Breast Care Kuwait Patient Support Workshop. Picture Credit: Carol Jabari 2009In February, Breast Care Kuwait held a regional conference on breast cancer support groups. The two-day workshop demonstrated the importance of psychological support during cancer treatment and provided guidance on starting a group. Debby Stewart, a coordinator for the Johns Hopkins Breast Center Survivor Volunteer Program in Baltimore, Maryland, attended the conference and was kind enough to share her experience at the conference below.
"I have been a coordinator for the Johns Hopkins Breast Center Survivor Volunteer Program for nearly five years. The program started 11 years ago when Lillie Shockney, a fellow Hopkins nurse, saw a need to support women with breast cancer....
She started with five survivors who volunteered to provide support for breast cancer patients. The volunteer program grew to over 30 passionate, well trained women whose mission is three-fold: to make a difference for women newly diagnosed, to educate the community on breast cancer awareness, and to advocate and support research and breast health initiatives. I came to the Hopkins Survivor Program because I am a 30-year breast cancer survivor. I was first diagnosed in 1979 at age 25 when breast cancer was still a taboo subject and people were just beginning to talk about the disease publicly. A few brave women shared their stories in magazines and television interviews, but there were no Komen or pink awareness ribbons to spread awareness. When I first learned I had cancer, I was shocked and devastated to lose my breast, but my husband, family, faith, and friends saw me through. It was my experience with a volunteer, a survivor, who helped show me that that there is life beyond cancer. That made me want to support other women.
Dr. Nouralhuda Karmani, the Founder of Breast Care Kuwait, asked me to speak at her workshop on breast cancer survivors, which was held in conjunction with the first annual Kuwait Breast Diseases and Oncoplastic Reconstructive Surgery Conference. I accepted her invitation because I am excited to tell others about the success of the Hopkins model and share stories about the amazing volunteers with whom I work.
The first day of the workshop began with a quick breakfast and a review of plans with Carol Jabari. Carol is an American-born nurse, who lives and works in East Jerusalem, her home of 20 years. She has been involved in breast cancer issues, including establishing a support group of volunteers seven years ago—no easy task. At the conference, the two of us took turns presenting information on our respective programs. It was an honor to work with Carol who is recognized as a leader in nursing and in the U.S.-Middle East Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research.
On the second day, we presented our respective support programs to doctors and survivors. Carol began by describing the program she leads. I followed, explaining Lillie's vision and the steps she took to "prove" that the program works to people who were originally skeptical of the idea, including our radiologist.
In the afternoon, Carol and I met with the survivors again. I was pleased to see so many potential volunteers, both breast cancer survivors and family members. We formed a circle of chairs that quickly filled with women in both traditional and western clothing. Before we knew it, those in traditional dress unveiled to reveal their lovely smiles. Using microphones and earphones, our English and Arabic was translated to enable smooth communication.
We asked the group to share their personal breast cancer stories. One woman described her experience and how she was supported throughout the process by her family. Another described the importance of a survivor volunteer from the U.S. who changed her treatment perspective and gave her a more hopeful outlook. Two women had started speaking out about their breast cancer experience in their country (Saudi Arabia)—one was “breaking the silence” and the other had started a support group. Another woman shared that she cried even after treatment ended. These women wanted to share their stories, emotions, and what they had learned. What an amazing experience for me. I thought this is no different than when we gather for our retreats and support groups in the U.S. Here, a world away from mine, I once again felt the courage and witnessed strong women weaving their lives together through their shared experiences. We are women on a mission, women living life with its struggles and uncertainties, making sense of it all.
With some patience and obstacles to overcome, I suspect that this group will form into a volunteer team. They have support and direction from Nour as everyone figures this out together. It is open to possibilities. I am very excited for them. Maybe this is how Lillie and her first volunteer, Judy, felt 11 years ago. First a vision, then a movement filled with stories and passion to make a difference.
Like Lillie Shockney, Dr. Karmanhi has a vision and an unstoppable drive. The volunteers will continue to find their voices to share beyond their group to serve others. Diagnosed with breast cancer 30 years ago, I see Kuwait at a similar point. But I believe they will move rapidly into an era of awareness. As a former volunteer, I hope they find that giving of themselves is rewarding and meaningful, and that this work becomes accepted among cancer survivors and their families."
Dr. Nouralhuda Karmani, the Founder of Breast Care Kuwait, asked me to speak at her workshop on breast cancer survivors, which was held in conjunction with the first annual Kuwait Breast Diseases and Oncoplastic Reconstructive Surgery Conference. I accepted her invitation because I am excited to tell others about the success of the Hopkins model and share stories about the amazing volunteers with whom I work.
The first day of the workshop began with a quick breakfast and a review of plans with Carol Jabari. Carol is an American-born nurse, who lives and works in East Jerusalem, her home of 20 years. She has been involved in breast cancer issues, including establishing a support group of volunteers seven years ago—no easy task. At the conference, the two of us took turns presenting information on our respective programs. It was an honor to work with Carol who is recognized as a leader in nursing and in the U.S.-Middle East Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research.
On the second day, we presented our respective support programs to doctors and survivors. Carol began by describing the program she leads. I followed, explaining Lillie's vision and the steps she took to "prove" that the program works to people who were originally skeptical of the idea, including our radiologist.
In the afternoon, Carol and I met with the survivors again. I was pleased to see so many potential volunteers, both breast cancer survivors and family members. We formed a circle of chairs that quickly filled with women in both traditional and western clothing. Before we knew it, those in traditional dress unveiled to reveal their lovely smiles. Using microphones and earphones, our English and Arabic was translated to enable smooth communication.
We asked the group to share their personal breast cancer stories. One woman described her experience and how she was supported throughout the process by her family. Another described the importance of a survivor volunteer from the U.S. who changed her treatment perspective and gave her a more hopeful outlook. Two women had started speaking out about their breast cancer experience in their country (Saudi Arabia)—one was “breaking the silence” and the other had started a support group. Another woman shared that she cried even after treatment ended. These women wanted to share their stories, emotions, and what they had learned. What an amazing experience for me. I thought this is no different than when we gather for our retreats and support groups in the U.S. Here, a world away from mine, I once again felt the courage and witnessed strong women weaving their lives together through their shared experiences. We are women on a mission, women living life with its struggles and uncertainties, making sense of it all.
With some patience and obstacles to overcome, I suspect that this group will form into a volunteer team. They have support and direction from Nour as everyone figures this out together. It is open to possibilities. I am very excited for them. Maybe this is how Lillie and her first volunteer, Judy, felt 11 years ago. First a vision, then a movement filled with stories and passion to make a difference.
Like Lillie Shockney, Dr. Karmanhi has a vision and an unstoppable drive. The volunteers will continue to find their voices to share beyond their group to serve others. Diagnosed with breast cancer 30 years ago, I see Kuwait at a similar point. But I believe they will move rapidly into an era of awareness. As a former volunteer, I hope they find that giving of themselves is rewarding and meaningful, and that this work becomes accepted among cancer survivors and their families."
-Deborah Stewart is a coordinator for the Johns Hopkins Breast Center Survivor Volunteer Program in Baltimore, Maryland
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment