Sept. 13, 2017 A Balanced Life - advocacy, survivorship, new normal

As we celebrate our 4th Anniversary, we want to thank everyone who has participated in or followed our chats and all who have supported us by using the #gyncsm hashtag to share information of value to our community. 





This Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month our topic was finding a Balanced Life after a cancer-related diagnosis. We focused on survivorship, a new normal and advocacy.

We were joined by health care providers, survivors and caregivers to answer these questions:

T1: During treatment, what adjustments did you make (nutrition/exercise/work) to help you stay balanced physically and emotionally?

• for emotional support I reached out to @cancerHopeNet
• The most important thing to do during Rx is practice self care - whatever that means for you - exercise, food, time
• I think it is important to remember to go easy on yourself. We can be our own worst critics. Remind self it is ok to falter.
• My experiences as a doc are that most patients attend to the treatment needs and have little energy to do anything further
• I was a hard core exerciser before. I had to learn to be easier on myself. I did a lot of beginner/gentle yoga. It helped

T2: When you finished first line treatment, how did you feel? What things did you go back to doing and what stayed changed?

• People expect you to "be over it" and move on as if nothing happened. 
• I felt like a rudderless ship. Had no control of my life for so long, then see you in a month
• still do same stuff;work,volunteer, make lunch and dinner, son's sports, friends but I don't feel the same. Cancer is always there
• People expect you to "be over it" and move on as if nothing happened.

T3a: What does the term “new normal” mean to you?

• The new normal is the development of new habits patterns and thoughts as a result of the cancer journey
• I think there's so much pressure on patients to have cancer change them in some profound way and when it doesn't they're lost
• I think that "new normal" is an interesting phrase. For some it is helpful, and for others, it draws negative feelings.
• the term new normal I guess acknowledges that there has been a turning point. An anchor in your own timeline.
• My new normal as a caregiver is a recognition of the fragility of life and how a diagnosis can change absolutely everything

T3b: What does your own new normal currently look like? Where are you in your search for balance?

• I often encourage clients to find whatever version of "new normal" helps them acknowledge that cancer creates permanent change
• I'm in denial with a touch of overwhelmed in making preventative treatment decisions. So still in the thick of it and unclear
• And even if clients can return to work, exercise, other activities, there is always the knowledge of vulnerability.
• And mentally people have completely changed. The old normal is no longer applicable .Cancer is a period of accelerated change

T4: How soon after your diagnosis did you start volunteering and/or sharing your story? What are you involved in for awareness month?

• I started sharing my family's cancer story when we started up #gyncsm. So, about 4 years ago
• I took part in @livestrong summit 6 mo after chemo.Learned & was motivated to advocate for myself and others 
• This awareness month seems less active than last year... I've been doing a tweet a day from me and another from @gyncsm

T5: Do you ever feel the need to take a break from all things cancer? What do you do and where do you turn when you reach that point?

• I believe breaks are critical. We need time to recharge, to do what we love, to remember our dx is not our identity.
• As a doctor, I get here often - need to take breaks - coach baseball/softball, exercise, take a weekend off from everything
• Absolutely need to step back,For me esp after #GCAM - so much going on ( walks, events) and remembering those lives lost
• I would love to. But I can't. I just can't. Survivorship leaks from every pore.
• It is tough to stay in a constant advocacy mode. Esp. when a string of advocates pass away. Need time to recharge 
• So appreciative of long-term survivors who stay active in patient communities IRL and online. Also understand when they go in/out.

You may find a complete transcript here, analytics here and resources below.

You can continue tonight's discussion, A Balance Life, on Smart Patients at
 https://www.smartpatients.com/partners/gyncsm 

We hope you will join us next month on Wednesday October 11, 2017 at 9pm for our chat - #Clinical Trials - How have they changed?.

See you then.
Dee
#gyncsm co-moderator

RESOURCES
"Survivorship is Not a Phase"  #newnormal http://theendoflinearity.com/survivorship-is-not-a-phase-part-two/

New Normal Adjustment after Cancer http://awomanshealth.com/new-normal-adjustment-after-cancer/

The power of vulnerability | Brené Brown https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCvmsMzlF7o&feature=youtu.be

@afreshchapter started a patient advocate retreat called Refresh

via @TealDivaNC - Vulnerable http://www.tealdivanc.org/single-post/2017/09/02/vul%C2%B7ner%C2%B7a%C2%B7ble-%CB%88v%C9%99ln%C9%99r%C9%99b%C9%99l

via #MedX: 5 things I tell people who think they can't be advocates https://medicinex.stanford.edu/2017/09/03/5-things-i-tell-people-who-think-they-cant-be-advocates/

