Living Well

Additional Resources

 


After Breast Cancer Support

For over ten years, Jan Vierek, RN/Support Group Facilitator at Sanford Clinic Breast Health Institute has presided over the ABC – After Breast Cancer Support Group, but any credit that is given to her is misdirected, she insists. Vierek believes that it is the group's members that support and educate each other.

"I stress that it is their time, so I respect their needs and issues and focus on their concerns." The style of the support group is very open and informal. "We only have one rule and that is that everyone be a good listener," Vierek states. "We can learn a lot from each other. We don’t give advice and tell each other what decision to make. We listen and support each other."
 

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Common topics that the support group discusses include: treatment options, coping mechanisms, affects on the family, relationship issues, the anxiety of going in for checkups and more. Vierek insists that everyone in the group participates in their own way. "Some participate just by being there. The presence of the ones who are thirty year survivors give a lot of encouragement and support to newly diagnosed women."

The ABC Support Group is attended by anyone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Although the backgrounds and demographics of these women vary, the bond that they share overpowers their difference. According to Vierek, "a lot of bonding and friendships result from the support group. One group goes out to dinner before the support group every month." The group also has an annual picnic and Christmas party.

The support group can be a source of healing for a woman at any age or in any stage of breast cancer. According to Vierek, "Women in the group find it therapeutic to talk about feelings and issues that concern them. By verbalizing your concern, we find out other women have been through this too and there is a lot of comfort in that."

"Everyone and anyone can benefit from support even if they have family support. Many women feel that they do not want to burden their families with their feelings so it is more comfortable for them to confide in other women who can identify with them. They can talk to these women without feeling guilty."
 
The ABC – After Breast Cancer Education & Support Group meets the first Thursday of every month in Meeting Room B in lower level lobby of Sanford USD Medical Center. The session goes from 7 pm – 8:30 pm which allows time to socialize and snack. For more information, call Sanford Clinic Breast Health Institute at 605-328-5244.



Other Support Groups

Look Good, Feel Better
Classes held the 3rd Monday of each month at 4 pm at the Sanford Clinic Breast Health institute Staff Lounge. Cancer can rob a woman of her energy, appetite and strength. But it doesn’t have to take away her self-confidence. Look Good, Feel Better is a free program that teaches beauty techniques to women cancer patients in active treatment to help them combat the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment. Contact Jan Viereck at 605-328-2891.

Bosom Buddies
Meets Tuesday and Thursday, 5:15 – 6 pm at the Sanford Wellness Center Therapy Pool. Bosom Buddies is a warm water exercise program designed especially for breast cancer survivors. The class focuses on range of motion and flexibility exercises in warm water (93 – 94 degrees). For more information on how to get involved in Bosom Buddies contact Jan at 605-328-2891 at Sanford Clinic Breast Health Institute.