Cancer Support Groups Provide a Supportive Place of Compassion and Understanding for Locals Experiencing Cancer The Health Care Corner - Brought to you by Holy Cross Medical Center In our fast paced society, we don't always have the time to sit and listen to another person's experience. Bouncing from one task to another, trying to keep our own lives together, with endless distractions, doesn't always leave space to hear each other's stories. While there are endless ways to 'stay connected' and 'communicate, people can still feel isolated within their experience. This feeling of isolation is often extreme for people that experience a scary health diagnosis, especially when it comes to cancer. Taking the time to really sit and listen to someone's story can be an impactful act. When folks find that other people are experiencing similar concerns, it can help ease the sense of isolation. The weekly support groups at Holy Cross Medical Center's Taos Cancer Support Services is a space for community members experiencing cancer to connect with others and receive this type of support. Molly and Victoria are two members of the cancer support group. They were generous enough to share their experiences and discuss the benefits of sharing their stories with other members of the community through the group. Despite the challenges of their experience, both of them are very optimistic, positive, and willing to approach the subject with grace and humor. They both attribute that confidence to the help that the cancer support group has provided. To sit and talk with the two of them was inspiring and humbling, both cracking jokes and encouraging laughter towards subjects that can be scary. Early in the conversation, Victoria said, "I don't call it cancer, I call it C to strip it of its power, I choose to stay positive". Victoria was diagnosed with a form of Pancreatic Carcinoma. in August of 2022. Since the diagnosis she has been through nine chemo treatments as well as a surgery. Victoria said "When I was first diagnosed, I was very shy about it, I didn't want people to know. I thought I would just get through it with my family and close friends. I realized very early on that I needed to talk to people who were experiencing C. The Cancer Support Group was exactly what I needed. These conversations have been so helpful on many levels." Victoria has been part of the cancer support group since 2022 and after receiving news that she would need to continue chemo, the first thing she said she wanted to do was talk to the group. "I noticed that in the group it's very common to be in shock throughout your experience with C. Listening and validating are ways of honoring people where they are at and accepting their experience without judgment." Just before Christmas of 2022, Molly was referred to Taos Surgical Specialties for an enlarged lymph node. The biopsy came back positive and Molly was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. She worked quickly to begin treatment and has been traveling to Albuquerque for her twelve chemotherapy treatments. When asked about joining the group, Molly responded, "When I first got diagnosed, I had a great personal support network, but there is only so much insight that they could share. To be able to meet with a group of people that were sharing my experience was a catalyst for me to be more open about discussing cancer with everyone in my life. It was a relief to find such a safe space. You can bring anything to the table and aid Adventent Victoria, Eileen Craig (Program Coordinator of Taos Cancer Support Services), and Molly everybody is so supportive." Navigating a diagnosis can be difficult and when you live in a rural community your access to treatment can require regular trips out of town. Victoria spoke about her experience by saying "When I was diagnosed, I had to figure out how to navigate through the healthcare system, and that was tough. You're sick, you feel terrible, and having to be your own advocate is not easy." Members of the cancer support group help each other through the process by discussing the experiences they have had with different health care providers, and encourage each other to advocate for the best care they can find. "We have a choice as patients to choose and to change doctors. What we want to do is feel safe and cared for by the right providers." said Victoria. According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will develop some form of C in their lifetime. The more conversation and understanding we can bring to these topics, the more compassion and support we can offer to those who are living with C. The Cancer Support Group takes place on Tuesdays from 4:00pm to 5:15pm at the Cancer Support Services office at 413 Sipapu Street in Taos. Around 10 people take part in the group every week, and there are around 25 active members. As well as the weekly support groups, Taos Cancer Support Services offers additional free support for area residents from early diagnosis up to a year after their last treatment. The program offers free assistance with lodging and gas for medical appointments, cancer resources, services navigation, food gift cards, yoga & fitness activities, acupuncture, and massage. Molly travels to Albuquerque twice a month for chemo treatments and said "The gas cards to help cover expenses have been amazing. everything helps." The program. and the support groups also provide services and support for caregivers and family members. Eileen Craig spent most of her career as a nurse and is now the Program Coordinator for Taos Cancer Support Services. Victoria wanted to make sure that Eileen was recognized, by saying, "Eileen is amazing, she supports us every step of the way and is always there to guide us and help us better understand our circumstances. Eileen has a way of bringing things into perspective and helps you process your journey." Taos Cancer Support services is a free service provided by Holy Cross Medical Center. "I am grateful that a small town like Taos has this kind of offering. It seems like the community that we have created through the cancer support group, you wouldn't be able to find everywhere." said Molly. Each year, Taos Cancer Support Services supports over 100 members of our community affected by cancer and the services are completely free. You can help support this great program by taking part in FOR THE HEALTH OF IT!, A 5k walk and health fair happening this Saturday, June 24th at Kit Carson Park. If you can't take part in the event, you can also support by donating to the cause. Visit www. TaosCancerSupport.org for more information. Cancer Support Groups Provide a Supportive Place of Compassion and Understanding