A bit of Advocate in all of us https://www.sharecancersupport.org/2017/01/a-bit-of-advocate-in-all-of-us/

What happens next #ovcahttps://targetovariancancer.org.uk/guides/what-happens-next

Ovarian Cancer Survivors’ Experiences of Self-Advocacy: A Focus Group Study @TLHagan https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4021021/

September #gyncsm Chat: A Balanced Life - advocacy, survivorship, new normal

Christina and I have seen many posts on social media related to finding a new normal, how to become involved in advocacy (self, research, legislative), and issues that affect survivorship. We feel that this month, Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, is a perfect time to focus on issues of finding a Balanced Life after a cancer-related diagnosis. While we mainly focus on gyn cancers, this topic is important to anyone who has received a major diagnosis - regardless of the type - and we invite everyone to join us.

This month we are also excited to be celebrating our anniversary. A special thanks to our moderators Drs. Markham, Westin, Boulay and Becker-Shutte and to the OCRFA, SGO and Foundation for Women's Cancer for your support - without which we would not be able to continue serving those whose lives have been impacted by gynecologic cancers.

Here are the topic questions that will guide our hour long chat on finding a balanced life following diagnosis:

T1: During treatment, what adjustments did you make (nutrition/exercise/work) to help you stay balanced physically and emotionally?

T2: When you finished first line treatment, how did you feel? What things did you go back to doing and what stayed changed?

T3a: What does the term “new normal” mean to you?
T3b: What does your own new normal currently look like? Where are you in your search for balance?

T4: How soon after your diagnosis did you start volunteering and/or sharing your story? What are you involved in for awareness month?

T5: Do you ever feel the need to take a break from all things cancer? What do you do and where do you turn when you reach that point?

We hope you can join us on September 13, 2017 at 9pmET (8CT/6PT) and share your experience with finding a "balanced life" with all of us.

Dee
#gyncsm moderator

September 14, 2016 Chat - Gynecologic Cancer Advocacy & #gyncsm Community Goals

Today we celebrated our third anniversary as a chat and Twitter cancer community.

We want to take this opportunity to thank this year's health care moderators, Dr. Rick Boulay, Dr. Shannon Westin, Dr. Merry Markham and Dr. Anne Becker-Schutte. We also want to thank one of our founding health care moderators, Dr. Don S Dizon and Dr. Matthew Katz who wrote our Tweet Disclaimer. And to all the organizations and individuals who supported us by sharing our tweets and information about our chat, thank you.

Since September is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness month it was fitting that our chat topic was Gynecologic Cancer Advocacy and #gyncsm goals. We had 34 participants join us for our chat and had over 1.5 million impressions. Additional analytics may be found here.

The questions we used to guide our discussion appear below with some sample responses. Please see our transcript here for the complete responses and the names of additional advocacy organizations.

T1a: What skills have you gained in learning to advocate for yourself / loved ones / patients?

• Using social media as a way of promoting awareness. Advising women to journal their symptoms.
• Still working on speaking up for myself when I'm in the doctor's office. A work in progress. I do fine speaking up re: my kids
• Have learned importance of going into appts prepared as much as possible.  

T1b: Being your own best advocate when it comes to your health isn't always easy. What are some tips and resources?

• Picking up new words quickly. If in person, asking what they mean, how they are spelled, etc., helps me learn.
• If possible, bring a buddy. A second set of ears, voice for clarification, note-taker, etc can make a huge difference
• Society for Participatory Medicine @s4pm is a great group. Talking w/ other patients. @intakeme has ePatient101 online course 
• @power4patients another good resource. @smart_patients community and other communities

T2a: What groups/organizations are you involved w/ that advocate and raise awareness for women's cancer? 

• @Sgo_org @GYNCancer @OCRF
• NOCC of course
• Advocacy organizations are vital to raising awareness @GYNCancer [correct tag @NOCC_national] @OCRFA @CancerSupportCm @gyncsm 

T2b: How will you be advocating for yourself and others this month? Share as well any events/campaigns others can join.

• wearing my teal ribbon bracelet all month and starting conversations, wearing teal on tuesdays, RTs and posts on my personal FB
• Just gave a lecture to our ovarian cancer survivor group, keeping teal on whenever possible, bringing up gyn cancer on twitter!
• Just completed a documentary with PBS "Close to Home: cancer survivorship" airs next week on PBS 39. 

