Survive and Thrive breast cancer support group to inform, encourage


Information, support and encouragement are the focus of Survive and Thrive, a breast cancer support group for those recently diagnosed.

The group, aimed at women diagnosed with breast cancer in the previous 18 months, is sponsored by Baptist Hospital East and fully funded by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation's Louisville affiliate. The local affiliate draws its funds from the annual Race for the Cure proceeds.

Eight group sessions will be conducted, beginning Monday, March 3, 2008 from 5-7 p.m. at the Baptist Hospital East Cancer Resource Center. Sessions will ordinarily be held every other Monday for a total of eight sessions ending April 21.

After the second group meeting on March 10, the group will be closed to new members in order to enhance the opportunity to create bonds of support among those who commit to the Survive and Thrive process.

"The idea is to equip women with the resources in the community so they can go on," said Social Worker Kim Arrington, L.C.S.W.

Arrington and Sr. Barbara Nicholas, R.N., A.O.C.N., Baptist East's community cancer resource nurse, will facilitate the group. Both specialize in the psychosocial care of persons with cancer.
Sessions will include an educational program and an opportunity for sharing experiences.

Coping skills, such as journalling, guided imagery and meditation, are among the skills to be taught. Participants will receive free journals.

“Movement in Healing,” land exercises designed to promote movement, stretching, and balance after breast cancer surgery, are provided by Nancy Chatham, exercise instructor at the Baptist East/Milestone Wellness Center.

A special session is held with long-term breast cancer survivors. "These veteran breast cancer survivors offer the perspective of having 'survived and thrived' beyond their breast cancer experience," Nicholas said.

In conjunction with the Wellness Center, participants who complete all eight sessions will receive a gift certificate for a therapeutic massage.

The group, limited to 14 participants, is free. Participants should have been diagnosed with breast during or prior to 2005.

Ample parking for the group is available for the Cancer Resource Center, 4007 Kresge Way, at the corner of Browns Lane and Kresge Way, across from Baptist East.

Pre-registration is required by calling the Baptist Hospital East Information Center at (502) 897-8131.

Prospective group members will be contacted by the facilitators prior to the start of Survive and Thrive.