CARING.......SHARING.......HOPING.......HEALING.......HELPING......COPING.......HUMORing

CONVERSATIONS!

The International Newsletter for Those Fighting Ovarian Cancer Volume 20: Number 1-3 ISSN: 1533-1334 February/March 2012 Editor: Donald J. Melancon Co-Editor: Angel M. Melancon Founder: Cindy Francine Hills Melancon (May 1949-June 2003)

P. O. Box 7948, Amarillo, TX 79114-7948 Phone: 210-401-1604 E-mail: conversations@ovarian-news.org Website:http://www.ovarian-news.org, CELEBRATING LIFE TODAY!

Published by CONVERSATIONS: The Ovarian Cancer Connection, a 501-(C)-3 not for Profit Corporation

© Copyrighted. Permission is granted to make personal copies or copies for free distribution to cancer fighters. News and Idea Contributors: The Readers Subscription $60 per year Checks, Visa, Master Card and American Express credit cards accepted for donations. To cancel your subscription, notify us as soon as possible as there is no definite ending time period. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ NOTE: The information contained in this newsletter should NOT be considered a substitute for the opinion of a qualified health care provider.

This newsletter does NOT recommend or guarantee any product mentioned. Products or sources are cited only to assist readers in obtaining further information and making their own health care decisions.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ DON’S NOTES: Well here it is February again and I hope you all had a great holiday season. This is a different issue as an anonymous donor along support from Eisai and Morphotek, will be sponsoring an Ovarian Cancer Survivor Course in the honor of Cindy and I at the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO) 2012 Annual Meeting on Women's Cancer® to be held in Austin Texas at the Austin Convention Center March 24-27, 2012. The survivor course will be on Friday March 23, 2012. CONVERSATIONS, Angel and I are truly honored by this. I am sending out the newsletter to more people by an email link. I have been sending it out this way to about 700 people and it works great. I continue switching more and more to electronic means only. If you have

computer access and do not have an email address, there are free ones you can get such as YAHOO,

GMAIL, HOTMAIL, and other providers. If you currently have an email address and do not currently

get the newsletter that way, please send me your current email. It still cost about $5,000 per month to publish the newsletter with payroll, employment taxes; internet charges office supplies, equipment, equipment repairs, printing and postage. With rising printing and postage cost I am forced to reduce the number of

postal mail copies. I had hoped the November fundraising plea would have generated more donations,

but it did not. With the world moving to the internet, it has now become to way to do things. I will mail out at times late in the month if and only if I have the funds to print and pay the postage. That means there may be some months where the newsletter is by Internet only. In the upcoming year we plan to begin publishing on the internet only. I am sorry it has come to this but, it has. I know these are drastic measures but the CPA has suggested them to me in order to continue so that we are forced to put on a subscription charge.

Highlights of February/March 2012 Page

Don’s Notes 1 Announcement 2 FWC Ovarian Cancer Survivor Course 3 Counterfeit Version of Avastin 4 February Survivor Anniversaries 5 March Survivor Anniversaries 6 Schedule of Events 7 Ovarian cancer National Alliance 15th Annual 7 Assisted Living Directory 7 Fighting Cancer Takes Strength “CarePages” 7 Attention Support Group Leaders 8 Poem “Alone” 8 FWC Ovarian Cancer Survivor Course 9

Grand Finale 10

CONVERSATIONS! February/March 2012 Page: 2

The Foundation for Women’s Cancer Announces Course in

Honor of Cindy and Don Melancon

The Foundation for Women’s Cancer is pleased to announce that the Friday, March 23, 2012, in Austin, TX Ovarian Cancer Survivors Course is being held in recognition of the contributions to women with the disease by Cindy and Don Melancon. Cindy lost her life to ovarian cancer in 2003 after having been named the Foundation’s Public Service Award recipient in 2002. Cindy Melancon, a registered nurse, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1992 and 1 ½ years later started CONVERSATIONS!, which her husband still publishes with the help of their daughter Angela. And, it is not your average newsletter—it is more like an informal, chatty correspondence between friends. But the inspiration it brings to its readers is its hallmark. Cindy used her post-diagnosis years to help others. She started CONVERSATIONS! because she knew of no way to connect with other women living with ovarian cancer. After sixteen months of searching, she ran an ad in the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship “Networker” that read: “Wanted: contact with someone with the same disease.” Ten women responded and their correspondence laid the groundwork for CONVERSATIONS!, which now reaches over 5000 women in over 20 countries. Cindy worked with Gail Hayward to help get the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC) started in 1995 and with Gail came up with the color Teal for the Ovarian Cancer Ribbon. In 1997 Cindy was a founding board member of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance (OCNA) and was Vice-President until her Passing. Cindy also worked with Dr. Barbara Goff in her pioneering research regarding ovarian cancer symptoms. “It is a great honor to have the opportunity to recognize the contribution by the Melancons to women living with ovarian cancer,” said Dr. Vivian von Gruenigen, chair of the Foundation for Women’s Cancer’s Education Committee. In addition to an anonymous donor who wished to honor the Melancons, the Foundation is grateful for course support from Eisai and Morphotek. For more information about registering for the Austin course or future courses, visit the Foundation for Women’s Cancer Web site, foundationforwomenscancer.org. All courses are offered free-of-charge. If you are interested in sponsoring a survivors course, please contact Dina Zambon at 312.658-0751, or dzambon@foundationforwomenscancer.org.

