Dipped my toe in the support group pool today

TraciInLA
TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
So today is exactly 6 months since I completed active treatment, and I decided to mark the occasion by summoning up my courage and (for the first time) walking into the cancer support center near where I work on my lunch hour today.

(For those of you who are in Los Angeles -- weSPARK in Sherman Oaks)

Their intake person turned out to be someone I used to work with many years ago, and she was so warm and welcoming -- we ended up talking for an hour.

They have a breast cancer networking group once a month, facilitated by a social worker from City of Hope. So I signed up for the July one....oh my, that's gonna be a lot more than just dipping my toe in the shallow end of the pool -- I may need one of those inflatable duckie rings around my waist!

Traci

Comments

  • heidijez
    heidijez Member Posts: 441
    #2
    you go girl!
    then share your experiences with those of us who are afraid to commit to a group scenario so we can live vicariously through you! lots of luck to you, and be sure to let us know how it's going.
    heidi
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #3
    heidijez said:

    you go girl!
    then share your experiences with those of us who are afraid to commit to a group scenario so we can live vicariously through you! lots of luck to you, and be sure to let us know how it's going.
    heidi

    you will be a great
    you will be a great addition!
  • waffle8
    waffle8 Member Posts: 234
    #4
    HeyTraci, I get a kick out
    HeyTraci, I get a kick out of your sense of humor...You'll be a great addition to the group..I attend one at a local hospital wish you were closer..Rubber duckies are so much fun...lol
  • faith_trust_and_a_little_bit_of_chemotherapy
    faith_trust_and_a_little_bit_of_chemotherapy Member Posts: 319 Member
    #5
    May I be so bold...
    ...forget the waist duckie.

    Go for water wings...with the right swimsuit, people will think you are just very well endowed!

    I truly hope it works out for you.
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #6
    faith_trust_and_a_little_bit_of_chemotherapy said:

    May I be so bold...
    ...forget the waist duckie.

    Go for water wings...with the right swimsuit, people will think you are just very well endowed!

    I truly hope it works out for you.

    Traci .. I am so very PROUD of you!!!
    You may want to go for the full body wear -- Wet Suit! Yes, you and I have a tendancy of giving 150% .. right up front ..

    Remember our 'Hat' purchasing adventures? Then we moved on to 'self help' books ? Regardless, Good Luck .. I'll be following 'suit' soon .. Get it - suit .. haha


    Vicki Sam
  • Christine Louise
    Christine Louise Member Posts: 426 Member
    #7
    Let us know, please
    I don't feel the need for a group, but I may be missing something. Actual face-to-face encounters instead of invisifriends? I don't know what to make of it. Please let us know how it goes.
  • jk1952
    jk1952 Member Posts: 613
    #8
    Christine Louise said:

    Let us know, please
    I don't feel the need for a group, but I may be missing something. Actual face-to-face encounters instead of invisifriends? I don't know what to make of it. Please let us know how it goes.

    Traci, I think that you will
    Traci, I think that you will be a wonderful addition to a support group. You have added soooo much to this discussion group. It's great to meet everyone via cyberspace, but there's something extra special about being able to help someone that you can see and hug, if one is needed. I know you'll do great!

    Joyce
  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow Member Posts: 2,686 Member
    #9
    Traci, I have thought about
    Traci, I have thought about this type of support group before but don't really believe I am the face-to-face type. I will be interested to hear how it goes, though. Like was previously said, YOU will be an excellent addition to this group. Your experience and knowledge can be shared but the best part of all is your wonderful sense of humor. That is needed daily, sometimes hourly, as we get ourselves through this journey. Keep us posted.
  • Bella Luna
    Bella Luna Member Posts: 1,578 Member
    #10
    Good for you Traci!
    Good for you Traci! Congrats on taking the plunge.

    I signed up for a support group last October when I was undergoing chemo. It was through The Wellness Community in the South Bay area. I have meet some wonderful gals as a result and we talk on the phone and have gotten together on several occasions.

