There is a misconception that cancer patients and survivors only need medical assistance or that once they have completed the medical treatment they no longer need support.
For a cancer survivor, the journey with cancer never really ends. The real healing begins when medical treatment concludes.
The ongoing healing includes mental, emotional, and spiritual, the lingering effects of chemo, and rehabilitation of limbs. For this reason, cancer patients are on a continuous journey of healing. It’s not business as usual for cancer patients and survivors.
To stay successful in their full cancer journey, they must experience mindset shifts to release poor eating habits and embrace healthier lifestyles, and incorporate movement. This also requires support.
Even with the successful completion of treatment and moving on to survivorship, cancer survivors always have that worry about reoccurrence drifting in the background of their minds.
Adjusting to a new “norm” is also a part of the journey. Life is now defined as before cancer and after cancer and a new normal begins.
It’s during this adjustment period when those who are “supporters” underestimate the value and necessity of their support. Since there are no obvious medical issues evident, many survivors are left to move forward on their own.
Statistics prove that cancer patients who have a strong support system have a greater chance of winning the battle with cancer.
While many patients may want to be independent, the treatment may prevent them from being able to do everyday chores like washing dishes, mopping, general housekeeping, running errands, cooking, and driving to doctor’s visits.
Each patient is different, and many have different challenges. Having someone who can assist them in these areas reduces stress and worry.
For the survivor, support groups are vital. In cancer support groups are people who’ve gone through the journey. They understand what you are feeling and sensing. In these environments, survivors are able to participate judgment free because they’ve all been through the journey and understand the physical strength and mental fortitude required.
Many times, people shun away from joining support groups because they either don’t want people to know that they have or have had cancer or they don’t want people to feel that they are weak.
There is strength in getting the support that will help to make the journey easier and in contributing to the success of someone else’s journey with cancer. It’s a win-win situation.
Shame and cancer should not go hand in hand. Every year, 1 in 8 women are diagnosed with cancer.
This means that the disease is not isolated to any group of people. Cancer does not discriminate. That very fact should confirm to us that we are not unique in having the disease but that it is common among us. No one should have to fight alone. There’s no stigma attached to having or surviving cancer.
If you are a cancer patient or survivor, I encourage you to join a support group. The support in those groups will help you to live, love, and to laugh along your journey.
Embrace the Power of Community: Caring and Sharing Cancer Support Group Paves the Way for True Healing
Lastly, everyone is touched by cancer in some way. Cancer doesn’t have to be a death sentence and support makes a major difference.
In the Evolving Woman Magazine – Hope Edition, we will share some of the faces of cancer. Most of these women are beautiful warriors of the GD Caring and Sharing Cancer Support Group. In this support group, they live, love, and laugh!