KatieB Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Does it help to connect with other cancer survivors? Or does that add to any pressure of comparing cancer stories, side effects and success of treatment? Do you compare experiences in a negative or positive way or both? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandraL Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 I think it helps tremendously to connect with other LC patients. That is why I am active on this website. I have learned much, made many friends and have received much support. And people here get it and are so positive about fighting this disease. That I think helps us all tremendously in our personal battles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna G Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 I know it helps. As many others while going through treatment I became depressed. It is difficult to deal with emotionally and physically. I was refired to a cancer support group which helped some but because most were breast cancer survivors we did not have "everything" in common. Even after I "finished" treatment when I found out that there was a face to face support group in St. Paul ( that Connie B started) I jumped on it. I still had emotional issues and physical problems as broken ribs, nerve pain in chest, neuropathy in hands and feet etc. I also found that I sort of had a "personality" change. I used to be fairly quiet and serious, organized. Not so any more. The face to face , meeting people going through what I was helped a lot. Later still I was told about this forum, and needless to say I still feel being able to "talk" with those who share your experience helps. Donna G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadstimeon Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 I agree with Sandra and Donna it helps tremendously to talk to others who have been there, done that. You can learn so much from there experiences on how they handled things, what they did, how they felt etc. It’s invaluable and I often suggest to people with Lung Cancer to join a support group, find a phone buddy or some (message board)other form of support, not to go it alone. I also compare experiences in a positive way for the most part. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatlemike Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 LCSC has helped me tremendously. I am so glad that the support is available to us. So many times questions arise and you cant call your onc or see your local doctor with every ache and pain. This place has answered so many questions for me along with the support. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bud Baker Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 Lung cancer survivors are a unique and all too small fraternity. I love being able to bond with other survivors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaminkw Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 Katie, I guess I'm back--at least temporarily. My grandson is due for 10 days Spring Break starting April 9 so I'll probably go amissing again. Does it help, absolutely. I've joined a face-to-face group and it looks like I've made some quality new friends there. But someone in the group the other night (again) railed against going online. In response to my continued positive remarks about our community, he keeps saying "it's a personal choice but...." The negative judgment is always heavily implied. Going online just opens you up to too much information and depression. I respond like a mother bear telling them I became part of a family here with nothing but good coming of it. Again, I tell them I could not have made it through the year without LCSC members. The time then was not right for me to join the face-to-face group and my online group helped save my life. Judy in Key West Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robobbi Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 Other lung cancer survivors are the only people who can really understand how I'm feeling. As much as loved ones and friends are there for me they can't (thankfully) understand the different emotions especially when it's time for a scan or oncologist appointment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolhg Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 It certainly helped me. I cannot imagine not having this place to come to. After I was first diagnosed and was so scared, I came here and got encouragement and hope. I learned what to expect from radiation and chemo treatments. I learned what to expect as I healed from surgery. I have compared treatments, doctors and comprehensive cancer cernters. I have noted the size of tumors, mets or no mets. I have paid attention to pathology reports and to if the margins were clear and if the lymph nodes were negative or positive.I learned that a spot on a scan does not necessarily mean that it is cancer, nor does the lighting up of a spot on a PET alway mean it is cancer. That is vital information that I learned here on this site. I truly believe that I would have become a total basket case if I had not been able to come here and see that other people were or had gone through what I was going through. At first you think that you are the only one, like the only one in the world-or at least I did. I sure am not happy that other people are or have gone through this, but I do appreciate that they were here for me. I never knew anyone with lung cancer. I know people with breast cancer. I thought that lung cancer meant that if you had it-you died. I learned to be hopeful and I certainly hope that I have been able to be helpful to someone else. Carol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nonni Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 Oh Katie....Yes..I think it helps tremendously to be in contact with other LC survivor's...I know for a fact that when I had my surgery...I was full of questions and anxiety and when I found this group I considered myself lucky...YOu all have helped me in so many way's... And now trying to help other LC survivors...I am a phone buddy for the LC Alliance and they call me probably every couple months and ask me to talk to someone who has just had surgery...and NO..I never talk negative ...alway's on the positive side...I never mislead them but I do put negetivity on the back bunner and leave it there... It just feels so much better when you talk to someone who's been there...done that...etc.. I have to say talking to friends and family helps some what...BUT believe me... they don't have a clue love to all....nonni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jstdzy Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 Katie, I can't even begin to tell you how much this site helps! My sister-in-law got dx'd with cancer a week after I did, she didn't have lung cancer though. Even though her and I walked this cancer recovery road together, it still wasn't the same as being able to connect with the people on this site who had "my kind" of cancer. I just wish I had found it sooner! I thank God for every single person here! Thank you, Dana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McBride Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 Even though I don't post often I come here to read and get some of my emotional support. Finding out that I am not a cry-baby about this and that is great. I wish there was a support group like this for throat cancer issues. So, please keep this going - we all need it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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