Transition Off Therapy Guide

• You will return to St. Jude for checkups, but it is also important to connect with health care providers near your home. 
• Your primary care provider (PCP) can:
  • Give yearly checkups
  • Refer you to other local doctors or services
  • Help with mental health or therapy services
• Ask your St. Jude team questions such as:
  • How often will I visit St. Jude? What tests will be done? How many days will I stay?
  • If I have a port or central line, when and where will it be removed?
  • Are there activity, food, or fever precautions to continue?
  • Will I keep taking medicines such as Septra, Bactrim, or Pentamidine?
  • When can I start vaccines again?
  • Should any specialty care (such as a heart or brain doctor) move closer to home?
  • Which prescriptions or supplies need to be transferred to a local provider?
  • For which health concerns should I call St. Jude? When should I go to my local health care provider? 
• Dispose of unused or expired medicine in the blue MedSafe box near the Outpatient Pharmacy.
• Your treatment summary is in St. Jude MyChart: 
  • Click on Health Summary from the main menu.
  • Select Cancer Summary in the Manage My Health section. 
  • Once on the Cancer page, click Condition Report. 
• A copy will also be sent to your local doctor.
• You may see “TOP NP/PA” appointments on your schedule. These nurse practitioners or physician assistants help connect your home care with St. Jude. They also teach you about staying healthy and managing long-term effects of treatment. Contact them through MyChart or call 901-595-0980.

• Some patients need physical, occupational, or speech therapy after treatment. 
• These services are usually provided at local clinics. St. Jude can provide the first order, but future orders will come from your primary care provider.
• Children under age 3 may be eligible for rehabilitation services through early intervention programs. Children over age 3 may be eligible to get services through their school.
• You may have a TOP transition coordinator appointment. They can help you find the best options for your child. Call them at 901-595-0980 or email top@stjude.org.

Health care and insurance can be confusing. Here are some helpful topics on together.stjude.org:

Other helpful websites:

• Find help with food, medical care, and more at familyhelp.findhelp.com.
• Get help with medicine costs at needymeds.org.

Covering costs

• Call the St. Jude pharmacy reimbursement specialist for help with insurance or medicine costs: 901-595-4166.
• Contact the St. Jude patient assistance navigator for help with financial assistance, insurance, and disability resources: 901-595-3957 or email patientassistance@stjude.org.  
• Contact the TOP patient navigator for other questions: 901-595-0980 or email top@stjude.org.  

• Finishing treatment can bring many feelings, such as excitement, happiness, worry, or stress. This is normal. You may meet with a psychologist or social worker to talk about it.
• As your child returns to routines or adjusts to a “new normal,” you may notice changes like:
  • Problems adjusting to chores or new expectations
  • Concerns about how the body or mind feels or works
  • Feeling lonely
  • Trouble going back to school, work, or social activities
  • Changes in dating or close relationships
• Help children and teens reconnect with friends and classmates. Talk about how they want to share their cancer experience and who they want to share it with.
• This transition off therapy can affect the whole family, including siblings. They may need support too.
• Think about what helped you cope during cancer treatment. Keep using those tools now.
• It is normal to have good and bad days. If emotions make life hard, talk to a local mental health provider or a St. Jude caregiver mentor.
• Your social worker can help you find resources such as cancer camps, support groups, wish-granting programs, and mental health or financial help. Contact your social worker through MyChart or call 901-595-3670. 

For more information, visit Life After Cancer at Together by St. Jude™.

• Near the end of treatment, you may have a “School Advocacy” appointment. Your school coordinator can help you plan for going back to school and figure out what support you might need. 
• Ask your care team when it will be safe to return to school.
• Prepare to return to school:
  • Let your school know when you plan to return. 
  • Schedule a meeting to talk about medical needs and learning support.
  • Ask if your child needs extra help, like a 504 plan or Individual Education Plan (IEP).
  • Share the results of any learning or thinking tests done at St. Jude.
  • Ask if your school needs medical forms from St. Jude.
  • Reach out to your school coordinator if you need help with any of this.
• Some treatments can affect thinking, learning, and problem-solving. Ask your care team, psychologist, social worker, or school program staff if your child needs testing.
• For school help, call the School Program at 901-595-1783 or email schooladministration@stjude.org. 
• Learn more about the School Program and school support. 

