CanSurvive Support Group

an ovarian, endometrial, cervical cancer support and awareness group

Birmingham, Alabama

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Most Common Types of Gynecologic Cancers

• Endometrial/Uterine is the most common GYN cancer. The primary symptom of endometrial cancer is abnormal bleeding.
  
• Ovarian cancer is the second most common GYN cancer. Since there are no effective screening tests, one must be aware of the earliest symptoms of ovarian cancer.
  
• Cervical cancer has been steadily increasing in incidence with the increased prevalence of pap smear screening. We encourage you to get an annual pap smear.
  

Signs and Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

• Because the signs and symptoms of GYN cancers may also be associated with other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, it is important that your physician take seriously the possibility that ovarian cancer may be present, especially if you have a family or personal history of ovarian, breast, or colon cancer, and have never borne children.
  

Archives

Here you will find old headlines and articles as well as any other permanent set of information.

CanSurvive Fashion Show Luncheon and Silent Auction – 2009

Fashion Show Silent Auction and Luncheon

Hosted by the CanSurvive GYN Cancer Support Group

Wednesday, March 11, 2009
At The Club

1 Robert Smith Drive
Birmingham, Alabama 35209

Silent Auction begins 10:30 a.m.
Lunch and Fashion Show 11:00 – 1:00
Fashions provided by Stein Mart
Models by GYN Oncology Physicians and patients
$40 Donation per Individual Ticket
Tables of 8 may be purchased and reserved
To reserve your tickets, please contact
Margaret Keeton 205-930-8676 or
Deidra Macon 205-930-8660

CanSurvive Support Group is a 501-3c organization and your contribution is 100% tax deductible. Proceeds benefit the CanSurvive Gyn Cancer Support Group. The support group provides emotional, spiritual, and educational support for women with gynecologic cancers, their families, friends, loved ones, and the professionals who treat them. The group also provides community education about signs and symptoms of gynecologic cancers.

To see a list of SILENT AUCTION ITEMS, click here.

New Quilt!

CareNotes

If you are unfamiliar with CareNotes, they are pamphlets on a wide range of topics to help folks get through a difficult period. The front corner says "Take One -- and take heart. Give One -- and give hope." They are a good way to "reach out & touch someone". (You can go to their website to learn more: www.carenotes.com.

Here are the ones we have:

Coping With Cancer Self-Help Assortment, which contains a colorful cover card and ONE EACH of the following FIVE tried-and-true CareNotes:, What People With Cancer Need Most Lifting Your Life Above Serious Illness Living With Cancer A Day at a Time Tackling the Emotional Side of Cancer Finding the Courage to Face a Serious Illness

We also have these individual CareNotes: Dealing With the Anxious Waiting That Illness Brings(don't we all know how that feels?) Hanging on to Hope Through a Serious Illness Living With Cancer -- A Day at a Time How It Feels to Have Cancer Cheryl Bourn has these; contact her at mcbourn79@bellsouth.net if you would like any of them.

Booklets available at clinic office

In addition to CareNotes, we've obtained booklets for patients that are kept in the clinic in a display rack:

Ovarian Cancer Resource Guide - for newly diagnosed women

Ovarian Cancer Resource Guide - for women with recurrent disease

When a Loved One Has Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian Cancer

Sexuality & Intimacy

Understanding Ovarian Cancer

Understanding Endometrial Cancer

Understanding Primary Peritoneal Cancer

Understanding Cervical Cancer

The Wedding Rainbow

On my way to Jill's wedding the sky would change from sunshine to showers and back again. I was trying to decide if it was taking place at the church or the house. I opted for the church since I figured the weather was being so unpredictable. I was hurrying and looking for the exit sign, preoccupied with that feeling of not quite knowing where I was supposed to be going and knowing I was late anyway when suddenly I saw it.

It had to be the most beautiful rainbow I can remember seeing in years. The sky was full of dark ominous purplish clouds that made the colors stand out even more. It was like a painting. It was a perfect arch across the highway over where I knew I was headed. I wondered if anyone could see it at the wedding. I started to stop and get out of my car to try to get a picture, but remembered I had taken my camera out of my purse. The colors were so vibrant. I actually traveled through it and as I headed off the interstate it seemed to fade into the clouds.

I took it as a sign today as much as it was God's sign originally. After the rain, beauty and light. I had a sense of total calm....it was a blessing of this day.

