Nourishing Hope

After cancer diagnosis, Marshalltown woman benefits from guidance offered through nutrition program

In the spring of 2022, Karen Scrivner faced a daunting diagnosis: cancer was found in her tonsil.

While her cancer journey would test her strength and resilience, it wasn't one she would navigate alone. The team in the Cancer Resource Center at William R. Bliss Cancer Center had her back, offering not only knowledge to help her address the unique issues presented by head and neck cancers, but also a comprehensive support system that proved pivotal during treatment—and beyond.

Karen worked extensively with Kelly Flater, RD, who manages the Cancer Resource Center’s nutrition program designed specifically for those living with cancer. Karen says the care, knowledge and compassion shared by Kelly offered a lifeline during such a challenging time.

"Kelly always made my appointments with her at the same time I was doing chemo,” Karen says. The care taken in scheduling was critical as Karen lives in Marshalltown and had to travel more than 40 miles for her appointments. “She would come up while I was receiving chemo and we would visit. She was one of the best things during my whole treatment. She is so understanding and has such a huge heart."

Addressing Unique Challenges

Karen’s care plan called for chemotherapy and radiation. In addition, the location of her cancer required her to have a feeding tube. Kelly was instrumental in helping Karen and husband, Dennis, become familiar with managing the feeding tube.

"I didn't know what to do with my nutrition,” Karen says. “But Kelly was always there. She took her time helping us learn how to manage my specific situation. And she didn’t just throw information at us. Her guidance covered all the technical stuff we needed to know but she also became a source of emotional support, providing encouragement during challenging times.”

Reflecting on the exceptional care she received, Karen emphasized, "I can't even tell you how much they helped me because I knew they were behind me 100% the entire time. Kelly was very clear in telling me exactly what I could do to what I could eat, and how many calories I needed to take in daily to manage my weight loss. She was there to answer every question I had."

A Genuine Support System

The nutrition counseling was vital for Karen, but the benefits of the Cancer Resource Center went beyond nutrition services. Living in central Iowa without a family support system nearby—Karen and Dennis moved to Marshalltown from Kansas about a decade ago—it was invaluable to have someone to turn to whenever she had a question.

“It is so much more than a medical facility,” Karen says of the William R. Bliss Cancer Center. “The care team grew to be so important to me and to Dennis. I had friends in the radiation department that would hug me every day when I came in. My doctors and chemo nurses all showed genuine concern for me and were there to provide medical expertise and emotional support.”

"Honestly, you're not going find better care than what I received at Bliss. That is for sure," she continued.

About the Nutrition Program

The nutrition program offered in the Cancer Resource Center is vital for oncology patients, offering a structured approach to nutritional care and support.

Prior to the program’s development, nutritional support for oncology patients was scattered. Referrals were ad hoc, often initiated by physicians or requested by patients. Recognizing the need for a more systematic approach, a formal program was launched in 2021.

The program is led by Kelly. Among the tools used in determining the unique nutrition challenges of patients with cancer is the Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST). The MST is administered by the team in the medical oncology department and the nurses in radiation oncology. If a patient is moderate or high risk for malnutrition, staff place an oncology referral order. Once this order is placed, patients are scheduled with Kelly for nutritional counseling and support.

“This tool allows us to identify nutritional issues more quickly. This ensures timely interventions for patients at risk of malnutrition,” Kelly says. The screening tool was first deployed with the launch of the formal nutrition program in 2021 resulting in an 85% increase in nutrition appointments. Building on its initial success, the MST was expanded to the radiation oncology department in 2022, leading to another significant increase in nutrition appointments.

Strength for the Journey

Kelly says that proper nutrition is vital to maintaining strength during cancer treatment.

“Existing research supports the positive impact of nutrition-focused interventions in cancer care,” Kelly says. “Proper nutrition during treatment has been shown to aid in reducing treatment breaks, preventing hospitalizations, improving healing time, and enhancing overall quality of life.”

Michelle Reichert, MSN, RN, CNL, OCN, Cancer Care Navigator in the Cancer Resource Center, says she has seen how patients are benefitting from the emphasis on nutrition.

"Kelly is very involved in their treatment and has an abundance of knowledge about nutrition. She has a knack for explaining it in a way patients with cancer can understand," Michelle says. “It is so wonderful to have a resource here that offers evidence-based information and a skilled dietitian to explain it. We have seen the results. Adequate nutrition is extremely important to help patients get through treatment and maintain good quality of life.”

Private Support Plays Vital Role

Michelle also credits the community with showing support for the program, which is offered at no cost to patients as the result of gifts to the Mary Greeley Foundation.

"Oncology nutrition is very rarely covered by insurance,” Michelle says. “Fortunately, we have a generous community that sees the value in providing comprehensive support to patients with cancer. We have worked with the Mary Greeley Foundation, and they cover the expense of every appointment with Kelly, along with support that covers essential supplies for patients.”

“The Foundation support has been crucial in breaking down financial barriers for patients seeking nutrition support,” Michelle continues. “No matter where they are in their cancer journey, they can access this vital service without added burdens. It allows them to focus on their well-being during a challenging period.”