Nicole:
I haven't attended any AN support group meetings but would consider it. The success of the meetings depends on who organizes them as much as the interest of the attendees. They can easily become 'pity parties' where folks just complain or where visiting speakers are really just selling something or an excellent source of information and support, as they're meant to be. Sharing doctor and other information on a local basis is very helpful. As a patient who had a good outcome to surgery and radiation, I'm not sure how much I would get out of such meetings because all I could do is offer encouragement, as I do here. However, on these forums - that reach people all over the country and, literally, the world - I feel I can do a lot more for other AN patients. Just my observation and, as I stated, I might consider attending a local meeting, however, the closest is almost 40 miles, one way, from where I live, so it probably won't happen, at least on anything like a regular basis. However, if a support group is close to you, I would suggest you attend a meeting and see what you think and if it could be helpful to you.
Jim
