Judith & Angela
Jann & 
Ruth
Thursday, December 06, 2007
PENINSULA DRAGONFLYS
PENINSULA DRAGONFLYS OUR LOCAL DRAGON ABREAST PADDLERS AT SORRENTO PINK LUNCH OCT 2007
LISA
It is with deep sadness we advise the passing this morning of our beautiful friend and member - Lisa. Lisa was a founding member of the Group, and has battled breast cancer bravely since 2003.
Lisa, 43, leaves behind her husband Frank, and cherished son Mitchell, 7.
Lisa was a beautifully giving person - you will remember her at our August meeting, passing on her encouragement for those living with secondary breast cancer to obtain further information through the Hopes & Hurdles kit.
Our memories of Lisa are of a special brave lady, full of compassion, generousity, high intellect, fun and love.
As she treads her peaceful new path, we're sure her spirit will bloom, magnifying all these qualities, never far from Frank, Mitchell and her loved ones.
Jo and Jann
Lisa, 43, leaves behind her husband Frank, and cherished son Mitchell, 7.
Lisa was a beautifully giving person - you will remember her at our August meeting, passing on her encouragement for those living with secondary breast cancer to obtain further information through the Hopes & Hurdles kit.
Our memories of Lisa are of a special brave lady, full of compassion, generousity, high intellect, fun and love.
As she treads her peaceful new path, we're sure her spirit will bloom, magnifying all these qualities, never far from Frank, Mitchell and her loved ones.
Jo and Jann
OCTOBER NEWSLETTER
OCTOBER 2007 NEWSLETTER
Hi Everyone,
Well, Breast Cancer month has come and gone, and it was quite busy !!!
- Along with several from our group, and many others, I attended the Mini Field at McClelland Gallery and it was lovely. Not a great word to describe an event, but it was lovely. Virginia from Peninsula Private Oncology unit organised the day and the format. The session was moving, the morning tea yummy, and the setting gorgeous.
- The Pink Ribbon Breakfast at Hastings on 28th October was apparently fantastic, with our brave Helen Ainslie sharing her journey with around 200 people. A great effort considering the emotion attached, and well worth it with several women coming up to her and asking if they should check this or that. She now has comments on her impressive speech from the shopkeepers of Hastings!. The local business community kicked in with great give away bags - which included a DVD of how to check your breast for lumps, along with other wonderful goodies. Well done Helen.
- The weather on 28th October was also fantastic for the picnic in Mornington Park. Jenny and the other Dragons selling their wares to raise funds, and a great family day.
Jo attended the first National Conference for young women with breast cancer – Up Close and Personal, which took place in Melbourne October this year. This was the first time that young women from around Australia had the opportunity to come together to a Conference designed specifically around the issues affecting them. This was a Conference organised by young women for young women.
The Conference aims were to inform; connect; and advocate. These aims were successfully delivered through the wide range of quality speakers who presented during the plenary and workshop sessions.
Recommendations that were put forward during these sessions included:
Better communication and awareness from GPs in diagnosing younger women is needed. Women should not be dismissed when presenting with symptoms simply because of their younger age.
Although information dissemination has improved there still appears to be discrepancy in information that is provided to young woman. It was recommended that all young women (pre-menopausal) should be informed about fertility options before treatment.
Financial guidelines and assistance:
Free mammograms and ultra sounds
Better financial support
Improving resources:
Links to specialists
Information for women with children
Accessing support groups
Support groups for partners; carers
Breast Care Nurses for all women
Advanced Young Women’s Group
Peer support program that helps connect women
Develop medical databases
Increasing awareness around young women’s issues
Transcripts, presentations and photos from the Conference will be made available on www.yabc2007conference.org late November.
