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Dear ,
It has been great to see many you over the last few weeks at our Christmas meetings.
2020 sure has been a bit of a roller coaster ride in New Zealand. We embraced zoom calls and phone calls, spending time at home safe in our bubbles, and relished those moments when we could meet face to face.
Over the holiday period, the Sweet Louise office will be closed from 5pm on Christmas Eve until Monday, 11 January.
All our team would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and hope you have a lovely summer holiday!
Voucher changes
We recently sent you an email to let you know that due to Covid-19 disrupting fundraising and funding, Sweet Louise has made the difficult decision to temporarily suspend issuing vouchers.
What does this mean?
No new vouchers will be issued during this period
If you currently have Sweet Louise vouchers you are still able to spend these with service providers, please contact your regional support coordinator to discuss this further.
Please talk to your Support Coordinator should you have any further queries about voucher use. Thank you for your understanding and we look forward to 2021.
Thank you for the positivity
Natalie lives on a small farm in beautiful Waiuku just south of Auckland. She lives there with her daughter Zoe, her brother and her retired parents. Natalie was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer in July 2019 at just 37 years old.
“One day I was holding my little girl, Zoe. She was four at the time. She bumped my chest and it really hurt. When I felt where it was painful, I found a lump. I was feeling fine, but I was worried enough to go to see the doctor straight away.
“Initially I was told I was too young for a scan but my GP helped push for it. My mum was with me for the results. It showed a 12cm lump in my chest and that
the cancer had spread to my liver. It was all a bit of a blur. But I knew I had to be strong for my mum and the family.
Natalie & Zoe
“At first I didn’t know what to tell Zoe. She was hearing bits of conversation and I could tell she was frightened. So I decided to include Zoe in everything I was going though. Now she even comes to the doctor and hospital appointments with me if she isn’t at school. She loves it and loves being with me. It’s made a big difference.
"Zoe has been so brave. Including her in everything was the best decision I made."
“I had four months of chemotherapy. I’d still get up at 5am to feed the calves before going to chemo! I’d really struggle for a few days after the chemo but then I’d be back to normal.
“I’m now on Herceptin and they’ve increased the length of time between my scans. I know that’s good news - but I do feel anxious about the longer waiting time.
"I get really anxious around the time of the scans.
Zoe & the calves!
“Sweet Louise has made a world of difference to me. When Nadine from Sweet Louise came to visit me at home on the farm, we didn’t talk about the cancer at all. It was all about me.
"Nadine brought so much positivity. She talked about women who’ve lived with advanced breast cancer for years and are coping well and living well.
Hearing that gave me such a huge boost."
“Last October, Sweet Louise organised for Zoe and I to go on a trip to Butterfly Creek. They sorted everything out. It was a real treat, especially at that point as we were all feeling so down.
“Part of my strategy for living is to keep busy and keep doing all the stuff I love doing. I’m busy on the farm with my 25 calves. And Zoe keeps me busy! I bought a race horse last year but haven’t managed to ride him yet. I still enjoy swimming too.
“I recently sold one of my calves and donated the funds to Sweet Louise. I'm going to try and do that again next year.
“I've also got back into art as well. I’m doing artwork on corrugated iron. I’m really enjoying it. It’s so peaceful and relaxing – it takes your mind off everything. I'd love to be able to sell some of my artwork and donate that to Sweet Louise as well.
Natalie's artwork
“Being a Sweet Louise member has helped me realise there is one thing cancer can’t control and that’s how I think. And I want to keep on thinking positive."
Kura’s carrot cake
Actor and comedian Kura Forrester is a great supporter of Sweet Louise and knows what a difference being a member made to her sister-in-law, Prue.
Kura contributed this great family-favourite recipe to our e-cookbook. Give it a go!
“My Mum gave me this carrot cake recipe and tells me it’s over 30 years old. I made it recently and it’s still very, very good – a classic one might say! I love it because it is super simple and low maintenance. I wanted to share this one in particular as it was a favourite of my dearest late sister-in-law Prue who spoke very highly of Sweet Louise and the incredible work they do. Karawhiua! Enjoy.”
It's starting to look a lot like Christmas...
Secret Santa, Christmas crackers, festive outfits, sparkle and joy... It's been so lovely so see those who could make it to our Christmas meetings!
Who delivers presents to baby sharks at Christmas?…Santa Jaws
What did the Christmas tree say to the ornament?...Quit hanging around!
Why do cats take so long to wrap presents?...They want them to be purr-fect!
Who hides in a bakery at Christmas? A mince spy.
What do you get if you cross Santa with a duck? A Christmas quacker.
What did one snowman say to the other snowman? "Can you smell carrots?"
Summertime connection on Zoom
A chance to connect and chat via Zoom this summer. Join us on Tuesday, 19 January at 10.00am
We will send out more information closer to the date.
We hope that you all have a lovely summer break and would like to wish you all the timeless treasures of Christmas...the warmth of home, the love of family and the company of good friends.
With warmest wishes,
The Sweet Louise Support Coordinator Team: Angela, Kendra, Lesley, Nadine & Tracy
