October 2011 Meetings in Minnesota

Wednesday, October 12, 2011:

Myeloma survivors and family/friends are invited to a support group meeting on a paddle boat cruise on the St Croix River. $19.25 each person.

Stillwater, MN
October 12, 2011
11:30 am to 2:00 pm. Don't be late!
MAP

For more detail, see the previous post.


Saturday, October 15, 2011
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Methodist Hospital Cancer Center Conference Room
6500 Excelsior Blvd.
St Louis Park, MN
MAP

Park in the Orange Ramp at the BACK (northeast side) of the hospital, take ramp elevator to 1st floor, follow the hallway, the conference room is on the right before the big curved stairway.

This will be a regular group meeting.


Saturday, October 15, 2011
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Gift of Life Transplant House
705 Second St SW
Rochester, MN 55902
507/288-7470
MAP

Snacks, sharing, and always a representative from Mayo Clinic.

Rochester group's Brochure
Rochester group's MMCF Web Site

August 2011 Meetings in Minnesota

Wednesday, August 17, 2011:
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Family Means Center
1875 Northwestern Ave S
Stillwater, MN 55082
MAP

Our guest will be Michele O'Brien, RN, CNS, MSN, AOCNS, who is the Survivorship Navigator at Minnesota Oncology in Edina and will speak to us about Survivorship.


Saturday, August 20, 2011
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Methodist Hospital Cancer Center Conference Room
6500 Excelsior Blvd.
St Louis Park, MN
MAP

Park in the Orange Ramp at the BACK (northeast side) of the hospital, take ramp elevator to 1st floor, follow the hallway, the conference room is on the right before the big curved stairway.

This will be a regular group meeting.


Saturday, August 20, 2011
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Gift of Life Transplant House
705 Second St SW
Rochester, MN 55902
507/288-7470
MAP

Snacks, sharing, and always a representative from Mayo Clinic.

Rochester group's Brochure
Rochester group's MMCF Web Site

June 2011 Meetings in Minnesota

Wednesday, June 8, 2011:
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Family Means Center
1875 Northwestern Ave S
Stillwater, MN 55082
MAP

Our guests will be from The Binding Site, makers of the Freelite blood protein laboratory tests which have revolutionized the diagnosis and monitoring of myeloma for some patients.


Saturday, June 18, 2011
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Methodist Hospital Cancer Center Conference Room
6500 Excelsior Blvd.
St Louis Park, MN
MAP

Park in the Orange Ramp at the BACK (northeast side) of the hospital, take ramp elevator to 1st floor, follow the hallway, the conference room is on the right before the big curved stairway.


Saturday, June 18, 2011
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Gift of Life Transplant House
705 Second St SW
Rochester, MN 55902
507/288-7470
MAP

Snacks, sharing, and always a representative from Mayo Clinic.

Rochester group's Brochure
Rochester group's MMCF Web Site

March 2011 Meetings in Minnesota

Wednesday, March 9, 2011:
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Family Means Center
1875 Northwestern Ave S
Stillwater, MN 55082
MAP


Saturday, March 19, 2011
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Methodist Hospital Cancer Center Conference Room
6500 Excelsior Blvd.
St Louis Park, MN
MAP

Park in the Orange Ramp at the BACK (northeast side) of the hospital, take ramp elevator to 1st floor, follow the hallway, the conference room is on the right before the big curved stairway.


Saturday, March 19, 2011
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Gift of Life Transplant House
705 Second St SW
Rochester, MN 55902
507/288-7470
MAP

Snacks, sharing, and always a representative from Mayo Clinic.

Rochester group's Brochure
Rochester group's MMCF Web Site

February 2011 Meetings in Minnesota

Wednesday, February 9, 2011:
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Family Means Center
1875 Northwestern Ave S
Stillwater, MN 55082
MAP

Patient advocate Karl Vollstedt will tell his myeloma story.


Saturday, February 19, 2011
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Methodist Hospital Cancer Center Conference Room
6500 Excelsior Blvd.
St Louis Park, MN
MAP

Park in the Orange Ramp at the BACK (northeast side) of the hospital, take ramp elevator to 1st floor, follow the hallway, the conference room is on the right before the big curved stairway.


Saturday, February 19, 2011
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Gift of Life Transplant House
705 Second St SW
Rochester, MN 55902
507/288-7470
MAP

Snacks, sharing, and always a representative from Mayo Clinic.

Rochester group's Brochure
Rochester group's MMCF Web Site

January 2011 Myeloma Meetings in Minnesota

Wednesday, January 12, 2011:
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Family Means Center
1875 Northwestern Ave S
Stillwater, MN 55082
MAP

Our speaker will be Kathi Martin, Transplant Coordinator, Abbott Northwestern Hospital. And, as always, we will share our experiences and wisdom with each other.


