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Issue 31
complimentary
magazine
understanding the cancer experience
SURVIVOR
STORIES
Living with, through &
beyond cancer
Follow-up care
Healthy habits
Edward C. Saltzstein, M.D
Surgeon and Cancer Survivor
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Follow up care
page
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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PROGRAM OFFICER
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PROGRAM COORDINATOR
C38.3 M+<>38/D
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS
M+113/ #9.<31?/D
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(915) 562-7660
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(915) 820-2800
%2/ =?<@3@9< 3==?/
YEARS
MORE THAN
1-888-864-I CAN (4226) www.TexasOncology.com
HOW TEXANS FIGHT CANCER.
Maria C. Aloba, M.D. Byron Chesbro, M.D. Jesus A. Gomez, M.D.
Nanda K. Gopalan, M.D. Anuradha Gupta, M.D. Stephanie C. Han, M.D. Juan Herrada, M.D. Arsenio Lopez, M.D.
Raul Portillo, M.D. Ragene Rivera, M.D. Ines Sanchez-Rivera, M.D. Panagiotis Valilis, M.D.
EL PASO CANCER TREATMENT CENTER
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EL PASO CANCER TREATMENT CENTER
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When youre treated at Texas Oncology, you can be sure youre getting world-renowned cancer care right here in El Paso.
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F I G H T
CANCER




















































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YEARS





































































































































































































































































































































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L
i#ing $i!h cancer i !he bigge! challenge ome of " $ill e#er face( Ge!!ing !hro"gh !hi
challenge !ake co"rage' emo!ional and ph&ical !reng!h' and !he "ppor! of friend
and famil&( Cancer "r#i#orhip i an ongoing proce !ha! begin $i!h a diagnoi and
con!in"e !hro"gh !he re! of a peron) life( There are !hree !age !o "r#i#orhip*li#ing
WITH' THROUGH' and BEYOND cancer( Li#ing $i!h cancer refer !o !he e%perience of
recei#ing a diagnoi and !he !rea!men! !ha! ma& follo$(
living with, through, & BeyonD
CAnCer
By Sallie Damron
Know more>
What to Expect
A diagno#i# can in&oke man) feeling#
#%ch a# #hock* fea"* di#belief* ange"*
#adne##* g%il$* and e&en hoe, The#e
feeling# can change f"e!%en$l) e#eciall)
a# )o% go $h"o%gh $hi# fi"#$ #$age 'hich
foc%#e# on )o%" ca"e, De$e"mining )o%"
ca"e i# a h%ge a"$ of li&ing 'i$h cance",
Ga$he" a# m%ch info"ma$ion a# o##ible
in o"de" $o make deci#ion# "ega"ding
)o%" $"ea$men$ lan, Re#$ a##%"ed )o%
'ill no$ be alone in $he deci#ion making+
)o%" heal$hca"e "o&ide" 'ill offe"
o$ion# ba#ed on )o%" indi&id%al ca#e,
Yo%" cance" ca"e $eam 'ill al#o hel )o%
make info"med deci#ion#, Do no$
he#i$a$e $o a#k )o%" doc$o" o" ca"e $eam
a# man) !%e#$ion# a# )o% ha&e* $hi# i#
)o%" 'elfa"e and i$ i# imo"$an$,
S%"ge")* chemo$he"a)* and.o"
"adia$ion $he"a) ma) be nece##a") $o
elimina$e o" con$"ol $he cance", Fo"
man) $)e# of cance"* #%"ge") offe"# $he
g"ea$e#$ chance fo" c%"e, If
chemo$he"a) i# a"$ of )o%" $"ea$men$
lan )o%" doc$o" 'ill e(lain ho' )o%
'ill "ecei&e chemo* a# i$ deend# on $he
$)e of d"%g )o% 'ill be $aking, If )o%"
$"ea$men$ incl%de# "adia$ion $he"a)
)o%" doc$o" 'ill "o&ide a #$"%c$%"ed
#ched%le 'i$h f"e!%en$ "og"e## "eo"$#
"ega"ding $he #$a$e of )o%" cance" and
i$# "eac$ion $o $he "adia$ion, No ma$$e"
'ha$ )o%" $"ea$men$ lan* a#k )o%"
doc$o" abo%$ $he benefi$#* "i#k#* and #ide
effec$# e(ec$ed d%"ing and af$e" )o%"
$"ea$men$, Take no$e# d%"ing )o%" &i#i$#
'i$h )o%" doc$o" and ca"e $eam and
con#ide" b"inging a f"iend o" famil)
membe" $o hel )o% %nde"#$and and
"emembe" 'ha$ i# #aid,Yo%" lo&ed one
ma) al#o ha&e !%e#$ion# of $hei" o'n $o
a#k on )o%" behalf,
Preparing for a Lifestyle Change
A cance" diagno#i# can make )o% feel
a# $ho%gh )o%" life i# comle$el) o%$ of
con$"ol, Con#ide" a$ $hi# $ime $he $hing#
)o% can con$"ol #%ch a# ho' )o% li&e
)o%" life, Heal$h) choice# in die$ and
h)#ical fi$ne## 'ill hel )o% feel a# 'ell
a# o##ible and a"e enco%"aged in e&e")
#$age of #%"&i&o"#hi, Immedia$e life#$)le
change# $ha$ can al#o imac$ )o%" life
o#i$i&el) incl%de !%i$$ing #moking*
e#$abli#hing be$$e" #leeing habi$#*
c%$$ing back on alcohol and managing
#$"e##,
Li&ing 'i$h cance" ma) fo"ce )o% in$o
a diffe"en$ life#$)le "ega"ding )o%"
"ela$ion#hi#* 'o"k* and finance#, Yo%
ma) no$ be %#ed $o "el)ing on o$he"# fo"
hel+ $hi# can be a diffic%l$ life#$)le
change fo" $ho#e 'ho con#ide"
$hem#el&e# $o be #elf/#%fficien$, Befo"e
)o%" $"ea$men$ )o% ma) need $o
de#igna$e a f"iend o" famil) membe" a#
)o%" "ima") ca"egi&e" al$ho%gh i$ i# a
good idea $o ha&e $he #%o"$ of
m%l$ile ca"egi&e"#, Fo#$e"ing heal$hie"
"ela$ion#hi# b) #ending mo"e $ime
'i$h )o%" lo&ed one# i# one 'a) $o make
"el)ing on o$he"# m%ch ea#ie",
Yo% ma) con$in%e $o 'o"k o" decide
$o $ake $ime off 'hile %nde"going
$"ea$men$, P"ea"ing fo" $hi# life#$)le
change ma) mean a#king )o%" emlo)e"
fo" a mo"e fle(ible #ched%le $o
accommoda$e )o%" doc$o"#-
aoin$men$#, The co#$ of )o%" ca"e ma)
al#o dic$a$e a change in )o%" financial
life#$)le, I$ i# imo"$an$ $ha$ )o% lea"n
abo%$ $he medical and non/medical co#$#
of )o%" $"ea$men$ #o )o% can iden$if)
and a#k !%e#$ion# of )o%" heal$hca"e
$eam, De$e"mining ho' $o manage $he
co#$ of ca"e ma) al#o mean "e#ea"ching
)o%" in#%"ance co&e"age* managing deb$*
and #e$$ing mon$hl) #a&ing# $a"ge$#,
Al$ho%gh $hi# 'ill be a $ime of
b%dge$ing* i$ i# imo"$an$ $o $"ea$
)o%"#elf on occa#ion0$hi# co%ld be in
$he fo"m of a manic%"e o" ma##age*
dinne" o%$ 'i$h f"iend# o" enjo)ing a
decaden$ de##e"$,
Coping with Family and Friends
D%"ing $hi# fi"#$ #$age of #%"&i&o"#hi i$
i# imo"$an$ $o $ell )o%" f"iend# and
famil) abo%$ )o%" diagno#i#, Talking 'i$h
o$he"# abo%$ )o%" $"ea$men$ can hel
)o% handle $he emo$ion# )o% a"e
e(e"iencing and hel )o% feel le## alone
in dealing 'i$h )o%" cance", Yo%" f"iend#
and famil) 'ill lea"n ho' $o #%o"$ )o%+
in fac$* $he) migh$ #%""i#e )o% 'i$h
$hei" 'illingne## $o a##i#$ )o% in an) 'a)
)o% need a$ $hi# $ime, The"e i# $he
chance )o% 'ill enco%n$e" %ne(ec$ed
challenge# of o$he"# no$ kno'ing ho' $o
"e#ond $o )o%" diagno#i#, Do no$ be
di#co%"aged b) o$he"#1 inabili$) $o coe+
foc%# on ge$$ing $h"o%gh )o%" $"ea$men$
and #%""o%nd )o%"#elf 'i$h lo&ing and
%nde"#$anding indi&id%al#, Yo% ma) #eek
#%o"$ and %nde"#$anding f"om a
#%"&i&o" #%o"$ g"o%, Mee$ing# can be
a$$ended in/e"#on o" online, The"e a"e
al#o man) cance" di#c%##ion boa"d#
online 'he"e* a$ an) $ime* )o% can
connec$ 'i$h o$he" eole going $h"o%gh
#imila" cance" e(e"ience#,
living WITHcancer
6
D%"ing $hi# fi"#$ #$age of #%"&i&o"#hi i$ i# imo"$an$ $o $ell )o%" f"iend#
and famil) abo%$ )o%" diagno#i#, Talking 'i$h o$he"# abo%$ )o%"
$"ea$men$ can hel )o% handle $he emo$ion# )o% a"e e(e"iencing and
hel )o% feel le## alone in dealing 'i$h )o%" cance",
The #econd #$age of #%"&i&o"#hi of
li&ing $h"o%gh cance" "efe"# $o $he
e(e"ience immedia$el) af$e" $"ea$men$-
Thi# i# a $ime of "eco&e")- Yo%"
$"ea$men$ and i$# #ide effec$# ma) ha&e
affec$ed )o% h)#icall) and emo$ionall)
and a e"iod of healing and "ej%&ena$ion
i# needed- The "i#k of cance" "ec%""ing i#
"ela$i&el) high a$ $hi# #$age and a
legi$ima$e conce"n fo" )o% and )o%"
lo&ed one#- Yo% ma) con$in%e $o #ee
)o%" oncologi#$ e&e") fe' mon$h#- No$
#eeing )o%" doc$o" on a "eg%la" ba#i#
ma) make )o% an(io%#, $hi# i# common
among a$ien$# li&ing $h"o%gh cance"
and can be add"e##ed d%"ing a &i#i$ 'i$h
)o%" doc$o"-
The"e a"e al#o common la$e effec$#
)o%" cance" o" $"ea$men$ can ca%#e #%ch
a# ch"onic ain+ fa$ig%e+ cogni$i&e
d)#f%nc$ion+ among o$he"#- Yo%" doc$o"
ma) "e#c"ibe a ne' medica$ion o"
$he"a) o" al$e"na$i&e o$ion# $o hel
)o% coe- A#k )o%" doc$o" fo" a 'ellne##
lan $ha$ incl%de# 'a)# )o% can $ake
ca"e of )o%" h)#ical+ emo$ional+ #ocial+
and #i"i$%al need#- Yo%" doc$o" ma)
"ecommend "ee&al%a$ing )o%" life#$)le
and making o#i$i&e change# fo" a
heal$hie" and haie" life-
Reevaluating Your Lifestyle
While in "eco&e") $he 'a) )o% li&e
)o%" life i# a"$ic%la"l) imo"$an$ #o %#e
$hi# a# an oo"$%ni$) $o "ee&al%a$e )o%"
life#$)le- Foc%# on making change# 'i$h
)o%" long/$e"m heal$h in mind- Yo% ma)
ha&e al"ead) made d"ama$ic change# $o
)o%" life#$)le befo"e o" d%"ing )o%"
$"ea$men$ and a"e #$ill adj%#$ing- If $ha$
i# $he ca#e+ a&oid #liing back in$o old
habi$#- Commi$$ing $o a heal$h) die$ and
"eg%la" e(e"ci#e 'ill onl) o#i$i&el)
imac$ )o%" long/$e"m heal$h- If )o%
ha&en2$ al"ead) !%i$ #moking o" c%$ back
on alcohol con#ide" doing #o no'-
Managing #$"e## and e#$abli#hing be$$e"
#leeing habi$# a"e al#o "ecommended-
The Ame"ican Cance" Socie$) offe"#
die$ and fi$ne## g%ideline# $o hel
"ed%ce $he "i#k and "ec%""ence of cance"-
The#e g%ideline# incl%de ea$ing a lan$/
ba#ed die$ 'i$h a$ lea#$ fi&e $o nine
#e"&ing# of f"%i$ and &ege$able# dail)+
ea$ing 'hole g"ain#+ choo#ing food# lo'
in fa$ and #al$ and ge$$ing $o and #$a)ing
a$ a heal$h) 'eigh$- Mode"a$e e(e"ci#e
#%ch a# biking+ #'imming+ and 'alking
fo" abo%$ 43 min%$e# e&e") da) 'ill hel
"ed%ce an(ie$) and de"e##ion+ im"o&e
mood and boo#$ #elf/e#$eem a# 'ell a#
"ed%ce fa$ig%e+ na%#ea+ and ain- If
e(e"ci#e i# mo"e diffic%l$ fo" )o% no'
j%#$ "emembe" $o be kind $o )o%" bod)
and gi&e )o%"#elf $ime $o adj%#$ $o $he
'a) )o%" bod) i# no'- Con#%l$ )o%"
doc$o" befo"e #$a"$ing an e(e"ci#e
"og"am+ $hen begin #lo'l) and inc"ea#e
ac$i&i$) o&e" $ime-
Making Positive Changes
Li&ing 'i$h cance" ma) ha&e al"ead)
infl%enced o#i$i&e change# in )o%" life+
#%ch a# becoming "e#on#ible fo" )o%"
o'n heal$h o" "eali*ing $he imo"$ance
of f"iend# and famil)- Diffe"en$ $hing#
a"e no' mo"e imo"$an$+ )o%"
"ela$ion#hi# 'i$h famil) and f"iend#
