Support Groups

I agree too, I went to a support group for 5 years. Was not a pity party but a lot of supportive women who are good friends now. We laughed a lot and there was crying but not nearly as much of that as the laughter.

I also think patients helping patients help doctors. You get suggestions on questions to ask and that could help the doctor patient relationship. The patients can be more focused on what they should talk to their doctor about. I think support groups area great because you talk to real people about the issues they experience. NO doctor, not even a concerned nurse can fully understand the many physical, emotional, and mental issues that arise from diagnosis, treatment and just living on. I love to be with a group of women. It balances out. I was part of SHARE in NYC which uses peeer faciitators. I liked that. It was rarely a 'pity' party. And one makes long-term friends.

Three helpful resources to help children who've lost a mother to breast cancer or any other cancer:

You can find the CLIMB Program at numerous cancer centers around the nation. It is facilitated by Licensed Clinical Social Workers at the cancer centers to help children cope.
For locations visit: http://www.childrenstreehousefdn.org/support.html

Bereavement camps for kids around the nation: http://www.comfortzonecamp.org/

Lastly, there is ongoing support through this online forum: http://www.hellogrief.org/families-with-a-missing-piece/ Three helpful resources to help children who've lost a mother to breast cancer or any other cancer:

You can find the CLIMB Program at numerous cancer centers around the nation. It is facilitated by Licensed Clinical Social Workers at the cancer centers to help children cope.
For locations visit: http://www.childrenstreehousefdn.org/support.html

Bereavement camps for kids around the nation: http://www.comfortzonecamp.org/

Lastly, there is ongoing support through this online forum: http://www.hellogrief.org/families-with-a-missing-piece/

When I was first diagnosed it was very difficult. I searched the internet after being told that Phyllodes was very rare as a matter of fact my Dr. had never heard of it before. I found one site that was for rare cancer that was helpful but was hard to really connect with the folks in the group. I started a group on Myspace where I met several women and felt very connected. Another girl had gone on to Facebook and started a group there as well. The Myspace group is no longer intact but the folks in that group have switched to Facebook and we have a great support group now with women from all over the world and it is very informative and helpful. When I was first diagnosed it was very difficult. I searched the internet after being told that Phyllodes was very rare as a matter of fact my Dr. had never heard of it before. I found one site that was for rare cancer that was helpful but was hard to really connect with the folks in the group. I started a group on Myspace where I met several women and felt very connected. Another girl had gone on to Facebook and started a group there as well. The Myspace group is no longer intact but the folks in that group have switched to Facebook and we have a great support group now with women from all over the world and it is very informative and helpful.

Hi,

Before I can give a through answer I'd like to be able to ask a few more questions of you--but since that is not possible I'm going to answer with what I know.

I would suggest taking him to a neurologist for an examination: talk to his doctor and ask for a referral. That is the only way one can be sure if, and what type, of neurological problems he may be facing. As far as the possible ADD (actually ADHD, ADD is no longer used as a formal diagnosis by professionals), it very well could be that he has it and also has something else going on. A child having ADHD would not typically result in the sort of processing errors you describe ("slow" writing and typing).

So that is my general reply but there are many things I am curious about. That said, a through exam by a neurologist would give you the answers you need. Good luck.

Hi,

Before I can give a through answer I'd like to be able to ask a few more questions of you--but since that is not possible I'm going to answer with what I know.

I would suggest taking him to a neurologist for an examination: talk to his doctor and ask for a referral. That is the only way one can be sure if, and what type, of neurological problems he may be facing. As far as the possible ADD (actually ADHD, ADD is no longer used as a formal diagnosis by professionals), it very well could be that he has it and also has something else going on. A child having ADHD would not typically result in the sort of processing errors you describe ("slow" writing and typing).

So that is my general reply but there are many things I am curious about. That said, a through exam by a neurologist would give you the answers you need. Good luck.

I have facilitated support groups in Manhattan, and later on-line, for the past six years (oh my, I just realized it's closer to seven...) And I have seen so many great things come out of them. Insight into your life played out from the perspective of someone else's can be a very powerful tool.

As Nancy says above, the "ah-ha" of realizing you are not alone is also very persuasive. Additionally, group work can be a wonderful addition to private therapy, allowing you to test ideas and concepts introduced in private work in a secure environment.

So it may come as no surprise that I think they can be an asset for any person recovering from the physical and emotional side effects of cancer (or any other major life event). Hi,
As a fan of support groups I believe that a support group can be a wonderful experience. I joined a few groups when I was newly diagnosed 6 years ago, two in person and two online and I know it kept me sane. Now I facilitate two groups and find it a amazing experience. Watching a women walk in the first meeting scared to death and watch other group members embrace and comfort her by sharing their journey with her is a special thing. Friends and family just don't understand what we are going through. I remember after my surgery having people say to me "well thats over or thank god you only had DCIS, Stage I etc". Get back to your life. I know that it was said with the best intentions but it made me want to scream. I know that may times I thought I going crazy but I would say something at a group and ten women would say "I felt the same" or just understand what I was saying.
With all of the said not all groups are helpful. I have been at some groups that end up just being grip sessions or pity parties. I don't think that is healthy or helpful. The facilitator has to be trained and the group has to have some ground rules. It helps to have similar cancers in the same groups. We have a DCIS group, a mets group, a newly diagnosed group, a young womens group and a high risk group at the volunteer organization that I work with. Oh we also have a mens group for the husbands.
Groups may not be for everyone but I am a fan!
Nancy

It is important to meet and develop relationships with others who understand what you are going through. There are quite a few resources for this.

Support Groups: contact your local hospitals, clinics, churches, etc. to find local groups. You may also reach out to organizations such as the American Cancer Society or Komen Foundation. They maintain lists of support groups. Of course you can also search google (i.e. breast cancer support groups). Sometimes it may take some time to find a support group where you feel comfortable. If you would like to potentially start your own support group, the American Self-Help Clearinghouse (http://www.cmhc.com/selfhelp/) has information, models, and advice.

Cancer Hotlines: if you need emotional support from someone trained to help, a couple of options are Share (http://www.sharecancersupport.org/) and Network of Strength (www.networkofstrength.org)

Online chat rooms and discussion boards: There are numerous chat rooms and discussion boards including http://TalkAboutHealth.com, http://breastcancer.org and http://www.bcsupport.org/. It is important to meet and develop relationships with others who understand what you are going through. There are quite a few resources for this.

Support Groups: contact your local hospitals, clinics, churches, etc. to find local groups. You may also reach out to organizations such as the American Cancer Society or Komen Foundation. They maintain lists of support groups. Of course you can also search google (i.e. breast cancer support groups). Sometimes it may take some time to find a support group where you feel comfortable. If you would like to potentially start your own support group, the American Self-Help Clearinghouse (http://www.cmhc.com/selfhelp/) has information, models, and advice.

Cancer Hotlines: if you need emotional support from someone trained to help, a couple of options are Share (http://www.sharecancersupport.org/) and Network of Strength (www.networkofstrength.org)

Online chat rooms and discussion boards: There are numerous chat rooms and discussion boards including http://TalkAboutHealth.com, http://breastcancer.org and http://www.bcsupport.org/.