“Go to a support group? – You’ve got to be kidding!” I thought. But a little voice inside me reminded me that amongst the vast pile of literature I had read since being thrust on the cancer trail there were a number of studies that showed that “cancer recoverers” who attended a support group had a better outcome – on average – than those who didn’t, So… having braved the surgeon’s knife and begun the awful roundabout of chemo – head-in-toilet bowl-feeling-dreadful-for- weeks – just-starting to-feel-human- when bam! Chemo again – head-in- toiletbowl-feeling-dreadful… ad nauseum (excuse the pun)… I thought, well, I’m prepared to try anything.  Somewhere amongst all my reading, I had seen a reference to Life Force – a cancer support group with meetings in Annandale… a mere 10-minute drive from my home, so… no excuse not to go. Headed out for my first group meeting (still feeling conspicuous in my scarf and hair-free head) …parked, watched people go into the building… strong urge to head back home (surely I must have left something on… unlocked… untidy…). I somehow plucked up the courage to venture in. Bit scary, that first entrance! Relieved once I was seated and could just melt into the group and listen to others talk. Reassured to hear others who were relative newcomers, and inspired by those who were obviously many years down the track.  By tea break, when we had the chance to chat one-to-one while we jostled for bikkies and teabags in the kitchen (looking desperately for a teabag with tea in it, not fruit peelings and “pip things” – my pre-herbal days!), the nerves had settled and I had a feeling that maybe, just maybe, I would be back the next week… And so, I discovered Life Force – and the wonderful “life force” that is Jilly Pascoe. I met some of the most inspiring, funny and courageous human beings I have ever had the privilege to know. I attended regular meetings throughout my 6 months of chemo and beyond and during that time also attended a fun-