SURVIVOR: Joan Schreiner has survived 11 surgeries, 70 months of chemo and six radiation regimens in her 12-year battle against cancer. She's had tumors in her spinal cord that could have left her paralyzed. Her cancer has metastasized from breast to brain and liver. "I shouldn't be here, but I am," she says simply.
Because of her story of tenacity and grit, people began referring other cancer patients to her for counseling. So many sought help that she decided to write a book about her experiences. With a book she could reach a broader base of those facing what she has faced and help them face it down, she thought.
Her book is called Still Here! Taking Charge of Your Health Care and the message is: Never give up. Schreiner shows patients how to do research over the web, what problems they'll encounter, how to sign on for experimental testing when all other options seem to be exhausted.
Her book has been an inspiration already. Before it was even published, she sent a first draft to a friend of a friend, Millie Chambers of Sunnyvale, whose outlook was grim and who had basically given up. Chambers had lung cancer and had been given six weeks to live.
But now, two years have gone by, the disease is evidently in remission and she's leading a normal life. Chambers credits Still Here! with playing a crucial part in her recovery. She roused herself for the fight, instead of giving up, began taking specially targeted drugs.
Before cancer struck, Schreiner was CFO of Shutterfly, a print-on-demand house that combined her hobby with her business, so she led an energy-packed life. Earlier still she was Los Gatos town treasurer from '88-'92, following the turbulent years of Nogah Bethlahmy's tenure in that job.
Still Here is published by Xlibris, a print-on-demand house. Its number is 888.795.4274, ext. 276. However, the process can take three or more weeks, and, if a faster response is called for, Schreiner can be reached at joanschreiner@att.net.
ROBOT INTERACTION: Wendy Chisholm, assistant professor of digital media at the University of New Orleans, brought a student-designed exhibition of robotic art to the Innovative Applications of Artificial Intelligence Conference held in San Jose recently.
Chisholm and Dr. Sheila Tejada, who teaches a course in robotics at the university, teamed up to produce entries to the conference. Their students combined virtual reality, the web and a Sony Aibo dog to create a three-dimensional installation wherein people and robots interact—both in real life and on the Internet.
The group then continued on to the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena for more demonstrations. Back in New Orleans, their work will be part of the exhibit at the Ogden Museum of the South's White Linen Night. The Ogden is an affiliate of the Smithsonian.
Chisholm is the daughter of Jo Piazza Chisholm, who lives in the Santa Cruz Mountains and is a broker with Coldwell Banker in Saratoga.
NEW OWNERS: Linda Durnell is the new owner of Tercera Gallery and Michele Scott is a partner in the 15-year-old establishment in Los Gatos. Durnell's marketing and philanthropy background will combine with Scott's art-industry experience. Scott is an artist herself.
The two plan to integrate art with business by holding special events and corporate parties with a portion of the fee donated to a charity. This is Durnell's MO: She is vice chairwoman of Silicon Valley Children's Hospital Foundation and a founder of the SaratogaMonte Sereno Community Foundation and of the Chariot Foundation.
She has worked in marketing, sales and business development for 18 years, most recently at Apple, and started an interior-design firm. Durnell lives in Saratoga with her husband and three teenage sons. Her B.A. is from the U. of Washington, Seattle.
CANCER-AWARE: Dr. Richard Adrouny, a Los Gatos oncologist, and Gay Crawford, a Saratogan who works for the American Cancer Society, both received recognition recently for their work in implementing a colon-cancer-free zone in Santa Clara County. Dr. Adrouny developed the program.
Crawford is the Colon Cancer Initiative Team chairwoman and received a $5,000 grant for further initiatives to increase awareness of the disease. The goal of the cancer-free zone is to educate residents about colorectal cancer and to encourage those 50 and older (the age range most affected) to get screened.
BANDSTAND BOOGIE: The Oak Meadow Bandstand will be celebrated for its second year of life with a Bandstand Boogie Barbecue Aug. 28, 610 p.m. Barbecue by C.B. Hannegan's; music by Mack the Knife. Hawaiian holiday valued at $5,000 can be won by the luckiest attendee. Contact number is 408.395.9170.
PLAY READING: Two short plays by Roxy Sax of San Jose and me will be offered in a staged reading at the Terraces on Aug. 28 at 2 p.m.
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By Mary Ann Cook