Dear ,

Welcome to your March newsletter! We hope those of you in Auckland have managed OK with the recent lockdown and the disruption caused. As we write this, we all have our fingers crossed that this latest round of Covid-19 restrictions will ease, and we can get back to having face-to-face meetings and member meetings across New Zealand. 

Sweet Louise has some exciting events coming up soon in various parts of New Zealand over the next few months. We look forward to letting you know about those events just as soon as we can. 

Read on to find the dates of all the meetings coming up in your area plus some online Zoom meetings, hear from Dunedin member Natalie and be in with a chance to win a copy of her book!

"Every day I feel healed": 
Meet Natalie Yule Yeoman from Dunedin

"I’m just home from the Expinkt gym at the PhysEd School, Otago Uni. I’ve been there twice-weekly for the last six years. It’s my survival package," says Natalie.

"‘I’m off to the gym to save my life!’ This is no exaggeration. It’s a vital part of what keeps me going.

"In spite of regular self-examination and mammograms, my breast cancer was not picked up until the beginning of 2015. 

"I was recalled…a note to me in the middle of a class I was teaching, with a cell number, “ring Jan - it’s important”.  I knew why. I said to Jan, “It’s my right breast isn’t it?” “Why do you say that?” she asked. “I presented in 2009 with an inverted nipple on my right side,” I responded. She admitted, yes, it was.

"I never found myself thinking ‘why me?’ Yet I didn’t have the obvious risk factors. The only risk I could see was my age - 62 at the time.

"Straight off, I was suspicious. My tumour was big and in spite of regular reassurances of  ‘don’t worry, we’ve got this early’. I had a hunch this was late. I was uneasy and questioning. I suspected that whoever had reported my previous mammogram had missed it. My inverted nipple underscored everything.

"What followed was a right-side mastectomy and axillary clearance. I lost a breast. How easily I can say that now!

"Meanwhile, for over a year I had been regularly reporting a spasmodic pain behind my left ear. My GP had been unable to diagnose it; she referred me to ED where I was told ‘it’s a virus, it will get better’. My breast surgeon told me ‘once you know you’ve got breast cancer, it’s very easy to think every little ache and pain is from that’. He wasn’t concerned but I asked for it to be put in my notes.

"Lymph nodes were involved, leading to bone, CT and MRI scans. After some reporting errors, (more suspicion!), the pain behind my ear finally proved to be a secondary tumour in the mastoid bone.

"My oncologist said ‘Natalie, you have not been well-served’. He suggested my GP and I lodge a claim with ACC under the medical misdiagnosis category, now called treatment injury, on the grounds of failure to treat. ACC worked on my case for 6 months, keeping me regularly updated on progress. My caseworker was a frequent, unhurried support to me and I was amazed at the thoroughness of the ACC process. I felt listened to, taken seriously.

"Late 2015, my claim was accepted. There had indeed been a ‘failure to treat’. The report said on inspection of my mammograms, I ‘could’ have been recalled in 2010 but I definitely ‘should’ have been recalled in 2012.

"That I wasn’t recalled, resulted in my breast cancer developing to the point where it had become metastatic.

"I tried to keep calm, to be a kind and courteous person in spite of disappointment and anger, to campaign on, in case my case represented others as well. I tried to process the pain of feeling let down by the system. Errors meant I was now officially incurable.

"2021 and I am now multi-metastatic, in my spine, cranium, ribs and pelvis. I’ve made my way through further diagnoses and treatments. I live with small reminders (radiation residue, dry mouth, a wee patch of permanent hair loss, cracked lips). But mainly I feel well. I am much more well than not well.

"Bless you all in Sweet Louise! Bless your journeys, your pilgrimages, your valleys and your peaks, your nights and your days, your whānau and your special loves."

Natalie's Poetry

"While Rome Burns… recounts the time I sat at home, alone. I had just heard my breast cancer was metastatic. I was a bit stunned. After a time, I watched myself get up and reposition a pot plant. Then I trimmed a dead leaf from the plant. That I could attend to such trivial detail at such a time, gave me tiny encouragement."

While Rome Burns…

For now
It is enough
To sit in the sun
With my coffee
To clip a dead leaf
And sigh.

Win a copy of Natalie's book A Maze of Grace

A Maze of Grace is the story of Natalie's response to her illness over a year, through diary entries, correspondence, poems, medical reports and family writings. Natalie’s wish is that her discoveries on this pilgrimage will be helpful for anyone going through a health crisis. We have two copies of the book to give away. 

Please email info@sweetlouise.co.nz to let us know you'd like to go into the draw to win a copy of A Maze of Grace. 

Upcoming meeting dates 

Note: Sweet Louise will only conduct face-to-face meetings under level 1 Covid-19 restrictions. 