Peninsula Dragon Fly's
Our members of Peninsula Dragon Fly's have returned from Caloundra, where they had a wonderful connection with women from all over the world, also
Your Stories
We have received an email from Jennifer Kerr who wants to know any stories of women suffering from breast cancer who are our of pocket in regards to expenses for treatment or loss of wages to do treatment or loss of wages to recover from treatments or even expense just to access treatments. She is campaigning to help these women help of a major publishing organisation in Australia. Her contact details are PO Box 419, Dromana, 3936Mobile: 0418 965753 PH: 03 59873716 email: kerrclan02@bigpond.com and her story is at
http://aww.ninemsn.com.au/section.aspx?sectionid=6002§ionname=pinkribbon
Writers' Group
The Writers Group started at Peninsula Private Hospital in the Chemo Room on Wed 31st October at 2.00pm. Sorry I'm late with this one, but call Gail on 97088034 if you are interested in joining.
Being Vigilant
After the positive feedback received re comments from Jo in the last Newsletter re secondaries, Jo advises the following:
What 'follow up' do we have/ need. Remember that different types of cancer diagnosis will require different follow up. Some doctors will do a baseline of CT and Bone Scans at diagnosis, some will not. Some doctors will continue to do scans at regular intervals some only at certain stages or when a symptom warrants it. Blood tests for tumour markers is only appropriate for women who at the time of diagnosis had an elevated marker, many women do not.
The best advice is to be alert but not alarmed and to be 'breast aware' as you know your body better than anyone and see it more regularly. But don't be afraid to get something unusual checked out. We all need to take care of ourselves. Cheers Jo
Regular follow-up is essential after treatment for early breast cancer.
After your treatment you should have regular appointments with your GP, surgeon, radiation oncologist or medical oncologist. Regular follow-up makes sure that if breast cancer comes back in the breast, breast tissue, or the other breast, it is promptly treated. Regular follow-up also allows your doctor to check for, and manage, any side effects from treatment that might develop after you have finished treatment. Speak to your doctor about your follow-up schedule.
Appropriate follow-up involves regular examinations and mammograms. It does not involve chest X-rays, bone scans or blood tests unless there is a problem that shows they are needed.
See your GP or specialist as soon as possible if you:
• feel a lump in either breast, or in the breast tissue left on your chest after mastectomy
• have any other symptoms in either breast, such as nipple discharge
• develop any other symptoms that concern you.
Do not wait until your regular appointment if you notice any new or unusual changes.
If you change doctors at any time, ask your new doctor to request your medical records from your previous doctor.
NBCC Information for women with Early Breast Cancer.
Cancer Council Victoria – Free Seminar for people living with advanced cancer:
“When cancer won’t go away”
Saturday 1 December, 10.30-2.30pm
Partners, family and Friends are encouraged to attend.
RSVP: PH: 13 11 20 or email cis@cancervic.org.au
Coming Up:
Nov 7th Annie Carter - with bras and bathers for us special gals
Dec 5th Christmas Dinner at the Grand Hotel - bring a Kris Kringle to the value of $10 [I'll book for 20 so just turn up on the night]
I won't be at the next meeting, I'll be sunning myself in Cairns while catching up with my daughter Jane, so in the meantime, stay healthy and take care.
Jann
Hi Everyone,
Well, Breast Cancer month has come and gone, and it was quite busy !!!
- Along with several from our group, and many others, I attended the Mini Field at McClelland Gallery and it was lovely. Not a great word to describe an event, but it was lovely. Virginia from Peninsula Private Oncology unit organised the day and the format. The session was moving, the morning tea yummy, and the setting gorgeous.
- The Pink Ribbon Breakfast at Hastings on 28th October was apparently fantastic, with our brave Helen Ainslie sharing her journey with around 200 people. A great effort considering the emotion attached, and well worth it with several women coming up to her and asking if they should check this or that. She now has comments on her impressive speech from the shopkeepers of Hastings!. The local business community kicked in with great give away bags - which included a DVD of how to check your breast for lumps, along with other wonderful goodies. Well done Helen.
- The weather on 28th October was also fantastic for the picnic in Mornington Park. Jenny and the other Dragons selling their wares to raise funds, and a great family day.
Jo attended the first National Conference for young women with breast cancer – Up Close and Personal, which took place in Melbourne October this year. This was the first time that young women from around Australia had the opportunity to come together to a Conference designed specifically around the issues affecting them. This was a Conference organised by young women for young women.
