How Community Support Networks Shaped My Journey Through Cancer Care

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

August is World Cancer Support month, and a time to honor the quiet strength of caregivers and the communities that lift them up. As a 22-year breast cancer survivor, I know firsthand the power of support both in receiving it and in giving it. My journey with cancer didn’t end when my treatment did. Instead, it opened a new chapter, one defined by building connections, supporting others, and ultimately, caring for my parents as they faced their cancer battles.

After finishing treatment, I joined forces with my oncology nurse practitioner, Karen, to found two cancer support groups in our community. We opened our doors to survivors and caregivers alike, recognizing that cancer doesn’t just affect one person; it touches families, friends, and entire circles of care. Over the next 12 years, our groups became a haven for sharing, learning, and healing. We celebrated victories, mourned losses, and leaned on each other through every stage.

It was through these groups that I learned the true meaning of caregiving. Listening to participants share their stories, struggles, and small triumphs, I gained a deeper understanding of what it means to walk alongside someone facing cancer. I learned about patience, resilience, and the importance of simply being present. These lessons would become my lifeline when my family needed me most.

In 2014, my father was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. The news was devastating, and we quickly realized our time with him would be short. When my mother was diagnosed with esophageal cancer just a few years later, my sisters and I knew we would have to draw on everything we’d learned. For two years, we became her caregivers, taking her to treatments and doctors’ appointments, managing medications, and offering comfort in whatever way we could.

Some moments remain etched in my memory. One day, as my mother lay in a hospital bed, I crawled in beside her and simply held her. The room was quiet, heavy with the weight of unspoken fears. She looked at me and said, “It is hard to give up on yourself.” I squeezed her hand and replied, “You will know when it is time.” I had witnessed this moment before, as many survivors and caregivers in our support groups had shared their own stories of transition and acceptance.

When the time came, we brought hospice care into our home. The hospice team became part of our extended support network, guiding us through the final days with compassion and expertise. They walked us through administering medications, managing symptoms, and most importantly, honoring my mother’s wish to die at home. Their presence allowed us to focus on what mattered most: being together, offering comfort, and saying goodbye with grace.

Caregiving is not easy. It is physically and emotionally demanding, and the path is rarely clear. But it can also be deeply rewarding. Through the support groups, the wisdom of others, and the guidance of hospice, I found gratitude amid grief. I was able to help my mother transition with dignity, just as I had seen so many others do before her.

Looking back, I am grateful for the community that surrounded me, survivors, caregivers, nurses, and hospice workers who shared their knowledge and their hearts. Support networks are more than just a resource; they are a lifeline. They remind us that we are not alone, even in the most challenging moments.

If you are caring for a loved one with cancer, I encourage you to reach out, share your story, and lean on those who have walked this path before. There is strength in community, and together, we can find hope, healing, and even gratitude in the journey.

This piece reflects the author’s personal experience and perspective. For medical advice, please consult your health care provider.

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