Together we Live with Cancer!

Transcription

MATTHEWS
ONCOLOGY
ASSOCIATES
Together we
Live with
Cancer!
SHEBOYGAN
CANCER & BLOOD
SPECIALISTS
TLC is a “Supportive Community" that provides cancer survivors, their families, friends
and caregivers with health and wellness opportunities for the body, mind, heart and spirit.
Summer/Fall, 2010 (Volume 10, Issue 3)
“Ultimately, man should not ask what the meaning of his life
is, but rather he must recognize that it is he who is asked.”
– Viktor Frankl
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
GOOD OLD COMMON CENTS:
The Significance of the
Insignificant Little Cent
THE WORLD ACCORDING TO TIM:
2
The Surprising World of Art
By Tim E. Renzelmann
SURVIVING & THRIVING:
SURVIVOR SPOTLIGHTS:
Mary Rohde
Poems from the
2010 NCSD Celebration!
4
Breast Cancer Survivor
Joe Wield
4
By Kris Krumenauer
Chemo the Elephant
HOPE HAPPENINGS:
By Dr. Jeff Corrigan
9
STUFF FROM THE STAFF:
By Mary Matthias
Three Wishes!
BONUS SURVIVOR SPOTLIGHT:
Jeff Corrigan, MD
14
Arriving Home
Cancer Survivor
The Big Red Truck
13
14
From the MOA/SCBS Staff
6
HOLISTIC HEALING:
Testicular Cancer Survivor
Ya Gotta Try Yoga!
15
WHAT’S HAPPENING? The best way to stay informed and up-to-date of what is happening in the local cancer
community is to get on the TLC Supportive Community e-mail list to receive regular updates on events and
activities of the TLC Supportive Community, The Sheboygan County Cancer Care Fund and other local cancerrelated events and activities. To be added to the list, e-mail: [email protected].
H. Marshall Matthews, M.D.
Oncology/Hematology
920-458-7433
1621 N Taylor Drive, Suite 100
Sheboygan,1WI 53081
www.moa-scbs.com
S. Mark Bettag, M.D.
Oncology/Hematology
920-452-1650
GOOD OLD COMMON CENTS:
Supportive Community who has since moved out
of state in which she wrote, “Tim, I saw the
attached in a magazine and thought of you. I
always and still enjoy the TLC newsletter. Thanks
for keeping me on your mailing list.” Jill included
an article that listed “7 New Uses of for the
Penny.” Among these uses were: curtain
straightener, tread checker, table anchor, game
token, makeshift screwdriver, icebreaker, and
birdbath cleaner. Her letter piqued my curiosity
and caused me to send an e-mail to some of our
readers asking for the different ways they use
pennies. This is some of what I received:
The Significance of the
Insignificant Little Cent!
As I sit down in front of my
computer to ponder a topic for
this column I notice a lonely penny on my desk.
As I think about it I realize it has been there for
several weeks. I’m not sure where it came from
or how it got there. Perhaps someone who knows
of my fondness for the penny left it as a token
(which often happens). Perhaps it unknowingly
spilled out of one of the many Sheboygan County
Cancer Care Fund “Coins for Cancer Care” coin
boxes that come across my desk (which is where
it will end up at the end of the day).
“It’s only a penny!” some may say. Indeed.
This one lonely little penny seems quite
insignificant today and is considered by many to
be worthless in our current economy. According
to a Consumer Price Index calculation, a roll of
fifty cents in 1797 (the first year the cent was
minted) would be worth about the same as a roll
of quarters today. There was a time when a
penny was actually considered useful. In 1873 it
cost one cent to mail a postcard. In my childhood
days there really was such a thing as “penny
candy” and penny gumball machines. Those
days are gone!
This single cent is but one of almost 500
billion (yes, “billion” with a “b”) U.S. Cents that
have been minted over the past 213 years. It is
only one of an estimated 15 billion cents currently
in circulation. So of what use is this meager little
one cent piece? And, more importantly, of what
use am I? You see, there have been times in my
own life when because of cancer (or life in
general) I have felt very much like that penny…
insignificant and worthless! After all, I am but one
of an estimated 7 billion people living on this earth
today and one of about 95 to 125 billion humans
who have walked this earth (estimating the
entirety of human population is a bit complicated
as it includes some unknowns such as exactly
when the first human evolved (or was created if
that is your belief) and what the average size of
the human population has been at different
periods in time).
How can a single penny (just 1 in 500 billion)
or a single life (just 1 in 100 billion or more) be
significant?
Earlier this year I received a letter from Jill, a
cancer survivor and past participant in the TLC
o
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Barb B. - “I use pennies by saving them for a
future vacation.”
Sherry S. - “Bending to pick up a penny helps
the waistline.”
Rose M. - “I consider the penny to be a
reminder of how important the “little things” in life
can be.”
Lois M. - “Tape a penny on the back of a framed
picture that just won’t hang straight.”
Bob S. - “I save them in my “Coins for Cancer
Care” box and donate them to The Sheboygan
County Cancer Care Fund.”
Janet S. - “According to superstition, put a
penny in the door frame of a new house for good
fortune. Doesn't hurt to do that one.”
Pat S. - “Use in a penny press machine for a
souvenir of places you have visited.
Carol W. - “I have two suggestions 1) An
organization called Pennies for Peace
(www.penniesforpeace.org) and 2) Central Asia
Institute (www.ikat.org or [email protected])
where one penny will purchase one pencil.
Mary S. - Throw them in a fountain (the Trevi
Fountain, Rome, is my favorite). Give them to
children in foreign countries (they love them!).
Use to scratch off lottery tickets. Donate them
(my favorite: to the SCCCF when I’m checking
out at Culver’s).
Patti V.: When I look at a penny, I recall Mom’s
words: “You are like a penny. E pluribus Unum;
you are one among many.” When growing up in
a family of ten children, there were times when I
would ask Mom why we couldn’t do or have
some things. Mom politely replied: “E pluribus
Unum; you are one among many.”
The penny may no longer have the purchase
power it did in 1797 but it sure seems to me that
even a solitary penny is pretty significant and
valuable even today… if we choose to make it so!
Some might suggest that one, some or all of
these uses for the meager cent are trivial or quite
insignificant and they would have every right to
choose to believe that. As I see it, none of these
2
uses has any value other than the value we
choose to put on it. And so it is with life…
absolutely nothing in life (including life itself) has
any real value except the value we choose to put
on it. It is not a question of whether or not our
lives are significant or of value… Instead, it is a
question of what significance or value do we
choose to assign to that life.
When considering the significance, value or
meaning of life many turn to religion and
spirituality for answers to the “big questions” and
for a look at the “big picture.” That can be useful.
But, just like those pennies, we can also find the
significance, value and meaning of life amidst the
simpler, smaller, more insignificant events. We
can find significance in the insignificant!
As many of you know, I have recently
developed a passion for kayaking. Earlier this
summer I took my boat (a Perception Essence 17foot sea kayak) out to Terre Andre to paddle
along the Lake Michigan shoreline. The beach
was crowded with children and adults laughing
and screaming and playing in the water as they
were enjoying themselves on a hot and sunny
summer afternoon. I have spent many hours in
my boat on Lake Michigan and on this occasion
the water was as calm and flat as I have ever
seen. So, instead of paddling close to shore as I
normally do, the calmness of the water prompted
me to turn the boat away from shore and paddle
due east. Gradually, all of the sounds of the noisy
beach and of everyday life began to dissipate.
Soon all I could hear was the rhythmic “splishsplish” of my paddle stroke and the occasional
gull overhead. After almost thirty minutes I
stopped paddling. At this point I was about two
miles off shore. Looking shoreward all I could see
was a thin line of green from the trees that dotted
the shoreline. I was, alone on the vastness of this
immense lake… feeling quite insignificant.
I grabbed my cell phone and tried calling Shel
(my wife). I was curious if there was coverage
this far out on the lake, but I also think there was
a part of me that just needed to know I was still
connected to someone somewhere. She didn’t
answer and my call went to voice-mail. I realized
I was alone… in fact; I had probably NEVER been
more alone than this as there wasn’t a single
human being within a good two-mile radius of me
and my boat!
I have reflected on that moment many times
since. In that moment; a moment when I was
very much disconnected from my life and the
world, a moment when there was absolutely
nothing of significance or value going on in my
life, a moment when I had no one to turn to and
no one to answer to, a moment that “in the big
picture” was quite insignificant… I felt as alive as I
have ever felt and a felt an incredible CENTS of
significance! I realized that even when I am
totally alone… I still am!!!
It seems to me that much of the “stuff” that
we bring into our lives to add significance or
value; even our families, our health, our jobs, our
community, and our beliefs; can all come and go.
