Soulful Survivor SistersLouise is a 44 year old woman who self-referred to Breast Cancer Care WA to receive counselling support following her breast cancer diagnosis. She had been experiencing ‘lumpy’ breasts for the previous 12-24 months, but discovered that a lump in her left breast was becoming larger, with itchiness and discolouration around her left nipple. Louise saw her GP who organised for her to undergo investigations at one of the metropolitan Breast Assessment Centres, where the results revealed she did have breast cancer. At the surgical planning appointment, Louise was initially advised that she would be a suitable candidate for breast conserving surgery, however, her breast surgeon recommended that she undergo further testing and have an MRI, to learn more about the breast cancer. This changed the course of events for her; it was discovered that Louise’s cancer was quite significantly larger than first thought, so her suggested surgical plan was changed to removal of the entire breast.

Louise felt that the reason behind this change in suggested surgery was explained very clearly to her, however, it was the rapidity of this change that caused her significant emotional distress, as she felt that she had so little time to adjust to the idea of losing her breast. Louise went

on to have her mastectomy and a course of chemotherapy, followed by hormone therapy medication.

Breast Cancer Care WA provided counselling, Breast Care Nursing support as well as transport to some of her appointments, which Louise found very helpful during this challenging period. All of Louise’s extended family live in Queensland, however, her mum and her sister did come over to Perth to provide some much needed support during the initial stages of her diagnosis and treatment.

Louise completed all of her active treatment in May 2017 and then decided to head over to Queensland to spend some quality time with her family which

then changed into a permanent relocation! In the few weeks between her last chemotherapy treatment and travelling over East, Louise decided to design T-shirts to gift to the people who had provided support to her during her treatment.

Our McGrath Breast Care Nurse Di and one of our lovely volunteers, Anjali, were proud recipients of these gorgeous t-shirts.

Breast Cancer Care WA, 80 Railway Street, Cottesloe WA 6011 l (08) 9324 3703 info@breastcancer.org.au l www.breastcancer.org.au

providing personalised emotional, practical and financial support and care to people affected by breast cancer

November 2017

newsletter of breast cancer care wa

In this issueConnecting with Nature ..................... 2Ease the stress of the festive season 3Debbie’s Story ................................. 4News ............................................... 5Community Champions ..................... 6Upcoming Events ............................. 7

We need your help ............................ 8

“It was totally unexpected, but very much appreciated, and is certainly something which I will treasure, as a

reminder of Louise and the challenges she has had

to work through since her breast cancer diagnosis,”

- Di.

Connecting with NatureWhat if doing something very simple, enjoyable and inexpensive could make you feel all of the following?

• Physically relaxed and at ease

• Healthily responsive and alert – sharpened performance

• Psychologically adaptive and flexible

• Emotionally stable

• Relationally connected

• Spiritually balanced

• Resilient

It’s as easy as immersing yourself in nature! And what better time of year than Spring when there’s an abundance of wildflowers. Whether it be sitting in a garden, strolling along the beach, looking up at the trees, watching a sunset, focusing on a rose, walking a bush track – it’s wildflower season! There is so much research evidence proving multiple health benefits.

When you relax and tune in to a natural environment using any or all of your 5 senses (smell, sound, sight, touch or taste), you make a choice to give yourself time and space for your central nervous system to down-regulate, resulting in substantial changes in metabolic rate, slowed heart rate and breath, muscular relaxation, lowered blood pressure, hormone balance and much more.

“Repeated activation of the relaxation response can reverse sustained problems in the body and mend the internal wear and tear brought on by stress.” - Herbert Benson, MD

In addition, a daily dose of sunlight is the best source of Vitamin D, which is essential for immune system maintenance and improved sleep! Studies reveal that early morning exposure to sunlight will help recalibrate our sleep cycle – in line with natural circadian rhythms. Our eyes will also be appreciative of sunlight which has been shown to help prevent Computer Vision Syndrome (caused by staring at a screen for prolonged periods).

