TABLE 1.

Theoretical Constructions, Themes, and Repeating Ideas (N = 9)

I. Social Acceptance
A. Being with those who are going through the same thing	89%
1. I heard everyone was going through what I was going through and people felt the same way I did (D.S.)
B. Feeling accepted within an otherwise isolating disease	56%
2. I know for sure I am not alone now (C.B.)
C. Feeling safe in the program	67%
3. Whatever you said in that room stayed in that room (D.F.)
II. Reciprocal Support
A. Support from peers	78%
4. You found something here they could not find no place else (J.S.)
B. Receiving support on many levels	89%
5. Verbally we were able to talk about things they could not tell other people be it their husbands, moms, pops or children (A.F.)
C. By helping other people i got something in return	100%
6. I found that they were there to listen to me. We helped each other (F.Q.)
D. Helping other people through example	89%
7. I was doing something for other people (J.P.)
III. Personal Growth and Empowerment
A. Feeling entitled enough to talk about disease	67%
8. Most people do not ask questions. I do not know whether we feel intimidated or we feel we are not going to know what they are talking about. The program made me feel like that is not true (D.F.)
B. Being part of project HARRT gave me strength	67%
9. It gave me confidence to look into more things because of the positive experience (#5)
C. Change in outlook	78%
10. I am a totally different person now (T.S.)
IV. Resistance and Other Challenges
A. Obstacles to accepting support	100%
11. Certain people were just in denial and nothing you can say is going to change that (V.M.)
B. Certain people you cannot help	56%
12. There was times when you could help certain people and certain people you cannot help (J.S.)
C. No control over loss	56%
13. It knocked me for a loop because it did not enter my mind like I said that I would lose somebody (D.F.)