Lunch with a Twist of Teal

Calling all NJ gynecologic cancer survivors...

Click on the image for a larger version.

I plan on attending and hope to see some new faces and some old friends too.

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!

Share Your Survivor Story

I just realized that I haven't posted in a while. It has been a busy past few days.

I have developed so many wonderful friendships during this cancer journey. Some of these new friends are survivors, some are nurses and some are even researchers. I've interacted with women from all walks of life and from all over the world. I feel strongly that people diagnosed with cancer who have found support from another survivor should return that act of kindness. I have done that for the past few years in a number of ways but mostly through my work as a volunteer for Cancer Hope Network.

On Friday morning I received a phone call from Trish at Cancer Hope Network. She told me she had a match and there was a woman whose ovarian cancer (OC) had recurred. She really wanted to talk to someone who had a remission after a recurrence. I said sure. I had some time that morning to chat with her. She gave me the woman's information.

I waited about 10 minutes and I called the OC survivor. We talked for about 30 minutes. She told me what treatment she had taken and what her CA-125 and scans showed now. I was able to share my story. How I recurred and went into complete remission ( for over 2 years now). She was so happy to hear my story . Then she told me what her proposed course of treatment was going to be. I recalled a study I learned of when I attended the ASCO meeting that used the same drugs. ( Thank you to the Research Advocacy Network for allowing my attendance at the meeting.) Again she was so appreciative of the information I provided. I'll be checking back with her in a few days.

So if you are a survivor or a caregiver who would like to share your story to provide hope to newly diagnosed or recurrent cancer patients please think about volunteering with the Cancer Hope Network. They are located right here in NJ but serve cancer patients throughout the country.

If you are a cancer patient check out their social network. You might just hear from me if you join the Gynecologic Sisters and Supporters Group.

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing! My life is blessed by these women of teal.

Elizabeth Berg and her Special Character

I am a fan of the author, Elizabeth Berg. I just finished a book by her called The Last Time I Saw You. The story is about people who get together for their high school reunion- their 30th if I recall correctly- and their expectations of who they each became.

I didn't expect it when one of the characters, a women named Candy, learns she has ovarian cancer shortly before the reunion. I don't want to go in to a lot of the details about her reaction to learning about her diagnosis ( in case some of you want to read it) but I will say I can totally get how she felt. I must admit that I was a bit afraid as I got further in to the book that Candy would die. Instead at the end of the book we see Candy go to her doctor for a follow-up visit and again Elizabeth Berg accurately portrayed her anxiety but also her hope for the future.

Thank you Elizabeth Berg for portraying an OC survivor in your book. So if you haven't read The Last Time I Saw You borrow it from the library or buy a copy and give it a read. And if you did read it what did you think about Candy?

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing

Pink Roses and Teal Magnolias

From :http://www.cooperhealth.org/content/cancer/pinkandteal.htm

On Sunday, October 3 the Cooper Foundation will host the
Pink Roses Teal Magnolia’s Brunch to benefit Cooper Cancer Institute.
The event will be held at the Crowne Plaza, Cherry Hill, NJ

Generosa Grana, MD
Director of Cooper Cancer Institute

and

David Warshal, MD
Head, Division of Gynecologic Oncology

invite you to join event co-chairs
Joan Davis, Janet Knowles, Sandee Vogelson and Dara Marcozzi
and the host committee at this special event honoring:

Kristin Brill, MD Cooper Breast Surgeon Director, Janet Knowles Breast Cancer Center

Thomas Rocereto, MD Cooper Gynecologic Oncologist Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology

This event gives local breast and gynecologic cancer survivors an opportunity to celebrate with their family and friends and show support for the important work done at Cooper Cancer Institute.

Check the site above for info on how to register or if you want to be a sponsor of the event.

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!