Marcia Miranda | Gabriel's Story | Megan's Story | What Lies Within | Dookie's Angels | Yvonne Pierre | Rebuilding Lives | The Positive Power of a Negative Miracle
Rebuilding Lives
by Debra Joseph MSW Group Facilitator
Born out of the need to provide support and education to female cancer patients, the Cancer Group for Women of the Trinidad and Tobago Cancer Society was formed in June 2006.
This treatment group caters to the varying needs of its members who have either been diagnosed with cancer or are at various stages of recovery. Currently, the women range from ages twenty-seven (27) to sixty-five (65) years old. However, there is no limit to the age of persons who wish to join the group. It functions as an open group whereby new persons continuously join.
The meetings are held bi-weekly at the Cancer Society’s office on Rosalino Street in Woodbrook. An average of 6 to 11 women attends each meeting. As the Master Social Worker for the society, I am privileged to be a part of the group providing guidance and facilitating its activities. Self-disclosure is high in this group and confidentiality is adhered to, as proceedings of the group are private and kept within the group.
The women are appreciative of these conditions and thus feel comfortable sharing their experiences. Such behaviours are welcomed as group members quickly come to the realization that they are not alone with their concerns and problems. Topics discussed range from chemotherapy and radiation treatment and their physical as well as emotional reaction to them, to issues such as nutrition, comfort with bras, formal and informal support systems, medication and its side effects and other issues that impact on the quality of life of the participants. The group also gives members the opportunity to help each other by being supportive, giving feedback, making suggestions and providing useful information.
Lieberman and Borman (1979) have noted that there is the benefit of the “helper-therapy principle” for members of groups that develop on a mutual aid basis. This process they stated provides what Yalom (1985) refers to as an “installation of hope” that is absent in individual treatment. In this group, sharing of personal concerns in the presence of others provides members with a chance to receive feedback that help others in their ability to change.
Thus, it creates a platform for vicarious learning and continues along that path. Group processes also assist the women to rehearse new behaviours in a ‘safe’ environment, as they are confident that they will not be judged. The general ambience of the room where meetings are held is quite therapeutic and as such, conducive to group meetings of this nature. The members are very appreciative of this welcoming atmosphere and as a result feel at home. I want to emphasize this fact as it does contribute to the success of the group and fits positively into effective group performance. Sadly, one of our members died of ovarian cancer in January 2007. She was 31 years old.
This brought a bit of sadness to the group as everyone reflected on her own vulnerability. The members discussed their feelings and were able to vent until they found a place of comfort and closure. To further satisfy the needs of the members, two guest speakers have thus far conducted sessions with the group. They are Dr. Anesa Ahamad, who gave of her time and expertise in answering medical questions from the women and Mrs.
Nicole Joseph-Chin who provided pertinent information about proper bras for women with breast cancer.
We thank these women for their support and look forward to be graced by their presence in the future as they have promised to return.
I facilitate and also support the group by informing members of meetings, copying articles and liaising with resource personnel. In addition I provide general follow-up on the women’s cancers and help prepare group activities such as the end of year get together held on the December 9, 2006 which was well supported and provided an opportunity for the women to build friendships. This support is invaluable to the success of the group. Acting as facilitator to this group has assisted me in gaining more knowledge of cancer and its psychosocial effects on women. I am grateful for this opportunity.