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Coping with cancer during the holidays

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Cancer is a difficult thing to cope with no matter what is going on in your life. When life speeds up a notch and there is baking, shopping, wrapping, decorating, and parties to attend, the entire experience may become very stressful and �exhausting.�You�worry about keeping up old family traditions, when you just don't have the energy to do�so. There can also be fear or anxiety about attending those holiday parties and�having to visit with family and friends.�Here is some advice that may help.

KEEP IT SIMPLE, ASK FOR HELP.....

Take a deep breath and remember this is supposed to be the time of year to relax and enjoy.
You may be the one who always prepared the special holiday meal�so this might be the year to�create a new tradition and ask family and friends to share�a pot luck holiday meal with each person bringing a unique�dish. Or perhaps a neighbor you feel close to may ask other neighbors to pitch in and bring a pot luck meal to your home for the holidays. If someone suggests doing this for you, accept the kind gesture.

Also, pace yourself with the holiday gatherings. You may need to decline a few events to take care of yourself, however, don't spend the entire holiday season alone. Pick those events you enjoy the most and do attend these events. It is good to spend�time with friends and family, you may just not be able to do as much as you used to, but don't swing 180 degrees in the other direction. You may need to make adjustments. Instead of a day of�baking cookies�with friends, perhaps you could meet at your favorite restaurant and enjoy some desserts together.

Be creative in how you spend your time so that you are doing what you enjoy the most during the time of day when you have the most energy.�Perhpas�have a holiday brunch instead of a late�dinner�gathering if you have more energy in the mornings. Use decorative paper plates instead of your china which you would have to wash by hand.

If you feel you MUST shop, take advantage of shopping on line. Now is not the time to run yourself ragged driving all over town for "that special gift". Instead, give yourself a gift and relax, use the on line option and have the gifts delivered to your home. Also share your feelings with your loved ones. Sometimes this can be the greatest gift for all of you. Tears and laughter can provide great feelings of calm happiness.

For more advice visit: www.cancer.net and�http://www.cancercare.org/publications/55-coping_with_cancer_during_the_holidays

Pan Can Purple Stride Charity Run

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Wow, time flies! I wanted to post some pictures from the PAN CAN (pancreatic cancer action network) charity 5K run which took place at McAllister Park on November 5, 2011.
For those of you who were able to make it, congratulations on your 5K and thank you for supporting such a worthy cause. For those of you who were not able to make it, you missed a fun morning event.��

Thanks to one of our wonderful patients we have some pictures to share with you. They are attached below.�

Ms. J. Finkbiner, the organizer of the event, did an awesome�job! There was a great live band, hot chocolate, coffee, vendors, and post run snacks. The run was timed for those enthusiast, but there were also those who walked and enjoyed the natural beauty of the park and the crisp morning air.�Dr. Rousseau and myself were at the education booth answering as many questions that came our way.

Please plan to participate next year: November 2012....will keep you posted.

Sorry unable to attach photos at this time.

2nd Annual Girls Night Out

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

THIS WILL BE A FREE�FUN FILLED ENJOYABLE EVENING.
PLEASE JOIN US!!!

When:

October 13, 2011 6 to 9pm

Where:

�The Village At Stone Oak in the parking lot near Wells Fargo, 22610 US�Highway�281 North�Suite�211 San Antonio, TX 78258,

Why:

��(a)�Promote women's health and breast cancer awareness in a relaxing environment

��(b)�Raise $20,000.00 for Susan G. Koman for the Cure Foundation�

�

Acitivites for this year include: fashion show, live and silent auction, 5$ raffle tickets, refreshments, and MORE! Many vendors will be giving away free small items.

For more information, please call 210-297-7005.

Baptist Breast Center: Navigation and Genetic Counseling Services

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The Baptist Breast Center is now open!! It is located on the 4th floor of the Atrium building at the North Central Baptist Hospital. They will be having an open house October 20, 2011 and I will be creating a seperate blog as�the date�gets closer.�

Having this breast center above our North Central Clinic will be advantageous to our patients for many reasons, but I wanted to talk about two in particular:� genetic counseling�and navigation services.

Ms. Kali Chatham, MS
Genetic Counselor

Our patients will have access to Ms. Chatham, who is the new genetic counselor in the breast center. Although her office is in the breast center, she is able to counsel patients and their families regarding a variety of cancers and familial syndromes.

Ms. Chatham will educate and answer any questions and or concerns regarding genetic testing.�After educating about the test she�will perform the test, and in conjunction with our physicians the test results will be�reviewed in detail and a plan of care will be created.��

We are very excited to have this added level of care available�for our patients. Having the a genetic counselor completes the continuum of multidisciplinary care we offer our patients at SOA (Surgical Oncology Associates).

