Peer Support Matches

SHARE Breast Cancer Hotline can match you with a trained volunteer who is living with metastatic breast cancer. They offer ongoing one-on-one support, matching you with a woman who has had an experience similar to yours. Call 866-891-2392.

Young Survival Coalition SurvivorLink can match you with another young woman who has been through a similar experience. Trained volunteer peer contacts who are living with metastatic disease are available for you to speak with. To request a match, email or call 877-YSC-1011.

Y-Me (formerly Network of Strength) offers a 24/7 hotline at 800-221-2141. You will be connected to a survivor counselor and can request to speak with a person with metastatic disease. If an mbc volunteer is not currently available, you will be contacted by one within a few days.

 

Return to top

Telephone Groups for MBC

Cancer Care offers a free telephone support group for those living with mbc nationwide. Call Carolyn Messner, Director of Education & Training at Cancer Care at 212-712-8354. This initial call is to a 212 area code. Once Carolyn registers you in a phone support group, the call-in number is toll free. When you speak with her, mention that you are referred by the Metastatic Breast Cancer Network. lf you get her voice mail, leave your name and phone number and she will call you back. Cancer Care's goal is to accommodate everyone who calls seeking support.

Young Survival offers a telephone and networking support session every 2nd Tuesday of the month from 8:00-9:30 pm (ET)/5:00-6:30 pm (PT). The calls are facilitated by Susan Glaser, MSW at MSK Cancer Center.

A YSC Demographic Questionnaire is required for participation. lf you have not completed this form within the last 6 months, if there are changes to your previous submission, or if you have never completed the questionnaire, please download and complete this form. Please return your completed form prior to your participating on the call.

For more information or to register for the call, please email your full name to MetsLink@youngsurvival.org.  National call-in number: 800-804-6968; intemational call-in number: 647.723.726o; access code: 0284559

Sharsheret, a national organization supporting young Jewish women facing breast cancer, offers the Embrace program for women living with MBC. Embrace includes individual counseling sessions by phone with Sharsheret’s Clinical Supervisor, a telephone based support group connecting women with health care professionals and with each other, and resources specific to women living with advanced breast cancer.

To join Embrace, call (866) 474-2774 or email info@sharsheret.org

 

SHARE has a telephone support program for metastatic women on Mondays from 4-5pm. To register, call 212-382-2111.

Cancer Connection, a telephone peer support program offered by the Canadian Cancer Society. 1 800 263-6750  M-F 9AM-5PM. Available in French or English.

Return to top

Message Boards for MBC

www.bcmets.org

www.HER2support.org

www.advancedbreastcancercommunity.com/ or
   www.inspire.com/groups/advanced-breast-cancer/
   (either link takes you to same forum)

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/8

http://my.youngsurvival.org/discussions  

http://www.facebook.com/groups/20593117970/ FACEBOOK Metastatic (Advanced) Breast Cancer Support Group

Return to top

In-Person Support Groups for MBC

CANADA

ALBERTA: Calgary
Breast Expressive Supportive Therapy (B.E.S.T.) Group. Tom Baker Cancer Center - Holy Cross site, 2202 Second Street SW. In-person group meets every Tuesday at 1:30-3:00 pm. New members are pre-interviewed; group has been in existence since 1993.
CONTACT:  Lisa Lamont, MSW, RSW 403-355-3210 or 403-355-3207 (admin. assistant)

 

UNITED STATES

ARIZONA: Phoenix

Circle of Help Advanced and Metastatic Breast Cancer Support Group is for women with recurrent, advanced or metastatic breast cancer coming together to offer support, resources and encouragement, while sharing experiences and building relationships.
When: meets on the fourth Thursday of every month from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Where:John C. Lincoln Breast Health and Research Center, 19646 N. 27th Ave., Suite 205 Phoenix AZ 85027
CONTACT: For more information about this group call 623-780-HOPE (4673) or visit Breast Health and Research Center.

 

CALIFORNIA: Berkeley
Metastatic Cancer Support Group for individuals living with any metastatic cancer (not just breast cancer)
When: Tuesday or Friday mornings. Call for dates and times.
Where: Comprehensive Cancer Center, Herrick Campus, 2001 Dwight Way, Berkeley, CA
CONTACT: Cost is free, pre-registration is required. Call (510) 204-4330 for information.

