Friday update 14 December 2018
Hello everyone,
Welcome to our last Friday update for 2018! With only 11 sleeps to go until Christmas it looks like lunch
at my place is almost set! See my checklist below
@socoda will be bringing cake @Annie C Christmas pudding (with traditional sixpences) @kmakm trifle & roast potatoes @SoldierCrab good alcohol @arpie Ukulele’s @Blossom1961 truffles @Giovanna_ BCNA Christmas roast and vegies and provide the afternoon
entertainment game of Tombola (Italian bingo) @wendy55 – Pavlova and Christmas bon bons @FYONA1 potato salad & baklava.
Its not too late to turn up on the day if you would like to attend, the more the merrier!
So looking forward to our virtual Christmas lunch everyone!
BCNA services over the Xmas period:
BCNA will be closed from COB Friday 21st
December and will reopen at 9 am Monday 7th January 2019. The Helpline will also be closed
during this period. The online network will be moderated as per weekend
moderation hours i.e. a couple of hours per day (morning and evening). During
this time Rosie and Giovanna will be taking a break from moderating. Riki will
be doing some shifts along with 2 other BCNAs staff, Carissa and Jenny so you
will see their names popping up over this period.
We understand that Christmas can be a particularly
tough time. Emotions can run high and we can react to things that we would
normally brush off. The online network has proven to be a fabulous place of
support over the Xmas period and can be a great place to vent about some of the
challenges of the holidays. Please be mindful of everyone’s need for a little
extra support during this time and the importance of the community as a
reprieve from day to day life. This may mean sometimes having to bite your
tongue and letting some things go. This can be hard at times but important in
protecting this space as a bit of a sanctuary.
If anyone needs additional help during this time, the following services will be open over the holiday period. Dont forget to check in with existing supports like family or friends, your general practitioner, medical team including breast care nurse, breast surgeon, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist or chemotherapy day unit. Your treating hospitals will also
have services available.
Beyondblue
Call 1300 22 4636 24 hours 7 days a week
Trained mental health professional
are available 24/7 either via phone or their website.
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
Beyondblue also have a list of national
helplines and websites
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/national-help-lines-and-websites
Cancer Council Helpline 13 11 20
Open 9 am till 5 pm during Christmas & New Year, closed only on public holidays
https://www.cancer.org.au/about-us/state-and-territory-councils/
Life line Australia
13 11 14
24 hours 7 days a week
Telephone crisis support
Coping with cancer and the holidays
While
the festive season is a happy time for many people, we know that it can also be
one of the most stressful times of the year.
For those that celebrate
Christmas, the day may be different in many ways this year. You may be coping
with decision-making, treatments and the general uncertainty associated with
this journey.
Some of our online
network members having been sharing how they’re approaching the festive season
this year in the conversation ‘This
Christmas I will be’.
Inspirational quote
Peace
Lies Within
We are
trying to get peace or happiness from outside, from money or power. But real peace, tranquility should come from
within.
Dalai
Lama
Wishing you and your loved ones a very merry
Christmas and prosperous New Year.
Hoping you have a wonderful day, doing what you enjoy the most with the people
you love to be with. Look forward to
bringing in the New Year with all of you!
Kind regards
Your mod team
Giovanna, Marianne, Rosie and Riki.
Comments
-
Thanks, Giovanna. Wishing you and the BCNA team a very happy and relaxing holiday break. Look forward to keeping in touch in the New Year. Di
2 -
My truffles are nearly complete for our virtual Christmas lunch. All rolled and just waiting to be dipped.0
-
Hmmm, may have to wait a bit later to dip. I just melted the chocolate whilst having a chemo brain moment. Burnt the chocolate in the microwave, pulled it out, the bottom of the bowl had melted, chocolate over floor, I stood in it, burnt my foot, spent time running my foot under cold water not sure whether to laugh or cry. Went for the laugh. Just as well my feet are calloused, not nearly as bad as it would have been otherwise.0
-
0
-
Ouch! You need a pre-Christmas glass of bubbles - I'll crack one open for you!0
-
Thank you arpie and sister. It actually happened but my good ole callouses came to the rescue. Feels fine now and we are all laughing about it. Enjoy those bubbles on my behalf sister. I had an interesting night last night at ED for other issues so may have to get stuck into some of my adult only truffles. I haven’t tasted them yet so no time like the present.3