Ask your care team when you can return home. Plan to leave St. Jude housing soon after that date.

• To make housing arrangements, call Patient Services at 901-595-4501.
• To make travel arrangements, call Patient Travel at 901-595-5000.

If you live outside the United States:

• For medical interpreting, call Interpreter Services at 901-595-2983 (available 24/7).
• Contact your cultural navigator for travel needs such as:
  • Help with visas or legal status
  • A letter for traveling with medicine
  • Tips for flying with medicine
• Ask your primary team if a 90-day supply of medicine is right for you
• If you need medicine shipped internationally, contact the pharmacy before you leave.
• Schedule international flights at least 2 months in advance by calling Patient Travel.
• If you need help at the airport, ask Patient Travel for wheelchair assistance.

• Use St. Jude MyChart and the Our St. Jude app to check your schedule.
• Many appointments are grouped together to save time. Contact the scheduling team if changes are needed.
• Let St. Jude know if you have changes in:
  • Contact information
  • Insurance
  • Local health care providers
  • Child custody arrangements 
• Keep a list of questions to ask your St. Jude team during your visit. 
• If your child no longer has a central line, they may need an IV. If they are nervous about needles, ask for Child Life support: 901-595-3020. 
• Some families feel nervous before follow-up visits. Get tips on coping with scan anxiety.
• If your child needs a school or work excuse, ask the patient representative in your clinic.

• Caregivers SHARE, a St. Jude Podcast: St. Jude caregivers and health care providers offer advice, reflection, and encouragement.  
• Clinic phone numbers:
  • Brain Tumor Clinic: 901-595-5175 
  • Leukemia and Lymphoma Clinic: 901-595-3606
  • Solid Tumor Clinic: 901-595-2800
  • Radiation Oncology Clinic: 901-595-2620
  • Transplant and Cell Therapy Clinic: 901-595-2138
• Concierge services: Free service that helps with non-medical needs like moving, shipping, and general comfort. 
  • Phone: 901-595-4000
  • Email: conciergeservices@stjude.org
• Interpreter Services: Offers language help for non-English speakers. 
  • Phone: 901-595-2983 or St. Jude operator (866-278-5833 or 901-595-3300)
  • Email: interpreterservices@stjude.org
• Medical records: View or share your child’s records through St. Jude MyChart or contact Health Information Management.
  • Phone: 901-595-3680
  • Email: iscihimsroi@stjude.org 
• Operator (hospital): Call 866-278-5833 or 901-595-3300.
• Our St. Jude app: Check appointments, housing, flights, and events. For help, contact Patient Registration. 
• Patient Registration: Update contact info, insurance, or apps.
  • Phone: 901-595-2010
  • Email: patient.registration@stjude.org
• Patient Scheduling: Change your schedule.
  • Phone: 901-595-6146
  • Email: patsch@stjude.org 
• Patient Services: Get help with meals and housing.
  • Phone: 901-595-4501
  • Email: patientservices@stjude.org
• School Program: Support for educational needs. 
  • Phone: 901-595-1783
  • Email: schooladministration@stjude.org  
• Social Work: Provides emotional support, resources, and advocacy. 
  • Phone: 901-595-3670
• St. Jude MyChart: For help, visit Patient Registration in Family Commons or call 901-595-4636. 
• Together.stjude.org: Find trusted information about life after cancer. 
• Transition Oncology Program (TOP): Help with transitioning to school, life, and local health care after treatment.
  • Phone: 901-595-0980
  • Email: top@stjude.org
• Travel Office: Help with travel arrangements.
  • Phone: 901-595-5000
  • Email: patienttravel@stjude.org