CALIFORNIA: Mission Viejo
Mission Breast Center at the Women's Wellness Center, 26732 Crown Valley Parkway, Suite 171 Corner of Los Altos & Crown Valley Parkway. In-person facilitated group; 2nd & 4th Tuesday of every month from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm; light refreshments provided.
CONTACT: 949-347-6080 x 7 Facilitators: Lori Ash, LCSW & Julie Patterson, OCN

CALIFORNIA: Palo Alto
Breast Cancer Connections. Cambridge Ave., Palo Alto, CA. In-person facilitated group; every Monday from 6:30 - 8:30 pm. Group members include women first diagnosed at Stage IV, Asian-Americanwomen, older (70+) women, young women with children at home.
CONTACT: Marcie Pais, Marriage & Family Licensed at marciepais2@gmail.com or 650-561-9275

CALIFORNIA : Sacramento
SAM Ladies - Sacramento Area Mets Ladies, an email support group for women in the Sacramento area with metastatic breast cancer who are interested in connecting for information sharing and support.
CONTACT: email samladies-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

CALIFORNIA: San Diego
Young Women's Metastatic Support Group meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 12-1 pm at The Scripps Polster Breast Care Center and addresses the unique concerns faced by young women with metastatic breast cancer.
CONTACT: yscsandiego@youngsurvival.org

CALIFORNIA: Simi Valley
New Hope Support Group. We meet the 2nd Monday of each month at the Aspen Center located at 2750 Sycamore Drive, Simi Valley, 93065
CONTACT: Robin Chibnik at 805-522-7203

COLORADO: Boulder
Tebo Family Pavilion Community Room 4715 Arapahoe Ave.  Metastatic Advanced Cancer Group, All Cancers, Men and Women; Mondays 12:00 - 1:15 pm
CONTACT: Clare Lindsay 303-319-4232

FLORIDA: Casselberry (Orlando area)
Surviving & Thriving Casselberry Public Library - 215 N. Oxford Road. In-person peer-support group meeting the 2nd Thursday of the month from 10-11:30 am.
CONTACT: Joan Eskin joaneskin@gmail.com or 407-281-6307 or Laura Goldstein pinkribbonlaura@yahoo.com

GEORGIA: Atlanta
Metastatic Cancer Support Group for Young Women at the Atlanta YSC (Young Survival Coalition) Office, 5825 Glenridge Drive, Bldg 3, Suite 101E. Meets the 4th Tuesday of each month from 7-9 pm.
CONTACT: yscatlanta@youngsurvival.org

GEORGIA : Decatur
Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, 1365 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30322
This patient-only group meets the 1st & 3rd Monday of the month from 11am - 12:30 pm at The Chocolate Coffee Cafe @ 2094 North Decatur Rd. Decatur. RSVP requested.
CONTACT : Rebecca Sizemore, LCSW 404-778-5926 rebecca.sizemore@emoryhealthcare.org

ILLINOIS: Hinsdale
The Wellness House at 131 S. Country Line Road offers MANAGING RECURRENT & METASTATIC groups on Fridays from 10-11 am. This group is for mixed types of stage IV cancers. They discuss the many unique issues faced by people with all types of recurrent and/or metastatic cancer. Life experiences, coping strategies and information are exchanged in ways that support all members. Family members and drop-ins are also welcome.
CONTACT: Michael Williams, PsyD at 630-323-5150

LIVING WITH METASTATIC BREAST CANCER is a weekly group specifically for those living with metastatic breast cancer. They meet Tuesdays from 10-11:30am to focuses on the ongoing challenges that arise from dealing with treatment, relationships, and facing the future. Registration is required.
CONTACT : Linda Kengott, LPC at 630-654-5109 lkengott@wellnesshouse.org

INDIANA: Fort Wayne
This support group is for anyone living with a cancer that has returned or has spread from one part of the body to another part of the body. Family members are welcome. Meets the 4th Thursday of the month at Lutheran Cancer Resource Center, 7910 W. Jefferson Blvd., Suite 109.
CONTACT: 260-435-7959

KENTUCKY: Louisville
Living Beyond, a metastatic breast cancer support group, sponsored by Baptist Hospital East, Susan G. Komen Foundation and Gilda's Club.   In-person; 2nd and 4th Wednesday from 4-5:30 pm at Gilda's Club on Baxter Avenue. Facilitators: JoAnne S. Morris, MDiv., D.Min., MFT Associate and Tara Schapmire, MSSW, CSW, PhD student

Baptist Hospital East's Cancer Resource Center received a grant through Links for Life and is currently able to provide free counseling to patients with breast cancer and those who "love them". Please contact support group facilitator, chaplain and marriage and family therapist, JoAnne Morris for information on either the support group or the free counseling.
CONTACT  JoAnne Morris: jmorris1@bhsi.com 502/896-7112

MARYLAND: Annapolis
METAvivor Research and Support, Inc. An independent program run by and for those with metastatic breast cancer. The group has weekly activities, varying the days of the week and times of day to give everyone a chance to attend. METAvivor offers advice to others wanting to start their own groups elsewhere and it is heavily involved in raising funds to support BC mets research. See their website at: www.metavivor.org.
CONTACT: "CJ" (Dian Corneliussen-James) at cj@metavivor.org or 410-263-3340.

