Hello There! My name is James and I'm a patient in the West Los Angeles Veterans Hospital. I attend group therapy twice a week and in my group are three gentlemen with various forms of cancer. Each of them have survived more than one recurrance. Two have had facial surgery that altered their appearance significantly. These two men have significant depression due to their appearance as well as the trauma of their illness. Remembering my father's fight with cancer I quickly asked if they had hooked up with any support groups that specifically addressed the physical appearance aspects of their past treatments. I was surprised, if not saddened, to hear that they had never heard of such a support group. I vowed to find something. That's where each of you come in. I find plenty of resources for the 3rd gentleman who has prostate cancer. But I am having trouble locating support groups that deal with the physical alteration and self-esteem issues. Remembering my father, tears came to my eyes when I heard these gentleman refer to themselves as "freaks" and the like. Nothing could be further from the truth but I understand how their self-image has "soured."
If you know of some groups you may email me directly. Since I'm in the hospital myself my access to the internet is irregular, at best but I will make sure that the information gets to these guys.

God Bless Each Of You!
James W. Green
[email protected]