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
Feeling let down by friends
Did/is anyone else struggling to deal with friends and/or your partner who weren't there for you in the way you expected them to be when you were going through treatment? Im having trouble not feeling hurt and so alone in the hardest phase of my life. Im also internalising (not sure if thats the right way to put it) a lot of anger towards these “friends” that it is having a very negative effect on me, but i just cant move past it. Particularly because i know i was there for many of them during their hard times.
post op exercise question?
Hello all, I have a question, I have also emailed this off to my bc nurse, however they are busy and can not get back to me for a few days, so I thought I would ask here for a general idea, I was diagnosed on the 14.12.2022, today I have had my PPET-CT Scan, yuck, what an ordeal, If that is all good for my surgeon, I'm booked for next Friday for the lump removal. I understand everyone journey is personal to them and everyone's cancer is different from the person beside them. However as a general idea, once surgery is over, I need to get back to exercise, I enjoy my yoga, but am also looking at adding walking laps in a pool with my adult son, after he torn his ACL on our family holiday last week down in TAS, (that's a hole another nightmare of a story, he went face first down Cataract Gorge in Launceston) As he can not drive, I am planning on driving him to the pools when he can start his recovery treatment, so I was thinking I should also get in the pool and start off with light exercise. Has anyone done any form of aqua exercise, I know I have to have radiotherapy after the surgery, again I'm not a wear for what length of time, is is safe to go in pools, I live over an hour away from the beach, so that would be out of the question. Thanks for your time Cheer's
Thankyou
I would like to acknowledge and thank all that have made the time to guide and support others on the blog over the Christmas period when professional help becomes more difficult as we spend time celebrating the festive season with our family and friends. It has been especially important for those newly diagnosed in the run up to the festive season who doubtless have been daunted and confused by the road ahead yet are unable to receive much professional guidance at this time of the year.To be able to reach out and know that someone who understands their concerns and is willing to help if they can is extraordinary. I do ,however , feel great sadness for those people diagnosed with breast cancer who are unaware of the companionship and support you all so willingly provide .It would diminish much heartache and distress if people were aware much sooner of you all.
Significant other
Hi. 6 days in on third round TC chemo. Hanging in OK, but quite teary and tired, so maybe making a mountain out of a molehill. But it's only me and hubby, surely it's not that hard to organise shopping and housework without fifty questions. It is sooo much easier to do it myself, although I have no energy. Also have infection and really need to pace myself. It is really impacting on our relationship as he just does not have one empathetic bone in his body, and just doesn't get this looking after someone else thing. I really feel I would be better alone than to have expectations. I know we all are in different situations, just having a whinge. Probably a good sleep is all I need. J
Thank you for your support
I just posted a question about hair colour and it got me thinking about all of the people I've met on this site since December. I know that I've still got a lot of "new experiences" to come but looking back on the last 8 months of diagnosis, surgery and chemo, I couldn't have done it, and stayed relatively sane, without the support of you all. Your advice, friendship and the odd laugh has helped carry me through it. My memory is completely shot so I apologise if I don't always remember what stage of treatment everyone is at - sometimes I can't remember what stage I'm at! - but I do care and appreciate so much the care I've been shown here. I'm not planning on going anywhere but it seemed that the end of chemo was a good place for acknowledgement.
Encore Program - Central Coast NSW, April 26 - June 14
For ladies on the Central Coast of NSW, if you are interested in going along to the next lot of free YWCA Encore sessions, Term 2 starts on Thursday, 26th April, 11.30am-1.30pm at Erina, and they have some vacancies. You can enrol, or get further details by calling Vicki 02 9285 6264 or emailing: encore@ywcansw.com.au. For those who are unfamiliar with the Encore program, it is a gentle 8 week exercise program designed specifically for women who have experienced mastectomy, lumpectomy or breast reconstruction surgery at any time in their lives. Based around land and pool exercises, it is safe, fun and therapeutic. Encore can help you strengthen and tone your arms, shoulders and chest, regain mobility, and improve your general fitness: http://www.ywcaencore.org.au/ I have used the program twice - after finishing treatment and after reconstruction - and found it really useful, not only for improving my fitness, but also for meeting with others going through treatment. Jane
Counseling/Support Information- desperate to talk - while I try to put my life back together
Hi all I am on the north side of Brisbane looking for a centre that provides support, particularly counseling, diet advice, physiotherapy, acupuncture, other natural therapies etc would be a bonus. I have tried the following avenues: (Name removed as per Community Guidelines) - I went here for a massage and the service was rushed and insensitive. The therapist talked the whole time and spoke about cancer like it was a common cold telling me that since having chemo I could never have a deep tissue massage again? Booked appointment was 45 mins, it ran for only 30 minutes. Although advertised on the website that there is specialised counseling there is no counseling available. The physiokey (like a tens massage) therapist introduced herself to me who was very friendly offered to provide support and counseling- she has no qualifications at all. (Name removed) -I made an appointment during my AC treatment (last October) which in hindsight I could not go to, and I missed. I recently rang to re-organise an appointment for exercise advice. The exercise physiologist was very surly and said she would call back later that day, she remembered me. She rang me back and was still rather jaded but did give me the information I required. I felt very judged despite apologizing for missing appointments last year. (Name removed) - They advertise a breast care package that includes massage, diet advice, acupuncture, exercise advice and counseling. When I called them to inquire about this they had no idea of this and advised I should come and see what they have available. This is primarily a sports medicine facility but was recommended because of the breast care package, which they knew nothing about when I called. (Name removed) - I am on the north side of Brisbane and was hoping to avoid a long drive. (Name removed) - Again on the North side and was hoping to avoid the drive. Is there any advice, or any suggestions, anyone has about counseling and support services such as 'diet, physio, acupuncture, exercise, massage etc, etc'. Counseling post cancer diagnosis and treatment is a specialised area and I stunned to find limited services. I had considered phone counseling but I am 'face to face' type for counseling to be beneficial. Primarily I need some counseling but I also want some comfort for my body which had been through so much since diagnosis July 2017. I may sound whingey but BC has changed me and I want what I want now. Underneath the surface I feel extremely vulnerable and I just want some support (body and soul) while I put my life back together. What positive experiences have people had? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
