Support Groups

Being well is about more than keeping our bodies healthy or undergoing physical treatment for our illnesses. Being well is also, to a great extent, about how we feel. Support groups give patients and their families an outlet for the feelings and emotions that may emerge as health issues arise. Support groups also provide a forum for learning from another patient's experiences or for sharing one's own story. Northwest Hospital & Medical Center offers a variety of support groups for people facing cancer, heart disease, and grief.

Better Breather's Club (Lung Club)
(for persons, families and friends affected by chronic lung disease) This monthly support group provides support and information about chronic lung disease. It is affiliated with the American Lung Association of Washington.

Offered: Second Monday of each month, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Call 206-368-1769 for more information.

Breast Cancer - A Healing Place
(for women facing advanced breast cancer)
In this support group, you will find an opportunity for sharing and receiving support while coping with advanced breast disease. Offered: Second and fourth Wednesday of each month, 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Call Denise Krouse MC, LMHC for a brief interview prior to joining, 206-920-5462 or dmkrouse@comcast.net

Cancer Lifeline Programs at Northwest Hospital & Medical Center The following support groups are offered in partnership with Cancer Lifeline. Cancer Lifeline provides a unique array of services – from support groups and classes to activities and presentations – aimed at optimizing the quality of life for cancer patients, survivors, families, and friends. Support groups are held on the Northwest Hospital campus in the Professional Building, Suite 3. Cancer Lifeline has 24-hour telephone support at 206-297-2500 or 1-800-255-5505. For more information or to sign up for support groups, please call the Cancer Lifeline at 206-297-2500.

Brain Cancer Support Group If you have been living with the effects of brain cancer and would like to meet with other survivors, family and friends, this group is for you. We welcome people with a primary diagnosis of brain cancer as well as those with brain metastases. No registration necessary. Offered every second Wednesday of the month from 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Sue Davenport, LICSW, OSW-C - Group Facilitator. Breast Cancer Support Group This free support group is open to all breast cancer patients, especially those who are newly diagnosed and undergoing treatment. Group members do not need to be receiving care at Northwest Hospital to attend. Although there is no set agenda, meeting topics often include: adjusting to breast cancer diagnosis and treatment; the effects of breast cancer on family and friends; and coping with the demand of work and home during treatment. No registration necessary. Offered every first and third Wednesday of the month from 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Kathleen Albin, MA  - Group Facilitator. Gynecologic Cancer Support Group For patients diagnosed with ovarian, uterine, cervical or any other type of gynecologic cancer, their family and their friends. Fourth Wednesdays, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m., Professional Building, Ste. #3. Colorectal Support Group Have you just been diagnosed with colorectal cancer or living with it for a while? The group offers information, education and support through speakers and sharing time. Both support groups are open to survivors, family members and friends. Come to either group or both! No registration necessary. Offered every first Wednesday of the month from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30pm. Sandi Johnson, MSW - Group Facilitator. Lung Cancer Support Group Do you have a diagnosis of Lung Cancer? Have you been looking for a place to connect with others living with lung cancer? This newly established group might be just what you have been hoping for. No registration necessary. Offered every second and fourth Thursday of the month from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Meg Sweeney, MSW & Ruth Berven, MA - Group Facilitators. Talk with a Lymphedema Therapist Join one of the Northwest Hospital’s lymphedema therapy staff and learn about resources for lymphedema treatment and management. This presentation is held prior to the Breast Cancer Support Group, Wednesdays, Jan 21, Feb 18, April 1, 3:30 – 4:00 p.m., Professional Building, Ste. #3. Focus on Prostate Cancer: What to Eat Now! Learn what foods and nutrients can help slow the progression of prostate cancer and reduce risk of recurrence. Kimberly Mathai, MS, RD, CDE, will explore how foods can protect healthy cells, and how to include these cancer-fighting food in everyday eating. Lindsay Gould Auditorium, Tuesday, Jan 13, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. BRCA 1 & 2: Can Your Genes Influence Your Risk for Cancer? Gain a better understanding of how your genes influence your risk for several common cancers including breast, ovarian, endometrial and colon. Howard Muntz, MD, gynecologic oncologist and surgeon, will help you learn how mutations in the BRCA genes can lead to breast and ovarian cancer and how a family history of colon cancer can put women at risk for ovarian and endometrial cancers. Women who have had one of these cancers, or anyone with a worrisome family history, are encouraged to attend. Lindsay Gould Auditorium, Wednesday, Feb 11, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Practically Perfect Meal Planning for Cancer Survivors Are you confused about how to plan meals that include cancer-fighting "superfoods?" In this hands-on class, brainstorm a week of meals using quick, healthy recipes that require minimal preparation. Lindsay Gould Auditorium, Tuesday, Feb 19, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Facilitated by Kimberly Mathai, MS, RD, CDE. Look Good, Feel Better This hands-on workshop includes a 12-step lesson in skin care and makeup application, nail care and a demonstration of options for dealing with hair loss and thinning. Participants in various stages of treatment receive makeover tips and personal attention from a professional with special training to meet their needs. This class is offered in conjunction with the American Cancer Society. Register by calling 1-800-ACS-2345. The Seattle Breast Center, Monday, April 27, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Visit our Events page for dates of additional classes offered by Cancer Lifeline on the Northwest Hospital campus.

Diabetes Support, Resources and Network
Join the diabetes instruction team to learn about and discuss topics such as: meal planning, blood glucose monitoring devices, weight loss, treatment for high and low blood sugars, medication management, dietary supplements, diabetes myth busters, monitoring for complications, and what’s new in diabetes research and technology.

	When:	Second Tuesday of each month 1 p.m. - 2:30 pm Third Thursday each month 7 p.m. - 8:30 pm
	Where:	Diabetes education classroom/TCU dining room
	Register	Call 206-368-1564 or click here to register online.

Grief Support Group
A six-week support group for those coping with the death of a loved one. In this safe and non-judgmental environment participants will focus on the normal aspects of grieving and the grief-work tasks, consider ways of providing self-care, and develop coping strategies for getting through difficult times.

Current group series: Tuesdays, 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. May 6, 13, 20, 27 and June 3 and 10
Next group series: Tuesday Evenings, 6:30-8:30 pm, on September 23rd and 30th, October 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th.

NOTE: Pre-registration is required.

Please contact the Spiritual Care and Bereavement office at 206-368-1891.

Listening Mothers: A Program of Family Services
Web site: www.Family-Services.org
Services: This Family Services program is a small-group program for new mothers and their babies (up to 8 months old). It is designed to help new mothers adjust to parenthood, and is led by a trained facilitator for 1 ½ hours each week for 8 weeks. Participants explore the complex range of emotions of motherhood. Topics include adjusting to the identity of being a new mom; how our own life experiences influence our parenting; how becoming a parent affects marriages and partnerships; emotional development of the baby; and parenting strategies. We have groups in Seattle and on the Eastside.

Contact: Veronique Burke, LICSW at 425-450-0332 or email listeningmothers@family-services.org

Mended Hearts
(for cardiac patients, family members and health professionals)
This group provides help in coping with the emotional aspects of recovering from heart diseases, and an opportunity to offer personal insights to help others in the coping process.

Offered: Third Thursday of each month, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Call 206-368-1564 for more information.

The Young Adult Stroke Survivor Support Group
This group for adults, their families and caregivers meets on the third Saturday of the month in the Northwest Hospital Easy Street section of the Rehabilitation Center, from 12:30 -- 2:30 pm. For more information, call (206) 361-2696.