Friday Update
Please say hello to @cupcakes, @shoshy, @kehpacrim, @monicasfootsteps, @nenemiles, @schwenki, @bridgie, @catnev, @michellebella, @danivh and all our new members. Welcome back to some of our returning members @faerie, @duchess, @tashie125 and @Cathleen S.
Community highlights
We want to hear from you! Get involved in the conversation here!
A number of our new members have shared their story in our "Newly diagnosed" category. Here are some you may have missed: Leave Me Breastless - Inspired by her own struggle to dress fashionably after her battle with breast cancer, Genevieve created a fashion blog for women who've had a double mastectomy. Read the whole story here.
Allow me to introduce to you Essie, a wonderful addition to the BCNA team. Essie has this message for all our
members.
I’d like to send a big THANK YOU to our wonderful supporters
that have made a gift to our current appeal, Breast Cancer Doesn’t
Discriminate.
The appeal has been drawing attention to the wide range of
people that breast cancer can affect. Many people think that it’s something
that only affects older women, however we know that breast cancer doesn't discriminate and can occur if you’re young, fit, male or have any kind of
cultural background. If you’re interested in reading some of the stories,
check out the webpage here.
All donations to this appeal
help us to continue to run programs that help thousands of Australians affected
by breast cancer access the support they need, free of charge.
- A gift of $60 can connect newly
diagnosed Australians with breast cancer support services in their local
community. - Support of $100 can buy free
telephone counselling sessions for people affected by breast cancer. - A donation of $200 can help BCNA
to create a dedicated outreach program to connect with Australians newly
diagnosed with breast cancer.
Whilst we’re yet to meet our target of $150,000 (we’re
currently at $106,185 and are hoping to get some more in the next week), all
our supporters that have made a wonderful donation are so appreciated! Thank
you! We truly couldn’t make the difference we do to women and men affected by
breast cancer without this support.
Seeking a group leader - Our "Living with metastatic breast cancer" group is in need of a group leader. If you're interested, please raise your hand or contact us.
News & events
BRECONDA breast reconstruction decision aid is LIVE. Click here for more information
Last year BCNA undertook a consultation project to better understand the
needs of men diagnosed with breast cancer. One of the main findings was
that men need information that addresses the specific needs and issues
they experience after their diagnosis. To better support men affected by
breast cancer we will be sending them a tailored version of the My
Journey Kit with two additional resources. If you or someone you know
would like to order the tailored My Journey Kit for men click here.
Men with breast cancer gene at risk of aggressive prostate cancer. Read the full news story here.
Four exercises to help you stay active this summer. Click here to read more.
2017 Inaugural Community Breast Cancer Update. Hosted
by the Garvan Research Foundation and sponsored by Estée Lauder Companies. Hear and interact with leading local and international breast
cancer researchers. To find out more about this Sydney event click here.
There is still time to join the group of
inspiring people taking on our 2017 Tassie Trek! During the seven day
Inspired Adventure you will take in Tasmania’s breathtaking landscapes
as you wind through lush rainforests and pristine coastline. For more
information on this rewarding challenge click here.
Congratulations to our Pink Sports Day ambassador Natalie Medhurst who has been
named as the West Coast Fever Captain! To read the full story click here. To find out about Pink Sports Day click here.
Happy year of the Rooster to everyone.
Have a lovely weekend.
Ann-Marie x
Comments
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Love the 4 exercises link. I was a swimmer and gym goer pre bc. I wasn't able to keep this level going during chemo but I did manage to do some mild exercise in a hydro pool in winter. I also did a program through the ymca for cancer patients and eventually the ywca encore program. All these things, doing it when I could most definetly has helped my recovery. I'm still on herceptin but have returned to lap swimming, aquafit, zumba and the gym. Whilst not at the same intensity or daily as yet, I feel myself reclaiming my life and fitness. Even on no structured exercise days I do laps of walking at work (big aircon building) or might do some walking on the treadmill at home. I found it has also reduced my anxiety and improved my sleep quality also. So that's a bonus in itself. I now think about exercising and my diet (I lost 18 kg which I stacked on during treatment) instead of just thinking about breast cancer. Yes...reclaiming my life and feeling so much better about my body, changed forever yes, but feeling okay about myself again.
Picture is of me after my 2nd Zumba class ..it was 36 degrees...so a cold shower was needed after. I managed 20 minutes straight up then sat every second song out for 60 minutes. My instructor is aware of my recovery needs. I'm 5 months following completion of chemo. Kath x
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Kath, look at you!!! Go girl!!! I think thats fantastic, you really are kicking butt now!!! It is a great feeling finally to be able to start exercising, for me too it has been a very long time and such a long recovery, gosh I pretty much had to learn to walk again thats how debilitated I was from Chemo. Yikes!!! Hugs Melinda xo1
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@melclarity yes...such a tough recovery. My eye opener for me was when I was on the floor stuffing a doona in my front loader and realising I couldn't get off the floor and everyone was in bed. Took me 20 minutes and tears. My legs were so weak. I started doing seated chair squats and step ups and walking for just 5 minutes at a time. By golly I got so weak. It's only the last month where I am feeling I can start to push things a bit so I can build more muscle. I needed a month of no exercise too only a month ago. Just walking at work and got a cleaner in. That rest was exactly what I needed. Everyone's recovery is different and we can only do what is best for ourselves.0
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Wow Kath you are looking great and glad the exercises and new fitness regime are helping you to reclaim your life xx0
