All posts filed under: Special Events

Weekend conferences,retreats,

Spring is here and CSN Conference is done

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After a few days of  sunny mild days, cold, rainy, cloudy days have replaced them. We need the rain as we always do especially now with trees and bushes waking from their winter slumber. I   planted these tulips last Fall. They are beauties and brighten the gloomy day. Now is time for a little break. Our CSN just completed its 6th Annual Living with and Beyond Cancer Conference. I love this conference and recall when I first attended it as a  two time cancer survivor. For me, it was a port in the storm. Now I feel privileged to be on the planning committee which becomes active in the October before the conference. The conference is a full day. It is for cancer survivors, caregivers and professionals. It is free and it includes breakfast and lunch. Our keynote speaker was Gail Rubin, author of A Good Goodbye: Funeral Planning for those Who Don’t Plan to Die. Excellent. Other topics included mind/body health, lymphedema, hospice, medical cannabis, sacredness in healing and more. Join us next year. …

Albuquerque Cancer Family Retreat

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In January of 2014 I had radiation treatment for breast cancer. Every day I would drive across town to MD Anderson Presbyterian for my treatment. As the treatment progressed, I was unable to attend my Tai Chi class. I still remember my wait time in my patient gown with fellow cancer patients with fondness. It was there I heard the personal stories of cancer and I finished my treatment with an even stronger conviction of the beauty of the human spirit. Next I had the radiation treatment for my thyroid cancer. The diet, the thyrogen shots, the radioactive swallow, the isolation, the inflamed salivary glands. Now all done. Next I signed up for The Family Retreat sponsored by the Cancer Services of New mexico. I received the application. My oncologist, Dr Bernard Agbemadzo, signed off on it. I mailed it in not expecting to be approved.  I was approved. I am in the second picture on their web home page. The Family retreat is a three-day event full of information for those with cancer and …

Conversation for NM Cancer Girls in July

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        Admitting that we  have thoughts about  death when we are diagnosed with cancer,          is both a gift for ourselves and a gift from our family. Once cancer strikes we are  at risk. For many our cancers can be cured.                                                                                                     For others, cancer hangs out in our bodies until it becomes center stage again.                             For some cancer  becomes a losing battle. When the battle is finally lost, I have seen angry women become peaceful. Not having to constantly strive, they can rest. They can start thinking about their end. They might start to plan. They are relieved they no longer have to fight. They were exhausted. Now they can relax. As our cancer …

Cancer Support Now Conference time

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I was selling raffle tickets for our chocolate gift basket♥. Guests were choosing items from the breakfast table. Others were meeting old friends; starting new friendships registration packets in hand.  Sandy♥ was on the stage ready to welcome everyone. Dr Michael Linver♥ would be arriving soon for the keynote. I stood there talking with a woman who has been recently diagnosed with breast cancer. She had the surgery a few weeks ago and would be having radiation next. Her experience had been such a whirlwind that she was still absorbing what had happened to her. She was looking for answers. And she wanted to feel that she was not the only one. She was tentative. But she was here. She was me one year ago. One year ago I had completed breast cancer radiation three months before  and thyroid cancer radiation one month before. The conference was new to me. It was a port in the storm.  Kind faces not in scrubs. Welcoming. Informative. A chance to speak out. A chance to hear and be heard. I was …

Cancer Support Now

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Go to the Cancer Support Now website and check the Spring Conference and a wonderful local cancer support organization right here in ABQ.                      http://cancersupportnow.org/  Announcing  Fourth  Annual Long Term Effects of Cancer Survivorship Conference March 28, 2015   8:30 am to 4:30 pm at Central United Methodist Church   in Albuquerque The Conference includes 4 breakout sessions  held twice, morning & afternoon 1. Fatigue/Sleep Issues 2. Lymphedema 3. Creative Movement/Visual Art an interactive, experiential session 4. End of Life Planning and Support Keynote sessions: The Morning  keynote speaker is  Michael N. Linver, MD, FACR. Dr. Linver is a busy lecturer on mammography, having presented over 900 talks throughout the United States and in over 20 countries around the world. The Lunch keynote session is a panel of experts on rehabilitation topics of concern to post-treatment survivors and their caregivers. Location: Central United Methodist Church, 201 University Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 1 block north of Central For more information call 505.307.3414 ore-mail ptorn@comcast.net Registration is required & opens mid-February  

Bring out the best you through exercise workshop

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Recovering from cancer,  Addressing  the issues Presbyterian Kaseman Hospital  >>open to all cancer patients>>Wednesdays 1-3>>                        call  505-559-8761 to join group or come to an individual class. FREE and Supportive +++good for any level of ability 10-1-14                                                                                                                                          Lymphedema discussion                                                                                                                      …

Spring 2014 Family Cancer Retreat

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Cancer Services of New Mexico’s Spring 2014 Family Cancer Retreat  starts tomorrow May 2,  2014.  It is a weekend all expense paid retreat at the Pyramid, a popular hotel in Albuquerque. It is for cancer survivors, their caregivers, i.e. family. There are presentations on every aspect of cancer, for example:  Patient and Family Communications in Serious Illness, New Developments in Cancer Treatment,  Talking with Kids about Cancer.  There is a creative expressions workshop, Yoga for Happiness and Healing. A wide range of activity.  One on one counseling sessions. Too late to sign up for this one. There will be another in the Fall. You will need to send in an application. Your oncologist (or your doc managing your care) will need to send in a form. Cancer Services of New Mexico                                                                                                                   P O Box 51735, Albuquerque NM 87181-1735                                                                                        Phone:   505-259-9583                Email:    info@cancerservicesNM.org                                  Website:   http://www.cancerservicesNM.org The New Mexico Department of Health  and United Way of Central New Mexico are also sponsors.