Komen Louisville Grantee Spotlight December 2010

Living Beyond

Women who encounter an initial breast cancer diagnosis have already been confronted with multiple hurdles in their journey, including identity issues, relational implications, body image adjustments and spiritual/religious reflection to name a few. Though each has confronted her mortality to some extent, they do so with a sense of hope. If breast cancer goes into remission, a survivor may have little need for long-term support. However, if the cancer returns, many women with this recurrent cancer diagnosis feel betrayed – betrayed by their own bodies, by life, by God – and are not prepared for the traumatic implications of the advancing disease.

The Living Beyond support group was created for women diagnosed with a recurrence or metastasis of breast cancer within the past two years.  Living Beyond provides a supportive environment for these women to face the unique and on-going challenges of isolation, hopelessness, and potential end-of-life concerns. This group provides the opportunity to receive much needed long-term support and companionship from a rare and relatively small group of women who face similar circumstances.  In the comfort of a support group setting, the goal is that these women will tap into both the personal and professional resources provided to navigate through the crisis of cancer. The group is facilitated by an oncology social worker and an oncology/palliative care chaplain and LMFTA.

A collaborative effort between Baptist Hospital East Cancer Care Center, Gilda’s Club Louisville, and Susan G. Komen for the Cure Louisville Affiliate, Living Beyond meets on the 2^nd and 4^th Thursdays of every month at Gilda’s Club Louisville.  There is no charge for participation.