The North Shore Breast Friends meet on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7.00pm at a Takapuna (Auckland) venue which is confirmed each month. Please contact either Geraldine ((09) 480 9406) or Cathie ((09) 419 9342) for details - or call us on 0800BreaCanSupport (0800 273 222). New members are always welcome.
Latest news: Dealing with stress
Some wise words from women who know ...
North Shore Breast Friends News 2010 - from Jenny Short
Dealing with Stress
It was so good to be able to go out to a meeting while it is still daylight and warm!
Our November meeting was held in the Senior Citizens Clubrooms next to the Takapuna Library. This venue has proved to be a very good meeting place for us over the last couple of years. It is warm and comfortable; easily accessible; we can use the large hall for demonstrations like Pink Pilates or the small room to one side for more “intimate” meetings; there is ample parking all around and, with other meetings taking place all around us, there are plenty of other people out and about and it feels secure.
This month, thirteen members attended and we had a presentation by Elizabeth Meadows (Nousoma). Elizabeth has had her own brushes with “life” and she explained how she learned to deal with stress by using Jin Shin Jyutsu.
This is a relatively unknown Japanese practice which identifies 36 different points in the body relating to organs and emotions, and to which pressure can be applied to promote a feeling of wellness and healing. Perhaps some of the attractions of the practice of Jin Shin Jyutsu are that it can be self-administered, is non-invasive and requires no medicines.
Elizabeth also talked about the need to work consciously on our good health: on the importance of an alkaline diet, appropriate breathing and exercise to oxygenate the blood and sleep to promote healing.
An International Dinner!
In October each year, we have a tradition of holding an International Dinner.
This month it was held in the home of Mary Anne who was, as always, a wonderful host.
Twenty members (comprising six different ethnic backgrounds) arrived bearing an array of wonderful dishes. Apart from the fantastic food, we shared how long it had been since our first diagnosis with answers ranging from 4 months to 40 years.
We also shared, “Something you didn’t know about me…” and did what we do so well – sharing, encouraging, inspiring and supporting each other - with several ladies disappearing somewhere for a “show and tell”.
One of our members, Violet, has become quite a famous face and a role model for her people as she appeared in both “Mana” and “New Idea” magazines. She will also be featured in this month’s photographic exhibition, Portraits of Strength, opening at Achilles House, 8 Commerce St, Level 1, Suite 105 on Tuesday, October 19, 6.30pm. Exhibition runs weekdays until Friday, October 29, 10am to 3pm.
In this exhibition, the courage of 11 breast cancer survivors has been captured by one of New Zealand's top fashion photographer Damien Nikora of Orewa, who spent seven months getting to know survivors from around the country, and telling their stories through his photos.
Thermography as a diagnostic tool
We had a slightly controversial meeting this month because we invited a speaker to talk to us about thermography.
One or two members had requested this and we believed it was OK for women to hear all sides of the story and make up their own minds. To be sure, a good number of women turned out on a cold evening because they were interested to “join the debate”.
We explained that the conventional medical profession does not consider thermography in a very favourable light (note the New Zealand Herald 23 Sept. 2010) because it can give many false positives and women may become unnecessarily alarmed. Also DCIS is not picked up by thermography. But the speaker pointed out that thermography should not be used as a stand alone tool and should be used alongside other diagnostic tools such as mammograms. He alluded to the possible advantage of thermography in that it could be used for women who refuse x-rays and can pick up early warning signs in breast tissue which is outside the area examined in a mammogram.
Our members enjoyed this talk and asked many challenging questions and good discussion followed.
It is good to hear both sides of a discussion and I am sure we can all be trusted to make the right decisions for ourselves.
Note from BCS about thermography: There is renewed debate concerning the effectiveness of thermography as a tool for diagnosing breast cancer. It is important to note that no clinical studies have been conducted to prove whether thermography is effective whereas the use of mammography as a screening tool has been clinically proven as effective and is a medically accepted and proven diagnostic tool.
The inclusion on this website of information about thermography does not indicate endorsement, recommendation, or acceptance of this procedure by BCS but is included only to provide information.
BCS recommends women always seek advice from their medical professionals regarding their health and wellbeing choices.
To learn more about thermography, visit the
Clinical Thermography NZ website. Also visit the excellent American
'breastcancer.org' site for a description of thermography.
Sweet treats in August
Our August meeting was graciously hosted by one of our coordinators, Geraldine, in her home.
Fifteen members attended a dessert evening and we all enjoyed “naughty” treats with our coffees and teas.
Our social meetings take place every second month and are a chance for members to mix, mingle, network – just generally getting to know one another. Members enjoy this opportunity to find someone who has had the same treatment so they can “compare notes.” We also just enjoy the social occasion.