Patricia Kilgore, R.N.
UAB Gyn Oncology Research Unit

OVARIAN CANCER NATIONAL ALLIANCE NATIONAL CONFERENCE JULY 2008

Joy, Donna, Kathy, and Patricia attendend the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance meeting in Washington, D.C. They heard about current treatments, which Donna said our clinic already does. They also heard a lecture from the researcher who came up with the CA125 test. They spoke with the aides of some of our congressmen; Kathy said this was a very emotional experience. Congressman Aderholt spoke with them and posed with them for a picture.

Our trip to the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance Conference in Washington was a wonderful and informative experience. Each of the speakers was well chosen and very knowledgeable in his/her field. Although here in Birmingham we have doctors tirelessly working to find an annual test and a cure, it is enlightening to know that so many others are also working and together we will win.

It was inspiring to see so many ladies who have experienced ovarian cancer and to hear their stories. It is sad to know that many have lost the battle. My hope isÊthat our trip to Capital Hill will bear fruit and through obtaining finances for both awareness and research that there will be more survivors attending future OCNA Conferences and that early detection and a cure for Ovarian Cancer will become a reality.
--Joy

We had a great time and learned many new things! Capitol Hill day was amazing. The four of us had a personal tour of the Capitol building and even got to go into the gallery of the Senate. Donna and I also met Congressman Robert Aderholt and had our picture made with him. Thank you for the opportunity!
--Kathy

CanSurvive Meeting Notes September 19, 2008

It was wonderful to meet again with each other and make new friends. Doris, Ruth, Terry, and Margaret were here for their first time. Margaret came on behalf of her sister, Mary.

Several of our members are still undergoing treatment or starting treatment again or having additional surgery, so you'll get an updated member list in the next week so we can all stay in touch.

Our September meeting featured 2 speakers: Jennifer Cherry with the Hope Lodge (930-8873) and Hilary Palmer with our local American Cancer Society (ACS). They told us about the main purpose of the ACS and the services they offer.

Some services include:

• free lodging at the Lee Griffin Hope Lodge for patients who are receiving treatment in Birmingham, but live more than 40 miles away. Free transportation to & from appointments for these patients is also provided.
• a toll-free information number (1-800-227-2345) which is available 24/7 and is answered by one of their cancer information specialists.
• an ACS navigator at UAB that helps patients navigate the medical center.
• support groups.
• Reach for Recovery program for breast cancer patients.
• a comprehensive list of resources for patients.
• literature about various cancers.
• Look Good...Feel Better program.

You can find out more by going to the ACS website http://www.cancer.org

One of the most important things to be gleaned from their presentation is there is help if you have a need during your treatment. You can contact the ACS directly (205-879-2242) or go through the social worker, Michael K. Schepps, at the UAB GYN Oncology office to start a referral.

Hilary from ACS told us more about the Look Good, Feel Better program that helps women one-on-one with skin care, makeup, wigs, scarves, and accessories during their cancer treatments. Cosmetologists provide the expertise. It includes free makeup and skin care products valued at over $300. Hilary’s phone number is 930-8870.

If you weren't able to attend this meeting, you can get ACS brochures at the UAB GYN Oncology office.

Our thanks to McAlister's for donating our great lunch and to the ACS for letting us use their facility monthly and for our speakers.

After our speakers' presentations, we did have time to share concerns and encouragement. It is so wonderful we have each other to lean on!

We didn’t have time to talk about this, but most of you wanted to stuff goodie bags again at a meeting. We’ll do that at our November meeting, so block out some extra time for that. And we will keep it simpler this year. We’ll take a few minutes to talk about it at our October meeting.

October 17: Our own Connie LaMonte will present a program on music and healing.

November 21: The Doubletree CARE committee will prepare a Thanksgiving meal for us. We will also stuff holiday bags.

December 7: Our Christmas party will be at the Hoover Lakehouse in the early afternoon.

December 19: We’ll have our regular meeting at the ACS.

2009

January meeting: Rashel Ross from the Rashel Foundation will be our speaker

February meeting: Mary Jerome, one of our chemo nurses, will be our speaker

CanSurvive Meeting Notes

April 18th, 2008

Next meeting: Friday, May 16, in the bigger room at the American Cancer Society, noon - 2:30 or so. Jennifer Smiley's husband is a chef and he is preparing our meal. We'll also be painting pottery. Be sure to carve out that time for yourself.

