"Once you choose hope, anything is possible." -- Christopher Reeve
About
Libby Remick (1982 - 2008) "Grieve not, nor speak of me with tears, but laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you there" -- Isla Paschal Richardson
On December 26, 2007, I received a telephone call at 6:00 A.M. It was the kind of call that nobody ever wants to receive. I was informed by a family relative that Libby, my 25 year old cousin, was diagnosed with an ovarian cancer recurrence. My relative requested my assistance because she was aware that I helped my mother from 2002 to date with her fight against Stage IV breast cancer — a particularly aggressive form referred to as “HER-2.” I am happy to say that my mom is currently in a state known as “no evidence of disease” or “NED,” which is loosely referred to as “remission.” A “monoclonal antibody targeted therapy” known as “Herceptin” saved her life — a novel therapy discovered through family on-line research.
In December 2007, I began to assist Libby and her husband Steve in developing a treatment “roadmap” to battle her ovarian cancer recurrence. Libby’s ovarian cancer is an aggressive form known as “clear cell carcinoma (CCC).” As the body of medical and educational research that I used to assist Libby and Steve grew, we agreed collectively that such research could help other women in their fight against ovarian cancer. I guess you could say that in the midst of this extremely emotional, life-threatening situation, we chose hope. On July 28, 2008, Libby lost her fight against ovarian cancer and left behind her husband Steve, her mother Kathy, her father Dennis, and her sister Sara. Libby’s courage and grace throughout her battle with ovarian cancer represents a shining role model, not only within our family, but to all women fighting this disease.
The current day paradigm “information is power” was created by Sir Francis Bacon in the 16th century. Actually, the famous latin maxim penned by Bacon was “scientia potentia est” — meaning, “for also knowledge itself is power.” The Book of Proverbs contained in the Old Testament of the Bible reveals similar thinking in the following verse: “a wise man is strong; yes, a man of knowledge increases strength.” Proverbs 24:5 (American King James Version). Regardless of its origin, the paradigm suggests that knowledge and education increases the life potential of an individual. This weblog, appropriately captioned “Libby’s H*O*P*E*™ (*Helping *Ovarian Cancer Survivors *Persevere Through *Education™),” is intended to empower all women fighting ovarian cancer with knowledge obtained through a variety of on-line medical and educational resources. It is critical to note that Libby’s H*O*P*E*™ should not be used as a substitute for seeking appropriate medical advice from a board-certified gynecological oncologist. Libby’s H*O*P*E*™ is solely intended to empower you prior to your consultations with appropriate licensed medical professionals throughout treatment.
Libby’s H*O*P*E*™ provides current ovarian cancer medical news and developments, as well as stories of interest obtained from 75 different medical and general news feeds. Significant ovarian cancer news and medical developments are posted to the Libby’s H*O*P*E*™ Twitter, Google Shared Reader, and Friendfeed accounts. Twitter and Google Shared Reader ovarian cancer developments also appear on the weblog homepage left sidebar. Select ovarian cancer news and developments are addressed in more detail through weekly Libby’s H*O*P*E*™ postings. Periodically, Libby’s H*O*P*E*™ postings will feature and honor an inspirational ovarian cancer survivor or cancer advocate through a “Vox Populi” (meaning “voice of the people”) feature. The ovarian cancer topic tabs located at the top of the Libby’s H*O*P*E*™ homepage provide you with hyperlinks to detailed on-line medical and educational resources. Over 200 ovarian cancer and cancer-related videos are posted in our Libby’s H*O*P*E*™ Vodpod.com account, and the five most recent videos appear on the homepage right sidebar. The most recent ovarian cancer clinical trials published by the National Institute of Health (NIH) are posted on the homepage right sidebar under “New Ovarian Cancer Clinical Trials.”
The weblog is currently a work in progress and the content will grow and develop through time. Please feel free to leave comments with respect to any Libby’s H*O*P*E*™ post by clicking on the blue highlighted post title or the “Comments”/”No Comments” phrase located at the bottom of each post.
To support Libby’s H*O*P*E*™, you can join our Facebook “cause” page. All donations made to the Libby’s H*O*P*E*™ Facebook cause are designated for the benefit of the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF). OCRF is one of the largest U.S. private, non-profit organizations dedicated to finding an early detection test, and ultimately a cure, for ovarian cancer. Facebook members and non-Facebook members can donate to OCRF through the Libby’s H*O*P*E*™ Facebook donation page.
If you are unable to donate, you can nevertheless support OCRF for free by clicking on our OCRF “SocialVibe” widget that appears on the homepage right sidebar. For each reader that clicks on the OCRF SocialVibe widget, and watches the video presented and/or answers the question(s) listed, our current SocialVibe sponsor will donate money to OCRF for ovarian cancer research. It’s fast & it’s free!
