Message from the Presiden T

Summer 2015

Message from the President

I just can't believe that summer is coming to an end. Where has the time gone? Now comes the 'getting back into the routine' routines; the sorting and putting away of summer 'things'; and looking forward to what this fall will bring. What will this fall bring for EIC? That is up to us. We have 151 sources of potential! What will we do with that? Our membership includes newbies, those with 30+ years as well as those who have laid down their stethoscopes! What a wide range of nursing experiences! How do we make our programs appeal to all? How do we increase our number of active members? We have tried alternating our meetings between the third Tuesday and third Thursday. How about a Saturday meeting now and again? It might be easier for those of you who do 12 hour shifts and /or those with kids programs/sports to attend during the week. Brunch and CEUs! Exciting!! What about something 'electronic'? Our website is a vast untapped resource. By the way, we are still in need of a webmaster. Anyone have hidden talents in that area? How about consulting with some of the colleges in our area. Those with IT programs may have students who need a' project'. How about getting involved in our communities? Health fairs could be a great venue for our chapter to provide a service (info about screenings?) or promoting our profession. We have that great poster just rolled up waiting to be used! What about the political arena? Educating ourselves and the public on current health care issues that impact oncology patients and nurses and then contacting our representatives and senators is a service we could perform. I'm sure there are other ideas swimming around out there. Please let a Board member know your thoughts and suggestions. EIC has the potential to become a great resource for members!

EICONS 2015

Date Topic Location September 17, 2015 Vendor Fair Mercy Cedar Rapids

1 October 13, 2015 CML Philadelphia Treatment Cedar Rapids November 19, 2015 Ultra Rare Disease Cedar Rapids

Nurse of the Year

Nurse of the Year - What does it mean to you when you hear "Nurse of the Year"? Is it someone you know? Someone the Board picked 'just because'? Something that is done in May because May is "Oncology Nurse Month"? Did you know there are guidelines for selecting Nurse of the Year? In an effort to ensure transparency with what the Board does and to make sure our entire chapter is aware of the process, I'd like to share the guidelines and the process with our membership. Anyone who is a member of EICONS may submit a name and/or may be nominated for the position.

Here are the guidelines: 1. Nominations must be submitted with substantiating information in writing or via email to the chapter president. ([email protected] / 7102 Hess Rd. Waterloo 50701) 2. Nominee is active in our local chapter and attended 2 of the 6 yearly meetings. 3. Nominee participates in oncology-related community service / volunteer work. 4. Nominee mentors and provides positive influence on professional colleagues in workplace and the chapter. 5. If retired, the nominee mentors members and serves as a resource for new oncology RNs joining the chapter. 6. Nominee is an active member of oncology committees and is involved with oncology- related projects (in workplace and/or chapter). 7. Nominee attends local/national oncology nursing conferences. 8. Nominee holds an oncology certification. 9. Nominee acts as instructor or facilitator for oncology classes/conferences. 10. Nominee is paid member of ONS

Now, I realize people may look at this list and think "who do they think they are kidding!" But let's think about what we want to say, when we select a Nurse of the Year. This person SHOULD be someone special. Someone who is involved with the profession and sets an example and moves our profession forward through words and actions.

The chapter president along with the EICONS Board will review all submissions and select a winner. The winner will receive a framed certificate and a $50.00 Visa gift card as congratulations for a job well done. Chapter members may only receive the Nurse of the Year award once. Submissions for Nurse of the Year 2015 will be due by our October 13, 2015 meeting. Our 2015 Nurse of the Year will be announced at the November 19th meeting.

Finding Intimacy After Cancer Submitted by: Erin Sullivan Wagner

2 Has cancer affected you or a loved one far beyond the treatment? The long term side effects can create physical and emotional challenges beyond the expected. I was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2008. Filled with fear and confusion from the diagnosis, I prepared myself for the pain and nausea caused from radiation and chemotherapy. I counted the days through treatment and looked forward to feeling normal again. And like millions of other patients, I survived the disease, but not the side effects it caused. My treatment left me with sexual dysfunction and the inability to have intercourse without severe pain. I was cancer free, but facing a new battle to find intimacy again. There was no warning from my medical team, no resource or offer to help, and I often felt confused and alone in my struggle. My side effects weren’t short term nor mild. The treatment changed the elasticity of my skin, the tone of the vaginal muscles, and also my desire for sexual contact. Though originally hopeful, believing time would heal my body and “back to normal” was around the corner, my husband eventually felt no desire to be the source of my pain. Our attempts at intercourse ended. His support and concern turned to disappointment, and eventually silence.

For us, sexual contact had been a positive form of communication, a way to bond; and without it, we were left without a script on how to relate to each other. I felt less connected, less attractive, and inadequate as a partner. My challenge is similar to millions of survivors of various cancers. Sexual dysfunction is a quality of life issue, impacting the survivor, their partner, and their relationships. And millions suffer in silence. Because of this, I began After Cancer, a resource to help survivors find intimacy again. Please visit www.AfterCancer.co, where you’ll find helpful information, blogs, and videos on issues related to sexual dysfunction from cancer and its treatment. Meaningful conversations on sexual health are just a click away. Although you may not personally be affected, please pass this information on to anyone you know who has suffered from cancer.

I look forward to personally connecting with you and your patients.

Erin Sullivan Wagner [email protected] (319) 377-4381

Conference/CEU Offerings Twin Cities Hematologic Malignancies Symposium USF Health and i3 Health are pleased to announce that we are jointly providing the First Annual Twin Cities Hematologic Malignancies Symposium this fall in Minneapolis, Minnesota!

Date: October 24, 2015 Time: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bloomington - Minneapolis South

This unique event will bring together leading hematology/oncology investigators to review the latest treatment advances in hematologic malignancies and discuss and debate clinical care issues that affect your everyday practice.

Click here to learn more about the activity and to view the agenda, faculty, and accreditation information.

Nurse registration for this event is normally $100 ($70 for early birds). However, we would like to offer Eastern Iowa ONS chapter members an even greater discount— registration for $60, which includes: Use discount code EIONS2015 to have the registration fee reduced. 3 • 40% savings off the regular registration fee • Breakfast, lunch, and breaks • Conference tote bag • Q&A opportunities with faculty • USB thumb drive with activity syllabus • Up to 7.5 contact hours

Plus, this activity has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.

Please let me know if you’re interested in this special offer and I will send you a coupon code and registration instructions that you can distribute to your membership. Please let me know if you have any questions. We hope to see some of your members in Minneapolis this October!

Melissa Cutrona, MS Director, Professional Education i3 Health 400 Morris Avenue, Suite 121 Denville, New Jersey 07834 973-928-8085, ext 218 www.i3Health.com

A Moment As A Nurse Submitted by Members of EICONS No Submissions this edition

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