I’m considering group therapy. Just wondering if any of my MBC friends have done this and would like to know if it was beneficial. I’m basically a quiet shy person so not so sure if it’s for me. I just feel like no one gets me at times. Thank you in advance
Lori🙏🏻
I have been in group therapy a couple of times and found it helpful.It had nothing to do with MBC. I would encourage you to try it.
Sure know that feeling👍
Do you want a group with MBC or just any group therapy? Locally we have a MBC group that I find so wonderful, we lift it other up but in any group it depends on the leadership to keep things healthy and beneficial. You will never know until you give it a try!❤️
Dear Jhshl512,
About 6 months after my de novo MBC diagnosis in July 2020, I decided to start engaging with online forums (HealthUnlocked was my first discovery, and it made SUCH a difference for me early on) and support groups. I found that support groups weren't for me unless they had a speaker or some educational content. I found that these support groups (the ones I tried) spent more time with people just saying their name, then indicating subtype and current treatment... until everyone did their little introduction... and it left only about 10 minutes to talk about anything meaningful. I didn't feel better after these video calls; in fact, I tended to feel worse. So I stopped doing that. Also, like you, I just didn't feel like I "fit." Even as I got into patient advocacy, this feeling that I was an outsider (of sorts) continued.
Fast forward. This, in part, led me to found a new national nonprofit organization for Stage IV cancer patients. MoreFor4, Inc. (M44) is still in start-up mode but our online community platform will hopefully be launching in a few weeks. Has a Facebook/Twitter/Bluesky feel to it, with similar features including video capabilities. This falls under our MoreCorps program that will offer support groups, interest groups, special online events (including things like game nights, etc.), educational programming, and MORE. The reason why this particular program is being created is because many people feel they haven't found a place of belonging within the cancer community. At the same time, not everyone wants support groups... or even therapy. Some folks need to feel connected, make new friends, and those kinds of things. So, we will offer all of that. The goal is to offer something for everyone. (We also have memberships for care partners/caregivers and healthcare professionals, etc., with programming tailored to their needs too.)
Our support groups will be member-led---with support and training provided as needed. (And members will identify the kinds of groups they want and need. I call these "Cancer... AND" groups. It is the "AND" that tailors it to segmented groups within the larger community. For instance, I will lead a group called "Going Solo," which will be for people like me who are navigating cancer (and life) without family and others to help them (financially and otherwise). For emotionally difficult topics (like a group for people who had spouses and friends leave them after diagnosis), we'll have one of our social workers provide facilitation support. But, even these are not therapy. (I am a Social Worker myself, so I am making some distinctions here.)
If you feel that you may be experiencing mental health challenges as a result of your diagnosis and other things you may be living through, therapy---individual or group---may be beneficial for you. On the other hand, if you feel disconnected and alone... I hope you will join the M44 community. It will take a little while for us to grow this community and have available daily programming, but, as I said, M44 was created to make sure everyone has a place where they feel they "fit." And that is because we will have groups for people going through different things and experiencing life differently. Cancer may be our commonality, but sameness may end there. As an example, just think about how many men or trans folks you see on MBC forums. Or rather, how many you DON'T see.
I intended to make a more public announcement on HealthUnlocked about where M44 is with things, and welcoming people to sign up for a free membership. Wasn't going to do that until our platform was ready, but it seems you may need/seek an organization like ours. So, I am going to go with it today and give you (and everyone else) the info. If you check us out, you'll see that we will do more than just MoreCorps (which has a tagline of "A Place for All"), which is why I am providing our latest video here. Other people are likely to want to join our community and get help once financial and other patient assistance programming is available. So... here is our website: morefor4.org/
I hope you'll join us! In the meantime, hang in there. Sending you positive energy and support!
Mary Cos
Here is our most recent video: youtu.be/g7lpML4aByg?si=jvu...
Lori I have found that one on one therapy has worked better for me. Your treatment center may have a social worker who could help you find an appropriate group
Since you are shy you may get lost in group settings. It's sometimes hard to speak up in such settings even if one isn't shy. I have done both groups and one-on-one, for me one-on-one worked best and I have a team of two with palliative care that I have a type of therapy but just once a month. This works for me and if I am needing more it's available to me. Hugs 🤗, Alicia
Hormone therapy and endo-brain
Has anyone done hair extensions or a hair topper for thinning
Dreading Scan.....
