The Auckland East Breast Friends Group meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7.30 pm at Highland Park Community House, Highland Park. Please contact Jennifer (09) 274 1192 or Gill (09)274 9222 for more information or call us on 0800 273 222. New members are always welcome.  

Latest news: Having a go at scrapbooking

A visit from a Pink Dragon

Clinical Nurse Specialist Kiri Mann visits in April
 

Having a go at scrapbooking 

This report from Group Coordinator Jennifer Woodroofe

Fourteen ladies attended the September meeting of the East Auckland Breast Friends group.

For our ‘topic’ we did something we have not done for about 3 years, and set out making scrapbooks. We had piles of magazines, travel books, craft books and other associated paper material for the ladies to do what they wished. One lady did pictures of animals in hers, another did places but most chose to generally do something that would appeal to a child. Naturally, they did not get finished, so the ladies took them home to hopefully finish off and give away.
 
We had a great meeting, lots of chatter, several items of interest for the group to discuss  plus an ‘up-to-date’ membership contact list. One lady who has been unwell over the last few months came, another lady who used to come 6 years ago decided to return, a brand new lady with whom the Co-ordinator had contact a while back attended and another lady who we haven’t seen for a while also came along. We still have a few away on overseas holidays.
 
One member is going to organise our Xmas get together and we look forward to that. Next month we hope to have a podiatrist to come and talk to us about foot care.
 

A visit from a Pink Dragon

This report from Group Coordinator Jennifer Woodroofe

The East Auckland group enjoyed guest speaker Paula from the Pink Dragons Dragon Boat Team. Paula was a very enthusiastic speaker who told us the history of how their team was formed. The ‘Busting with Life ‘ team had grown too big so it was decided to make another one – hence the ‘Pink Dragons’ came on the scene. We heard how about the origins of Dragon Boating, where it all started and what you need to be able to do to qualify to become a team member – aside from having had breast cancer.
 
We had a low number of women present due partly to the weather and the time of year when people go away, but it was nevertheless very enjoyable with a lot of laughs. Paula brought her own paddle with her for us to see and told us about events the team had entered – including one trip to Australia. She showed us the arm and body actions that a person needs to be able to do and having good fitness is a definite must! There were lots of questions asked and Paula also told us what she must do if the Dragon Boat capsizes!.  I have decided to stay on the land!

To read more about dragon boating, click here.
 

'Being prepared' with Neighbourhood Watch 

This report from Group Coordinator Jennifer Woodroofe

The East Auckland group met in May and one of our own members was our speaker!

Barbara has been a member of our group for a number of years and ‘in another life’ she is also the Street Coordinator for her local Neighbourhood Watch are. Barbara holds the Survival Kit for the street and brought it along to show us the contents and tell us how her own ‘street neighbourhood watch’ works.

Barbara attends other meetings around the area with other Coordinators. All Coordinators are trained for this worthwhile role. Barbara even has a ‘special’ T-shirt which she wears as Street Coordinator. We had a lot of pamphlets on hand for the ladies to look at and take home and it was a highly educational evening.

The idea is to equip each Street Coordinator with items needed to help in any sort of emergency. Barbara was saying that a lot of her items come from the  'two dollar shops' so it's worth keeping an eye out!

Barbara also told us that she knows everyone in her street, knows their strengths and weaknesses, knows how each person could be of most use to her in an emergency situation and also knows what items they have in case something is needed eg: wheelbarrow, chainsaw, carpenter, outdoor seating, trailer etc.

Some items Barbara has in her Survival Kit (a large plastic box) include: A big red triangle that can be placed on the road or wherever, face masks, a tool kit (knife, screwdrivers, hammer, scissors etc) First Aid Kit, Gladwrap, emergency blanket, hand cleaners/wipes, chalk (red is most effective), sanitary pads (for wounds) tarpaulin, toilet paper, whistle, plastic bags, zipper plastic bags, tissues, tin opener, reflective jacket, transistor radio, batteries, rubbish bags various sizes and for plenty of uses, string & rope, matches & cigarette lighter and more. This is by no means the full list and when we looked at all the items she carried it made us stop and think about the reality and the possibility of any event occurring, and so therefore, be as in the words of the Scout and Guide Motto, ‘ Be Prepared’.
 
 

Kiri Mann visits in April

Report from Group Coordinator Jennifer Woodroofe

The speaker for the East Auckland April meeting was Kiri Mann, Clinical Nurse Specialist Reconstruction who has been working for the past year within the South Auckland Health area. Kiri gave us an informal but comprehensive talk on the three different types of reconstruction - implants or new ‘boobs’ made from either the muscle around your back or muscle from the stomach area.

The plastic surgeons can also make a new ‘boob’ from the fatty area below the stomach, but you will be surprised to know that there is not as much fat in that area as you think! some of us volunteered to donate some if they needed it!
 
Kiri also brought a sample of the implants, both the initial one that can be expanded and the final ‘tear drop’ implant, not unlike the ‘tear drop’ breast prosthesis. Kiri explained the procedure well and is in the process of putting together a booklet on reconstruction. She is also going to start a support group for women who have had a reconstruction, to be held monthly, starting early May at the Manukau SuperClinic.
 
She also explained the women who have had a mastectomy can have a reconstruction at any time following the mastectomy. There is no time limit until one can be done, nor age limit, and it does not matter if the woman has had her mastectomy through the private or public sector, she is still eligible to have one done through the public system. However the wait could be from 6 months to a year.
 
A very good resource for the groups to have and East Auckland group recommend Kiri visiting the other Breast Friends groups around Auckland which she is willing to do. 
 

Pakuranga Breast Friends enjoy social time

Although only eight ladies attended the meeting (some Members were away on holiday), all of those present enjoyed a good catch up and discussion about the programme for the coming year.  

High on the list of discussion topics for this year was the issue of reconstruction. Women need more information about this surgical option so Coordinator Jennfer will research the topic for a future meeting. 

Back to top>>>