Hearing a diagnosis of ovarian cancer is a cold shock to a system already under attack. Even after the horrible reality has sunk in after surgery to remove the tumor, the patient has a hard road ahead: chemotherapy; drugs to combat the side effect of chemo; seemingly endless trips to the doctor's office.
She doesn't have to take that road alone. The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition -- Pittsburgh Division, a group of survivors helping other survivors, offers a peer support program called Picking Up the Pieces, or PUP, sponsored through Magee-Womens Hospital.
"It began with some us wanting to talk to other girls who were newly diagnosed about some of the feelings of hopelessness and incredulity we felt in being part of this very exclusive girls' club," says Julene Fabrizio, vice president of the local NOCC chapter.
With input from Karen Cooper, an oncology social worker at Magee-Womens, a group of NOCC members took training in how to counsel women -- how to ask questions and "mostly just sit there and listen."
New patients are contacted by phone to see if they want to talk to someone. If they do, a sister survivor meets her in the chemotherapy infusion rooms at Magee to swap stories, hold hands, tell jokes or allay fears.
"We want women to know that other women have gone through the same feelings and have the same internal monologue in our heads. They need to know that they're not alone, because you have to go on and have a life. There is life after cancer," says Fabrizio.
To inquire about PUP, call 412-486-4952 or 412-641-4254.
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