Day 2

Well, We are out of the Hotel's Business Center and on OCAF'S computer in Carol Dirkson's room. I don't have to type within a time limit and the panic that I shared with Lucy Ricardo
in the candy factory is a thing of the past. Thanks OCAF!

I am navigating a computer w/no mouse...how much of a learning curve must a chemo brain assimilate in a week? AND after a busy day of non-stop activity. A lesser woman would be less, no doubt.

Rina and I were ensconced in informative meetings and non-stop speakers, some better than others but since the BETTER were so much better that we did not mind.

We cannot capture the subject matter in a blog, but the good news is that OCAF will make the material available on their website, soon.

The most important speaker today was in our opinion Dr. Armstrong, who gave an in-depth update of, Treatment for Recurrent Ovarian Cancer. Her message was hopeful and profound. The steady "tweaking" of the use of traditional therapy, the introduction of new drugs and new discoveries regarding treatment protocol illustrates the importance and the gift of life that clinical trials continue to provide. She answered many questions and made us all feel confident that the work she and her colleagues are involved in will continue to provide hope and extend life.

We also heard from no less than 3 speakers that we must become our own "Best Friends" and begin to earnestly advocate for our share of tax dollars for OC research and education. Our senators and representatives must be kept on task by us to provide adequate OC research and educational funding. Obviously, if we heard this 3 times today, we got the message that this is an important focus of this year's conference.

This evening we attended and participated in the Remembrance Ceremony. It was planned that we would hold lighted candles which symbolized the women have who have lighted our path, but the wind would not allow this to be. So our candles were held without a flame as we recalled the women who inspired us, those we love and our friends and loved ones who have lost their fight. Still, a moving moment which no wind could interrupt.

Connie was among 5 others who read at the ceremony and their prose and poems were shared. Most moving was the writing shared by a young woman who lost her Mother in February. She summoned the strength to read the words she wrote shortly after she lost her mother. She told me that until this day she had never said the words she wrote aloud.

I am tired - tired of erasing and making mistakes, mostly.

Talk again tomorrow!

Connie and Rina