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Dear ,
Welcome to the first Sweet Louise newsletter for 2021! We hope you're having a great summer.
Sweet Louise member meetings will start up again from February - read on for the dates of meetings in your area. As we write this newsletter, there is some concern about COVID-19 in New Zealand. We are watching this situation closely and have our fingers crossed that we can have a more ‘normal’ year this year.
We hope to see you soon!
Meet Hayley – our new Support Coordinator
"My name is Hayley and I am lucky enough to be Sweet Louise Support Coordinator for the mid-central region. I am a life-long Manawatu local and currently live in Feilding with my husband and three daughters.
"I graduated as a Registered Nurse in 2003 and have always had a particular fondness for working in the community because I believe it is an honour to meet people in their own environments.
"Several years ago, I began to dig a little deeper into what health and wellness actually means and this led me to complete by Diploma of Naturopathy in 2019.
"I enjoy being able to make the best of what both traditional and modern medicine have to offer and am a firm believer in “whatever works for you”.
"I am particularly interested in the power of social connection and how we live our lives and the impact this can have on health and wellbeing. I feel very fortunate to be part of such a wonderful team and I look forward to walking alongside our members and supporting people in their journey."
I can’t change what’s happened, but I can
get on with my life!
Member Karen Daniels, a mum of two from Auckland, was 41 when she received her diagnosis of advanced breast cancer in 2015.
“When I heard the diagnosis I couldn’t understand how this could be happening to me. I was young and fit. I was a regular at the gym, training six days a week for power lifting competitions.
“My life and my world turned upside down.
“Shortly after my diagnosis I found I had to give up my job in health and safety. I tried to go back part-time but it was physically too challenging to continue. A full mastectomy and eight months of chemotherapy, and radiation – were exhausting.
Karen (on the right) with a member of her Valkyrie powerlifting team.
“I found Sweet Louise at just the right time. I love the Sweet Louise member meetings and find that connection is so important.
"I find the meetings give me hope and inspiration. We can all say what we want in a safe environment. I’ve been enjoying the Facebook group too. In our Sweet Louise community, we can just be ourselves with others who understand exactly what we are going through."
“I also find Sweet Louise helps me process and make sense of what I am going through.
“This time last year I struggled to just walk up and down my driveway. Then I took part in the METS programme at Auckland Uni, which I loved and recommend."
"The programme provides an exercise plan that helps increase stamina, strength and confidence. The programme helped me transition to gym training and powerlifting.
“Now, for me it’s all about recovery and rehab – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I’m back at the gym about six days a week. I’ve even started powerlifting and am blessed have joined a powerlifting team called Valkyrie NZ. Valkyrie NZ is New Zealand’s strongest and only all-female powerlifting team coached out of Cage Barbell private facility.
"Valkyrie NZ focusses on strength, inside and out, as well as empowering women through a holistic strength and fitness lifestyle.
“We’re planning to sell Valkyrie NZ hoodies to help raise funds for Sweet Louise too. Keep an eye on the Sweet Louise Facebook page for more info on that!"
“I know that building strength and fitness will take time so I want to just keep moving forward and make each day count.
“I’ve also recently enrolled in AUT to complete a post grad in sport, exercise and health, which I’ll start in March.
“My perspective is so different now. We all live with the reality the cancer could come back at any time. But I want to make the most of my time, be positive and
focus on the things I love."
“We Kiwi women are resilient. I can’t change what has happened, but I can get on with my life.”
Finding strength and being active
Exercise is often a difficult thing to find the time and energy for, especially when living with cancer. However, doing small amounts of exercise can help with sleep, mood, balance and improving general wellbeing. Research shows keeping active can help you cope better with cancer treatment and is a positive way to look after yourself.
Your exercise could be walking around the garden, swimming, doing strength-building exercises at home, going for a walk, yoga, Pink Exercise classes, cycling, running, or just ensuring that you are as active as you can – depending on how you are feeling.
Around New Zealand there are exercise classes for all levels, many Cancer Society or Breast Cancer trust classes and walking groups, Pink Yoga, and Pinc and Steel Physiotherapy/Rehabilitation programmes.
Auckland and Dunedin Universities have exercise programmes specifically designed for women with advanced breast cancer which helps develop an exercise plan that helps increase stamina and reduce fatigue.
Pinc and Steel programmes are available at physiotherapy clinics all around the country. Pinc and Steel programmes are specifically designed to help maximise recovery, regain physical and emotional strength, improve body confidence and control. Exercises that meet you at your level to regain strength. Pinc and Steel have some funding available to support people experiencing some hardship related to their cancer treatment or you can use Sweet Louise vouchers towards their services.
For more information, and a bit of inspiration, talk to your Support Coordinator for more options.
We'd also love to have a discussion on the Sweet Louise Facebook group to find more local options around New Zealand. If you know of any groups or programmes in your area, please let us know, either on Facebook or through your Support Coordinator, and we’ll share with others.