“Earthing” is the new term for grounding yourself with the earth and therefore connecting with the earth’s electric energy. If you take your shoes off and allow your feet to touch the natural environment for 15mins, you may well feel anti-inflammatory effects (Davis, 2017). According to James Oschman, Ph.D, barefoot is best but even wearing shoes that have soles made of leather or hide can have beneficial transformative

and energising effects, including resolution of jet-lag.

A vast collection of psychological research speaks of the marked decrease in cortisol (the stress hormone), a happiness effect through the release of endorphins (natural pain and stress fighters) and a boost in serotonin (the feel good transmitter), that has been shown to improve mood, empathy, mental clarity, emotional stability, altruism and feelings of love.

So, make the best choice for your health and take your body and mind outside – enjoy nature’s many restorative effects - even for 5 mins at a time.

“If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things of nature have a message that you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive.” - Eleonora Duse

Introducing Sally DareWe are delighted to welcome our new Support Services Manager, Sally Dare, to the Breast Cancer Care WA team.

Sally began her career in nursing and midwifery, working in both hospitals and the community. She spent seven years at the Cancer Council, building her skills as the Manager of Regional Support Services. Sally has a love of fresh healthy food and has also spent time managing the café at the popular Perth City Farm.

“Supporting people with cancer has taught me gratitude, the value of life, and how important it is to keep living the best life I can. Meeting new people in diverse communities has allowed me to understand the importance of ‘”personalised” supportive care in the world of cancer. I’m looking forward to working with the team of breast care nurses and counsellors at Breast Cancer Care WA to further build our ability to offer support to the 1,500 women and handful of men that are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in WA.”

Spirit Newsletter November 2017 l Page 3

Christmas and New Year are usually times of love, joy and happiness. Unfortunately for many people the Holiday season can be a period of unhappiness and exhaustion, especially for those who may have undergone a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Your health can have a huge impact on how you perceive this festive time of year. Family misunderstandings, economic difficulties and loneliness can all contribute to feelings of stress or depression. Physical tiredness as a result of treatment or ongoing medication, coupled with ideas of your health or appearance can also bring you down.

Here are some tips to ease the stress:

• Before you find yourself tied up with too many activities and obligations, decide what activities have a positive effect on you and offer something meaningful and enjoyable. Take part in those you enjoy, and stay away from those you don’t like.

• Review the gatherings you “must” attend and see how you feel about them. You always have the choice of saying “no”.

• Take the focus off Christmas Day: with family life becoming more complex, explore ways to come together at other times such as Christmas Eve or Boxing Day.

• Try to have realistic expectations of what you are capable of and avoid activities that create feelings of stress. Allow time for yourself to do things that are important for you.

• Try “living” every day of the holiday season and take pleasure in the small things.

• Make a conscious effort to list all the positive things you experienced and were grateful for during the year.

• Avoid excessive costs and only spend what you can afford. Try a Secret Santa and give one gift per person involved.

• Spend Christmas with people you love, if possible.

• Avoid tension: this is not the time to try and resolve past hurts.

• Ask for help and accept it – get your family or friends to all bring a dish, or let someone help you with the cleaning up.

• If you are spending this time of year alone, why not attend a community event or your local church? Use this as an opportunity to do something you haven’t done before.

• Take time for yourself and get adequate sleep and rest. Relax, listen to music, read or just enjoy the beauty of nature.

Ease the stress of the festive season

If you are concerned about the festive season, contact us to talk with a counsellor on (08) 9324 3703 or info@breastcancer.org.au.

“Without the support of generous people who donate and make the services Breast Cancer Care WA

available I just don’t know how we would have survived.”

You can donate securely online today at www.breastcancer.org.au or phone your donation in on (08) 9324 3703.

Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Debbie is one woman who has been through it all – as a full time

working, single mother of three beautiful children she was told just before Christmas she had breast

cancer.

Debbie’s Story In the 10 working days before Christmas, it’s estimated nearly 50 women in Western Australia will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Next year, thousands more will follow. Every single one will need dedicated support. It’s devastating to think how those women and their families will cope over what should be a ‘festive’ and happy season. But together we can help them through this difficult time.

Your wonderful donations this year have been so appreciated, but sadly the demand for our services never ends. By giving another urgent Christmas gift today, you will continue to help brighten what might seem like a very dark time for a woman and her family who may have nowhere else to turn.

For Debbie, your vital donation to Breast Cancer Care WA meant she wouldn’t lose her house and that her children could stay where they felt most secure. Because of generous people like you, they didn’t have to leave their school or their friends and she had the emotional and physical support she needed through the toughest of times.

Breast Cancer Care WA is the only organisation in Western Australia to provide practical emotional and financial support immediately for a woman alone or a whole family...and without government funding, support can only come from people like you.

“We were out to dinner when I got the call. We went straight home upset and crying. My 17 year old son Jack said it was the worst night of his life, not knowing what lay ahead for all of us.”

What followed was the toughest time of all their lives, but now, with the worst (hopefully) behind them, Debbie would like to give every woman in WA with breast cancer a message of hope… hope she found in generous people like you who give to Breast Cancer Care WA.

“As a single mum of 3 children and the only bread winner, the panic I felt about how I was going to hold it together was worse than the diagnosis. I wondered ‘How can we possibly survive with no income’?

Now Debbie and her kids have so much to look forward to, including Debbie’s 2018 wedding!

“It was like having a fairy godmother visit when Breast Care Nurse Denise came to see me. I broke down and sobbed when she told me the support Breast Cancer Care WA could provide. It was the biggest relief I have ever experienced. Knowing they will continue to be there, no matter what the future holds means the world to us.”

Though she’s had to monitor her health closely and weather two health scares in the last few years, she knows that she can turn to Breast Cancer Care WA any time she needs to because of donors like you.

News

Spirit Newsletter November 2017 l Page 5

2017 saw 42 incredible individuals take part in the fifth anniversary of Jump for Jane. In groups of five they took to the skies in a 15,000ft tandem skydive over Rockingham Beach. Jump for Jane began in 2013 in honour of former Breast Cancer Care WA board member, Jane Loring. Jane sadly passed away from breast cancer, with her family choosing to remember her by organising a skydive. Five years on, the event is bigger than ever and encourages people from all over WA to take the ultimate leap of faith to support West Australians affected by breast cancer.

This year the event raised over $40,000 vital funds that will provide breast care nurses, counsellors and financial assistance, free of charge, to those that need help most. A huge thank you to everyone who helped raise funds for Jump for Jane and to those who came down to support our jumpers on the day. Thank you also to Skydive Australia for their support in helping make this event happen each year.

Fly FishingThis year 19 ladies made the journey down to Manjimup to take part in Breast Cancer Care WA’s annual fly fishing expedition.

Fly fishing is known to help people suffering with Lymphoedema, a possible side effect caused by breast cancer treatment. Lymphoedema is a collection of fluid in the arms or legs that causes painful swelling. In breast cancer patients, it can be a side effect of having lymph nodes removed from cancer surgery. The arm and shoulder movements associated with fly fishing can help reduce the swelling caused by Lymphoedema, as well as promoting good arm health. There are also emotional benefits to fly fishing. The weekend away is a great time to relax and escape the everyday stresses of treatments and medical appointments. Fishing is also a very relaxing sport, with the ladies able to focus on the task at hand and share time with people who understand what they are going through.

“What a fantastic experience - I feel very priveledged to have met such wonderful people in such a wonderful place. Thank you for the opportunity”.Our fly fishing weekend would not be possible without the amazing support of Recfishwest. Each year the team help a new group of people discover the benefits of fly fishing and a new way of coping.

Community Champions

If you would like to host your own community event, whether it is a head shave, bake sale, fun run or something completely different, get in touch with us on 9324 3703 or visit www.breastcancer.org.au for more details.