ha&e changed o" e"ha# )o% &ie' e&e")
da) a# a gif$ and $"ea$ i$ a# #%ch- Yo%"
e(e"ience ma) ha&e made )o% mo"e
%nde"#$anding and coma##iona$e
$o'a"d# o$he"#- Main$ain $he#e o#i$i&e
change# b) li&ing $hem e&e") da) and
$ake $hi# oo"$%ni$) $o e"e$%a$e $he
o#i$i&e in )o%" life-
Enjo)ing )o%" life a# $he gif$ i$ i# can
onl) hel in )o%" "eco&e")- Se$ a#ide
$ime fo" f%n and lei#%"e ac$i&i$ie# alone
and 'i$h o$he"#- Take % a ne' 0o" old1
hobb)+ join a book cl%b+ $ake #inging o"
dancing le##on#+ #iml) do #ome$hing
)o% ha&e al'a)# 'an$ed $o do $ha$ )o%
kno' 'ill make )o% ha)- Ano$he"
o#i$i&e change )o% can make i# $o gi&e
back- Vol%n$ee"ing can im"o&e )o%"
comm%ni$) a# 'ell a# )o%"#elf, join an
o"gani*a$ion o" a ca%#e )o% belie&e in
'he$he" i$.# 'o"king 'i$h animal#+ in
a"$# and c%l$%"e+ o" #%o"$ing #%"&i&o"#
'ho a"e on a cance" jo%"ne) of $hei"
o'n- Gi&ing back $o $ho#e 'ho ha&e
#%o"$ed )o% d%"ing )o%" diagno#i# and
$"ea$men$ i# al#o an e(cellen$ 'a) $o
make a o#i$i&e change in )o%" life-
Sho' )o%" famil) and f"iend# ho' m%ch
)o% a"ecia$e $hem in )o%" o'n 'a)-
Le$$ing o$he"# kno' $he) ha&e made a
diffe"ence in )o%" life 'ill make a
diffe"ence in $hei"#-
Fo" a mo"e e"manen$ o#i$i&e
o%$look %"#%e goal# $ha$ 'ill no%"i#h
)o%" #i"i$ and hel )o% find meaning in
life- The"e a"e man) 'a)# $o de&elo
)o%" #i"i$%ali$)//o"gani*ed "eligion+
)oga+ medi$a$ion+ jo%"naling+ $"a&eling+
o" #ending $ime in na$%"e- Rega"dle## of
$he $)e of o#i$i&e change# )o% choo#e
$o make in )o%" life+ be a$ien$ 'i$h $he
"oce## and )o%"#elf- The#e change# ma)
need $o be g"ad%al in o"de" $o $ake "oo$-
The) ma) al#o "e!%i"e delibe"a$e
$ho%gh$ and ac$ion $o main$ain-
living THROUGH cancer
7
Commi$$ing $o a heal$h) die$
and "eg%la" e(e"ci#e 'ill onl)
o#i$i&el) imac$ )o%" long/
$e"m heal$h- If )o% ha&en2$
al"ead) !%i$ #moking o" c%$
back on alcohol con#ide"
doing #o no'-
Las Palmas Del Sol Healthcare strongly recommends a breast-health program of
annual mammograms starting at age 40. Detecting breast cancer in its early
stages can greatly increase your chances of survival up to 98 percent.
Weve made a lot of progress toward beating breast cancer, but we still have
a long way to go.

About 12,100 new cases of invasive breast cancer
are diagnosed in Texas women each year
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among
women in Texas, regardless of race and ethnicity
Among Texas women, breast cancer accounts for
30 percent of all cancer cases
Call your doctor today, get screened and encourage others to do the same.
MY PLAN:
BEAT
BREAST
CANCER
L P D S H E A L T H C A R E . C O M
To schedule a mammogram, call
Las Palmas Medical Center at 915.521.1150, or
Del Sol Medical Center at 915.595.9267.
















































































































































































































































































8
living BEYOND cancer
9







are diagnosed in Texas women each year

women in Texas, regardless of race and ethnicity

30 percent of all cancer cases
C






















































































































































































































































































The final #$age of #%"&i&o"#hi+ li&ing
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and long0$e"m #%"&i&al 'i$h a foc%# on
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li&e# "e$%"n $o no"mal b%$ one0$hi"d
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#)m$om# can incl%de ch"onic ain+
fa$ig%e+ cogni$i&e "oblem#+ infe"$ili$)+
and dec"ea#ed bone den#i$)+ among
o$he"#, To be a# heal$h) a# o##ible
'i$hin )o%" e"#onal ci"c%m#$ance# ma)
be #ome$hing )o% ha&e $o 'o"k on f"om
da) $o da),
Coping with Fear of Recurrence
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#)m$om 'hich affec$# man) #%"&i&o"#,
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)ea"# of "emi##ion, Yo% canno$ con$"ol
'he$he" )o%" cance" "e$%"n# b%$ )o% can
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affec$ )o%" life, Ed%ca$e )o%"#elf on $he
chance# of )o%" cance" "ec%""ing, Mee$
'i$h $he oncologi#$ 'ho i# familia" 'i$h
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if $he cance" 'e"e $o "ec%", Mo"e $han
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"ima") doc$o" a$ $hi# $ime, I$ i#
imo"$an$ $o al#o #ha"e )o%" conce"n#
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fo" )o%" follo' % ca"e, Ha&ing a lan
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heal$h ca"e deci#ion#,
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al#o hel )o% coe, Yo% ma) #ha"e $he#e
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$hem in$o "ac$ice,
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mind,
What is follow-up cancer care,
and why is it important?
