Creative Corner!
CREATIVE CORNER: Because art is good for you Inspire and be inspired Creative Corner group is gone but that doesn't mean we should mute that creativity! Time to get inspired by each other. This thread is just for fun and expression, be it craft or drawing or photography, from a snap of your colouring-in to your take on a Degas painting, a wild exploration of your soul or just a stick figure you drew on the bus, you can share it here. Your work as well as your tips, tricks, tutorials, tasks, fun little DIY's, and anything that fuels your creative side are all welcome! Bookmark this thread (click the little star at the top right) to find it easily.
Does life go back to normal?
Hi! thanks to BCN for putting me onto this discussion page. I was diagnosed with ER, PR & HER2+ breast cancer June 2024 at the age of 53yrs. Had surgery to remove two (R) breast aggressive tumours, three months of chemo and 4 weeks of radiation. I’m now on Anastrozole. I feel I got off lightly and just thought I’d get back to my normal life. That wasn’t so easy. I’m gradually returning to full-time work, exercise and trying to return to my once active single social life. I’m having acupuncture to help with immunity and general wellbeing. I had beautiful long blonde hair. Spent lots of money on my hair and nails. My question is… what do all you amazing women do to get back into fitness, to avoid the tiredness, and to help with your hair and nails? Are there any good vitamin supplements? Am I able to use collagen? Thank you for your advice xx
Lego! Feel like a kid again
Well, I’m 5 months in to my BC journey & am going to be off for at least another 5-6 more months (2 surgeries & 2 x rounds of AC chemo down, 14 rounds of chemo left, then radiation, then hormone therapy). I kept stocking up my spotlight online cart, but then I thought with my track record of not completing much craft, I turned my idea to Lego. I bought the kit of ‘The Office’ & I think this is something I’ll actually finish! The kids are sad because I told them they could only play with it if they were in character 😂 I’ve let them build the characters & help pass me pieces, but the structure is all mine. I’ve done Michael & Pam’s work areas. I’m trying to pace myself though. We’ve got to treat ourselves right, this is a crap thing to live through. Any other Lego kits anyone has completed or can recommend?
Come & try dragon boating for breast cancer survivors in Melbourne!
Do you live in the greater-Melbourne area? Come and try dragon boating for free for breast cancer survivors! Experience the wonderful benefits of outdoor exercise and support from fellow breast cancer survivors in beautiful Victoria Harbour, Docklands! You can come as many times as you like for 1 month for free! We can't wait to meet you! Dragons Abreast Melbourne Pink Phoenix is a Group Member of the wonderful Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA). Sign-up for your free 1 month Dragon Pass here: https://www.revolutionise.com.au/pinkphoenix/registration
What books helped you? Opportunity to suggest and/or review books
Hi everyone, We are excited let you know about a new page on the BCNA website for book reviews. On this page, we will publish reviews of books that may be helpful to people affected by breast cancer. There are a number of book reviews up already, which you can have a look at here: https://www.bcna.org.au/news-events/book-reviews/. What books helped you? We would love for you to tell us what books helped you when you were diagnosed. You might like to write a review of the book for possible inclusion on the webpage. Reviews should be between 300 and 500 words. Your review might discuss things like: - Did you find it helpful? If so, how? - Is it best suited for particular people, circumstances or situations (e.g. women newly diagnosed, young women, women with metastatic breast cancer, men with breast cancer, partners or others supporting those with breast cancer? - How did you feel when you read it? What parts appeal to you? Alternatively, you might just like to tell us the name of the book and we can try to find someone to read it and write a review. How to submit a review or let us know what books helped To submit a review for possible inclusion on the page, please email your review to the Policy Team on policy@bcna.org.au. Please include your name and contact details in your email so that we can be in touch with you. If you would like to tell us the name of a book that you found helpful, please also email the Policy Team on policy@bcna.org.au.
Podcasts are awesome!
Hi there Gail here. This is my first post. I was diagnosed on 24 May (7 weeks ago today) and had surgery 2 weeks later on 7 June. I start radiotherapy on 29 July. After that, on to hormone blockers, which I am most definitely not looking forward to. The past 7 weeks have been a whirlwind and it is only this week that I have felt up to starting to access some of the resources on BCNA's amazing website. I have been listening to the Upfront podcast series 'What You Don't Know Until You Do' and am up to episode 7 of season 1. Based on the first 6 episodes, I cannot recommend highly enough. So insightful, engaging and comforting. I find myself constantly nodding my head because much of the discussion resonates so strongly with my cancer experience to date. It's nice to be able to make some sense of it all and to know I'm not alone. Cheers, Gail 🥳
I'm not ok ... looking for book recommendations that will chase the blues away
The past few months have been particularly tough. While I remain BC free, my health has really declined in the past year. I spent 2 weeks in hospital in July then I left hospital early to be with my wonderful beautiful Dad who was dying of severe dementia. I am grateful I got to be with him for those last few weeks and hold his hand as he passed but it was an extremely difficult time. I took some time off to take care of my mum, organise the funeral and grieve but am now back in hospital with cellulitis to the face caused by a simple bee sting to the top of my head. This is the fourth time this year I have contracted cellulitis - twice before it lead to sepsis. It's my sixth hospital admission this year (and I don't even have BC anymore). I feel like I should receive frequent flyer points. So over the last few days, I have been feeling a bit down, and for the first time, a bit sorry for myself. I really need to read something uplifting. Any recommendations? Even if it isn't uplifting, maybe a real page turner, something I can't put down. Thanks in advanceCome & try dragon boating in Melbourne!!!
Come & try dragon boating for Breast Cancer Survivors with Dragons Abreast Melbourne Pink Phoenix!!! We invite all breast cancer survivors and their supporters in the Melbourne area to come & try dragon boating for free during October in Docklands! Come and experience the wonderful benefits of outdoor exercise and support from fellow breast cancer survivors in beautiful Victoria Harbour! You can come as many times as you like during October, for free! We're always looking for new members and we can't wait to meet you! For more info and to register: https://www.revolutionise.com.au/pinkphoenix/home/
