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support group mid-may update

5/15/2015

Greetings everyone!

NEWS + RESOURCES

Upcoming Support Groups
Just a reminder that there is a support group being held tomorrow May 16 at Rockwood Centre from 1- 3pm at 5511 Shornecliffe Avenue. The one after that will be held June 6.

In The News
Our facilitator Mary Pinniger and support group participant Holly are featured in a great article about the support group in today's Coast Reporter newspaper. You can check it in today's paper or read the story here >> http://www.coastreporter.net/community/features/a-place-to-talk-cancer-1.1935334

Inspire Health May Research Update
Click here for an in-depth analysis of the latest research studies >> http://www.inspirehealth.ca/pdfs/eResearchUpdates_Apr_May2015.pdf

MAY 2 RECAP

May 2, 2015
There were 14 members who showed up for the May 2nd meeting at Rockwood Lodge. This included three new group members, including a care giver whose husband is going through the post cancer process and she was able to get much needed emotional support. There was also a mother and daughter who attended for the first time.

Check-ins, which the members find so valuable, were extensive and left a short time near the end of the group for a video clip addressing “Nature’s Pharmacy” to be shown. This included information about using whole foods from mother nature to augment the healing process.

One of the group members reported that there is a lab in San Diego who will thoroughly test your cancer tumour (genoanalysis) to determine the exact chemo combination that will deal with that particular cancer. Information can be found online about this lab.

A note from Mary: An apology on my part needs to be made to Holly whose very moving speech that she wrote and was given at the Ruby Slipper Event on April 11th. was also read to our group who requested it. I missed acknowledging Holly’s moving contribution in the last minutes.

QUESTIONS / COMMENTS
If you have any questions or feedback to give please feel free to reach out to our facilitator Mary Pinniger or send us an email: rubyslippercancergroups@gmail.com

All the best,

– Ashley

update + may support groups

5/1/2015

Greetings everyone!

NEWS + RESOURCES

Support Groups
Just a reminder that there is a support group being held tomorrow May 2 at Rockwood Centre from 1- 3pm. The next one is May 16.

Ruby Slipper Auctions
Many of you may have heard that the Ruby Slipper Auction was a huge success. Over $50,000 was raised in order to support our community facing cancer. You can check out a slideshow from the event here: http://www.rubyslipperfund.com/gallery.html

Relaxation Tracks
Here is a great resource for relaxation… Tracks are downloadable here: https://cancerchatcanada.ca/page.php?p=resources/relaxation

Chemo Brain
A new study done by UBC researchers have determined that YES, chemo brain is very much real. Click here to read more about their discovery: http://news.ubc.ca/2015/04/27/chemo-brain-is-real-say-ubc-researchers/

APRIL RECAPS

April 4th 2015

The group wished to meet on the Easter Weekend and we had 8 people in attendance. There was a new member who had heard about the group from the paper and felt that the group was valuable because she could not connect with her family who continued to be in denial about the seriousness of her health and deterioration. She reported that she would like to bring her sister who also was going through a cancer process and felt unsupported and isolated. We welcomed her to do this and members volunteered to phone her to connect with her if this would help to get her to the group. Check ins were lengthy and followed by a discussion about partnering in order to support and track each other when group members were going through chemo or surgery.

One group member who was going to newly engage with the chemo and radiation process was supported and a commitment of connection during her process was discussed. Several group members suggested that the Cancer Lodge across from the hospital was convenient and a supportive place to stay during the intense chemo that this member was going to endure.

Information was shared about the process involved with esophogeal cancer and various treatments and doctors were recommended by those who had experience in the past.

April18th 2015

There were 12 members in attendance this week. One member who had returned to her place of birth to see her family had returned to the group and was welcomed by all. She brought her dog who she reported was her resource, following on the theme that show and tell was to talk about what resources us and what keeps us going when times are tough. Her dog who was very sweet was welcomed by all and did his own rounds.

Rounds were lengthy and several members received support for their emotional, physical, and mental process around their cancer treatments. Some members have been challenged by rising cancer markers.

Some members were facing new tests and revisiting tests repeated from their past. There was some discussion about how to stay optimistic while waiting for test results.

There was also discussion about what a person could do to strengthen their immune system while undergoing chemo or in between the chemo treatments. Mary had brought a video about this for the group to watch but because rounds and discussion were lengthy there was not enough time for the video. Mary said that she would bring it the following group. The next group meeting will be May 2 and May 16 following that.

QUESTIONS / COMMENTS
If you have any questions or feedback to give please feel free to reach out to our wonderful facilitator Mary Pinniger or send us an email: rubyslippercancergroups@gmail.com

All the best,

– Ashley

support group mid-may update

update + may support groups

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