I for one, do not envy our hard working and dedicated moderators. They must sometimes feel as if they are trying to herd cats, or nail jelly to the wall...so difficult. In a group as diverse as ours, our only common ground being this wretched disease, opinions and personalities differ greatly. There has been discussion and difference of opinion on a number of matters, one of which is language. There are a number of us who are not averse to using very ripe language as a stress reducing tool, it is part of our normal vernacular. However, there are some, of a more delicate nature who are deeply offended by this. Balance has to be achieved. There are some who feel that more or less support in the way of separate groups for different demographics should be catered for...but where does it end? A group for younger folks (how about one for the oldies), those who feel there should be one for the childless, as they feel unincluded. One for Christians...how about the Muslims, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, Agnostics etc... There has been discussion about costs of tests, treatments and drugs...who gets what at what price. Some rather iffy comments there too. Sometimes a person can get very enthusiastic and keen to share on something in particular, but it can come across as being somewhat zealous, and this can offend. I have, over the years, been doorknocked by groups of very nice, very zealous groups of people of a particular religious persuasion. They are deeply sure that if I would only read what they have to offer, I will gain Eternal Life. They are convinced that they are right and that my ignorance will be a death sentence to me. I make my choice and they make theirs. I feel as a group, we are all probably more informed than Joe Public on various matters relating to breast cancer and all it entails. We can indeed all read, and are (for good and bad), fully able to access all sorts of information via google. I found this group by googling "support groups online...breast cancer..Australia". So, one score in the positive for the Big G. Others have conferred with Dr Google to their detriment. They have looked up side effects of every drug recommended to them by their oncologists, to then go on and cherry pick what they will and won't have. Some have declined treatment and have chosen to eat kale and hop on the treadmill (so to speak). Some are happy with their decision, others have regretted it. There is no 100% right for everybody and no 100% wrong. We are all intelligent beings, and we each have to find our own path through this nightmare. We should feel free to express our individual opinions, but sometimes it's not what is said, but how it is done. and the old adage of "You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar" can apply. Thank goodness we are all so very different...it makes for a diverse and dynamic group.