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 7 April @ 10.00am - 11.30am, Takapuna Garden Café, Kings Plant Barn, 11 Porana Rd, Glenfield and Wednesday 5 May @ 10:00-11:30, Takapuna Garden Cafe (Kings Plant Barn), 11 Porana Road, Glenfield 

Rodney District

Please RSVP to Kendra on 021 197 6638 or 0800 11 22 77 or email kendra.ellis@sweetlouise.co.nz 
Warkworth: Monday 12 April @ 10.00am-11.30, Columbus Café, Mitre 10 MEGA Warkworth, 70-80 Woodcocks Road, Warkworth and Monday 10 May 10.00am-11.30, Columbus Café, Mitre 10 MEGA Warkworth, 70-80 Woodcocks Road, Warkworth 
Silverdale/Orewa: Wednesday 28 April @ 10.00am- 11.30am, Walnut Cottage, 498 Hibiscus Coast Highway, Orewa and Wednesday 30 June @ 10.00-11.30am, Walnut Cottage, 498 Hibiscus Coast Highway, Orewa. 

Auckland West, Whangarei and Northland  

Please RSVP to Kendra on 021 197 6638 or 0800 11 22 77 or email kendra.ellis@sweetlouise.co.nz 
Henderson: Tuesday 6 April @ 10.00am - 11.30am, Kings Plant Barn, 224 Universal Drive, Henderson and Tuesday 4 May @ 10:00-11:30, Kings Plant Barn, 224 Universal Drive
Kerikeri: Monday 12 April @ 2.30pm - 4pm, The Village Café, 8 Village Mall, 85 Kerikeri Road, Kerikeri and Monday 10th May @ 2.30pm - 4pm, The Village Café, 8 Village Mall, 85 Kerikeri Road
Whangarei: Tuesday 13 April @ 10.30am - 12.00pm, Daffodil House, 73 Kamo Rd, Kensington and Tuesday 11 May @ 10.30-12pm, Daffodil House, 73 Kamo Road, Kensington, Whangarei 

Auckland Central, East and South 

Please RSVP to Nadine on 027 525 1985or 0800 11 22 77 or email nadine.morton@sweetlouise.co.nz 
Waiheke: Monday 22 March @ 10.30am - 12.00pm, Ahipoa Café, 10 Ocean View Rd, Matiatia 
South Auckland: Wednesday 7 April @ 10:30am-12pm, Cafe Miko, Manurewa Gardens, 100 Hill Rd, Manurewa South Auckland and Tuesday 4 May @ 10:30am-12pm, Cafe Miko, Manurewa Gardens, 100 Hill Rd, Manurewa 
Pukekohe: Monday 12 April @  10:30am-12pm, Petals 'n Pots Cafe, 25 Paerata Rd, and Wednesday 12 May @ 10:30am-12pm, Petals 'n Pots Cafe, 25 Paerata Rd, Pukekohe 
Central Auckland:  Wednesday 17 March @10:30am-12pm, Kings Plant Barn, 228 Orakei Rd; Tuesday 13 April @ 10:30-12pm, KIngs Plant Barn, 228 Orakei Rd, and Monday 10 May @ 10:30am-12pm, Kings Plant Barn, 228 Orakei Rd, Remuera 
East Auckland: Wednesday 14 April @ 10:30am-12pm, Kings Plant Barn, 280 Botany Rd, Golflands and Tuesday 11 May @ 10:30am-12pm, Kings Plant Barn, 280 Botany Rd, Golflands, Auckland 

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: Friday 9 April @ 10.30am - 12.00pm, The Raft, Chapel St, Tauranga and Friday 28 May @ 10.30am - 12.00pm, The Raft, Chapel St, Tauranga 
Rotorua: Thursday 15 April @ 10.30am - 12.00pm, Urbano Bistro, Fenton St, Rotorua and Thursday 20 May @ 10.30am - 12.00pm, Urbano Bistro, Fenton St, Rotorua 
Hamilton: Friday 16 April @ 10.30am - 12.00pm, Agora Cafe Boardroom, Kent St, Frankton, Hamilton and Friday 21 May @ 10.30am - 12.00pm, Agora Cafe Boardroom, Kent St, Frankton, Hamilton 
Taupo: Friday 7 May @ 10.00am - 12.00pm, Cafe 99, Tongariro St, Taupo 
Gisborne: Friday 14 May @ 10.00am - 11.30am, PBC Cafe, 38 Childers Rd, Gisborne 

