What a Month!

What a month September 2010 has been.

TEAL was everywhere.

• There were articles about Ovarian Cancer symptoms in the local newspaper & in national magazines.
• There were interviews with survivors on national TV.
• There were Teal Ribbons all over the state.
• NOCC had a September Speaks program with a speaker talking about ovarian cancer each day of the month.
• OCNA started the Teal Journal.
• The House passed Johanna's Law . Now we are waiting on the Senate. Thanks Senator Lautenberg and Senator Menendez for co-sponsoring the bill in the Senate.

What a month September has been for me.

• I spoke to the walkers at the Teal Wings of Hope Walk in Hamilton , NJ.
• I helped hang Teal ribbons in Edison and at CINJ.
• I walked to raise funds for The Cancer Institute of NJ in honor of my wonderful gynecological-oncologists.
• This blog was mentioned in the Navigating Cancer Site Blog. ( More to come about this new, beneficial site.)
• I helped register walkers at the Kaleidoscope of Hope Avon-by-the-Sea Walkathon.
• I became the proud owner of a 100% all american mixed breed puppy. She is a cutie.

I can't wait to see what October brings- in addition to pink ribbons!

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing !

A Walk and Some Tea

There is still time this month to make a difference in the lives of women we love. Help raise awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer and funds for ovarian cancer research by walking or drinking tea. Both events on are Saturday, September 25,2010.

A WALK:
Kaleidoscope of Hope Foundation's Final Walkathon
Avon by the Sea, NJ
It is a beautiful location & the sound of ocean waves while walking is wonderful. Stop by the registration area and look for me.

There is still time to register or make a donation. Click here for more information.
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SOME TEA:

Teal Tea Foundation - High Tea at the Chauncey Conference Center

Chauncey Hotel and Conference Center
Princeton , NJ
10% of the special Tea proceeds will go
Click here for information about the Chauncey.
Scroll to the bottom left of this page to order a ticket.

Hope lots of people enjoy these events.

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!

Check out this site for Ovarian Cancer Events in NJ

Here is a great source of information if you live in NJ and want to find Ovarian Cancer events. Check this calendar on the NJ State Department of Health and Senior Services Ovarian Cancer page.

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing.

How Could I Forget

I've been so caught up in ovarian cancer awareness month activities and thanking my doctors at CINJ for these past five years that I forgot to thank someone .

There has been one person by my side these past five years - through every test, treatment & surgery . Who loves me when I am happy and when I am grumpy or when I am a nervous wreck. Who thirty-two years ago never thought the "In Sickness" part of our vows might mean giving up so much of what we could do together with what he had to do with and for me. Who has such confidence in a future that we bought a puppy. Thank you Nick for your love and for being the wind beneath my wings.

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!

Cancer Hope Networks New Social Networking Site - HopeNet

The Cancer Hope Network (CHN) has a new website and a new social networking site called HopeNet. "Cancer Hope Network is a not-for-profit organization that provides free and confidential one-on-one support to cancer patients and/or their family members."

HopeNet is a social network specifically for cancer patients. Anyone can join the network. YOu don't have to be from NJ. You don't have to be someone who has been involved with Cancer Hope Network in the past. As of today there are groups for lymphoma , prostate , esophageal , and head and neck cancer survivors as well as a group for young adult survivors and a caregivers group.

One of the first groups I called when I learned I has ovarian cancer in 2005 was Cancer Hope Network. I was matched with a wonderful lady - a stage III survivor of 10 years. She certainly gave me hope. So once I was able to, I applied to be a CHN Support volunteer. I spoke to women newly diagnosed with ovarian cancer from all over the country. I did that until I recurred in 2008.

So when I was asked to moderate a group for ovarian cancer survivors and their caregivers and I was happy to accept. I named the group Teal Sisters and Supporters.

It is open to ovarian cancer survivors of any stage and their caregivers, families and friends.

To join the group you will need to register to enter the site - don't worry it is very easy. Then you can click on Groups and join. Feel free to share information about your diagnosis , treatment and how you are feeling. And of course feel free to ask questions. Our discussions will be guided by our members.

I hope you can join us!

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing! Today I am blessed by the wonderful volunteers at CHN.

A Way of Giving Back to My "Lifesavers"

Yesterday was the High Speed Chase for the Cure, a 5K run and 3K walk, which raises funds for the Cancer Institute of NJ through the CINJ Foundation. I formed the Team High Five a few weeks ago to celebrate my five years as an ovarian cancer survivor and to honor the five gyn-oncs at CINJ , their nurses and their staff . I consider them all my "Lifesavers". I along with the other members of High Five - Nick, my husband , and two long time friends Terry and Joan met at the Rutgers Athletic Center. Theresa, my daughter, was a virtual walker from all the way out in Kansas. It was great seeing so many CINJ folks, Candace, Michele, Dena and of course Dr Gannon- the surgical oncologist who did the surgery for my recurrence.

It started out as a cloudy, cool morning in the 60's. But as fate would have it just as the run/ walk started it became a cool and very wet rainy morning. That did not stop us or the hundreds of other runners and walkers from completing our task. It did though make me go a bit slower- I didn't want to slip on the wet road. We finished our 3K walk in around 30 minutes.

I finished the walk with a wet hat and soaked pants since my Rutgers red poncho couldn't cover everything. But I was thrilled that Team High Five was able to raise over $1000 for CINJ. I love going to my donor page and seeing the little thermometer fill up and listen to the cheers as the the stars shoot out of the top .

It felt great to give back to the people who saved my life.
Dr. Rodriguez, Dr. Gibbon, Dr. Nieves, Dr. Hellmann, Dr. Wagreich yesterday's walk was for you. Thanks!


Dee
Every Day is a Blessing! I am blessed to be treated by the talented doctors and nurses at CINJ.

A Perfect Baby Boy!

It's a Boy! My niece and godchild, Alycia, gave birth to a 6 pound 2 ounce perfect baby boy, Declan Joseph.

He was born yesterday - September 8th which is the day the Catholic Church celebrates the birth of the Blessed Mother. My Aunt Dora was so happy that Alycia was having her baby on the eighth. Aunt Dora prays daily to the Blessed Mother and she is sure that Mary made sure that both Alycia and baby Declan were OK.

I am thrilled to be a great aunt- even if that term makes me seem very , very old. I can't wait to meet Declan in person. Just thinking about him makes me smile. And I know my sister Roberta is smiling down on Alycia, Kevin and Declan.

Congratulations Alycia and Kevin!

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing ! And my life just got a special blessing on Sept 8th.