Cancer Patients

A Costa Mesa-based pharmaceutical company has come out with a free guide about, and medicine for, chemotherapy side effects. Valeant Pharmaceuticals International partnered with Wiley Publishing Inc. and released "Managing Chemotherapy Side Effects for Dummies," a free resource for cancer patients and their families about the vomiting and nausea that often accompanies the radiation treatment. "We felt it was really important to provide patients with educational resources, and knowing that the readership of the 'Dummies' series is so high we felt that would be a unique way of providing this to patients," Valeant spokeswoman Vicki Kelemen said.

This corrects an earlier version of the story. Christine Shively didn’t know the bald woman she saw coming out of the hospital’s cancer ward last summer, and she hadn’t crocheted in more than 30 years. Still, with time on her hands, and the woman’s image fresh in her mind, Shively went home, brushed up on her skills and began crocheting brightly colored “chemo caps” she would then donate to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Knots-Of-Love, the organization Shively founded in her Newport Beach home, was born within days.

NEWPORT BEACH — Hoag Cancer Center now has a small library, thanks to a group of Newport Elementary School students who collected close to 100 books, then donated them to the center today. The book drive began about a month ago after a pair of children noticed that the patient reception area didn't have anything for them to read. They'd been waiting for their mother, who was undergoing a serious round of chemotherapy for breast cancer, which had spread throughout parts of her body.

Gorbachev to visit UC Irvine on March 23 Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev will visit UC Irvine on March 23 to accept the inaugural UCI Citizen Peacebuilding Award and speak about the importance of a sustainable environment. Gorbachev served as leader of the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991 and started political reforms that led to its dissolution. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990. Since then, he has founded Green Cross International and other organizations that deal with global issues.

-- Sean Hiller Every week, the Daily Pilot photo staff decides what photograph will be the one you see featured on this page. We're allowing public opinion to make this week's choice. I received a letter complimenting me on how well my photograph of 15-year-old Hayden Hutchison ("For the Love of Dad," June 16) captured the essence of the story on her volunteer work. Hayden, whose father died of cancer, won the Merci Award from the National Charity League for her work with cancer patients and the children of cancer patients.

Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian has appointed Richard Fischel, the president-elect of the American Lung Assn. of Orange County, as the medical director of its lung cancer program. Fischel, who has practiced in Orange County since 1995 and formerly taught in UCI’s School of Medicine, will oversee Hoag’s multidisciplinary program for lung cancer patients and help to launch additional clinical programs. He specializes in video-assisted surgery and is working with Hoag administrators to develop a comprehensive physical therapy program for lung surgery patients.

June Casagrande Someday soon, a cancer patient will get a vase of daffodils. The recipient won't know who hand painted the word "hope" on the cobalt-blue vase; all he or she will know is that it was decorated by someone who beat the disease -- 25 years ago. "I'm hoping that when they read this and see I'm a survivor of 25 years, it will give them hope," said Paula Neff, one of about 100 cancer survivors who painted...

A Newport Beach hair salon owner is offering cancer patients the chance to win a makeover and custom wig valued at $750 to $2,500. The event, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Monday at Newport Beach Hair Loss Cente, 240 Newport Center Drive, Suite 107, will include refreshments and hors d’oeuvres. Hair loss specialist and master stylist Nazy Curtis will answer questions about hair loss and hair systems at the event. Guests can also sign up for a chance to win a complimentary makeover and custom hair system.

Consider this. You are in your doctor's office and the tests have come back. The news is not good. The doctor tells you that you have cancer; surgery is essential followed by weeks of chemotherapy, radiation and potentially more treatment. You take a deep breath. Mortality is not on your mind. Your own health and the struggle you face is secondary. What you fear most is the survival of your family, your children's expenses in school, the payment of your mortgage, credit card bills, and food being on the table.

Costa Mesa-based Valeant Pharmaceuticals has received FDA approval to sell a synthetic marijuana used to treat nausea and vomiting in cancer patients. The new drug comes in the form of a pill and will be used to curb side effects associated with chemotherapy. The pill, called Cesamet, was developed by Eli Lilly & Co. in 1985 and currently is sold in Canada. "It is definitely a better alternative than smoking marijuana because smoking is harmful," said Dr. Robert Dillman, who oversees Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian's Cancer Center.

