Navigating Every Step of the Way

From the first blow of receiving a cancer diagnosis throughout the difficult battle of treatment and recovery, the cancer journey is overwhelming. As cancer patients face a complicated and life-altering disease, the weight of excess stress can diminish their health and impede recovery. In order to relieve some of the burden for local cancer patients, Oncology Nurse Navigator Lindsey Hughes, BSN, OCN, PHN is with them every step of the way to facilitate individualized care at Mission Hope Cancer Center, Arroyo Grande.

Lindsey is a compassionate and experienced nurse who meets with patients at the time of diagnosis and continues to guide them throughout their cancer journey. She provides communication and education, connects patients with healing resources, and even helps schedule appointments. This not only ensures each patient has timely and easy access to the care they need; it makes them feel that they’re not alone. Lindsey said, “A lot of times we’re meeting people on the worst day of their lives, but with their health care team and nurse navigator, they have the support they need to navigate the health care system as well as the treatment and healing process. We provide companionship, and we’re able to connect them with resources that benefit them in all areas of their lives.”

After being with the Mission Hope Cancer Center team for the past nine years in both Santa Maria and Arroyo Grande, Lindsey has a deep connection with the cancer patients and survivors in the community. During a recent trip to the grocery store, she was thrilled to run into a cancer survivor whose rigorous treatments had made it unlikely to have children, but there she was with her healthy three-year-old son. Lindsey said, “The patients we’ve cared for or their family members will often come back after several years to tell us what a difference the team has made in their cancer journey. It’s a lifelong thing.”

The Oncology Nurse Navigator at Mission Hope, Arroyo Grande is a service provided through the Cancer Care Fund, which relies on the generosity of the community for support. One hundred percent of every gift directly benefits patients at Mission Hope, Arroyo Grande.

If you would like to help support this program, you can make a gift here > > >