PT Program Improves Fitness in Young Adult Cancer Survivors
Stefanie Stoller assists Nicole Spine during physical therapy.
Nicole Spine’s second brush with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma left the 22-year-old so physically and mentally withered, she doubted that she would ever feel like her former self -- a vibrant, goal-oriented nurse’s aide who dreamed of becoming a nurse. “I felt so dependent on my parents. They wouldn’t leave me home alone because I was so weak,” Spine said. “Getting up the stairs exhausted me. I wasn’t feeling great about myself either.”
Program Pairs Physical Therapist with Young Adult Cancer Survivors
Then she heard about IMPACT, a 12-week pilot program that pairs adolescent and young adult cancer survivors with physical therapists who help them regain their former level of fitness, often diminished by cancer treatments.
The pilot, developed by the Teen and Young Adult Oncology Program at Duke Cancer Institute, is funded by a grant from the I’m Not Done Yet Foundation.
Spine’s physical therapist, Stefanie Stoller, started her with a set of colored resistance bands, a Fitbit watch, and a paper ledger so she could track her progress as she moved from light exercises to more demanding ones. To Spine’s surprise and delight, the exercises quickly rebuilt her stamina. “I started really looking forward to working out. As soon as I went up a band, I was like 'wow, I'm stronger than I was two weeks ago.' That boosted my confidence.” Her relationship with Stoller helped too. “She treated me like a normal athlete, not a cancer patient. She was so full of grace,” Spine said.
Kickstarting a Healthy Lifestyle
Stoller said that adolescent and young adult cancer survivors are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes later in life. “It’s important that we kickstart a healthy lifestyle filled with physical activity from the moment they're done with treatment. They can even start while receiving immunotherapy or chemotherapy.” Now that Spine feels stronger, she is reflecting on her career goals. “Now my dream is to become a counselor in a Teen and Young Adult Oncology program,” she said.
She advises teen and young adult cancer survivors to “take advantage of opportunities like IMPACT. When I was sick the first time, I didn't use many resources. The second time, I tried to use every resource I could because I was really struggling. Duke is a great place to get those resources.”
