› Forums › Caregiver Community › Support Group Topics
- This topic has 9 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 8 months ago by
waynec.
- Post
-
- August 24, 2016 at 7:23 pm
Hello all,
One thing that was frustrating to me early after my diagnosis was the lack of melanoma-specific support groups. So my wife and I were trained by MRF recently and we are starting one in our town, Alexandria VA.
We intend to have both sharing and peer support, and also regular topical programs/presentations.
Here's my question: If you've attended a group where there was a program or presentation, what topics did you find valuable/inspirational/fun/useful?
We've been working on a list, but I wanted to see what the community wisdom could contribute.
Our list includes: Physical health/fitness, eating right, mindfullness/meditation, spirituality, advances in detection and treatment, state of the immunotherapy universe, caring for the caregiver, advocacy, and others.
What have you attended that really left an impression with you?
Thanks!
Wayne
- Replies
-
-
- August 24, 2016 at 9:34 pm
Hey Wayne!
This is great that you're looking at starting up a support group! Good on you! There's something special about being able to talk "in cancer shorthand", that is not explain everything and still someone to get it.
I've been a part of a couple of support groups. The ones that I've really loved and that have had the most impact on me were patient focused and not content / information focused. They have had a significant time for clients to tell their stories, ask questions of each other and interact with each other in a semi structured kind of way.
On occasions when we all had questions about nutrition or something, often the leader would point us to outside resources. Rarely did she bring someone in to talk with us about something. But she was very knowledgeable and up to date with external resources.
I guess what I'm trying to say, is that the informational content wasn't what made the group good. It was the sense of safety and camaraderie that I went back for.
Maybe this isn't the question you're asking, so see my answer as cheering you on.
Shalom,
Julie
-
- August 24, 2016 at 11:11 pm
Hey Wayne,
I second what Julie said as well. Good for you for doing this, I'm a huge support group fan for just about anything. It always help to feel heard and know you are not alone.
The one topic that also seems to come up a lot is scanxiety. That might be a good focus for a session in your group since it's definitely a psychological battle for many of us!
Good luck and there really is nothing more important than support 🙂
Cheers,
Jackie
-
- August 24, 2016 at 11:11 pm
Hey Wayne,
I second what Julie said as well. Good for you for doing this, I'm a huge support group fan for just about anything. It always help to feel heard and know you are not alone.
The one topic that also seems to come up a lot is scanxiety. That might be a good focus for a session in your group since it's definitely a psychological battle for many of us!
Good luck and there really is nothing more important than support 🙂
Cheers,
Jackie
-
- August 24, 2016 at 11:11 pm
Hey Wayne,
I second what Julie said as well. Good for you for doing this, I'm a huge support group fan for just about anything. It always help to feel heard and know you are not alone.
The one topic that also seems to come up a lot is scanxiety. That might be a good focus for a session in your group since it's definitely a psychological battle for many of us!
Good luck and there really is nothing more important than support 🙂
Cheers,
Jackie
-
- August 24, 2016 at 9:34 pm
Hey Wayne!
This is great that you're looking at starting up a support group! Good on you! There's something special about being able to talk "in cancer shorthand", that is not explain everything and still someone to get it.
I've been a part of a couple of support groups. The ones that I've really loved and that have had the most impact on me were patient focused and not content / information focused. They have had a significant time for clients to tell their stories, ask questions of each other and interact with each other in a semi structured kind of way.
On occasions when we all had questions about nutrition or something, often the leader would point us to outside resources. Rarely did she bring someone in to talk with us about something. But she was very knowledgeable and up to date with external resources.
I guess what I'm trying to say, is that the informational content wasn't what made the group good. It was the sense of safety and camaraderie that I went back for.
Maybe this isn't the question you're asking, so see my answer as cheering you on.
Shalom,
Julie
-
- August 24, 2016 at 9:34 pm
Hey Wayne!
This is great that you're looking at starting up a support group! Good on you! There's something special about being able to talk "in cancer shorthand", that is not explain everything and still someone to get it.
I've been a part of a couple of support groups. The ones that I've really loved and that have had the most impact on me were patient focused and not content / information focused. They have had a significant time for clients to tell their stories, ask questions of each other and interact with each other in a semi structured kind of way.
On occasions when we all had questions about nutrition or something, often the leader would point us to outside resources. Rarely did she bring someone in to talk with us about something. But she was very knowledgeable and up to date with external resources.
I guess what I'm trying to say, is that the informational content wasn't what made the group good. It was the sense of safety and camaraderie that I went back for.
Maybe this isn't the question you're asking, so see my answer as cheering you on.
Shalom,
Julie
-
Tagged: caregiver
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.