CancerGrief.com

THE CANADIAN PRESS
1/27/2009 9:41:25 PM

TAMPA, Fla. - Pat Burns was scouting a hockey game Tuesday night, which means it was another good day for the former NHL coach.

The 56-year old Burns recently confirmed he has lung cancer and knows the long-term outlook is “not good” in his third battle against the disease. The New Jersey Devils’ scout, however, remains upbeat and is taking full advantage of each day.

“Right now, I’m just enjoying the time left. That’s what I’m trying to do,” Burns said before watching the Montreal Candiens play the Tampa Bay Lightning.

“The crying and everything, that’s all finished. That’s over. I told my family, that’s it. We’ve done all that. Let’s just enjoy what we have here.”

Burns had chemotherapy treatments the first two times he had cancer, but is not planning to have the treatment this time.

“Maybe something new will come out. This is my third bout with it,” Burns said. “I’ve had colon cancer before. I’ve had liver cancer before. Now it’s proceeded into the lungs. It becomes a situation where, how much you do want to treat things. It’s the treatment that’s tough. I did through 2 1/2 year of chemo. I’ve had two major surgeries.”

Burns has been examined at several top cancer centres and checks in with his doctors at least once every two weeks. He still plays golf and rides his motorcycle, but his link with hockey is key.

“I love working for New Jersey,” Burns said. “They’ve been great to me. They’ve supported me. (General manager) Lou (Lamoriello) is a Godsend for me because he’s looked after me, and I know I can stay close to hockey.”

Burns was 501-350-161-14 in 14 seasons as an NHL coach with Montreal, Toronto, Boston and New Jersey. He led New Jersey to the 2002-03 Stanley Cup title and is a three-time Jack Adams Award winner as the NHL’s top coach.

“I’m not going to stop,” Burns said. “You’ve got to get up with a purpose in life.”

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TSN.CA STAFF
1/21/2009 3:21:26 PM

Former NHL head coach Pat Burns is battling cancer for a third time.

Burns told Montreal’s La Presse he was informed he had lung cancer after returning from the World Hockey Championship this past spring.

Burns elected to undergo chemotherapy in his first two bouts with the disease but, according to La Presse, he has chosen not to go that route this time. He told the newspaper he will try other methods to battle the disease.

He was first diagnosed with colon cancer back in the 2003-04 NHL season and then found out he had liver cancer in 2005.

Burns was an NHL head coach for 14 seasons, including stints with the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins and New Jersey Devils. He guided the Devils to a Stanley Cup victory in 2003, and won the Jack Adams Award three times (Canadiens - 1988-89, Maple Leafs 1992-93, Bruins - 1997-98).

