Plymouth Magazine-Fall24-DIGITAL - Flipbook - Page 10
Cancer Care Beyond Treatment:
Plymouth’s Cancer Support Group
By Jeff Grimes (he/him)
A personal story. It was spring 2020,
the year I turned 80, I was on a crosscountry bike ride, California to Florida.
We had travelled 900 miles, almost to
Waco, Texas when covid hit America.
Everything shut down. Bummer, I
thought. I flew home. A few months
later, in June, lymphoma cancer was
diagnosed which had metastasized, Stage
IV. In retrospect it was a blessing that the
3,000-mile bike ride was disrupted.
More blessings awaited in the form
of outstanding oncology doctors and
nurses, 600 hours of chemo infusion, and
six planned hospitalizations over four
months. There is a personal side to cancer
that extends beyond expert medical help.
Thankfully, in the fall of 2020, under the
dynamic leadership of Frank Thomas,
Deb Brookhart and LeAnn Stubbs a
cancer support group was launched at
Plymouth. Meetings were every two
weeks on Zoom. I had a deep need to
connect with others coping with cancer.
This support group met that need for me
and others.
You or someone you know may have
cancer. Information about this support
group could be helpful. Gatherings
are on Zoom, 60 minutes, every two
weeks, year-round and occasionally
face to face. This support group is a safe
place where trust builds as experiences
are shared with others who are coping
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with cancer. This is not a pity party. It
is honest communication with people
who understand and care about you,
your recovery, your joys and challenges.
Cancer, like ice cream, comes in different
“flavors”. Some group members have
experienced breast cancer, prostate,
sarcoma, leukemia, lung, throat,
lymphoma and brain cancer. Some
folks are in active treatment, some have
completed treatment and are in the
follow-up process. The group, currently
has nine members, including caregivers,
those who support one with cancer,
which is a significant challenge. The
Plymouth support group is a blessing.
Each group gathering begins with one
person offering opening words, which
may take the form of a prayer, poem or
meditation and are intended to coalesce
the group. I wrote these poems to
acknowledge the wisdom of support that
emerges and how faith fits into life and
strengthens the process.
Plymouth’s Cancer Support Group
Plymouth’s Cancer Support Group is
open and welcoming for anyone coping
with cancer and/or their caregivers.
To explore the process, to gather more
information, contact Deb Brookhart, the
group facilitator (dbky95@msn.com) or
speak with any of the pastoral staff.