for Locals Experiencing Cancer The Health Care Corner - Brought to you by Holy Cross Medical Center In our fast paced society , we don't always have the time to sit and listen to another person's experience . Bouncing from one task to another , trying to keep our own lives together , with endless distractions , doesn't always leave space to hear each other's stories . While there are endless ways to ' stay connected ' and ' communicate , people can still feel isolated within their experience . This feeling of isolation is often extreme for people that experience a scary health diagnosis , especially when it comes to cancer . Taking the time to really sit and listen to someone's story can be an impactful act . When folks find that other people are experiencing similar concerns , it can help ease the sense of isolation . The weekly support groups at Holy Cross Medical Center's Taos Cancer Support Services is a space for community members experiencing cancer to connect with others and receive this type of support . Molly and Victoria are two members of the cancer support group . They were generous enough to share their experiences and discuss the benefits of sharing their stories with other members of the community through the group . Despite the challenges of their experience , both of them are very optimistic , positive , and willing to approach the subject with grace and humor . They both attribute that confidence to the help that the cancer support group has provided . To sit and talk with the two of them was inspiring and humbling , both cracking jokes and encouraging laughter towards subjects that can be scary . Early in the conversation , Victoria said , " I don't call it cancer , I call it C to strip it of its power , I choose to stay positive " . Victoria was diagnosed with a form of Pancreatic Carcinoma . in August of 2022. Since the diagnosis she has been through nine chemo treatments as well as a surgery . Victoria said " When I was first diagnosed , I was very shy about it , I didn't want people to know . I thought I would just get through it with my family and close friends . I realized very early on that I needed to talk to people who were experiencing C. The Cancer Support Group was exactly what I needed . These conversations have been so helpful on many levels . " Victoria has been part of the cancer support group since 2022 and after receiving news that she would need to continue chemo , the first thing she said she wanted to do was talk to the group . " I noticed that in the group it's very common to be in shock throughout your experience with C. Listening and validating are ways of honoring people where they are at and accepting their experience without judgment . " Just before Christmas of 2022 , Molly was referred to Taos Surgical Specialties for an enlarged lymph node . The biopsy came back positive and Molly was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma . She worked quickly to begin treatment and has been traveling to Albuquerque for her twelve chemotherapy treatments . When asked about joining the group , Molly responded , " When I first got diagnosed , I had a great personal support network , but there is only so much insight that they could share . To be able to meet with a group of people that were sharing my experience was a catalyst for me to be more open about discussing cancer with everyone in my life . It was a relief to find such a safe space . You can bring anything to the table and aid Adventent Victoria , Eileen Craig ( Program Coordinator of Taos Cancer Support Services ) , and Molly everybody is so supportive . " Navigating a diagnosis can be difficult and when you live in a rural community your access to treatment can require regular trips out of town . Victoria spoke about her experience by saying " When I was diagnosed , I had to figure out how to navigate through the healthcare system , and that was tough . You're sick , you feel terrible , and having to be your own advocate is not easy . " Members of the cancer support group help each other through the process by discussing the experiences they have had with different health care providers , and encourage each other to advocate for the best care they can find . " We have a choice as patients to choose and to change doctors . What we want to do is feel safe and cared for by the right providers . " said Victoria . According to the American Cancer Society , 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will develop some form of C in their lifetime . The more conversation and understanding we can bring to these topics , the more compassion and support we can offer to those who are living with C. The Cancer Support Group takes place on Tuesdays from 4:00 pm to 5:15 pm at the Cancer Support Services office at 413 Sipapu Street in Taos . Around 10 people take part in the group every week , and there are around 25 active members . As well as the weekly support groups , Taos Cancer Support Services offers additional free support for area residents from early diagnosis up to a year after their last treatment . The program offers free assistance with lodging and gas for medical appointments , cancer resources , services navigation , food gift cards , yoga & fitness activities , acupuncture , and massage . Molly travels to Albuquerque twice a month for chemo treatments and said " The gas cards to help cover expenses have been amazing . everything helps . " The program . and the support groups also provide services and support for caregivers and family members . Eileen Craig spent most of her career as a nurse and is now the Program Coordinator for Taos Cancer Support Services . Victoria wanted to make sure that Eileen was recognized , by saying , " Eileen is amazing , she supports us every step of the way and is always there to guide us and help us better understand our circumstances . Eileen has a way of bringing things into perspective and helps you process your journey . " Taos Cancer Support services is a free service provided by Holy Cross Medical Center . " I am grateful that a small town like Taos has this kind of offering . It seems like the community that we have created through the cancer support group , you wouldn't be able to find everywhere . " said Molly . Each year , Taos Cancer Support Services supports over 100 members of our community affected by cancer and the services are completely free . You can help support this great program by taking part in FOR THE HEALTH OF IT !, A 5k walk and health fair happening this Saturday , June 24th at Kit Carson Park . If you can't take part in the event , you can also support by donating to the cause . Visit www . TaosCancerSupport.org for more information .