1. Today we had special guest: Nicole Falls. Nicole's mother had ovarian cancer. Nicole is a first year UAB medical student who is co-president of the OB GYN Support Group. The medical students form groups that focus in areas they would like to know more about. This group wants to help CanSurvive with projects when we need some manpower. They are also going to participate in the MotherWalk.

2. Member updates:

• We all concluded that we looked mighty fine today. :>)
• Carolyn Fiore -- is now receiving hospice services. She loves getting your cards & notes and said she'd appreciate short phone calls. Afternoon would be a good time to call. Carolyn's address is 713 Sussex Dr., Birmingham, 35226.
• Brenda Lamb -- had arthroscopic knee surgery this week. She is slowly improving. She cannot take strong pain medicine, so pray that her pain will diminish. She said to tell you she loves you all and she missed seeing you today. If you'd like to send her a card, her address is 2136 Rockland Dr., Birmingham, 35226.
• Minnie Aldrich, Beth Hosmer's mother -- had a mastectomy this past week. Beth said to "tell everyone that my mom is taking things great. She will have some scans next week and meet with oncologist to see what type of chemo treatment she will need. Tell everyone thank you for their thoughts and prayers. We will continue to need them." Minnie's address is 3067 Mud Creek Rd., Adger, AL 35006.

3. Dianne Baer told us about the Birmingham Ovarian Cycle event that was last Sunday at the Jewish Community Center. Dianne, Patricia Naish, and Dianne's sister Debbie rode for Team CanSurvive. Margaret Keeton, Gail & Molly McCarrick, Gail's boys (exchange students), Dr. Alvarez, Dr. Barnes, and Cheryl Bourn came to cheer them on. The event made $35,000; 80% of that money will be used locally for research.

4. Kathy Wickstrom has invited us to the Blount Co. Relay for Life at Oneonta City Park next Friday evening, 4/25. For more details, e-mail Kathy. Her Flav-O-Pic Tomato team has raised $11,000 so far. Their goal is $16,000.

5. Betty King has some small gift bags & chocolate for chemo patients near Mother's Day. Brenda Lamb will also add a flower. If you'd like to contribute a little something for the bag, let Brenda know.

6. BADA - B'ham Auto Dealers Assoc. -- charitable arm has bought 700 ovarian cancer car tags. They will offer them to people buying cars. We need to have some folks transcribe their info to the official forms. We may do them once a month or so, possibly on a Saturday. We'll work out the details. Just let Cheryl know if you'd like to help. We signed a thank you letter to BADA in our meeting today.

7. Thanks to Lori Livingston who dropped some MotherWalk yard signs & posters by our meeting today.

MOTHERWALK is Saturday, May 10 in Crestline Village
• 8 am - Walk up registration
• 9 am - Official start of 3 mile walk
• 7 pm - Post event

See http://www.nlovca.org/events.html

8. We looked at some informative literature for patients and decided we'd like to order some for patients in the office. We'll do a small order first to see how they go over.

9. We also talked about books and other things that really have helped us in our journey and decided we needed to make a resource list. Connie LaMonte and Mary Anne King volunteered to do that, so let one of them know about your recommendations.

10. We had door prizes today - a really cute artsy piece of a lady with spunk (donated by Linda Willis) and a flower arrangement donated by Kristen Craig. Linda donated some Burt's Bees lip balm that was distributed. We also distributed our new CanSurvive tee shirts.

11. Electrolux is hoping to donate $500,000 to ovarian cancer research over the next 2 years. To find out what you can do to help, check out the Electrolux.com website. Click on one of their products and check out Kelly's Bags. (You should be able to get to get there by going to www.kellysbags.com)

12. Lunch today was provided by Jim McNinch of Oncotech.

Year in Review-2007

CanSurvive held monthly meetings the 3rd Friday of each month at the American Cancer Society, who is our gracious host.

We not only supported other members, but also reached out to other patients who needed to speak with someone who had "been there". Our group was also able to help with special or daily needs for some patients.

Special Events - Be sure to check out the photos!

March
• Two of our patient members spoke with 2nd year medical students as part of the "Survivors Teaching Students" program. They told their stories and emphasized the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer and how difficult it could be to diagnose.

April
• We held a successful Fashion Show Luncheon and Silent Auction that not only generated revenue for the support group, but also helped educate our guests about gynecological cancers.

