Distinctly Montana Magazine

67 w w w. d i s t i n c t l y m o n t a n a . c o m Sletten Cancer Institute Shines Brightly With Latest Upgrades In the new Husted Teaching Kitchen at Benefis Sletten Cancer Institute, students learn to maximize nutrition and adapt to limitations cancer and treatment may put on lifetime habits. Lynn Baldwin is a student at the new teaching kitchen and is learning how food can help her partner, a cancer survivor who "doesn't like vegetables." Lynn has learned how to "hide" nutritionally dense ingredients in dishes her partner will actually eat — all without sacrificing convenience. Sweet potato brownies, anyone? "I am the queen of the 30-minute meal," she said. "But we have been making two to three dishes per class." In addition to themed classes focusing on pertinent health topics like protein sources, healthy weight, and alcohol reduction, Lynn sharpened her knife skills and mastered other kitchen basics. "This is a beautiful facility," she added. "We are so glad it's here." With advanced cancer, appetite loss and fatigue are major factors, said Amanda Lucas, an SCI nurse practitioner specializing in palliative care. Taste buds change, too, and patients often are frustrated because nothing tastes good. Yet too much weight loss during cancer treatment can seriously impact quality of life, particularly by causing worsening levels of fatigue. For the estimated 80% of cancer patients who experience malnutrition during treatment, SCI aims to empower patients through sharing culinary skills and through holistic nutrition education, as well as building a sense of community among patients going through the same issues. The project is part of the holistic care that is a hallmark of SCI. When donors joined together to build SCI to provide the best in comprehensive cancer care close to home, they lit the dark path that follows a cancer diagnosis with hope, compassion, and generosity. They have united again to keep SCI on the cutting edge of cancer care and foster that which sets the center apart. Benefis Sletten Cancer Institute helps people with cancer live longer - and better - than ever before. Learn more at Benefis.org/Cancer. Thanks to donors' generosity, the teaching kitchen, an expanded genetic counseling office, a revamped and beautiful waiting area for patients who need bloodwork, and a salon for wig fitting and other services debuted at SCI in the spring. Work is underway on the second and final phase, an expanded infusion suite and pharmacy for customized treatments. Rows of wigs in a rainbow of colors await patients who stop in the Jorgensen & Wylder Families Salon, sponsored by the Lapee Family Foundation and Ed and Sue Warren. "It is beautiful," cosmetologist Kathy Hubbard said. "I had no idea it would be this magnificent." Kathy helps patients work through their hair plan, which may be a hat, a wig, or a shave. She can match their hair or try something new, dream hair or something wild. She also does fittings and teaches hair care. Patients receive a discount on the wigs, and no one is turned away because of an inability to pay, thanks to donors' generosity. "Helping someone with their hair is so very personal and rewarding," she said. "You can really put a smile on their face during a difficult time."

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