Perhaps, when we strip away all of that “stuff” (or
when all of that stuff is stripped from us) it may be
the significance and the value and the meaning
that remains that is, in some ways, the most
significant of all! Perhaps we can find a CENTS
of great “significance” with the experience of total
“insignificance.”
What significance do you find in the
insignificant parts of your life?
As Always, Tim
P.S. – I can’t end without sharing what was
perhaps my favorite use for the penny that came
from our readers:
Bernice H. - “I have five grandchildren and for
each I have a Christmas ornament (a small
knitted sock embroidered with their name) in
which I place a penny for every year since they
were born. My oldest grandchild will be 32 on
December 17th so there will be 32 pennies in her
sock on the Christmas tree this year. I hope I can
find five 2010 pennies!”
I happen to have several rolls of uncirculated
2010 pennies so I sent five of them to Bernice and
she replied: “Thanks so much for the pennies!!! It
will save me a lot of time going through my
change with a magnifying glass. I really
appreciate you giving from your own source. God
Bless!”
But before any of you put that magnifying
glass away, consider in April of 2006, Scott
Travers (an avid coin collector and author of
several numismatic books) released three
extremely rare and valuable pennies into
circulation (a 1909-S V.D.B. Lincoln Cent worth
about $1,000, a 1914-D Lincoln Cent worth about
$300, and a 1908-S Indian Cent worth about
$250). To date no one has come forth to claim
they have found any of them! So it might be wise
to pay attention to those pennies!!!
And, just for laughs, the funniest use for the
penny that I came across (on the Internet) was,
“Put them in the freezer and dropped them down
the shirts of unsuspecting friends!” 
3
SURVIVOR SPOTLIGHTS:
Mary Rohde
Joe Wield
Breast Cancer
Rectal Cancer
Diagnosed: October, 2009
Diagnosed: December, 2001
Note from Tim: I had opportunities to observe
Mary as she progressed through her treatment
and I was amazed at how calmly she faced her
experience. I was curious what it was that gave
her the strength and courage she needed. But,
as usual, I realized it wasn’t one thing… but a
combination of things: being a practicing nurse
with many years of experience helped as did her
wonderful outlook and attitude, some strong
relationships in her life, an ability to laugh and
smile through adversity, being open to new
lessons and new experiences, and being on a
good spiritual path.
Note from Tim: I have known Joe since he first
came to the clinic almost ten years ago and yet,
in the hour I spent interviewing him and his wife
Barb, I not only learned more about Joe’s life but I
learned more about life from Joe (and from Barb).
And I laughed!!! Despite all that Joe has
experienced over the years he has maintained a
wonderful sense of humor! Thanks, Joe, for
sharing your story and your sense of humor with
all of us!!!
___________________________________________
ALMOST TEN YEARS AGO!
Joe: I was diagnosed back in 2001. I was
going to the bathroom one day and I started
bleeding so I checked with the doctor who quickly
scheduled a colonoscopy. My dad had it and my
uncle had it so I figured it was in the family. But
even though I sort of suspected it, it hit me pretty
hard. My first thought was how long do I have to
live? My dad and my uncle chose not to be
treated and only lived a matter of months but I felt
I just had to at least try! There’s always a
chance… and there’s always hope.
Barb: When Joe was first diagnosed every
thought ran through my head at first. What’s
going to happen? What are we going to do?
What’s going to happen to Joe? What would I do
without him? I still remember the first time we
met with Dr. Matthews and he told us we might
have to learn to take it a day at a time… enjoy
today… and if you have tomorrow… enjoy
tomorrow. We’ve gotten better at that over the
years!
Joe: I was always pretty healthy up until I
was diagnosed. I worked at Tecumseh for 40
years. I started right out of high school and
worked most of the time in die cast. That was a
very physical job. Then I was in maintenance.
Then in 1990 I had my hip replaced and I moved
into a janitorial job. I stayed in that job until a few
years after my diagnosis when the company was
shutting down so I thought it was a good time to
leave.
___________________________________________
HOW IT STARTED
Late last summer (2009) I had felt a lump.
My sister had a history of cysts and I thought that
was probably what it was and I was just too busy
so I never took the time to get it looked at. But
my husband and I were about to put some money
down on a vacation that was going to happen in
late January but before we did, I decided to get it
checked out. That was how it started.
I made an appointment, saw the doctor, had
an exam, did a mammogram, then an ultrasound
and finally a biopsy. It all went pretty quick once I
got started. I probably should have acted a little
sooner, and I am honest about that because it is
my hope that someone else in a similar situation
will act a little quicker.
Initially, I had a mastectomy with a lymph
node dissection. After I healed and got my okay I
started chemotherapy about four weeks later. In
between I was keeping up with my appointments
with Dr. Bettag, Cory and my surgeon. Typically,
I can be somewhat of a procrastinator. But that
wasn’t the case with my cancer. This was the
one time in my life that I really wanted to get on
with things. I figured if I did the things that I had
to do promptly I could get through it all in the
shortest possible time. I just wanted to be done
with it and have it over with.
Continued on page 5
Continued on page 7
4
SURVIVOR SPOTLIGHT:
Mary Rohde
wore a hat and at work I always wore my wig. I
found a very nice wig that I felt comfortable with…
except during the hot flashes! There were times I
just wanted to take that wig off and throw it out the
window… but I knew I couldn’t. For me hats were
so much more comfortable so when I got home
from work the first thing I did was take my wig off
and put a hat on. I have grandchildren ages 3
and 5 and I didn’t try to hide anything from them
so they knew that I didn’t have any hair, although
they really didn’t understand why. But I would ask
them, “Okay guys, the hat or the hair?” They
would always say, “Oh, wear the hair gramma!”
But I would say, “Nope, I’m wearing the hat!” 
The people I work with all knew what was
going on but I’m not sure how many of our
patients knew. There were a few people who
said, “I really like your hair!” and I would tell them
that I was actually wearing a wig. If they asked
me more I would tell them but when I was working
with patients I didn’t want the focus to be on me…
it was about them.
Once your hair starts growing back you start
asking yourself, “Is my hair long enough to go out
without my wig or without a hat?” I was on
vacation for about three weeks and just started
going out without the wig while I was on vacation
where people didn’t know me so when I got back
and went to work I went without my wig. It was
pretty short but it felt like the right time to do it.
But that can be a big “coming out” for folks.
I think now when I see people, especially
women, with really short hair that appears to be
growing out or if I see someone with a wig I feel I
want to say something to them. I want to ask
them, “How are you doing?” or “How’s it going for
you?” You almost feel like you’re in a special little
club with others. I haven’t done that yet… but
who knows?
Truthfully, I actually started feeling better
when my hair started coming back. That was a
big breakthrough for me! It was like, “Well, they
really weren’t kidding, my hair really is going to
grow back!”  I just started feeling like myself
again and when I looked in the mirror I started
looking like myself again.
Continued from page 4
___________________________________________
A NURSE & A PATIENT
I graduated from Nursing School in 1977 and
worked in the recovery room at St. Nicholas
Hospital for many years. Now I am a nurse at
The Sheboygan Surgery Center. My nursing
experience, I think, really helped me along the
way. Once I had the ultrasound and saw the
screen I was pretty sure it wasn’t a cyst so I guess
I was somewhat prepared to hear the diagnosis. I
also had a better understanding of what the steps
would be, I understood much of the language, and
I understood what the doctors and nurses were
looking for and why they were doing what they
were doing. I never felt that I was treated any
differently because I was a nurse. I have been in
other situations where certain assumptions were
made about what I knew because of my nursing
experience but everyone was very thorough when
explaining things to me and I really appreciated
that. Cancer is such a specialty and even though
I knew what I knew… it’s all very different when
you are the one going through it. I also think my
background made it easier to communicate with
the doctors and nurses.
As I went through treatment I felt that my
treatment was adjusted according to what I said
my experiences were. Dr. Bettag tried a lot of
different things to make each session a little better
and, as a result, each round was a little better
than the one before.
CHEMO BRAIN (or THAT VAGUE FEELING OF
NOT BEING YOURSELF)
After each round of chemo it felt like my brain
was only half there. It took me about three or four
days to gradually get through that but I still didn’t
feel like myself; I felt like I was someone else. I
would say that was probably the worst of the side
effects… I don’t know if I should call it “chemo
brain.” It was this vague feeling of just not being
myself, not feeling like me. It took a while to get
through that. Looking back now I realize that
there were times my thinking was sluggish and
just off a bit. I don’t know if that was the chemo,
or the illness, or the stress, or just being
overwhelmed by so much.
THE ROAD TO RECOVERY
I really tried to stay active and continue
walking. I also took part in the gentle yoga class
that was offered and felt really good about that. I
loved the yoga class! And I loved the people in
the yoga class! It was good for me physically but
I also felt a kind of connection with all of the other
cancer survivors and that was good for me as
well.
