I wanted to pass along some preliminary information so people can start planning.

The 2011 Clusterbuster Conference will take place in Chicago over the September 16-18 weekend.

The hotel information should be available soon. Doug and the committee are going over the results of the survey and are putting together an outstanding program.

Hope to see everyone there.
More to follow. Watch this space 

Bob

Looking forward to seeing you again Jerry.

Bob

Glad to hear it Brew.
I'm glad you're bringing the family CEO because I want to talk about one of those book deals you're offering people 

Bob

Hoping to attend....

LadyChefNLN wrote on Dec 21^st, 2010 at 6:50pm:


Some of us will be getting together in St Louis in Jan.  Look at the posting about it on here.  LouCon is unstructured, just a get together and good fellowship.  Good chance for questions and answers as well.

Jerry

I'm copying this directly from the ClusterBuster board.
The conference thread there is in the General Section, so log in is not required (other than to view any links)
Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or

This is the first speaker announcement.

Perhaps once or twice a year, somewhere on our planet, there is a room filled mostly with Cluster Headache sufferers, along with a few loved ones and medical professionals. In that room, there exists a rare opportunity to better understand ourselves, each other, and our condition.

Such an opportunity will be possible at the ClusterBusters conference beginning September 16, 2011 in Chicago Illinois, led by a fellow clusterhead and licensed psychotherapist, Dr. Larry Schor.

Dr. Schor describes the sessions as this:

There are a number of common factors that are hard, if not impossible to explain to others. My sense is that nearly everyone with this condition has been psychotic. Apparently it is quite common during an attack to feel compulsions like, “Maybe if I get the pliers and pull some of these molars it would help” or “If I drill a small hole in my head it might relieve the pressure”

There also seems to be a pretty universal experience of assault by some otherly beast. The attached picture seems to capture this for many of us.

Suicidal thoughts, attempts, and completions are alarmingly high among CH sufferers. For many, it also seems that the suicidal ideation is not even so much about stopping the pain, but more as a way of killing “It” even if it means I will die in the process. There is a fear that this might sound like melodramatic hyperbole to outsiders.

The existential therapist, Irvin Yalom identifies the therapeutic factors of group work (see link below).
I believe these principles offer particular relevance for our group.

On the Saturday afternoon of the Conference, Dr. Schor will facilitate two group sessions.

Our first group meeting will focus on the theme of what we have in common that makes us an “us.”    What this means is that we clusterheads have all or mostly felt psychotic helpless, been misunderstood by people who suggested unhelpful things, been traumatized by the assault of a cluster attack, contemplated suicide, felt the need to hide for various reasons, etc.  There appears to exist a PTSD-like quality among some. The individual and cumulative effects of enduring attacks alter aspects of our lives.

Our second group meeting will explore “what helps.” Recognizing that no singular treatment works for everyone, we will share our successes and failures; medically, emotionally, and relationally as we collaboratively approach some of the difficult choices required to navigate through this condition.

Registration details will be available shortly.
Mark this conference date on your calendars, you’re not going to want to miss this.


Link:
Therapeutic Factors in Group Work: adapted from (Yalom and Leszcz, 2005)
Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or

Cluster Headache, a Kid's View.

ClusterBusters is pleased to confirm a presentation by a young lady whose mother has cluster headache and of her personal journey into becoming a supporter of someone with this condition.
She will share how she felt the first time she witnessed a high level attack and how she now helps by assisting with the oxygen, ice and sitting with her parent during an attack.
Through this, they both have found decreased feelings of helplessness and have reduced the worries, frustrations and fears we all often experience around our cluster headaches.
"A Kid's View" will be a wonderful story from the perspective of a teen supporter, filled with moments of pain, insight and laughter.

Since i was a child,i have always wanted to go to a cub game...Here in L.A. you don't want to sit in the bleachers...How about Wrigley field 1)...are the bleachers safe 2)...is that a good spot for the game 3)...I would never of thought of sitting in the bleachers ( a few of my friends) went to Boston last year,sat in the green monster (said they had a blast) was just wondering if its the same with Wrigley...Any insight or suggestions would be much appreciated.....thank you,Lenny

Hi Terry,
Thanks very much.
I will send you my hame address in PM.

If anyone ekse would like my address to send items, drop me a PM.
Otherwise items can be sent top our P.O. Box also.

Clusterbusters
P.O. Box 574
Lombard Il
60148

Lenny,
The Cubbies are in town that weekend. Although I'm a Sox fan, just about anywhere in Wrigley is a fun time. Anywhere in the outfield is a party. It's an old stadium so there are some obstructed views with pillars in other areas so you should be careful about other areas.

Bob

Really, really, really want to go!    I have all the info and hopefully will be making the reservation well before the deadline.  My calendar is marked so I won't forget.