Local Support Groups

angelia50

Do any of you go to local support groups?  I see one in my local paper but haven't checked it out yet.  At first, I was afraid to go because I feared I would only see people who were having chemo and it would make it all more real to me but now, I feel I need to find others who know how this all feels.

Ariom

Hi angelia. I am in Australia and I was directed to a local support group by the McGrath Breast Nurse in our area. I must  admit that I really didn't want to go, but since it was their Christmas meeting, I didn't want to appear rude by not going after being invited. 

I have to say, it was the best thing I could have done. The women were welcoming and since I was new to the town, they reached out to me, by calling to see how I was, and offering support after my surgery.

I have continued to go to the monthly meetings and although there were just10 members when I started going, we now have 22 regular members. The woman who started the group, had some health issues, so I now look after a lot of the  administration of our group which I really enjoy. We work on a gold coin donation ($1 or $2 AU) which covers the cost of  tea and coffee at the meeting. We also have funds from the occasional raffle which we use if any of our members may be having a rough time with treatment etc and we can help out by buying food or supplies.

We have all ages and stages, some in treatment, others who have had a recurrence, many years after the 1st BC.  I should say, we can have an entire meeting, without BC even being mentioned. Other times, we will discuss BC at length, especially if there is someone new, who is asking questions. It isn't unusual for breast forms to be extracted, to show someone a new style, or different form! It is a very informal group, which I think is what makes it so comfortable.

We have speakers, every other month, who speak on all kinds of different subjects, or sometimes we will have a day at the movies and lunch. If there is a BC Forum or Seminar, we will hire a bus and go. 

I know, not all  groups are the same, but if you don't try it, you'll never know!

I really look forward to these meetings and have made lots of great new friends, who all understand what it is like to be touched by this disease!

Good Luck!