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Dear ,
Here we are in life after lockdown – how is it going for you? For all of us this is a time of readjusting to find our new normal. And that will be different for everyone. Some will be keen to break out and embrace our new freedom; others might want to go slowly and perhaps retain some of the things they enjoyed about lockdown. At Sweet Louise we are taking time to adjust too.
From this week our Support Coordinators are resuming personal contact with you – initially meeting with individual members. And as advised previously, from July we will resume member meetings. We know it’s been a long time between drinks – coffee or tea with us and other members, and we acknowledge that many of you are missing Sweet Louise member meetings. Recent posts from members on our Facebook page highlighted just how much some of you miss member meetings and how much you are looking forward to getting together as soon as possible.
We can't wait to get back out and support you in person again too. Whilst the waiting seems eternal, as you know, it is a tough time for many people and organisations across New Zealand and there is some readjusting to do. We will be busy planning over the next couple of weeks to ensure we are back with you as soon as we possibly can be.
For now, please remember you can still reach us by phone and email and we look forward to seeing you soon.
If you have any questions or feedback, please contact Jenny Cade, Member Services Manager, on 0273718686 or email jenny.cade@sweetlouise.co.nz.
Online Presentation: Managing Anxiety
We know from you, our members, that anxiety is something you live with as part of your cancer diagnosis. Add in the roller coaster ride of uncertainty, fear and change that many of us have experienced as we have lived through the Covid-19 pandemic of the last few months and we’re thinking let’s talk about this. Let’s talk about anxiety, what it is, how if affects us and how can we manage it.
Join us for our Sweet Louise online presentation by Zoom to talk about managing anxiety. Register now.
Dr Rebecca Storey, Senior Clinical Psychologist for Cancer Services at Waitemata DHB will give a short presentation about anxiety and how techniques such as reframing thoughts can be used. Louise Bobbit, Integrative Nurse Coach and mindfulness practitioner will talk about mindfulness as a tool for managing anxiety and lead members through a couple of simple mindfulness exercises.
You can submit questions for Louise and Rebecca to answer on our registration form. Registrations close midday, Monday, 29 June.
Here’s your chance to let your talents in the kitchen shine with the Sweet October Recipe Competition!
Last year the Sweet October e-Cookbook raised awareness of advanced breast cancer as well as vital funds to help Sweet Louise support our members. This year, we want to build on this success and we need your help!
We are producing a 2020 edition of the e-cookbook and we would like to feature a recipe from one of our members. As well as the winning recipe appearing in the e-cookbook, the winner will also receive a Sweet Louise bracelet to say thank you for your contribution.
Simply submit your favourite recipe and tell us the story behind why this recipe is special to you. Entries close 25 June.
Our Sweet Louise member Lynne Hanson shares her love of a road trip adventure and living for the moment!
Lynne says: “We have owned various buses and caravans for over 40 years and recently purchased a new motorhome to enable us to travel around the country now that I've retired. We’ve got solar power so there's no need for campgrounds. We have everything we need on board – no packing or unpacking equals stress free holidays!
We love being able to roam around the country with no particular plan – we just stop where we want for as long as we want.
We recently returned from four weeks in the South Island (was supposed to be three months but we cut short due to Covid-19). The scenery was magic.
We can’t wait to get back on the road to continue a nomadic lifestyle while I still can!
To me living well means finding the joy in everything you do. Not focusing on the future, just being in the moment.
You can’t change what has happened to you, or control what continues to happen, but you sure can control how you feel about it.
I have cancer – but cancer is not my life. I’ve lived with this for 12 years and hope to get many more.
It is not the time I have left that is important. It is what I do with that time that matters.
Being a member of Sweet Louise has enabled me to meet so many wonderful warrior women who are living life to the full and I am so grateful to be a part of it. I look forward to receiving my vouchers each year. The team at Sweet Louise are such wonderful caring people and I can’t thank them enough for what they do.
Big hugs to all our Sweet Louise community. Our motorhome is called “Winedown” - so if you see us on the road, give us a wave!
Research Request, Department of Psychological Medicine, The University of Auckland
Department of Psychological Medicine at The University of Auckland would like to interview people who have advanced cancer and/or are someone from their whānau who is caring for them.
The study involves a single interview lasting 30-45 minutes. The interview will investigate attitudes and perspectives about a new way of providing support to people with advanced cancer. The interview will take place at a time and location that suits you and can be conducted in person or over the telephone/video-conference.
If you are eligible to take part and complete the interview, you will receive a $100 gift voucher to say thank you for your participation. Please note, there is a screening process first to identify suitable people for the study.
To find out more you can visit their website or email April at awec078@aucklanduni.ac.nz
Member's Facebook group
The Sweet Louise member Facebook group is a private group just for members and Support Coordinators. Anything posted in this group is only visible to members and it is therefore a safe place to share photos, stories, comments, advice and questions. If you haven't joined us yet, we'd love to see you there!
We will be in touch with more news and updates soon.
With very best wishes,
The Sweet Louise Support Coordinator Team: Angela, Anna, Lesley, Nadine, Nicki, Tracy & Jenny
