wor ld cla s s care


Gallery Displays Creativity of Those Touched by Cancer


S


tep off the elevator on the third floor of the Clinical Cancer Center of Froedtert & The Medical


College of Wisconsin and a constellation of disparate images meets the eye. A bee, nestling in a brilliant yellow flower. A group of figures walking a snowy, wooded path, each cradling a candle. These and other works — photographs, oils, acrylics, and watercolors — constitute the new Patient Art Gallery, initiated in April by the Froedtert Hospital Foundation with a gift from the Koeppen-Gerlach Foundation.


The gallery is curated by Gloria Dobogai, a volunteer for 25 years and a recent cancer


patient herself, and administered by Mary Jo Burgoyne, a nurse psychotherapist. “Art-making helps patients, friends and family to express their thoughts and emotions,


and this gallery is a public place to share it,” Dobogai said. “Being able to view the works that others have created allows visitors to get in touch with their own feelings.”


“There’s a gamut of feelings dealing with cancer and this helps release stress,” Burgoyne said. The power of the art on view is underscored by the writings of the exhibitors. Next to a


photograph of a harbor, masts silhouetted against an orange sky, one artist wrote: “My sister has cancer. I am angry, sad and upset that this happened to her. But each new day, each new sunrise, brings hope.”


Fundraising for future exhibitions is ongoing. To submit patient artwork for display, call


414-805-0572. The Clinical Cancer Center is dedicated to preventing, detecting and treating all types


of cancer. To make an appointment or for more information, call 414-805-0505 or 866-680-0505 or visit froedtert.com/cancer. n


Cutting-edge Treatment Stops Debilitating Bleeding F


or much of her life Deb Waller suffered from severe, debilitating nosebleeds caused by a genetic disorder called hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). Nosebleeds could be brought on by everyday tasks such as bending over, blowing her nose or even chewing food, let alone fly on an airplane.


After receiving therapy at Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin’s HHT Program,


Wisconsin’s only such program, Deb is enjoying activities she only dreamed of doing. “HHT leads to abnormal blood vessel formation in the skin and organs,” said David


Poetker, MD, MA, a Medical College of Wisconsin otolaryngologist and HHT Program co-director. “Bleeding can occur anywhere, but it is most common in the nose, mouth, face, ears and skin,” Dr. Poetker said. “It can be just a nuisance — or life threatening.”


Since the mid-’80s, Deb had countless nasal cauterizations to curb the extreme bleeding.


Last year, innovative use of bevacizumab, a cancer drug that restricts blood supply to tumors, spurred a dramatic improvement. She continues the treatment with medicated nasal spray.


“I went to Hawaii on vacation and could swim, snorkel and even went on an off-road


vehicle adventure on Kauai — red dust, big bumps and all,” Deb said. “It was amazing.” “HHT is often not diagnosed or misdiagnosed because the symptoms are variable


and can involve multiple organ systems,” said William Rilling, MD, a Medical College of Wisconsin interventional radiologist and HHT Program co-director. “The most serious complications of HHT can be avoided with proper screening and specialized treatment. Our coordinated, multidisciplinary team includes 20 specialists for optimal care.”


n Patient deb waller and her husband, denniS waller, on vacation in Hawaii.


For more information on the Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin HHT Program, call 414-805-3666 or 800-272-3666 or visit froedtert.com. n


14 Froedtert Today September 2011 froedtert.com


n mary jo burgoyne, rn, mSn, apnp, and gloria dobogai


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