1FOCUS
Winter- 2006Issue 18
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1FOCUS
A Newsletter for the Pennsylvania Capital Region Chapter Oncology Nursing Society
Officers for 2005 - 2006
President
Betsy Collins
(717) 244-7438 (home)
(717) 544-5382(work)
Email:
President Elect
Teresa (Terry0 McMinn
(717) 667-6722 (home)
(717) 242-7142(work)
Email:
Secretary
Gladdi Tomlinson
(717) Unlisted (home)
(717) 221-1715 (work)
Email:
Treasurer
Joan Moore
(717) 439-9372 (home)
(717) 741-8241 (work)
Email:
Program Chairperson
Diane McElwain
(717) 764-8661 (home)
(717) 741-8106 (work)
Email:
Membership Chairperson
Michelle Kopp
(717) 534-8508 (home)
(717) 531-6736 (work)
Email:
Nominating Chairperson
Kathy Stasko
(717) 755-7271 (home)
(717) 741-9229 (work) Email:
Newsletter Editor
Debi Oxenberg
(717) 898-8798 (home)
(717) 741-8124 (work)
Email:
INSIDE1 / Education & Conferences
2 / Membership Sign-Up 2007
2 / Chapter Meetings
3 / Certification Information
4 / Articles by Members
6 / Resource Corner
7 / Message from the President
Education & Conference Opportunities, etc…
The ONS 9th National Conference on Cancer Nursing Research will be held February 8-10 in Hollywood,
CA. For more information, log into:
“The Cytokines and the B-Cell
Malignancies: A New Spin on Maximizing Therapeutic Outcomes”
This webcast is worth 2.2 ceu’s.
For more information log onto: cn=ons&e=5851&s=20326&spl=5
“Clinical Breakthroughs in EGFR
Inhibition: Applying the Science to Your Clinical Practice”
This web cast is worth 2.6 ceu’s.
For more information log into:
/servlet/tc?c=10170&cn=ons&e=5856&s =20326&spl=5
Membership Sign-Up 2007______
Submitted by Michelle Kopp
It seems that it was only a few months ago that we were in the midst of membership sign-up for 2006. As a reminder to you, membership runs January to December. In October/ November we begin the
campaign to recruit and retain members. Now is the time to complete your 2007 chapter membership. This membership is more than just data collection. It entitles you to scholarship prizes, reduced dinner meetings, and our special Oncology Nurses dinner meeting.
Each year, in the annual report, we are asked as a chapter to report on the number of members that were retained and those recruited. Our membership for 2006 is down. Many of you that had been faithful members did not renew. I believe that this is in part due to the change of the membership calendar in 2005.
I would like each of you to consider how you as a chapter member and us as a chapter can increase our active membership. We are a wonderful group of people and the benefits from attending our chapter meetings and the networking that takes place is priceless. Please consider recruiting a friend, colleague, or new oncology nurse to attend the next chapter meeting. We won’t disappoint them!
If there is any question regarding membership, contact Michelle Kopp at 717-531-6736 or
Up-coming Chapter Meetings
When: January
We’re on vacation
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When: February 13, Tuesday
Topic:Applying Genomics to Breast Cancer – An Overview of the Oncotype DX™ Recurrence Score Assay
Speaker: Dr Thomas Bauer
Sponsor: Genomics Health – Mitch Mensch
Location: Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Center Exit 40 off I-83 New Cumberland, PA
RSVP by February 9th to Nicole Imamovic: (717) 741-8019 or
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When: March 24, Saturday
Topic:Saturday Symposium
Speaker: Various
Sponsor: Sanofi-Aventis
Location: Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Center Exit 40 off I-83 New Cumberland, PA
RSVP by March 19th to Nicole Imamovic: (717) 741-8019 or
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When: April 11, Wednesday
Topic:Round Tables
Speaker: Various
Sponsor: Various
Location: Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Center Exit 40 off I-83 New Cumberland, PA
RSVP by April 6th to Nicole Imamovic: (717) 741-8019 or
Please Help Us
If you responded and find that you really can't attend- even a
day or two ahead, PLEASE call me! The hotels have been
great about reducing the count. I realize that there are many things that interfere unexpectantly, but I really hate to use the chapter money for meals that aren't served. Remember, our chapter PAYS for those empty seats!
