This survivor shares the benefits of finding a local cancer support group or individual as she laments the retirement of her own cancer support group leader.
BY Barbara Tako
PUBLISHED July 01, 2019
Barbara Tako is a breast cancer survivor (2010), melanoma survivor (2014) and author of Cancer Survivorship Coping Tools–We'll Get You Through This. She is a cancer coping advocate, speaker and published writer for television, radio and other venues across the country. She lives, survives, and thrives in Minnesota with her husband, children and dog. See more at www.cancersurvivorshipcopingtools.com ,or www.clutterclearingchoices.com.
Fittingly, it was a rainy day. We were gathered to wish our breast cancer support group leader a happy retirement. I believe she had been a leader of this cancer group for fifteen years. I think we all figured she was certainly entitled to retire. A fellow survivor herself, she would now be helping her own mom through breast cancer, but we were still sad that she was leaving us.
Julie, our support group leader, had helped us down this path of uncertainty called breast cancer. She knew when to speak up, and better still, she knew when and how to listen – really listen. At every meeting, we each were given time to speak about whatever cancer worry was currently niggling away on our mind. Our leader had a knack for being able to meet each of us exactly where we were at the moment – just diagnosed, active treatment, or struggling for "normal" after all the treatments were done – she understood all of it.
Julie, our support group leader, had helped us down this path of uncertainty called breast cancer. She knew when to speak up, and better still, she knew when and how to listen – really listen. At every meeting, we each were given time to speak about whatever cancer worry was currently niggling away on our mind. Our leader had a knack for being able to meet each of us exactly where we were at the moment – just diagnosed, active treatment, or struggling for "normal" after all the treatments were done – she understood all of it.
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