THOUGHTS ABOUT HAIR (OR LACK
THEREOF)
It was winter when I was going through
chemo so when I was out and about I always
5
CARRYING ON THE BEST I CAN
Now I see the doctor every three months. My
most recent visit was good and my appetite is
good!  And I feel like I’m back on track again. I
almost feel like nothing happens and when I look
back it is hard to believe how much happened in
such a short time. I don’t think I’m living in fear of
recurrence. I don’t go to sleep at night thinking,
“What if it comes back? What if it comes back?” I
really don’t worry about that and I don’t feel I need
to worry about that. I just want to live my life,
enjoy my grandchildren and my husband and my
family and just carry on the best that I can.
I was getting in shape again but I came up
with a knee injury that set me back. It was so
frustrating because I felt like I was on my way
back. After treatment ends you just want to be
normal and you just want things to get back to
normal. That was kind of like the proverbial straw
and it was that one little thing that just kind of put
me over the edge and I probably got more
depressed about that than anything else. It
wasn’t a big deal but the timing was not good. I
also read that it is not uncommon that there can
be a kind of sadness or depression or a feeling of
being defeated sometime after treatment is
completed.
MORE THAN A CLICHÉ
I know that kind of sounds like a cliché but,
gosh, when things like this happen you really do
begin to appreciate the important stuff. I think I
appreciate my friends, my family, and the people
that were there for me more. And hopefully I can
be a friend to someone else sometime. And I’ve
gained a greater appreciation for every day that
you feel good. When you’re feeling good all of the
time you really don’t know what a blessing that is.
Now I really appreciate it more when I wake up
and I feel good. And this experience has all
helped me to realize that there are things you
can’t control anyway, so maybe it’s made me a
little less of a worrier.
BECOMING A BETTER NURSE
I don’t know if any nurse can go through
something like this and not become a better
nurse. Just being on the receiving end of nursing
care is an experience that has been helpful.
Before this, I’ve really never had any medical
conditions that have required significant care. I’ve
never even had surgery before. Something as
simple as the fear of the unknown when going
under anesthesia is something I learned from and
something that has made me more empathetic.
Dealing with a wound drain gave me a whole new
understanding of that experience. I used to
consider that a small thing but I learned how
difficult it can be.
IT’S NOT THE END… IT’S A NEW BEGINNING
You can get through it. You really can. It’s
not the end… in fact it’s the beginning! The
beginning of something different and new for
you!!! I think when a lot of people look at you
after your diagnosed with cancer you can see it in
their eyes. It’s like they almost immediately have
this pity for you and they don’t know what to say
or how to act. I probably did the same thing
before all of this. I guess I don’t feel as helpless
anymore and I feel more helpful!
MY SOUL IS OK… I AM OK
I sometimes wonder if there is a reason that
this all happened or a reason why I am still here.
I wouldn’t say this has really caused any changes
in my spirituality. I think my own spirituality has
changed, or should I say evolved, over the last
several years and I feel like I am on an okay path.
I recently heard a quadriplegic on the radio who
said his body was miserable, his mind was not at
ease but his soul was okay. I could relate to that.
We can’t always control what happens to our
bodies or what goes through our minds, but if our
souls are okay then I think we are okay! I really
feel at peace with that part of my life. I’m not
afraid to die. It’s not that I want to die… but I’m
not afraid of it either.
Do you find these “Survivor
Spotlights” interesting?
If so, consider joining us at any
of our TLC Survivorship
Sessions or Gatherings… and
hear similar stories firsthand!
See insert for upcoming events!
TALKING ABOUT IT
Lisa, my sister-in-law went through treatment
about two years ago so she often was my “go to”
person when I needed someone to talk to and she
understood what I was going through. And then
there was my hairdresser who called me a lot and
made sure I was doing okay… and just kind of
took care of me.
6
SURVIVOR SPOTLIGHT:
keep trying. I don’t think I would still be here had I
stopped trying!
Barb: I think it is still hard for Joe to accept
people’s help. He wants to be able to do
everything himself like he used to do. I see Joe
not being able to do the things that he wants to
do. Then he gets frustrated, and that is certainly
understandable. So I just have to be there for him
and be patient with him and be a good listener.
Joe Wield
Continued from page 4
___________________________________________
TODAY - TEN YEARS LATER!
Joe: I never thought that I would spend my
retirement doing this… spending my days going to
the doctor… every week and often times every
day. I was here yesterday for a shot, today I had
to see Nancy, tomorrow and Friday I need more
shots, Thursday I have a day off… unless they
find something in the blood work they don’t like
and then I’ll have to come in again!  But I can’t
complain. It will be ten years for me this fall.
Barb: We have had a lot of years after the
diagnosis to enjoy life. Coming here is just a part
of that life. It’s not like we think of it as going to
the Doctor’s office. This is family around here.
We come in and they call us by name, they ask
about our family and our lives, they understand
what we’re going through. We have learned
some new priorities in life. You forget about the
little things and you learn what’s important. You
learn to appreciate your family and friends. We
have taken the time to travel, we’ve been able to
enjoy our children, our grandchildren, and now we
even have great grandchildren.
Joe: I never thought I’d live to see my great
grandson… but I did!!!
FINDING NEW WAYS TO FIGHT THE SAME
CANCER!
Joe: I realize that most of the treatments I
am receiving now are pretty much experimental.
We’ve burned through all of the usual treatments
for my cancer and, one by one, they stopped
working so Dr. Matthews had to find new ways to
fight the same cancer. It has to be working
because I’m still here!
Barb: There have been several times when
the Doctor has said, “We’re going to try something
new and this is going to be a learning experience
for both of us. It may work or it may not work.”
Fortunately Dr. Matthews has been able to do
wonderful things for him and when one treatment
stopped working he would find another treatment
that would work. And Joe has often said, “Well,
maybe if it won’t help me it will help somebody
else!”
CANCER IS NOT CONTAGIOUS
Joe: You can’t keep it all to yourself… you
have to talk about it… if you don’t let it out it’s just
going to make it worse. I’ve learned that when I
keep it all to myself, not only does it affect my
attitude, but even the sickness seems worse. A
lot of people are afraid of cancer. They’re afraid
to talk about it. They’re afraid to talk to someone
who has it. But that shouldn’t be. The person
who has the cancer has to have an outlet. He has
to be able to talk about it sometimes. Don’t be
afraid to talk to someone with cancer. Don’t be
afraid to ask them about it. Don’t be afraid to talk
to them about the things you used to talk about.
Cancer is not contagious.
Barb: We have a neighbor who also has
cancer and her and Joe will talk once in a while. I
think it’s good for him to talk about it with her
because she can relate to what he’s going
through better than I can. I can say, “I
understand!” but unless you are actually the one
going through it you really can’t understand.
THE PATIENT HELPING THE DOCTOR!
Joe: The doctor has learned a lot about
cancer over the past ten years, and some of what
he has learned he has learned through me. Even
the nurses have probably learned a few things
over the years of caring for me. Maybe they’ve
learned how to better deal with difficult, moody
patients!  I know there have been times when
the nurses would have loved to have thrown me
out! You just get so frustrated! I have a lot of
neuropathy in my legs and, as a result, I’m not as
steady as I once was. So I might just bump
something off the table and onto the floor and
then you find yourself struggling to pick up what
fell and you end up knocking something else over.
There are times when you just feel as though you
can’t do anything right and you start yelling at
yourself… or you start yelling at the people
around you. I was always active and there are
still things that I want to do bit I know I can’t. It’s
just so frustrating… you want to do things… but
you know you probably can’t do them… but you
have to try anyway!!! And if it doesn’t work out
you just get so frustrated. But you always have to
STORY TIME
Note from Tim: Joe had many stories to tell,
stories that were not only interesting and amusing
but stories that can teach us valuable lessons of
7
That’s unusual because he usually has one of my
shoes in his mouth. I looked over and saw his
bed was folded in half so I pulled it over and, sure
enough, there were four different shoes of mine.
He put them under his bed and flipped his bed on
top of them. And then he slept on them. Last
night I took my shoes off and the first thing he did
was grab my shoe, take it over to his bed and
covered my shoe with his paw and then he laid
his chin on top of his paw. He certainly brightens
my days!
What lesson(s) do you find in this story?
life and how to deal with adversity if we take the
time to listen and learn. I challenge you to listen
to and learn from these five stories from Joe!
STORY #1:
Joe: My brother and I did a lot of hunting and
fishing together. One Sunday morning right after I
was diagnosed he invited us over for breakfast
along with many of his in-laws. I helped him
make breakfast that included fried fish, beans,
fried potatoes and eggs. We had to leave to get
to church for our granddaughter’s Christmas
program and as we were leaving he looked at me
and said, “Well, Joe-joe! You know, we have to
enjoy ourselves while we are here because we
never know what day will be your last.” I don’t
know if he had some kind of premonition or
something… but later that day, I was putting the
angel up on my Christmas tree at home and my
son called up and said, “Dad, you better get up by
Uncle Ken! I don’t know what’s going on but there
is an ambulance and squad car there.” When I
got there his wife told me he went in to the
bathroom to change his clothes but never came
back out. When she went in she found him lying
on the floor. He died of a heart attack.
