Beyond Treatment: How Support Groups Helped Me Embrace My New Normal

Patti McGee is an author, a massage therapist and breast cancer survivor of 20 years. Catch up on all of Patti's blogs here!

When I first finished chemotherapy and radiation, there was an unspoken expectation from those around me: “You’re done! You’re healed!” But inside, I knew my journey was just beginning. The end of treatment wasn’t the end of cancer’s impact on my life; it was the start of navigating a new, uncertain normal.

In those early days, I felt an ache for connection, someone who could truly understand the invisible weight I carried. That longing led me to a local support group, and eventually, to co-chairing two groups myself. What I found in those rooms was more than just comfort; it was transformation.

Finding My People

Support groups truly became my lifeline. For the first time, I was surrounded by people who “got it”, not just the survivor’s guilt and fear of recurrence, but also the hot flashes and the daily balancing act between hope and worry. There was no need to wear a brave face or downplay my emotions; I could simply be and be understood.

I vividly remember struggling with survivor’s guilt, especially as I saw so many cancer patients not making it past those first five years. I even asked my co-chair, Karen, if we could invite a speaker who was more than a five-year survivor to inspire hope in others. Now, as a 22-year survivor myself, I understand deeply how vital it is to connect with newly diagnosed patients, to help ease their worries about the future and show them that long-term survival is possible.

Within these circles, I learned that healing looks different for everyone. Some of us focus on preventing recurrence, pouring energy into wellness and self-care. Others learn to live with metastatic cancer, finding ways to embrace life even as they manage ongoing treatment. There is no single right way to move forward, only the courage to keep going.

The Power of Community

What makes these groups so special isn’t just the shared diagnosis, but the diversity of experiences and the genuine care we offer one another. Survivors, caregivers and professionals come together, each bringing wisdom, vulnerability and hope. We laugh, we cry, we celebrate even the smallest victories.

For those who lack support at home, these communities become chosen families. We fill gaps that no one else can, providing a safe space to grieve, to vent, and to dream about the future. I’ve seen friendships blossom, burdens lighten and spirits lift, all because someone dared to reach out and say, “Me too.”

Embracing the “New” Us

Cancer changes us. It teaches us to cherish the present, to honor our feelings, and to recognize the strength in asking for help. Through my journey of co-chairing support groups and a Relay for Life, I’ve learned that vulnerability is a superpower. By sharing our stories, we empower others to do the same.

If you’re newly finished with treatment and feeling lost, or if you’re living with cancer and searching for connection, know this: you’re not alone. There is a community waiting to welcome you, to walk beside you, and to help you discover your “new normal”, whatever that may look like. I recommend reaching out to your local American Cancer Society or cancer center to locate a support group near you.

Support matters. It saves us, shapes us, and reminds us that even in our hardest moments, we are never truly alone.

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