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Survivors Teaching Students

zircons
0 Recommendations

Hi,
I am in the Boston area. Survivors Teaching Students are a group of women who go to medical schools to tell third year medical students their stories so that when they are out in practice, they might remember us when patients show up with our symptoms or lack of symptoms. We are currently looking for women who are willing to be trained to tell their stories. It is usually every three months for one hour during the day, probably in the afternoon. We will be going to Tufts Medical School on June 11. Please let me know if there are women out there who would like to help us.
Thanks.

Explore topics in this discussion:

Cancer Menopause Pregnancy Stress Anemia Ovarian cancer

32 replies

Jennali

What a great idea. If something like that were in my area, I would volunteer in a heartbeat.

zircons

Where are you located? They have this group all over the US.To see if there is a group near you, contact LIndsey Boyle at the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance at lboyle@ovariancancer.org.

Dot

I participate in this program at Duke Medical Center. It is very worthwhile, and the med students give us good feedback. I get a lot out of it, too.

gg1

I've volunteered a couple of times for the STS Program and when I told my story, I tried to stress the lack of symptoms and how accustomed to bloating, cramping and generally any thing abdominal, we women are.........throw that in with menopause, peripause, meriperi, whatever and we're in trouble. My second most important point I think, (aside from my personal story for them to remember and pull from when they are practicing) is that there is no screen for us and with whispering symptoms.....That's a recipe for disaster. It's a very good program, you can always see how much the students get out of it! Many of the students want to come up and talk with you after the presentation. I've been surprised too at what they are not aware of, so the more points we can get out there the better. I'd like to ask a question of all you ladies...What message would you like to get out and what points do you believe are most important? Thanks for your imput I know this program is absolutely helping the future of OVCA.

lovemnms

What are the locations? I'd like to use my big mouth to enlighten anyone!

zircons

As I said, get in touch with Lindsey Boyle. There are too many places to list here. I am still looking for volunteers in the Boston area.

lovemnms

gg1:
What message would you like to get out and what points do you believe are most important?

With symptoms that whisper, a doctor needs to listen, not only to the woman, but what she is "complaining" about. Suggest the possibility to her that it could be ovca. A blood test(CA125) or a scan may shed some light on the problem. If your GP or gyno. can't explain what it is, find another doctor for another opinion.
Time is not on your side if it's ovca.

For me, it was only three months from a gyno clean bill of health check up to stage III ovca.

manoog

I live in the Boston area, so I would absolutely want to help with Tufts medical students' knowledge base about ovca. I will finish my treatments at the end of July at Dana Faber.
You need to let me know the details of friend me at this site and we could share information.
I had already decided that I needed to get involved for what, seemingly, is a suprise diagnosis to many women, including myself, because of those vague symptoms.
I,too, had a gyn exam, a great physical in March 2007, and I booked an appt. with my doctor one week before my annual physical. Also, I went for a blood test one week prior to have my potassiam level checked and the anemia was evidenced in that blood test. The rest is history...

Jill13

Hello,
I am involved in this program in Colorado and have spoken to medical students twice -- it is incredible and very empowering. The medical students were very engaging and asked lots of questions.

This was an incredible experience for me. My Ovarian Cancer Journey has been a little different than most, as I went through treatment while pregnant -- I didn't fit the stereotypical "mold" of the typical -- or what is deemed as typical -- OVCA patient and that is the message that I wanted them to come away with -- that all patients are different and while statistics and stereotypes may say one thing, we are different and distinct people.

They asked the obvious questions about how treatment affected my daughter and pregnancy but they also wanted to know other aspects as well -- for instance, how the news was delivered that I had Cancer, if that worked for me, what I wish had been different during my treatment etc.

This brought it home to them if you will -- put a name to a face.

I strongly encourage you to get involved.

Anybody in Colorado who is interested in participating can contact me and I will get you in touch with the group that coordinates this.

Thanks,
Jill

Dot

I've also had a lot of questions about how the news was delivered and my thoughts on that. These med students seem to be exploring the emotional issues as well as the physical and medical ones.

barbarasue

I would love to do this, how can I find out if there is anything like this in my area? barbarasue

zircons

I don't know if there are any in TN. There are none listed on the info that I have. Perhaps you can start one at the medical school in TN. As I said in an earlier email, contact Lindsey Boyle from OCNA. She will be able to help you.

zircons

From the list I have for facilitators, there appears to be groups at Drexel Univ College of Medicine, Jefferson Medical College and Univ of PA School of Medicine. Contact Lindsey Boyle at OCNA. I gave her email address in an earlier email.

kss1204

Ovacome of Tampa Bay also does this program in Tampa, FL if anyone is interested.

http://www.ovacome.org/
Phone: 1-813-223-9108
email: ovacometampa@yahoo.com

lovemnms

Thanks for the info. about the PA hospitals. Actually, I did contact Lindsey Boyle and she was helpful. : )

strega

Hi everyone
We just started such a group in Honolulu. A group of us had such training a week ago. If any of you are from Honolulu and interested in this training let me know

Shearaw

I'd like to try and participate with you. Shoot me a Friend message with details. Perhaps I can join in one of the next ones.

Sheara

paintergal

I would really like a chance to share myn story with medical students. Do you know any organizations looking for people to do this in the chicago,illinois area? I am really looking for a way to give back to the community.

DebS

Hi all you strong women! We have a group in Dayton, OH, that talks with med students at Wright State Boonshoft School of Medicine as well as nursing students at some of the hospitals. Remember that your first line of contact is usualy with the nurse who can bring a lot of issues to the forefront for the Docs. I can't sing the praises of the program too loud! If you are in my area and would like to participate please call - 937-223-4117 x310 or 1-888-221-4004 x310. You can also contact our local group at that number if you would like to become involved in educating the local public or talking with local survivors.

zircons

As far as I can see from my facilitator's handbook, there is not group in Illinois. There are medical schools there. Get in touch with Lindsey Boyle about starting a group there. She will tell you the procedure or try www.ovariancancer.org/STS

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OCNA: @InStyleMagazine @JanetJackson InStyle magazine's December issue features the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance http://tinyurl.com/ykjhdx6

OCNA: Two Broken Broads fight ovarian cancer ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCxv9p1dvzs&feature=player_embedded

OCNA: @JanetJackson ABC Special with Janet Jackson tonight at 10:00pm EST http://www.ovariancancer.org/2009/11/18/abc-special-with-janet-jackson/

OCNA: You are invited to our Virtual Holiday Dinner Party! http://www.ovariancancer.org/party/

OCNA: We want to serve our community better. Please help us by taking a quick moment to fill out this survey. Thanks! http://tinyurl.com/yg634a4

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