Support group formed for cancer survivors

Pat Peller

But Peller could deal with being scared -- scared of the treatments, the loss of work, and potentially the loss of his own life.

What was most difficult about being diagnosed with Leukemia, Peller said, was the lack of local support from people with whom he could relate.

For that reason, Peller is starting a Cancer Survivor's Hope Forum that will meet the third Thursday of every month at Heritage Medical Center.

"When you have cancer you have support, through your church, family and doctors, but they don't know what you're going through," Peller said. "Nobody knows how you feel."

While he received ample sympathy, Peller, when he was a cancer patient, received little empathy -- locally.

In 2006, Peller found out he had cancer and spent a good part of 2007 at Vanderbilt, fighting the life-threatening disease.

"At that time I would have liked to have had someone to talk to locally," Peller said.

Peller's new cancer survivor's forum is for people who are currently battling the disease and for those who have beaten it.

"I believe the day after you're diagnosed you're a survivor," Peller said.

While getting treated at Vanderbilt, Peller stayed at the Hope Lodge in Nashville for three weeks at a time, while receiving his treatments. His stay there made him realize the importance of having a support system comprised of fellow cancer survivors.

The Hope Lodge provides temporary housing for cancer patients receiving treatment in several U.S. states.

"It was a real positive experience," Peller said, about Hope Lodge. "No matter how bad a shape you're in you meet someone who's worse off ... but there was still nothing here locally," for Peller to utilize when breaking from treatments.

"After I got better I got more involved with the (American Cancer Society's fundraiser) Relay For Life," which this year will be held May 29 at the Bedford County Agricultural Center, Pellar said.

He talked to the regional director for the fundraiser about starting a local support group and she, along with Heritage Medical Center, thought it would be a good idea.

"Shelbyville has a support group for Alzheimer's but not cancer," he said. "This will be a classic support group" where anyone can share their feelings in a trustworthy environment.

Peller will be the group's facilitator.

Peller, a Michigan native who has lived in Bedford County for 22 years, is currently in remission. He works at a Murfreesboro milk delivery company and also serves as the mission delivery chair for Relay For Life.

The Cancer Survivor's Hope Forum meets from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday on the first floor of the hospital, in the training room located across from the elevators.

He says the forum is "an opportunity to share experiences, feelings and support shared by cancer survivors."

The group is independent of any affiliations and all cancer survivors are welcome.

Other meeting dates are April 17, May 21, June 18, July 16, Aug. 20, Sept. 18, Oct. 15, Nov. 19 and Dec. 17.

What you can do

The Cancer Survivor's Hope Forum meets from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Heritage Medical Center. For more information call 684-3359. For more information about Relay For Life, call Wendy Stacy at 224-0888.