August 2007 Newsletter

A NIGHT ON THE TOWN
July’s highlight was a phone call from the Danny Gans organization offering complimentary tickets to Danny’s show at the Mirage to OCAN members!! After an unavoidable postponement (due to a computer glitch), 30 members of the OCAN Support Group (and their friends and families), attended the Friday, July 27th show. There were rave reviews from the attendees and appreciation expressed for the excellent seating we were provided. Many thanks to Lee from D.G. Entertainment, who made this fun-filled event possible.


LIVING IN LIMBO
The following article will likely be well-understood by most cancer survivors….particularly ovarian.

Recurrence of Ovarian Cancer - Living in Limbo.
Cancer Nursing. 30(4):270-277, July/August 2007.
Ekwall, Ewa RN, ML, PhD student; Ternestedt, Britt-Marie RM, RNT, PhD; Sorbe, Bengt MD, PhD
Abstract:
Few studies have shed light on women's life situation after being informed of having recurrent ovarian cancer. The present study aimed to elucidate women's experiences of living with this knowledge. Interviews were conducted with 12 women who were undergoing or had just completed chemotherapy, 5 to 10 months after learning of the recurrence. Data were collected and analyzed based on a life world perspective using a descriptive phenomenological method. The women's experiences are described via 3 key constituents: being denied one's future while simultaneously hoping to be able to delay the cancer's advancement, feeling alienated from both oneself and one's surroundings, and being responsible. The key constituents were integrated into the structure "living in limbo." The women lived on the threshold to the unknown. They were preparing themselves both for a continued life and for death. "Living in limbo" can be described as a phase of a health-illness transition characterized by loneliness. The vulnerable position and existential struggle of these women should be focused upon in nursing. The sensitive dialogue is essential in these cases.
(C) 2007 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.


A NEW PUBLICATION
We just received copies of Caring 4 Cancer
This magazine aims to provide “a mix of advice, personal stories, and hard data based on the latest oncology research.” Among the members of the “Caring 4 Cancer” Medical Advisory Board is the highly esteemed Maurie Markman, MD, V.P. of Clinical Research at MD Anderson Cancer Center. The website, Caring4Cancer.com has customized content by diagnosis, nutritional advice, financial assistance programs and complimentary medicine info. They also offer an online community. Please note that this is in no way a personal endorsement. The magazine and website’s benefit to the cancer community will have to be determined on an individual basis.

SOME LIKE IT HOT
Braving typical Vegas temperatures of well over 100 degrees, the attendees at OCAN’s July Support Group Meeting took a spontaneous visit to Dairy Queen. No one enjoyed it more than our Mary Ann, who received a DQ t-shirt.

DYNAMIC ACTIVIST/ADVOCATE DUO ANNOUNCE DEBATE
Those of you who are lurkers or listers on the wonderfully caring and informative ACOR.org Ovarian Cancer Problems Listserv will recognize the names Sandi P. and Carolyn B. I can personally attest to their individual and collective wealth of knowledge and their long commitment to providing support and information to the extended ovarian cancer community. Sandi was OCAN’s featured speaker for a presentation at Nellis Air Force Base here in Nevada and she has long been actively involved in ovarian issues in both the U.S. and Canada (her home). Both Sandi and Carolyn were very helpful and supportive of OCAN’s founder, Crispin Morrison as well as to me, Liz (Crispin’s Mom) after Crispin’s death. The following post, “Survivors’ Debate”, is their first collaborative effort and is sure to be lively, interesting and informative.

Survivors Debate: "the Past Decade in Ovarian Cancer"
Carolyn Benivegna and Sandi Pniauskas contact: Sandi Pniauskas 905-668-0767
email: sandipn@sympatico.ca
further information/registration: ovarian cancer debate.blogspot.com
Take the : online poll:

WHAT:
Ovarian cancer survivors, Carolyn Benivegna (U.S.) and Sandi Pniauskas (Canada), announce the first ever Ovarian Cancer Survivors Debate. The two conferences are survivor-led and survivor-organized with debate and discussion surrounding the multitude of issues - the past and the present. Open and lively dialogue will be encouraged.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
All cancer survivors/caregivers, healthcare professionals, researchers, pharmacists and the general public are encouraged to attend and participate.

WHERE/WHEN:
#1: Sheraton Hotel, Novi, MI Sat. October 27th, 2007
#2: Metropolitan Hotel, Toronto, ON Sat. November 3rd, 2007
Time: 10:00 am - 12:30 pm

BACKGROUND:
Ovarian cancer has the highest mortality rate of all gynecologic cancers. Ovarian cancer has no early detection test. The debate and ensuing open forum public discussions will include the specifics of disease-related issues including genetics, access to care and communications. Carolyn Benivegna is a nine year ovarian cancer survivor, a BRCA1 carrier and Founder/Board Member of OCAG-GC. Sandi Pniauskas is an eight year ovarian cancer survivor with a genetic predisposition to Lynch Syndrome/Hereditary NonPolyposis Colorectal Cancer and a member of the Cochrane Collaboration. Carolyn and Sandi are energetic, knowledgeable ovarian cancer advocates and activists since the beginning of their journeys.

Ovarian cancer survivors Annamarie DeCarlo and Dr. Yi Pan will co-moderate both events. Bridget Capo (R.N.) and Pamela J. West (R.N.) will provide support and collaborate with Benivegna and Pniauskas in formal publication of the event proceedings.

RANTS or RAVES WELCOME
Please feel free to submit information and/or comments to our website. While we can’t promise to include them all, we will try to let your voices be heard.
Email to: Liz W.
or Write: Liz at OCAN
2827 Utica Circle
Las Vegas, NV 89146

Q--When and where are the OCAN Support Group meetings held?
A—On the first Tuesday of every month at 2827 Utica Circle, Las Vegas 89146.

Hope to see you all at our next OCAN Support Group Meeting on: August 7th, 2007 at 6pm.
Call me for directions or with any questions-- Liz/OCAN (702) 796-0430.



LIZ




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