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Your treatments will be scheduled at the same time each visit. We will try to accommodate your schedule. However, appointments are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.

It is very important that you receive every scheduled treatment. Missing appointments could lessen the effectiveness of your treatments. Often, missed treatments are added to the end of your regimen so you will receive the prescribed number of treatments.

If you anticipate missing an appointment, please call the center at 573-302-2772. If you are unable to attend because of illness, you will be referred to the nurse to review your symptoms.

In most cases, you can expect to be in the center for about 30 minutes total. The treatment itself only takes a few minutes. If you need to see the nurse or the physician, this may take more time. Most treatment regimens last six-to-seven weeks. Depending on your needs, the regimen may be longer or shorter in duration.

Typically, you will be able to drive yourself. If you are receiving treatment for a brain tumor, it is recommended that you do not drive.

Radiation treatments do not hurt. Just like an X-ray, you will not see or feel the radiation.

Therapists will take weekly pictures called "port" or "beam view" images. These images confirm the target of the radiation. They do not show how the cancer is responding to radiation. In most cases, time measured in months is the only means of determining how the cancer is responding to therapy.

Depending on the location of treatment, the dose of radiation you are receiving and your individual tolerance, your symptoms will vary. Your nurse will monitor your symptoms weekly, or more if necessary, and report these findings to your physician. Most symptoms are easily managed. It is important to understand that symptoms are expected. They do not indicate the therapy is failing.

Your physician will be happy to review all treatment options. It's a good idea to write down your questions before meeting with your physician. Your nurse also can provide educational pamphlets and videos. All patients are encouraged to review the "Radiation Therapy and You" booklet before treatment. 

Lake Regional Health System offers many experts to assist you with special needs, including dietitians, social workers, financial planners and clergy. In addition, the following services are available on site.

•  radiology
•  laboratory
•  chemotherapy/medical oncology
•  rehabilitation therapy

Lake Regional cares about and for the spiritual needs of all within the hospital. If you would like to speak to the chaplain or need any of these services during your stay, please call extension 2294 and leave a message with your request. Or, you may ask a nurse to page the chaplain for you.
 
The following Pastoral Services are available during your stay.

•  devotionals
•  wall hangings
•  guided meditation
•  prayer
•  meditative music
•  spiritual assessment exercise
•  prayer accessories
•  spiritual consultations with the chaplain
•  Spanish materials

Wholesome, nourishing and well-balanced meals are an important part of your treatment and recovery. Lake Regional makes every effort to provide nutritious meals that are prepared according to your doctor's orders.

Patients are served breakfast between 7 and 8 a.m., lunch between noon and 1 p.m. and dinner between 5 and 6 p.m.  Occasionally, your meal may be delayed if you are scheduled for a special test or treatment. Whenever possible, you will be served after your examination or test.

Your breakfast tray will include a menu from which you can order your meals for the following day. Please mark your menu so it will be ready for pickup. If you have difficulty making menu selections, a member of the Dietary Department will be happy to assist you. If you are on a special diet prescribed by your physician, you will receive menus tailored to your specific needs.

•  Your Room — Your room assignment at Lake Regional Hospital is based upon your admitting diagnosis and the bed availability on the day of your admission.

•  Your Hospital Bed — Hospital beds are electrically operated. Your nurse will show you how to adjust it. Your hospital bed probably will be higher and more narrow than your bed at home. Bedside rails are available. One side rail may be raised at night or during the day if you're resting, recovering from surgery or taking certain medications.

•  Room Temperature — All rooms in the hospital are centrally heated and air conditioned. If your room temperature is not comfortable, please notify the nursing staff.

•  Calling Your Nurse — A button to call your nurse will be located at your bedside. When you press the button, the nursing station will be alerted that you need assistance, and a light will flash on above your door. A staff member will respond to your signal as soon as possible.

•  During the Night — Because new surroundings and sleeping medications may create a hazard, we ask that patients remain in bed after they have been prepared for the night. For assistance during the night, you may use your call button.

•  Television — Cable TV is provided in each room. We ask that patients be considerate of others by keeping the volume at a low level and by turning off the set at bedtime, when appropriate.

•  Telephones — Telephones are provided in each room, except in Intensive Care and Stepdown Units. Patients may receive calls in their rooms from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Local calls may be made at any time by dialing '9' and the number. Long distance and toll calls can be made at any time by dialing '9-0' and the number. Long distance calls cannot be charged to your room. You can make a credit card call or charge a long distance call back to your home number. You may call the hospital operator by dialing '0' at any time for assistance.

•  Leaving the Unit — If you want to leave the unit, please check first at the nurses station to make sure your doctor has given approval and to let the staff know where you can be reached. It is important to stay in your room until your doctor has made rounds and treatments have been completed.

During your stay, you may be cared for by several health care professionals, including physicians, laboratory and radiology personnel and rehab therapists. Additionally, Lake Regional Hospital's family includes many behind-the-scenes workers, such as accountants, engineers, administrative assistants, food service workers and others who will contribute greatly toward your well-being while you are here.

People directly involved in your care include the following.

•  The Medical Staff — Your primary care physician may treat you during your hospital stay, or your care may be coordinated by one of Lake Regional Hospital's skilled hospitalists and intensivists. Hospitalists and intensivists specialize in caring for patients in the hospital and generally do not have outpatient medical practices. These physicians provide prompt, thorough evaluation of patients as they are admitted. Intensivists focus on providing critical care, often in conjunction with the hospitalist. Critical care is the multidisciplinary specialty of caring for patients with acute, life-threatening illness or injury.
 
•  The Nursing Staff — Twenty-four hour nursing care is provided by a team of professional registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and patient care technicians. A nurse manager is responsible for directing and coordinating nursing care on each unit. Please feel free to contact your nurse or the nurse manager if you have questions or concerns.

•  Pastoral Services — Lake Regional Health System believes total patient care requires attention to the spiritual, as well as the physical and emotional needs of each patient. Staff will assist you to make contact with clergy, if requested.

•  Dietitians — The hospital maintains a staff of full-time registered dietitians to meet your dietary needs during your stay. If you have questions about your meals or diet while a patient at Lake Regional, call extension 8176 or 8186.

•  Social Workers — Social workers are assigned to each patient care area and are trained to help patients and family members deal with financial, social and emotional problems related to illness or hospitalization. Members of the department work with patients and families to help deal with long-term illnesses and rehabilitation and are involved in discharge planning.

•  Patient Accounts — A representative from Patient Accounts can answer questions about your hospital bill and help you interpret hospital financial policies and billing procedures. You may contact Patient Accounts during your stay by calling extension 8370 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.