Thank you, Geraldine, for opening your home to us all.
Freezing cold, raining and blowing a storm ...
... but eight hardy members ventured out for our July meeting at the Senior Citizens’ Clubrooms in Takapuna. The room was warm and cosy and so was the feeling of the meeting.
The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation Conference had taken place the weekend before. Two of our members attended so gave the group a great report on the conference. A highlight seemed to be American surgeon, David Heinz, talking about the targeted therapies that are coming on stream. It seems there is an ever increasing variation in the medications which are becoming available to suit each individual’s needs. No more ‘one therapy fits all’ as in the old days. Another highlight was the talk on complementary medications explaining in some detail those that were useful and others not.
We had no speaker this month so related our own anecdotes about the most embarrassing moment each of us had had whilst going through breast cancer treatment.
One member reported she gave her cleaning lady nightmares for three weeks because (despite being a very private person) she decided she wanted to show off her post-mastectomy wounds.
Another member related the embarrassing appearance of a young doctor to assist with her operation and who turned out to be an ex-student.
A third member who had a breast removed was told by her friend that she “thought you were going to have just one breast removed.”
We also related what advice we would give to a friend who had just been diagnosed with breast cancer. Here are some of the pearls of wisdom:
- Only have cheerful friends.
- Be proactive in your own treatment.
- Talk to someone in a support group straight away so you can see there is light at the end of the tunnel.
- Don’t rush into any decisions. It is wise to take your time and make your own well-considered decisions.
- Seek a second opinion.
- Accept that for a short while you can’t do what you have always done and let others who offer to help you do just that.
- Read books on positive affirmation.
- Join the Cancer Society.
When asked how cancer has changed our lives, these were some of the answers:
- I have learned to say “No’ much more.
- I make time for things that are for my benefit a high priority. (e.g. regular exercise)
- I no longer allow myself to be stressed.
- I forget yesterday, don’t worry about tomorrow and just live for today.
- I avoid plastics in food and cooking and am more aware of toxic things in my environment.
Lunch by the sea!
Hello everyone,
It is so hard to imagine that we are already half way through 2010. Time passes so quickly as we get older, so we must enjoy everything there is to enjoy in life (and there is a lot in New Zealand). After all, it can be largely our own attitude to life that determines whether we are miserable or happy. Of course, we all have our own huge burdens to bear and battles to fight at times, but let’s snatch the good times when we can.
Whoo hoo! Where did that all come from? Sorry about that. I don’t usually philosophise so. Do excuse me … I promise to never again ….
But I am feeling good after enjoying a wonderful “mid-winter luncheon” with many of the other ladies from BCS North Shore. Twelve of us went to McHughs of Devonport for lunch on 9 June. The group had enjoyed a mid-winter spoiling at this time last year, so we repeated the exercise this year and were not let down.
The weather was spectacularly good. The location is beautiful. (How many restaurants are right on a beach looking out on Rangitoto Island?) Of course, the food was top class. But, best of all was the company of the other BCS members. As on all of these social occasions, we had a chance to get to know each other and share stories and experiences, about BC and not about BC. You might have thought we were the local book club or film society had you been listening in. Laughter abounded. (Wow – I really am waxing lyrical today!) Let me encourage anyone who has not been to our mid-winter luncheon yet to join us next year.
Of course, we don’t want you to wait until then. Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday 14 July at the Senior Citizens’ Clubrooms in Takapuna. Our speaker will show us how gentle hand massage can help relaxation. Everyone enjoyed her session so much last time she spoke to the group that she is back by popular demand. Of course, there will be time to informally mix and mingle as well.
Dates for the remainder of the year:
14 July Meeting 11 August Social
8 September Meeting
13 October International Dinner
10 November Meeting
8 December Christmas Party
We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the next meeting at the Senior Citizen’s Clubrooms on 14th July. As always, we extend a warm welcome to new members.
Specialist nurses visit in May
Despite howling winds and horizontal rain, we had a well attended meeting at the Senior Citizens’ Clubrooms on Wednesday 12 May.
Some emailed to say that the weather had just been too bad for them to even consider venturing out, but the 12 members who did brave the elements were not disappointed. Our speakers provided us with a night of premium education and so the night was very worthwhile and enjoyable.
Janice Wood (pictured), as the Breast Care Specialist Nurse at North Shore Hospital, and Jan McMullen as an Oncology Specialist Nurse at Auckland Hospital, described for us their roles within the continuum of our treatment and then, best of all, were happy to answer the variety of questions that members had. Brilliant!