May
• Many of our members supported or worked at the Mother's Walk sponsored by the Norma Livingston Foundation. This foundation raises money for UAB's ovarian cancer research.

September
• Our advocate Christina Stephens signed copies of her autobiographical book about adoption and donated the proceeds of the sales to CanSurvive. (Copies of her book can still be purchased at the gift shop at UAB Highlands.) We also had staffed tables for gyn cancer awareness, ovarian cancer car tags, and adoption.
• We supported Dr. Kilgore and Dr. Straughn at their Brookwood Hospital inservice "Are You Smarter Than a Gyn Oncologist?" Megan and Stacy had a sign-up table for the car tag.
• Members passed out literature and information about gyn cancers, the HPV vaccine, and the ovarian cancer car tag during the lunchtime hours at the Harbert Plaza for a whole week. Robert Sulfstede arranged for us to have a kiosk in front of his store. (Thanks again, Robert!)

October
• We manned (and wo-manned) an awareness booth at the four day Southern Women's Show at the BJCC, speaking with attendees, passing out literature, bracelets, and emery boards. Thanks to the all the members, nurses, and to Dr. Alvarez and his wife Denise, Dr. Kilgore and his wife Tricia, Dr. Makhija, Dr. Straughn, Dr. Barnes, and Dr. Numnum for staffing this booth.
• Some members passed out awareness literature at health fairs at their local churches.

November
• We stuffed 200 goody bags for the gyn patients undergoing chemo during the holidays. We purchased some of the items and had some of the items donated.

December
• Our Christmas party was held in early December at the Hoover Lakehouse. One of our own members was our excellent caterer. Another member donated stuffed animals for the patient attendees.

UAB Displays Quilt that Draped Casket

Ovarian cancer victim's family presents gift to doctor, nurse

The quilt that draped the casket of Sally Sutton will be displayed permanently at The University of Alabama Hospital at Birmingham.

The quilt will hang on a wall on the fourth floor of the gynecologic oncology clinic at UAB Highlands, a spokesman said.

Sutton's widower, Mickey, and one of their sons, Michael, both of Decatur, gave the quilt to UAB's Dr. Michael Straughn and an assistant, registered nurse Donna Bryan. They treated Sally Sutton during her struggle with ovarian cancer.

The Suttons made the presentation last week at the Decatur General Oncology Center.

Straughn said seven physicians in his group started coming to the center each Friday six months ago on a rotating basis to see patients.

"It's been a great relationship and such a benefit for patients in this area," said registered nurse Terry Jones, director of the center. "It enables a woman to get her initial visit here and be followed by local physicians as well as UAB physicians. We don't offer gynecological and oncology surgery here in Decatur.

Jones said that after chemotherapy procedures at UAB, doctors at the Oncology Center can give radiation therapy if needed.

"Usually, they are weak and in pain and don't feel like traveling," she said.

Gina Decker of Quilter's Refuge was at the presentation and recalled the quilt's origin. She said Sally Sutton had asked other quilters to make blocks to send to a fabric company called Blank Textiles in New York.

“They were taking the blocks and making a quilt for auction, the proceeds going to the Ovarian Cancer Foundation," Decker said."Sally never had a quilt of her own, and I wanted her to have something to inspire her. That's where I got the idea."

Decker asked others in her class and members of The Night Guild if they'd like to make Sutton a quilt by making blocks and signing them. They would give her the quilt when she was well enough to return to class.

"A few others wanted to participate even though they didn't know Sally," Decker said."They had relatives who had the disease."

Even a 10-year-old boy, Graham Johnson, whose mother was in the class, participated.

"When his mother was making her block, he asked to make one. He did and signed it," Decker said.

The volunteers used a teal color scheme, teal being the color of ovarian cancer awareness. Decker's husband, Lynn, machine quilted the blocks.

But Sutton had become too weak to return to class. Decker took the quilt to her after Thanksgiving.

"I didn't want to wait any longer," Decker said."She was quite moved and surprised. She had it with her every day."

Sutton, who was a member of the Piece Makers Quilting Group, Happy Heart Quilt Guild and the Quilt Lovers, died Dec. 20 at home. Her funeral was two days later. She was 63.

Her family asked that the quilt be placed on her casket during services at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church.

"It wasn't just a quilt," said Funeral Director Tim Bailey of Ridout's Brown-Service."It was a personal statement of all the people that helped create it. It showed the love and concern that went out to her during her illness and her death."