CONVERSATIONS! February-March 2012 Page: 3

CONVERSATIONS! February/March 2012 Page: 4

If you are on Avastin Please read the following:

Counterfeit Version of Avastin in U.S. Distribution

FDA Statement Issued: Feb. 14, 2012 FDA sends letters to 19 medical practices about counterfeit product and other unapproved cancer medicines The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning health care professionals and patients about a counterfeit version of Avastin 400mg/16mL, which may have been purchased and used by some medical practices in the United States. Avastin is an injectable medicine used to treat cancer and is administered to patients in clinics, hospitals, and doctors’ offices. The counterfeit version of Avastin does not contain the medicine’s active ingredient, bevacizumab, which may have resulted in patients not receiving needed therapy. In a related action, FDA has issued letters to 19 medical practices in the United States that purchased unapproved cancer medicines that may include the counterfeit Avastin. The counterfeit version is labeled as Avastin, manufactured by Roche. Roche is the company that manufactures Avastin approved for marketing outside of the United States. Roche conducted laboratory tests that confirmed the counterfeit version of Avastin. Packages or vials

may be counterfeit if they:

• are labeled with Roche as the manufacturer

• display batch numbers that start with B6010, B6011 or B86017

• The only FDA-approved version of Avastin for use in the United States is marketed by Genentech (a member company of Roche). The FDA-approved version does not include the Roche logo on the packaging or vials. In addition, Genentech’s FDA-approved version of Avastin vials and packaging have a 6-digit numeric batch number and expiration dates in a 3-letter month and 4-digit year format (e.g., JAN 2014). Genentech’s Avastin products are safe and effective for their intended uses. The 19 medical practices in the United States purchased unapproved cancer medicines and, potentially, the counterfeit Avastin, from Quality Specialty Products (QSP), a foreign supplier that may also be known as Montana Health Care Solutions. Volunteer Distribution in Gainesboro, Tennessee is a distributor of QSP’s products. FDA has requested that the medical practices stop using any remaining products from these suppliers. FDA cannot ensure the safety or efficacy of any of these unapproved products. The list of the 19 medical practices is also in the following link: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm291960.htm Click here for The full FDA statements, including pictures of the counterfeit product.

If a healthcare provider has any product in their possession that they suspect may be counterfeit, they should immediately contact the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations (OCI) at 1-800-551-3989 or at the website: www.fda.gov/OCI. To report suspect counterfeit products and other suspect unapproved products obtained from Volunteer Distribution or QSP/Montana Health Care Solutions or other sources:

• Call FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations (OCI) at 800-551-3989, or • Visit OCI’s Web site (www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/email/oc/oci/contact.cfm2), or • Email - DrugSupplyChainIntegrity@fda.hhs.gov

Health care professionals and consumers are asked to report adverse events related to the use of suspect injectable cancer medicines to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program either online, by regular mail, by fax, or by phone. Health care professionals and consumers can either:

• Complete and submit the report online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm3, or • Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the

address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178.

CONVERSATIONS! February-March 2012 Page: 5

CONVERSATIONS! Newsletter Subscribers Diagnosed during the Month of FEBRUARY

SURVIVOR ANNIVERSARIES FOR 2012 ☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺

1986: 26 Years

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lois Krieff, FL Barbara Van Billiard, NH

1989: 23 Years !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Beth Kupper-Herr, HI Kay , AR

1994: 18 Years !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Helen Bass, SC Shirley Brown, MI 1995: 17 Years !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ruth Bolotin, IL Helane &Michael , NJ Nancy Ferrell, OR Sharon Florin, NY

1996: 16 Years !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gretchen Larson, MN

1997: 15 Years !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Millie , NY

1998: 14 Years !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Regina Bruce, TN Lillian Miller, IL Lois Myers, NJ