We all learned such a lot. I now understand so much more about HER2 and how Herceptin works; about different research that is being carried on in the hospitals to help to understand which women will be at greater risk of reoccurrence than others; about statistics relating to Maori and Pacific Island women’s occurrence of Breast cancer; about possible issues associated with having ovaries removed . . and about many other important issues.
Janice can be contacted on janice.wood@waitematadhb.govt.nz and Jan can be contacted on janmcm@adhb.govt.nz . Janice will be attending an International Breast Cancer conference in Milan very soon and has offered to come to a meeting when she returns to tell us about all the new developments in the field, so watch this space. Thanks, Janice.
There is a very interesting article which you may want to read in the latest NZ Woman’s Weekly about one of our BSC members, Violet, looking stunning as usual.
Our next meeting will be on the 9 June ] our mid]winter Christmas function when we spoil ourselves by going to ‘McHughs of Cheltenham’ for lunch. It does not have a lot to do with Christmas except it gives us something of a festive feel in the middle of the bleak weather (although it is certainly not bleak yet!!).
In other news ... Jenny (pictured at left) and Mary Anne took a trip 'south' to ride the Otago Rail Trail.
Geraldine and Mieko (pictured at right)read draft versions of the Waitemata District Hospital Board pamphlets about cancer for their ‘readability’ – over a cup of coffee or two, of course!
Music and good times at April meeting
At North Shore Breast Cancer Support, we alternate each month with a formal meeting at the Senior Citizens’ Clubrooms in Takapuna when we have a speaker, followed the next month with a social gathering, either at a restaurant or at someone’s home.
The formal meetings with a speaker give us a chance to keep up to date with issues and information; the social meetings offer an opportunity for a mix and mingle on a social level so we can get to know one another better.
Many friendships can be formed from these meetings. Members can share their experiences on a more personal level with someone else who has experienced the same.
In April, sixteen of us gathered at Jocelyn Spinley’s home in Devonport for our first social meeting of the year. We are never short of good entertainment at our social gatherings. Jocelyn enthralled us with her beautiful harp playing, not to mention her piano and ukele skills which had some of us singing along spontaneously with her as she played some well known old favourites.
It was great to hear Mieko singing along to the beautiful tune, “Sakura”. 
Jocelyn even entertained us with some Eastern music and danced with exotic veils she had bought on her travels. One or two tried to dance with her but we all loved the variety of veils and scarves.
We had had a magic evening once before where we all shared tales of what we were doing when we were 21 years old. So last night we progressed to individual tales of where we were and what we were doing at the age of 25. Once again, as we went around the group, we had a wonderful range of experience, such as:
- being vetted for “reds under the bed” before landing a plum job with Nato in Brussels;
- going from Japan to Canada for a first trip overseas;
- acting as Mayoress of Devonport and dining with royalty and many other dignitaries;
- selling up house and home and going back to Ireland to visit parents with husband and two small children;
- living the highlife in London as part of the big “O.E” (a common theme)
- moving around New Zealand constantly as an Air Force wife and mother.
Of course, many of us were giving birth to and raising children at home at that age with exciting overseas travel and other adventures coming a little later in life.
Over a cup of tea and cakes, everyone found time to chat in small groups about the problems most pressing for us at the moment.
Our next meeting will be held in the Senior Citizens’ Clubrooms (next to the Library in Takapuna) at 7pm on 12 May. Our speakers will be the the Specialist Breast Care Nurse from North Shore Hospital and the Specialist Oncology Nurse from Auckland Hospital. They will explain their roles and how they can help you, even if your care has been through the private healthcare system so far.
Keep well and Kia Kaha from the “Team”,
Geraldine, Cathie, Mary Anne, Mieko and Jenny
Pink Pilates demonstration with Megan - March 2010
What a great way to hold a meeting! Quick cup of tea and catch up, and a welcome to new members before a half hour session of Pink Pilates with our speaker from last year, Megan Clarke, who was our instructor for the meeting last night.
The rooms where we meet have a small but roomy hall and stage, with a smaller cosier room opening off that for our “chats”. Of course we used the hall for our exercises. Megan had brought all the floor mats we needed and we were all dressed in exercise clothes. It was great to experience this form of exercise first hand as it is hard to imagine what happens in a session when it is simply described. The stretches and breathing are gentle and one only does as much as one can. However, I found a few tight muscles that hadn’t been used before. This is a great form of exercise for “rebuilding” after breast cancer. Everyone felt stimulated but relaxed after the session. Thank you so much, Megan.
The only unfortunate part of the night was that I forgot to use the camera which I had taken. With photos, I would have been able to give you all a much better idea of how it works.