Follow-up cancer care involves regular
medical checkups that include a review of a
patients medical history and a physical
exam. Follow-up care may include imaging
procedures (methods of producing pictures
of areas inside the body), endoscopy (the
use of a thin, lighted tube to examine the
inside of the body), blood work, and other
lab tests.
Follow-up care is important because it
helps to identify changes in health. The
purpose of follow-up care is to check for
recurrence (the return of cancer in the
primary site) or metastasis (the spread of
cancer to another part of the body). Follow-
up care visits are also important to help in
the prevention or early detection of other
types of cancer, address ongoing problems
due to cancer or its treatment, and check
for physical and psychosocial effects that
may develop months to years after
treatment ends. All cancer survivors should
have follow-up care.
What should patients tell their doctor
during follow-up visits?
Any symptoms that they think may be a
sign that their cancer has returned
Any pain that bothers them
Any physical problems that interfere
with daily life or are bothersome, such
as fatigue; difficulty with bladder, bowel,
or sexual function; difficulty
concentrating; memory changes;
trouble sleeping; and weight gain or
loss
Any medicines, vitamins, or herbs they
are taking and any other treatments
they are using
Any emotional problems they are
experiencing, such as anxiety or
depression
Any changes in their family medical
history, including any new cancers
It is important to note that cancer
recurrences are not always detected during
follow-up visits. Many times, recurrences
are suspected or found by patients
themselves between scheduled checkups.
It is important for patients to be aware of
changes in their health and report any
problems to their doctor. The doctor can
determine whether the problems are
related to the cancer, the treatment the
patient received, or an unrelated health
issue.
How are follow-up care
schedules planned?
The frequency and nature of follow-up
care is individualized based on the type of
cancer, the type of treatment received, and
the persons overall health, including
Follow-up cancer care:
Know what to expect, how to
proceed with healthcare plan
Provided by the National Cancer Institute (NCI)
10
possible treatment-related problems. In
general, people return to the doctor for
follow-up appointments every 3 to 4 months
during the first 2 to 3 years after treatment,
and once or twice a year after that.
At these follow-up appointments, the
doctor may recommend tests to check for
recurrence or to screen for other types of
cancer. In many cases, it is not clear that
special follow-up tests improve survival or
quality of life. This is why it is important for
the doctor to help determine what follow-up
care plan is appropriate. The doctor may
not need to perform any tests if the person
appears to be in good physical condition
and does not have any symptoms. It is
important for the patient to talk with the
doctor about any questions or concerns
related to the follow-up care plan.
When planning a follow-up care
schedule, patients should consider who will
provide the follow-up care and who will
provide other medical care. They should
select a doctor with whom they feel
comfortable. This may be the same doctor
who provided the persons cancer
treatment. For other medical care, people
should continue to see a family doctor or
medical specialist as needed.
Some people might not have a choice in
who provides their follow-up care, because
some insurance plans pay for follow-up
care only with certain doctors and for a set
number of visits. In planning follow-up care,
patients may want to check their health
insurance plan to see what restrictions, if
any, apply to them.
Are there doctors or clinics that
specialize in follow-up care?
There are clinics that specialize in long-
term follow-up cancer care for adult and
pediatric cancer survivors. More information
about these clinics can be found through
the National Coalition for Cancer
Survivorship Exit Disclaimer, which can be
reached by phone at 3016509127 or by
e-mail at info@canceradvocacy.org. For
assistance in Spanish, call NCIs Cancer
Information Service at 18004CANCER
(18004226237) and follow the prompts
to speak with a bilingual information
specialist.
For children and adolescents, the
Association of Cancer Online Resources, a
cancer information system that offers
access to electronic mailing lists and
websites, provides a list of long-term follow-
up care clinics on its Ped-Onc Resource
Center Exit Disclaimer page.
NCIs Office of Cancer Survivorship also
maintains a directory of post-treatment
resources, including where to get follow-up
care after cancer treatment.
What should patients talk to their doctor
about once cancer treatment ends?
Every cancer survivor should request a
comprehensive care summary and follow-
up plan from their doctor once they
complete their treatment. Patients should
ask their doctor the following questions
once cancer treatment ends. The answers
can help inform the patient about their care
and what to expect next. (See Question 7
for more information about plans for follow-
up care.)
What treatments and drugs have I
been given?
How often should I have a routine visit?
Which doctor should I see for my
follow-up cancer care?
What are the chances that my cancer
will come back or that I will get another
type of cancer?
What follow-up tests, if any, should I
have?
How often will I need these tests?
What symptoms should I watch for?
If I develop any of these symptoms,
whom should I call?
What are the common long-term and
late effects of the treatment I received?
What should I do to maintain my health
and well-being?
Will I have trouble getting health
insurance or keeping a job because of
my cancer?
Are there support groups I can turn to?
Many patients find it helpful to write these
questions down and take notes or tape
record their discussions with the doctor to
refer to at a later time.
How can patients deal with their
emotions once cancer treatment is
completed?
It is common to experience stress,
depression, and anxiety during and after
cancer treatment. Many people find it
helpful to talk about their feelings with
family and friends, health professionals,
other patients, members of the clergy, and
counselors or therapists. Being part of a
support group can provide another outlet
for people to share their feelings.
Relaxation techniques, such as guided
imagery and slow rhythmic breathing, can
also help to ease negative thoughts or
feelings. Reaching out to others by
participating in volunteer activities can help
people to feel stronger and more in control.
However, people who continue to
experience emotional distress should ask
their doctor to refer them to someone who
can help determine what may be causing
or contributing to their distress and how to
deal with it.
What kinds of medical information
should patients keep?
It is important for people to keep a copy
of their cancer treatment records. Ideally,
this should include a comprehensive care
summary and follow-up plan from your
doctor. Patients may not always see the
same doctor for their follow-up care, so
having this information available to share
with another doctor can be helpful. In
particular, it is important to keep the
following information:
Results of any diagnostic test
Specific type of cancer (diagnosis)
Date(s) of cancer diagnosis
Details of all cancer treatment, including
the places and dates where treatment
was received (for example, type and
dates of all surgeries; names and doses
of all drugs; sites and total amounts of
radiation therapy)
Contact information for all doctors and
other health professionals involved in
treatment and follow-up care
Side effects and complications that
occurred during and after treatment
Supportive care received (for example,
pain or nausea medication, emotional
support, and nutritional supplements)
Identifying number and title of clinical
trial (research study), if the patient
participated in a clinical trial
What other services may be useful
during follow-up care?