Ms. Andrea Kassem RN, OCN
Oncology Nurse Navigator

Having access to your own breast cancer navigator creates a conseriege type�delivery of health care services�for the patients who come through the Baptist Breast Center. Andrea will be introduced to those patients�who have a postive /�concerning�breast biopsy. Andrea will put you in the center of your care through education and communication. She will communicate with you and your�health care providers regarding your new diagnosis in order to provide high quality expediant cancer care. �

Through explanations, educational resources, and assistance with scheduling�Andrea will�make the process from diagnosis to treatment�as seamless as possible. Having the ability to contact one person who is knowledgable about your individual case will assist to alleviate some�of the anxiety surrounding�a new diagnosis of breast cancer.�We are very excited to have Andrea and her navigation services available for all of our patients who have come through the Baptist Breast Cancer Center.

PAN CAN - Pancreatic Cancer Action Network 5K Walk Run and Fun for the Family

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT

November 5, 2011 Charity Walk/Run at McAllister Part 8am to benefit PAN CAN: Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.�

Come enjoy:

A timed 5K run/walk and 5K family fun walk

Live entertainment and Kids Zone

Complimentary snacks and beverages

Event-day registration opens at 8:00 a.m.

Come enjoy a timed 5K and awareness family walk to honor and remember loved ones, as well as music, kids' activities and much more! Be sure to register online by October 23 to guarantee a T-shirt.
Link below to register:

http://www.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=483397

6th Annual Ranch Chic Fashion Show: A show for a cause

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Grab your partner, hop on the pony and giddy up�on over to the Ranch at the Rim!!

Please join us for a Fun Festive�Fashion show for a great cause.

You will have an exciting�evening while helping the American Cancer Society achieve its' goals.

Surgical Oncology Associates has once again stepped up to the plate�as one of the sponsors�of the 6th Annual Ranch Chic Fashion Show.��

We invite�you to join us for:

THE 6TH ANNUAL RANCH CHIC FASHION SHOW

Thursday, September 15, 6:30pm -9pm @ Ranch at the Rim.

FOR TICKETS:

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY

210.595.0219

OR EMAILLISA AT AYRES@CANCER.ORG

The Ranch at the Rim�http://ranchattherim.com/�
See more information from Great Day SA:http://www.kens5.com/great-day-sa/Fashion-For-A-Cause-128603228.html��

Welcome Dr. Rousseau Jr. MD, PhD, FACS

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT

I would like for you all to join me in welcoming Dr. Rousseau to our practice.�We are very�happy�to have Dr. Rousseau join us. He is a wonderful addition to our team and he will provide exemplary surgical oncology care to patients from San Antonio and the South Texas. He is a community asset!

Dr. Rousseau completed his medical degree and a doctorate in Biochemistry from Vanderbilt University. He went on to complete his general surgery training at the Univeristy of Michigan in Ann Arbor and his surgical oncology fellowship at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. It was during his fellowship that he was recognized as the outstanding clinical fellow of his graduating class.

He was a member of facutlty at the Unviersity of Texa Health Science Center in San Antonio from 2003 to 2007 and during this time worked with Dr. Kahlenberg.

In 2007, Dr. Rousseau was recruited by the Florida Hospital system to serve as the Director of Surgical Oncology. In this role he charied the system wide gastrointestinal cancer task force.

Dr. Rousseau has held national leadership positions within the Society of Surgical Oncology, focusing on the development of community surgical oncology programs. He returns to San antonio to work with Dr. Kahlenberg and Surgical Oncology Associates (SOA) to continue a program of excellence in Surgical Oncology care.
He is a member of the Society of Surgical Oncology, American College of Surgeons, American Society of Clinical Oncology, and American Hepato-Pancreatico-Biliary Association.

November is Pancreatic Awareness Month

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT

November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

The American Cancer Society has deemed the month of November as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.�

We have treated many patients with pancreas cancer and are dedicated to improving outcomes from this type of cancer through awareness and continued research. Please see our site for links to learn more about pancreas cancer.�For those of you interested in learning more about pancreas cancer�you may want to visit�www.pancan.org which is�the only national organization creating hope in a comprehensive way through research, patient support, community outreach and advocacy for a cure.

Purple is the color which represents pancreatic cancer awareness, and November is the month you may begin to see the purple bracelets around the clinics.

Pan Can will be holding�the fund raising�event: "PurpleStrides"�here is San Antonio on November 6th at 0900am

St. Mary's University - Pecan Grove

1 Camino Santa Maria

San Antonio, TX 78228

Please�visit�www.pancan.org for more information regarding�this event.�

Other sites we would recommend you visit are National Cancer Institute: �www.cancer.gov,� and American Cancer Society: www.cancer.org

Peter Suess, pancreatic cancer survivor shares his story.

