Support Groups
Girlfriends with Gratitude
Young Women's Support Group Meeting

Dr. Lisa Curcio partners with several organizations that offer support for cancer patients, but she’s discovered very few resources for breast cancer survivors under 50 and decided to act and form a young women's support group with Dr. Lisa Curcio.  Candi Whurman, a Transformational Healing Coach who holds an M.A. in Spiritual Psychology and specializes in spiritual guidance facilitates the meetings. Candi acts as a facilitator only as the guidelines and focus of the group is determined by the participants and their individual needs.

Dr. Lisa Curcio understands that there is a great need for a Young Woman’s Cancer Support Group as the issues for women under 50 can be quite different than those diagnosed at older ages. Girlfriends with Gratitude strive to:

•  Offer a comfortable and safe setting for women to meet.

•  Offer support to one another in a group experience.

•  Focus on continued individual healing processes and enlightenment.
  
  While the conversations can be serious, they hope to bring fun and social aspects to the group as well. 

Join us for our monthly (third Thursday's of the month) Young Women's Breast Cancer
Support Group Meetings.  All meetings start at 6 pm and are held in our Mission Viejo office.
  Call, 949.770.0797, for more information.
 

Welcome!  Kelley Yasbek, MS, Patient Advocate  
Kelley’s focus is addressing the emotional well-being of our patients. Kelley provides psychosocial interventions for patients. Kelley provides practical and emotional support to our patients and their loved ones during all phases of their journey, including pre- and post-diagnosis, pre- and post-surgery, and pre- and post- radiation and/or chemotherapy. Kelley is available for initial consultations in Dr. Lisa Curcio’s practice. Call, 949.770.0797

Patients experiencing uncomfortable levels of depression, anxiety, body image or relationship issues can be seen on an ongoing basis at Kelley’s private practice in nearby Laguna Hills.  Kelley will also soon be launching a series of support groups, including one for couples dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis and one for male caregivers.  For more information on Kelley’s practice or to set up an appointment, contact Dr. Curcio’s office or see Kelley’s website at www.survivorsupportnow.com.

NEW!  For Men Only Support Group Forming. A support group for male partners of women with breast cancer. Kelley
Yasbek, MS is leading this support group to assist male caregivers.  Session will be meeting every other Thursday, beginning December 1, 2011 2011, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM.  Held at Therapy Associates, 23193 La Cadena Drive, St. 104, Laguna Hills.  Cost is $20 per session.  Contact Kelley at 949.338.0908 for more information. Email Kelley at kelley@survivorssupportnow.com

Thank you to Moms with Cancer for their contribution to our organization.  Moms with Cancer
are donating a portion of their sales from the wonderful book, "My Cancer Mom," by Taylor Rice
 to our organization. To learn more about Moms with Cancer, visit:  www.momswithcancer.org

Meet the mYoung Women's Support Group Members
Girlfriends with Gratitude
 

Mindy, Lake Forest CA
"Co-Survivors working together to help each other survive, talking, listening and learning."
 
My breast cancer was found on March 2006. Three doctors examined me and I was told by my regular doctor that he didn't find a lump and there was nothing wrong. I insisted on a mammogram and the lump was found in my right breast behind the nibble.  The only way to find it was a mammogram. In May I underwent a lumpectomy performed by Dr. Curcio on my right breast. I subsequently received chemotherapy and 32 treatments of radiation. I finished my last radiation in January 2007.

My recommendation for women undergoing treatment is to say busy, get a job or do volunteer work. This helps you get over and past your treatment. After treatment you will find or start thinking what to do now. Eat right, exercise and don't let stress yourself out! Don't dwell on the past.  Live everyday like it is your last. Spend as much time as possible with family from parents, sisters, brothers to children.  Embrace everyday with a welcome! 

Laura
"Do self breast exams every month and if you feel something, don't be afraid to get it checked out, it could save your life!"

I went in for my annual well women check-up in December 2005 and all was well. In January 2006, I had my annual mammogram and all came back okay.  In early May 2006, while taking a shower I felt a lump in  my right breast, I immediately called my gynecologist office and scheduled an appointment.  I saw the nurse practitioner and she advised me to schedule an appointment at the Susan B. Komen Breast Center, which I did. Two weeks later, after having four or five mammograms on both breasts, I was asked to come back to the exam room.  I had an ultrasound guided needle aspiration biopsy and two days later I had a breast MRI.  With my results in hand, I was diagnosed by Dr. Curcio with invasive ductal carcinoma.

In June 2006, Dr. Curcio performed a bilateral mastectomy on me.  I choose to have a bilateral mastectomy because I wanted to do everything possible to minimize any chance of reoccurrence and never have to deal with this again!

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OTHER SUPPORT GROUPS:  MEMORIAL CARE MEDICAL SYSTEM
Women's Cancer Support Group
Saddleback Heart Institute & Wellness Center
24401 Calle de la Louisa , Suite 200
Laguna Hills, CA 92653

Meets the second and fourth Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8:00 PM.   Call:  949.452.7207

Led by a registered nurse and a licensed social worker. When there is a fifth Tuesday in the month, we have a social meeting at a local restaurant.

The Journey: Breast Cancer Support Group
Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center
Conference Rooms A or B & C
9920 Talbert Avenue
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
714.378.7950

Join the support group meetings held on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month from Noon to 1:30 PM.

This is a special group for women at any stage of the breast cancer experience, as well as their female family members and friends. This group provides educational information, supportive discussion and embraces vital breast cancer issues and concerns. Please call Dani Daniels, LCSW, at (714) 378-7950 for additional information.

PLEASE NOTE: 

Speaker's Information: As a breast cancer survivor and breast cancer surgeon, Dr. Lisa Curcio is available to share her story. Dr. Lisa Curcio is a strong advocate for breast cancer research, treatment and education. If you would like Dr. Lisa Curcio to speak with your group, organization or association, please call our office at 949.770.0797 and we would be happy to discuss your request.