Other services that may be helpful not
just during cancer treatment but also as
part of follow-up care include support
groups, couples counseling, genetic
counseling, fertility/sexual counseling,
home care services, nutrition counseling,
physical therapy, pain management, and
occupational or vocational therapy. Some
patients may also need financial aid or
assistance with transportation to and from
appointments. Information about these and
other services is available from local and
national cancer organizations, hospitals,
local churches or synagogues, the YMCA
or YWCA, and local or county government
agencies. Patients can also ask their
doctor, nurse, or social worker how to find
these services.
To get the most from these services, it is
important to think about what questions to
ask before calling. Many people find it
helpful to write down their questions and to
take notes during the conversation. It is
also important to find out about eligibility
requirements for these services.
Organizations providing many of these
services are listed in the Resources
section of the NCI publication Facing
Forward: Life After Cancer Treatment.
11
12
I am a SURVIVOR
a
Life beyond cancer is
different for everyone.
We talked to three
survivors each with
their own perspective
about life beyond
cancer.
13
hether or not he
wants to be in the
spotlight, Edward C.
Saltzstein, M.D., has a
lot of great things to
claim as professor of surgery at
Texas Tech University Health
Sciences Center at El Paso and
medical director of the Sadie and
Annabelle Garbar Breast Care
Center.
And as a survivor himself, he has
even more to celebrate, having
remained cancer-free since his
diagnosis and treatment in 2006.
Dr. Saltzsteins dedication to the
Breast Care Center has borne much
fruit just over the past year alone.
The most significant and recent
milestone is the Center having been
approved by the National
Accreditation Program for Breast
Centers (NAPBC). Were the only
program in the area to be so
approved, Dr. Saltzstein clarifies.
Thats a national accreditation that
were very proud of.
Accreditation by the NAPBC is
only given to those centers that have
voluntarily committed to provide the
highest level of quality breast care
and that undergo a rigorous
evaluation process and review of
their performance.
Also in 2013, the Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services
(CMS) recognized Dr. Saltzstein
with inclusion in its prestigious
database of physicians and other
healthcare professionals who have
been awarded money by Medicare
for providing services to Medicare
beneficiaries.
Another big step towards Dr.
Saltzsteins commitment to providing
the best care for El Pasoans was the
Centers recruitment of a breast
oncologist, Dr. Zeina Nahleh. She
brought a level of expertise to the
medical management of patients
with breast cancer that we didnt
have before she got here, Dr.
Saltzstein says.
On a personal level, In the Know
last caught up with Dr. Saltzstein in
2007, just a year after his own
cancer diagnosis and treatment,
which included a six-month leave of
absence from work to undergo a left
upper lobectomy followed by
radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
Certainly my own treatment and
my care of patients are totally
separate things, he says. Its an
ethos that has not changed for him
since his diagnosis in 2006.
I guess Im about eight-and-a-half
years out now and so far as I know
Im doing well, knock on wood, he
continues. I get a CT scan of my
chest once a year and talk to my
oncologist and just plug along.
Dr. Saltzstein says that he doesnt
focus on his own battle with cancer
nor think about the fact that hes a
survivor unless its brought up to
him. But I dont run away from it,
he clarifies. I do what Im supposed
to do and Im lucky so far to be
disease-free.
But since doctors are, essentially,
human beings, Dr. Saltzstein
acknowledges that the word cancer
is still a very scary word. He felt that
fear himself in January 2006 when
his annual chest x-ray led to a
diagnosis of lung cancer. >
R
and this is my STORY
by lisa garabay
W
Edward C. Saltzstein, M.D
> Since then, he has been most
empowered by a realistic attitude neither
positive nor negative, but certainly
hopeful.
The expert physicians unflinching
dedication is making it easier for locals to
find out about and get treatment from the
Center in the hope of becoming survivors.
Over the years, he has come to learn that
everybody looks at cancer differently.
Advice that the good doctor has kept
close over the years despite ever-
changing technology, patients coming and
going, and evolving medicine includes
keeping ones self informed and proactive.
In my dealings with patients, I try to let
them know that their prognosis is very
good and that they need to follow closely
with their oncologist because the
treatments that are available will give them
a great outlook.
Decades as a medical instructor both
at Texas Tech and, before that, running a
research and residency training program
in his hometown of Milwaukee has
helped him become a good teacher for
patients, too.
Thirty years ago, Texas Tech recruited
the Yale and Northwestern University
Medical School graduate. Dr. Saltzstein
has chaired the Department of Surgery
from 1977 until 2002, beginning his Breast
Care Center directorship in between in
2000.
Since then, Dr. Saltzstein has invested
much of himself in this city and is proud
that, since its inception in 1994, the Center
has helped to diagnose and treat more
than one-third of the breast cancer
patients in El Paso.
And the thousands of patients that have
come through the Breast Care Center are
forever grateful that an examiner for the
review committee that evaluated
Saltzsteins residency program in
Milwaukee just happened to be with the
faculty at Texas Tech University Health
Sciences Center School of Medicine
Department of Surgery a seemingly
random connection that eventually led to
Dr. Saltzsteins recruitment as chairman of
the Department of Surgery in El Paso.
When hes not holding down the fort at
the Breast Care Center, Dr. Saltzstein
plays golf, loves to read, and joins his wife
Phyllis in bridge games or going to the
movies. His family is a strong foundation
for him. Im fortunate to have a very
supportive wife, he says. We have six
children and 11 grandchildren and theyre
a real source of joy.
Looking forward, the future holds more
good things for both Dr. Saltzstein and the
Breast Care Center. Were moving on to
the next step and the next level of care,
recruiting either a fellowship-trained breast
surgeon or a surgical oncologist, he
explains. In the meantime, the 82-year-old
is not stopping.
Rio Grande Cancer Foundation
Administrative Assistant Rachel Juarez not
only works with cancer, she lives with it
daily. As a melanoma survivor, Rachel
shares her experience with the patients
who walk through the Foundations door,
finding kinship with them and what they
are going through no matter their specific
lifestyle or diagnosis.
The 69-year-old was not happy about
having to return to work in 2012 after
declaring her retirement. Financial need
was what seemingly called her to do so,
but after walking through the Foundations
door, she knew she had been led to that
point for a much greater reason.
Rachel was working at a jewelry store
when she was diagnosed with melanoma
in 2000, but had settled into retirement
after treatment. It was just a year later that
she realized she was not going to be able
to make it solely on Social Security. She
went to AARP for job training and
employment networking.
I was so upset that I had to go back to
work, she says. I was really down. Then
AARP sent me in to the Foundation. When
I opened the door and walked in, I said,
Thank you, Lord! You cant imagine how
many people walk in and say the same.
You feel so welcome in here.
Throughout her life, Rachel felt she had
to watch out for cancer given that her
maternal grandmother died of cancer of
the uterus while her paternal great aunt,
father and mother all battled breast
cancer.