Saturday, January 15, 2011
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Methodist Hospital Cancer Center Conference Room
6500 Excelsior Blvd.
St Louis Park, MN
MAP

Park in the Orange Ramp at the BACK (northeast side) of the hospital, take ramp elevator to 1st floor, follow the hallway, the conference room is on the right before the big curved stairway.


Saturday, January 15, 2011
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Gift of Life Transplant House
705 Second St SW
Rochester, MN 55902
507/288-7470
MAP

Snacks, sharing, and always a representative from Mayo Clinic.

Rochester group's Brochure
Rochester group's MMCF Web Site

August 2010 Meetings in Minnesota

Wednesday, August 11, 2010:
1:00 to 3:00 pm
Family Means Center
1875 Northwestern Ave S
Stillwater, MN 55082
MAP

Our speaker will be Colleen A Gegan, licensed acupuncturist and medical herbalist. Who knows what we might learn?


Saturday, August 21, 2010
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Methodist Hospital Cancer Center Conference Room
6500 Excelsior Blvd.
St Louis Park, MN
MAP

Park in the Orange Ramp at the BACK (northeast side) of the hospital, take ramp elevator to 1st floor, follow the hallway, the conference room is on the right before the big curved stairway.


Saturday, August 21, 2010
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Gift of Life Transplant House
705 Second St SW
Rochester, MN 55902
507/288-7470
MAP

Snacks, sharing, and always a representative from Mayo Clinic.

Rochester group's Brochure
Rochester group's MMCF Web Site

June 2010 Meetings in Minnesota

Wednesday, June 9, 2010:
1:00 to 3:00 pm
Family Means Center
1875 Northwestern Ave S
Stillwater, MN 55082
MAP

Libby Gordon of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) will be our speaker. The LLS supports the battle against myeloma and other blood cancers.


Saturday, June 19, 2010
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Methodist Hospital Cancer Center Conference Room
6500 Excelsior Blvd.
St Louis Park, MN
MAP

Park in the Orange Ramp at the BACK (northeast side) of the hospital, take ramp elevator to 1st floor, follow the hallway, find the conference room on the right before the big curved stairway.


Saturday, June 19, 2010
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Gift of Life Transplant House
705 Second St SW
Rochester, MN 55902
507/288-7470
MAP

Snacks, sharing, and always a representative from Mayo Clinic.

Rochester group's Brochure
Rochester group's MMCF Web Site

May 2010 Meetings in Minnesota

Wednesday, May 12, 2010:
1:00 to 3:00 pm
Family Means Center
1875 Northwestern Ave S
Stillwater, MN 55082
MAP

Lauren Clark/Jennifer Feinber, Celgene Corp will be speaking.


Saturday, May 15, 2010
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Methodist Hospital Cancer Center Conference Room
6500 Excelsior Blvd.
St Louis Park, MN
MAP

Dr. Brian McClune, Assistant Professor of Hematology Oncology/Transplant,
University of Minnesota is coming to speak and answer you general question on Myeloma, transplants and research studies at the U of M.

In addition, Lauren Clark, Patient Support Coordinator from Celgene, will come to answer any questions regarding co-pay reimbursements.

Park in the Orange Ramp at the BACK (northeast side) of the hospital, take ramp elevator to 1st floor, follow the hallway, find the conference room on the right before the big curved stairway.


Saturday, May 15, 2010
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Gift of Life Transplant House
705 Second St SW
Rochester, MN 55902
507/288-7470
MAP

Snacks, sharing, and always a representative from Mayo Clinic.

Rochester group's Brochure
Rochester group's MMCF Web Site

April 2010 Meetings in Minnesota

Wednesday, April 14, 2010:
1:00 to 3:00 pm
Family Means Center
1875 Northwestern Ave S
Stillwater, MN 55082
MAP

Special guest: Gayle Parizino, RN, MA, CPNP - Certified Massage Therapist.


Saturday, April 17, 2010
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Gift of Life Transplant House
705 Second St SW
Rochester, MN 55902
507/288-7470
MAP

Snacks, sharing, and always a representative from Mayo Clinic.

Rochester group's Brochure
Rochester group's MMCF Web Site


Saturday, April 24, 2010
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Methodist Hospital Cancer Center Conference Room
6500 Excelsior Blvd.
St Louis Park, MN
MAP

Libby Gordon, from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, will discuss drug co-pay programs, upcoming events, seminars, etc.

Park in the Orange Ramp at the BACK (northeast side) of the hospital, take ramp elevator to 1st floor, follow the hallway, find the conference room on the right before the big curved stairway.

