Local support groups
I’m a year+ post-op, ongoing endocrine therapy. Medically speaking, I am doing okay. Emotionally, not so well. My medical anxiety is significantly heightened following my mom’s death from cancer (not breast) a few months ago. My wonderful, regular therapist suggested looking into local BC support groups for extra support. I did not see a BC specific support group in the KU Med turning point catalogue. I reached out to Gilda’s club to see what might be a fit. Has anyone participated in a helpful local support group? Appreciate any thoughts.
Hey so Gilda’s Club has a support group for BC survivors who aren’t in active treatment (they also have one for active treatment) but the club has been so great to me these last couple months. I think anyone who utilizes them benefits well. Even if you just attend their classes, art or like writing through healing, they’re some great people there
Hi - I am about a year out also and doing well medically also, but agree with the mental side and anxiety. I've never had anxiety before, so this is new to me. I've tried the Tuesday calls through Gilda's Club a few times, but there were not a lot of people on the call so it wasn't very helpful to me. I know they have a Meet Up event on 11/3 in the evening that is also a dinner. I've reached out to them with some questions, as I can no longer drive at night due to what the chemo has done to my eyes, so trying to find out if spouses can go to this or not. I would be interested in a group also.
@beachwalkerdeb I’m sorry to hear you are experiencing this, too. Thanks for sharing this insight into Gilda’s club. Nights and in person can be tricky for me as well due to scheduling around young children, so I may also ask some questions when Gilda’s club gets back in touch with me and will share here. I’m going to contact KU Med about their “survivorship services” and see if there’s anything there different than the Turning Point catalogue. Will share that, too. Hopefully some other members have other resources to share. In the meantime, you’re not alone.
Gilda's has online support groups, plus will offer free therapy sessions (I think 6). You can also reach out to Susan G. Komen and they will answer or just listen to what you need. The Breast Cancer Club has a link to organizations in the area. Prayers and good vibes heading your way.
Thanks and I am happy to talk or text or share support you anyway I can. We all have to be in this together. Also, a lot of Guilda’s calls with Support group are done online so you can do those from home.
@beachwalkerdeb I’m also a year out from surgery. I never looked into Gilda’s club. Also did my treatment through KUMED. If anyone wants to talk/get coffee let me know! Maybe we can start our own group 😊
I think that sounds like a good idea. I would be glad to meet. Just need evenings as I work.
@cynthiapeterson22 I would also be interested in a chat over coffee sometime, lovely idea
@beachwalkerdeb thank you! I did hear back from Gilda’s club today and she said while this meetup is geared towards those with cancer/survivors (rather than family support), they completely understand if someone is needing a partner to drive them, and they are welcome to stay if they'd like to. They don't want that to be a barrier.
@ddhill1 Thanks for letting me know, I hadn't not heard back yet.
Hey everyone. I’m going to give everyone my email. That way we can set up a dinner/coffee meet up for those interested.
cynthiapeterson22 @gmail.com
^ I love this idea. Let me know if I can help. If you prefer to keep your information off the internet, I can connect you using the emails associated with your user names. Also, once you select a date and location, I can send an invitation to everyone else in a Mammorandum if you'd like.
Here is my email beachwalkerdeb@gmail.com.
Are any you doing the breast cancer walk next weekend? I’m planning on going.
@thebreastcastg that would be great. Please connect me with emails. I will let you know when we get a meet up date set.