Consider this. You are in your doctor's office and the tests have come back. The news is not good. The doctor tells you that you have cancer; surgery is essential followed by weeks of chemotherapy, radiation and potentially more treatment. You take a deep breath. Mortality is not on your mind. Your own health and the struggle you face is secondary. What you fear most is the survival of your family, your children's expenses in school, the payment of your mortgage, credit card bills, and food being on the table.

NEWPORT BEACH — Hoag Cancer Center now has a small library, thanks to a group of Newport Elementary School students who collected close to 100 books, then donated them to the center today. The book drive began about a month ago after a pair of children noticed that the patient reception area didn't have anything for them to read. They'd been waiting for their mother, who was undergoing a serious round of chemotherapy for breast cancer, which had spread throughout parts of her body.

State officials have fined Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian after a patient, who was wheeled into an MRI machine on a metal gurney, was sucked into a giant magnet, crushing her leg, the California Department of Public Health announced Wednesday. Hoag will have to pay a $50,000 penalty after state health officials found the hospital failed to protect the health and safety of the patient, state public health officials said. “We have conducted a full internal investigation and review of the relevant policies and procedures, and have added additional redundant measures to prevent future occurrences,” Hoag Chief Executive Richard Afable said in a written statement.

A Newport Beach hair salon owner is offering cancer patients the chance to win a makeover and custom wig valued at $750 to $2,500. The event, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Monday at Newport Beach Hair Loss Cente, 240 Newport Center Drive, Suite 107, will include refreshments and hors d’oeuvres. Hair loss specialist and master stylist Nazy Curtis will answer questions about hair loss and hair systems at the event. Guests can also sign up for a chance to win a complimentary makeover and custom hair system.

Henry T. Nicholas III enry T. Nicholas III , co-founder of Broadcom and Orange County philanthropist supervising the Nicholas Foundation, contributed a sizable donation recently to the American Liver Foundation that was a personal tribute to a friend. Jeff Reuter , owner of the local restaurant and pub known as 3-Thirty-3 was the recipient of a liver transplant that saved his life. Reuter, along with another friend Ray Jacobi , the new managing partner of the Ritz Restaurant, Fashion Island, joined a large contingent of local supporters, who with Nicholas, contributed more than $50,000 to the American Liver Foundation through a recent walk-a-thon in Newport Beach that created both awareness and support for those suffering from liver disease.

After work, Dr. Christopher Duma trades in his surgical instruments for musical ones. As front-man for the band Circle of Willis, his stage performances are music to the ears of his patients. Duma uses the band to raise money for the medical patients. Duma and his band mates (all of whom are doctors) will come to the aid of 14-year-old Austen Landaas, who suffers from a rare form of leukemia called acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). The benefit concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. July 31 at the Friends Sports Tavern, 31911 Dove Canyon Drive, Trabuco Canyon.

When it comes to breast cancer, losing a breast or two and facing deep psychological challenges while going through aggressive treatments that impact your life emotionally, physically and sexually, one goes through a tough, long-lasting journey that will change your life and will drive you to learn about this disease. It can be overcome the first time, there are cases of recurrence and cases where a new cancer arises some time after treatment. While breast cancer treatment and procedures might seem the same, every breast cancer case is unique and every person reacts to treatment differently.

The director of UCI?s cancer program aimed at working with patients ages 18 to 39 will lecture on the latest approaches to improving treatment with that demographic during Young Adult Cancer Awareness Week at UCI Medical Center on Thursday. Throughout the week, UCI Medical Center is offering free cancer education sessions, massages and a rock climbing wall from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its Cancer Center building, 101 the City Drive in Orange. From 12:30 to 1 p.m. Thursday, Leonard Sender, director of UCI?

NEWPORT BEACH — Linda Morphew keeps a painting on her wall at home that represents one of the most difficult times of her life. When she looks at the picture, though, pain isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. Instead, the Costa Mesa resident views the image — which she created while undergoing treatment for cancer — as a testament to growth and wisdom. The painting shows the outlines of a human heart with a number of words inside it, including “God,” “purpose” and “creative expression,” which were constantly on Morphew’s mind during the treatment.

Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian has appointed Richard Fischel, the president-elect of the American Lung Assn. of Orange County, as the medical director of its lung cancer program. Fischel, who has practiced in Orange County since 1995 and formerly taught in UCI’s School of Medicine, will oversee Hoag’s multidisciplinary program for lung cancer patients and help to launch additional clinical programs. He specializes in video-assisted surgery and is working with Hoag administrators to develop a comprehensive physical therapy program for lung surgery patients.