She Said, He Said: Patient-Surgeon Duo Featured at Cancer Survivorship Conference Sept. 24-25
MD Anderson News Release July 27, 2010
Brain cancer survivor and UT MD Anderson surgeon banter
MD Anderson News Release 07/27/10
She calls it "a very bad April Fool's Day joke."
On April 1, 2009, Gail Goodwin drove to her job as a program manager in the Communications Office at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. She walked to her office and sat at her desk. But at some point, she could no longer speak.
Her alarmed colleagues called 9-1-1, and she was taken to the emergency room by ambulance.
Diagnosed within days with a rare brain tumor, Goodwin had surgery at MD Anderson performed by Jeffrey Weinberg, M.D., and remains on a chemotherapy regimen. She returned to work within two months of her diagnosis, and is doing well.
At Anderson Network's Cancer Survivorship Conference Sept. 25, Goodwin and Weinberg will share the story of Goodwin's diagnosis, surgery and current treatment.
Titled "She Had Her Head Examined: A Patient and Her Surgeon Share the Inside Story," the talk will feature Goodwin's observations on the experience of going from being an MD Anderson employee to a patient, and Weinberg's perspective on her treatment.
At this year's conference, Sept. 24-25 at the Omni Westside, 13210 Katy Freeway in Houston, participants will learn about the issues cancer survivors face, meet and share with other survivors, take wellness classes and have fun.
Speakers, breakout sessions, medical panel
Open to all cancer patients, survivors, their families and caregivers, the conference includes nearly two dozen informative breakout sessions, including:
- navigating the world of health insurance,
- primer on bone marrow, stem cell and cord blood transplantation,
- cancer and its relation to bone health,
- hereditary cancer syndromes and genetic testing,
- body image concerns, and
- integrative oncology and the power of lifestyle change.
On Saturday, Sept. 25, MD Anderson President John Mendelsohn, M.D., will lead the popular medical panel that gives participants the chance to ask questions of doctors. He will be joined by distinguished physicians and researchers Scott Kopetz, M.D., and Razelle Kurzrock, M.D.
Humorist Jill Conner Browne, better known as The Sweet Potato Queen, will provide entertainment at the banquet on the evening of Sept. 24.
Thanks to MD Anderson-related organizations, sponsors and individual donors, the cost of the conference is just $50 for early registrants, which includes all meals, activities and self-parking.
Registration is available online until Sept. 17. After that date, participants may pay $60 at the door on the day of the conference.
For more information or to register, check the conference website or call 713-792-2553 in Houston, 800-345-6324 toll free.
The Anderson Network, an organization with support and educational services for patients/survivors, their families and caregivers, is a program of the Department of Volunteer Services.
For more information about Anderson Network's Cancer Survivorship Conference, including a complete agenda, visit www.mdanderson.org/patientconference. 07/27/10