Despite that family history, she agrees
that no one can ever be truly mentally or
emotionally prepared for what comes with
a cancer diagnosis But I think that living
with my very strong parents and seeing
what they went through helped. They took
it in stride, she says.
Rachels father lost movement in his
right arm as a result of his treatment while
her mother had all lymph nodes removed
from her left underarm before that same
arm was rendered paralyzed after the
nerve was damaged during surgery when
the cancer came back. She was in almost
constant pain, but she and my father
never complained, Rachel says. From
I am a SURVIVOR
and this is my STORY
Rachel Juarez
them, I learned that I had to be strong.
They had cancer and they survived with it.
After Rachels diagnosis, she says she
didnt let it bother her mentally, even though
she was told melanoma was very serious.
What did affect her was the aftermath.
As part of her treatment, one of Rachels
big toes was amputated and lymph nodes
removed. She was 55 at the time and still
wore high heels and panty hose. Suddenly,
she had to re-learn how to walk and begin
wearing compression stockings. That was
fun, she says with a laugh despite
remembering the initial hour-long challenge
of putting on the stockings.
That fighting spirit has kept her cancer-
free. It wasnt supposed to be that way,
Rachel says. They were supposed to find
residue left on the toe when they
amputated it; they were supposed to find
some traces of the cancer in the lymph
node and there was nothing. They had told
me, Youre never a melanoma survivor.
But Ive been surviving for 14 years now!
Rachel had great role models in her
parents and is now working to be a role
model for those battling cancer that she
comes into contact with at the Foundation.
Since the majority of patients who come
through the door and up to her desk have
breast cancer, she bonds with them using
the story of her niece. What she did before
she started getting the treatments was have
her husband shave her head. I asked, Why
did you do that? and she said, Because
this is my choice. I wasnt going to watch
my hair fall out. So when people come in
and theyre trying on wigs and of course
theyre very upset about their hair,
especially the younger ones I tell them
that story.
Rachel continues, A lady walked in one
time and said, Im disfigured. I told her, My
mother had both [breasts] removed and to
me she was the most beautiful woman that
ever lived, and then she laughed. Thats an
in with the patients who come in.
Rachel is also up front about her own
cancer battle. She tells the Foundation
visitors about having melanoma, having her
big toe removed, and having to learn to
walk again. But for her, its a positive story.
I got to use a whole new set of muscles on
my foot to learn how to walk, she says. So
then we get going and have a connection.
Through her daily work, Rachel proves
that the most important part of coming out
the other side of something as life-changing
as cancer is the human connection. After all
of the medical treatments and surgical
procedures, people like Rachel bring the
humanity back to living with cancer.
The cancer is there, but its not all of life
for Rachel. She goes out with friends and
sees family on occasion while also being
kept busy by her two cats. Rachel has put
cancer in its place and it doesnt drive her
life. She vigilantly keeps up visits to both a
dermatologist and oncologist, but isnt
anxious when waiting for check-up results.
At this age, you realize that you cant
worry about things, she says. You make
plans and say, This is what Im going to
do, but thats not what the Lord has for
you. Life changes. It takes getting older to
appreciate that.
Her experience is of value, even more so
that she has the strength to share it and be
part of a support system for others. She
definitely feels that this is her purpose on
this earth. Ive lost my parents and my
brother and I never had any children, she
says. I feel theres a reason why Im still
here, why [God] didnt take me instead.
When I started working at the Foundation
and people would visit, I said, I get it now.
Rachel is living proof of higher purpose,
having been sent to the right place at the
right time. Let me tell you, the Foundation
is a Godsend, she enthuses, remembering
the circumstances that led her to its door. I
know why I needed the money because I
needed to be sent here!
At this age, you realize that you cant worry about things,
she says. You make plans and say, This is what Im going
to do, but thats not what the Lord has for you. Life
changes. It takes getting older to appreciate that.
know more>
16
Ladonna Apodaca
with Dr. Gary
Schabacker
Interior designer, event planner and
creative woman-about-town Ladonna
Apodaca is grateful to have just celebrated
a belated birthday along with another year
of her familys tradition spending the
summer in La Jolla, California, where she
first began her battle with cancer.
Ladonna was undergoing a routine
annual check-up at the Scripps Clinic
part of the family tradition during their
Southern California vacations in July
2006 when suspicions arose that led to a
diagnosis of Stage One Ductal Carcinoma
in Situ.
Luckily, her doctor at Scripps
recommended that Ladonna come back
home to El Paso for treatment. She was
matched with Dr. Gary Schabacker, who
immediately clicked with her and, given
the specifics of her tumor, got her on track
for what was then a new form of radiation
therapy called MammoSite.
Ladonna was not only elated to be able
to keep her breast, she was in awe that
the post-lumpectomy treatments would be
able to be done in only two short, six-
minute sessions a day for five days. It was
a gift to be able to have such cutting-edge
treatment in her hometown.
Key to what Ladonna believed got her
through cancer not just that first time, but
also its recurrence earlier this year, was
that she never allowed herself to get
negative. I never believed I would not be
fine, she says. To that end, she has
overhauled her life to be much more
conscious of whats going into her body.
When at all possible I buy organic. Im not
a vegan, but my consumption of meat is
very limited, particularly red meat. I read
everything I can now on things that I can
do to keep the disease at bay. And I feel
great.
Hence, Ladonna recommends that
others maintain close awareness of their
own bodies. After all, doctors cant perform
miracles when someone hasnt been
paying attention to whats going on and a
condition has been allowed to go
unchecked. For as many people as I
know who have successfully battled a
cancer diagnosis, unfortunately far too
many people I know also didnt listen to
the warning signs, she says. And when
they did go in it was more advanced to a
point of being scary or more advanced to
a point where there werent options.
Her coaching as a twice-over survivor
extends to recommending that people go
see as many doctors as it takes until they
hear what they feel best about and only
settle for a course of treatment that theyre
comfortable with. I think thats just so
vital, she urges. Ive talked to several
people over the past couple of years who
had symptoms that, had they been
proactive, would have greatly minimized
what ended up a severe form of
treatment. Above all, working in tandem
with a medical professional is the most
life-saving tip she can offer. Dont be
ashamed or afraid to go to the doctor; be
afraid to not go to the doctor.
The 56-year-old was blessed with a
great network of friends and family,
including her son and favorite ex-
husband, who is still a close friend. It
was great to know that if I needed
anything it was always made available to
me.
Based on what she had faced back in
2006, both Ladonna and her support
system were ready with a battle plan when
her diagnosis of Ductal Carcinoma in Situ,
Stage 0, came up this year.
Because [the tumor] was so small, my
doctors said it was my choice to do
another lumpectomy, but the likelihood of it
coming back was pretty strong, she
recalls. Emotionally, you weigh all of
those things: Do I wanna go through this
again and again? A double mastectomy
with reconstruction was the
recommendation, which is what I chose to
do.
That Stage 0 is important because it
proves the benefit of early detection. All
this proactivity does pay off. If theyd
caught it any earlier it wouldnt exist, she
says with a laugh.
Through this much more serious and
thorough procedure, Ladonnas mindset
stayed the same. Having a positive
attitude has been at the forefront of
anything about my treatment, she says.