MASSACHUSETTS: Boston
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Shapiro 9. In-person group meets Monday mornings from 10:30 - 12:00.
CONTACT: Hester Hill Schnipper, LICSW, BCD, OSW-C at 617-667-2661; hhill@bidmc.harvard.edu

MASSACHUSETTS: Boston
Metastatic Breast Cancer Support Group at Mass. General.
This is an ongoing support group for individuals living with metastatic breast cancer. This is a closed group, and requires an intake interview.
CONTACT: Julie A. Berrett, LICSW at 617-643-2355 for an intake interview and information about the start date of the group.

MASSACHUSETTS: Boston
Metastatic Breast Cancer Support Group at Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center, Smith Building, Room 308-309, Wednesdays 10:00 am - 11:30 pm: start date April 18, 2012. Ongoing.
CONTACT: Pat Kartiganer, LICSW @ 617-632-5605 to register. 

MASSACHUSETTS : Harvard
The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden 145 Bolton Rd
Phone: 978-456-3532
There are two groups for women with metastatic breast cancer.
The alternate Friday group from 1:30 - 3pm is led by Marilyn Brine Gilmour MSW, LICSW MBG1045@verizon.net 

The alternate Tuesday group from 3:30 pm - 5pm is led by Elaine Olmstead RN, MS.
CONTACT : Program Registration - Lana Heino Roman at lana@healinggarden.net

MASSACHUSETTS : Middleton
A welcoming Metastatic Breast Cancer support group for women and men with metastatic breast cancer. Meetings every other Wednesday from 9:30a to 11:00a on Route 114 in Middleton, MA. Founded by metastatic breast cancer patient, Heather LoRe. The group is open to those with metastatic breast cancer. Please contact Heather LoRe at 978-664-2161 or heatherlore@verizon.net for more information.

MASSACHUSETTS: Natick
Natick Counseling and Holistic Therapies, 20 Main St. Suite 300. In-person group for all types of metastatic cancers; meets on 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of month from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.
CONTACT: Marilyn Brine Gilmour, MSW, LICSW at 508-893-0914 or MBG1045@verizon.net

MICHIGAN: Kalamazoo
Self led support group for women with mbc; meets the second Tuesday of the month at 11:30 for lunch.
CONTACT: Pam Breakey 269-783-1538

 

 

MICHIGAN: Royal Oak
Sharing & Caring Metastatic Breast Cancer Support Group at:
Beaumont Cancer Center
3577 W. 13 Mile Rd.
Royal Oak, MI 48073
Online registration: click HERE
CONTACT: 248-551-8585 or email: sharingandcaring@beaumont.edu 
website: http://cancer.beaumont.edu/sharingandcaring

 

 

MINNESOTA: Duluth
Metastatic Support Group for Young Women meets for lunch at Valentini's Restaurant, 1400 London Rd, Duluth on the 2nd Thursday of the month from 11:30 am to 1 pm. Sponsored by YSC (Young Survivor Coalition)
CONTACT: yscduluth@youngsurvival.org

MINNESOTA: Minneapolis
Together in Transition- A NEW support group for women living with metastatic breast cancer, beginning in February 2012. 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month from 12-1:30PM in the Piper Breast Center at Abbott Northwesten Hospital. Parking vouchers will be provided.
CONTACT: Paula Colwell at 612-863-1093 or email: paula.colwell@allina.com

NEW JERSEY: Bedminster
The Wellness Community of Central NJ - 3 Crossroads Dr.
In-person meeting of the Advanced Breast Cancer Networking Group meets every other Wednesday from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm.
CONTACT: Ellen Levine , MSW, LCSW, OSW-C at 908-658-5400 X2

NEW JERSEY: Eatontown
Women Living with Chronic Cancer (all kinds of metastatic or advanced cancer, not just breast cancer)
Third Tuesday 11:00am - 12:30pm
Cancer Support Community Northern Jersey Shore
The Diney Goldsmith Center
613 Hope Road
Eatontown, NJ 07724
CONTACT:New participants please come 15 minutes early to first session in order to register. More information: Phone: 732-578-9200 Fax: 732-578-9201 email: info@cscjerseyshore.org 

NEW JERSEY: Neptune
The Metastatic/Recurrent Breast and Ovarian Cancer Support Group, based out of the Family Health Center at the Jersey Shore Medical Center, meets the 3rd Tuesday 
of each month from 4:30 - 5:30pm. Pre-registration is required.
CONTACT : Barbara Feurguson, LSW, MSW  732-869-5772.

