Benefit Screening of Film Documentary: N.E.D. No Evidence of Disease
90,000 women will be diagnosed with a GYN cancer this year, and unfortunately one-third of them will die. Often patients will say, “I didn’t know,” referring to the signs and symptoms, which often go unnoticed and undiagnosed until it is too late. That is why it is so important for a film like No Evidence of Disease to be seen by a large audience.
Please join me for a special one-time screening of No Evidence ofDisease on Sunday, September 28 at the Edmonds Theatre. Proceeds from this screening will be donated to the nonprofit FORCE (Facing our Risk of Cancer Empowered www.facingourrisk.org) Please help get the word out about this film. Making vital information about this intimidating subject accessible is no easy task, but No Evidence of Disease, through a compelling combination of storytelling and music, accomplishes it.
In 2008, six cancer surgeons from around the country discovered their shared passion for medicine extended to music. What began as a one-time gig playing cover songs for fellow surgeons turned into a rock band, named for the words every cancer patient dreams of hearing, No Evidence of Disease (N.E.D).
The award-winning documentary of the same name, No Evidence ofDisease, interweaves the harrowing experiences and remarkable courage of women, devoted families, and these dedicated musician-doctors. As music and medicine join forces in the fight for life, the surgeons are transformed into rising rock stars, and their patients and loved ones jump on the bandwagon, infusing the struggle for survival with heart, hope and Rock ‘n’ Roll.
It would be wonderful to see you in the audience, and please help me spread the word. This is an opportunity to spend time with friends whilecreating life-saving awareness of this disease. Your presence will have an exponential effect – the best tool for us to save lives is knowledge, and this screening is a great way to get it.
Deborah Binder
DX OVCA June, 2009 and currently “dancing with NED”
Questions? Contact me at 425-361-3942 or jaideborah@yahoo.com
Hello From sunny Seattle!
I am typing this section of my post with the new Hanx Writer app on my ipad. To be honest, this is really fun. I love the clickity clack and zingy sounds. It Brings me me back in time. High school typing class, white-out, correction ribbon and lots of do-overs come to mind. I am not the best typist. So I am really happy that our most adorable fan favorite, one of my favorite actors, Tom Hanks, created this for me and you.
Well, speaking of entertainers, I have an exciting event to tell you about. One of our sisters, Deborah Binder, is hosting an benefit up in Edmonds called "N.E.D. The Movie".
N.E.D. stands for "no evidence of disease". A state of N.E.D. is every cancer patient's dream. It represents a time before we are "cured".
For me, while in front line chemo, I relied on faith to get me there, along with family and friends, but truth being told, I was not prepared. I prayed as often as I could but in the back of my mind, I needed to see it to believe it. I was N.E.D. for about 2 years, which is a gift from God. Now I remain in my first recurrence.
Our N.E.D. time is precious and often fleeting. Make a plan!
I did not feel well enough to travel, and like everyone else, responsibilities of real life become more pressing as we make a valiant effort to get back to normal. Insurance, medical leave and expenses demand that we get back to work.
I am all for a law that provides for at least 90 days of recovery during N.E.D. Going through aggressive cancer treatment is a full time job so getting a true vacation from cancer and stress would improve the recovery process, in my mind. Ok, enough politics.
Make a plan and get the support of your family and friends. It is up to us to lead this and let people know that when we reach N.E.D. we want and need to reward ourselves, and honor those who have helped us along the way.
It is so difficult to make a plan when we are in a chemo cloud of pain, nausea, brain fog and legitimate uncertainty. Sometimes all we need is a weekend of fun, or a mini trip to a favorite getaway. Maybe it is a quiet celebration with loved ones. The months of N.E.D. are a treasure, a time when we get to visualize our lives as living with a greater purpose, with more urgency.
So while we are figuring out work and other day to day priorities, set aside time every day for your spiritual, creative and empowered self. Do what you love if at all possible.
Celebrate this special time and communicate to others that although the treatments have stopped, our bodies, your body, needs time to heal. It may take a few months or even years. Allow them to process that this time of healing can take extra time, so ask for their patience.
Please visit the quaint city of Edmonds on 09-28-14 for this special event! I will see you there!
Peace and blessings,
Servivorgirl
Earlier this week Dr. Heidi Gray, a gynecologic oncologist at SCCA, was interviewed on KIXI’s Chat With Women about the symptoms of ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer has been long thought to be a silent killer whose symptoms are non-existent. Dr. Gray, however, points out that most women who have ovarian cancer do have symptoms, it’s just that they are “vague” and often confused with something else. In the interview Dr. Gray spells out what women should watch for and also speaks to treatment options for patients who have been diagnosed with ovarian and other gynecologic cancers. You can listen to Dr. Gray’s interview here (it’s in the “Chat With Women 04-23-13” archive—Dr. Gray’s segment starts at 32:00 minutes).
