Rayma Scalzo
Twenty-three years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was a frightening experience. I started attending a support group in downtown Phoenix and realized how important it was to know I was not alone. When I moved to PebbleCreek in 1995, I decided that I would form a support group to help others during their journey through breast cancer treatment. It has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
I believe some people are afraid to attend a support group because they feel it might be a place where people come to cry and feel sorry for themselves. It is my goal to make sure the meetings are uplifting; a place where one can learn from each other, share feelings and feel good when leaving the meeting. It is my belief that the two testimonials mentioned below represent the feelings of most of our members. I left their names off due to privacy issues.
“I found the meeting to be most uplifting—all those people who shared their experiences that ended up with positive results. What I saw were people who care for each other, support each other and who love each other throughout the journey. Another big blessing is the doctor who so willingly shares with people his knowledge and insight—that is a true gift. How joyful to know he is a part of the supportive meeting.”
Member
“Your group certainly makes me appreciate how important it is for those of us who have ‘been there and done that’ to come to meetings and give support to others. I think some people feel that attending the meetings long after they had breast cancer is not beneficial to themselves or others. I used to think that I stayed involved because I felt indebted to the group but really it is much more complicated. I get a lot of satisfaction from being part of the sisterhood. It is not something I’d wish on anyone but breast cancer changed my life—I think for the better.”
Member
Our next meeting will be Thursday, November 19 from 10:00 a.m. to noon in the Milan Room at Tuscany. Dr. Rich Shildt, Oncologist, will be there to answer your questions. Following the meeting we go to lunch at Toscana’s Grill where we can get to know each other better.
For more information, please contact Rayma at [email protected] or call 623-935-1819.
If you have recently been diagnosed and have not undergone treatment yet, I have a wonderful pillow for you that will make your recovery from surgery more comfortable.
The PebbleCreek Quilters so generously make these for us. Thank you, quilters!