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January 2009

A Message from Dr. Love Happy New Year!! Who doesn’t start the New Year thinking about all their plans for the next 12 months, all the things they hope to do differently, and all the changes they hope to see within themselves and in the world around them? In that spirit, all of us here at the Foundation have been going through files, cleaning off our desks, and preparing ourselves to greet the amazing events and opportunities 2009 has in store. First up, is the Foundation’s 6th International Symposium on the Intraductal Approach to Breast Cancer , which will be held in Santa Monica, Calif., February 19–21. As you’ve probably heard me say many times, I believe it is this approach that will bring us to the end of this disease. And I can’t wait to be in room with more than 100 clinicians and researchers from around the world who feel the same way! I’m also thrilled that we are starting 2009 with more than 265,000 Army of Women volunteers. But we need more! That’s why recruiting 250,000 more women by June 2009 is at the top of my list of New Year’s Resolutions. So, if you haven’t yet done so, sign up for the Army of Women today! And tell your friends and family members to do so as well. You can send them an email here . Help me make sure I keep this resolution! What else is on my list? MORE> Hot Topics Update from the 31st Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium The San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium is one of the most important breast cancer conferences. The 2008 Symposium was held December 10–14. Dr. Love blogged from San Antonio throughout the conference. You can read her blog entries here . We also have condensed important treatment-related findings into two new Hot Topics: Update: Treating Hormone-Sensitive Tumors Read the findings researchers presented from several large studies evaluating tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors and their implications for postmenopausal women here . Treating HER2-Positive Tumors Read the findings from several studies that will help guide the treatment of women with HER2-positive tumors, in particular those with early-stage tumors or those with locally advanced disease here . Big Thinking Women Present: Women Can Unite to Find the Cause of Breast Cancer: An Evening with Cancer Crusader Dr. Susan Love January 27, 2009, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. Luxe Hotel, Los Angeles Dr. Love will speak about the latest advances in breast cancer prevention and treatment, her Army of Women initiative, and address questions and concerns about midlife health. Reserve your spot now. MORE> Cause for Love Sponsor Spotlight Our gratitude and appreciation to Abbott Molecular for their continuous support of the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation. Abbott Molecular is the manufacturer of the PathVysion FISH test, which can be used to determine if a breast cancer tumor is HER2-positive. This information is then used to determine a woman’s breast cancer treatment options. To learn more about HER2 and the PathVysion FISH test, visit the PathVysion website . Research Update Women Needed for Groundbreaking DCIS Study The Foundation is looking for 30 Californian women who have been diagnosed recently with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) to take part in a groundbreaking new research project that involves injecting a small amount of a chemotherapy drug into the affected breast duct. Study participants will then have their DCIS surgery four to six weeks later. The breast tissue collected during the surgery will be carefully examined to see the effects of the drug on the DCIS. If the study successfully shows that the drug has an impact on the DCIS, it could lead to a nationwide clinical trial of intraductal therapy for DCIS. This research project, which was funded by the California Breast Cancer Research Program , is being conducted in collaboration with Ellen Mahoney, MD, and the Humboldt Community Breast Health Project . Research participants will need to travel to Eureka, Calif., for the treatment and the surgery. Please call Ashley Casano at (310) 230-1712, Ext. 32, or send her an email for more information. © 2006–2009 Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation All rights reserved Did You Know? You’re Invited! Dr. Love is hosting a free Public Panel in conjunction with the Foundation’s International Symposium on Sat., Feb. 21, at 6:00pm at the Sheraton Delfina in Santa Monica. More info/RSVP: email info@dslrf.org or call 310-828-0060, ext. 21. Your Questions What’s the best way to go off of hormone replacement therapy? I’m worried that when I stop, my hot flashes will come back. The best way to avoid, or at least to minimize, hot flashes is to taper off hormones. Gradually decreasing your hormone use slowly, over several months, should ensure that you won’t have the precipitous change in circulating estrogen levels that can trigger hot flashes. MORE > Stories of Courage Personal Stories is one of the most popular sections of our website. It’s also the one section of our site that is created solely by our readers. Learn how to Share Your Story.

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The Massachusetts Chapter of the Lymphoma Research Foundation is hosting its Lymphomathon on Saturday, May 2, 2009 at Salem Willows Park in Salem.

The Lymphomathon is a non-competitive 5K Walk in which lymphoma survivors, caregivers, friends, and community and corporate teams gather to celebrate, honor and support one another while raising funds for lymphoma research and programming.

As we strive to raise funds in support of LRF’s mission to eradicate lymphoma and serve those touched by this disease, it’s only through your support that we can accomplish this goal. Below are several ways you can become involved in the Massachusetts Lymphomathon and there is no registration fee to participate.

Join the Planning Committee: We are looking for volunteers to help grow our event in the areas of team recruitment, PR, logistics, sponsorship, in-kind donations, and entertainment. To learn more, please contact LRF at 800-235-6848 or email jmistrough@lymphoma.org.

Register as a team captain & encourage participation: Register online as a team captain and encourage your friends and family to support your efforts by helping you meet your fundraising goal and walking with you at the Lymphomathon.
To register online go to www.lymphomathon.org/massachusetts2009.

Talk about Sponsorship: Sponsorship is an excellent way to raise funds through the help of your community’s corporate supporters. We offer a variety of sponsorship marketing benefits, including merchandising, event signage, collateral, advertising and more. Sponsorship opportunities range from $500 to $25,000. To learn more, please contact LRF at 800-235-6848 or email jmistrough@lymphoma.org

Your participation will make a difference as we do our part to eradicate lymphoma. I hope you will be able to join us as we take a step to find a cure!

For more information, go to www.lymphomathon.org or

Email: events@lymphoma.org or call 800-235-6848
Start Time: 8:00
Date: 2009-05-02

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My name is Nannette. I am 44 yrs old, non-smoker. I was diagnosed with NSCLC, Stage IV in January 2008. I had a lung tumor, spine tumor and several brain tumors. The brain tumors were treated via gamma knife radiation and are gone. I have been on chemo since January 2008.
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