In the future, those who make a reservation but
don’t show and fail to cancel, will be assessed a charge
of $10.00 to help cover the cost of the meal.
Please help to make these meetings as pleasant as possible. I really appreciate your support!
Nicole Imamovic
Certification Information
Dates & locations for the Oncology Certification Exams:
April 16-28, 2007
First Application Deadline (Save $75) – 1/10/07
Final Application Deadline (Full Fee) – 1/24/07
July 16-28, 2007
First Application Deadline (Save $75) – 4/11/07
Final Application Deadline (Full Fee) – 4/25/07
October 15-27, 2007
First Application Deadline (Save $75) – 7/11/07
Final Application Deadline (Full Fee) – 7/25/07
ONC-PRO Application Deadlines:
First Renewal Deadline (Save $75) – 9/15/07
Final Renewal Deadline (Full Fee) – 10/15/07
The Professional Caregiver: Challenges & Gifts
Submitted by Michele Schonbrunner
The following words of wisdom and inspiration were adapted from an article in the November issue of The Maryland Nurse by Elaine Tiller. I found the piece both uplifting and poignant.
The author discussed the four levels of loss that we as caregivers face. The first one being personal loss. She reviewed how we must work on these losses, moving through the grief process in order to ultimately be able to listen to and assist our patients through their losses. This means setting aside our needs to professionally address the needs of our patients.
The second level of loss involves the illnesses and eventual deaths of those patients who receive our care. As oncology nurses we are charged with the work of caring for a vulnerable population. It is our expertise that the patients and their families rely on through the journey that is cancer. We become weaved into the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of those lives and it is up to us to provide excellence in supportive care.
The third level addresses the rawness of death and how it affects us on many levels. Death is no longer a mystery. It is a cold hard fact of life. Our position as professional caregivers causes us to incorporate death as an eventual reality in our daily practice. We can not hide from it because it is a constant reality in our daily practice.
The fourth level of loss is the knowledge that we or our loved ones will also die. This certainty comes with the territory. Tiller acknowledges that we could be working on any of these levels at any given time. She notes that the key is to be able to separate these levels in order to grieve, grow, change, thrive, and yes, find fulfillment in the work that we do.
What I found most engaging in the article was her discussion about the gifts that we as caregivers receive from the people that receive our care. We know that every moment counts and that how you treat people everyday matters. We learn that life is precious and that each interaction has purpose and meaning. We are invited into some of the most vulnerable and intimate times of our patients’ lives. We learn what love and caring looks like and unfortunately what bitterness and hatred looks like. It is our choice how we live our lives. These are the gifts that lead to professional and personal growth.
Last but not least, Tiller discussed the importance of self-care and comfort. In order to give care on a daily basis it behooves us to ask some important questions of ourselves. Questions like:
1) What activities, people, places, thoughts, foods bring you comfort?
2) What brings you comfort physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually?
In summary, understanding grief and working on the various levels helps us to provide optimum care to our patients and families. Secondly, finding ways to comfort and care for ourselves allows us to continue to provide care to our patients. I am privileged to be among those who call themselves oncology nurses.
Coping with Cancer During the HolidaysSubmitted by:Sue Bowman
The end of the year is a time to celebrate life with family and friends. Most people use this season to rejoice and renew connections with whom they are closest. Many times, the season can be particularly stressful if you are coping with cancer as a patient or a healthcare provider. Use some of these ideas with your patients as well as yourself to help ease the Holiday Season:
- Plan time to get together with family and friend over the holidays.Trying to get through the season alone can be very difficult so accept invitations from others. Get involved in group activities through your church, YMCA or social groups. Find a balance between being with others and having time alone. Give yourself permission to pace your activities and to decline invitations so you have the energy to do the things you need to do.
- Make new holiday traditions and let others help. Change your usual holiday activities to relieve yourself of some of the pressures of socializing. Have a “potluck” with relatives or friends or suggest going to a restaurant instead of preparing dinner alone. Have a tree decorating party and invite guests to bring snacks or drinks and help decorate your tree. Part of being human is imperfection. There is no “right” or “wrong” way to celebrate the holiday. Decide what activities are non-negotiable and what activities can be out on hold or eliminated.
