In 2020, we lost so many beautiful precious souls from the MBC Community and I really struggled. I wrote about losing my dear friend, Emily Garnett, in a post earlier this year called Love and Grief; Grief and Love and there are so many others we’ve lost since then. As I was searching for some sort of meaning and how to create meaning about this huge loss, a friend of mine, Alyson Tischler, commented on a post of mine on Facebook with the concept of Disenfranchised Grief. This concept blew my mind and really resonated with me at a time when I really needed a way to process how I felt and feel about losing people in the MBC Community.
While I would definitely give the small amounts of enlightenment I’ve reached in a minute if that would mean I’d get to see important people again, the experience of loss has meant that I’ve had to find other ways of coping. Alyson and I founded a Facebook group called MBC Grieving Together, which provides the space for those of us in the MBC Community to talk about, honor those we’ve lost, and grieve together in a private place. Another way to take this loss and turn it into something meaningful has been to create a webinar series targeting the questions and concerns and planning at the end of life.
I’m beyond thankful to Laura Carfang with SurvivingBreastCancer.org for partnering with us and providing the platform and technical know-how to facilitate sharing the valuable information shared by all of the panelists! I’m so thankful for good friends with resources who are willing to share and partner and go along with my crazy ideas. 🙂
For 2020, we were able to highlight the following panelists and topics — once the webinar has occurred (and it streams live on Facebook), the audio is then repurposed into podcasts, which are released in the weeks after the webinar itself, so if you don’t see a link below and want to listen to one of the amazing webinars, check back here in the coming weeks.
August 10, 2020 — TNBC & other Living with MBC Issues — Alyson Tischler
October 5, 2020 — Anticipatory Grief — Amanda, Ginny and Ann — and Part II, since we covered so much!
November 2, 2020 — Estate Planning — Anna Spencer, Esquire and Part II, which addresses the issues arising after death.
November 15, 2020 — Hospice v. Palliative Care, Part I — Dr. Medina, Jennifer O’Brian, and Marianne Sarcich and Part II (since we talked about so many amazing things!)
November 29, 2020 — Hospice v. Palliative Care, Part II — Matt Whitaker and Deedee; Part II
December 13, 2020 — Caregiver Experiences — Jennifer O’Brian & Valerie Armand; Part II and Part III.
December 27, 2020 — Planning for Death/Death Literacy — Valerie Armand & Christina Andreola
With all of these amazing webinars already done, we are looking forward to 2021 and all of the amazing people who have agreed to be a panelist and share from their experiences. As always, if any of you have questions or ideas, feel free to comment below or send me an email!
No Half Measures 
What a wonderful idea!
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Thank you!!
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re: your request for input about grief……… I deal with mine, as a Christian, by leading 13 week peer grief support groups using a non-denominational, Bible based grief curriculum my church purchased via GriefShare.org Because we now meet on zoom, their friends and relatives in other states can also be in the group which can be helpful. In addition to people from the church and people from the community at large, I’m also able to reach out and include those in the SWFL MBC community when I know they’ve had a loved one transition either as a mets sister or as a spouse, friend or relative.
I’ve often thought of asking the GS organization to consider Morphing their curriculum for terminally diagnosed people who need help coming to grip with their own prognosis. So far, it’s been difficult here in SWFL to even get my MBC peers to want to visit palliative care -well ahead of when it’s needed- just to know what they offer………. My suggestion to invite Hospice to a support group just to share what they have to offer totally freaked out several in the group. Indeed, when newcomers have been on a zoom call and heard someone share she’s had progression they stop coming……..which is why I asked Janice Cowden to start a “newbies” MBC group……which I’m grateful you’ve joined her in doing.
Thank you for the innovation and wisdom you bring to the MBC community!
Peggy
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This is wonderful! I’m so glad you have been able to use your gifts and talents to serve others going through grief. I think people are only ready to hear about next steps at their own pace which is why the webinar format has been helpful since it can be accessed remotely anonymously and at any time. I personally like to be over prepared so it’s been helpful for me as I moderate since I learn every single time. Appreciate you reading and commenting and I’m always open for new topics!! ❤️
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Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
LEARNING AND CARING….FOR A NEW LIFE PREPARING ❤
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Thank you!!
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Yuppers!
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Thank you for including me! 🙂
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