The Teal Report is published bi-monthly. If you would like to suggest an idea for a story, share information about upcoming events or make a suggestion, contact Marketing Chair, Amanda Miller at amiller@ocao.org.
Letter from the President
As we prepare for tomorrow's annual OCAO Board Meeting where we discuss what we have accomplished during the year, our goals for the coming year and elect new board members, I can't help but look back on 2011 and smile. This has been a very successful year for the OCAO.
We began 2011 with a number of health fairs at local churches, community organizations and corporations through central Ohio. These events will continue throughout the rest of 2011 and by year's end, the Education Committee will have handed out information on ovarian cancer to over 5,000 women and men in Columbus and surrounding communities.
Health Fairs are one way to get information about ovarian cancer into the public's hands. Members of the OCAO also go to various events, activities and meetings to speak about the disease's symptoms, factors that can increase a woman's risk of developing the disease and how they can get involved with our organization. This year we spoke to Ohio Jobs and Family Services, employees of the JCPenney Distribution Center, Soroptimist International, the Veteran's Administration, several dental and optometrist offices, Columbia Gas and the Columbus Chamber of Commerce.
Our meeting with the Veteran's Administration has lead to the distribution of symptom cards within their events at on their mobile centers reaching women combat vets throughout the state.
WCMH Reporter Monica Day continues to help us raise awareness and funds to support our mission through events with Saks Fifth Avenue and Cameron Mitchell Restaurants. To date these relationships have put ovarian cancer in the public eye in ways that we have not been able to do until now.
Our involvement with 20 Outstanding Women led to opportunities to speak publicly as well as run ads on all 4 of Columbus Radio's Stations for the Gala and the 5K. This also provided opportunities to provide information on symptoms and speak with radio announcers on our organization.
This year's Gala and Strides for Hope were both record breaking successes. Attendance was increased significantly at both events and over $130,000 was raised to further the OCAO's mission.
Our social media campaigns have been standout successes. Marketing studies show women 50 and over are the fastest growing population on Facebook. Our page has grown to a distribution of over 1390 and our fastest growing segment is women ages 25 to 55. It has also provided us with an opportunity to meet and network with survivors and family members who may not have known we existed otherwise. We now have a station on Youtube and we have entered the world of Twitter and are garnering a number of followers and "retweets".
Events such as "Turn Huntington Park Teal", the OCAO Wine Social, the Survivor "Make Under Party" and Survivor Day at the Zoo have attracted media attention for awareness and provided opportunities for survivors and family members to meet one another and realize that they do not have to walk this road alone.
We were also able to provide scholarships to survivors to attend OCNA's national conference in Washington DC. This conference provides networking opportunities as well as access to the latest information on research being done in areas of early diagnosis, treatment and coping.
The internship program has provided opportunities for young women and men to help us achieve our yearly goals. It is an opportunity for us to give back to the community by helping others but it is also an opportunity to raise awareness and educate. Studies show that 95% of women receive health information from friends and family. By educating the interns supporting us, they are providing vital information about ovarian cancer to their mothers, aunts, grandmothers, sisters, nieces, cousins and friends. It has also increased our volunteer ranks. Many of these individuals go on to graduate and join our organization full time. Their new business ties have led to donations for survivor goody bags at the walk, free printing and sponsorships.
I could on but suffice it to say, this has been a banner year for the OCAO and it is because of our volunteers and sponsors. We thank you for your continued support and hope to see you at all of our future events.
-Chris Gillespie
Photo courtesy of Dasha Daniels
"I Was So Lost That Day" - Helen Johnson
No two women have exactly the same story when it comes to a diagnosis of ovarian cancer, except for the feelings of complete shock. When Helen Johnson sat down to tell her story with a group of survivors last fall, it was the first time she had spoken to anyone outside her family about her diagnosis, the ensuing treatment and her continued journey. Some of this shock that is so commonly felt still showed on her face, but it did nothing to diminish her engaging smile or beautiful face. She was happy to meet other survivors, to hear their stories and to share hers as well.
Helen had been enjoying a life that many of us look forward to after retirement. She and her husband of 42 years, Rodger, had raised five children, 3 girls and 2 boys. They had 11 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren to spoil. And they were doing the things they enjoyed, antiquing and traveling. Illness, let alone a diagnosis of cancer, was not something that was on her mind. And yet, on April 17, 2009, that was exactly what she was given.