NEW JERSEY: Paramus
NEW Metastatic Breast Cancer Support Group for patients only. First meeting on January 18, 2012. Every 3rd Wednesday after that. Valley Hospital's Luckow Pavilion, 1 Valley Health Plaza (off Winters Ave) Paramus. All participants must register to attend. No fee. Open to all patients living with mbc, regardless of where they are being treated.
CONTACT: Please call Brooke Laster, LSW for more information and to register: 201-634-5787 or email blaster@valleyhealth.com

NEW JERSEY: Princeton
Advanced Breast Cancer Support Group meetings held at the Breast Cancer Resource Center (BCRC) at Princeton YWCA, Bramwell House Living Room. Open to out-of-state women. Facilitated by social worker Elsje Reiss - Licensed Clinical Social Worker; meets the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month from 7:30-9:00 pm.
CONTACT: Laura Martin, BCRC Program Co-ordinator  609-497-2100 X349.

NEW YORK: Buffalo
Metastatic Breast Cancer Social Networking Group
150 Bennet Rd - Cheektowaga
This group is coordinated with the Life Transitions Center.
They meet the 1st Wednesday of the month from 5:30 - 7:30 pm.
There is no fee to attend this evening of conversation and social networking for women who have experienced metastatic breast cancer.
CONTACT : Joanne Janicki at 716-845-4432 for more information

NEW YORK: Garden City
Women with Metastatic Breast Cancer support group meets weekly for eight weeks from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Next session begins July 7, 2011. Offered by the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer program, the group meets at Adelphi University School of Social Work in Garden City. There is no cost; however preregistration is required.
CONTACT: For information, questions, or to sign up, call Sandi Kafenbaum 516-877-4314 or the Breast Cancer Hotline 800-877-8077.

NEW YORK: Hampton Bays
The metastatic breast cancer group has flexible meeting times to accommodate participants, but generally meets Monday from 2:00-4:00 pm in the Hampton Bays Library. Pre-registration is required.
CONTACT: Edyle O'Brien, LCSW at (631) 329-0520 or edylecsw@optonline.net

NEW YORK: Kingston
Metastatic support group - Herbert H. & Sofia P. Reuner Cancer Support House, 80 Mary's Ave., Kingston. 2-3:30 p.m. beginning April 20. Meets first and third Wednesday of the month. A support group for people diagnosed with any type of metastatic disease. Open to men and women. Contact Rosie McLaughlin at 845-339-2071, Ext. 100, or rosie.maclaughlin@hahv.org

NEW YORK: New York
New York University Clinical Cancer Center, 160 E. 34 St. 11th floor. In-person group meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month from 4:00-5:00 pm.
CONTACT: Lisa Sevanick, LCSW at 212-731-5110

NEW YORK : New York
Memorial Sloan Kettering Breast Center Support Group for Women with Metastatic Breast Cancer - 300 E. 66 St. - 2nd floor
There are two groups: every Wednesday from 1:00 - 2:30pm for those over age 45 and every Friday from 1:00 - 2:30pm for those aged 45 and under.
CONTACT : Roz Kleban, LCSW at 646-888-5271

NEW YORK : New York
SHARE - 1501 Broadway - btw 43 & 44 St. suite 704A
This group is for women with metastatic breast and ovarian cancer, run by a trained psychotherapist who has had breast cancer. The group meets every Thursday 12-1:30 - except for the last week of the month.
CONTACT : SHARE Breast Hotline 212-382-2111  www.sharecancersupport.org

An evening group, Living With Uncertainty, for women with metastatic breast cancer. Share your experiences and learn from each other. You can join at any time. The facilitators are SHARE participants living with metastatic disease. The group meets once a month. Call SHARE for  information.
CONTACT : SHARE Breast Hotline 212-382-2111 for specific dates. www.sharecancersupport.org

