At St. Peter’s Health, we’re here for you from day one and throughout your cancer treatment—physically, mentally and emotionally. Your cancer care team is here to answer any and all questions you have, and our community partners offer many free resources during treatment.
Emotional Support
Nurse navigator: Nurse navigators are an integral part of your cancer care team, making sure you have the resources and support you need throughout your treatment.
Wigs from the ACS: Patients can visit our private wig room where they can be fitted with an appropriate wig or hat. Wigs are supplied by the American Cancer Society. The wig room is within the Health Resource Center, just inside St. Peter’s East Entrance near Radiation Oncology.
Chaplain and spiritual services: Chaplain Kimberly Pepper is a board-certified chaplain who provides pastoral services to patients and their families of all faiths. Chaplain Kim is available for private pastoral sessions in patients’ rooms.
Survivorship series: We offer a series of classes for cancer survivors that address topics related to the management of any long-term physical effects and emotional stressors that could occur after cancer treatment.
Wellness Support
Meditation garden: Patients have access to our Meditation Garden, located in the courtyard between the Medical Center and the Maria Dean Medical Building. It is visible through the large windows where patients receive chemotherapy treatment.
Making patients comfortable during infusions: Volunteers make sure our patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment are well taken care of. Volunteers regularly bring in food and drinks for patients and their families.
Healing arts program: Through a partnership with the Holter Museum of Art, an “art cart” and supplies are available to patients during infusion treatments.
Health Resource Center: In our Health Resource Center, patients, families and friends can find the most recent information on the prevention, early detection, and treatment of cancer. You may check out materials to share with family and friends. The center is located just inside St. Peter’s East Entrance near Medical Oncology and Hematology.
Physical and Medical Support
Clinical Nutrition: The Clinical Nutrition department provides comprehensive nutrition care and counseling by registered dietitians and nurses using food management and lifestyle strategies to optimize clinical outcomes.
Free exercise classes and swimming pools: Several gyms and fitness studios in Helena offer free exercise classes and swimming pool access to patients undergoing cancer treatment and their families. Classes currently not offered due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Classes include:
- Tai Chi: an accessible but challenging foundation to this internal martial arts style with an emphasis on whole-body mechanics, balance, posture and breathing.
- Yoga: Several studios in town offer different types of gentle, relaxing yoga classes to improve your flexibility and help with body strength.
- Pilates: You can gain flexibility, strength and balance with this form of exercise that puts emphasis on alignment and breathing.
Home Health: Our home health team provides medical services in your home. These services include physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing care and providing medical supplies and equipment such as shower chairs or hospital beds. Your cancer care team can help you determine whether you would benefit from receiving home health care.
Hospice: Our hospice team addresses the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of patients with a life-ending illness. We provide hospice care in your home or place of residence, such as a nursing home or assisted living facility. If you are interested in receiving hospice care, talk with your nurse navigator or doctor for more information.
Oncology rehabilitation: Our physical therapists and speech therapists have special expertise in cancer rehabilitation during and following cancer treatment.
Palliative care: We provide palliative care as part of your treatment plan. Palliative care focuses on improving your quality of life during treatment. This includes managing your symptoms or the side effects of your treatment, including any cancer pain you are experiencing.
Financial and Resources Support
Financial and insurance information: Financial advocates are available to meet one-on-one to discuss your circumstances before you begin treatment. Each individual patient’s treatment has many variables, so costs can vary greatly. For this reason, it is not possible to provide an exact treatment price in advance. Our financial advocates can help you establish a payment plan or get the resources you need. For more information, call 406-447-2783 or speak with your nurse navigator.