Tue, 05 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Peter Suess' was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2009. He credits God, his family, his doctor, and his attitude in helping him�overcome pancreatic cancer. Check out his inspiring story.�

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month According to the American Cancer Society

Tue, 11 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT

About Skin Cancer:

There are three types of skin cancer: Basal Cell, Squamous Cell, and Melanoma.

If you are diagnosed with Melanoma, you should be evaluated by a Surgical Oncologist.

According to the National Cancer Institute there were 68,720 new cases of melanoma in the United States and 8,650 deaths in 2009.

Melanoma is a form of cancer that begins in the melanocytes (cells that make the pigment melanin and give our skin color), but can also begin in other pigmented tissues such as the eye. Melanoma can be invasive , depending on its' stage, which means it can travel to lymph nodes and on to other solid organs.

Melanoma treatment is dependent on the stage of disease.

If you have an "in situ" stage Melanoma, the Melanoma cells have not yet become invasive a wide local excision of the lesion is the standard of care. If you have a "thin" melanoma (<=1mm and a mitotic rate of <1mm2 ) again a wide local excision is the standard of care. Both diagnoses should have continued follow up in the form of annual professional skin exams.

However, if you have a Melanoma Stage IA or greater you want to visit with a Surgical Oncologist because an evaluation of your "nodal status" with a procedure called "sentinel lymph node biopsy" is the standard of care. This is a common procedure done in our operating rooms.

Detection:

Sun Burns as a child, Tanning Beds, Family Members Diagnosed with Skin Cancer.these things, and others, can put you at increased risk for developing a skin cancer.

If you have a skin lesion that is itching and not healing you would want to seek medical attention. This is a common presentation of most skin cancers.

Your primary care physician (PCP) can perform annual skin exams at the time of your annual physical. The PCP can also talk with you about your individual risk of developing a skin cancer.

Prevention:

· Sun screens

Recommend SPF 15 or greater: We recommend Neutrogena Sunscreen Product with Helioplex
Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside and re-apply every two hours
Infants should be kept out of the sun.
Sunscreens should be used on babies 6 months and older

· Look for shade (10a to 4p), cover up with clothing, and wear broad brimmed hats

· Examine your skin head to toe every month

By Mary Salazar, MSN, RN, APN 5/11/2010

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/melanoma

Basic Cancer Prevention
Copied from ACS Web Page:

NEW YORK, MAY 4, 2010 - The American Cancer Society, the nation's largest voluntary health organization, today will launch a new nationwide movement to shine the spotlight on a sobering statistic: one in three women will get cancer in her lifetime. Choose You (www.chooseyou.com) is designed to inspire women to take action and put their health first in order to stay well and help prevent cancer.

The Choose You Commitment

As part of the Choose You movement, women are encouraged to sign a Choose You Commitment, an online pledge to reach a specific, individual health goal. At ChooseYou.com, women can choose from five different health categories: Eat Right; Get Active; Get Recommended Health Screenings; Protect Your Skin; and Quit Smoking. Participants give a minimum five dollar pledge once they sign a Choose You Commitment to incentivize them to stay on track. They can also ask friends and family to support them. Scientific research suggests that women who have a "stake in the game", as well as social support from friends and family are more likely to be successful at accomplishing personal health goals. Choose You participants and visitors to ChooseYou.com will have access to online support and tools such as a calorie calculator, virtual dietitian, nutrition and activity quiz, smoking cost calculator, prevention and early detection videos, and a desktop helper with daily health tips.

What is New in our Practice?

Dr. Spencer Frink has joined our practice. He is an Orthopedic Oncologist specializing in Bone and Muscle Tumors.
Dr. Morton Kahlenberg traveled to San Francisco to attend the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP). He participated in the colorectal cancer working group committee meeting.
Dr. David Smith was an invited lecturer at the Royal College of Surgeons meeting in Australia the first week of May.
In March Mary Salazar, our Nurse Practitioner, attended the 63rd Annual Cancer Symposium for the Society of Surgical Oncology in St. Louis, MO. This was a four day program which included presentations by national and international experts on controversies in the surgical management of patients with breast cancer, melanoma, colorectal liver metastases, and pancreatic cancers.
Dr. Morton Kahlenberg continues to serve his as a board member for the San Antonio Chapter of the Koman Foundation.

What's New In the Community:

May 1st 28,529 registered participants attended the Race for the Cure sponsored by the Komen Foundation.
Relay for Life is coming up in August. See: www.relayforlife.org