NEW YORK: Rochester
James P. Wilmot Cancer Center at the University of Rochester Medical Center -601 Elmwood Ave. In-person support group (ADVANCED INSIGHTS) for those living with recurrent or metastatic breast cancer; friends/family members are welcome; the group meets the 4th Monday of each month from 5:00-6:30 pm.This is a psycho-educational group with member driven topics and guest discussions.
CONTACT: Sandra E. Sabatka, LMSW (585) 276-4529 ; Sandra_Sabatka@urmc.rochester.edu

NEW YORK : Rochester
Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester - 840 University Ave
Common Ground, a time to gather for those living with metastatic breast cancer, meets the 1st and 3rd Thursday mornings of each month. No need to RSVP - just come when you are able. Facilitator: Peg DeBaise, LMFT.
Local peer support matches are also available through the PALS (Peer Advocates Lending Support) Program.
CONTACT Tracy DelloStritto (program coordinator) info@bccr.org (585)473-8177

NEW YORK : Williamsville
The Breast Cancer Network of Western New York funds a Metastatic Support Group that meets every other Tuesday from 12-1:20 pm at 5166 Main St., suite 100.
CONTACT: Chris Bylewski at 716-565-2092

NEW YORK : Yorktown Heights
Support Connection - 40 Triangle Center, suite 100 
This group meets the 3rd Friday of each month at 12:30 pm.
The group is for women living with recurrent or metastatic  breast or ovarian cancer.
CONTACT : 914-962-6402 or 800-532-4290.

NORTH CAROLINA: Winston-Salem
METASTATIC AND RECURRENT CANCER GROUP: Meets from 3-4:30 p.m. the second Thursday of every month at Cancer Services, 3175 Maplewood Ave. providing information and support for those dealing with recurrent or metastatic cancer. For more information call 366-760-9983.

OHIO : Toledo
The Victory Center 5532 W. Central Ave
This group is for recurrent or metastatic cancer. They meet the first Tuesday of the month from 6-7:30 pm. No pre-registration is required.
CONTACT : 419-531-7600 for further info   Facilitator - Nicole Bryant, MA

OKLAHOMA: Tulsa
The NE Oklahoma Affiliate of Network of Strength at 4606 E. 67 St., suite #314, will start a support group specifically for those living with metastatic breast cancer upon request.
CONTACT: Program Coordinator: Carey Edwards @ 918-494-8808

OREGON : Portland (Tigard)
Providence Cancer Center - St. Vincent’s Hospital - Suite 161
Making Today Count is a program for people with all different Metastatic cancers; typically, 90% of the participants have breast cancer. They meet every Wednesday from 11-12:30pm. Free counseling available.
CONTACT : Diane Harris LCSW 503-216-2917

Breast Friends has a support group for ‘young’ women with mets.
CONTACT : Sharon Henison 503-598-8048

Breast Friends, a local non-profit organization serving breast cancer survivors along with their immediate family and friends, holds a monthly meeting from 7-8:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month at 14050 S.W. Pacific Highway, Suite 201, Tigard. The next meeting will be Monday, Nov. 1. Breast Friends gives women a chance to talk about issues of living with metastatic breast cancer. Participants are encouraged to bring friends or family members. Free professional child care is available. Free and open to the public.
Details: 503-598-8048. 

PENNSYLVANIA : Allentown
John and Dorothy Morgan Cancer Center
Cedar Crest Blvd.
Conference Room 1A, every 2nd Monday from 7 - 8:30PM
CONTACT:  610-402-CARE for information.

PENNSYLVANIA : Chambersburg
A support group for Advanced or Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer. Meetings 2nd Monday at 6PM
Location: Public Resource Library- Rhonda Brake Shreiner Women's Center at 757 Norland Ave. The library is next to the waiting room of the Women's Center.
CONTACT :
Deb Mumma  717-816-9793  totalmumma1@comcast.net
Laura Umbrell  217-6747   lumbrell@summithealth.org

PENNSYLVANIA: Philadelphia
Cancer Support Community of Philadelphia - Living Well with Advanced Breast Cancer, The Suzanne Morgan Center at Ridgeland, Chamounix Drive, West Fairmount Park. In-person monthly professionally facilitated networking group for women dealing with mbc -meeting the 4th Tuesday of every month from 11:00am -1:00 pm
CONTACT: Karen Neyer 215-879-7733 or www.twcp.org