Millennium Representatives Speak to St Paul Group

Wednesday, February 10, 2010:

Jody Kocer and Amy Modean, of Millennium, spoke to the group about Velcade. This is some of the information presented at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) conference last December:

• Velcade is now for newly-diagnosed patients as well as patients with recurring or refractory disease.
• Trials are determining what combinations of Velcade and other drugs will give the best outcomes.
• A French study has shown that once-weekly works as well as twice-weekly infusions, takes a little longer, but with far less neuropathy.
• The initial dosage is pretty much the same for anyone, except a few people whose liver may be at risk.
• Trials have shown that 1.3 mg/metersq and 1.0 both show efficacy, but 1.3 is the standard of care.
• The Phase II study that established 1.3 mg & twice-weekly infusions was done on patients with several prior therapies, so neuropathy was not as big an issue for two reasons:
  
  • One, many patients had neuropathy already, and
  • Two, they had used up most options other than Velcade, and therefore accepted the neuropathy because Velcade kept them alive.
• According to one poster talk at ASH, giving Tanespimycin with Velcade may reduce neuropathy. Studies are needed first.

Also:

• There is a second-generation proteazome inhibitor in the works at Millennium.
• People on Velcade should take an antiviral, because some patients do get shingles. Acyclovir is hard to get right now, but a patient on Velcade should take something.

The St Paul group's next meeting will be Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 1:00 pm at the Family Means Center in Stillwater.

A new group is forming in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. It meets the second Monday of every month, 3:00 to 5:00 pm, at Luther Middleford Hospital, 1221 Whipple Street, Eau Claire, WI, 54703. Phone (715) 838-3311. You are invited! Call first to confirm the time and date.

Kathleen Picard Speaks to St Paul Group

Kathleen Picard, PT, of OSI Physical Therapy in Stillwater, spoke to the St Paul Myeloma Support Group Wednesday, July 8, on the topic "Bone Health and Myeloma." She discussed osteoporosis and its risk factors, and described remedies including medications, diet, exercise, strength training, posture training, and balance training. She showed members how to strengthen their bones, and how to evaluate their own risk of falling and ways to reduce that risk.

The next meeting of the St Paul group will be 1:00 to 3:00 pm Wednesday, August 12, 2009, at the Family Means Center. Please see the side panel for specific directions.

Twin Cities MM Support Groups Meet

Saturday, May 16, 2009, Minneapolis Group

About fourteen survivors and many family members met in the new Cancer Center Conference Room, sharing experiences and the various treatments each has received. Pat distributed a handout titled "Dana-Farber Neuropathy Regimen," describing a vitamin and supplement regimen to combat neuropathy and another regimen for cramping. The information in the handout is available HERE on the MMSupport.net website.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009, St. Paul Group

Ten survivors and many family members met at the Family Means Center in Stillwater. Pat Killingsworth, a member and survivor, introduced his new book "Living With Multiple Myeloma." The book is available for sale HERE on Pat's web site HelpWithCancer.org. Proceeds from the sale of the book go to fight cancer.

May 2009 Meetings in Minnesota

Wednesday, May 13, 2009, 1:00 pm: St Paul
Saturday, May 16, 2009, 10:00 am: Minneapolis
Saturday, May 16, 2009, 10:00 am: Rochester

The St Paul group will meet in Stillwater on Wednesday, May 13. Karl Vollstedt will conduct an audio review. All are welcome, coffee and snacks are provided.

1:00 - 3:00 pm
Family Means Center
1875 Northwestern Ave S
Stillwater, MN 55082
MAP

The Minneapolis support group will meet in St Louis Park on Saturday, May 16, in the Park Nicollet Cancer Center Conference Room at Methodist Hospital. All are welcome, coffee and snacks are provided. See the map below and follow the green line, not the blue. Park in the orange ramp at the back of the hospital, take the ramp elevator to First Floor, follow the hallway to the conference room on the right.

10:00 am to noon
Methodist Hospital
Park Nicollet Cancer Center Conference Room
6500 Excelsior Blvd
St Louis Park, MN
MAP

The Rochester support group will meet Saturday, May 16. A Mayo Clinic representative is always present, and breakfast is provided. All are welcome.

10:00 am to noon
Gift of Life Transplant House
705 Second St SW
Rochester, MN 55902
507/288-7470
MAP

St Paul Group Sets Speakers for Five Meetings

The St. Paul Minnesota Myeloma Support Group met today, March 11. Two of the attendees were new members, and two were familiar faces just returned from stem cell transplants. After sharing about our own experiences with various treatments, we heard reviews of last December's very encouraging meeting of the American Society of Hematology.