If anyone would like to go to Pink Pilates on a regular basis, ring Megan on (09444 1925 to find out more. Megan is a qualified physiotherapist and is the only trained Pink Pilates instructor on the North Shore. She holds her sessions at Albany. Alternatively, look up Active Physio, www.physio.co.nz
Our exercise session was followed by informal discussions. In Mi, a talented weaver and artist, showed us a papier-mache bowl she had made from newspaper and some traditional Korean paper and told us how we could do the same at home. Carol told us about some great new bed sheets that are available and are helpful for those of us who suffer from hot sweats at night. Mostly, people shared experiences of their treatment and got to know each other a little better before the meeting closed at 9.30.
The next meeting (14 April) will be a social occasion held at the home of a member, Jocelyn Spinley - 38 Jubilee Avenue, Takapuna. We will send out a more formal invitation to that closer to the time.
February 2010
The North Shore Breast Friends first meeting for 2010 was held on Wednesday 10th February. It was a great start to the year wi
th everyone feeling very positive about the year ahead. 15 people attended including two new ladies.
Our Guest Speaker was Mohinder Anand – a ‘Laughing Yoga’ Instructor.
Laughing Yoga is a wonderful, fun way to exercise. It involves deep breathing – the basis of Yoga - but can be done seated or standing and you feel like you’ve had a good work-out, even though no strenuous exercise is involved.
Everyone participated enthusiastically and much merriment ensued with lots of ha-ha-ing and ho-ho-ing as Mohinder guided us through a series of moves designed to get the blood flowing and lift our spirits. 
Putting it simply, Mohinder message was ‘Laughter is the best medicine’ which we all agreed is true.
Everyone seemed to enjoy the meeting, judging by the questions and discussion that followed the practical session.
Our March Meeting will be on Wednesday 10 March and will include a practical ‘Pink Pilates’ session so we are beginning the year in very positive, healthy and active style.
(The report this month was written by Cathie).
December 2009
This month, we were invited by one of our members, In Mi, to celebrate Christmas at her house. It was another pot-luck dinner and we each took food that reflected Christmas in 
our own culture, or some other form of celebratory food.
It's amazing how successful these dinners are, considering there is no planning as to who will bring what! Once again the table was laden with delicious morsels from many countries and in exactly the right balance of mains and desserts. Best of all was the sharing of stories that reflected the range of cultures present - Korean, Japanese, Tongan, Singaporean, Serbian, Dutch, Irish, Swiss and, of course, Kiwi.
Naturally, the conversation included stories of breast cancer. One member who was first diagnosed 37 years ago, now in her seventies, entertained us with her stories of how the surgeon eventually stopped showing surprise that she was still here. She loves to go for check-ups now, “to see how he is getting along” as he has aged considerably over the years.
The highlight of the evening was the stories we heard as we went around the circle, relating what we were each doing at the time of our 21st birthday. One told us of the customs relating to birthdays in Tonga. Another related her experiences at the age of 21 as an “au pair” for a large family whilst learning French in France. A third related how much she had cried as she left her family behind in Northern Ireland for the first time and flew out with her one-year-old to join her husband in New Zealand. A New Zealander recounted her 21 st birthday dinner and party held in a very cold student flat in Dunedin.
These stories were absolutely magic and gave us all a sense of real sisterhood. Thank you, Mary Anne, for the idea! And thank you, In Mi, for your wonderful hospitality.
Merry Christmas Everyone!
November 2009
We had a very productive meeting at the Senior Citizens’ Clubrooms in Takapuna on 11th November with 13 members present and two support people attending, in this case a daughter and a daughter-in-law.
We welcomed two new members and their contributions to discussion made for a very lively and informative night. We all enjoyed the evening.
Guest speaker Megan Clarke gave us a description of Pink Pilates a
nd how it can help people regain their core body strength and stomach muscles after breast operations. Megan practises at Albany, which is not too far away for many of us. Sessions cost $60 per hour, but if you are within two years of diagnosis, the Pink Pilates Trust will subsidise 10 sessions at a cost of $10/session. You do not have to be referred by a surgeon to attend Pink Pilates. Megan has very generously offered to come to one of our meetings early in the New Year and actually do a session with us. So, watch this space….
October 2009
On 7 October, we held a Potluck International dinner. Ev
eryone was asked to bring a dish that reflected their home country or background. Of course, we had a wide range of exotic delights as among those who attended that night were members from Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Canada and Switzerland.
Upcoming Activities
Relay for Life, 27-28 February 2010
Millenium Institute, North Shore.
A great event with a special Survivors' Lap at the start, to raise funds for The Cancer Society. Please let us know if you would like to organise a relay team for this event on behalf of our group or we could offer to help manage the “survivors’ tent”.
Fly Fishing (and Pampering) Weekend
Don’t forget to enter this if you are interested.
Remember: When in doubt, just take the next small step.
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