1999: 13 Years !!!!!!!!!!!!! Catherine Andrews, NY Marie , CT Linda Kesler, MI

2000: 12 Years !!!!!!!!!!!! Susan Behrens, TX Davida , CA Karen , CA Dana Kubus, FL Kathy Pantos, NJ Harriet Rothstein, NY Rita , MN

2001: 11 Years !!!!!!!!!!! Judy , IL Lannie , NC Dolores Kozielski, NJ

2002: 10 Years !!!!!!!!!! Diane Elizondo, WA Ms. Ronny , NY Carol Scaramucci, NJ Jill Visor, CA Lisa Yelmini, NC

2003: 9 Years !!!!!!!!! Julie , NY Julie Czoer, IN Karen , CA Carole , FL Becky Teter, TX Aloha Thompson, WY

2004: 8 Years !!!!!!!! Deirdre Edwards, KY Patricia Gagne, ME Lynne Pennington, TX Cathy , TX

2005: 7 Years !!!!!!! Gwen , NY Sister Kathleen , MN Judith , CA Valerie Ward, TX Eileen Witmer, IL Judy Zittman, TN

2006: 6 Years !!!!!! Dorothy Jarmel, NY Dorene , PA

2007: 5 Years !!!!! Debbie Maxwell, MI Patsy Myers, MI Jean , VA

2008: 4 Years !!!! Rosemarie , CO Dorothy Phinney, WI Jody Shragg, MN

2009: 3 Years !!! Marge Walsh, IL

2010: 2 Years !! Stacy Basham Wagner,

☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺

CONVERSATIONS! February-March 2012 Page: 6

CONVERSATIONS! Newsletter Subscribers Diagnosed during the Month of MARCH SURVIVOR ANNIVERSARIES FOR 2012

1985: 27 Years !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sally Duvall, VA

1986: 26 Years !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Patricia Koehler, TX Maria Petit, VA

1991: 21 Years !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mae Kuramoto, HI 1993: 19 Years !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sande Rutstein, CA

1994: 18 Years !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sally , OH Lois Lacoste, FL Mary Schooler, TX

1996: 16 Years !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Deborah Bell, MO Judy Rupp, PA Jodi Shaffer, PA

1997: 15 Years !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Shane Anderson, MN Judith De Noyior, SC Joan Elvin-McAree, WA Susan Kushner, MN Mary Mann, NJ

1998: 14 Years !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Martha Byington, MA Judy , IL Sarah Keller, MN Patricia Spinazzola, MI Lynn Vogt, HI 1999: 13 Years !!!!!!!!!!!!! Peggy Briggs, AZ Linda DaSilva, NY Teresa , WA Tracy , NY

2000: 12 Years !!!!!!!!!!!! Margaret Acampora, CA Cecile Dye, AL Arma Horton, CA Marlene Hoyler, PA Sylvia Jackson, CA Gloria Johns, FL Toby , NJ Janet Livingstone-Horn, CA

2001: 11 Years !!!!!!!!!!! Annamarie DeCarlo, MD Miriam Hoelter, OR Cindy , WI Donna Livermore, CA Carol , CA

2002: 10 Years !!!!!!!!!! Betty Brezina, CA Elaine , PA Susan Liebson, CA Dawn Sutton, OH

2003: 9 Years !!!!!!!!! Karel , CO Nancy Chiesa, NH Ruth , NJ Kathy Roberts, AK Dessa , TX Jean Wagner, MN Teresa Whittington, CA

2004: 8 Years !!!!!!!! Kathleen , CT Barbara , VT Barbara , IL Laurie Hamilton, FL Ellie , NJ Pam Lewis, FL Beth Lipman, NJ Karen Napiorkowski, FL Sandy , CT

2005: 7 Years !!!!!!! Patty Stites, PA

2006: 6 Years !!!!!! Yvonne Cano, TX Shirley , TX Linda , CT Barbara , MO Martha Richards, OR

2007: 5 Years !!!!! Sandra , OH Joyce , CA Gail Thompson, MO

2008: 4 Years !!!! Marge , IN Marci , OH

2009: 3 Years !!! Debbie , TX

2010: 2 Years !! Joan , WA

….

CONVERSATIONS! February-March 2012 Page: 7

Schedule of Events...and Opportunities...for Ovarian Cancer Activists!!!

