A cancer diagnosis produces not only physical changes, but also exerts a profound effect on relationships: family, friends, co-workers and acquaintances.? Unless well-meaning people have experienced it themselves, they cannot comprehend the emotions with which the patient grapples. Finding an outlet for growing psychological concerns becomes critical to many who face the quagmire of cancer.
Finding myself newly diagnosed with breast cancer, my quest to find understanding soul mates ended when I joined a breast cancer support group after my first chemotherapy infusion.? We met at a hospital where a facilitator led our group discussions. How therapeutic for the newly diagnosed!? We young women shared our ups and downs, insensitive remarks from the clueless, how to handle our children?s needs, and tips on caring for ourselves during treatment.
As we completed chemo and radiation we sensed that we had outgrown the need for a clinical setting.? We decided to assemble at a member?s home once every few months instead of meeting at the hospital every two weeks.? What a pleasant change from the sterile environment of a conference room!
About two years later the group disbanded due to diverging interests?and my cancer returned.? As no conveniently located support group existed nearby to address my new concerns and challenges posed by this recurrence, I joined an online discussion group through the Association of Cancer Online Resources (ACOR).? This forum provided valuable information beyond what I could find on the Internet and in the literature.
A few years after my recurrence I decided to start writing articles, books, and blog posts on breast cancer and the lymphedema I developed from cancer surgery. Not only was writing therapeutic, but also I wanted to help others by sharing what I learned from my mistakes and experiences. Promotion of my writing inevitably led me to connect with other authors. I began searching for and following blogs that focused on breast-cancer-related issues. Over time we bloggers have become a very close-knit community, sharing our deepest needs and worries with one another as virtual friends. In addition, we use social media such as Facebook and Twitter to elevate our special relationships to a higher level of transparency. Friendships blossom when we ?like? each other?s Facebook pages and participate in weekly Twitter discussions on topics unique to breast cancer.
Social isolation need not follow a cancer diagnosis.? Find a cancer support group through local hospitals, clinics and the Internet.? Help is only a phone call or click away.? Let your fingers do the clicking through the Google pages.? You?ll be surprised at the variety of ways your needs will be met.
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About the Author:
A two-time survivor of breast cancer, Jan Hasak serves as a cancer and lymphedema patient-advocate and motivational speaker. ?At seminars and other venues she conveys a ?cancer thriver? attitude.? As an attorney at a leading biotechnology firm, Genentech, Inc., she wrote patents for over 20 years.? Her books Mourning Has Broken: Reflections on Surviving Cancer and The Pebble Path: Returning Home from a Forest of Shadows chronicle her hope-filled journey through breast cancer in prose and poetry. Her website www.janhasak.com provides a wealth of information and resources on breast cancer and lymphedema. She also maintains a blog on breast-cancer-related challenges, ?Mourning Has Broken.?
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Source: https://www.medify.com/blog/breast-cancer-support-groups-and-social-networks/
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