Physical Therapy

Lexi Harlow, PT, DPT, CLT

To schedule a physical therapy appointment, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center patients need to be referred by a Fred Hutch physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner. Patients who have secondary lymphedema can be seen at the Fred Hutch clinic by one of our physical therapists specializing in oncology.

Lymphedema A condition in which extra lymph fluid builds up in tissues and causes swelling. It may occur in an arm or leg if lymph vessels are blocked, damaged or removed by surgery. Nurse practitioner A registered nurse who has additional education and training in how to diagnose and treat disease. In cancer care, a nurse practitioner may manage the primary care of patients and their families. A registered nurse who has additional education and training in how to diagnose and treat disease. Nurse practitioners are licensed at the state level and certified by national nursing organizations. In cancer care, a nurse practitioner may manage the primary care of patients and their families, based on a practice agreement with a physician. Physician assistant A health professional who is licensed to do certain medical procedures under the guidance of a physician. A health professional who is licensed to do certain medical procedures under the guidance of a physician. A physician assistant may take medical histories, do physical exams, take blood and urine samples, care for wounds and give injections and immunizations.

Lexi was drawn to working in health care and caring for patients due to an instructor and mentor she had in graduate school at the University of Puget Sound. "It is important to me that my daily work makes a difference in the lives of others and has a lasting impact," Lexi says. "Working in oncology physical therapy allows me to be challenged intellectually while also seeing the direct positive impact of rehabilitation on a daily basis."

In addition to working with her Fred Hutch patients, Lexi has been involved with developing a multi-disciplinary research project with the breast oncology group to monitor incidence and interventions for early stage lymphedema. She also teaches in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at her alma mater, University of Puget Sound, which can lead to potential graduate student research projects.

For the future of cancer, Lexi hope to see a cure for cancer in her lifetime, as many people do. "Knowing that this is a daunting task, it would be my hope that the focus of cancer care shifts from treatment to prevention and early detection, especially in regards to lifestyle interventions and the role of exercise in harnessing the power of the body to heal itself."

When she is not working with her patients or teaching her students, Lexi can be found doing yoga, hiking, reading, listening to music, traveling or volunteering. She also enjoys spending her free time with her husband, daughter, and son.

Lymphedema A condition in which extra lymph fluid builds up in tissues and causes swelling. It may occur in an arm or leg if lymph vessels are blocked, damaged or removed by surgery. Stage The extent of a cancer in the body. Staging is usually based on the size of the tumor, whether lymph nodes contain cancer and whether the cancer has spread from the original site to other parts of the body.

Patient care philosophy

I work in partnership with patients and their families to maximize their physical potential and I believe that I do my job well when patients are thriving, not only surviving, and no longer require my services. I emphasize the power of exercise and rehabilitation in helping patients recover from treatment of their disease.

Clinical expertise

Oncology physical therapy
Lymphedema

Experience

Evergreen Hospital and Medical Center, Inpatient and Outpatient Oncology Physical Therapy, 2005-2006
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Outpatient Oncology Physical Therapy, 2006-Present

Education and training

BS: University of Puget Sound
DPT: University of Puget Sound

Contact

Fred Hutch Physical Therapy

phone (206) 606-6373

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 am–5 pm

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