September 2005
The Young Ones September Newsletter.
News from our last meeting.
We had one new member at our last meeting and not lots to report as August was a fairly quiet month in the breast cancer world. There is lots happening in the next couple of months and I’m updating the website weekly with news, events, trials etc. It seems many of you are already using it from the amount of hits and e mails I’m getting, which is great.
We’ve had a request from a new member, who has had a recurrence in her breast after having a lumpectomy and while still on chemotherapy. If any of you have also had a recurrence in the same breast while still having chemo and you would be happy to share your story with her, could you send me a message with your contact details on it via any of the ways in the newsletter and I’ll give you a call.
BreaCan have another “Here and Now” eight week program starting in October for women with advanced breast cancer as well as some special sessions planned during the next couple of months especially designed for women with advanced disease. If you would like to be involved or would like more information please contact Josie Scott who is Advanced Breast Cancer Project Officer at BreaCan on 9663 7955.
Changes in the making.
CHANGES IN THE MAKING, Young Women's Journeys through Breast Cancer, is a play written by Kerri Guy and Mary Macheras-Magias, two of our members affected by breast cancer in their early thirties. All the female cast members have experienced breast cancer at an earlier life stage and take on many roles in the play. It is a poignant and at times surprisingly funny and uplifting play focusing on the unique issues experienced by younger women with breast cancer. It touches on the difficulties of re-entering the dating scene, coping with young families, career, recurrence, cultural taboos, body image and sexuality. The play was made possible by Mary and Kerri’s successful application for The Ralph Polo Lauren Seeding Grant through National Breast Cancer Centre, together with the support of Women’s Health Victoria and BreaCan. It is always wonderful to see our members achieve a goal they set for themselves through their experience with breast cancer. Whether it is something small like giving back to those who helped while they were sick or a life long commitment to making the most of every minute of every day just because you can. Congratulations to all involved with the play for what they have achieved. Make sure you get in early for tickets as performances are limited. Booking details are listed in our “What’s On” section.
Saturday Arvo Group. Our last lunch was a small one so I'm leaving the next one til the weather picks up. We had a long lunch with great food and lots of shared info and laughs. Lynne and I got lots of compliments about our TV debut on Good Morning Australia and Lynne filled us in on how her sleepwear range for women with prosthesis is doing. If you're thinking of coming along to the next meeting could you please let me know in case I need to book the bigger room upstairs. I look forward to catching up with you at the next one on Saturday, 15th October at 12.30pm. Cheers Tanya
Fantastic news!
I have recently given birth to a beautiful baby girl Caitlin Elizabeth, born 15 June 2005. This has been the most wonderful experience in my life, twice as sweet of course given that 12 months prior I was having my last chemo session and then just starting my radiotherapy. A year ago I hardly dared to think about my fertility and whether I might be able to conceive. Given my age of 39 at the time of diagnosis, my husband and I decided to do a cycle of IVF before I started my chemo and were lucky enough to freeze 6 embryos. I finished my breast cancer treatment at the end of July and then with the encouragement of my Oncologist put my name down for the Herceptin trial into which I was accepted. In September I visited my Oncologist and he advised that I had been randomised into the 'control group' for the Herceptin trial. He was very disappointed, I decided what is meant to be is meant to be and tried not to be disheartened by this news. On the positive side he gave us the OK to try and get pregnant although at this point my cycle had not returned since the completion of my chemo in June. So thinking to myself one step at a time, I'll have to wait to ensure my cycle returns before I even know if I can try to get pregnant my husband and I decided it wouldn't matter now if we used no contraception at all.Looking back on the dates, I obviously was pregnant within a week of my Oncologist giving us the OK, so I fell pregnant on my first ovulation and didn't even know it at the time! (My husband thinks it must have almost been an immaculate conception given that our sex life had obviously dwindled greatly during the treatment cycles!) Our little girl is now 10 weeks old and I successfully breast fed her from one breast for 5 weeks when I was then offered the chance to receive Herceptin for a 12 month period so I have now weaned her and had my first cycle of Herceptin. Given the wonderful news of the success of Herceptin I really feel I have had my cake and am now eating it too ( a baby and having Herceptin). We are also lucky enough to still have our 6 frozen embryos so when my herceptin treatment is completed in 12 months time, we hope to try to conceive using these. I hope my positive experience will give some hope and encouragement to others who are wondering about their fertility after breast cancer. Wow, miracles really do happen, I feel so very blessed. Lisa Shute
What’s happening?