The group has set a schedule of speakers for the next five meetings:

• Apr 8, Jennifer Feinberg & Lauren Clark, Celgene Corporation
• May 13, Dr. Ewa Pachelka, Psychiatrist, Stillwater Medical Group
• Jun 10, Dr. Manny Steil
• Jul 8, A physical therapist from Orthopaedic Sports Inc (OSI)
• Aug 12, Dr. Charles Bransford, Stillwater Medical Group

March 2009 Meetings in Minnesota

Wednesday, Mar 11, 2009, 1:00 pm: St Paul
Saturday, Mar 21, 2009, 10:00 am: Minneapolis
Saturday, Mar 21, 2009, 10:00 am: Rochester

December's meeting of the American Society of Hematologists will be reviewed in the St Paul meeting Wednesday, March 11, with tapes and videos from several doctors. All are welcome, coffee and snacks are provided.

1:00 - 3:00 pm
Family Means Center
1875 Northwestern Ave S
Stillwater, MN 55082
MAP


The Minneapolis support group will hold its next regular meeting Saturday, March 21, in the Park Nicollet Cancer Center Conference Room at Methodist Hospital. All are welcome, coffee and snacks are provided. See the map below and follow the green line, not the blue. Park in the orange ramp, take the ramp elevator to First Floor, follow the hallway to the conference room on the right.

10:00 am to noon
Methodist Hospital
Park Nicollet Cancer Center Conference Room
6500 Excelsior Blvd
St Louis Park, MN
MAP


The Rochester support group will hold its next regular meeting Saturday, March 21. A Mayo Clinic representative is always present, and breakfast is provided.

10:00 am to noon
Gift of Life Transplant House
705 Second St SW
Rochester, MN 55902
507/288-7470
MAP

Pot Luck in Stillwater

The St Paul support group invites you to a pot luck on December 10, 2008. Bring a favorite dish, or just come - there will be plenty of food.

The meeting will be dedicated to Gene and Ardie, both of whom will be undergoing stem cell transplants at that time.

1:00 - 3:00 pm
Family Means Center
1875 Northwestern Ave S
Stillwater, MN 55082
MAP

Dr Van Ness Will Speak to St Paul Group

Dr Brian Van Ness, Ph.d, department head of the Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development at the University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, will speak to the St Paul support group in Stillwater on Wednesday, Nov. 19. Dr. Van Ness is director of the "Bank on a Cure" program at the university, which seeks to find genetic markers which can assist in a patient's prognosis and, especially, can tell doctors which treatments will be most effective for that patient.

The meeting will be:
Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008, 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Family Means Center
1875 Northwestern Ave S
Stillwater, MN 55082
MAP

Jody Koccer Spoke to St Paul Group

Jody Koccer of Millenium Pharmaceuticals spoke to the St Paul Group in Stillwater on Wednesday, July 16, 2008. She announced the recent FDA approval of Velcade as a front-line treatment for myeloma, and answered questions from group members about Velcade.

Fourteen myeloma survivors were present, along with spouses, friends, and other caregivers. Survivors shared their stories, treatments, and advice with each other. At least two new members were present.

The St Paul group has scheduled speakers for the following upcoming meetings:

• Aug 20: Jennifer Feinberg of Celgene Corp, makers of Thalidomide, Revlimid, and CC-4047.


• Sep 10: A naturopathic doctor will be invited.

The St Paul group meets at 1:00 pm at:
Family Means Center
1875 Northwestern Ave South
Stillwater, MN 55082
MAP

Dr. Richard Ottomeyer Speaks to St Paul Group

Dr. Richard Ottomeyer spoke to the St. Paul Myeloma Support Group in Stillwater at its regular meeting, April 16. He is a doctor of chiropractic and is certified in accupuncture. He suggested that the benefits of accupuncture for a myeloma patient may include:

• For some patients, accupuncture may modestly improve white and red blood counts,


• It can stimulate the production of endorphins, which may benefit the immune system, and


• In particular, it may aid in relief of bone and muscle pain.

Dr. Ottomeyer suggested diode infrared therapy for neuropathy. He also stressed that natural medicine such as chiropractic and accupuncture are not a replacement for conventional medicine. Following Dr. Ottomeyer's presentation, members discussed conventional treatments, doctors, transplants, side effects, complementary and integrative treatments, and more. Several new members attended, and everyone learned.

The St. Paul (east side) group meets monthly in Stillwater. The next meeting of this group will be Wednesday, May 14, 1:00 pm, at the Family Means Center in Stillwater. Please see the side panel for the complete address and a map. Do leave a comment if you have a question.