CANSURVIVE GYN CANCER SUPPORT GROUP
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May 23, 2013
My mother recently passed away after a five year long battle with ovarian cancer. My mom lived in Montgomery and wasn't able to attend group meetings but the members of CanSurvive made her feel included by sending her encouraging messages and providing her with a "Lydia Project" bag while she was undergoing treatment. When my mom was admitted to the hospital and eventually to the palliative care unit in January 2013, CanSurvive sent her balloons, cards, and some group members even took time to visit with her. I appreciate all the amazing gifts CanSurvive gave my mother in such a difficult time but I am even more touched by their generosity of taking the time to comfort me and the rest of our family.
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
May 23, 2013
I was diagnosed with advanced stage Ovarian cancer in August of 2011. I went through surgery & chemo not really feeling a need for an outside support group. I was very focused on my battle and was fortunate to have a tremendous amount of support from family, friends and my medical team. I was a warrior with goals and milestones to meet....then in February 2012 I achieved that final goal, the last of 6 cycles of aggressive chemo..... cause for celebration, all tests looked good, it appeared everything worked as hoped... now life could get back to normal, as if the previous 6 months had never happened.!
Only the funny thing was, that "normal" never came back.... I found that I was becoming anxious before every Dr visit, everytime I had an unusual ache or pain I would immediately worry that the cancer was coming back, I was wondering why I did so well, when so many others weren't as lucky... I wanted the old "me" back, not this fearful, baldheaded stranger looking back from the mirror.
Then I found the Cansurvive support group and discovered that all of my feelings were normal (imagine that, it's just a new normal). I just showed up at the April 2012 Sunday meeting, didn't know anyone but I immediately felt at home. Everyone welcomed me with open arms, and I never felt like an outsider.... (I even won the door prize... but I still think that was rigged!) The thing is, we may not know each other when we walk in the door, but we are all in the same sisterhood and are there to offer support to each other, answer questions (almost anything that you ask, someone has a personal experience to share), laugh together, offer hope to each other and yes, sometimes cry together as well.
I live approximately 60miles outside Birmingham, so the Friday meeting is not really an option for me. I am so thankful that Cansurvive has the Sunday meetings and I try my best not to miss one. I would tell anyone who is either dealing with GYN cancer, or has a loved one affected to come to one of our meetings... I promise you won't regret it!
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
not change anything
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
A lot
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
1 person found this review helpful
May 23, 2013
1 person found this review helpful
Thank you for the opportunity to share what CanSurvive has meant to me and my family.
My daughter, Dana Layne was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2011. It was very difficult to get
adjusted to the word "cancer". Even when we realized that cancer was our new reality, it was
still very difficult to accept. As Dana experienced surgery, radiation and chemo therapy, we were
at a loss as to what questions to ask, or even where to get answers to the questions we did have.
We needed the truth, but we needed compassion and understanding also.
When Dana heard of the CanSurvive support group she was eager to attend, in the hope that it
would be of help to us.
We were not disappointed. The ladies at CanSurvive were the answer to our many prayers. It turned
out that they were exactly what Dana and I needed. From the beginning the group took Dana into
their arms and never let go. Dana felt free to call any of them day or night, even on holidays. They
used e-mail, text messages, and even regular mail to share information, in order to help Dana
understand what her body was going through. They did it all with love, compassion, and
understanding.
The caregiver support group provided by CanSurvive enabled me to understand how to help myself,
along with Dana as she fought her battle with cancer. Dana lost her battle in October 2012, and the
loss I felt--and still feel - is indescribable, CanSurvive is still there for me. They have been with me
with open arms to help me deal with my loss. They have enabled me to stand when I could not. They have held me close when I needed support. Words cannot express the gratitude in my heart for
CanSurvive. The best way to describe them is in one word.... "blessing".
Joan Goode
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I cannot think of any changes that need to be made.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
May 22, 2013
I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer in 2011 and attended my first Support Group meeting one month later. I found a welcoming group of smiling faces, happy to get to know me and hear my story, quick to offer a listening ear and a kind word or hug. Its a safe haven where I don't have to explain the medical language, the side effects, the range of emotions; I can just 'be'. We discuss a wide range of topics and I seem to learn something each meeting and walk away feeling stronger. I am encouraged by the women and each of their respective journeys and leave with a rejuvenated sense of motivation to fight this battle.
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When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
December 30, 2011
Hi, my name is Sonya Wells. I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in July 2008. For the next few months I would learn new words, oncology, chemotherapy, and the scariest thing to me would be ports and infusion therapy. When all was finished, I felt sure I would run from the building and never say CANCER again. I begin to receive e-mails form a group called CANSURVIVE. I went to a meeting, and there were people giving of their time and support in more ways than I could ever imagine. I felt as though I left with hope, courage, a since of humor and realized I was able to say I had cancer, and I was now called a SURVIVOR.
