TIL - What We've Learned in the Past Year

If you have joined us for any of our chats you know that for the last ten minutes or so of each chat we ask participants to complete the phrase, Today I learned... which we fondly call TIL.

Since we celebrated our third anniversary this month, we thought we would share some of those completed phrases from each of the past year's chats.

September 2015 Gyn Cancer Awareness Month - Spotlight Uterine and Endometrial Cancers
TIL if even one woman with symptoms reads this tweet chat & goes to doctor as a result.... I'll be a happy person @darlakbrown

TIL to remember the importance of education for women,men on gyn cancers, starting in the schools. To Advocate for that too. & more @alenegonebad


October 2015 Open Mic
TIL U can get patients,survivors,researchers,docs in tweet chat room with no planned ?'s & they can have imp insightful conversation @womenofteal

TIL what a wide range of concerns and knowledge women bring with them to #gyncsm @robinsmrtptient


November 2015 Nutrition and Exercise
TIL: @DanaFarber has a nutrition app! @livestrong

Remember to take nutrition and exercise like anything else: some days will be better than others @edicksonmd


December 2015 Looking Back and Looking Forward
TIL: Self care is essential to be able to care for others @shannonwestin

TIL ( but really knew already) GYNCSM is a great group committed to advocacy and education for women's cancer survivors @journeycancer


January 2016 Taking Care of our Caregivers
TIL: Caregivers and patients share feelings of guilt about taking _needed_ time for breaks and self-care. @drbeckershutte

TIL: Just as important to care for the caregiver as it is to care for the patient - best chance for success! @shannonwestin


February 2016 Rare GYN Cancers: Vulvar, Vaginal and Fallopian Tube
TIL Just a reminder from my side of things: Having any rare cancer can be especially scary and isolating because you lack mentors. @drbeckershutte

TIL Advocacy for each gynecologic cancer is stronger when we work together. Thanks all for coming and learning tonight. @btrfly12


March 2016 Genetic Counselors and Understanding GYN Cancer Risk
TIL Knowing that gen counselors have this valuable info could help many patients who may not know/think of that resource. @robinsmrtptient

Genetics is an integral part of cancer prevention. Know your genetics. Get to know a GC. @GeneticCouns @maryfreivogel


April 2016 Re-envisioning Ovarian Cancer Survivorship
TIL I learned how important it is to have discussions surrounding treatment & aftercare so women can learn from each other. #gyncsm #BWSU @blkwomenstandup

TIL: Keep placing personal QOL needs front & center while supporting pts in decision-making. Real needs more valuable than paper @cbushrn


May 2016 Getting Social with your Health
TIL that those dx with cancer can use Social Media to feel connected, learn information, learn what ?'s to ask and support others #gyncsm @womenofteal

TIL about ASCO's COSMO initiative but was unsurprised to see that they still are struggling with quality of life as an outcome #gyncsm @alenegonebad


June  2016 What’s New in GYN Cancer Research
TIL there are oppty for pts to give input to clinical trials. Want to learn more about that and how to connect pts w those opptys @elisabethcramer

TIL: progress, but more work to be done, excited to be able to use FDA approved drugs for disease sites, luv survivorship data @crmillergo


July 2016 Spirituality and Quality of Life
TIL, from a very insightful community, what spirituality means & how others embrace & develop it, esp in challenging times @embosu

TIL (again/as ever) that virtual community is REAL community. I was so tired and pained today. Feel so much better now, thank you! @meredithgould


August 2016 Shared Decision Making and Patient-Centered Care
TIL: #SDM and #PCC are really like "Stone Soup" - everyone needs to put something in! @robinsmrtptient

TIL: PCC is a process, and we can encourage SDM through listening, mutual education, asking more questions @embosu


September 2016 Gyn Cancer Advocacy and #GYNCSM Goals/Aspirations
TIL that time flies, with tweet chats as well as kids. How can it be three years already? And that there is so much more to do. @drbeckershutte

TIL: (knew) How special Dee and Christina for creating this wonderful community - now we need to reach more gyn cancer survivors!  @shannonwestin

Thank you everyone who has joined us during the past year. We look forward to learning and growing in the year ahead.

Dee and Christina 
#gyncsm Co-founders

Note - View our CHAT TOPICS page (found via main top menu) to find recaps of each of our chats with links to the full transcripts.

Looking back at a year of #gyncsm chat Today I Learned's

At the end of each #gyncsm chat, we call on participants to share closing thoughts using TIL, standing for "Today I Learned".  I really enjoyed looking back through them all and below are a selection of my favorites from this past year of monthly chats.

