Hello everyone,
Welcome to our Friday update and a warm welcome to all of our new members who have joined us in the last month. I hope that you are finding your way around the online community and linking in with some peer support.
You will have noticed that we have recommenced the online birthday celebrations, thanks to @iserbrown who has taken on the task of managing the birthday list. I wanted to pass on a huge thank you to @socoda who commenced the birthday thread a few years ago and has provided some beautiful virtual birthday cakes and flowers over the years. It’s wonderful to be able to share these specials days with our community members and to mark special occasions. You can add your details here.
Marianne and I are currently in the process of planning for 2020 and have been developing a survey for our online community to assist with this. We hope to get some feedback from you our members that will help us develop our online community going forward. We are keen to hear from you as to what you find works well and what could be improved. Stay tuned, survey will be out soon.
Yay spring is here! Oh look its a yellow and black bird with the Richmond colours!!
Community highlights
1. Hi again and just an opportunity to say thanks
Commenced by @Eastmum who reconnected with our online community in September this year after some time away. “In January last year I was standing on board a sinking ship – literally!” to now “So I’m really just taking an opportunity to say a huge thank you. I honestly couldn’t have made it through, without this forum and I’m now in a much better place to be able to give back. I’m looking forward to sharing this next journey in the ‘choosing breast reconstruction group’ in the hope that I can help others contemplating the same thing. “ Welcome back @Eastmum! It’s great to have you back!
2. Return to work – physical hardship
Commenced by @Sabran65 and her first post in our community. Finding the return to work to be physically demanding and unsure who to talk to about this. Great support provided by our members with the following from @kmakm “So, be kind to yourself. Don't demand or expect too much of yourself too soon. Learn how to pace yourself and read the warning signs that your body gives you. Time. It all takes time.”
Great thread that was started by @Sister in October 2018 that members have found again recently and started to add some great reading experiences!
Community news
Fella Hamilton Terry Toweling Fella Turban
To celebrate the company’s 50th Anniversary, iconic
Australian fashion brand, Fella Hamilton, will be honouring their humble
beginnings by issuing a limited-edition terry toweling turban. This product
launched the company in 1969 and Fella Hamilton will give 50% of proceeds from
the sale of the turbans to BCNA, for more information click here.
Podcast - Sexual wellbeing after breast cancer, featuring our community’s Afraser!
Sexual wellbeing is often a low priority for those receiving treatment for breast cancer but it’s important to be aware of how your body will change and what you can do to help ease symptoms.
In this episode of UpFront, Sexual Health Nurse Simone Sheridan talks about how sexual well-being is more than sex and genitals, answers the awkward questions many are too embarrassed to ask and explains why it’s not ok to push through pain.
Thank you Afraser for being such a fabulous participant!
To listen click here
Medikidz hits the small screen
Medikidz - in collaboration with Breast Cancer Network Australia – has launched animated versions of its educational comics. The Medikidz comics were launched in 2017 to explain complex medical information about a range of conditions including breast cancer, for children aged 8-12.
The comics were the brainchild of Dr Kate Hersov, after becoming frustrated by not having credible information for young patients that was directed at them, not their parents. The Medikidz are a group of five larger-than-life characters, each specialising in a different part of the body. They come to the aid of a child struggling to understand a medical condition and take them to Mediland—a planet in outer space shaped just like the human body.
The content is written by doctors and produced in association with leading patient advocacy groups and professional bodies. Real-life young patients were identified to star in the story, and their personal experience helped form the plot. A panel of young patients, along with experts in the specific medical field, reviewed each script.
‘Being diagnosed with breast cancer can be a scary time for all family members, particularly the children who can get confused by the symptoms and the effects of treatment,’ said BCNA CEO Kirsten Pilatti.
‘The Medikidz comic books have become a wonderful and much-needed resource for thousands of Australian families.
‘Having an animated version families can watch on their tablet or smartphone is going to benefit more Australians and help on their breast cancer journey,’ said Kirsten.
There are two medikidz breast cancer videos, see below
Understanding metastatic breast cancer
Berlei Bra offers to BCNA members
Berlei is offering BCNA members a 25 per cent discount on its new
post-surgery bra. Complete with rose
gold accents, this bra has been carefully created to help wearers feel
feminine and confident post-surgery.
Other highlights include cotton-lined cups that are breathable and soft
against the skin, cotton stretch inner pockets designed to accommodate a
prosthesis and double layered back and padded hook and eye for extra comfort.
Berlei has been a valued partner of BCNA since 2005, providing the My Care Kit to women undergoing surgery for breast cancer. The My Care Kit contains a Berlei post-surgery bra and soft forms, as well as information and support material to assist in the recovery process. BCNA members can receive 25 per cent off the RRP of this bra by using the code BCNA25 here. Terms and conditions apply.
This week’s reflective quote
“There are only two days in the year that
nothing can be done. One is called Yesterday and the other is called Tomorrow. Today is the right day to Love, Believe, Do and mostly Live.”
― Dalai Lama XIV
Hoping your team wins this weekend! Go TIGERS!
Have a great weekend everyone,
Regards Giovanna and the moderation team.
