Fall Welcome Back 2004

 Vol. II, Issue #9

          Bergen CFS Support Group Newsletter

Meeting Notice

We hope you had a pleasant and healthy summer.  Our first meeting of the season will be held on Sunday September 19^th from 2-4 PM in the Pascack Valley Hospital meeting room.  It will be a time to reconnect with old friends and hopefully meet some new ones.

It is this frustrating disease that brings us together as a support group.  What we each come away with is so much more.  Because CFS is still a disease in the investigational stage, we quickly learn that the members of this group have really done their homework.  If there is a theory or possible treatment being studied, there is sure to be someone who has read the latest literature.  While we may not be scientists, we certainly share a thirst for information. 

The second thing a visitor to a meeting might notice is the attitude of those present.  There is no griping or self-pity here.  Instead, there is often a wealth of encouragement and laughter.  People often hang around chatting after the meeting.  It is truly support.  For those who have not yet been to a meeting, we hope you will consider sharing an afternoon with us.  If you are not well enough to attend – be assured that we understand and hope you will soon be feeling better.  If you cannot come to meetings, please feel free to send us a note telling us about yourself.  We would like to get to know you.

We are so fortunate that Anne Gilmartin continues to be our group leader.  There is also assistance form several other members.  You may from time to time notice information provided by Nancy Visocki or Judy Machacek.  I will continue as Editor of the newsletter.  As always, we are interested in any feedback you might wish to offer – including topics you might wish us to consider. 

 We look forward to seeing you.

Pat LaRosa

Editor

The Bergen County Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Support Group meets every third Sunday from 2-4pm from September through June (second Sun. in June).  Meetings are held at Pascack Valley Hospital, Old Hook Road, Westwood, NJ.  Everyone is welcome!

Bergen County Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Support Group

2004-2005 Meeting Schedule

September 20^th:    First meeting of the season!  We will be showing a video of Suzanne Vernon, PhD, from the CDC, discussing how genetic aberrations in the blood of CFS patients are leading to new directions in testing and treatment for this debilitating illness. 

October      18^th:      We will possibly have a speaker from a local health care facility discussing gentle exercise tips for building stamina and energy.

Conference               Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Conference, Sponsored by Monmouth Medical Center and the NJCFSA is on November 7^th in Eatontown, NJ.  When it becomes available, literature for the conference will be distributed at our meeting.

November  15^th:      Dr. Thomas Findley, an MD - certified in Physical Medicine and Rehab.  He is a Physiatrist with extensive training in both traditional and alternative approaches to pain management, acupuncture and homeopathy.

December  20^th:      Along with our meeting we will have a holiday party!

2005

January      16^th:      Ken Andes, a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist, demonstrating Tai Chi exercises that can be done sitting down.                          

February    20^th:      We will have a video, followed by a meeting. 

March          20^th:      Possible speaker will be Dr. Arthur Worrel, discussing meditation and hypnosis for pain management and relief.

Conference              The Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Conference, sponsored by Robert Wood Johnson Hospital and the NJCFSA in New Brunswick,

                                    When it becomes available, literature for the conference will be distributed out at our meeting.

April            17^th:      We anticipate providing an update of the CFS Conference held in April. 

May             15^th:      Meeting topic TBA. 

May             12^th       CFS Awareness Day.  More info to follow.

June            12^th:      Meeting topic TBA.  This is the final meeting of the season.  Have a great summer!

                                    Our next meeting will be on September 18^th, 2005, UNLESS THERE IS A CURE!!!

You can reach our meeting coordinator, Anne Gilmartin, at annie.laurie2@verizon.net

or call her at 201 384-8604.