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I was wondering if anyone attends a regular local support group and if they found it helpful? I signed up to attend an "I can cope" support group through the American Cancer Society but don't know how it will be. Those Weight Watchers support groups never helped me lose a pound, so I might just not be a group person! At the same time - we all should have some type of outlet, right? Thanks!
Hi, I looked for a group when I was first diagnosed but the one I could find involved travel which was out of the question for me while I was getting treatment. I found a group on the internet that was okay but then I found this group which has been really great. So - I can't speak to a support group since I haven't been to one but people on this site are extremely supportive and there's lots of information and experience here.
Good luck with your treatment.
I never joined a support group either. Hey, you can't get any better than this place. You feel like you know each other and who knows better than we do how you feel. You can always find someone on here no matter what time of day. You can type in your jammies, not have to worry about your bald head, we're just like family. hehe.........I'm sure there are some on here who went to support groups and maybe they can help. I just had to put my 2 cents in. ;)
There aren't any near me -- about 20 miles. I feel that this is a great support group. However, I am looking to starting one because I know lots of women who have had ovarian cancer living near me and feel it would be good for all of us.
In the town where I live I do not know of anyone who has ovarian cancer. There was this one girl I know of who was diagnosed just after me and she died within a couple of months. That is so scary. The only person in my town I know of and they died already. I couldn't believe how many people are on here. Makes be feel better knowing I'm not alone. I know tons of people with breast cancer though. I
One of my biggest concerns about the group is that I won't feel a connection because even though its all women, and we all have cancer, we won't all have the same cancer. I don't want to be a cancer snob, but I do think a community like this one is amazing because everyone is going through a similar experience. I am a social person and now that I am on leave from work, it feels like I have to get out of the house. I am going to give it a try, but I don't know if I will keep up with it.
katelynsmamaw - so sad to know the only person in your area died. I guess thats not much of a support.... Its so great you still have somewhere to go. And there is something to be said about being bald and in your pj's and still getting support! :)
I belong to a very small local support group for all cancer survivors. We have already lost two members, one to stage 4 breast cancer, and one to stage 4 ovca. We have one man who is battling prostate cancer. I have found it valuable in a limited sense. We are all very caring of one another. OTOH, I am the only one with ovca, so I don't get the "I know what you are going through" that I get here.
Zircons, that would be great if you started one. The woman who started ours is a young mom who survived colon cancer. She wanted a group so badly she stepped out of her comfort zone and started one herself.
Whether online or IRL, I think it is invaluable to have others to talk to who really, truly "get it."
I didn't go to a support group until after my front line therapy was completed. I just wasn't ready...and the groups I knew of were quite a long drive. Afterwards, I decided to look again for a local group, because I wanted to offer to just be an empathetic listener to any woman with OvCa who might need someone. I found that one of our local hospitals had a group for breast and gyn survivors (and caregivers are welcome). The social worker who runs the group told me that there wasn't enough continuity for a gyn group to be on its own :-( There are about 20+ women in our group. We meet monthly. After a few meetings I felt very comfortable opening up as part of the group. I have learned quite a bit from the group members - regardless of the type of cancer we each have. While I don't feel that I "need" the support group, I do find that I look forward to participating, whenever I can.
And, of course, this website has been a wonderful place to meet and exchange ideas and information.
I would love to join an OC group but I live too far away from any. I feel very isolated.
Jeanie
I just recently joined a support group, just for ovca surviors. If you can't make a meeting, they are a phone or e-mail away.They have been so benefical helping me in a positive way. We are all sisters in this dreaded disease and know it will be a part of our lives forever. They do know and understand what you are going through. I found from experience ovca surviors are your best support..............,because they do get it! I can't tell you enough about this group. I know they would help you in anyway they can. Here is their web site: www.caringtogethemy.org.
Good Luck to you and hope this helps.
This is my support group. I don't have time for an actual one. My family comes first. That doesn't leave me much time to go anywhere. I'm not complaining. As a bonus. I get to meet special people from all over the world.
My mother joined a support group and it has helped her tremendously. I try to go with her at least once per month. Even though its not just OVCA survivors, many of the feelings and emotions are the same. She's made a couple of close friends through the group. If there's a group close to you, I would suggest giving it a try. You don't have to participate in the group or tell your story if you don't feel comfortable (my mother was very emotional her first visit). IF it's not for you, then don't go anymore. But you might be surprised.
