Brain & Spine Tumor Patient Resources

If you are receiving outpatient treatment, please call (321) 841-1869 to schedule a free consultation with one of our counselors.

If you are admitted to the hospital for treatment, please ask your nurse or physician for a referral to a counselor.

For information on sperm banking and egg harvesting, please visit the Center for Reproductive Medicine’s website at the link below.

Learn more about Orlando Health’s patient financial resources.

Some brain tumors can cause epilepsy and seizures. The Epilepsy Foundation provides information about Florida’s driving laws with regards to epilepsy.

For more than 30 years, the Integrative Medicine program has been dedicated to providing support, education and hope to those impacted by cancer. Orlando Health provides this program for everyone affected by cancer in the Central Florida area.

The Integrative Medicine program’s goals perfectly complement Orlando Health’s goals: To ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action and sustained by community. The program addresses the social and emotional health of patients of all ages at any point in their cancer journey to ensure no one has to face cancer alone. It offers a network of personalized services and education at no charge to all affected by cancer.

Learn more about the Orlando Health Cancer Institute Integrative Medicine program.

We offer genetic testing for most hereditary forms of cancer. Testing usually involves a blood draw. It is offered to at-risk individuals, but only after the benefits, risks and limitations of each test are carefully considered.

If you undergo genetic testing and are found to have a positive test result, it means you are at an increased risk for developing cancer. However, it is important to note that a positive test result does not necessarily mean you will develop cancer.

Talk to your Orlando Health provider for more information about genetic testing.

We believe that conventional western medicine is the best approach to combat cancer and other diseases, and that adding services that treat the whole person can enhance healing and well-being. The Integrative Medicine program engages patients and their families to become active participants in improving their physical, emotional and social health.

At Orlando Health, research-supported evidence based complementary approaches to symptom and distress management are available to patients who would like new approaches to their health management or who have already benefitted from them in the past.

Some of the supplemental therapies and practices we offer include:

• Acupuncture: Practitioners stimulate specific points on the body — most often by inserting thin needles through the skin.

• Oncology massage therapy: This practice includes many different techniques to manually manipulate the soft tissues of the body.

• Meditation: Most meditation techniques, such as mindfulness meditation or transcendental meditation, involve ways in which a person learns to focus attention.

• Relaxation techniques: Breathing exercises, guided imagery and progressive muscle relaxation are designed to enhance the body's natural relaxation response.

• Tai chi and qi gong: These traditional Chinese medicine practices combine specific movements or postures, coordinated breathing and mental focus.

• Yoga: Used for health purposes, certain types of yoga typically combine physical postures or movement, breathing techniques and meditation.

• Hypnotherapy: This type of therapy is used to reprogram the subconscious mind, which can be useful for behavior modification and controlling emotions.

In addition, the Orlando Health Cancer Institute offers activities that allow the patient to take a break from the daily pace of life in a soothing space. High Tea in the British tradition is served in elegant bone china cups each week. Another European custom is the labyrinth on the 4th floor of the Charles Lewis Pavilion that is modeled after the one at Chartres Cathedral near Paris, France. The labyrinth is an ancient healing tool used as a walking meditation or embodied prayer.

If you would like more information, or a complete list of services please contact the Integrative Medicine Department at (321) 841-5056 or email [email protected].

Information from the Orlando Health website about advance directives.

Florida state law allows the distribution of marijuana for medical purposes.

Your medical records are available to you at any time through the Orlando Health Patient Portal. You may also choose to contact the Medical Records office directly.

Learn about our specialized clinical neuropsychology services.

The licensed registered dietitians at the Cancer Institute work with your care team to support your nutrition needs before, during and after treatment. Services provided include:

• Personalized meal planning
• Education on how to eat healthy for cancer prevention
• Instruction on how to use vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements in cancer care
• Management of side effects related to cancer treatment
• Temporary tube feeding for nutritional support during treatment
• Follow-up care for continued healthy living after treatment

This practice includes many different techniques to manually manipulate the soft tissues of the body.
 
Click here to learn more about our Oncology Massage Therapy.

Our palliative care team is focused on addressing the comfort needs of patients with terminal illnesses. At the Orlando Health Cancer Institute, there are two palliative care physicians with whom you can meet at any time to discuss pain, diet, nutrition and any in-home resources you may need to ensure your comfort and safety.

Orlando Health also offers an inpatient hospice unit that is staffed and overseen by Cornerstone Hospice. More information about this special unit can be found at CornerstoneHospice.org.

The Integrative Medicine program is an international non-profit dedicated to providing support, education and hope to people affected by cancer for over 30 years. Our brain and spine tumor support group meets every month on the fourth floor of the Cancer Institute. An entire overview of the services offered, including high tea, meditation, healing arts and yoga, can be found here.

For any questions or to contact the Integrative Medicine program team, please call (321) 841-5056 or email [email protected].