STORY #4:
Joe: And Neko has saved me at least once.
October is a bad month for me. I’ve gotten to the
point where I say there are six weeks and
September and six weeks in November and there
is no October anymore. I’ve eliminated October
from the calendar. I had my first cancer surgery
in October, I had my second cancer surgery in
October, and I had my liver resection in October.
Well, a few years ago I almost made it through
October without having to go to the hospital. In
fact I even said to Barb, “Just think, a few more
days and I’ll have made it through October!” The
next day I was in the back yard and accidently
stepped off this ledge while I was picking some
things up. As I was falling, all I could see was
rocks and stones so just before I hit the ground I
pushed myself over the top of the biggest rocks
and somehow landed in a three-foot wide flower
garden but I landed hard on my shoulder. If it
hadn’t been for Neko I would probably still be
laying there. Neko is an 85-pound Doberman and
he stayed with me. I was able to use Neko to
help myself up and he followed me back to the
house where I called Barb. I figured my shoulder
was dislocated because it was sticking out about
as far as m chin and I also broke a few ribs.
Barb: When I got home and saw Joe I
actually started laughing aloud. He had burrs in
his hair, his eyebrows, all over his clothes… It
wasn’t funny… but I have to say that the site of
him really was funny! I wish I would have thought
to take a picture.
Joe: She put me in the car and when we got
to the hospital the nurses even started laughing
because I was such a mess. In fact, after a while,
even I had to laugh about it. They gave me a
local anesthetic and tried popping my shoulder
back into place but they just couldn’t do it. So into
surgery I went. When I woke up I said, “Well at
least now I can watch the Packers on Monday
Night Football!” I turned on the television just in
STORY #2:
Joe: At one point the cancer had spread to
my liver so I went to Madison to have the lower
left lobe of my liver removed. While I was in the
recovery room they noticed I wasn’t responding
the way they wanted me to so they sent me for Xrays and found out that they had left some
sponges in during the surgery so they sent me
right back into surgery to remove the sponges. I
woke up in the intensive care unit with tubes down
my throat and in my nose and my hands and legs
were tied down to keep me from pulling the tubes
out. If that wasn’t bad enough… there happened
to be a Badger game going on that day… at
Camp Randall Stadium… which I could see from
the window… and the nurses and staff are all
screaming and cheering about a touchdown…
and there I sat… and I am a BIG Badger fan!!! 
That was pure torture!!! 
STORY #3:
Joe: I’ve got this crazy dog at home! Every
time I want to go somewhere there is a shoe
missing. As soon as I get home and take my
shoes off he’ll take one and run away with it so I
can’t go out again. I was in the hospital for a little
over a week. I came home from the hospital I
noticed that he had one of his toys in his mouth.
8
time to hear, “And the final score was…” I didn’t
get to see the game!!!
And, like my brother said almost ten years
ago, we have to enjoy ourselves because we
never know what day will be our last. I could
leave here and get hit by a truck! At least then I
wouldn’t die of cancer! 
STORY #5:
Joe: We went on vacation earlier this year. I
just love to fish but I really can’t get in and out of
the boat very well anymore… so I couldn’t take
the boat fishing. My nephew has a cottage about
five miles from where we are and he has a nice
pier with a nice bench and he gave us the keys to
the cabin. So I went there every day… all day…
as you can see by how tan my legs are. I caught
over 100 pan fish during the week.
I would get out there in the morning. It was
so peaceful and quiet. I would listen to the loons
in the morning. Then about nine or ten in the
morning the silence was broken. The three
mother hens (Barb and two other women) started
cackling! The real loons would fly away and these
new loons would come out!!! 
____________________________________
HOPE HAPPENINGS:
The Big Red Truck
By Mary Matthias
This past week my twin sister, my
niece, and her two little children
vacationed with us for several days.
As we gathered with family on several
occasions I noticed that much of our conversation
consisted of stories. A few new tales were told
and then there were the old familiar favorites that
seem to be the narrative of every family event. As
we sat on our patio one evening sharing stories,
laughter embellished the crisp summer air filling
the big dipper that loomed above. Our stories
were quite entertaining. According to Wikipedia
“storytelling is the ancient art of conveying events
in words, images and sounds often by improvision
or embellishment. Stories or narratives have been
shared in every culture and in every land as a
means of entertainment, education, preservation
of culture and in order to install moral values.”
Throughout ancient history stories were told on
stone, leather, parchment and even cave walls. I
must confess…some of our stories were rather
primitive!
Please allow me to share an entertaining
story with an accidental message. This story was
recently gifted to me by my soul sister, Merry.
Merry is a two-time ovarian cancer survivor who
can find laughter in almost any life event. With
cancer lurking in her past Merry has always
ruminated over “getting hit by the big red truck
one day.” Some of us may be waiting for the
bomb to drop, the sky to fall, all heck to break
loose, or our luck to run out. Well one day Merry
called laughing hysterically telling me that she had
been in an accident. Since I found no humor in
that, I surmised that she was suffering from a
concussion or perhaps in shock. Merry detailed
out what had happened and finally gained enough
composure to inform me that she was indeed not
injured. Still finding no humor in the situation I
finally asked her what she was laughing about.
Merry shared, “Well it finally happened…I got hit
by the big red truck only it was a little red truck.
And I didn’t even get hurt.” At that point I chimed
in on the laughter as we mused over the red truck
ADVICE TO CAREGIVERS:
Barb: Caregivers just need to be patient with
the person who has cancer. I figure my job is to
be there for Joe, help him when I can, and listen
to him. I understand that there are times he may
need my help even though he doesn’t always
want it and I understand that this can be really
frustrating for him.
I try to take care of myself as well. I have
some very good friends I can talk to. Just like Joe
may be better off talking to another cancer
survivor, I think there are times when I am helped
by talking to another caregiver. Just like I can’t
always understand Joe’s frustrations and
difficulties he can’t always understand mine. I
have a sister-in-law and another good friend who
have cared for their husbands and I talk to them
when I need to.
CLOSING COMMENTS FROM JOE:
Joe: Don’t ever let anyone tell you there is
no hope! There is always hope! I’ve been
through a lot over the years and I am still here.
They’ve learned a lot over the years and they’re
going to keep learning. And who knows when the
next best drug or the next cure is discovered.
And I hope I am here when that time comes. Or I
hope that the doctors learn something from me
that will help someone else. Sometimes my only
hope is to wake up tomorrow. And when
tomorrow comes my hope may be to wake up the
next day. But, you know what, that is still hope!
That is all I want! I hope to wake up tomorrow…
one day at a time!
9
irony. For Merry there was some odd sense of
relief that evolved out of her fender bender. She
could finally tow her big red truck concept to the
junkyard and put it to rest. It had finally happened
and it was a little red truck! In some sense it’s the
same concept that Dr. Matthews shares with his
patients of letting the elephant out of the closet.
When you set it free, it’s not so big and scary.
Do you have a big red truck in your life or
perhaps an elephant in your closet? We all have
fears and concerns that we ruminate over and the
more we ruminate the bigger they get. It is those
fears and concerns that rob us of taking pleasure
in the joy that lies in all of life’s moments. It is
those little moments that evolve into great stories.
Tow that big red truck away! Let that big elephant
out of the closet! And may you always remember
the wise words of Gordon Bitner Brinckley…
August of 2006. It was pretty unexpected. I was
42 at the time and I thought I was outside the
window of getting testicular cancer. Most people
get testicular cancer at a younger age. The risk
really starts to fade at 35. Then there is another
peak which occurs after 65. So in those middle
years testicular cancer is actually quite rare. So I
was very, very, very surprised.
All along the way it was both a blessing and a
curse to be a patient who also happened to be a
doctor. I knew about all of the permutations and
the things that can happen; at times it was like I
knew too much. At the same time I had to work
hard to remain the patient. There were certain
assumptions by others in the medical community
that I knew more than I did. I’m a family physician
and I have a great deal of knowledge about a
wide breadth of things. But not only is cancer
care very much a specialty but it is a totally
different story when you are going through it
yourself and you are the one who is confronted
with all of the different treatment options, risks
and the outcomes.
"In all of living have much of fun and laughter.
Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured."
MeM
Mary Matthias
Thanks Merry for giving me a story to tell!
________________________________________
I KNEW THE ODDS
When I was first diagnosed I didn’t really
worry about whether I would survive or not. I
believe that God’s in charge. I prayed a simple
prayer right off the bat. I prayed, “Dear God, I
pray that I live… but more importantly I ask that
you walk with me through this!”