There are a few great support groups online; one on Yahoo:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ovarian_cancer/
Here is one on FACEBOOK:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=2209779963
This one is a small group and if you love to laugh, these are guaranteed to:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=45051137122
They look on the bright side. Anyone feel free to check out my blog. I am a 6+ year survivor and will keep on going no matter what; a word of warning; My blog is listed as Adult Only for a reason; I hold nothing back and refuse to. If you don't have a sense a humor that blog may not be for you but it is the truth coming from a Stage IIIc Ovarian Cancer survivor who has been told that death is near so many times; I just refuse to believe it:
http://shoppingkharma.blogspot.com
I might be going out on a limb here, but I think in some ways we (as in me) older woman tend to see a more limited set of people, now that our kids are grown...so a support group might be especially beneficial. For those who are younger and balancing all of the demands of family, sometimes outside employment, and the disease, I can see where an in-the-flesh support group might just become one more item on a time constrained to-do list...and therefore, not as satisfying.
Ladies,
I feel blessed to have an all ovca support group where at least 2-3 dozen women attend monthly at our local hospital for some very upbeat discussions and we all support new comers and visit them at the bedside in the hospital.
We have a yearly weekend retreat, have a team for Relay for Life, bring in speakers, hold fundraisers etc etc.
It's an hours drive for me but so worth it. Although it takes time from my family to attend, they benefit from the sense of impowerment these women give me.
I like having both an online and actual group for support as both a breast and ovca survivor. There are over 80 women all total in the group, which has been active for 10 years. We do have a monthly newsletter and if anyone is interested, let me know and I'll add you to our mailing list.
Blessings,
Sue
I'm sorry there is an error on the website for my ovca group that I sent to you.
Here is the correction: caringtogetherny.org
I hope you can find one that will help you,because I did........Linda
You might want to check the Wellness Community
(http://www.thewellnesscommunity.org/) . Mine in central NJ has a gynecological networking group that meets once a month.
There is also a gynecological support group at the cancer center I go to. If you have social workers where you are treated they might help you find a group.
I also belong to the ovarian group on ACOR
at acor.org which is similar to this group. Share has meetings for OC survivors but they are in NYC.
Good luck
Dee
Hi All,
I have belonged to an Ovarian /Gynecologic Support Group here in Melbourne, FL since I tossed my wig aside and dipped my to in the water in 2003.
The friendships I have made with my fellow survivors are like no others. Our status as SURVIVORS is the bond from which we approach our new lives. We motivate each other and keep our spirits up.
Life with this cancer is not always rosey and we have lost many friends - wonderful cherished women to this terrible disease. Each loss is unacceptable. We mourn and then resolve again to make a difference in their honor.
I could go on...but if you would like to see what a few determined Survivors in a Support group were able to build and how it evolved, please take a look at our website. www.tealriboncfl.com
I wish it was possible for more communities to have a Support Group program for Gynecologic Cancer Survivors. Maybe it is possible to start one in yours.
Take care, all of you,
Connie
We have a very small group in my area that meets once a month. We are all OVCA warriors and are working on getting the word out to this area. I (like you Fireball) have not been able to go to the breakfast meetings due to family and carting kids around but we also communicate and keep up on each other via email. We are starting to grow (3 new added this past month) and it's nice to know that we are doing something to get the word out to women in our area.
Is there a cancer center close to you that may help you to connect with others?
Melissa
Actually, there were no support groups near me. I live up in the boonies of upstate New York so I started my own. I went to a cancer seminar and while there, sent around a sheet of paper asking people if they were interested in starting a support group. 9-10 signed up and I made a flyer, sent it out, put it in the church bulletin, local newspaper and hung them all over town. The first meeting I had 5 people, last month I had 3 and hopefully this month I hope to have 7. I arrange for a guest speaker each month. If you need any help, email me at nora_lachance@yahoo.com. Good luck
I belong to OVCA support sponsored by the wellness Community. Even though it is a 50 minute drive to reach I joined 2 months ago and very glad I did. Check to see if there is a Wellness Community near you.
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