During a routine exam, Helen's doctor found a mass. She thought it was just a fluke, some extra fluid that Helen might be carrying. But she ran tests anyway. The results of the ultrasound, CAT scan, blood tests and biopsy indicated this was definitely not a fluke. Something was wrong. Her doctor called her at home and just said, "You have ovarian cancer." Initially she wasn't certain what the next steps should be so as Helen spent the day lost - as was her husband - her doctor consulted with others to come up with a plan. Eventually Helen was referred to a gynecological oncologist for surgery.
Surgery was scheduled for May 14th, her daughter and husband were there with her to provide support. Another daughter living in Texas with her husband, who is stationed there for military duty, came to stay with her during her recovery. The other children who lived here also helped out with yard work and cooking meals. "They were an amazing support," she says. Helen's hospital stay and post-op experience was not ideal, "my surgery lasted a long time, about six hours, and they did a radical reduction of the tumor. They couldn't do a full hysterectomy because the tumor had grown into my colon." Unhappy with her experience during initial diagnosis and surgical recovery, Helen's daughters did some research and made an appointment for her with Dr. David Cohn. She has been with him since then.
Helen's husband, who she met while working in a dental office where he was a patient, and the rest of her family continue to be her greatest support. The couple stays busy as members of the Duncan-Miller Glass Society and traveling to the mountains of Scenery Hill near Washington, PA, where her husband grew up. They enjoy the peace and calm the serenity of the mountains can bring. And of course there is the grandchildren!
Helen also enjoys gardening, starting all of her plants from seed. She makes her own pesto which they eat throughout the summer from the herbs she grows and she even makes potpourri from her homegrown flowers and herbs.
When her treatment was over and she felt ready to do something, Helen went back to an article about the OCAO that her daughter had found and saved for her. She made contact thinking there wouldn't be anyone involved who was living with or who had survived the disease. There was quite a surprise for her when she attended her first event. "I've met wonderful survivors! 25 years out, 10 years out and 5 years out. There ARE survivors and there is a lot of hope!"
Her recent involvement has also shown her that there is a place for her and for others within this band of survivors, family members and friends. "I feel better and I can hear the stories of other survivors. When you leave treatment, there has to be more out there. You don't know what the future holds. At the OCAO you know you have someone to call. After you're done with your treatment you don't want to bother your doctor's office."
When asked towards the end of her interview what she wanted others to know, she replied, "I want all women to know the symptoms and know them well. When you visit your doctor and have any suspicion ever, ask for testing...Know yourself."
-by Amanda Miller
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OCAO Annual Meeting
The OCAO will hold its annual meeting on Monday, October 10th at 6:45 PM. This meeting will allow the OCAO Board of directors to present a recap of our work in 2011. We will share our successes, lessons learned and some information on plans for 2012. Full planning for 2012 will occur at the OCAO's annual Planning Session in November.
In addition to providing a recap, annual elections will be held to select members to the Board of Directors. The OCAO Board is able to staff 19 members. We currently have 10. Five current members will be running for re-election along with 5 new members interested in serving on the Board. Terms are 2 years. Executive positions are selected during the Board of Director meeting on October 15th.
Each individual running for the Board must be a member of the OCAO. Candidates must have been a member at least 30 days prior to the election. OCAO members in good standing can select candidates through a vote. Members must have a membership form on file.
Crockpot Beef Stroganoff
Fall means cool evenings and the need for comfort foods. This delicious recipe can be started before work and ready by the time you get home.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs. beef top round steak, trimmed of fat and sliced into thin strips
- 1/2 lb. fresh mushrooms, sliced
- 1 bunch of scallions, chopped
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 1/4 tsp. dried thyme leaves
- 3/4 c. dry sherry
- 3/4 c. canned beef broth (reduced sodium)
- 3/4 tsp. dry mustard
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. pepper
- 1 and 1/2 c. sour cream
- 1/2 c. flour
Directions:
Cut the beef into thin slices. Place in a 3 1/2 quart or 4 quart slow cooker. Add the mushrooms, scallions, onion, thyme, sherry, broth, dry mustard, garlic and pepper. Mix well.
Cover and cook on the low heat setting for about 8 hours or until the beef is tender, stirring once during cooking if possible. Increase the heat setting to high after 8 hours of cooking.
Mix together the sour cream and flour, then stir into the slow cooker, mixing well. Cover and cook on high for 30 to 40 minutes or until slightly thickened. Serve over cooked egg noodles or rice. Makes 6 servings.
