On-Line Support Group for Recurrent Breast Cancer.
This program was started to help support you during this scary time. Sharing with others who have a recurrence can be helpful.

What happens in an online support group?
An online support group is very much like a 'face to face' support group. The online group has people who “talk and listen” to each other through the computer. The patients online have had their cancer come back. We come together to share our experiences, learn from each other, and provide each other with support.

What do I need to know about the SCCC group?
The patient group is an ongoing group. Participants can join at any time throughout the year. The group is led by an oncology social worker, patient and family counselor and/or a nurse psychotherapist. Group leaders are Sue P. Heiney, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN -- Manager of Psychosocial Oncology and Louise Stepp, LMSW, Oncology Social Worker.

The patient group is run as an online forum, meaning that the group meets by using the internet. You use your internet web browser to "talk to group members" and to respond to group member comments. To join the group you will need a web browser such as Netscape or Internet Explorer. You will need an internet service provider.

Online Support Group Guidelines
Please read the following guidelines and decide whether you can commit to a group at this time. To be in this group, you must:

  • Have recurrent breast cancer. Recurrent breast cancer may be local or systemic. Local recurrence means that the disease has returned to the breast, underarm lymph nodes or nearby tissues. Systemic recurrence means that the cancer has spread to distant organs.
  • Agree to try the group for at least 3 months and check in with the group at least weekly.
  • Agree to follow the group rules and privacy statement listed below.
  • Let the group leaders know if you want to dropout of the group.

If you have trouble understanding the discussion or need more information, send a message to the group leaders at: RecurringBreastCancer@palmettohealth.org

General Rules:

  1. Introduce yourself to others. When you first sign on, briefly share your story.
  2. Read each message carefully. Think before you respond or post a message. Ask yourself, do I really want to say this to the group?
  3. Reread what you wrote before you send it. Did you really say what you intended to? Once a message is sent, it can not be taken back.
  4. Try to express feelings. Use symbols to indicate feelings.
  5. To signal humorous intent, use some sort of "smiley", such as :-). Be careful how you use humor as it can be misunderstood.
  6. Share your thoughts. Just because you think everyone knows something doesn't mean they do. If you are unsure, send your message to the group leader who can determine if the information is valuable.
  7. Keep talking within the group. This means that you respect rules of confidentiality. You should not share anything you learn about other group members.
  8. Each person’s feelings, thoughts and experiences are important. Be respectful of other's opinions. Do not send “flames” or statements aimed to be hurtful to someone in the group. Sending such a message could cause the leader to request that you not be part of the group.
  9. Everyone has different experiences, thoughts and feelings. No experience, feeling, or thought is right or wrong.
  10. Offer support to fellow group member.
  11. Check in with the group at least weekly. Group members learn to count on each other and it is difficult catch up on what has gone on if a lot of time has passed since you last checked in with the group.
  12. If something in the group bothers you, please discuss it in the group or with the group leader rather than just dropping out. It may also be a concern of others that can be “ironed out”.

In addition to the rules for the group, we ask that each of you be polite and using web “manners”.

Privacy Statement
In order to use these forums, users are required to provide a username, password and email address. Neither the Administrators of these forums, or the Moderators participating, are responsible for the privacy practices of any user. Remember that all information that is disclosed in these areas becomes public information and you should exercise caution when deciding to share any of your personal information. Any user who finds material posted by another user objectionable is encouraged to contact us via email. We are authorized by you to remove or modify any data submitted by you to these forums for any reason we feel constitutes a violation of our policies, whether stated, implied or not.

This site may contain links to other web sites and files. We have no control over the content and can not ensure it will not be offensive or objectionable. We will, however, remove links to material that we feel is inappropriate as we become aware of them.

These forums give users two options for changing and modifying information that they provide in their profile:

The information you provide during registration is not outsourced or used for any advertising by Palmetto Health . If you believe someone is sending you advertisements as a result of the information you provided through your registration, please notify us immediately.

The facilitators of Palmetto Health's Support Groups have reviewed sources believed to be reliable in an effort to provide information generally in accord with acceptable standards at the time of posting. However, in view of the possibility of human error and changes in medical science, neither Palmetto Health nor the group facilitators nor any other party involved in the preparation or ongoing functioning of this group warrants that the information contained herein is complete, accurate or current and they are not responsible for any omissions for the results obtained from the use of such information.

Nothing provided herein should be construed as substitute for advice or treatment by a medical or health care professional. Any information pertaining to your health should be reviewed with your doctor.

Good faith has been taken to preserve patient information in the support group. However, Palmetto Health does not make guarantees in this regard nor to information communicated by and between participants in the support group.

Cookies must be turned on in your browser to participate as a user in these forums. Cookies are used here to hold your username and password and viewing options, allowing you to login.

If you have any questions about this privacy statement or the use of these forums, you can contact the forum administrator at: Info@palmettohealth.org
If you are interested in joining the group, please complete the following form:
ALL FIELDS MUST BE COMPLETED IN ORDER TO PROCESS FORM
First name:
Last Name:
Street Address:
City:
State: Zip:
Country:
Daytime Phone:
Email Address:
Please reenter you Email Address:
Your cancer doctor’s name
When you were diagnosed
When your cancer recurred?
Are you on treatment now? Yes No
If yes, what kind of treatment:
The hospital where you were treated:
Date of Birth: (MM/DD/YYYY)
Username you would prefer:
Password you would prefer:
Goal you have for being in the group:
Please type your message to the group leader here in 200 words or less: *This is optional

I agree to abide by the group rules and privacy policy listed above
and would like to join this forum.Yes