PENNSYLVANIA: Philadelphia
YSC Greater Philadelphia holds a monthly support group for young women with metastatic Stage IV breast cancer on 2nd Tuesday of every month at 6:30pm at Cancer Support Community of Philadelphia in Fairmount Park, 4100 Chamounix Drive, Philadelphia, PA
CONTACT: Eileen Joseph at yscphila@youngsurvival.org

PENNSYLVANIA: Southhampton
"Meta Friends" 6:00-7:30pm, 2nd Wednesday of each month
Holy Redeemer Women's HealthCare Center, 45 Second Street Pike, Southampton, PA 18966
This special support group is intended for women & men whose breast cancer is Stage IV. Please feel free to familiarize yourself with our facilitator, Dr. Pam Ginsberg. You can find out more about her on her website http://www.pginsbergphd.com/index.html

RHODE ISLAND : Providence
A support group meets at the Women and Infant's Hospital, 1 Blackstone, Outpatient Oncology Building on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month from 1-2:30pm.
CONTACT : Katie  401-274-1122 X  7211 for additional info

TENNESSEE : Chattanooga
Y-ME National Breast Cancer Orginization at 1400 McCallie Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37404 hosts support groups for those living with mbc every other Tuesday from 5:15 - 6:30 pm.
CONTACT : Lee Arnold 423-622-4454 registration required

TENNESSEE : Memphis
Women with Advanced Cancer Support Group meets at The Jones Clinic, 7710 Wolf River Circle 
CONTACT : Ellen Eisen, LCSW at 901-202-7639 for information on meeting time and to register.

TENNESSEE: Nashville
Gilda’s Club at 1707 Division St. hosts weekly support groups for patients and family members - free of charge.
CONTACT: Felice Apolinsky, LCSW at 615-329-1124

TEXAS: Austin
Breast Cancer Resource Center (www.bcrc.org) 512-544-0900. Sponsored by IV League; peer run; grass-roots group with approximately 50 members. Location for meetings: Austin group meets Wednesdays at Casa de Luz at 10:45 - 12:30 pm, Williamson County group meets 1st and 3rd Wednesday every month at St. David's Round Rock Medical Center at 6:30-8:00 p.m, and there is a monthly meeting the last Sunday of the month at 2:00 pm at a member's house. We also have potlucks with families once or twice a year. Direct mail to the group at IVLeagueOnline@gmail.com. There is also a Yahoo group and a Facebook group. Email for details. Please confirm meeting times and places before you come the first time.
CONTACT: Rayanne Evans at REvans@bcrc.org or call her at 512-544-0904 or call Jeanne Collins at 512-921-9553

TEXAS: Houston
Sponsored by The Rose- Joan Gordon Center (mammography center); affiliated with the American Cancer Society. 3400 Bissonnet, Suite 185. Rosebuds II is for women who have had or are at high risk for recurrence and or metastases. In-person group meets 2nd & 4th Thursday of each month from 5:45 - 7:30 pm.
CONTACT: Jackie 713-661-5410 www.RosebudsSupport.org

TEXAS : San Antonio
Cancer Therapy & Research Center - 7979 Wurzback Road
Keep Abreast II meets the first Monday of each month at 6pm.
CONTACT : Suzi Emanuel at 210-365-1321or suzi.emanuel9@gmail.com

VIRGINIA : Alexandria
Inova Alexandria Hospital Cancer Center - 4320 Seminary Rd
Life With Cancer metastatic group meets the first Wednesday of each month from 6-7:30pm. Facilitators : Shara Sosa LCSW and Geronima Cortese-Jimenez, RN,OCN,MPH. Registration is required
CONTACT : 703-698-2522

VIRGINIA : Fairfax
Life With Cancer Family Center - 8411 Pennell St
This metastatic support group meets every Friday.
CONTACT : facilitator Sage Bolte, ABD, LCSW, OSW-C and psychiatrist at 703-698-2520 for time of daytime group meeting.

WASHINGTON : Seattle
The Healing Place - Metastatic Breast Cancer Support Group
Seattle Breast Center on the Northwest Medical Center Campus
1560 N 115th St # 104
This group meets the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month from 9:30 to 11am.
CONTACT : Treesia Kan 206-930-7633 kankt@quest.net

WASHINGTON: Seattle
Metastatic support group for young women with stageIV breast cancer. Sponsored by YSC Young Survivor Coalition. Meets last Wednesday of each month at 12:30 pm in North Seattle.
CONTACT: Katie Hogan at ycsseattle@youngsurvival.org