Boobalicious Ball This year’s Boobalicious Ball, proudly presented by adultshop.com, was the highlight of the social calendar for many. Now in its 14th year, the annual June event was so much more than guests could have imagined. The Primitive theme captured the imaginations of everyone and the night was a spectacular whirlwind including runway show, auctions and live entertainment, which had guests dancing the night away until 2am.

This year the Boobalicious Ball raised $95,000 for Breast Cancer Care WA. We are so incredibly grateful to our Chairman and also adultshop.com Managing Director Malcolm Day, Peta Evans, Megan Hart and the entire team for their hard work to make the event happen, and their passionate support of Breast Cancer Care WA. Our sincerest thanks also to each and every guest for their support of the event – through Boobalicious you are directly supporting West Australians affected by breast cancer right now.

We’re already looking forward to the 2018 Boobalicious Ball!

Sweetwater Rooftop Bar Long Table DinnerIn September over 120 individuals attended the inaugural Long Table Dinner held at Sweetwater Rooftop Bar in East Fremantle. Over $5,000 was raised on the night, during which a spectacular banquet dinner was shared, while guests heard from MC Melissa Del Popolo, Breast Cancer Survivor and Volunteer. A huge thank you to all those who attended, to Mel for her hard work and keeping us entertained, and to the team at Sweetwater Rooftop Bar for making the evening so special.

Paddock to PlateThank you to Paddock to Plate, an amazing dinner hosted in Margaret River on Saturday 29 October. The team at Margaret River Events Co pulled together a beautiful evening, complete with auctions, raffles and live entertainment. Thanks to all the guests over $3,500 was raised on the night! We are so grateful and cannot wait until next year’s event!

Spirit Newsletter November 2017 l Page 7

Upcoming Events

Purple BreakfastCome along on Sunday 19 November for the sixth annual Purple Breakfast. Tickets are just $50 and include a full cooked breakfast, raffles, silent auction and photo booth, as well as inspiring guest speakers sharing their stories. Funds raised on the day will be donated to Breast Cancer Care WA. Grab your ticket now before they run out!

Location: Perth Soccer Club, 3 Lawley Street, West PerthDate: Saturday 19 NovemberTickets: $50 at www.trybooking.com/RXDN

Awakening – an exhibition of paintings by Valerie GloverThe extraordinary art of Valerie Glover will be on display in the art exhibition Awakening throughout November and December. Come along to Café Café in Subiaco Square road to view her amazing pieces. Best yet, 10% of all artwork sales will be shared between Breast Cancer Care WA and Lifeline. We hope to see you there!

Breast Cancer Care WA 80 Railway Street, Cottesloe WA 6011 (08) 9324 3703 info@breastcancer.org.au www.breastcancer.org.au

Christmas Gift Wrapping – we need your help!

Do you want to have fun, meet new people and make a difference this December? Sign up to volunteer as part of our Christmas Gift Wrapping team and help us support those that need it most this holiday season.We need volunteers every day from 2 to 24 December at Belmont Forum, Cockburn Gateway Shopping City, and The Square Mirrabooka.

Email volunteers@breastcancer.org.au or call on (08) 9234 3703 with your preferred location and availability – we can’t wait to see you there!

Give the gift of supportLooking for a gift idea for that someone who has everything? Give the gift of support to a family affected by breast cancer this Christmas by purchasing a gift in lieu – your donation will bring light to the lives of those that you have supported as well as your special someone that you have made the gift on behalf of.

Gifts in lieu can be purchased at Belmont Forum, Cockburn Gateway Shopping City and The Square Mirrabooka during December or phone us on 9324 3703.

Closed for Christmas!

Our office will be closed from Friday 22 December to Monday 8 January. Our team members will be taking a well-deserved break to rejuvenate and come back ready to support West Australians affected by breast cancer in the New Year.

For emergency support during this time, please contact:

Cancer Council Hotline: 13 11 20

Life Line Crisis Line: 13 11 14

Crisis Care: 9223 1111