A Northern Michigan Woman's Battle Helps her Help Others.
There's nothing like having a good friend to talk with and share what's bothering you, but it's even more valuable when that friend has been through the same thing.
That's why one northern Michigan woman has started a support group for breast cancer survivors in Cadillac.
And that's the subject of tonight's Buddy Check report.
Robin Mosher has been a mastectomy fitter nurse for more than 20 years. She has helped countless women become more comfortable with their bodies after surgery for breast cancer.
She says, "I find it's a role I really cherish to do from the start because we have a very strong history of breast cancer."
But 13 years ago her role changed with her own breast cancer diagnosis.
"It was really disbelief because I know I have a certain role in life. You have the role of wife and mother and customer service employee and fitter and I was supposed to stop at fitter. I wasn't supposed to become a patient."
While she knew a mastectomy was the right choice for her, it was her life after surgery that raised a lot of questions. Which experts say more common that people realize.
Social Worker Sheri Sheese says, the thing I think people need to understand when you come to the hospital it's a very short part of your actual treatment. That the rest of the day, the rest of the week you're out in the world , you're trying to do normal activities, you're trying to manage family life and social life and even work life and obligations. Having a chronic illness or a new onset of illness affects every facet of your life."
It was after her surgery that Robin saw her roles as patient and provider begin to merge.
Robin says, "I talked to some of the girls I'd done fittings for and I said let's get together because there's got to be questions you have too."
That's how this "Breast Friends" group began.
Robin says, "when you've just had breast cancer it's reassuring to talk to someone who's a 20 year survivor, a 10 year survivor, it let's you know and believe you are going to be a survivor too."
And that can be a motivator to better health.
Sheri says, "I think the attitude is one of the things you can notice. People in a support group have a little more hope because they've seen success stories or they have more information about what might be facing them based on where they are in their illness."
And that support can last long after their monthly meetings.
Robin says, "When we see each other in the grocery store or department store we have to hug each other. You're so thankful to be alive because you have faced a disease like cancer and you are walking around living your life. We're thriving."
That's Robin's motto, not just a breast cancer survivor, but a thriver. The Breast Friends group meets in Cadillac once a month. If you would like more information email Robin at rmosher@carelincmed.com
