Cancer Knowledge Network

by Dee Sparacio

In 2015, I wrote an article for Cancer Knowledge Network about the founding of the #gyncsm Community in 2013. (https://cancerkn.com/a-twitter-community-for-those-impacted-by-gynecologic-cancer-is-born-and-grows/). #Gyncsm is a Twitter community for those impacted by gynecologic cancers – gynecologic cancer survivors, patient advocates, caregivers, researchers and health care providers. As we look forward to 2018, the community continues to grow and find ways to collaborate.

When we founded the #gyncsm community in 2013, Christina Lizaso (@btrfly12) and I (@womenofteal) were pleased to have Rick Boulay, MD (@journeycancer), Don Dizon, MD (@drdonsdizon),  MJ Markham, MD (@DrMarkham ), Matthew Katz,  MD, (@subatomicdoc) and Dr. Ann Becker-Schutte (@DrBeckerSchutte) join us in this endeavor. Due to other professional commitments, Dr. Dizon left his role as a monthly chat moderator in 2015 but along with Tamika Felder, OCRFA, SGO and Foundation for Women’s Cancer he continues to provide support to our community. We were pleased to have Shannon Westin, MD (@ShannonWestin) join us as our new monthly chat moderator in December of 2015.

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by Emily Ward, Living with Cancer

Depression and cancer are similar in many ways: both make you feel like s**t, can last for extended periods of time, and affect loved ones as well as yourself. The difference between them for me is that one made me want to die while the other made me fight for my life.

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by Justin Birckbichler

I was diagnosed with Stage IIB Nonseminoma Testicular cancer in November 2016, at the ripe old age of 25. Along with surgery and chemo, I encountered the burden of the emotional journey that a cancer diagnosis includes.

Much to my wife’s chagrin, I’ve never been one to talk about my emotions. Blame it on society, my own stubbornness, or whatever other factor you want to point fingers at, but when it comes to my feelings, you’re not going to get much from me beyond “I’m fine.”

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Together with Sharon Bray – teacher and author of two books on writing and health – CKN welcomes you to our new Writing Series where Sharon helps readers tap into the healing power of writing during difficult times.  As Sharon puts it, “Your stories matter. You are your stories. Our stories shape us and act as the lens through which we see the world. It’s through story that we make sense of our lives, reclaim our voices, and learn our words can touch others’ hearts.”  Follow along with this bi-monthly series with Sharon and please send us your stories….they matter to us.

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The MATCH Study: Mindfulness And Tai chi for Cancer Health. This innovative clinical trial conducted by the University of Calgary/Tom Baker Cancer Centre and the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre is now recruiting cancer survivors! As a participant you get to choose which treatment approach you want, or let us assign you to a group if you are equally interested in both. We will measure program effects on psychological, physical and biological outcomes including quality of life, mood, stress, balance, blood pressure, heart rate, immune function and more! Visit www.thematchstudy.ca for more details.

by Maryam Qureshi

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Together with Young Adult Cancer Advocate Extraordinaire, Pat Taylor, we wanted to publish a new series this November to help raise awareness about Testicular Cancer.  Our goal was to educate testicular cancer patients, survivors and caregivers about the post-treatment quality of life issues that may arise, of which many men might not be aware.  If there is a stigma around this issue, we want to open it up and shed some light on it!!

We thank all the writers who took the time to write about their personal stories for the greater good – not an easy task!!

Please send us your comments and we’ll be sure to pass them along to the writers.

Table of Contents:

An Interview with Scott Slater by Pat Taylor

Oh Testicular Cancer, How I Hate Thee  by Dan Duffy

An Interview with Connor O’Leary by Pat Taylor

Where’s the Light?  by Nick O’Hara Smith

The Perfect Storm by Mike Craycraft

Cancer Survivorship – The Fight After the Fight and All of its Firsts  by Steve Pake

A Caregiver’s Perspective  by Jenna Jackson

A Ballsy Sense of Tumor  by Justin Birckbichler