Friday update 8 March 2019
Hello everyone,
Welcome to our Friday update.
Where have the last two weeks gone? It feels like only yesterday that Marianne
was getting ready to head to Nepal on her inspired adventure. We heard from Marianne during the week and
she is having an amazing time trekking in Nepal with a team of sixteen other
women. They recently held a mini field
of women in a Buddhist monastery which was a very moving experience for
all. Marianne will be back on deck at
BCNA next week.
I
wanted to share some feedback about the Online Network from ‘Carol’ (not her
real name), who recently contacted the Helpline. Carol talked about how
connected she feels to others in the online community despite being a “reader”
rather than a “poster”. While her own
breast cancer experience has been relatively straightforward, the discussion threads
have been a fabulous source of information and connection. The responses to
people posting about being newly diagnosed were particularly helpful. Carol participated
in the Encore program and met another community member who felt like an old
friend!
Carol’s
call reminded me there are many people who benefit enormously from the wisdom
and support shared in the Online community, and how it can create a sense of
belonging. Thanks Carol and thank you to the community.
Wishing you all a very happy International Women’s day today! Click here for more information
Community highlights
1. 27
year old lobular carcinoma
Great thread commenced by a new member @youngdogmum, who has been recently diagnosed with an invasive lobular
carcinoma. Good news to hear that the
breast cancer was an early stage and that a treatment plan is now in
place. Wishing you all the best with
your treatment @youngdogmum
2. No
‘kitchen sink’ or ‘throwing everything at it’ for me
Great thread commenced by @ValerieLouise
which raises the issue of breast cancer treatment in light of other chronic
health related conditions and making the best treatment decision for yourself
with the guidance of your medical team.
3. Baseline
measurement for Lymphoedema
Great thread
commenced by @Sister asking about baseline limb measurements prior to surgery
for early breast cancer.
While on the
Australasian Lymphoedema Association website, I found the following position
statement regarding monitoring for early detection of breast cancer related
lymphoedema which states that ‘All persons diagnosed with breast cancer should
have pre-treatment measurements recorded and should have similar measurements
repeated at 3 to 6 monthly intervals for the first 2 years post treatment.”
ALA Position Statement Monitoring for early
detection of breast cancer related lymphoedema
Community news
Dubbo Forum
The next free information forum will be held in Dubbo on 4
April 2019.
Time: Commencing at 10 am and concluding at 3 pm.
Venue: Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre, 155
Darling St, Dubbo NSW 2830
Complimentary tea and coffee on arrival and lunch provided.
To register to attend click
here
Understanding lymphoedema following breast cancer treatment
Breast Cancer Network Australia
is hosting a series of two free online information sessions. In the first of
the series we will be discussing what lymphoedema is, why it develops as a
result of breast cancer treatment, the signs and symptoms and how to prevent
lymphoedema. This is an interactive information session where you will hear
from leading experts, as well as a woman living with lymphoedema and have the
opportunity to ask questions online.
Date: Thursday 28 March 2019
Time 7.00 pm – 7.45 pm (AEST)
Where: online from your computer, laptop or tablet
Your local
time
WA: 4.00 pm - 4.45 pm
NT: 5.30 pm - 6.15 pm
SA: 6.30 pm - 7.15 pm
QLD: 6.00 pm - 6.45 pm
ACT, NSW, TAS, VIC: 7.00 pm - 7.45 pm
Speakers
·
Louise
Koelmeyer, Occupational Therapist and Lymphoedema Practitioner
·
Jenny
Gilchrist, Nurse Practitioner
·
Marilyn
Miller, breast cancer survivor
Cant attend live? Register now
and view the on-demand session later.
Click here to register
Lymphodedema Day 6
March 2019
March is Lymphoedema awareness month. According to the
latest figures,
·
40,000 people are living with lymphoedema
·
20% of cancer survivors develop lymphoedema
·
Lymphoedema is a little know illness
Click here
for more information
This week’s reflective quote
“Old
friends pass away, new friends appear. It is just like the days. An old day
passes, a new day arrives. The important thing is to make it meaningful: a
meaningful friend – or a meaningful day.”
Dalai Lama
Hoping you have a good long weekend, take care
everyone
Regards Giovanna
Comments
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Long weekend?0
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Sorry folks it's a Melbourne thing - Labour Day or Moomba as you will.0
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Oh yes long weekend and the traffic is horrendous! Attended a funeral of a very dear friend today at Springvale Botannical Cemetery. It took 1 hour and 15 mins to get there but the return trip was 2 hours 40 mins0
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Nice update. Thank you. I’m a Newbie to the group, so hadn’t seen this before. Thank you @Giovanna_BCNA1
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2
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One day then!0
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Labour Day here, in SA, too.0
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Canberra day......& a beautiful long weekend it was.....
Carmel1 -
Bloody brain - it was Adelaide Cup Day, not Labour Day! Bah!1
