6<str<strong>on</strong>g>Focused</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> youAt <strong>the</strong> Barrett Lectureship, leftto right: Dr. Marvin J. St<strong>on</strong>e,Bill Barrett, speaker Dr. JulieSilver, Barry Barrett, and Dr.Allen Stringer.Miss Kitty (Leslie Byrd)and Marshall Dill<strong>on</strong> (DayrelWeisner): “D<strong>on</strong>’t buy a packof trouble!”cal School and an award-winning author of more than a dozen books focusing <strong>on</strong> recoveryfrom serious illness and injuries. Dr. Silver, herself a cancer survivor, presented “After CancerTreatment: Heal Faster, Better, Str<strong>on</strong>ger,” with approximately 200 people in attendance in<strong>the</strong> Beasley Auditorium. In additi<strong>on</strong> to <strong>the</strong> no<strong>on</strong> lecture, Dr. Silver met with <strong>on</strong>cology staff <strong>on</strong><strong>the</strong> fourth floor of Hoblitzelle Hospital, <strong>the</strong> sixth floor of Roberts Hospital, and <strong>the</strong> Blood andMarrow Transplant Unit.Raising Cancer Awareness: Preventi<strong>on</strong> andScreeningThe <strong>on</strong>ly circumstance better than catching cancer at an early stage ispreventing it altoge<strong>the</strong>r. Physicians and staff at <strong>Baylor</strong> Samm<strong>on</strong>s CancerCenter worked toward both of <strong>the</strong>se goals in 2007.Smoke-free Policy and Smoking Cessati<strong>on</strong> ActivitiesOne important preventi<strong>on</strong> effort in 2007 was <strong>Baylor</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Care</strong> <strong>System</strong>’spolicy to make its campuses smoke-free so that all <strong>patient</strong>s, staff, andvisitors are not exposed to cigarette smoke. Patients who smoke and areadmitted to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Baylor</strong> Dallas can receive help from a physician to manage<strong>the</strong>ir smoking habit during <strong>the</strong>ir stay. Nicotine gum and o<strong>the</strong>r productsare available in <strong>the</strong> Roberts Hospital gift shop and <strong>the</strong> <strong>Baylor</strong> PlazaPharmacy for families and visitors.On November 15, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Baylor</strong> Samm<strong>on</strong>s Lung Cancer Center hosted itsannual Great American Smokeout program. More than 300 <strong>patient</strong>s,visitors, and employees participated in <strong>the</strong> event. The <strong>the</strong>me of “G<strong>on</strong>eSmoke” provided a fun atmosphere with Marshall Dill<strong>on</strong> (Dayrel Weisner)and Miss Kitty (Leslie Byrd) <strong>the</strong>re to let tobacco users know that <strong>the</strong>y’rebuying a “pack” of trouble.
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Focused</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> you 7Educati<strong>on</strong>al informati<strong>on</strong> and tools provided tips to quit, a descripti<strong>on</strong> of health benefits <strong>on</strong>cesmokers quit, and a computer tool that calculated how much smokers spent <strong>on</strong> cigarettesand <strong>the</strong> number of cigarettes <strong>the</strong>y smoked annually. The Martha Foster Lung <strong>Care</strong> Centeralso performed spirometry tests, which measured lung volume and diffusi<strong>on</strong>, and distributedinformati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> prescripti<strong>on</strong> medicati<strong>on</strong>s that help people quit smoking.Community Screening EventsTwo free community cancer screening events were held in 2007. The annual melanoma/skin cancer screening event was held in May. Dermatologists <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> medical staff at <strong>Baylor</strong>Passing <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> Torch of HopeSeven years ago, Kay Knodel switched professi<strong>on</strong>s. After more than 25 years with <strong>the</strong> samecompany, she left her positi<strong>on</strong> as office manager and took <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> titles of playmate (to her6- and 9-year-old grandchildren), co-author of a new book, and tomato gardener.The impetus for this change: being diagnosed with ovarian cancer <strong>on</strong> October 31, 2000.As a c<strong>on</strong>noisseur of chemo<strong>the</strong>rapy regimens, an advocate and friend to o<strong>the</strong>r women withovarian cancer, and a statistical anomaly, Kay has <strong>the</strong> perfect qualificati<strong>on</strong>s for her mostchallenging job—survivor.On <strong>the</strong> scariest day of <strong>the</strong> year, Halloween, Kay learned that she had cancer: not <strong>on</strong>ly <strong>on</strong> her ovaries but <strong>on</strong> her bladder,col<strong>on</strong>, diaphragm, and a kidney as well. Her internist referred her to <strong>Baylor</strong>, where, just 2 days later, she found herselfdiscussing her prognosis with Carolyn Mat<strong>the</strong>ws, MD, gynecologic <strong>on</strong>cologist <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> medical staff. It was explained to herthat statistically, a <strong>patient</strong> in her stage of ovarian cancer typically has just a few years to live.Kay underwent surgery a day later, in which surge<strong>on</strong>s removed all visible cancer growths and left <strong>the</strong> microscopic andinoperable cells for chemo<strong>the</strong>rapy. A weekl<strong>on</strong>g stay in <strong>the</strong> hospital was followed 2 weeks later by Kay’s first round ofchemo<strong>the</strong>rapy.While her doctors helped her physically, <strong>Baylor</strong> chaplain Jann Aldredge-Clant<strong>on</strong> helped her spiritually. Jann directed Kay to<strong>the</strong> ovarian cancer support group, offered through <strong>the</strong> Cvetko Patient Educati<strong>on</strong> Center at <strong>Baylor</strong> Samm<strong>on</strong>s Cancer Center,where Kay found a network of support. Throughout her 7 years of <strong>on</strong>-again, off-again chemo treatments, remissi<strong>on</strong>s,and relapses, Kay has been an active member of <strong>the</strong> group, volunteering to drive o<strong>the</strong>r <strong>patient</strong>s to appointments andreciprocating <strong>the</strong> knowing care that o<strong>the</strong>rs had given her.“For being my worst-case scenario, it has also been my best-case scenario,” Kay said of <strong>the</strong> past 7 years, counting herselffortunate to be at <strong>Baylor</strong> Samm<strong>on</strong>s Cancer Center. She noted that <strong>the</strong> friendliness and warmth of <strong>the</strong> people at <strong>Baylor</strong>never wavered; it’s comforting to be around such a pers<strong>on</strong>able staff. “I d<strong>on</strong>’t know how <strong>the</strong>y do it.”Presently, Kay is promoting TORCH: Tales of Remarkable Courage and Hope, which profiles 25 women of diverse backgrounds,ethnicities, and ages who have battled ovarian cancer. Kay is <strong>on</strong>e of <strong>the</strong> group who wrote stories for TORCH.