    When I go to the meetings, I am always taken by the gals level of honesty and sincerity. I grew to respect and appreciate their input and friendship.

    Best of luck to you with the program. Let us know how it went for you.
    BL
  • KayNYC
    KayNYC Member Posts: 495 Member
    #11
    Bella Luna said:

    Good for you Traci!
    Good for you Traci! Congrats on taking the plunge.

    I signed up for a support group last October when I was undergoing chemo. It was through The Wellness Community in the South Bay area. I have meet some wonderful gals as a result and we talk on the phone and have gotten together on several occasions.

    When I go to the meetings, I am always taken by the gals level of honesty and sincerity. I grew to respect and appreciate their input and friendship.

    Best of luck to you with the program. Let us know how it went for you.
    BL

    take the plunge
    Now that radiation is over and I am taking Arimidex x1 week, I am considering our hospital's support group. Keep us posted. You have a terrific outlook and great sense of humor. They are so lucky to have you as a member.
    Hugs, K
  • Ritzy
    Ritzy Member Posts: 4,381 Member
    #12
    KayNYC said:

    take the plunge
    Now that radiation is over and I am taking Arimidex x1 week, I am considering our hospital's support group. Keep us posted. You have a terrific outlook and great sense of humor. They are so lucky to have you as a member.
    Hugs, K

    Dipped your toe huh?
    Just in case you need more, I am sending you a cyber jet ski in case you need a fast get away. lol

    You will enjoy it Traci, I bet, and, if you don't, you can always just quit.

    They will be lucky to have you there! You always add so much to this board that you will be a breath of fresh air to all of them with your humor and sparkling personality!


    Sue :)
  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    #13
    Christine Louise said:

    Let us know, please
    I don't feel the need for a group, but I may be missing something. Actual face-to-face encounters instead of invisifriends? I don't know what to make of it. Please let us know how it goes.

    You will be great for that
    You will be great for that support group Traci! They will love you just like we do here!


    Hugs, Megan
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #14
    carkris said:

    you will be a great
    you will be a great addition!

    They are lucky to have you!
    They are lucky to have you! I hope you like it!


    Hugs, Diane
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #15
    Christine Louise said:

    Let us know, please
    I don't feel the need for a group, but I may be missing something. Actual face-to-face encounters instead of invisifriends? I don't know what to make of it. Please let us know how it goes.

    That group doesn't know what
    That group doesn't know what is coming...Traci! LOL


    They're lucky to have you joining.

    Hugs,Jan
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294 Member
    #16
    Ritzy said:

    Dipped your toe huh?
    Just in case you need more, I am sending you a cyber jet ski in case you need a fast get away. lol

    You will enjoy it Traci, I bet, and, if you don't, you can always just quit.

    They will be lucky to have you there! You always add so much to this board that you will be a breath of fresh air to all of them with your humor and sparkling personality!


    Sue :)

    Hi Traci
    I am glad that you went there and meet your old friend.It is good to know that they are still provide services.
    I am sure they will enjoy your great sense of humor as we are here. Let us know.
    Удачи New Flower
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #17
    You have much to give, Traci...
    To the newly diagnosed and those enduring treatments - I believe there's nothing that instills more true HOPE than to meet an "old timer"... One who's "been there, done that" - and survives! At least, it was so for me.

    You rock, Traci! Let us know how it goes.

    Kind regards, Susan
  • GregStahl
    GregStahl Member Posts: 188
    #18
    Weeeellllllll
    What did you think? What was it like?
  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    #19
    GregStahl said:

    Weeeellllllll
    What did you think? What was it like?

    Still looking for my ducky ring
    The breast cancer networking group only meets once a month (which is fine by me -- start by just wading in the shallow end), and the July meeting isn't until the 21st, so I'm signed up and looking for my inflatable ducky ring and my water wings!

    Thank you all so much for your encouragement and kind words -- as a matter of fact, yes, I'm even more adorable and charming in person than I am here, so they may not be ready for me! :-)

    :-) Traci

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