Fortunately, testicular cancer has a pretty
good prognosis in most cases. But it’s still that
“cancer” word! It’s still that unexpected and scary
diagnosis that COULD take your life no matter
what kind of cancer it is. I knew my odds… I had
a 95% survival rate over the next five years.
Well… flip that around. There was a 5%, or one
chance in twenty, that I would NOT be alive in 5
years. If someone said to you, “A terrorist was
caught in the parking lot of the building, but don’t
worry, he only put a bomb under every 20th car!”
you’d certainly think twice about getting in your
car and going home! So, yes, it was a shock and
it changed my perspective on how I started
viewing things.
BONUS SURVIVOR SPOTLIGHT:
Dr. Jeff Corrigan
Testicular Cancer Survivor
Note from Tim: If you participated in or
attended this year’s National Cancer Survivors Day
th
Celebration on June 13 at the John Michael Kohler
Arts Center (JMKAC) you may remember Dr. Jeff
Corrigan. Dr. Corrigan spoke briefly at the event and
shared some of his poetry (see page 14) along with an
exhibit of his photography. I invited him to join me in a
discussion with staff from the JMKAC along with
Assistant Professors Julie Lindemann and John
Shimon from the Lawrence University Department of
Art and Art History who will be offering a photography
class specifically for cancer survivors (see insert for
more info) and, after that meeting, I asked him if he
would be willing to share some insights about
photography as a coping strategy with our readers.
Once we sat down to talk and he shared more of his
story with me I quickly realized I had to share more of
his story with all of you. So, this issue includes a third
“BONUS Survivorship Spotlight!”
CHEMO WAS AWFUL
My first step was surgery and an orchiectomy
to remove the cancer. That was done very soon
after the diagnosis. Once I had recovered from
that I elected to go through chemotherapy. Some
people take no treatment at all and take a “wait
and see” kind of approach. But I was 42, had a
young family, and hoped to live a long time, so I
chose to go through chemotherapy. There were
________________________________________
I DIAGNOSED MYSELF
Most people come in and say, “Doctor, I have
a lump!” I came in to see my doctor and said,
“Doctor, I have testicular cancer!” I diagnosed
myself. Based on my experience, there was no
doubt. The tests just confirmed it. That was in
10
THE MYRIAD OF LOSSES… AND GRATITUDE
There is a myriad of losses that you
experience with cancer, many of which only you
alone and maybe the few closest to you ever see.
For me it included the neuropathy in my hands. I
have no problem doing office procedures when I
can see what my hands are doing, but if you give
me a penny and a dime and I close my eyes, I
can’t tell the difference. That drove me nuts for a
long time and I would wake up every morning
waiting for the sensations in my hands to return.
Eventually I realized this is it… this is as good as
it’s going to get.
Cancer can be financially devastating as well,
especially for someone who is raising a family.
Just paying for our COBRA insurance, which was
outrageous for a family, was expensive and I
certainly couldn’t be without coverage or allow for
a lapse in coverage. So in several ways it has
been like starting all over again.
I don’t mean to complain and I certainly don’t
look for pity. As a result, there is a tendency to
not talk about that kind of stuff, but we know it’s
not good to keep it inside either. It’s a dilemma.
That’s when many of us turn to others who have
“been there, done that.” I met with a group of
guys after my diagnosis. We all had some tough
stuff going on in our lives. Two had lost their jobs
and two had cancer. We knew we didn’t have to
have all the answers for one another and that the
one thing we often needed more than anything
was just someone to talk to and be with. We
weren’t complaining… we were just dealing with
our own individual stuff… together.
My cancer experience has made me a lot
more aware of this emotional side of illness and I
think now I can be a comrade to people who are
going through difficult times. That was a part of
medicine that I didn’t get in medical school.
I realize it isn’t all that far back in history that
this diagnosis would have been fatal. So I’m
grateful. And the treatments that I received, even
though they were really hard, well, I am grateful
for them too.
some unique aspects about the cancer on the
pathology (when they look at the cells under the
microscope) that made us a little more concerned
about micro-metastases so we decided to do two
really hard cycles of Carboplatin. That was very,
very challenging.
Everybody has a different experience but for
me, chemo was awful. It felt like it killed me. I
dropped 30 pounds in a month, and although
weight loss isn’t everything, I think that was a
pretty good indicator of how I was doing.
I have a really good friend named Steve
whom I met while I was in Medical School. He
lives in Toledo. He’s one of those people that I
didn’t want to learn about my cancer from anyone
but me, so I called him. He listened to me and
then he asked, “Are you going to have
chemotherapy?” “Yep!” I said. “What day?” he
asked. I told him, and without hesitating he said,
“Okay, I’ll be there and I’ll stay for two days!” It
was one of the kindest things that anyone did for
me through this whole ordeal. On the day of
chemo and the day after I really felt like death; I
couldn’t sleep, but I couldn’t stay awake, I was
sick to my stomach, I was feeling in a daze and in
a fog, and all the other side effects that come with
it; and he was there with me. He just sat with me.
He didn’t demand any conversation. He didn’t
ask anything of me. He was just with me.
About a month later, after I recovered from
the first round, I had the second round of
chemotherapy. Then there was the long recovery
after that. I would say it took about a good year to
recover. If you ask my wife she would say longer.
I CAN CHOOSE TO TRUST
I’d have to say I’m a very different person
today than I was before my cancer diagnosis. I’m
a lot calmer. I used to be extremely anxious to
get things done. But I’ve realized there are a lot
of inconveniences in life; there are a lot of things
that come up in life that you really have no control
over. But with God in charge, I can trust that he is
with me. Obviously, my preconceived idea about
how things should turn out, what I was going to
accomplish, where I was going to be, isn’t always
His plan. I can choose to fight that… or I can
choose to trust and go along with it.
I’d probably have to say I’ve learned as much
about being a physician while being a cancer
patient as I did in all the years before that. I had
the knowledge and I think I was a good doctor…
But my cancer experience has made me an even
better physician and a more sensitive physician.
FINDING “MY RIGHT MIND!”
I found many ways to cope including some
artistic ways. I started writing poems that literally
just tumbled onto the paper. I was dealing with
these frustrations and things were just simmering
in my head and all of a sudden a poem would find
its way onto the paper and when I was done I
could say to myself, “Yup, that’s what’s going on!”
I would finally get it out and I could release some
of what I was feeling. I would feel this huge sense
of relief. I also taught myself how to draw and
11
learned calligraphy. Suddenly this guy who was
very left-brain started doing all of this right-brain
“artsy” stuff.
I kept a journal through the whole experience
and I often titled each journal. I have a journal
from the summer of 2007, written in the midst of
my slowly-resolving chemo brain, that I titled with
all of the obvious “tongue-in-cheek” humor “In My
Right Mind.” It was at this point that I started to
understand what was going on and I was relying
more on the right side of my brain. I also came to
the realization that if God has allowed this to
happen and this is who I am now and this is how
my head works than I have to be “In My Right
Mind.”
how I felt. I remember being inside, feeling down
and defeated, and not wanting to go out. I
remember getting mad at myself because I let the
nasty weather keep me inside. Then I said to
myself, “What are you doing? Get your coat and
your ski mask and get out there and go for a
walk!” It was two degrees out, the wind was
howling and I was alone. I was out there almost
in defiance of the elements and in defiance of
what was going on in my life and in defiance of
my own weakness. I felt very much like that tree.
I was that tree. And that gave me a better
understanding of my experience, and it gave me
something concrete to look at. It gave me a new
way to look at the circumstances in my life. It
gave me a release. Today that photograph is a
reminder of a difficult time in my life, but it is also
a reminder of the choice I made and the resolve I
found to face the day and face the future. It was a
turning point for me.
IT OPENED MY EYES
Then I got into photography. It really started
the day after my first chemotherapy when my
friend Steve was visiting. I was really frustrated
that I couldn’t do anything but I asked Steve if he
wanted to take our shotguns into the wood lot to
hunt squirrel because I figured I could at least sit
and hunt. As we walked out to the lot I was
feeling down and I was looking down. Well, Steve
was looking up. He stopped to admire the
panorama of western Sheboygan County as the
sun was going down. There were turkeys over
here, deer over there, and the sky was a
gorgeous golden hue. He said, “My gosh! What
a beautiful place!” And for the first time I looked
up and looked around and realized he was right.
That just kind of opened my eyes!
For a while it was difficult for me to even
climb a flight of stairs so when I started to
exercise to rebuild my strength I would try to walk
a block, and then a quarter-mile, then a half-mile,
then a mile, then a couple miles. Every day I
would go for a walk, and I started carrying this
little point-and-shoot camera with me and I would
just take pictures of the things I saw. I took
pictures of all these neat and beautiful things that
I hadn’t noticed before. It helped me to look
beyond myself and my own problems and focus
on the beauty around me and capture that beauty
in a photograph. I was in the midst of all kinds of
bad stuff happening all around me and to me…
but I could look at those photographs and see
reminders of the beauty that surrounded me and
reminders of God’s goodness.