Want more? You can find the running list of TILs from each chat HERE.

TIL: A new way to connect and share with a community of people living with, advocating for and caring for GYN cancers! awesome! @eberrygynonc

TIL: connections in person or online can impact and empower. @joannerash

TIL: again how important it is to ask questions and be your own health advocate. @staunchstudio

TIL: We all have so much to share w/ each other and each conversation helps us all connect better @gyncsm   

Proud of the amazing conversation at #gyncsm tonight. We need to spread GOOD info on gyno cancers. #LetsDoThis. @girlmeetsgeek

that cancer is an umbrella of diseases under which we can all stand TOGETHER and support all! @chemobrainfog

TIL that there’s a website for EVERYTHING! And that I’m not alone in my clinical trials frustrations. @cookifit

TIL (again): There are so many very powerful voices working to decrease stigma and connect those in need of support. @drbeckerschutte

#gyncsm chat is a lifesaver. Its amazing to get opportunities to talk with fellow survivors & professionals freely. Thank you for this! @cookifit

TIL that there are fierce advocates for those with #cervca and that there is HOPE. @brownbeansprout

TIL how much I love the #gyncsm chats and the people it brings together. @cloudhealth

TIL: different viewpoints on clinical trials. Good to see things from a different perspective. Thanks everyone at #gyncsm! @eberrygynonc

TIL that we can learn from each other No need to re-create the wheel! BTW I used TIL as closure when I was teaching 5th grade @myelomateacher

TIL: caregiving + family issues can be as complex as the clinical issues. It's a team effort @rzeiger

Brilliant TIL: impt that clinicians recognize cancer is social dz. Stop, ask how the loved ones are doing. @gfry

cancer is hard for everyone. Patient, caregiver.Partner & children. No right or wrong. Just be a loving unit is my final thought @brcainfo

TIL: Reminded there is power in knowing you are not alone in whatever you are facing and that others are there for you. @btrfly12      

TIL continual imptce of being ur own advocate:key to survival and NEGU (never ever giving up) @jtriestm

TIL GYNCSM is a diverse body with many different and wonderful suggestions to approach the same issue. @journeycancer        

TIL that despite all SHE's facing, my wife still has love and patience when I'M upset, and maybe I should be more OK with showing it @simpson1290

TIL so happy I was able to participate tonight, you all are amazing and I'm so grateful to have this forum, take care :) @rose_mzrozee

TIL: too many to list...great advice/sharing from great people! #endcancer @natedahlpharmd

TIL - we have a huge opportunity to educate our gyn ca providers to address sexuality and fertility issues early and often @shannonwestin

Cancer needs a multi-dimensional approach with a muti-disciplinary team covering multiple issues. A challenge but can be overcome! @giasison

TIL once again, patients need to be their own health advocates. Never assume. Ask questions. Explore all options @jbbc        

"For the secret of the care of the patient is in caring for the patient." Francis Peabody <-- the whole patient @subatomicdoc    

Til - there are wonderful hcp and patients exchanging ideas and touching on topics that rarely get discussed #gyncsm thanks everyone @natricer

appreciate greatly everyone sharing an hr to educate, inform & support those with cancer. & related issues - so thrilled to peek in! @natricer

TIL important for patients and providers alike to use coping mechanisms and ask for help @shannonwestin

TIL I'm not alone in my fear of recurrence. Knowledge is power. Staying connected even after treatment is important. @intakeme

TIL: Integrated whole person care is essential in all disease communities. @drbeckerschutte

TIL: being an advocate is important. Everyone can do something & make a difference in another persons life. I will never stop doing! @brcainfo

TIL Those on #gyncsm can change the status quo. #communities are more important than ribbons... or ice buckets. @drdonsdizon      

TIL: There are so many ways to advocate for yourself and others - don't be afraid to ask questions and find the right MD for you @shannonwestin

This year I learned: people in the gyn cancer community could find each other and come together to support and educate each other @womenofteal

TIL: The best learnings come from sharings of what each & every one of us go through. And for that I'm forever grateful. @giasison

TIL: @gyncsm has been a great resource for gynecologic cancer advocacy for a solid year. Happy anniversary! @drmarkham            

Thanks for the great chat everyone! A very happy anniversary #gyncsm! Together, we can make a difference. @globeathon  

I'm excited for another year of sharing and learning with #gyncsm.

Christina Lizaso