The Conference aims were to inform; connect; and advocate. These aims were successfully delivered through the wide range of quality speakers who presented during the plenary and workshop sessions.
Recommendations that were put forward during these sessions included:
Better communication and awareness from GPs in diagnosing younger women is needed. Women should not be dismissed when presenting with symptoms simply because of their younger age.
Although information dissemination has improved there still appears to be discrepancy in information that is provided to young woman. It was recommended that all young women (pre-menopausal) should be informed about fertility options before treatment.
Financial guidelines and assistance:
Free mammograms and ultra sounds
Better financial support
Improving resources:
Links to specialists
Information for women with children
Accessing support groups
Support groups for partners; carers
Breast Care Nurses for all women
Advanced Young Women’s Group
Peer support program that helps connect women
Develop medical databases
Increasing awareness around young women’s issues
Transcripts, presentations and photos from the Conference will be made available on www.yabc2007conference.org late November.
Peninsula Dragon Fly's
Our members of Peninsula Dragon Fly's have returned from Caloundra, where they had a wonderful connection with women from all over the world, also
Your Stories
We have received an email from Jennifer Kerr who wants to know any stories of women suffering from breast cancer who are our of pocket in regards to expenses for treatment or loss of wages to do treatment or loss of wages to recover from treatments or even expense just to access treatments. She is campaigning to help these women help of a major publishing organisation in Australia. Her contact details are PO Box 419, Dromana, 3936Mobile: 0418 965753 PH: 03 59873716 email: kerrclan02@bigpond.com and her story is at
http://aww.ninemsn.com.au/section.aspx?sectionid=6002§ionname=pinkribbon
Writers' Group
The Writers Group started at Peninsula Private Hospital in the Chemo Room on Wed 31st October at 2.00pm. Sorry I'm late with this one, but call Gail on 97088034 if you are interested in joining.
Being Vigilant
After the positive feedback received re comments from Jo in the last Newsletter re secondaries, Jo advises the following:
What 'follow up' do we have/ need. Remember that different types of cancer diagnosis will require different follow up. Some doctors will do a baseline of CT and Bone Scans at diagnosis, some will not. Some doctors will continue to do scans at regular intervals some only at certain stages or when a symptom warrants it. Blood tests for tumour markers is only appropriate for women who at the time of diagnosis had an elevated marker, many women do not.
The best advice is to be alert but not alarmed and to be 'breast aware' as you know your body better than anyone and see it more regularly. But don't be afraid to get something unusual checked out. We all need to take care of ourselves. Cheers Jo
Regular follow-up is essential after treatment for early breast cancer.
After your treatment you should have regular appointments with your GP, surgeon, radiation oncologist or medical oncologist. Regular follow-up makes sure that if breast cancer comes back in the breast, breast tissue, or the other breast, it is promptly treated. Regular follow-up also allows your doctor to check for, and manage, any side effects from treatment that might develop after you have finished treatment. Speak to your doctor about your follow-up schedule.
Appropriate follow-up involves regular examinations and mammograms. It does not involve chest X-rays, bone scans or blood tests unless there is a problem that shows they are needed.
See your GP or specialist as soon as possible if you:
• feel a lump in either breast, or in the breast tissue left on your chest after mastectomy
• have any other symptoms in either breast, such as nipple discharge
• develop any other symptoms that concern you.
Do not wait until your regular appointment if you notice any new or unusual changes.
If you change doctors at any time, ask your new doctor to request your medical records from your previous doctor.
NBCC Information for women with Early Breast Cancer.
Cancer Council Victoria – Free Seminar for people living with advanced cancer:
“When cancer won’t go away”
Saturday 1 December, 10.30-2.30pm
Partners, family and Friends are encouraged to attend.
RSVP: PH: 13 11 20 or email cis@cancervic.org.au
Coming Up:
Nov 7th Annie Carter - with bras and bathers for us special gals
Dec 5th Christmas Dinner at the Grand Hotel - bring a Kris Kringle to the value of $10 [I'll book for 20 so just turn up on the night]
I won't be at the next meeting, I'll be sunning myself in Cairns while catching up with my daughter Jane, so in the meantime, stay healthy and take care.
Jann
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