Building Networks of Support

If your life has been touched by cancer, there are certain things you know.

You know that the time between a scan or bloodwork and the meeting with your oncologist is a muddy pool of ugly thoughts and frantic distraction. I call it, “in the muck.”

You know that people tell a lot of stories that include the line, “And then she died of cancer,” or, even worse, “Her cancer was in remission but then it came back… and she died.”

You know that the residual effects of treatments sometimes last, and last, and last….

You know that, at times, your mental health may be just as affected by your illness as your physical health is. Mind, body, heart and spirit get driven out of balance by the experience of cancer, and part of recovery is restoring that balance.

I’ve talked about these things and more with other cancer thrivers and survivors. And one thing I was hoping to do regularly after I finished my own treatments was connect in a group setting with others who had been through a similar cancer experience.

Then the pandemic happened and the monthly support group stopped meeting and, as far as I can tell, there is no longer anything like that in Central Newfoundland.

So, starting this coming Wednesday, there will be a new online (for now) cancer community circle of support. My friend, John, who is a cancer survivor as well, will be helping to facilitate. It is open to anyone who has endured, or is currently enduring, a cancer experience.

Whether you’ve just been diagnosed or you recovered ten years ago, you can bring your thoughts, experiences and wisdom to the circle. You can choose to just listen, or to dive right in and chat.

We will be following group counselling guidelines such as maintaining confidentiality and honouring diversity.

If you would like to join our online circle from 7:00-8:00 on Wednesday, December 9th, shoot me an email at janine@janinecutting.com. I will email you back with instructions, information and the meeting link.

If you know of someone who may be in need of emotional, psychological or social support, please share this information.

Caring for yourself during and after cancer involves building a network of support. Join our circle. Enrich your connections. Find your balance.