When Shirley Catron was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997, she realized it was going to take a lot more than operations and medicine to extract the disease out of her body.
What became more of a challenge was ridding herself of the mental and emotional strain the cancer would cause. Cancer-free for 15 years, Catron said the emotional scars from the disease ignited her passion to help others.
About four years ago Catron started a monthly support group that meets in the parish hall of St. John’s Catholic Church.
“I got to calling some people and it just kind of blossomed,” Catron said. “It is an informal meeting. We don’t take minutes, we talk and learn about how each of us is doing.”
To let Catron know her work and dedication doesn’t go unnoticed, the breast cancer support group members recognized their leader on Saturday with a card and gift certificate.
“Shirley does a wonderful job,” group member Carolyn Murphy said. “If it weren’t for her we wouldn’t have this. She checks on everyone.”
The group’s majority of cancer victims are women, though men, too, can contract the disease, and have been part of the group. Husbands frequently accompany their wives to the meetings.
At the meetings participants discuss their current status. They also sign cards for fellow cancer victims.
Each group member gets a prayer quilt from Susan Hoffmeier, which they are meant to tie while going through their chemotherapy and saying the prayers out loud.
Catron said the challenge to getting through tough times is staying positive.
“We come to these meetings and we cry, but we laugh, too. You have to have a positive attitude,” Catron said.
“It’s all about life, not death,” said St. John’s Father Miller.
Catron said the meetings also serve as a point of information.
A former member told the group about his visit to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, where cutting-edge experiments are conducted. Another member visited the center and said the treatments saved his life.
According to Catron, learning from each other what works, what doesn’t, and simply having someone to talk to helps much more than sitting in front of a computer and researching.
When Catron was diagnosed with cancer it began because of a routine eye exam. The doctor said something was going on with her body and she needed to see a doctor. Lo and behold, she had breast cancer.
It is tips like staying on top of all recommended exams that might cause awareness for someone in the group, and might be a key element for saving someone’s life.
The cancer support group meets the second Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church Parish Hall.
For more information contact Catron at 365-2992.
Cancer support group recognizes its own
