breast cancer support groups- vent

[NbyNW]

So glad to hear that you finally connected with someone who you feel comfortable with.

Re the woman who was telling you about whether or not you'd be able to be there for your young children and go to your Bible study, sometimes I just want to tell those people that they would be more helpful if they did more listening and less talking. But of course they're too busy talking, which makes me wonder whether they're in any condition to be helping people.

I'm sorry you've had to go through so much frustration just to find a little support.

I don't envy you the hurry-up-and-wait time. But I hope all goes smoothly and please keep us posted on how things are going.

[indysteel]

how frustrating, Marni. I sure hope the first woman who called you was just misinformed. Otherwise, her presumptiveness is just inexcusable. I'm glad you finally found a supportive listener, but jeez, it shouldn't have to be so hard. I naively assumed that cancer support was a little more non-denominational/non-religious. I apparently assumed wrong, at least in your neck of the woods. Hang in there. We're here for you.

[Crankin]

Marni, I would be more than a little disturbed if I had received the talk you got from the first woman. So glad you found an athletic woman who has been through what you are going through. I also understand how the decision to wait may be frustrating you right now, but if you can focus on the ride and the wonderful time you will have with your sisters, maybe that will help? I assume your surgery is scheduled right after the ride. It will be soon enough and I am sure the doctors would not have let you wait if they thought it made a difference in your recovery.
It amazes me that religion is getting mixed up with cancer recovery.

[OakLeaf]

Marni, that's awful about the first person you talked to - I'm so glad you found someone you can connect with.

Are there resources you can draw on for caregivers for your FIL while you're going through this process? It seems to me (as I said before w/r/t your sisters) that so often people's reaction is "Oh, you're sick, poor me!" - so on top of that, having formal caregiving responsibility not only is a huge emotional drain that you don't need now, you physically won't be able to do it for a period of time after your surgery. I know home care services have been cut to the bone in most states and I doubt Texas is an exception, but maybe your support person can connect you with an agency.

[hebe]

I'm so sorry that you had such a bad experience finding support. I guess that cancer is indiscriminate in who fights it, and you do need to have more in common than cancer with people who are meant to offer support. The woman that you're talking to now sounds a much better match however. I hope your Little Red Rding Hood ride goes well, sending you many positive vibes from here.

[jobob]

That's really sad to hear, Marni, on top of everything else you're going through.

I'm curious, have Livestrong or Susan G. Komen or the Breast Cancer Fund provided you with any sort of help or referrals?

The reason why I'm asking is because so many of us here have done fundraising for these organizations or have donated to others' fundraising efforts, have taken part in rides and other events benefiting these organizations, and/or have donated large amounts of our time supporting such events.

It would be gratifying if our work and $$ actually helps out one of our own ...

[ny biker]

They're also both completely non-denominational. I've never seen any religious references in anything from them.