Bailey said the family's gesture was unique, placing the quilt where there's normally a floral blanket.

"We placed a silver urn of roses directly behind the casket," he said.

An Ovarian Cancer Patient's Prayer

We're a mother, a daughter, a friend, and a wife.
We're your children, O God, for You gave us this life.
Women with cancer, we live with its fear!
Grant us peace with the killer, and draw us so near.

Great Physician, an awareness we need.
Open ears to the symptoms, we mercifully plead.
Grant us favor with those in the highest of places;
Sustain our efforts, and bestow mighty graces.

Channel our suffering, pain, and frustration
To turn up the volume throughout our great nation.
Lives are at risk; there's no time to wait.
Passions are powerful; concerns are great.

Together we join in an advocacy chorus…
No one comes against us; everyone's for us!
Each day is precious; each joy is anew.
With faith, hope, and love, the hurdles are few.

We know that these trials are only a test.
Guide us, O Lord; may we give You our best.
With thanks we acknowledge Your good, perfect plan.
Enable us, Father, we need Your strong Hand.

We are now but a whisper, so frail and so weak.
Empower us, God, as louder we seek.
Open our eyes that Your path we may see.
Bless Thou great work; begin it with me.

WRITTEN AUGUST, 2005, OCNA CONFERENCE, ATLANTA, GEORGIA, BY SARAH MOSELEY

Washington Trip Review

My friend Beth Hosmer asked me to report to the CanSurvive Support Group my experience at the National Ovarian Cancer Alliance meeting held July 10–13 in Washington. I do not come to the Group meetings because I live 6 hours away. But Beth includes me in everything your group does and I am thankful for that because there is no ovarian cancer support group in my area.

First, I am so very thankful that I did not know ahead of time that no one from Alabama would be at the Alliance meeting. If I had known I would be alone, I probably would have lost my courage and stayed at home. I would have missed one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. I had requested to go to Capitol Hill with the Alabama delegation because I am a survivor patient of the UAB Oncology Group and I am also a native of Selma, Alabama. Florida living is just temporary retirement.

Out of character for me, I decided I had no choice but to overcome my fear and insecurity and keep the prearranged appointments at the offices of Senator Shelby ,Senator Sessions, Representative Davis, and Representative Everett. This was such an empowering experience! I learned that lobbying (or begging for money) doesn’t take experience; just sheer will. I learned to have the courage to be bold and tell the Legislative Assistants what we want from the elected officials. I encourage all of this group to e-mail your representatives and ask them to support our efforts to get the necessary funds for Ovarian Cancer research and education. You can find the specific requests that we made on the Alliance website. If I can ask, so can you and your family. E-mail is best because postal letters have to go through security checks and that takes time. For your information, I have recently learned from Sheryl Silver, Johanna’s Law, that Sen. Majority Leader Reid has decided not to bring the Senate Labor Health and Human Serviced (HHS) bill to a floor vote because of the President’s threatened veto. The HHS Appropriations bill will likely be folded into a larger Omnibus Appropriations bill in the fall. We should know more in mid September. I am not certain where we are on the other requests but the staff of the officials you write should keep you posted if you request them to do so. Remember, all of this is about money and politics and it takes a lot of both to get the funds we need. Read the OCNA website and get your voice heard.

The most meaningful part of the Alliance meeting was having the pleasure of meeting about 100 joyful, friendly, exciting, and profoundly spiritual ovarian cancer survivors. While some of the women were short term survivors like me, most had been keeping their cancer under control for many years. These were the first long time survivors I had met. Just being with them and hearing their stories gave me so much hope. There is a sisterhood among these courageous women who have been getting together for 10 years and they are using their experience to share their strength with others. Many have started support groups, several have written books and articles about their journey, and some have been on the front lines in clinical trials. Wow, what a group!

I would like to add that Tiffany Denson, representing the Norma Livingston Foundation, was also at the meeting, reassuring me that I could represent Alabama well. Thanks Tiffany.

Let’s start communicating about many of us going next year. It will likely be at a different time of year which will be more pleasant than the 100 degree heat we had in July. Meanwhile, we must continue to care and support one another as we strive to get funding for a screening test for ovarian cancer, better information and education for gynecological cancers, and more research for the ultimate goal...THE CURE! Looking forward to seeing all of you in Washington in 08.

Patti McCartney, St. George Island, Fl