Being positive made it easier for her to
be helped, too. People are scared; they
dont know what to do, they dont know
how to help, they dont know what to say.
So if you demonstrate inner strength to the
people around you, thats going to give
them the comfort that they need to be able
to move forward to help you however they
can.
Ladonna is a great ambassador for this
kind of thinking. Its almost striking how
open she is about discussing all that she
went through and how doable she makes
it all sound despite the challenges.
She was recently referred to a woman
who had just received a diagnosis of
breast cancer. Recalling their
conversation, Ladonna says, The woman
is scared to death, rightfully so, and her
depression right now knows no bounds.
One of the things thats happened with her
is that her friends have pulled away. I was
trying to explain to her, Theyre not pulling
away because they dont love you, but
with your depression, they dont know how
to help you, and the way that you can help
them is to reassure them that you have
hope.
Its a beautiful cycle that comes out of
something so scary and difficult to go
through. Ladonna believes that divine
forces help people come into ones life at
just the right time and she is happy to
hopefully be one of those for someone
who is new to cancer. Whenever she can,
she is happy to offer to sit with someone
at a doctors appointment or hold their
hand through treatment. I say to people,
You dont have to go through this alone
because you know me now! And I know
theyll pay it forward when they get
through with their treatment, too.
Clearly, Ladonna cant speak enough
about the importance of having good
people around you. And shes living proof
that being one of those good people
means a prognosis for a healthy, long
future.
I am a SURVIVOR
and this is my STORY
Ladonna Apodaca
17
I never believed I would not be fine, she says. To that end, she
has overhauled her life to be much more conscious of whats
going into her body. When at all possible I guy organic. Im not
a vegan, but my consumption of meat is very limited,
particularly red meat. I read everything I can now on things that
I can do to keep the disease at bay. And I feel great.
bHealthy Habitsd
18
If you have been recently diagnosed
with cancer or are undergoing
treatment, it's important to take
special care of yourself. Studies show
that one of the best ways to do this is
to stay physically active.
That doesn't, of course, mean you
should run a marathon or scale a
mountain. But it's wise to add some
form of regular exercise to your daily
life--even during cancer therapy.
Moderate aerobic exercise, such as
riding a stationary bicycle or taking a
daily walk, coupled with the use of
light weights for strength training, can
enhance physical well-being and spur
recovery.
Exercise reduces fatigue
Research has found no harmful
effects on patients with cancer from
moderate exercise and, in fact, has
demonstrated that those who
exercised regularly had 40% to 50%
less fatigue, the primary complaint
during treatment. (See Fighting
Cancer Fatigue.)
Engaging in regular exercise
increases muscle strength, joint
flexibility and general conditioning, all
of which may be impaired by surgery
and some therapies. Exercise is
known to improve cardiovascular
function and to protect bones. It also
elevates mood, offering drug-free
relief for the feelings of depression
that may accompany a cancer
diagnosis.
Finally, exercise helps control
weight -- a crucial factor, as studies
have shown that gaining weight during
and after treatment raises the risk of a
cancer recurrence, particularly for
breast, colon and prostate cancers.
When to begin
The sooner you start exercising, the
better you'll feel, the fewer
medications you're likely to need, and
the lower your risk will be for
complications, says Andra
Leiserowitz, physical therapy
supervisor at the Seattle Cancer Care
Alliance, an affiliate of the Fred
Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.
She recommends implementing an
exercise routine before treatment gets
underway - especially if you have
been inactive.
Leiserowitz advises asking your
doctor for a referral to a physical
therapist who works with cancer
patients and can design an
individualized exercise program. For
example, exercises can be prescribed
to improve range of motion and
prevent lymphedema, a chronic arm
swelling that affects some breast
cancer patients after lymph node
removal.
Exercise with impact
An effective exercise program has
three components:
An aerobic workout that pumps up
your heart rate. Examples include
brisk walking (outdoors or on a
treadmill), jogging, swimming, or
bicycling.
Strength training to tone and build
muscles. This includes lifting weights
or working with a machine circuit or
resistance bands. (Be sure to get
instruction if you're new to this type of
exercise; light weights are sufficient to
maintain strength.)
Stretching to keep muscles and
joints limber.
Proceed with care
It is important to discuss with your
doctor or physical therapist the type of
exercise you are considering to
ensure it will be safe.
The NCCN Clinical Practice
Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN
Guidelines) for Cancer-Related
Exercising During
Cancer Treatment

Fatigue advise starting slowly and
progressing incrementally. Depending on
fitness and comfort level, some people
may want to start with a 10-minute walk
around the block; others may find they can
exercise for 20 minutes (or longer) right
away.
Your goal should be at least 30 minutes
of aerobic exercise five days a week or
more. But be cautious: if you try to do too
much, you may become discouraged and
stop exercising altogether. On the other
hand, if you were a regular at the gym
before cancer, you may have to lower the
intensity of workouts for awhile.
Here are some additional suggestions:
If you don't have the energy to exercise a
full half hour, break it up; try three 10-
minute walks during the day.
Make exercise enjoyable; recruit a
walking partner or listen to music with
headphones while on a recumbent bike
or treadmill.
Dress comfortably and drink plenty of
water.
Warm up by swinging your arms or
marching in place and cool down with
gentle stretches.
Do some gardening or house cleaning
both provide physical workouts.
Consider yoga and tai chi; though not
aerobic, they integrate movement and
meditation and enhance wellness.
Look for programs designed for cancer
patients. Some health clubs and hospitals
offer exercise classes that address the
challenges and needs of people with
cancer.
If on radiation therapy, avoid swimming
pools; they can expose you to bacteria
that may cause infections and the
chlorine may irritate radiated skin.
Listen to your body; don't exercise if
you're not feeling well or running a fever.
Thank you!
Keep on Dancing In-Kind Support
Mesa Street Grill
Ardovinos Pizza
Toscas Oven Pizzeria
Nuovo Cappettos Restaurant
Evolution Hair & Nail Studio
Pot Au Feu Restaurant
Denis Rochford and the Great
American Land & Cattle Company
Mister Hot Shine
Nails Glamorous
The El Paso Club
Debbies Bloomers
David Villanueva and Galeria Zia
Pizza Properties
Your Personal Look, Nancy Look
Pelicans Restaurants
Patricia Electrolysis Clinic
Michelinos Italian Restaurant
Anitas Flowers & Gifts
Myong Beauty Supplies
UTEP Department of Athletics
Monica Gutierrez and Premier Jewelry
Keep on Dancing Scholarship
Donors
Marshall Carter-Tripp
Jeanne Foskett
Flo Buchmueller
Sharon Carr-Leamon
Maureen Henry
Jutta Ramirez
Patti Wetzel
Ceci Miles Mulvihill and RMPersonnel
Maria Sanchez
Harris and Kay Hatfield
Kathleen Peyton
Linda Cobbs
Patricia Carter
Vk Melarkod
Maria Kostal
Celia Smith
David Villanueva
Patsy Slaughter
Helen Ornelas
Liz Rios-Carl,
HFP Benefit Solutions
Deb Benedict
The Rio Grande Cancer
Foundation would like to recognize the sponsors that
made our Survivor Conference a huge success.
