Update 12 November 2019
Hello everyone,
Welcome to our fortnightly update. Welcome to all of our new members who have
joined us in the last month or so. I
hope that you have settled in and are finding the peer support that you
require.
It’s unreal how fast the last few months have gone, I can’t
believe that Christmas is only 7 weeks away.
Marianne and I are currently in the process of planning for the
Christmas & New Year break to ensure that our online community members
continue to receive the support that is needed during this time. As we all know, cancer doesn't take a break at Christmas
time.
Thanks @Romla for starting the recent discussion ‘Christmas
on the blog’. It’s heartening to read that we have quite a few of our
community members who will be available over this time to help out fellow travelers. We will shortly be making
contact with all our group leaders and some of our major contributors to plan
for the festive season. See links below to a couple
of discussions that were had online last year, with some great tips to manage the
silly season!
Tips
to help you through the festive season – seeking our online members ‘wisdom!
Coping
with a cancer diagnosis at Christmas, some helpful tips…
Community highlights
1.
Recently
diagnosed – Finally reaching out.
Thread commenced by @Dizee who was diagnosed
with breast cancer after her first ever mammogram. What a huge shock to be told that you have
breast cancer and to be facing surgery 2 weeks later. Things have moved very quickly for you Dizee,
which in one way is good but does leave you feeling shell-shocked. I am so glad that you found our supportive
online community and wish you all the best with your upcoming
chemotherapy. I can see that our members
have welcomed you and provided some great information and linkages to other
community services.
Thread commenced by @Megs04 who has worked
all the way through her chemotherapy, which for many people is a must
financially. Following chemotherapy she
had surgery and continues on Herceptin. She asked the community how do you
manage the fatigue which is getting worse?
@Zoffiel “I've done this twice, and I've got to say it's hard
either way. First time I kept working, which was tough but I did it. I was out
of work the second time and absolutely crashed. I guess it depends on your job,
your workplace and your temperament, but I'd say if you can keep going, do it.
If you can't, stop. There is no yardstick to measure how you are going because
everyone's reactions are so different.’
@primek ‘I had to pace myself. I'd have a short nap when I
got home from work so I could get tea prepped. I increased exercise very
slowly and found if I overdid it I'd crash in a couple of weeks. I still have
to pace myself 3 years on. It's just the way it is. I found a short walk
at lunch helped also. Breaking exercise up seemed to work better.’
3. Goodbye
oncology, now 4 years NED
Great thread commenced by @Brenda5 who states “the title
says it all, whoohoo!’ Congratulations
Brenda5 wishing you all the best!
Community News
Medicare updates MRI,
PET scan rebates 1 November 2019
Great news from the Australian Government announcing new
Medicare rebates that will directly benefit Australians affected by breast
cancer. From 1 November, women with or
suspected of having breast cancer will be able to claim Medicare benefits for
breast MRI scans. New rebates are also
available for some PET scan services.
Read more here
Carman’s Women’s Fun Run
1 December 2019 Catani Gardens St. Kilda
Help
us paint Catani Gardens pink this December in support of all Australians
affected by breast cancer. Bring your
mum, sister, aunty, girlfriends and daughters to join in the fun at the
Carman’s Women’s Fun Run. Each year we are blown away by the sea of pink we see
lining the streets of St Kilda, all in support of Breast Cancer Network
Australia (BCNA).
This
year is no exception, we want to make it the biggest one yet! Bring all of the
special ladies in your life together on one day for one cause and do something
amazing with your Sunday morning.
Keep
Sunday 1 December 2019 free because we would love to see you down at Catani
Gardens, walking, running or just having fun in the event village! Register here
This week’s reflective
quote
‘You are never too old to set another goal or to
dream a new dream.’
C.S. Lewis
Have a great week everyone,
Regards Giovanna
and the moderation team