T3: For gynecologic cancers, what are the barriers in raising awareness? 

In advocating for improvements in care?

• All rare diseases are tough to shine the light on
• Women can be afraid to discuss gynecologic cancers - it can be an uncomfortable topic - they feel alone 
• Still see a lot of taboo with gyn cancers. Also, many women are not educated about their own bodies. That is the starting point.
• advocates of less prevalent cancers can definitely gain by working together to amplify their voices - collaborating where can

T4a: In the past 3 yrs, have you seen changes/progress in GYN cancer awareness, treatment and advocacy? 

• Huge patient advocate presence on social media - easier for patients to interact with each other and share knowledge
• There has been a strong increase in advocacy efforts through resources and education from partners like @GYNCancer [correct tag @NOCC_national] @OCRFA
• The cancer moonshot can only help. The PBS documentary on cancer last year helped too.
• Progress with the Immuno-oncology drugs and other biologicals. Slow but steady improvement

T4b: What issues do you think it's important for the #gyncsm community to advocate around?

• Something I wonder about is uterine/endometrial cancer... why no large national organization when more cases than cervical, ovarian
• Encouraging clinical trial participation
• survivorship planning, end of life too
• patient reported outcomes, quality of life, survivorship

T5: What can we do to better fulfill [#gyncsm's] mission? How can we bring more gyn cancer survivors into our community? 

• I'd love to find more participants.
• I'd love to see a .gov or neutral supported site with patient communities listed dr's could feel comfortable referring patients too. 

During tonight's chat we launched our 2016 #gyncsm Community Survey. All followers and chat participants are invited to answer the short 10 question survey which is located at www.surveymonkey.com/r/STHG6RC .
We will collect responses from today until October 11, 2016.

We hope you will join us on Wednesday , October 12th at 9pmET for our chat Warrior? Fighter? The words we use... .

Remember you can always continue this conversation on Smart Patients at https://www.smartpatients.com/gyncsm .

Dee
Co-founder #gyncsm 

Gynecologic Cancer Advocacy & #gyncsm Community Goals - September 2016 Chat

It is Gyn Cancer Awareness Month! What better time to chat about Gynecologic Cancer Advocacy than September. Christina and I are also excited to celebrate #gyncsm's 3rd Anniversary as a chat and a Twitter community. Over the past three years we hope #gyncsm has provided patients, survivors and caregivers of women impacted by gynecologic cancer a place to gain valuable information about gyn cancers, available treatments and emotional support. For the healthcare providers and researchers we have welcomed, we hope #gyncsm has provided insight into the experiences of those impacted by gynecologic cancer. We will wrap up this month's chat speaking with you - our #gyncsm community members - about our goals.

We hope you will join us as we delve into these topic questions:

T1a: What skills have you gained in learning to advocate for yourself / loved ones / patients?

T1b: Being your own best advocate when it comes to your health isn't always easy. What are some tips and resources?

T2a: What groups/organizations are you involved w/ that advocate and raise awareness for women's cancer? 

T2b: How will you be advocating for yourself and others this month? Share as well any events/campaigns others can join.

T3: For gynecologic cancers, what are the barriers in raising awareness? 

In advocating for improvements in care?

T4a: In the past 3 yrs, have you seen changes/progress in GYN cancer awareness, treatment and advocacy? 

T4b: What issues do you think it's important for the #gyncsm community to advocate around?

T5: What can we do to better fulfill [#gyncsm's] mission? How can we bring more gyn cancer survivors into our community? 

Another exciting part of this month's chat will be the launch of our 2nd Community Survey.

This short 10-question survey will launch on the day of our chat, September 14, 2016 and will end on October 11, 2016. We hope to learn more about our members, your background, topics of interest to you, and what we can do to improve your experience and our #gyncsm community.

So be sure to join us on Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at 9pm ET (for your local time click here).

See you then,

Dee
Co-founder #gyncsm

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Awareness and Advocacy - Sept Round-up

Awareness months are a wonderful opportunity to build momentum around a health cause. Here are lots of resources and information about the great things you can get involved with for Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month and Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. We'll add to this post as the month goes along. You can also check out our RESOURCES section for overall and cancer-specific organizations and resources that are helpful year-round.

Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month

Foundation for Women's Cancer

• Campaign homepage: http://www.foundationforwomenscancer.org/gcam2016/ Note - Here you will find great graphics to share highlighting each of the main gyn cancers.
• SGO counterpart page: https://www.sgo.org/social-media/social-media-gcam/
• Main Hashtags: #EndWomensCancer #sharethepurplelove
• Other Hashtags: #gyncancer #GCAM

Cervivor (Cervical Cancer Awareness Month is January, so love seeing them join along)

• Main Hashtags: #gcam #gyncsm #preventcc 

National Cervical Cancer Coalition (Cervical Cancer Awareness Month is January, so love seeing them join along)

• Campaign homepage: http://www.nccc-online.org/gynecological-cancer-awareness-month/

UK Organizations:

• The Eve Appeal, Jo's Trust
• Main Hashtags: #GynaeMonth #knowyourbody

Virtual Events:

• #GCAM chat w/ NCCC - Mon 9/12 2pmET
• #gyncsm chat - Wed 9/14 9pmET, See RECAP

Places to Find Personal Stories:

• #gyncsm Community Blog Stories

Gynecologic and Ovarian Cancer Symptom Images to Share:

• https://www.pinterest.com/christinalizaso/gyn-cancer-symptom-awareness/

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

Presidential Proclamation - National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, 2016
http://go.wh.gov/ZkDRGY

Foundation for Women's Cancer

• Campaign homepage: http://www.foundationforwomenscancer.org/gcam2016/ Note - Here you will find great graphics to share for ovarian cancer.
• Main Hashtags: #TealTuesday #sharetheteallove

Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance

• Partner Member Events: http://www.ovariancancer.org/2016/08/03/september-partner-member-events/
• Main Hashtag: #30daysofteal 

National Ovarian Cancer Coalition

• Campaign homepage: http://www.ovarian.org/knowovarian Note - has links to all their run/walks.
• Main Hashtags: #knowovarian

SHARE Cancer Support

• Main Hashtags: #TealTuesday #ovariancancer #gyncsm

Virtual Events:

• #WearTealDay - Fri 9/2, Annual event on the first Friday of September
• #OCAMChat - Tues 9/6 5:30pmET
• CancerCare Webinar on Medical Update on Ovarian Cancer - Wed 9/7 1:30pmET
• #HERchat w/ @beBRCAware @ShannonWestin - Thur 9/8 7pmET
• Ovarian101 Thunderclap - Sat 9/10, Join the campaign by 9/9 
• SHARE Webinar on Strategies for Long-Term Management of Recurrent Ovarian Cancer - Thur 9/15 12pmET
• SupportConnect Webinar on Clinical Trials and Ovarian Cancer - Thur 9/15 8pmET
• Ovarian Cancer SU2C Dream Team Update Webinar - Thur 9/22 6pmET

Places to Find Personal Stories:

• NOCC-Northern Virginia Chapter Faces of Hope

 

Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Week (9/25-10/1) and Previvor Day (9/28)

FORCE

• Event page: http://www.facingourrisk.org/get-involved/events/special-event.php

Christina Lizaso
co-founder #gyncsm

Celebrating Cancer Hashtag Communities and a Moonshot

The #gyncsm community is pleased to be joining in the activities celebrating our cancer hashtag communities and the Moonshot Program. Many representatives of our hashtag communities have been invited to the Moonshot Summit in Washington, DC or one of the Regional Satellite Summits. We invite everyone in the gynecologic cancer community to join with survivors, advocates, researchers and others for one of the chats listed or to submit an idea to the Moonshot Program (link provided below). 

This coming week, the online cancer hashtag communities will be celebrating. Why, you ask? We have two good reasons.

1. The Cancer Moonshot Summit happens Wednesday, June 29, in DC and in satellite locations all over the US (see DC agenda at bottom of this post). While several of our members will be attending, we all have the opportunity to provide input to the Cancer Moonshot (deadline July 1).
2. The 5^th Anniversary of the beginning of Breast Cancer Social Media (#BCSM) and the beginning of cancer hashtag communities on the web happens July 4!

Our celebration will take the form of several coordinated chats open to everyone, regardless of cancer type.

Mon 6/27:#BCSM Chat (use both #BCSM and #cancerchat hashtags) will host a cross-cancer chat at 9 PM Eastern Time about three of the Cancer Moonshot Working Group topics (check blog on #BCSM website for chat details):
--Expanding Clinical Trials
--Enhanced Data Sharing
--Precision Prevention and Early Detection
Ideas generated can be submitted online to the Cancer Moonshot.

