7 December: PCCN Support Group Meeting

At the December meeting of the Greater Moncton Prostate Cancer Support Group, we had 18 people there which we thought was excellent.  The visitors and most of the info gatherers from November were not back and we didn't expect them to be.  And this time we had just Barb and one other spouse, but we'll continue to welcome others.  Our focus was on shared stories and that seemed to go over well.  We had Graham who had surgery last year, Gord who had radiation eight years ago and has a rising PSA now, and me who followed active surveillance for almost three years and now will have surgery.  (The speakers were our steering committee men).  Because our group was smaller, men seemed quite willing to ask questions and make comments and they are just now getting to know each other a bit.  We waited until 8:15 to have our coffee break and then I rallied them back together to go over upcoming events, discuss the handout etc.  There was considerable interest in the Stride underwear samples we got in Halifax- we distributed the $3 off coupons good till the end of the month.  The men's products are not yet available at Shoppers, but the prices on line are in Canadian funds.  I talked to the Stride marketing person yesterday.  We are going to have a January meeting on the 4th, and a Saturday morning get-together on the 7th to hear Dr. Rob Rutledge.

According to my membership list, we now have 30 prostate cancer survivors on our roster and this will be so great for an ongoing group.  We left the Y with a very positive feeling about the evening and the group