The journey of a cancer patient is often a challenging and arduous one, both physically and emotionally. The debilitating side effects of chemotherapy, such as fatigue, nausea, weakness, and poor appetite, can significantly impact the quality of life. However, for one courageous patient, Laverne Masaki, the experience took an unexpected turn when she discovered the remarkable benefits of attending group medical visits during her chemotherapy treatments at the UCI Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute. Her participation in group medical visits transformed her cancer treatment experience and brought about remarkable improvements in her well-being.
A Community of Support
For pain management, Masaki became a patient of Kim Hecht, DO, medical director for inpatient and ambulatory services. Dr. Hecht referred Masaki to the Samueli Institute’s Integrative Cancer Group Visit program, led by Sandy Colvard, ND, FABNO, and Monica Essak, MSN, FNP-C.
The Integrative Cancer Group Visit program brings together patients who have recovered from cancer treatment for 12 weeks of shared medical visits focused on health and wellbeing. Patients learn about and experience healthy nutrition, naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, Tai Chi, mindfulness, aromatherapy, and recommended supplements that are safe and supported by science.
Masaki was still having chemotherapy treatments for pancreatic cancer when she joined the Integrative Cancer Group Visit’s second cohort. “Because of the group sessions, I was able to see the full process of seeing a naturopathic doctor,” says Masaki. “The information Dr. Colvard shared with us has just been phenomenal for me. She is a tremendous naturopathic doctor.”
“Dr. Colvard responds to our questions with new and interesting approaches in naturopathic medicine and integrative health,” explains Masaki. “You can hear the oooh’s and ahh’s in the group when we learn these new things. It has been very, very valuable.”
Dr. Colvard responds to our questions with new and interesting approaches in naturopathic medicine and integrative health. You can hear the oooh’s and ahh’s in the group when we learn these new things. It has been very, very valuable.
Laverne Masaki, Integrative Cancer Group Visit patient
Empowerment and Shared Experiences
From the moment Masaki walked into the first group medical visit, she was greeted by a warm and welcoming environment. Surrounded by fellow cancer patients, she quickly realized she was not alone in her struggles. The group sessions facilitated open discussions where participants shared their experiences, challenges, and victories, creating a powerful sense of belonging and mutual support.
The group visits are kept small (10-12 people) intentionally to foster intimacy and support and personalized attention/experience. “It’s a small-group focus to allow that medical care and allow patients the space and the time to help them as well,” explains Essak.
“I was pleasantly surprised that the open session is one of the most important parts,” says Masaki. “We learned so much from each other.” By sharing her experience, Masaki also helped the other patients.
Dr. Colvard says, “For Laverne to sit in that group and to share her diagnosis – and that particular type of cancer is so frightening for everybody – and with her sense of humor, she really raised everyone’s spirits. She is always so sweet, so kind. She would come to the group the same day she had chemo, and she would be like, ‘Here I am! I don’t feel so good today, but here I am.’ And she would just be so happy to be there.”
Masaki emphasizes, “The group sessions are wonderful!” She points to sharing different experiences and concerns, new discoveries and having questions answered as extremely beneficial.
Addressing Chemotherapy Side Effects with Whole-Person Care
The group medical visits also became a crucial platform for addressing the distressing side effects of chemotherapy, or lingering symptoms after completing treatments that Masaki and others faced. Under the guidance of healthcare professionals, the participants received practical advice and evidence-based strategies to manage fatigue, nausea, weakness, and poor appetite, as well as guidance on the transition back to their normal schedule and activities after completing treatments.
Masaki says the Integrative Cancer Group Visit program helped her deal with the side effects of chemotherapy, including easing fatigue, gaining her strength back, learning nutritional tips to find foods and supplements that helped increase her appetite and find foods that she could tolerate well. It also helped with stress relief through mindfulness, health coaching and Tai Chi. These effects are being captured for assessing outcomes related to the group medical visit program using patient-reported outcomes.
What I love about our program is that it’s not only clinically focused, but also very heart-centered and treats the whole person.
Sandy Colvard, ND, FABNO
Building Resilience and Hope
As Masaki continued to attend the group medical visits throughout her chemotherapy journey, she discovered the immense power of emotional support and solidarity. The camaraderie within the group fostered resilience, hope, and a renewed sense of purpose. Fellow participants became her pillars of strength, and she, in turn, offered support and encouragement to others. The shared journey created an unbreakable bond among the group members, generating a positive ripple effect that extended beyond the walls of the clinic.
“We’re grateful to the donor for opening up the possibility of working with cancer patients this way,” says Dr. Colvard. The Integrative Cancer Group Visit program development is made possible by a generous gift from Sherry and John Phelan. The gift includes funding for research to help understand the effects of a whole-person approach in those with cancer.
“It’s so important and very rarely do you see this type of program,” adds Dr. Colvard.
“What I love about our program is that it’s not only clinically focused, but also very heart-centered and treats the whole person.”
Masaki shares the impact of the Samueli Institute’s approach to group medical visits: “Even though many of us go to different medical entities for treatment, we came together for the group visits at the Samueli Institute.”
Learn more about the Integrative Cancer Group Visit and Group Medical Visits.
