BCNA Pink Peru Challenge

Thank you everyone on your advice, l have seen my surgeon and he has advised me not to go next year, wait until the year after when all of my ops are over and l have fully recovered. Bit disapointed but hey...l have waited this long whats another year :)

l hope you that are going have a fantastic time, let us know how you go please, would love to hear about it.

Go girls

Sharon

Hi Lynda,

Thank you for sharing your story with me. l am sorry to hear that you have tnbc, l don't know much about it. l love the way that you are getting on with everything, and even facilitating a tnbc group. l can't seem to get that drive yet, l didn't join a support group back when l found out l had cancer. l did try to but the lady that was running it was away & l had a lot of trouble trying to contact her replacement & gave up, l feel now that l should of kept trying but l feel that it is too late now. l think it would be so helpful being in contact with other women that know what you have gone through. l like the sound of your group focusing on health & exercise, l have become very lazy after laying round on the couch for 6 months as l felt very sick & joint pain during my treatment. l was diagnosed  HER2- positive cancer & l am finding the hormone treatment trastuzumab is making my joints especially in my legs very sore. l had my last iv treatment 3 weeks ago & now l have to take one tablet a day for the next 4 years. They say the side effects will ease but l have trouble even going down stairs, l am 55 years old but look like l am 95 the way l try to walk down them. l had a mastectomy  with a tissue expander inserted but have had a couple of infections, last time they cancelled my surgery for the implant to be inserted, am on antibiotics & l have no idea when l will have the surgey now. l am frightened that if l put down the payment for this challange that something will stop me from going or l will not be fit enough to do it. l wish you all the best for the future & have a great time at Machu Picchu, l might see you there yet.

Sharon

Yesterday I registered to do this Trek.  This is something I have wanted to do for a long time and did not hesitate when I was able to do something I have dreamed of, also to give back.  In 2011 I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer.  tnbc has a very high rate of reoccurrence, there is no target therapy and once treatment is finished there is no medication.  Relying on your own health and wellbeing is a must.  I facilitate a triple negative breast cancer awareness group, our focus is good eating, mindfulness and exercise. This challenge is a great way to promote what I believe in and our focus.  I am 59 years od age and am 3 years out from the hardest challenge of my life. Looking forward to preparing for this challenge and unite for a great cause.   Lynda

Hi guys,

I understand the concept of fundraising for trip costs is a tricky one to wrap your head around. We have found people look at this aspect very personally and there are a mix of people who do and don't fundraise for cost.

I personally believe that for our BCNA members, this is more than a holiday. This is about connecting with other women with a shared experience, about giving back, about raising awareness and also about committing together to a healthy and active lifestyle beyond breast cancer. These trips ultimately only improve health out comes into the future for participants, which is something we believe is very important to promote. With that in mind I don't see fundraising for trip costs, or even partial trip costs is something to feel negatively about. You are funding an amazing experience, yes, but these trips are for the mutual benefit of the participants and BCNA and we really encourage any woman who wants to set themselves a fitness goal or the next life challenge to get involved.

But again it is very personal and I understand the hesitation, it's complex.

Happy to discuss further if you want to chat about it. Give me a buzz on 03 9805 2556.

Cheers

Celeste

Hi again Sharon,

When you say "people who have been there", do you mean specifically people who have had a breast cancer diagnosis. The team at Inspired Adventures have been to Machu Picchu and run trips all the time, so will be able to give you much more detailed information about the trip, ground support available and the degree of difficulty. Every member of their fundraising and comms team also participates in the challenges. I would suggest you touch base with them directly if you have more questions about the degree of difficulty physically. However if you want to talk to someone specifically with a breast cancer history who has been, I only know of one other member. With your permission I could pass on your contact details for them to get in touch?

Cheers

Celeste

Hi Helen,

It is a lot of money to put down if we can't go, so l am struggling with this. l am happy to fund raise for the BCNA but having trouble thinking about fundraising for me to go on a holiday, what do you think about it?

Sharon

Hi Mary,

It is a lot of money to put down if we can't go, so l am struggling with this. l am happy to fund raise for the BCNA but having trouble thinking about fundraising for me to go on a holiday, what do you think about it?

Sharon

Hi Celeste,

Thank you so much for the information. It is a lot of money to put down for the dep & reg fee, and if for some reason l cannot go it's a lot to lose. It would still be interesting to hear from people that have been there.

Thanks Sharon

Hi again girls

As I said above, in the first instance consult your doctor about your own health and fitness, but below is some information I have about the trek from Inspired Adventures which may be helpful.

"The trek itself is 4 days long and covers a relatively short distance in total - 44km. The longest distance covered in one day is 16km which would mean being on your feet for up to 6 hours (with regular breaks).

 The most challenging aspect of the trek is the altitude and the team will get up to 4200m. Altitude effects everyone differently and is not something you can train for in Australia, however the itinerary is built so that the team have time to acclimatise prior to the trek.

 The Inspired Adventures Tour Leader will be continually monitoring the group for altitude sickness and encouraging regular breaks. The team will travel at a slow pace and it's not a race, someone will always be at the front and someone will always be at the back! Porters also carry the main luggage and trekking crew set up the tents etc.

 We believe with adequate training that most people can take on this challenge - it is not set up for super fit marathon runners etc."

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me!

Celeste x

Hi Girls,

I have asked Inspired Adventures directly to give us some further information on how challenging the Machu Picchu trek is, but my advice would be to seek the professional opinion of your doctor about whether or not you will be strong enough to participate.

In regard to fundraising. This is the third Inspired Adventure fundraising challenge for BCNA, and we have not had any participants struggle to meet the fundraising target. In fact most participants are very surprised by how generous their community are, and how quickly they see the total go up and up and UP.

You will be supported the whole way with a detailed fundraising plan and support from a Fundraising Coordinator to help you reach your milestones.

If you have more detailed questions about the trip itself, I would suggest touching base with Inspired Adventures on 1300 905 188 or email kate.o@inspiredadventures.com.au

If you have questions about the fundraising aspect or anything else BCNA related please get intouch with me and Ill be more than happy to help! charrison@bcna.org.au or 03 9805 2556

Celeste