
This program includes:
- Unlimited Survive and Thrive Classes held in the CCI Community room
- Monument Health Sports Performance Institute facility access during open hours
- Open to patients currently in treatment and up to 12 months post-treatment
Class offerings:
- Restorative Yoga
- Mat Pilates
Cost: $50/mo
SIGN UP TODAY by calling 605-755-6683
Salon Services coming soon!
Right now, the Cancer Care Institute is seeking licensed professionals to partner with to provide these special salon services through a license agreement.
Services may include, but are not limited to:
- Wig and scarf fitting
- Haircuts
- Head shaving
- Shampoo, cut and style (human hair and wigs)
- Blowout services
- Beard trim and shave
- Waxing
- Microblading
For more information contact:
Kristi Gylten, Director, Cancer Care Institute
353 Fairmont Blvd., Rapid City, SD 57701
Phone: 605-755-2314
Email: kgylten@monument.health
Social Workers
Contact Us
Cancer Care Social Workers
605-755-2365
Monument Health Cancer Care Institute
353 Fairmont Boulevard, Rapid City, SD 57701
What People Are Saying
Staff were very caring and kind. The care I received was excellent. I would recommend this center to everyone I know.
Sweetest people and beautiful environment.