The benefit of a good night's sleep isn't lost on Christinea and Earl Fenstermacher.
For the Clayton couple, it has been crucial for assisting Christinea, a cancer patient, with maintaining the energy she needs to meet the many challenges of treatment and recovery.
Diagnosed four years ago with stage IV colon cancer that has now metastasized into her lungs, Fenstermacher has been seeking treatment at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) in Philadelphia since May 2010. Doctors diagnosed Fenstermacher with sleep apnea and fitted her with a C-PAP machine to make breathing easier at night.
"I'm now sleeping a whole lot better and have more energy when I wake up in the morning," she said. "I was able to get off some of the medicine I had been taking, and it also helped me lower some of the stress I was having due to the cancer."
"When she goes through chemo, it takes a lot out of her," explained husband Earl. "During her first test, she woke up 150 times in an eight-hour period. Since she's had the machine, she's had better rest, better sleep and her energy levels have come up, even on the days she's getting chemo."
Recommended to the hospital by a friend, the Fenstermacher's were attracted to the facility by its unique approach of treating the whole person when it comes to cancer therapy, which includes looking at all factors impacting patient care.
"CTCA doesn't just treat colon cancer - they treat Christi," said Earl. "It is unlike any other place you'd go for cancer treatment."
They were impressed with their full line of patient care services, which also include nutritionists, naturopathy, oncologists and pastoral care.
"Several disorders can lead to a patient's restlessness at night and to their fatigue," said Christinea's doctor, David Visco, a pulmonary physician at CTCA. "Having a dedicated sleep center helps us address those issues so our patients can continue to be active participants in their treatment."
According to Dr. Visco, an estimated 45 percent of cancer patients suffer from some type of sleep disorder, including sleep apnea and periodic limb movement of sleep.
Currently on her third round of chemotherapy, Christinea has been traveling to Philadelphia on a weekly basis for a 12-week course of treatment, which she expects to finish in mid-October.
"I'm still dealing with cancer, but I feel like I have the energy to do more things," she said. "Right now, I feel pretty good, and I just had treatment two days ago."
Fenstermacher said traveling, either flying or driving, the approximately 425 miles one-way to Philadelphia has been well worth the effort.
"I have a lot of supporters and a lot of people praying for me," she said. "This journey has been an interesting one, but it has been bearable."
