News from our last meeting
Our last meeting was a very small one due to the fact that many members went away for Easter and I may have caused some confusion by listing the date as the 31st in our newsletter and having the 24th in our meeting date’s calendar. I apologise to anyone not on our emailing system that may have turned up for the wrong date. Our mascot, Hope did turn up for the meeting after spending the month with Kim and went home to recuperate at Rita’s house.
Sue up in Darwin isn’t doing too well right now and is currently having treatment. We met Sue a few years ago when she was in Melbourne for treatment over Christmas. She’s recently had a wonderful surprise when a Darwin version of Back Yard Blitz visited her home after hearing from her work colleges that she was unwell. They created a beautiful tropical garden sanctuary for Sue which she says “helps her to find inner peace”. It has also turned her into a celebrity in her local community and everywhere she goes people ask her how her gardens going. We hope Sue enjoys many happy hours relaxing in her sanctuary.
One of our members Julia is pregnant and expecting her first child in June. Julia was diagnosed with breast cancer age 28 and had Chemo, Radiotherapy and Zoladex a couple of years ago. Her email said “Miracles do happen after breast cancer”. Great news Julia! We wish you all the best for the birth of your baby and thanks for sharing some good news with us.
Recently I was privileged to be asked by Breast Cancer Network Australia to be one of ten people chosen from around Australia to tell their story regarding their breast cancer experience and have it made into a DVD at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image at Federation Square. Also asked were Maria’s husband Spiro, another of our members Joanne, my bestest friend Judy, a son of a breast cancer survivor, a mother of one, a rural lady, a woman with advanced disease, Olympic athlete Raelene Boyle and Lyn Swinburne CEO of BCNA. It took three exhausting days and about four boxes of tissues for us to get our messages onto the screen the way we wanted them but after seeing the finished product we all agreed it was well worth it. BCNA are still deciding how, when and where to launch the DVD but as soon as they do I will be happy to sign autographs if you run it past my manager first. The DVD will be a great way to help people unaffected by breast cancer understand what life is like for us and those who are affected by it to realise that they are not alone or crazy feeling the way they do.
I won’t be at the next meeting because I will be kicking back on a lounge chair with Judy around the resort pool in Port Douglas with my cocktail of the day. I will think of you though, (not) while I dine on my private balcony on a feast of fresh seafood, after a sun filled day of being pampered, as your waitress struggles up the stairs with the specials of the day board. I know you will be thinking of me, just don’t repeat the words in your head out loud, you may be charged with use of indecent language!
Our next meeting
Our next meeting will be on Thursday April 28th at 7pm Cafe Coco, 129 Smith St Collingwood
What’s happening?
A picture paints a thousand words. Wednesday 20th April, 7.30pm. The Valley Private Hospital Consulting suites, (underneath the hospital) Corner of Police and Gladstone roads, Mulgrave. A fun and informative art therapy session with paint. No experience needed. Fore more info and to register contact; Lee Alexander on 9790 9333. Cost; Free
Not yet ova. Saturday 30th April, 9.30-12.30pm. Yvonne Bowden Auditorium, basement level, the Royal Women’s hospital. Speakers are Dr. Di Palmer, head of RWH menopause clinic, Dr. Kate Stern, Infertility specialist and reproductive services RWH, Dr. Mandy Deaks, psychologist and personal women’s stories. Cost; $15 or $10 concession. Bookings and info on 9344 2199.
Mothers Day classic, Sunday May 8th. Registration opens at 7am Gosch’s paddock corner of Punt and Swan Street, Melbourne (melways ref. 2G E10) Runners start from 8am and walkers from 9.40am.
We are not attending this event as a group this year as it is two days after the Field of Women but many members are still going. For more info; http://www.mothersdayclassic.org/2005/melbourne.htm
Blue moods. Understanding stress and depression. Wednesday 11th May 12-1.30pm. BreaCan 1st floor, 123 Lonsdale St. Melbourne. Jennifer Ahrens, a senior clinician with North Eastern Victorian Primary Mental Health will discuss and answer questions on this topic. For more info contact 9664 9333
The biggest afternoon tea. Saturday 14th May, 1.30pm. 35 Caithwill Crt. Narre Warren North (melways ref.108 A1) Auction starts at 2.30pm. Complimentary glass of bubbly and afternoon tea will be served as well as give aways, raffles, stalls, door prize and entertainment. Cost; Free but you will need to RSVP for catering purposes. Contact Linda 9706 2280 or Bev 59432 447. Proceeds to the Cancer Council Victoria.
Think Pink Masked Ball. Saturday May 21st, Palladium Crown Casino. Proceeds to the Cancer Council Victoria. For more info and cost contact; Lisa Cavalaro on 9635 5584.
Lymphoedema, What is it, how it’s treated and what’s available. Wednesday May 25th 12-1.30pm.
Judy Purbrick, senior physiotherapist, Mercy Hospital Lymphoedema Clinic will talk about and answer your questions regarding this topic and it’s association with breast cancer. For more info; see BreaCan details above.
Let’s meet up
We mentioned in our last newsletter that we are going to skip the football after BCNA's annual Field of Women goes live to be held at the MCG on Friday May 6th (don’t forget to register at www.bcna.org.au) and have a drink and something to eat instead. It seems many of you think this is a great idea and of course we’d love you to bring along anyone attending the event with you. We will be walking across the road to the Hilton hotel front lounge bar where we can have a few drinks and they serve snack foods such as nachos, burgers etc. Unfortunately we are unable to book as it is a lounge bar and not a restaurant but if we leave our pink ponchos on then we will be able to recognize each other. I’m not quite sure of prices but I think they may be a little bit more than the average pub. If you’re driving then the best place to park would be at the MCG car park $6 opposite the Hilton (enter via Jolimont Terrace) so you can leave your car and walk across the road. When exiting the ground by foot after the Field to get to the Hilton use exit gates 6 and 7 then walk up the path through the car park cross the road. See you all there.
Cheers Tanya
