Does anyone know of any good support groups (especially one where survivors reach out to those going through treatment. My dad really wants to talk with someone who has gone through the same or similar experience. Especially someone who has had the feeling of having broken glass in neck area. We are located in the New York area and would appreciate any additional info possible.
Thank you.

Check for groups at your hospital. Where I was treated they have special counselors for cancer patients to talk to.

We checked at the hospital they only meet once a month.

Geo,

This is the best support group you could ask for. Get him to the site. I personally have talked to many people from this site, from Moffitt and from reading my newspaper stories and TV and radio appearances. I'm sure he can find one or 2 on this site that will be willing to spend some off site time with him but I'm positive he would GREATLY benefit from interacting on this site.

Thanks. I'll do my best but he is not computer savvy and wants as little to do with them as possible. In the meantime, I guess I'll be the one trying to seek out all the answers,

Geo-
There should be someone at the hospital who runs the support groups(like a social worker), maybe they can put you in touch with one of the members who can meet with your dad in person so you don't have to wait for the meeting. There's a monthly support group out here and some members are always willing to talk in person with others. It's worth a try!
Melissa

You could also make a request on this site for anyone that may share his surgery and treatment to talk to him off site. I would/will but I didn't have any surgery so I could only address the concurrent rad/chemo.

If nothing else works then post his concerns/questions for him and print out the responses and let him read them. Maybe that will get him interested to begin posting himself.

When I was first out of treatment I was trying to find an oral cancer support groups and they are few and far between in our area. What did work was asking my RO nurse if there were any other patients that were further out from treatment that could give me advise. They found several for me that were willing to talk and that was very helpful. You might try that and see what they say. They contacted the person and then asked them to contact me if they felt like they wanted to - so no pressure on anyone.

Talking to someone that had been through this in person was encouraging - knowing they were doing well and back to a somewhat normal life.

Cindy

Thanks everyone. I will try all of the above suggestions. His main concern was the feeling of glass in his throat and I have heard from two members that they have experienced this.

Geo,

Bill spoke of razor blades...sounds like the same thing..very painful and warrants good pain control.

Stay strong,

Deb