Young Action on Breast Cancer meeting, Thursday 8th September, 6.30pm for dinner, Grace Darling Hotel, Smith St.Collingwood. A group committed to making a change for young women with breast cancer.Info call 041123 5964.
Thursday 15th September, 12.00-1.30pm,Your Immune System and Cancer, BreaCan.Cancer research plays a significant role in improving our knowledge and treatment of breast cancer. Professor Jonathan Cebon, Director of Medical Oncology at the AustinHospitaland Head of the Cancer Vaccine Program for the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, has been conducting research into ways in which the immune system may impact on cancer cells. In this session Professor Cebon will talk about the link between the immune system and cancer, immunotherapy and the current research being undertaken to develop new treatments that target cancer cells. Cost; Free.
Wednesday 28th September, 12.00-1.30pm,The Shape of Things - Bras, Boobs and Breast Forms, BreaCan. Judy Strates, a professional breast care fitter, along with Pauline and Joy who have both experienced breast cancer, will cover the finer points in finding that elusive well fitting bra. The session will cover traditional bras, bras for breast forms and bathers, as well as tips on looking after your bras and breast forms. Cost; Free.
October 1st, Glitter Charity Ball, Regent Plaza Ballroom, Regent Theatre, 191 Collins St. Melbourne. For more info and to book contact 9844 5446.
Thursday 13th October, 6.00-7.30pmFertility and Breast Cancer - What Does it All Mean? BreaCan, Drop in centre, level 1, 123 Lonsdale St. Melbourne. A woman's fertility can be greatly affected by the treatment choices she faces after a breast cancer diagnosis. Negotiating this complicated area can be both daunting and confusing. Dr Kate Stern, Fertility Specialist and Gynaecologist will speak on a number of fertility related issues including the effects of oestrogen and early menopause. Cost; Free. For more info phone 9664 9333.
October 18th, All Seasons Convention Centre Bendigo, The Otis Foundation Ball. Having received guests for the last 18 months at Bendigo retreat and about to launch the next site at Thredbo, they are having another extravaganza Ball. There are again subsidised tickets at $30 per person down from $100 per person for those personally affected by breast cancer that would otherwise not be able to make the event for reasons of carefully watching the pennies. Enquiries for these tickets should be directed to me at this email address. Hope we can see some of you there!
Macedon support group, 21st October 8am will celebrate their 10th anniversary with a breakfast for Australian BreastCancer Day. They will have and a guest speaker and will need you to RSVP for catering purposes. Cost; Free. To book and for more info contact Helen Hill on 97449564.
October 24th, Australia's Breast Cancer Day.
Tuesday 25th October, 6-8pm, The Cochrane Breast Cancer Group and Breast Cancer Action Group, Breast CancerForum, Melbourne Convention Centre. Topics will include Hormone replacement therapy, Aromatase Inhibitors, Sentinal node versus Auxillary staging, Lymphoedema, Prophylactic Mastectomy and Patient preference treatments. Cost; Free. To register by 7th October on line http://www.colloquium.info/or call 02 95625 015.
Thursday 27th October, 12.00-1.15pmBreast Surgery - Making Decisions, BreaCan.Jane O'Brien is an experienced breast surgeon who will talk about what a breast cancer diagnosis means, the steps involved in surgery, and how she works with women in making decisions about their treatment and care. As part of the session Jane will also discuss the common issues and difficulties that are faced by women at this early stage of treatment. Cost; Free.
CHANGES IN THE MAKING, Young Women's Journeys through Breast Cancer, written by Kerri Guy & Mary Macheras-Magias, both affected by breast cancer in their early 30s. The play touches on the dating scene, coping with families, career, recurrence, cultural taboos, body image and sexuality. Performance dates: Friday28 Oct, Saturday 29 Oct matinee and evening performance. Venue: Grant Street Theatre, Southgate. For info call Mary Macheras-Magias on 9807 3964 or 0412 884 99
Our next meeting. Our next meeting will be on Thursday September 29th at 7pm Cafe Coco, 129 Smith St Collingwood. Contact details. Tanya Wilson or Rita Marigliani: 041 123 5964 Postal Address: 9 Dunrossil Drive Sunbury 3429 E mail: tanya_wilson@optusnet.com.au Website: www.theyoungones.asn.au
