Friday update 30 August 2019

Member

6 years ago

Hello everyone and welcome to our Friday update, my apologies that it wasn't posted Friday.

A big welcome to all of our new members who joined our online community over the last few weeks. It’s a big step and can be quite daunting for some. We acknowledge that and thank you for taking the first step. As our members say ‘it’s the club that nobody wants to join’ but once you are in, you will find great support from our community members. There is lots happening in the private groups as well and we wanted to share the following comments with you.

Choosing Breast Reconstruction group

@Ebb ‘I loved seeing the difference between expander and implant, I'm relieved that the implants look softer, rounder and natural because these expanders look weird and angular, glad its winter and I can cover them with clothing. You look amazing Cath, congratulations! I am so grateful to you, thanks so much. ‘

Living with metastatic breast cancer group

@Kats162 ‘Thank you so much. It is reassuring to know there are others travelling this path and even better to be able to talk to people who know this journey.’

BCNA Metastatic Breast Cancer Advisory Group

BCNA has recently formed a Metastatic Breast Cancer Advisory group consisting of people affected by metastatic breast cancer to assist BCNA in the revision of the Hope & Hurdles hard copy guide and to inform BCNA of emerging issues affecting people with metastatic breast cancer. If you would like more information or would like to be part of the advisory group please contact

Riki on rlong@bcna.org.au

Community highlights

1. Adjusting to bad news, staying hopeful, changing habits Thread commenced by @kabash who has had a whirlwind diagnosis of breast cancer only to find herself still reeling from the news. With 2 young girls aged 3 & 7 and good family support, she is trying to learn as much as she can and make some lifestyle changes. Amazing support provided by our community members as this time can be quite overwhelming. Wishing you all the best with your chemotherapy @kabash. Good to hear you have a plan in place and getting treatment underway.

2. Feeling lost Thread commenced by @Felicia29 who said

‘Hi, I’m not sure how this network works yet so I'm hoping I can connect with some support, but really I want to let out what is inside. I therefore doubt this will make much sense.’ You have certainly found the right place @Felicia29 to talk about your feelings, it can be such a roller coaster of emotions. As @Blossom1961 has said

'@Felicia29 Never feel alone sweetheart. You have a whole band of sisters here to support you and give you virtual hugs. Stop the guilting. Nothing you did or didn’t do caused it. The thing is, it has been found and can now be dealt with. Once a plan is put into place by your medical team you will feel so much better. In the meantime, don’t google, ask all the questions you want to here, and try to focus on other things. Huge hugs.'

3. Treatment sillies Great thread commenced by @Blossonm1961 who can see the funny side of things and posted

‘I lift my hair off the back of my neck every time I get a hot flush. Except I don't have any hair, it fell out six months ago due to chemo yet I still continue going to lift it.’

And this post from @Zoffiel

‘I had an episode during chemo when I came home from my walk, put on the jug and then had a panic attack because there was something wrong with the side of my head. I thought I was having a stroke, weird numbness and I seemed to have lost the hearing in one ear. Turn out the little foam thingy had come off my earplugs and was stuck in my lughole. Glad I discovered that before I hauled myself into ED.’

Community News

Gold Coast Together Towards Tomorrow Survivorship Conference.

We're excited to announce our next Survivorship Conference will be held on the Gold Coast on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 October 2019. Join us to learn about the latest in treatment and living well after a breast cancer diagnosis. For further information and to register click here.

Webinar - How do I live well with advanced cancer? Hosted by Cancer Council NSW Thursday 19 September 2019.

In this webinar, they will look at the way you can manage your daily routine and communications with friends and family so that you can live well with advanced cancer. They will also provide information for Health Professionals to assist them to holistically support people living with advanced cancer. To register for this webinar click here

Cancer Council NSW Podcast: The Thing About Advanced Cancer - Information and insights for challenging times hosted by Julie McCrossin.

In The Thing About Advanced Cancer podcast, host Julie McCrossin joins experts to answer the big questions about advanced cancer. Whether you are living long term with advanced cancer, you are facing end-of-life, or you are caring for someone with advanced cancer — this podcast series has information and insights that can help you navigate through these challenging times. To access Podcasts Click here

Upfront

Don’t forget to tune into the BCNA podcast series Upfront about breast cancer. We recently recorded another podcast titled Sexual wellbeing which will be uploaded very soon Upfront podcasts

Healthy Ready Meals For You

Staying healthy can be a real challenge while undergoing or recovering from treatment.

As an official Partner of BCNA, We Feed You meals will be available to BCNA Members at a reduced rate to support them and their families when they need it most. BCNA Members receive 10% off meals, when ordering online at www.wefeedyou.com.au with Promo Code BCNA10%. BCNA will also receive a further 10% donation.