*To have your group’s activities listed in the newsletter or on the CONVERSATIONS! Web site: http://www.ovarian-news.org, please call 210-401-1604, or e-mail conversations@ovarian-news.org

at least 4-8 weeks in advance. Special note: If anyone would like to summarize what they learned at a program or during a telephone conference, your

help would be greatly appreciated. However, to avoid duplication, please contact the office as listed above. *The following events are also listed in the “Events & Opportunities” section of our CONVERSATIONS! Web site.*

*Please check for accuracy. *

*The sponsors of the following events would be most grateful for sponsorship, team building, volunteers, and support! *

The 15th Annual Conference of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance

will be held July 14-17, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Join the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance and ovarian cancer advocates for the 15th annual conference The Annual Conference programs normally offer educational opportunities about topics such as clinical trials, early detection, and treatment through various forums and lectures from renowned clinicians and researchers. Survivors and their families also can attend workshops and events on timely issues about living with ovarian cancer. For more information on what, when, where and how you can make a difference, contact the: Ovarian Cancer National Alliance • 901 E Street NW, Suite 405 • Washington, DC 20004 (202) 331-1332 • toll-free: 1-866-399-6262 • fax: (202) 331-2292 • http://www.ovariancancer.org

Resource:

Assisted Living Directory Assisted Living Directory was started in 2005, and is a comprehensive directory of assisted living facilities, including articles and original videos discussing how assisted living is a an increasingly viable living alternative for those undergoing, or recovering from cancer or treatment. Assisted Living Directory is a free resource - any licensed assisted living facility may include their facility information free of charge. http://www.assisted-living-directory.com/

Resource: Fighting Ovarian Cancer Takes Strength. Get the Support You Need with CarePages.com. CarePages make it easy to bring the people you love right to you. Use CarePages to share your story with friends and family online. CarePages are free, private web pages that make it easy to receive messages of love and support and to instantly update friends and family without making phone calls. To start a CarePage for yourself or someone you love, visit http://www.carepages.com. ☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺

CONVERSATIONS! February-March 2012 Page: 8

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ HELP! HELP! HELP! ATTENTION SUPPORT GROUP LEADERS Please help us update our support group information. We would like to keep this current and complete. The only way we can do this is with your help in letting us know the changes that need to be made. We are asking that all leaders of support groups look on the web site and see if their information is complete and correct. If your group is not listed and you would like for it to be included please tell us about your group. The information that we need to know is name of group; contact person-name /email/ phone #; date and time of meetings and place of meetings. To find this information on the web go to www.ovarian-news.org click on Conversations! Support Groups; click on Check the Conversations Support Group Map; on the map click your state; then click on your town and check out your group information. Thanks for helping us get this information up to date. We get calls asking about where they can find a support group in a certain area. This will be very helpful.

Alone

They wait with me as I wait for news .

I hear what is said, but think it can't be true ;

knowing alone I must go through .

They wait with me as treatments begin, never knowing when I may give in,

give up the battle I'm in.

Alone I face the end results.

Alone to wonder with my thoughts.

Alone at the end we all must be, old friends and family to welcome me,

guiding me to a brand new life.

CONVERSATIONS! February-March 2012 Page: 9

CONVERSATIONS! February-March 2012 Page: 10

GRAND FINALE!!! At this time of year we live with one foot in winter and the other stepping through the door of Spring. For a few

days, we are just sure Spring has arrived and we throw our coats in the car’s backseat, roll up our shirt sleeves, and get a

sunburn! Then suddenly Old Man Winter gleefully pounces on us with a rip-roaring blizzard. I can remember many a March day when a gorgeous sunny morning with a high of 60 turns into blowing snow and low of 10 before noon!

Because Cindy and I usually did not listen to the radio or watch TV, we were always surprised when the weather was about to turn. But we discovered a great truth...We really enjoy the warmth and sunshine when we were unaware that a bone-chilling snow was just over the northern horizon. Somehow knowing bad weather is on the way spoiled our pleasure in the wonderfulness of the good weather.

This year, in early February, we have purple and white crocus and golden daffodils blooming in the front yard, then we get 3 inches of snow. These wonderful plants were planted by Cindy and I in the late 80’s and early 90’s. They

don’t know ...and they don’t care...that winter probably isn’t finished with us yet. They just know that today and this

minute is worth celebrating! They are lucky...they can’t know.

Those of us involved in the fight against cancer are often more aware of the “blizzards of life” than we want to be. From Cindy’s cancer, I have learned that it is easier to enjoy the moment when you refuse to mix in the fears about what tomorrow might, or might not, bring. It takes conscious effort and is never easy. Like any muscle, practice does become more automatic.

Focus on the laughter of today, the friends of today, the joys of today, the spring flowers of today, and all the

other large and small wonders of today. Cherish them like the “gold” they truly are!

Cherish Today like Gold!

Celebrate Today!

CONVERSATIONS! P.O. BOX 7948 AMARILLO, TX 79114-7948