Mid-Central 

Please RSVP to Hayley on 027 328 8008  or 0800 11 22 77 or email hayley.luke@sweetlouise.co.nz 
Whanganui: Tuesday 16 March @ 10:00am – 11.30am, Springvale Café, 18 Devon Rd, Whanganui, and Wednesday 7 April @ 10.00am - 11.30am, Springvale Café, 18 Devon Rd, Whanganui and Tuesday 5 May @ 10.00am - 11.30am, Springvale Café, 18 Devon Rd, Whanganui 
Palmerston North: Tuesday 13 April @ 10.00am - 11.30am, Cooperage Café, 723 Main St, Palmerston North and Tuesday 11 May @ 10.00am - 11.30am, Cooperage Café, 723 Main St, Palmerston North 
New Plymouth: Wednesday 14 April @ 10.30am - 12.00pm, Bach on Breakwater, Oceanview Parade, New Plymouth and Tuesday 18 May @ 10.30am - 12.00pm, Bach on Breakwater, Oceanview Parade, New Plymouth 
Kapiti: Wednesday 17 March @ 10.30am-12:00pm, No.6 Licensed Café, 6 Alexander Road, Raumati Beach  and Monday 12 April @ 10.30am - 12.00pm, No. 6 Licensed Café, 6 Alexander Rd, Raumati Beach, and Wednesday 12 May @ 10.30am - 12.00pm, No. 6 Licensed Café, 6 Alexander Rd, Raumati Beach

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: Wednesday 7 April @ 10.00am-12.00pm, Government House 
Wellington CBD: Monday 12 April @ 3 pm - 4.30 pm, 1815 Cafe, 2 Maginnity Street, Wellington Central and Monday 17 May @ 3 pm - 4.30 pm, 1815 Cafe, 2 Maginnity Street, Wellington Central  
Wellington: Monday 10 May @ 10.30 - 12 noon, Simmer Cafe, 103 Westchester Drive, Churton Park 
Hawkes Bay: Wednesday 14 April @ 10.30 - 12 noon, TBC and Wednesday 19 May @ 10.30am - 12.00pm, TBC. 
Wairarapa: Friday 16 April @ 1030-1200, The Offering, Main Street Greytown 

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 30 March @ 1.00pm - 2.30pm, The Wine Station, Sinclair St, and Tuesday 4 May @ 1.00pm - 2.30pm, The Wine Station, Sinclair Street, Mayfield
Nelson: Wednesday 31 March @ 10.30am - 12.00pm, Melrose House Café, Brougham St, Nelson and Wednesday 5 May @ 10.30 - 12 noon, 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 
Timaru: Tuesday 13 April @ 10.30am -12.00 noon, Replenish Cafe, 287 Stafford St
Christchurch: Wednesday 14 April @ 0.00am - 12.00pm, Joes Garage , 7 Leslie St, Upper Riccarton and Tuesday 18 May @ 1030am- 1200 noon, Untouched World, 155 Roydvale Ave, Burnside, Christchurch 
Dunedin: Tuesday 4 May @ 11.30am - 1pm, Ironic Cafe, 9 Anzac Ave, Dunedin  

 Zoom / Online meetings

Auckland and Northland zoom meeting: Wednesday 21 April @ 11.00am - 12.00pm, Online and Tuesday 18 May @ 11.00am - 12.00pm
Zoom link to be sent out nearer to the time. 

Rural connection zoom meeting, New Zealand wide: Wednesday 31 March @ 11.00am - 12.00pm Zoom link to be sent out nearer to the time.       

Gifts to the Future

Te Aro o Te Kahu Community Hui

Te Aro o Te Kahu, the Cancer Control agency, is hosting a series of community hui around New Zealand aiming to hear the voice of whānau Māori, improve outcomes and design a kaupapa Maori cancer solution. Sweet Louise Support Coordinators will be attending these hui where able. 

For more information on this, go to https://teaho.govt.nz/about/our-work/community-hui

Recipe of the month: Chocolate Guinness Cake

"I have made this decadent cake a few times, mainly so I can convince myself that I’m turning into the domestic goddess that is Nigella Lawson. It is lovely and chocolatey with a savory note from the Guinness, and the icing, which looks like beer froth is delicious. A yummy treat. We promise that we will include something healthy in next month's newsletter!" Angela Jackson, Support Coordinator, Waikato and Bay of Plenty. 

METHOD 

1. Preheat the oven to 160°C Fan and butter and line a 23cm springform tin. 
    

2. Pour the Guinness into a large wide saucepan, add the butter - in pieces - and heat until the butter's melted, then whisk in the cocoa and sugar. Beat the sour cream with the eggs and vanilla and then pour into the pan and finally whisk in the flour and baking soda. 

3. Pour the cake batter into the greased and lined tin and bake for 45 minutes to an hour. Leave to cool completely in the tin on a cooling rack, as it is quite a damp cake. 

4. Icing, Lightly whip the cream cheese until smooth, sieve over the icing sugar and cornflour and then beat to combine. 

5. Beat cream until you have a spreadable consistency, add a couple of spoonfuls into the cream cheese mixture and once this is combined, fold in the rest. 

6. Ice the top of the black cake so that it resembles the frothy top of the famous pint.