Support Group Helps Men Cope with Prostate Cancer
(Left to right): Art Krueger with Patrick Plumeri, MS, LFMT, a medical family therapist, at Duke Cancer Center Raleigh.
Eight years ago, Art Krueger had to navigate the complexities of prostate cancer alone after he was diagnosed just five days before his wife passed away from brain cancer. Fortunately, he became involved with the support groups offered at the Duke Cancer Institute’s Patient Support Program. “I didn’t know that support groups existed for someone like me,” he said.
Support Group Provides Forum to Share Experiences, Advice
Hormonal therapy kept his prostate cancer in check for several years, until a scan three years ago revealed a metastasis. “It was kind of a gut punch to see the disease return.” That’s when he found the Prostate Cancer Support Group, part of Duke Cancer Institute’s Patient Support Program. The virtual group provides a safe space for men with prostate cancer to share their experiences, seek advice, and find solace in the company of others who understand their struggles and the kind of treatment decisions they must make.
According to Patrick Plumeri, MS, LMFT, a medical family therapist at Duke who facilitates the group with another Duke medical family therapist, John Schweichler, MS, LMFT, each session is a blend of structured discussion and open conversation. This allows participants to address their most pressing concerns. Topics range from managing the side effects of treatments to navigating the emotional complexities of a cancer diagnosis. The group also provides practical advice that might not be covered in a typical medical consultation. "For other men to go around the group and say this is what I do about it ... that's the kind of advice that you may not get from a doctor," Plumeri said.
Living Well with Cancer
Krueger includes the support group in his list of things he does to live well and survive while he has cancer.
“I don’t know where my disease might go, when it might flare up again, when I might have to take some other type of treatment,” Krueger said. “I have no control over that. I do what I can in terms of exercise, diet and proper rest. This support group is an added benefit which gives me somebody to lean on. Patients and families of people who’ve been impacted by these diseases form a connection that is pretty strong, whether it’s prostate, kidney, or brain cancer. People can say they understand it, but they don’t understand unless they have experienced it first-hand,” said Krueger.
Virtual Group Welcomes Patients and Loved Ones
The virtual group welcomes patients and their loved ones every fourth Monday from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. Learn more about and register for the virtual prostate cancer support group at Duke.