CANSURVIVE group is a great and wonderful way to stay aware of the new drugs, help others who have just been diagnosed. Also ask questions get answers, and I feel I have a new extended family who understands me and there is no judgment to the Chemo Brain we all share.
Cancer will always be a part of my life but I am no longer afraid to say cancer, and when you put a group of women together one thing is for sure you will find power beyond measure.
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
July 3, 2011
There was a large void in support services for patients with gyn cancers in our community. CanSurvive provided a resource for people to talk to others dealing with the burden of cancer and cancer treatments and the indelible mark it puts on a person's psyche. They meet regularly and provide updates on medical issues, provide programs on survivorship, and plan activities to assist patients currently ongoing treatments. One of their latest activities was to provide laptop computers for patients undergoing chemotherapy so that they may access Caring Bridge on the internet during treatment. It's really hard to put down in so few words what all this organization means to our patients and to my practice.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
What they do to support our patients emotionally and spiritually.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Help make them become even larger.
June 29, 2011
There aren't many redeeming qualities about having cancer. No one can take away the frightening words of the diagnosis, the pain of surgery, the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation, the fear, the waiting, the worry. But there is a way to reduce the feelings of aloneness. I was first diagnosed with Stage 3C ovarian cancer in 2004 and joined CanSurvive in 2006. I walked into a world of caring friends, women who shared my experiences, sorrows, joys, and hope. We laughed and cried together.
One consequence of my illness and treatment is that my contact with others changed. For weeks at a time, I could no longer do the things that made up my 'normal' life. Just as people in CanSurvive cared for me, I found that reaching out to other women in our group brought back a feeling of being valued, of supporting people during their hardest times.
CanSurvive provides many things: patient support (in lots of ways), information to patients, public awareness, a shoulder to lean on, a joyful heart to share the happy times with, a circle of women who become strong because they can hold on to each other. My life has been positively affected through my involvement with CanSurvive.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have personally experienced the results of CanSurvive through receiving and giving support.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
CanSurvive needs more money to expand our patient support program. Work is underway to write grants and increase income.
June 28, 2011
We first found the CanSurvive group when my mother, MaryAnne King, was diagnosed with Fallopian Tube cancer in 2006. The support that was provided to my mother and our family was invaluable. It truly made a difference for my mom to be able to talk to other women who knew exactly what she was going through and could offer her advice. They shared their ideas for nutrition, exercise, pain management, and much more. It also helped her through her journey to be able to help others and share her own experience. That is what this group is all about, helping each other. After my mother passed away in 2009, I chose to continute to be involved with the CanSurvive group simply because I was shown through being with these women and their families, the possibilites of making a difference for someone who is going through cancer treatments or dealing with the recovery after the treatment and for support being offered to those who care for them. This group provides something for patients that is desperately needed and that is caring, understanding and support.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I see the results almost daily. The email updates sent out by our President keep everyone updated in a timely manner. We know patients or their families needs quickly and can address them so it does not cause added stress for them.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would like to find a business to "adopt" our group and help with our fundraising efforts. So many of our members and board members are patients and it can be difficult for them to know how they will feel any particular day. We are a completely volunteer organization and could definitely use more community support both financially and by getting the word out that we are here if someone needs us.
More feedback...
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
How did you learn about this organization?
My mother heard about it through her doctor.
What is this organization's top short-term priority?
To assist patients and their families and to bring awareness of gyn cancers to the community.
What is its top priority in the long run?
To continue adding resources for patients and their families. To make the community aware of signs and symptoms for gyn cancers. To ensure future funding for the group.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
June 16, 2011
I have been involved with the CanSurvive GYN Cancer Support Group since its inception. There has never been a more caring group of ladies who help support one another through their journeys and then reach out to educate women on the signs and symptoms of gyn cancers. They are dedicated. they meet once a month at the American Cancer Center where they share their treatment and the side effects. They also have professional educators as guest speakers at these meetings to keep them informed on the latest treatments and studies that are going on. This is an amazing non-profit group. They support patients and their families from the first diagnosis until the end. Many of the families are in need of support and encouragement as much as their loved one with cancer.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I now serve as a board member and assist in the meetings and other awareness events.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
None
June 14, 2011
I wear many hats with the CanSurvive GYN Cancer support group. I wear hat number one as an ovarian cancer survivor. I value the actual support from my "sisters", from the medical staff who become involved, from others who are touched by GYN cancer and are so generous and caring to be a part of the group. Another hat I wear is as a part of a speakers' bureau. We are trained to speak to medical students and other groups to promote awareness of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer. I wear a similar hat when I volunteer at events such as the Southern Women's Show to distribute information about GYN cancers and to talk to people about signs and symptoms. Others in this group wear the important hats of reaching out to patients, of sharing personal experiences about coping with treatments, and of directly "being there".
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Early on, I received support and information from the group. Now I am happy to give that support. Also, I am passionate about CanSurvive's important role of promoting awareness since there is no effective screening test for ovarian cancer.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Fundraising is difficult for this group. I would love for this organization to have sponsors.
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