WISCONSIN: Madison
Instant Sisters is an in-person support group for women with advanced or metastatic breast cancer; meets the 1st Tuesday of each month, 11:30-1:30 pm, at the American Cancer Society, 8317 Elderberry Rd., Madison, Wisconsin.
Facilitated by a psychologist.
CONTACT: The Integral Psychology Center - Lauren Cunningham, PhD at 608-255-9330 x2 or instantsisters@gmail.com

Return to top

Caregivers

YourShoes Partners Match Program

Network of Strength can match you with a person who has had similar experiences being the caregiver or loved one of a breast cancer patient. Call 24 hours a day at (800) 221-2141

 

CancerCare

Offers professional counseling (in person or over the telephone), support groups, educational programs (past programs can be heard on their website) and practical help. Call (800) 813-HOPE to learn more or order their pamphlet "Caregiving for your Loved One with Cancer".

 

Young Cancer Spouses

Their mission is to bring together young spouses of adults with cancer to share information, support, and experiences. Includes tips for taking care of yourself.

 

Caring Bridge    Personalized Web Page

Free internet service with a personalized web page for you to post your info and provide updates for friends without having to make phone calls or send individual emails. It is available 24/7.

 

Lotsa Helping Hands - Aid for all who ask How Can I Help? 

Free, private, web-based communities for organizing friends, family, and colleagues - your ‘circles of community' - during times of need. Easily coordinate activities and manage volunteers with an intuitive group calendar. Answers the question: What can I do to help?  Contact: info@lotsahelpinghands.com

 

Health Central - caregiver section

For husbands and partners, information on coping and emotional support including an article on what to do in the first 48 hours after learning the diagnosis.

http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/breast-cancer-husbands.html

 

Cancer and Careers - caregiver section

Helpful articles on caregiver challenges and financial and legal planning.

 

New Grief

Thanks to medical advances and extended grieving periods, the process of saying goodbye requires a new approach. Welcome to a conversation focused on helping you and your family deal with new grief.

 

Articles of Interest for Caregivers:
 "Watching my mother die of breast cancer."  by Michael McCurdy, Health News Digest, Sept 27. 2010

 

Return to top

To Make Your Life Easier

 

Free Cleaning Service
www.cleaningforareason.org 
Yes... they really will clean your house for free - once a month for 4 months! You must submit proof of medical diagnosis.

 

Making Memories 
www.makingmemories.org If you are selected, Making Memories will grant your wish. contact: wishdirector@makingmemories .org or call 971-255-3332.

www.jajf.org 
The Jack & Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation helps you create travel memories for families with children.

Personalized Web Page
www.caringbridge.org / 651-452-7940
Free internet service with a personalized web page for you to post your info and provide updates for friends without having to make phone calls or send individual emails. It is available 24/7.

www.lotsahelpinghands.com/ Contact us at info@lotsahelpinghands.com
Free, private, web-based communities for organizing friends, family, and colleagues - your ‘circles of community' - during times of need. Easily coordinate activities and manage volunteers with our intuitive group calendar. Answers the question: What can I do to help?

 

Return to top

Retreats

www.womenbeyondcancer.org/ 
Offers free retreats for women dealing with any type or stage of cancer. They provide an opportunity for women to get away from it all while dealing with the physical as well as emotional impact of cancer.

www.bcrecovery.org/
Breast Cancer Recovery offers wellness retreats for women in all stages of breast cancer. They do offer specialized retreats every year for those women living with metastatic breast cancer.

Return to top

The Holidays - How to Cope

The holidays can be fun, family-filled times of good cheer and happiness, but they can also be very stressful, especially for those of us with metastatic breast cancer. MBCN posed the question on Facebook and also had a discussion group explore the topic.

The first issue is how you want to be treated during the holidays.

Do you want people to acknowledge your cancer and your day to day struggle or do you prefer to blend into the background and just be one of the crowd? One of our members put it this way:
"The first year with mets I kept thinking --What if this is my last Christmas? Why aren't people realizing that? I kind of wished the holidays away. People you see once a year and telling your story over and over, feeling like everything has to be perfect and normal just like it always was. Well, this year I have done a total turn around. Why in the world would I want people to think that? Why would I want doom and gloom? It's a good thing that everyone celebrates and does NOT have that on their mind. It's still on my mind-but I don't want to be treated differently."

Another noted the "elephant in the room" question among some of her "less than loving" relatives. "Why is Mary still here? I thought she had an incurable disease." Do you try to enlighten them about metastatic disease or just ignore it?

How many times have friends or relatives greeted you with:
"So, you're feeling good?"