From "
The Best Slow Cooker Cookbook Ever" by Natalie Haughton
-Amanda Miller
Book Review
Most book clubs tend to stick to material written for adults but every once in awhile there are books written for adolescents and teens that spark enough interest to weave their way into adult book circles. This is one of them.
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The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins
The Hunger Games is the first book the Suzanne Collins trilogy of the same name. Set in the United States, now called Panem, the story revolves around Katniss and Peeta in a world that has seemingly progressed but also regressed. Panem is divided into 12 Districts. Each is responsible for contributing a valuable commodity to the Capitol, the seat of power. Some Districts contribute agriculturally, some through natural resources and others through livestock. Whatever they contribute it virtually all goes to the Capitol. Those doing the work are generally poor and work hard to survive day to day.
But these commodities are the least of their contributions. Each year the Capitol sponsors The Hunger Games. The games are televised across Panem, much like our Olympic Games. But that is where the similarities end. each of the 12 Districts provide a tribute. A boy and a girl between the ages of 12 and 18. The tributes spend a short time training and trying to gather sponsors to support them. There is pageantry, great food and televised interviews. Then they are thrown into the Arena where they are forced to battle to the death. The last tribute standing is declared the winner and returned to their District to lead a life of leisure.
Katniss and Peeta have been selected to represent District 12. Katniss volunteers after her 12 year old sister is selected. Peeta is a boy she has known all her life. The two are now forced to enter an arena much like that of the ancient gladiators of Rome. Except these games are televised and the entire nation watches. Much like the reality TV tabloids that are current fodder.
The story is captivating and it does raise questions. Could our society, one that is so obsessed with drama and reality TV, become the next Panem in the future? Definitely something to ponder and also a worthwhile read. Don't feel like reading? You can always wait til the movie comes out in March!
-Chris Gillespie
"Every Day I Learn Something" - Nicole Waltermyer
This month we continue profiling the men and women who so lovingly care for the women who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer by spotlighting RN Nicole Waltermyer of OhioHealth this month. Nicole is an extremely warm and caring individual. She has a ready laugh and it is easy to see why so many of her patients feel comfortable with her and consider her part of their family.
Photo courtesy of Liz Porter
Nicole started her journey towards a career in nursing by first receiving a bachelor's degree in Psychology from the Ohio State University and then receiving her bachelor's in Nursing from Columbus State Community College. Nicole joined OhioHealth in 2001.
We asked Nicole what made her decide to go into nursing, specifically focusing on oncology. Without any hesitation, she said it was important that her patients knew there were choices regardless of their diagnosis. She wanted them to understand there were multiple options and there wasn't only one path to follow on their journey. It was also important to remind them, "their disease does not define them, what they do outside of treatment is more important." It was apparent to all of us that she didn't want the women she treated to forget who they were and that while cancer might change their perspective, it most certainly didn't change who they were at their core.
During our conversations, we asked her what her patients had taught her, Nicole said, "Every day I learn something new, even if it is just about a new book they are reading." She also said she has learned that there is amazing strength in each of her patients as well as within their families.
Dealing with so many wonderful women, it is often hard to pull any one memory. One that really stands out. It is generally harder for each of the nurses we interview to narrow down one event that stands out for them with each patient because there are so many. But every so often, something hits you hard. Nicole was able to share one such story with us. She spoke of one of her patients who was going into hospice. She had fought a hard battle and the two of them were sitting together holding hands alone in her hospital room, just talking. Her patient brought up her children and talked about how much she loved them. And then she said, "I think they are gonna be okay." One breath and all of the pain she was in at that moment went away because she knew her kids were going to be okay. Then the two of them just cried. "That woman was an amazing person."
There are good days and bad days with any job. But the ones with a cancer patient make a huge impact on the nurses who spend so much time with them. When asked what the best thing about her job was, Nicole said it was when she received a smile from a patient who is undergoing a particularly rough treatment. Just knowing she was able to make them smile is enough. The worst thing is when she can't alleviate their physical, emotional or spiritual pain.
Outside of work, Nicole is a mom to two children, ages 10 and 8. She enjoys "getting involved in their crazy world." She also gets them involved in her world by bringing them to participate in the OCAO's annual Strides for Hope 5K. She says they love wearing their awareness bracelets at each event.
One of the last things we asked Nicole was what she wanted the public to know about ovarian cancer. She said it was very important to be checked if you think something isn't right. She also said that women need to know that if they do ever face a diagnosis of ovarian cancer that there are choices. "Find an advocate that can help you with those choices!"
-by Chris Gillespie
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