Each Moment We're Alive, Inc

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in late March/early April of 2023. I was absolutely shocked since there was no history of breast cancer in my family that I was aware of. Shortly after my diagnosis, I was watching the show Mass Appeal and 2 women were speaking about an event that was being held to raise awareness about all types of cancers, but particularly breast cancer since each of them had previously been diagnosed with and had undergone surgery and subsequent treatment. One of those women was Cindy Sheridan Murphy who had founded the support group Each Moment We're Alive. She explained that anyone could join the group by signing onto the website and also stated that she personally contacts each new member to welcome them. Hearing this, I decided to join and, true to her word, Cindy contacted me a few hours later to welcome me to the group and offer her support. I attended the awareness activity that was being held the following week and was very fortunate to meet a wonderful group of women who were more than welcoming and willing to share their experiences with diagnosis and subsequent treatment as Cindy had. I also attended 2 meetings of the support group where I met many of the same women and also some new faces. I found this to be very helpful since my head was in a constant state of turmoil.

The next few weeks following my initial meeting and joining this group was extremely stressful because my insurance company repeatedly denied my treatment since I opted to have treatment in the Boston area where my family resides and I have a large support group. Cindy introduced me to someone that she knew that was intricately involved and very knowledgeable in the field of insurance, particularly health insurance. This contact assisted me in navigating the process of changing insurance companies to one that had a much broader network and approved me having surgery and treatment at the hospital of my choice.

I'm happy to say that my surgery was completed very successfully on August 15, 2023 and I am now in my second week of recovery. In my opinion, Cindy Sheridan Murphy and the members of the support group Each Moment We're Alive were invaluable to me in my time of need. I wholeheartedly support this group and their mission and cannot say enough positive comments. Thank you in advance for your continued support and assistance!

When I was searching for support after cancer treatments, I was referred to a few online groups. Each Moment We're Alive was one of them. When I emailed Cindy, the group facilitator, she offered to call right away if I needed her to. Other groups just sent me a link to an online meeting. The first meeting was scary to enter, I mean seriously- all of these people have had cancer- that's a lot! - but by the end, I felt so much better. I felt positive and uplifted. I tried other online meetings and felt so depressed and sad afterwards.
Cindy, at EMWA, has a way of making you feel hopeful, and normal. The Living A New Day (LAND) program really made me feel like I was part of the group and that despite having been diagnosed with cancer, I definitely have a future to look forward to. I love our weekly meetings with Cindy, Carrie, our social worker, and the entire gang of survivors.

I am a breast cancer survivor. But when I was first diagnosed, I had a lot of questions which were not getting answered, especially by my doctors. Because women in this group are at different stages of their treatment and post treatment, I had a wealth of information at my disposal from these women. I was able to take advantage of their experiences well before I would be encountering them. This afforded me the ability to better prepare myself for what’s to come and also reduce or eliminate some of the concerns one may have during the course of cancer treatment. This information helps me a better advocate for my own health care.

One and a half years ago, on February 16, 2022, I arrived at the hospital at 5:00 am for my surgery, a double mastectomy, and to continue my journey of being a cancer warrior. It was a journey that had started three months earlier when I heard the doctor say those dreaded words that no one wants to hear: “You have breast cancer.”

The surgery went well, and my recovery was relatively smooth. I had such strong support from my husband, children, and grandchildren. I was grateful that I didn’t need radiation or chemotherapy, but I also knew I would need additional surgery to complete my reconstruction. And, I would have to take those pills that block estrogen production, the ones that so many breast cancer survivors complain about.

Yet, even though I knew my journey was not over, in the weeks following my mastectomy I felt so relieved. I was ready to continue the fight. I felt physically strong enough to do that.

And, I was okay. Until I wasn’t.

I soon discovered that this journey that I was on - the one I never wanted to go on, and had hoped and prayed I would never be on - was way more complicated and difficult than just going to doctors' appointments, having surgery, and taking pills.
Even though I had a great medical team and very strong support from my family and friends, I realized that I also needed something else.

I needed to talk to someone who knew what it was like to live with the ever constant fear of recurrence. I needed to hear from women who were not only survivors, but thrivers. I needed to be able to compare notes about the side effects of medications. I needed the encouragement from women who were on the same journey that I was on. And, I needed to talk to women who would knowingly nod in agreement when someone expressed a worry about a new medical issue.

I basically needed to talk to women who “get it” when it comes to cancer survivorship.

I feel blessed to have found “Each Moment We’re Alive”. Cindy Sheridan Murphy, her board members, and all of the women I have met during our sessions have provided me with the tools and the encouragement to continue this journey. Even though I am hundreds of miles away from where “Each Moment We’re Alive” is based, I enjoy all of the support and friendship the online sessions provide. We laugh, and sometimes cry, and we always know that Cindy and the group will be there for us. I always look forward to the support group meetings, almost as if they were a “vitamin pill” that helps me get through the coming days and weeks.

Most importantly, I leave the sessions inspired by my new found friends; I am in awe of their strength, courage, determination, compassion, and their willingness to help others. I am so grateful to have found “Each Moment We’re Alive” because it has truly helped me to fully live each moment I’m alive.

This nonprofit is so helpful because it is run by a cancer survivor and Board of Directors, who have broad experience survivorship and community building. Support group discussions are practical and supportive. Everyone's cancer story is valued. That is why women from all over the USA (and even abroad) come to this group, since it went virtual and accessible to those outside the physical western Massachusetts area, Thank you, Cindy, for raising survivor visibility among the region and beyond, as well as bringing the survivor community together in real life fun activities.

I have found so much support, strength and compassion as a member of this group following my breast cancer diagnosis in 2019. Cindy, the facilitator and the other survivors have truly helped in my recovery and survivorship. Each Moment We’re Alive has been there for me when some of my family and friends were not able to be there for me for various reasons, when I really needed them. I learned how to be an advocate for myself in dealing with challenging medical situations. I am so grateful to be part of this group, I have learned so much from the other survivors and look forward to our time together. It’s reassuring to know that each week as my schedule permits, I can participate in the group gatherings by zoom.