Jordan Foster
Construction
20
bHealthy Habitsd
Not only is making a juice or a smoothie
simpler than cooking a meal from scratch but
it also provides you with a nutrient dense
glass of deliciousness. Think of it as a direct
deposit into each and everyone of our cells. If
you are dealing with cancer or are
implementing a cancer-free lifestyle balancing
your meals is top priority. Here are some
favorites that are full of anti-oxidants and
cancer fighting properties.
Juices
1 medium mango
cup of pineapple
2 cups of spinach
Benefits: anti-inflammatory, antioxidants
(mangiferin, quercetin), vitamins (A, C, D, K),
chlorophyll, iron, folate and alkalizing
properties
1 cup of watermelon
2 cups of pea shoots (sprouts)
inch of ginger
Benefits: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant
(lycopene), chlorophyll, vitamins (A, C), folic
acid and alkalizing properties
2 cups of kale
1 apple
lemon
inch of ginger
Benefits: anti-inflammatory, antioxidants
(quercetin), vitamin (A, C), chlorophyll ,
calcium, iron and alkalizing properties
1 medium cucumber
1 cup of honeydew melon
4 romaine leaves
Benefits: anti-inflammatory, antioxidants,
vitamin (B, C), chlorophyll, beta-carotene,
potassium and alkalizing properties
3 stalks of celery
1 kiwi
4 romaine leaves
inch of ginger
Benefits: anti-inflammatory, antioxidants,
vitamin (A, B, C), chlorophyll, calcium,
potassium, iron, folic acid, magnesium and
alkalizing properties
Smoothies
2 large handfuls of kale
1 cup of strawberries
1- cups of coconut water
2 tablespoons of chia seeds
Benefits: anti-inflammatory, antioxidants,
vitamin (A, C, K), chlorophyll, omega-3s,
potassium and alkalizing properties
2 large handfuls of broccoli
1 banana
Quick, easy and nutrient dense, these drinks are ideal for cancer patients
21

1 apple
1- cups of alkaline water
Benefits: anti-inflammatory, antioxidants,
vitamin (A, C), chlorophyll, potassium and
alkalizing properties
1 orange
1 cup of pineapple
1 cup of spinach
1- cups of home brewed green tea
Benefits: anti-inflammatory, antioxidants,
vitamin (A, C), calcium, folic acid, iron and
alkalizing properties
1 cup of papaya
1 cup of strawberries
1 banana
1- cups of coconut milk
1 pinch of bee pollen
Benefits: anti-inflammatory, antioxidants,
vitamin (B, C), folate, lauric acid, potassium
and alkalizing properties
1 cup of blueberries
cup of almond yogurt
1 cup of almond milk
2 tablespoons of chia seeds
Benefits: anti-inflammatory, antioxidants,
vitamin (B, C), omega-3s and alkalizing
properties
Green Smoothie
Prep time
3 mins
Total time
3 mins
A creamy, sweet vegan green smoothie
with banana, peanut butter, spinach,
flaxseed, berries and almond milk. The
perfect healthy breakfast or afternoon snack.
Author: Minimalist Baker
Recipe type: Breakfast
Cuisine: Vegan, Gluten Free
Serves: 1
1 medium banana, previously peeled,
frozen and quartered
1/2 cup mixed frozen berries
1 Tbsp flaxseed meal
1 heaping Tbsp natural, salted peanut
butter
1/2 - 3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond
milk
2 cups fresh spinach
Instructions
Place all ingredients in a blender and blend
until creamy, adding more almond milk or
frozen berries (or bananas) to thin/thicken,
respectively. Serve immediately or freeze
to enjoy later. Although, it is best when
fresh.
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 1 Calories: 357 Fat: 15 g
Carbohydrates: 48 g Sugar: 25 g
Sodium: 222 mg Fiber: 15 g Protein: 11 g
3.2.1753
My Favorite Smoothie
By Chef SukiKoda
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups liquid aloe vera
1 cup fresh blueberries
1 cup fresh raspberry
1 scoop of unsweetened powdered soy
protein concentrate
1 celery
1/2 cucumber
stevia artificial sweetener
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender
EXCEPT sweetener.
Blend til smooth.
Add sweetener to taste.
Berry Almond Smoothie
From: Kicking Cancer in the
Kitchen: Kendall Scott, CHHC and Annette
Ramke, CHHC
Smoothies were our go-to food during
chemotherapy when we were too tired to
make a meal or felt too nauseous to get
anything solid down. We are excited to
share one of our favorite, simple smoothie
recipes from Kicking Cancer in the Kitchen:
the Berry Almond Smoothie! This smoothie
is energizing, filling and super tasty!
Bananas offer potassium to help replenish
lost electrolytes, and berries give a boost of
antioxidants, those awesome little cancer
fighters. You get your protein and some
fabulous nutrients, like iron, calcium and
magnesium from the almond butter. Anemia
is common for those undergoing
chemotherapy treatment and in many other
people, and iron can help to treat this.
Almonds are also helpful in relieving
constipation.
Ingredients:
12 ounces almond milk
1 banana
12 cup fresh or frozen raspberries
12 cup fresh or frozen strawberries
3 tablespoons raw almond butter
Combine all ingredients in a blender and
mix at medium speed for about one minute
or until mostly smooth. If a thinner smoothie
is desired, add more water or almond milk
and blend for a few more seconds. Yield:
makes 24 ounces.
Smoothies

eat, live and be well
Keep on Dancing
Survivor Conference
Two hundred cancer survivors
gathered together at the El Paso
Wyndham Hotel on Saturday, August
23, 2014 to attend the 6th annual
Keep on Dancing Cancer Survivor
Conference. The full-day event
featured presentations on food,
fitness and survivorship, including
interactive workshops from Jackie
Cordova of The Green Ingredient and
Veronica Ortega of The Wholesome
Body.
Fitness and exercise was the key
message delivered by the YMCA
Livestrong cancer survivor
program, Spectrum Fitness and Casa
de Yoga. Physicians Anuradha Gupta
and Raul Portillo talked about the
controversies in breast cancer
diagnoses and treatment to a full
house, and Louisa Ornelas shared
insight about recognizing the signs of
memory loss.
Comedian Patrick Candelaria had
survivors laughing at the networking
lunch and the wrap up included the
awarding of 22 themed baskets
created and donated by the Keep on
Dancing Committee.
The Rio Grande Cancer
Foundation is deeply indebted to
our major sponsors who made this
annual event possible.
Texas Oncology, P.A.
The El Paso Community
Foundation
Hoy Fox World Automotive
Western Refining
Prices Creameries
Genentech
CIMA Hospice
Spectrum Imaging
Spectrum Fitness
Jordan Foster Construction
West Star Bank
Liz Rios-Carl, HFP
Benefit Solutions
Molina Healthcare
Glazers Fine Wines & Spirits
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As you already know and have experienced for yourself,
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One of our biggest charges here at the Rio Grande
Cancer Foundation is to be FISCALLY prudent so we can
continue granting dollars to not-for-profits and to sustain
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