Wed 6/29:Cancer Moonshot events in DC and satellite locations (see agenda for DC Summit below)

Wed 6/29:#Hcchat will conduct the official Moonshot chat on Twitter (use both #Hcchat and #Moonshot hashtags) at noon Eastern Time on the topic "Will the Moonshot lead to the death of cancer?" This chat applies to all types of cancers. Special guest will be Vincent T. DeVita, Jr, MD, who was head of the NCI during Nixon's Cancer Act and author of "The Death of Cancer."

Thu 6/30:#LCSM Chat (use both #LCSM and #cancerchat hashtags) will host a cross-cancer chat at 8 PM Eastern Time about the remaining four Cancer Moonshot Working Group topics (check blog on #LCSM Chat website for chat details):
--Cancer Immunology and Prevention
--Tumor Evolution and Progression
--Implementation Sciences
--Pediatric Cancer Ideas generated can be submitted online to the Cancer Moonshot.

Thu 6/30:Last day to submit Moonshot ideas at https://cancerresearchideas.cancer.gov/a/index

Sun 7/03:#BTSM Chat (use both #BTSM and #cancerchat hashtags) will host a cross-cancer chat at 9 PM Eastern Time about our hopes and dreams for cancer research and treatment in the future.

Mon 7/04:5^th anniversary of #BCSM and cancer hashtag communities

Mon 7/04:#BCSM anniversary celebration chat at 9 PM Eastern (use both #BCSM and #cancerchat hashtags)

The cancer hashtag communities hope you"ll join us for some (or ALL) of these special events and help us celebrate! To learn more about the cancer hashtag communities, visit http://www.symplur.com/healthcare-hashtags/ontology/cancer/



  AGENDA FOR THE CANCER MOONSHOT SUMMIT IN WASHINGTON, DC


















Original blog post appeared on lcsmchat.org site. 


Dee and Christina
Co-founder's #gyncsm Chat (est. 2013)

#LCSM chat 8/27 8pm ET: Let's get social... in our health?

Christina and I are pleased to be joining the #lcsm community to discuss "Getting Social with your Health"  on Thursday August 27, 2015 at 8pm ET. Below is the guest post Christina wrote about the chat for the #LCSM Chat Website. 

The internet has obviously changed a lot of things. One of the most exciting and impactful changes for me has been how it enables patients to find each other and form disease communities. It began with discussion boards; now there are an amazing number of options to suit various interests, styles and comfort levels. The rise of online patient communities has been especially important for those with rare disease and diseases which carry stigma.

What is really exciting is to see patient communities go beyond internally supporting one another and reach out to make a bigger impact — with their data, in cross-disease advocacy and information sharing, and in working directly with doctors, healthcare workers, researchers, pharma and health IT professionals.

I’m definitely an admirer of the #LCSM community, which was formed and launched just prior to Dee Sparacio (@womenofteal) and I forming the #gyncsm community for gynecologic cancers. The #LCSM community has a great focus on turning ideas into action, pushing for collaboration, and is not afraid to get technical.

Guiding our discussion for the Thursday, August 27th #LCSM Chat at 8 PM (Eastern Time) will be:

T1: What are the benefits to patients and loved ones in connecting and sharing on social media? Why do you participate?

T2: What are your tips for getting started in using healthcare social media to connect and learn about a condition?

T3: What are some considerations and cautions when it comes to getting social with your health?

T4: How do we bring more people into the important discussions happening in digital health communities like #LCSM?

The #LCSM community is vibrant and welcoming. It is the perfect setting to check out getting social with your health – no matter your health background. I hope you’ll join us for a great discussion. Dee and I are honored and excited to participate.

For a primer on how to join #LCSM chat, check out How to Participate in LCSM Chat. You can also check out the #gyncsm community disclosure statement on participating in healthcare social media.


Christina Lizaso (@btrfly12)
Co-Founder and Co-Moderator #gyncsm community
Moderator #patientchat

Further Reading:

• The Nature of Online Communities – #HCLDR (Healthcare Leadership) Blog
• Communicating the experience of illness in the digital age by Susannah Fox
• MedX Panel – Communicating the experience of illness in the digital age (video, notes & tweets)
• Power of twitter chats in in their ability to build community
• How to Be a Twitter Chat Champion via @np_blogexchange

We hope you can join us!

Dee 

Co-Founder and Co-Moderator #gyncsm Community

Looking back at a year of #gyncsm chat Today I Learned's

At the end of each #gyncsm chat, we call on participants to share closing thoughts using TIL, standing for "Today I Learned".  I really enjoyed looking back through them all and below are a selection of my favorites from this past year of monthly chats.

