SUPPORT GROUPS IN MY AREA

HELLO ALL! I've just recently moved back to LA and was wondering if anyone knew any support close to where I live. I'm in a small town...Natchitoches... so I was wondering if there were support groups in Shreveport or Alexandria.... PLEASE, PLEASE let me know if you know of any... Thanks!!!

Sorry, I can't tell you of any there. There are two in Lake Charles. One is conducted by the surgeon himself. I am part of the one that is sponsored by Women & childrens hospital. Our group was invited to come to the other anytime or all the time if we wanted to. I went on Tuesday and the guy was wonderful. I plan to attend both. If you can't find any in your area, the one I am going to is 3rd Tuesday at 6 pm at women & childrens hospital. The one by the surgeon met at the same place last tuesday, and I don't know where normally, but in April they are having a crawfish boil on the front lawn of Women & childrens. I don't know the exact date, but if you are interested I will find out for you. I don't eat crawfish, so I probably won't go. My original group inherited a lady who had surgery in Ca. (There was talk about the two groups merging) There are plans to build a complex next to the hospital and to have a large room in it for the support meetings. My Dr. is Shimer. The Dr. that conducts his own support meetings is Dr. Chung. If either of my children have this surgery, they will go to Dr. Chung. He has an office manager who answers his calls 24 hrs a day. With my Dr. you get an answering service, and during the day his office staff or an answering machine.

I live in Ruston, and I know that there is a group that meets in Shreveport. I am not sure when or where, but they are the patients of Dr. Jones and Dr. Merriman. I'm sure that you could call either of those offices and find out when and where they meet. There is also a group in Monroe that I had intended to go to, but I can't remember when they meet!!! There are enough of us here in Ruston who have had surgery to have our own meeting, but no one has started one. I wish they would! Notice I said "they". I am too "lazy" to get it started myself!!! LOL I have no idea about Alexandria, but surely there is at least one there. I would personally think that Natchitoches is large enough to have one! Probably like Ruston, enough people, just no one willing to get started. Hope you find one that is convenient for you!! Pam

HI TEE, I DO KNOW OF 2 SUPPORT GROUPS THAT YOU CAN ATTEND IN SHREVEPORT. THE 1ST ONE IS EVERY 4 THURSDAYS (WHICH CAN BE 2 A MONTH) AT THE MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY CENTER OF LA. DR.'S JIM AND STEPHANIE BARNES ( WHO DID MY SURGERY) LOCATED AT 1534 ELIZABETH AVE. S'PORT, LA. 71101. 1-866-815-6472, CALL AND TALK TO MELISSA, TELL HER KIM TOLD YOU TO CALL FOR DIRECTIONS. ALSO THERE IS ONE MORE AT ANOTHER DOCTOR'S OFFICE......I AM NOT REALLY WANTING TO SEND YOU THERE.....DON'T THINK YOU WILL BE HAPPY THERE.....SO TRY WHERE I GO ......AND IF YOU WANT I WILL MEET YOU OFF I-49 AND WE CAN GO TOGETHER. I WILL ALSO GIVE YOU MY HOME AND CELL NUMBERS IN A PRIVATE EMAIL. YOU WILL BE VERY HAPPY COMING TO THESE MEETINGS.....MY DOCTORS ARE AWESOME NOT TO MENTION HE IS NOT BAD ON THE EYES FOR SURE....LOL..... SO LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I AM SENDING YOU A EMAIL AS WELL. WITH LOVE AND HUGS KIM