Many of the photographs I have taken
actually reflect how I was feeling when I took
them. One of my favorite photographs is of a
lonely oak tree standing all by itself in the middle
of a field. When I look at that photo I can
remember that day and I can remember exactly
PHOTOGRAPHY AS A CREATIVE OUTLET
Photography was also a good way for me to
document my cancer journey. When you are in
the midst of the chaos you can’t always see the
beginning from the end. When you’re
overwhelmed it can take all of your energy to just
survive the moment. Sometimes, when it’s scary,
you just don’t want to face certain lessons head
on. You don’t always have the energy or the
opportunity to learn the lessons as they come up.
But if you document or record them you can often
learn those lessons retrospectively. When I was
ready, when the right time came, I could look at
my photographs or I could read my poetry and
journal and take the time to learn the lessons I
wasn’t ready to deal with when I was going
through them. Some of the lessons you may only
learn with time… so don’t miss out on the
opportunity to learn them.
If nothing else, photography can be a creative
outlet that simply allows you to see some joy and
beauty and design and meaning in a life that can
appear to be nothing but chaos. It can be a good
reminder that amidst all the ugliness of cancer
there is still great beauty to be found!
Note from Tim: If you have an interest in pursuing
photography as a creative outlet for your own cancer
experience, consider participating in the “Survivorship:
th
Through a Lens” workshop starting on August 28 ! I
also invite you to join Dr. Jeff Corrigan who will lead
the “Cancer Conversations” at our TLC Survivorship
th
Session on Tuesday, November 9 at 6:00PM where
he will share many of his personal experiences with
cancer. See insert for more information on both of
these upcoming events.
12
THE WORLD ACCORDING TO TIM:
Joann’s “Survivors Spotlight” in the next issue of the
TLC Supportive Newsletter.)
Hedy Lamarr stated, “A good painting to me
has always been like a friend. It keeps me
company, comforts and inspires.” Twyla Tharp
believes, “Art is the only way to run away without
leaving home.” And Thomas Merton suggests, “Art
enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at
the same time.” Perhaps cancer survivors
understand better than most the value of a “good
friend,” the need to occasionally “run away,” and the
importance of “finding ourselves.”
At the age of 47 I guess I have finally
developed a greater appreciation for the arts.
Inspired by those amazingly talented survivors that
took part in this year’s event, we are planning
another “Expressions of Survivorship” during the
winter of 2010-2011 (watch this newsletter for more
information). We also have decided to celebrate
next year’s National Cancer Survivors Day with
another Art Fair! So, all of you artists out there, get
your artwork ready! In the meantime, I invite you to
be inspired by the insights of Dr. Jeff Corrigan and
join us at the “Survivorship: Through the Lens”
workshop which is being held at the John Michael
Kohler Arts Center starting on August 28th (see
insert or contact me for more info).
I would like to recognize all of the artists that
participated in this year’s NCSD “Art Fair!”
The Surprising
World of Art!
To be honest, I have never considered myself
to be much of an art aficionado. In fact, I think the
last art class I took was in about 3rd grade… and I
think I got sick from eating the paste! That was until
this past spring, that is, when I participated in the
“Expressions of Survivorship” workshop offered
through The Sheboygan County Cancer Care Fund
at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center (JMKAC)
along with a group of fellow cancer survivors.
Being as inexperienced in the arts as I am… I
didn’t know where to begin until Erica, our instructor,
suggested, “Sometimes you just have to play with
the clay and the clay will figure out what it needs to
be.” So I did… and the clay didn’t let me down! The
other participants asked, “What is it?” and the best I
way I could explain my abstract piece was simply to
say, “It isn’t anything, but it MEANS a lot to me!” I
really didn’t expect to enjoy the workshop so
much… but I did. I didn’t expect to get very much
out of it… but I did. And I certainly didn’t expect that
I would ever have a piece of art as a part of an art
exhibit… but I did.
A few weeks later most of us who participated
in the workshop displayed our art work at the 2010
National Cancer Survivors Day Celebration. We
have celebrated this event in many ways since I
joined the clinic more then ten years ago: we
celebrated with a “Hobby and Craft Showcase” for
several years, we gathered at The Sheboygan
County Historical Museum, we had a graduation
ceremony at the University of WisconsinSheboygan, we enjoyed the antics of Comedy
Sportz; we had a pig roast, a carnival, a
Germanfest, a 50’s sock hop, and more! This year
we held an “Art Fair” at JMKAC that featured the
amazing artwork of local cancer survivors.
I REALLY enjoyed putting this year’s event
together perhaps more than any other. “Henry
Kissinger said, “Art is man’s expression of his joy in
labor.” Those cancer survivors and caregivers who
exhibited their works invested hundreds of hours in
developing their skills and creating their pieces.
Consider Joann Cotant, a pancreatic cancer survivor
since 1995 and Colon Cancer survivor since 2009,
who somewhat reluctantly submitted a few of the
dozens of quilts that she has created since the
1970s. “I don’t consider myself an artist!” she told
me. And yet, her pieces that represented thousands
of hours of labor also earned her the PEOPLE’S
CHOICE TOP PICK AWARD! (Note: Watch for
PEOPLE’S CHOICE TOP PICK:
Joan Cotant (Pancreatic & Colon Cancer Survivor),
Quilting – “Healing with Quilts.”
PEOPLE’S CHOICE – HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Kathie Horness (Lymphoma Survivor), Glass
Beads & Cement - “Gazing Balls.” Kevin Rauch
(Neuroblastoma Survivor), Drawing - “Superstink.”
Janet Sand (Pancreatic Cancer Survivor), Painting “Survivor Celebration.”
OTHER PARTICIPATING ARTISTS:
Dr. Jeff Corrigan (Testicular Cancer Survivor),
Photography - “Sunlit Lighthouse,” “Pigeon River
Birches;” Poem - “Chemo the Elephant.” Colleen
Dunn (Breast Cancer Survivor), Patchwork Sweater
- “Life is a Patchwork.” Chris Graf, MD (Multiple
Myeloma Survivor), Chainsaw Carving “Mushrooms.” Kris Krumenauer (Breast Cancer
Survivor), Touch Drawing – “We Are One in the
Spirit,” Needle-Felt Creature - “Sophie,” Poem “Arriving Home.” Meghan & Kelsey Long:
Honoring their mom Bridget Long (Melanoma
Survivor), Performance Art – “Irish Step Dance.”
Hope Mueller (Personal Caregiver), Painting - “In
the Morning.” Cynthia Neece, (Breast Cancer
Survivor), Stained Glass & Cement - “Stepping
Stones.” Sheryl A. Reif (In Memory of Mark Reif),
Painting - “Walk in the Woods.” Mary Schueller,
13
hear…
The bigger picture, the best plan.
RN (Professional Caregiver), Photography Collage “Seasons of Survival.” Carol Westphal (Lymphoma
Survivor), Published Book - “Faith, Hope & Cancer.”
Pam Wilhelmsen (Ovarian Cancer Survivor), Cross
Stitch: “Father Christmas.” Expression of
Survivorship Participants: Barb Bogenschutz,
Joanne D’ Alton, Vickie Menuge, Cynthia Neece
(Breast Cancer Survivors), Tim E. Renzelmann
(Lymphoma Survivor), various work from
“Expressions of Survivorship” workshop.
________________________________________
Thus, I will trust you.
_________________________________________
Chemo the Elephant
By J. K. Corrigan, MD
Whether grey, baby, mom, dad…
(Beware the doc of “Oh, it’s not that bad.”)
For ponderous, light, once, or thrice,
When you’re the chair the behemoth uses
It’s never, ever nice.
SURVIVING & THRIVING:
Poems: 2010 National Cancer
Survivors Day Celebration!
If chemotherapy were an elephant
Then mine was big and fat.
I surely felt him sit on me,
And heard that awful splat.
Arriving Home
By Kris Krumenauer
But just a couple of days ago
I almost gasped. I giggled.
I thought I sensed… yes, I knew:
Chemo really wiggled.
As I approached the front door
of my home last night,
weary and in a mental space
which one experiences when
intensity and uncertainty seem to co-exist…
when walking the unknown edge that could
lead to a promising or trying future,
Distinctly, I heard two loons on the lake.
He shifted mass once or twice.
Was he about to rise?
Today I looked and, whoa, he stood!
Freely I breathe and sigh.
I’m flatter than before he sat.
(About that, I’m not debating.)
But I thank my God that Chemo’s gone,
And I can start my re-inflating.
Two loons that visit twice a year
coming and going beyond my small world,
staying for a day or two then taking flight.