- Be an innovative shopper. Use mail order catalogues, shop on-line or by telephone. You may want to decide on a theme for gifts and buy similar things to reduce the demands of shopping. Give gift cards. Most grocery stores and drug stores offer cards from a variety of businesses. Gifts do not have to be traditional. You can make a gift of your time. A short note on a card is an appreciated gift to those far away. The idea of the holidays is to connect with others and reinforce your relationships in a positive way as well as recognize the personal significance of the holiday.
- Express your feelings in ways that help you receive the support of important people in your life. Live in the moment. Enjoy the here and now. Laughter can be healing. Sharing can be comforting. Tears can bring a sense of relief. It is common to experience anticipation, excitement, and apprehension about the holiday season. Talk to al loved one or professional counselor about your feelings and needs. Ask for the help you need to make the most of you holiday. Nobody can guess what’s on your mind…no matter how well they know you.
- It’s important to embrace the joy and happiness of the holidays.Enjoy the food, gifts, and religious traditions It’s easy to feel out of step with the rest of the world when you are caring for someone receiving treatment for cancer. The holidays intensify this feeling for many people. You can feel more connected if you share your uncertainties with others.
Resource Corner Submitted by Sue Bowman
Learning styles are vastly different for individuals and over the course of time and experience, they change. Here are some resources for you to use and share with your patients. Information is support and support is invaluable.
Some cancer topics are so specialized that little resources are available for patients. Male Breast Cancer is a topic that stymies the best of us and can be difficult to build a file of patient- friendly materials. Breast cancer in men accounts for less than 1% of all breast cancers in the US and is usually found in men age 60 to 70.
Men are not routinely given breast exams or screened for this cancer as part of an annual check up and most men are unaware that they can actually get breast cancer.
Treatment for male breast cancer is the same as for women, consisting of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and/or hormonal therapy.
Learning styles are vastly different for individuals and can change over the course of treatment and recovery. Below are some resources that are available for you to use and share with your patients. Remember: information is support and support is invaluable.
Pamphlets for Patient Use:
Men Can Get Breast Cancer, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation; 800-462-9273
Male Breast Cancer: A Guide For Patients, Fallon Clinic, Worcester, MA01608; 508-852-0600
Breast Cancer in Men,Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation; 800-462-9273
Websites
National Cancer Institute
American Cancer Society
Breast Cancer.org
MemorialSloanKetteringCancerCenter
John W. Nick Foundation
People Living with Cancer
Ribbon of Pink; A Novartis Oncology Program
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
Y-me National Breast Cancer Organization
ONS Capital Region Chapter Scholarship Policy
The ONS Capital Region Chapter Board has developed guidelines related to the granting of scholarships. These guidelines are an effort to ensure that every member has equal opportunity to attend Congress and the Institute of Learning. The guidelines have been sent via email to those individuals whose emails we have on record. If you did not receive your copy, please pick one up at the next ONS chapter meeting or contact a board member to receive your copy via USPS.
Committee Opportunities
This is your chapter, get involved. Every committee is in need of committee members. It’s not hard & will give you the opportunity to meet & network with new people. If you’re interested in participating contact::
Membership – Michelle Kopp,
Program – Diane McElwain,
Nominating – Kathy Stasko,
Newsletter – Debi Oxenberg,
Hospitality – Nicole Imamovic,
From the President
As 2006 draws to a close, I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for allowing me to serve as your president this past year. It has been a very worthwhile and enjoyable experience.
I would like to encourage each of you to consider becoming involved in the chapter leadership. It is an honor to represent your chapter at the national level and collaborate with the leadership of other chapters worldwide. Again, thank you and happy holidays.
Betsy Collins, RN MSN AOCN
A Note From the Editor
I would like to thank this opportunity to thank the contributors to the newsletter this quarter. Their contribution is what, in my opinion, makes the newsletter unique and specific to what your needs are. This is your newsletter, which means it should contain information that is timely and informative for everyone. In order for that to happen, everyone needs to participate in the process. A quick paragraph with some information that you deem important will only take you a few minutes to jot down and send or email and may impact the way someone else views an issue or practices.
If you’d like to submit something for the next newsletter, please either email it to or send it to me at:
Debi Oxenberg
YorkCancerCenter
25 Monument Road, Suite 194
York, PA17403
Debi