Libby’s H*O*P*E*™ is dedicated to my cousin Elizabeth Kay Remick, who courageously “fought the good fight” to the end. As noted by the author/artist Mary Anne Radmacher, “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’” If you are reading Libby’s H*O*P*E*™, it is likely that you are directly or indirectly affected by ovarian cancer. My thoughts and prayers are with all survivors, their families and friends, as they persevere in their fight against ovarian cancer.
The National Cancer Institute defines “survivorship” in part as “… the physical, psychosocial, and economic issues of cancer, from diagnosis until the end of life.” With the thought that a “picture is worth a thousand words,” I provide a video below that is entitled “Song For Breast Cancer.” Despite the reference to breast cancer in the song’s title, the video was created by Stuart Knight to inspire all women who are affected by cancer to survive and thrive.
Michelle said
Paul, Thank you so much for this very informative and helpful site. What I love about your site is the RSS feeds that are so positive and full of hope and the fact that there are so many articles. I look forward to reading them on Twitter on the weekends. Thanks for making such a difference in so many people’s lives. I have found many, many gems here that are helpful to ask the doctor about regarding my husband’s colorectal cancer here in Canada. You are helping cancer warriors, survivors and caregivers of all kinds of cancer all over the world. Thank you for continuing this fight in memory of Libby.
Michelle
Paul Cacciatore said
Michelle, as always, thank you for the kind words. We try to balance the information provided on the website so as to include relevant medical, legal, legislative, bioresearch, drug development and, most importantly, inspirational news. I would like to think that Libby is looking down upon our endeavors with a smile on her face. Please let your husband and mom-in-law know that they are in our thoughts and prayers. Keep the faith and continue the fight! As a caregiver, remember that you must take care of yourself first, before you assist others. Your family is quite fortunate to have such an intelligent patient advocate at their side. You have performed some great medical “due diligence” work on their behalf … keep it going! Please do not hesitate to contact us through the website should you require future assistance.
Best,
Paul
Stuart Knight - Song For Breast Cancer Video said
[...] H*O*P*E* ™ first collected Added 21 Feb 09 from healthinfoispower.wordpress… Flag as inappropriate or [...]
Frankie Dolan said
Hi Paul,
And thank you back for your kind words in regard to MedWorm! You may be interested in the MedWorm Cancer news feeds that I have just expanded, having received some inspiration for new categories following links from your site, and also the Cancer Blogs and Cancer Publications directories, which I have also added to from your links.
I’d also like to say how admirable it is to see you continue your campaign against Ovarian Cancer even after Libby’s passing, I imagine that a lot of people would have lost their motivation to continue by now.
If you ever need any help with your site or perhaps some RSS feeds put together for specific cancer topics, feel free to drop me an email at any time.
All the best, Frankie
Paul said
Frankie,
Thank you for the kind words in regard to Libby’s passing. Keep up the great work with MedWorm! Our readers should view the “About” description on your website … it is quite visionary in regard to how the internet and RSS feeds will change healthcare from a clinician and patient perspective. Your IT work on the MedWorm website is excellent.
Best, Paul
Frankie Dolan said
I was pleased to see you using the MedWorm Ovarian Cancer RSS feed here.
This is a great site you have set up that I am sure will be of use to many people (including myself – I came across some good RSS feeds to add to MedWorm via your links).
So sorry to hear about Libby.
Warm regards,
Frankie
(MedWorm Creator)
Paul said
Kimchi,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your battle against clear cell ovarian cancer. Please be aware that we recently incorporated clear cell ovarian cancer medical references on the “Types of Ovarian Cancer” page. That page can be accessed by clicking on the “Types of Ovarian Cancer” tab located at the top of the homepage. If there is anything more that we can do, please let us know. Best, Paul
Paul said
Doug,
On behalf of Libby’s family, I thank you for the comforting words. Also, I want to thank you for linking Libby’s H*O*P*E* on your Carin’ For Karen weblog. Please let Karen know that our thoughts and prayers are with her as well as your entire family. In response to your comment, Libby’s H*O*P*E* will “finish the race.” Best, Paul
Kimchi said
Have been following Libby’s story since I found out I have same kind of cancer and I am so sorry to hear about Libby leaving us. She was very lucky to have you and Steve to help her through her ordeal and I just wanted to thank you both for giving me so much support in my battle as well.
Doug Baker said
Paul,
I am so sorry for your loss…I know that Libby was very close to you …you can tell by the passion and time you have invested in this site…our prayers will be with Libby’s family and you Paul…finish the race…you work is valuable..
God’s will…nothing more…nothing less..nothing else
In Christ….Doug Baker
Debra said
Paul, this blog is very informative and loaded with great information. Thank you so much for your help.
Steve said
Thank you!