Don’t know where they have come from
or exactly where they are going…
Don’t know why they arrive or why they leave
However, I do know…
Some chairs are weak.
Some chairs are stronger.
Sometimes he sits once.
Sometimes much too longer.
It’s amazing how God, through nature,
speaks to us in words we cannot speak
paints to us in pictures we cannot capture
visits us within
our most private and holy space
knowing when to visit
knowing when to keep vigilance.
Whatever the case, may God’s
endurance and grace
Be yours the night of Chemo’s sitting.
I pray Chemo stands; you greet the dawn,
Breathe anew, and choose re-singing.
_________________________________________
Distinctly, I saw two loons on the lake.
Reminding me of the bigger picture
Reminding me of the deeper message.
STUFF FROM THE STAFF:
Several readers told me they “wished” I would reinstate
this column because they enjoyed reading the
comments from our staff. If there is anything you
“wish” to see in this newsletter just let me know and I
will do my best to make it so!
Great spirit who speaks to me so impassioned
yet simply.
Painting pictures so obvious
yet skillfully
Persuading me to gain direction,
tranquility and peace.
Three Wishes!
From the MOA/SCBS Staff
I hear you, see you, and feel your presence. I know
you understand the bigger picture.
As the loons call,
I know it is you – calling for me to see and
If a genie granted you 3 wises, what
would they be? (One wish for yourself,
one wish someone you know, and one
14
HOLISTIC HEALING:
wish for all of mankind.)
Lou Ann (Business Administrator): My wishes would
be: That I am always guided by the right advice leading
to the right direction. That all those who touch my life
are rewarded with peace and serenity in their life. That
in my next life I am 40 pounds lighter and milk
chocolate replaces broccoli in the food pyramid.
Ya Gotta Try Yoga!
A recent study presented at the
American Society of Clinical
Oncology (ASCO) on June 5th in
Chicago promoted the many benefits
of yoga for cancer patients. According to the study,
cancer patients who practiced yoga were able to
reduce their sleep medication by 21% compared to
a control group who had an increase in sleep
medication of 5%. In addition, those in the yoga
program experienced a reduction in daytime fatigue
(42% vs. 12%) and sleepiness (29% vs. 5%) over
those in the control group. “In conclusion,” stated
lead author Karen Mustian, PhD, MPH from the
University of Rochester in New York, “we can state
that it is possible that Hatha yoga classes and
restorative yoga classes might be useful to cancer
survivors in communities across the United States in
helping these side effects that impair quality of life.”
Annie (Nurse): I wish that I had more time in the day
and more time on the weekends. I wish my Dad would
regain his strength and memory. I hate to sound like
Sandra Bullock in Miss Congeniality, but I really do
wish for world peace.
Denise P. (Scheduler): It's hard for me to think of a
wish for myself that doesn't sound or is superficial. So
my wish is for my children to grow up to be happy and
productive adults in their own ways. My wish would be
that we (as individuals, a community, and a nation) be
willing to help and care for our neighbors. If these two
wishes are granted then my wish would be complete.
Sara (Nurse): Let me preface by saying.... I'm inclined
not to ask for something for myself... and these are
really tough. Wish #1-- I wish to live long enough to
see and enjoy my grandchildren.
Wish #2 -- I wish my sons happiness and contentment
with age. Wish #3 -- I wish for an end to all violence
among humans.
Here’s what participants in the SCCCF’s
“Gentle Yoga for Cancer Survivors” had to say:
Cynthia: The yoga class is amazing! At first, I was
a bit skeptical. I thought from what I perceived yoga
to be, I would not be able to do it. Katy (our
wonderful instructor) changed my opinion. She said
not to compare yourself to anyone. With that in
mind, I was able to concentrate on myself. I learned
new ways on how to relax by breathing, I was able
to let go of my thoughts and tension. The yoga
positions I learned from Katy have helped increase
my flexibility, strength and balance. The class left
me relaxed, rejuvenated and always full of energy. I
highly recommend it. Thank you for this opportunity!
Dr. Bettag: 1) Patience for me, 2) for my children to
deepen their faith and use their talents to the best of
their ability, 3) for the USA to return to traditional
values and core beliefs.
Cindy (Lab): Myself – continued good health with
peace of mind. Family – Happiness in their careers
and education. Mankind – Wish for peace among all
people.
Mary Beth (Reception): For myself: Grace and peace.
For my family: Grace and peace. For all mankind:
Grace and peace.
Cindy (& Bruce): I wanted to share the
conversation that Bruce and I had today. I told my
husband just today that I am so grateful for the yoga
class because I truly didn't think I'd ever be able to
ride a bike again. My balance was soooooo "off"
since cancer/chemo that I didn't even walk straight
sometimes, much less run!! Yoga has not only
helped with improving my balance, but also
improved my endurance as well as providing stress
relief. Again, thank you so much for allowing my
husband and me to participate in the yoga session.
We have continued yoga on our own while at
home.....but it is also fun in a group setting -especially when we are available to provide support
and encouragement to one another as
cancer survivors. Thanks for providing
that opportunity! 
Marge (Nurse): If I had three wishes this is what they
would be: For myself – Time. There is so much to
learn and see and do. For my family: The ability to
slow down and enjoy what is right in front of them –
they are so busy working towards their goals that they
often miss what is right under their noses. For the
world: Clean air, clean water for everyone.
Ellen (Nurse): I wish I could live where it is warm all of
the time. I wish for my family that they will have very
few regrets when they look back on their lives. I wish
for peace in the world.
Cory (Nurse Practitioner): First wish would be to end
the war in Irag and Afghanistan and bring home all our
troops to their families and friends who miss them so
much. My family's good health and safety would be
my second wish. My third wish would be for a
grandchild, though I'm not optimistic there! 
See insert for more info on SCCCF’s “Gentle
Yoga for Cancer Survivors!”
15
Survivorship: Through the Lens!
th
SCCCF Fundraisers:
th
Saturdays, August 28 & September 25
John Michael Kohler Arts Center
You are invited to participate in this workshop
that will not only teach the basics of digital
photography but explore how you view the world
after your cancer experience!
Call 920-458-7433 (Tim) for more info!
Beacon of Hope /
Rally for a Cure Golf Outing!
Saturday, August 14th
Sunset Hills Golf Course
Call 920-467-0780 for details!
Fashion for Hope Style Show!
Thursday, October 14th
The Kohler Design Center
Call 920-458-7433 (Tim) for ticket info!
Road America Walk/Run
Saturday, October, 30th
Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI
Registration 8-9:30 am, Race Start 10:00 am
March of the Pink Brigade!
Saturday, October 16th
from 6:30 AM to 10:00 AM
2 or 4 mile walk/run
Sheboygan YMCA
You are invited to join “Team TLC” at this
year’s event which is once again sponsored
by Matthews Oncology Associates &
Sheboygan Cancer & Blood Specialists!
16
UPCOMING TLC EVENTS: SUMMER/FALL, 2010
TLC is a growing “Supportive Community” for cancer survivors, their families, friends
and caregivers that offers healing opportunities for body, mind, heart & spirit and provided
by Matthews Oncology Associates and Sheboygan Cancer & Blood Specialists. For
more information on the TLC Supportive Community or any of the events and activites
listed contact Tim at 920-458-7433 or [email protected]
________________________________________________________________________________________
Together we
Live with
Cancer!
TLC “Survivorship Sessions” for Cancer Survivors and Caregivers
2nd Monday of the Month at 11:00AM and 2nd Tuesday of the Month at 6:00PM
All Sessions Held at MOA/SCBS, 1621 N. Taylor Drive, Sheboygan, 2nd Floor Conference Room
All area cancer survivors are invited to join us for these casual “Casual Cancer Conversations” as
we explore the many facets of living through a cancer diagnosis, its treatment and beyond.
Monday, September 13th at 11:00 AM
Casual Cancer Conversations:
Join us for the sharing of personal
cancer stories for purpose of education,
support and networking.
Monday, October 11th at 11:00 AM
Monday, November 8th at 11:00 AM
Tuesday, September 14 at 6:00 PM
Guest Speaker: Kandee, Multiple Myeloma Survivor and
experienced public speaker of Millennium Ambassadors
will offer inspiration, support and education for patients
and survivors of all cancers.
Tuesday, October 12th at 6:00 PM
Guest Speaker: Kris Krumenauer, Breast Cancer
Survivor, will share thoughts and insights related to her
on-going breast cancer experience and the benefits of art
therapy for cancer patients and survivors.
Tuesday, November 9th at 6:00 PM
Guest Speaker: Dr. Jeff Corrigan, Area physician and
Testicular Cancer survivor will offer insights into his
personal cancer experience including his own personal
experience and insights of “chemo brain.”
________________________________________________________________________________________
“Survivorship: Through the Lens”!