Want more? You can find the running list of TILs from each chat HERE.

TIL: A new way to connect and share with a community of people living with, advocating for and caring for GYN cancers! awesome! @eberrygynonc

TIL: connections in person or online can impact and empower. @joannerash

TIL: again how important it is to ask questions and be your own health advocate. @staunchstudio

TIL: We all have so much to share w/ each other and each conversation helps us all connect better @gyncsm   

Proud of the amazing conversation at #gyncsm tonight. We need to spread GOOD info on gyno cancers. #LetsDoThis. @girlmeetsgeek

that cancer is an umbrella of diseases under which we can all stand TOGETHER and support all! @chemobrainfog

TIL that there’s a website for EVERYTHING! And that I’m not alone in my clinical trials frustrations. @cookifit

TIL (again): There are so many very powerful voices working to decrease stigma and connect those in need of support. @drbeckerschutte

#gyncsm chat is a lifesaver. Its amazing to get opportunities to talk with fellow survivors & professionals freely. Thank you for this! @cookifit

TIL that there are fierce advocates for those with #cervca and that there is HOPE. @brownbeansprout

TIL how much I love the #gyncsm chats and the people it brings together. @cloudhealth

TIL: different viewpoints on clinical trials. Good to see things from a different perspective. Thanks everyone at #gyncsm! @eberrygynonc

TIL that we can learn from each other No need to re-create the wheel! BTW I used TIL as closure when I was teaching 5th grade @myelomateacher

TIL: caregiving + family issues can be as complex as the clinical issues. It's a team effort @rzeiger

Brilliant TIL: impt that clinicians recognize cancer is social dz. Stop, ask how the loved ones are doing. @gfry

cancer is hard for everyone. Patient, caregiver.Partner & children. No right or wrong. Just be a loving unit is my final thought @brcainfo

TIL: Reminded there is power in knowing you are not alone in whatever you are facing and that others are there for you. @btrfly12      

TIL continual imptce of being ur own advocate:key to survival and NEGU (never ever giving up) @jtriestm

TIL GYNCSM is a diverse body with many different and wonderful suggestions to approach the same issue. @journeycancer        

TIL that despite all SHE's facing, my wife still has love and patience when I'M upset, and maybe I should be more OK with showing it @simpson1290

TIL so happy I was able to participate tonight, you all are amazing and I'm so grateful to have this forum, take care :) @rose_mzrozee

TIL: too many to list...great advice/sharing from great people! #endcancer @natedahlpharmd

TIL - we have a huge opportunity to educate our gyn ca providers to address sexuality and fertility issues early and often @shannonwestin

Cancer needs a multi-dimensional approach with a muti-disciplinary team covering multiple issues. A challenge but can be overcome! @giasison

TIL once again, patients need to be their own health advocates. Never assume. Ask questions. Explore all options @jbbc        

"For the secret of the care of the patient is in caring for the patient." Francis Peabody <-- the whole patient @subatomicdoc    

Til - there are wonderful hcp and patients exchanging ideas and touching on topics that rarely get discussed #gyncsm thanks everyone @natricer

appreciate greatly everyone sharing an hr to educate, inform & support those with cancer. & related issues - so thrilled to peek in! @natricer

TIL important for patients and providers alike to use coping mechanisms and ask for help @shannonwestin

TIL I'm not alone in my fear of recurrence. Knowledge is power. Staying connected even after treatment is important. @intakeme

TIL: Integrated whole person care is essential in all disease communities. @drbeckerschutte

TIL: being an advocate is important. Everyone can do something & make a difference in another persons life. I will never stop doing! @brcainfo

TIL Those on #gyncsm can change the status quo. #communities are more important than ribbons... or ice buckets. @drdonsdizon      

TIL: There are so many ways to advocate for yourself and others - don't be afraid to ask questions and find the right MD for you @shannonwestin

This year I learned: people in the gyn cancer community could find each other and come together to support and educate each other @womenofteal

TIL: The best learnings come from sharings of what each & every one of us go through. And for that I'm forever grateful. @giasison

TIL: @gyncsm has been a great resource for gynecologic cancer advocacy for a solid year. Happy anniversary! @drmarkham            

Thanks for the great chat everyone! A very happy anniversary #gyncsm! Together, we can make a difference. @globeathon  

I'm excited for another year of sharing and learning with #gyncsm.

Christina Lizaso