ANA Discussion Forum
General Category => AN Issues => Topic started by: Nicole222 on July 03, 2008, 06:34:09 am
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I had my surgery on May 9th and the Dr's office called me yesterday to encourage me to attend the local AN support group meeting. I think it is only quarterly, but I think I'll go to see what it's like or if I could be of help/support to someone :)
Have you attended any AN related support groups in your area? How were they?
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I don't know of any "in person" groups in my neck of the woods (Columbus, OH). I suppose that I would be willing to go and hang out for a visit. Mostly though I think I get my dose of AN therapy here online. You can share so much with so many others experiecning the same axieties but also successes. :)
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You should definitely take advantage of this resource. I went to my first (and so far, only) support meeting 3 months after I was diagnosed. It was held in Atlanta, which is 3 hours from where I live in Central Georgia. It was comforting to have personal contact with others who are in our select group. I met a lady from near Atlanta that I keep in touch with. She had GK about a month before I did.
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Nicole:
I haven't attended any AN support group meetings but would consider it. The success of the meetings depends on who organizes them as much as the interest of the attendees. They can easily become 'pity parties' where folks just complain or where visiting speakers are really just selling something or an excellent source of information and support, as they're meant to be. Sharing doctor and other information on a local basis is very helpful. As a patient who had a good outcome to surgery and radiation, I'm not sure how much I would get out of such meetings because all I could do is offer encouragement, as I do here. However, on these forums - that reach people all over the country and, literally, the world - I feel I can do a lot more for other AN patients. Just my observation and, as I stated, I might consider attending a local meeting, however, the closest is almost 40 miles, one way, from where I live, so it probably won't happen, at least on anything like a regular basis. However, if a support group is close to you, I would suggest you attend a meeting and see what you think and if it could be helpful to you.
Jim
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I have been to three meetings of the local ANA group in Portland, Oregon. Among others, I have met forumites Daisy Head Maizy (formerly 4 cm), and Marg, and Jackie. I think I learn more here on the forum, but it is worth it just to meet people in person. Plus, no one cares if you say "what" a lot.
I like 'em. :)
Steve
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I've been to several support group meetings in NJ (I'm on the board as a "Member at Large"). I have found all the meetings that I have attended to be very informative and have made several "friends". I have found it best to talk with individuals that have just started their AN journey and share my successful outcome (the negative news can be overwhelming at times).
Joe-
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No support group here, but I would go to one if it was POSITIVE and not, like Jim said, a pity party! ;D
K
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they just started up a local Houston Tx support group in May and i attended. I was the AN with the least post time. It sure helped me and wife to see others listen to what they have done, and to have them tell me about where they were at my time.
Helped alot.................
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I went to a local group meeting just before I had surgery and plan on going to them again. I missed the last few because of conflicts but I believe they are a good thing
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I agree with Ellen. I attended a meeting a few months post op and really liked it. It's nice to get together with a group of people you have so much in common with.
Our local group stopped having meetings for a while because they were looking for a new leader. They found one and had a meeting a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, I was out of town and couldn't attend, but I'm looking forward to the next meeting.
Jan
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hi nicole, i will attend a local support meeting if there is one around my area. this ANA discussion forum do provide an alternate outlet for those who do not have a local support organization - I think the local group is better as it will provide an intimate and face to face support system. hope this helps.
speaking of local support meeting, i see that there are brunches planned for seattle and NY. anyone interested in brunches for Northern CA Bay Area (San Francisco, Palo Alto, San Jose?)
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Hi, i am also interest in a support meeting, where are them?
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Hey Sabuck do you want to start a group midway between Columbus and Cleveland? I agree that the forum is the most efficacious but it would be fun to get together and hang out and just share stories, maybe have a drink and some snacks, bingo, you know the usual support group stuff. What? They don't do that in support groups? If that's the case I'd just as soon drink and snack and play bingo while contributing to the forum. Of course, we could always plan a forum reunion party. Now wouldn't that be fun?
Marci
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Hi, i am also interest in a support meeting, where are them?
Carlita -
I believe there is information on local ANA support groups on the main page of this website. If not, you can always contact the ANA and ask them.
Jan
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Of course, we could always plan a forum reunion party. Now wouldn't that be fun?
Forum reunion party = 2009 ANA Symposium August 14-16 @ The Drake Hotel in Chicago, IL. Details coming soon. Hope to see you all there!
Jan
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Count me in! I'll drag my husband along since I've always wanted him to see Chicago, one of my favorite cities.
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Will definitely count you in Marci - and your husband.
I predict a great time will be had by all :D
Jan
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Hi all,
To find out if there is a local support group in your area, this link will let you know:
http://www.anausa.org/local_groups.html
There is a schedule there as well for upcoming ANA support group meetings. Or contact the ANA office directly for add'l info.
As one that has attended the Metro Boston ANA Support group meetings on numerous occassions (average attendance usually over 30 people), I have never noticed our's to be a "pity party" and have found them to be highly informative. We have had guest speakers, the "meet/greet" meetings and have always had lively discussions. I know each location may have a "different" feel to them, so please take the opportunity to check one out (if available in your area) and then you can decide if it's for you or not. I commend all those that volunteer their time to be ANA Support group leaders as it takes a bit of time and energy to organize meetings, guest speakers, etc.
I will continue to attend our local meetings.... they have brought comfort, to me, by being able to sit with others that do, in fact, walk a mile in our shoes when sometimes, others in our lives, just don't understand. It's also sometimes nice to be able to meet those, face to face, to get a first-hand "picture" of what this AN journey can be like.
Just my 2 cents.
Phyl
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Marci, they were looking for a support group leader for NE Ohio, are you interested? I attended one meeting about 4 months after surgery. It was about an hour away and it ended up being the organizer and one other lady. Both were MUCH older than I, enough to be my grandmother, and had their surgeries many years ago. The speaker explained all about AN's, info we already knew. Needless to say I didn't make an effort to ever go back. I think it would be great to have an active group.
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I would definitely be interested in that. What would my first step be?
Marci
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Marci -
contact the ANA - specifically Judy Vitucci, Executive Director or Melanie Hutchins who's in charge of the local groups.
Melanie's email address is localgroups@anausa.org
Jan
BTW - I think you would make a great group leader!
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I was diagnosed in Jan 08 and attended a support group meeting in April 08. I thoroughly enjoyed going. At the time I was really scared about what I was facing and it really helped me to meet people who as Phyl said had "walked a mile in my shoes". I got alot of information from people who had different types of treatment as well as those who were in "Watch and Wait". I also met new friends and one in particular that I keep in touch with, who is on this forum, Sandra aka Goinbatty. Thanks Sandra for all your support! I would highly recommend checking your support group out or starting one if one is not available. My husband also attended with me and it gave him a better understanding of what I am facing, which he was grateful for. The group was very uplifting, defininately not a pity party. As I was a newby at the time I attended, I cannot express how helpful it was to me.
Glenda