Ist Annual ACONS Nursing Symposium

ACONS 2009 Board of Directors

On August 22nd, our chapter hosted its first Regional Oncology Nurses Symposium. One hundred six nurses, representing three states, gathered at the Marriott Uptown, in Albuquerque, for the symposium. The symposium allowed attendees to receive the latest information on oncology disease processes and treatments from nationally ranked experts. Thanks to each of you; attendees, pharmaceutical consultants, commercial and community service vendors for making this symposium a great success. Your support and participation enabled the chapter to raise over $12,000.00. Jim Breedon, Chapter President

Learning about MDS at monthly meeting

ACONS members came out despite the torrential rains to learn about MDS this week. Sandy Kurtin is a speaker that ACONS has brought in several times from Tucson, Arizona. The program addressed the pathophysiology, diagnosis and prognosis of MDS and presented several treatment approaches, along with side effects and patient care priorities. One practical tip Sandy provided, is that patients should exercise the specific muscles that are needed to perform ADL's such as getting dressed in the morning or brushing their teeth. She suggests that patients get a $6.95 large rubber band at WalMart or Target to do the exercices rather than spend lots of money on gym memberships.

ONS Chemo/Biotherapy Course

I spent the last 2 days in the updated, new ONS Chemotherapy/Biotherapy class. ONS has a rule that if you let your card expire, you must take the entire class again and you are not allowed to renew on the ONS website. I had not realized that I had let my chemo provider card expire and I have not been looking forward to taking the whole class again. I want you all to know that everything happens for a reason. The class was given by Mary Ross and it was well worth my time! The new chemo/biotherapy book is much better than the last and it has a lot of great, new information in it. In ACONS, we have several members who give the chemo/biotherapy class through out the year. Keep your eyes peeled for announcements or check out our website www.acons.vc.ons.org whenever you need to take the class. I, in fact, suggest you take the class even if you can renew on-line. It was a great refresher!Amy Gundelach

ACONS at BARD access device presentation

Dorothy Montoya and Rose Reece

Vilma Newman and Jim Breedon

ReNae Dean-Breedon , Phyllis Herbertson, and Eloyda Gomez

Joyce Sillador, Janet Longhurst, and Astrid Lugowski

ACONS at PLTC Survivorship Conference

ACONS member, Audrey Sniegowski, helpong with ACONS table.

Susan and Kristi, Skin Care Foundation drivers.

Road to Healthy Skin Tour in Albuquerque. We were unable to do skin checks this year because we couldn't find a dermatologist to help us but the Skin Cancer Foundation was very gracious to stop at the PLTC survivorship conference to hand out skin care information.

Welcome to Our Blog!

ACONS board members are working hard to bring ACONS into the 21st century and into the age of computer technology. We are updating our website and looking for better ways to communicate with our members. This blog will be our way to share pictures and commentaries related to ACONS members and our other oncology nursing friends.