And you would love to reply:
"Um, not really, but I'll play that game if that's what you want to believe today.
  I'm tired just thinking about it."

"I try to just accept people on the terms they set and follow their lead," said one participant. "At Thanksgiving, only one of my relatives, my sister-in-law's mother, hugged me and said she kept me in her prayers and she was so inspired how I'm living so well every day, just moving forward, despite the diagnosis and the day to day coping. This made me so happy, but I also realized the rest felt the same thing, but just didn't want to articulate it. At least that's what I prefer to think!"

"I try to keep my mind off of me," stated one woman. "I watch my grandson really enjoy; I watch my newly married daughter and son-in-law and think thoughts about how perfect they are together. I even try to find the better qualities in my mother-in-law. I listen more intently to conversations and really try to be present and it keeps me out of my head. But I do tell myself over and over--how lucky I am to feel good this year."

 

But what about the feeling that everything has to be perfect, that this has to be the most memorable Thanksgiving or Christmas or Hanukkah ever?

 

"I think that my offer to make six dishes for Thanksgiving was really my attempt to show myself that I was still capable of doing "more" than my able bodied relatives...I am gradually learning that I don't have to place so much pressure on myself"

 

"I was upset the first holiday after my diagnosis when our big family gathering had its usual portion of mini-dramas, arguments and misunderstandings. I thought this holiday should be like a Hallmark card or that Norman Rockwell painting, but then I realized we were never that way, so why should I have these unrealistic expectations?"

"For me the biggest stress is trying to please everyone. While I have always struggled with this, the intensity with which I feel this is much stronger now that I am living with mbc. It is an effort to remember that it is truly impossible to please all, all the time. I am trying to remember what it is that I like - this often gets muddled for me. I am still a work in progress."

"I am bothered and saddened by the thought that this might be my last Christmas. It makes everything so much more emotional and stressful--like your gifts to people have to be more meaningful and your interactions with relatives you barely see more intense."

Some commented that thinking about meaningful, more personalized gifts was comforting. One woman started a tradition of giving everyone very personalized ornaments. "I'll be part of their Christmases in the future," she said.

One thing all participants agreed on was the need to simplify that to-do list of activities for the "perfect" holiday.

"I had a scare the other day because I could not get out of bed because of severe pain in my knee-mets related? I don't know, but it was only 4 days until Thanksgiving. It was a good wake-up call. I said to myself--What if I can't get out of bed for the next 4 days? I realized I am trying to please everyone and have a million things on the list to make Thanksgiving just like it always was in my mom's and grandma's day. But, if you really couldn't do the list, what would happen? How important really is every item on that list? Someone else could make the potatoes or my husband could run out to a caterer and order in missing items. The tablecloth might be wrinkled, the silver unpolished, store bought pies instead of homemade. Someone else could buy flowers or candles or turkey cookies for the kids. Hey, you could always eat out or even have pizza! But people pitch in and want to help and you don't need to take on as much as you do. You just need to ask for help."

One woman on Facebook suggested: "For me, it was time to move to another family member's house for Thanksgiving so when the time comes it will be one less thing to get emotional about."

"I know personally, I have to prioritize and realize that I can't do everything I want. So I have to buy cookies instead of make them and use gift bags instead of wrap. I do try as hard as I can to keep family traditions going and I am not above asking for help. It was tough the first few years giving up that idea of the perfect Holiday, but honestly everyone seemed fine with it."

"I do almost all my shopping online--much easier and I don't get worn out."

Many of us agreed that limiting contacts to close family and supportive friends was critical.

You don't need to waste time and energy on unhelpful, unthoughtful relatives or friends who bring you down. One woman noted: "I went to our annual holiday lunch with a friend and felt worse after it, so I said to myself. That's the last time. I don't need this."

Another Facebook poster noted: "I find that being around my family helps me to be more thankful for having made it through yet another year. To see how the little ones are growing up and that there is hope for a bright future...within those little arms that hold me tight."

 

Another woman agreed: "Holding an infant reminds me to celebrate life around us instead of being so aware of death in our lives."

 

 

Simplify, Focus on What's Important to You, and Ask for Help!

This holiday season seek out those who truly support you and drop the rest. Simplify and focus on what really matters to you. And know that there are 155,000 people in the US alone in your shoes facing this same challenge and working out the solution that works for them. Also, you may find it helpful to read through our Support section below for suggestions on ways you can connect with others who have metastatic breast cancer.

 

Happy Holidays from all of us at MBCN!

 

Return to top