Saturday, August 28th, 10 am to 3 pm; Saturday, September 25th, 10 am to 12 pm
The John Michael Kohler Arts Center, 608 New York Avenue, Sheboygan
Area cancer survivors and caregivers are invited to participate in this unique opportunity to
express their personal cancer experience through the use of various mediums of the visual
arts. The SCCCF is offering this program free of charge to area cancer patients and their
caregivers. RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY!!! (see insert for more info)
Registration is required and space is limited. To register, contact Tim at 920-458-7433
________________________________________________________________________________________
SCCCF’s “Gentle Yoga for Cancer Survivors (& Caregivers)!”
Come and experience the benefits of gentle yoga along with other area cancer survivors and their
caregivers! These one-hour sessions will include gentle stretching, breathing and meditation to
bring some peace and relaxation to the mind and body. Wear comfortable clothing, avoid heavy
eating 2 hours prior, mats are provided (or bring your own). According to Mary S. (a regular yoga
participant), “Yoga = the best part of my day!” Space is limited!!!
SHORT SESSION: Tuesdays, August 17th & 31st, Monday, September 13, at 5:30 PM
Location: Greenseed Studio, 1011 Indiana Avenue, Sheboygan
th
Instructor: Rachael Haas Lewinski
th
FALL SESSION: Mondays, September 20 to December 20 at 5:30 PM
Location: MOA/SCBS, 1621 N. Taylor Drive, Sheboygan
See Insert for details on how to register!
Instructor: Katie Presutti
UPCOMING TLC EVENTS: SUMMER/FALL 2010
TLC Survivor & Caregiver Gatherings: Life is a game. Play it.
Summer’s End Salad and Ice Cream Social with a Game of UNO & Wii Resort!
Wednesday, August 25th from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
MOA/SCBS, 1621 N. Taylor Drive, Sheboygan, 2nd Floor Conference Room
Join us for this casual end of summer gathering! Engage in warm conversation with fellow
cancer survivors and caregivers or join in on the popular summer card game of UNO. We‟ll do
some “Wii Resort” (including bowling) for those who are interested!
Bring a favorite summertime salad and enjoy an ice cream dessert.
RSVP Appreciated by calling Tim at 920-458-7433
Let’s All Go “All In”: No-Limit Texas Hold-Em!
Thursday, September 23rd from 6:00PM to 9:00PM
Even if you have never played poker before, come and join us for this friendly game of “No-Limit
Texas Hold „Em!” There will be a brief instructional video at 5:30 PM for anyone who is
interested and we will “Shuffle up and Deal!” at 6:00PM. Snacks and beverages will be
provided and participants are welcome to bring a favorite snack to share!
RSVP Appreciated by calling Tim at 920-458-7433
Annual TLC Fun Fall Gathering (with Specially-prepared “New England-Style Hot Dogs”)!
Sunday, November 14th from 3:00P to 8:00 PM
Dogs
back by
popular
demand!
King’s Park Indoor Pavillion, 1615 S. 7th St., Sheboygan
Join us at for this annual gathering that features specially-prepared “New EnglandStyle Hot Dogs” (the most delicious dogs you‟ll ever have)! Come early and
participate in a cribbage tournament (other games will be availavle), stay late and
join in on a game of “Kings In The Corners” (because we‟re at King‟s Park), or just
relax and enjoy this beautiful location, wonderful people, and good food.
You are invited to bring a side dish, snack or dessert to pass!
RSVP appreciated by calling Tim (920-458-7433).
________________________________________________________________________________
ACS “Look Good, Feel Better” Session
Monday, October 4th at 6:30 PM
This American Cancer Society program is designed to help women who are undergoing treatment
learn to cope with the appearance-related side effects of treatment. There is no cost for the
session but registration is required so that we can have appropriate materials available.
To register, please call 920-459-4636.
________________________________________________________________________________
Quick View Calendar: Mid-August thru November! For more info call Tim at 920-458-7433.
Aug 14 – SCCCF Beacon of Hope Golf Outing @ 8A
Aug 17 – SCCCF Gentle Yoga @ 5:30P (Greenseed)
Aug 25 – TLC Survivor & Caregiver Gathering @ 5P
Aug 28 – Through the Lens @ 10A (JMKAC)
Aug 31 – SCCCF Gentle Yoga @ 5:30P (Greenseed)
Sep 13 – TLC Survivorship Session @ 11A
Sep 13 – SCCCF Gentle Yoga @ 5:30P (Greenseed)
Sep 14 – TLC Survivorship Session @ 6P
Sep 20 – SCCCF Gentle Yoga @ 5:30P (MOA/SCBS)
Sep 23 – TLC Survivor & Caregiver Gathering @ 6P
Sep 25 – Through the Lens @ 10A (JMKAC)
Sep 27 – SCCCF Gentle Yoga @ 5:30P (MOA/SCBS)
Oct 4 – SCCCF Gentle Yoga @ 5:30P (MOA/SCBS)
Oct 4 – ACS Look Good, Feel Better @ 6:30P
Oct 11 – TLC Survivorship Session @11A
Oct 12 – TLC Survivorship Session @ 6P
Oct 14 – SCCCF Fashion for Hope
Oct 16 – SCCCF March of the Pink Brigade @ 6:30A
Oct 30 – ACS Road America Walk/Run @ 10:00A
Nov 1 – SCCCF Gentle Yoga @ 5:30P (MOA/SCBS)
Nov 8 – TLC Survivorship Session @ 11A
Nov 9 – TLC Survivorship Session @ 6P
Nov 14 – TLC Fun Fall Gathering @ 3P to 8P
Gentle Yoga
for Cancer Survivors!
Come and experience the benefits of gentle yoga along with other
area cancer survivors and their caregivers! These one-hour sessions will
include gentle stretching, breathing and meditation to bring some peace
and relaxation to the mind and body. Wear comfortable clothing, avoid
heavy eating 2 hours prior, mats are provided (or bring your own).
Summer’s End Sessions: 5:30PM to 6:30PM
Tuesdays, August 17th & 31st; Monday September 13th
Led by: Rachael Haas Lewinski
Experienced Registered 200hr Yoga Alliance and Anusara-inspired Yoga Teacher
Location: Inspire Yoga/Greenseed Studio
1011 Indiana Ave., Sheboygan
Fall Session: 5:30PM to 6:30PM
Mondays, September 20th to December 20th
Led by: Katie Presutti, Registered & Certified Yoga Teacher
Location: Matthews Oncology Associates/Sheboygan Cancer & Blood Specialists
1621 N. Taylor Drive, Sheboygan - 2nd Floor Conference Room
Space is limited. For more information & to register contact:
Jeff Shea (920-457-6800, ext. 2686)
Vince Lombardi Cancer Clinic
Tim E. Renzelmann (920-458-7433)
Matthews Oncology Associates/Sheboygan Cancer & Blood Specialists
Brought to you by:
“Katie's yoga class is the high point of
my week. I feel better after yoga than I
do the entire rest of the week. It is a joy
walking into class, seeing everyone,
and feeling good. Thanks for making
this all happen.” - Rose K
Survivorship:
Through the Lens!
Saturday, August 28th, 10AM to 3PM
Saturday, September 25th, 10AM to 12PM
Area cancer survivors are invited to participate in this unique opportunity to
learn the basics of digital photography while considering how their view of
the world may have been impacted by their personal cancer experience.
Basics of Digital Photography Including:
Learn digital photography basics from resolution to flash
Explore online photo groups and sharing
Learn to read snapshots and find meaning in them
Identify subject matter that reflects your perceptions
All while connecting with other area cancer patients and survivors
Selected participants and images will be considered for an exhibit at the
John Michael Kohler Arts Center on December 12, 2010.
ABSOLUTELY NO previous photographic experience is necessary.
Workshop will be held at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center
608 New York Avenue, Sheboygan, WI
Workshop Facilitators: John Shimon & Julie Lindemann are collaborative artists whose
photographs are in the collections of the Art Institute of Chicago, Madison Museum of Contemporary Art,
Milwaukee Art Museum, and Wisconsin Historical Society. They are the authors of "Season’s Gleamings:
The Art of the Aluminum Christmas Tree" (Melcher, 2004) and "Unmasked & Anonymous: Shimon &
Lindemann Consider Portraiture" (Milwaukee Art Museum, 2008). They are Assistant Professors of Art
teaching photography and digital processes at Lawrence University in the Department of Art & Art History.
Registration is required! Space is limited!
For more information & to register contact:
Jeff Shea - (920) 457-6800, ext. 2686
Vince Lombardi Cancer Clinic
Tim E. Renzelmann - (920) 458-7433
Matthews Oncology Associates/Sheboygan Cancer & Blood Specialists
This workshop is being offered as part of the
“Connecting Communities Project 2010” by
the John Michael Kohler Arts Center.

Together we Live with Cancer!

Transcription

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