Upcoming meeting dates
North Shore
Please RSVP to Kendra on 021 197 6638 or 0800 11 22 77 or email kendra.ellis@sweetlouise.co.nz
North Shore: Wednesday 3 February@ 10.00am - 11.30am, Takapuna Garden Cafe, Kings Plant Barn, 11 Porana Rd, Glenfield
Auckland West, Warkworth and Northland
Please RSVP to Kendra on 021 197 6638 or 0800 11 22 77 or email kendra.ellis@sweetlouise.co.nz
Henderson: Tuesday 2 February @ 10.00am - 11.30am, Kings Garden Café, 224 Universal Drive, Henderson
Kaitaia: Tuesday 2 February @ 10.00am - 11.30am, The Gecko Café, 71 Commerce St, Kaitaia
Warkworth: Monday 15 February @ 10.30am - 12.00pm, Columbus Coffee (Mitre 10 Mega), Cnr Woodcocks Rd and Mansel Dr, Warkworth
Whangarei: Monday 15 February @ 10.30am - 12.00pm, Daffodil House, 73 Kamo Rd, Kensington, Whangarei
Kerikeri: Tuesday 16 February @ 10.30 - 12.00pm, The Village Café, 8 Village Mall, 85 Kerikeri Rd, Kerikeri
Orewa: Wednesday 24 February @ 10.00am - 11.30m, Walnut Cottage, 498 Hibiscus Coast Highway, Orewa
Auckland Central, East and South
Please RSVP to Nadine on 027 525 1985or 0800 11 22 77 or email nadine.morton@sweetlouise.co.nz
Manurewa: Tuesday 23 February @ 10.30am - 12.00pm, Café Miko – Manurewa Gardens, 100 Hill Rd, Manurewa
Pukekohe: Wednesday 24 February @ 10.30am - 12.00pm, Petals’n’Pots Café, 25 Paerata Rd, Pukekohe
Remuera: Wednesday 3 March @ 10:30am-12pm, Kings Plant Barn, 228 Orakei Rd, Remuera
East Auckland: Monday 8 March @ 10:30am-12pm, Kings Plant Barn, 280 Botany Rd, Golflands
Waikato and Bay of Plenty
Please RSVP to Angela on 027 328 8009 or 0800 11 22 77 or email angela.jackson@sweetlouise.co.nz
Tauranga: Thursday 4 February @ 10.30am - 12.00pm, The Raft, 65 Chapel St, Tauranga
Rotorua: Wednesday 10 February @ 10.30am - 12.00pm, Urbano Bistro, 289 Fenton St, Glenholme, Rotorua
Hamilton: Thursday 11 February @ 10.30am - 12.00pm, Agora Café Boardroom, Café Agora, 13 Kent Street, Frankton
Gisborne: Wednesday 17 February @ 10.00am - 12.00pm, PBC Café, 38 Childers Rd, Gisborne
Taupo: Monday 22 February @ 11.00am - 12.00pm, Café 99, 99 Tongariro St, Taupo
Whakatane/Kawerau: Wednesday 10 March @ 10.30am - 12.00pm, Thornton Bar and Eatery, 8B Thornton Rd
Mid-Central
Please RSVP to Hayley on 027 328 8008 or 0800 11 22 77 or email hayley.luke@sweetlouise.co.nz
Kapiti: Wednesday 17 February @ 10.30am - 12.00pm, No.6 Licensed Café, 6 Alexander Rd, Raumati Beach
Palmerston North: Tuesday 23 February @ 10.00am - 12.30pm, Cooperage Café, 723 Main St, Palmerston North
Wellington and Wairarapa and Hawkes Bay
Please RSVP to Tracy on 021 328 835 or 0800 11 22 77 or email tracy.smith@sweetlouise.co.nz
Wellington: Tuesday 9 February @ 10.30am - 12.00pm, Simmer Café, 103 Westchester Dr, Churton Park
Greytown: Friday 12 February @ 10.30am - 12.00pm, The Offering, Main St, Greytown
Wellington: Monday 22 February @ 3.00pm - 4.30pm, 1815 Café, 2 Maginnity St, Wellington Central
Hawkes Bay: Wednesday 10 March @10.30am - 12.00pm, venue TBC
Nelson and Marlborough
Please RSVP to Tracy on 021 328 835 or 0800 11 22 77 or email tracy.smith@sweetlouise.co.nz
Blenheim: Tuesday 2 March @ 1.00pm - 2.30pm, The Wine Station, Sinclair Street, Mayfield, Blenheim
Nelson: Wednesday 3 March @ 10.30am - 12.00pm, Melrose House Cafe, Brougham Street, Nelson South, Nelson
Canterbury, Otago and Southland
Please RSVP to Lesley on 027 328 8003 or 0800 11 22 77 or email lesley.narayanan@sweetlouise.co.nz
Christchurch: Tuesday 16 February @ 10.30am - 12.00pm, Urban Eatery at Oderings Garden Centre, 92 Stourbridge St, Barrington, Christchurch
Dunedin: Tuesday 23 February @ 11.30am - 1.00pmn, Ironic Café, 9 Anzac Avenue, Dunedin
Invercargill: Tuesday 9 March @ 1.00pm -2.30pm, Industry Café, 33 Arena Avenue
With warmest wishes,
The Sweet Louise Support Coordinator Team: Angela, Hayley, Kendra, Lesley, Nadine & Tracy
