Australian Sisters
Comments
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Great news Sue - always good when you can save money and do what you want :-)
Kate - remember I kept telling you chemo messes with your head. It's a bugger. At least you know what to look for now. Glad the shot went well - both of you will be calmer next time lol
I seem to spend most of my time in the kitchen at this time of the year. The vegie garden is growing things faster than I can cook them. Just stewed about 5kg of peaches, so they can be frozen and used later. We had a lovely salad for lunch - everything from the garden - lettuce, tomato, cucumber, radish and beetroot - with boiled eggs from the chooks. I love it when I can do that! Now roasting more beetroot and making peach crumble for dessert - also apricot chicken wih apricot sauce made from our own apricots lol
And - another thunderstorm brewing - dogs are very clingy
Trish
xoxo
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I've saved 90 per night, so I'm really happy. I don't mind if he does come, but I think it would be better if he only came for a few days.0
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Trish - how long do you reckon it will take me to drive down??? I want some of that peach crumble!!!
Darn, now I'm going to have to go to the supermarket... Jenn0 -
Sue, the studio room sounds excellent. You will likely have a kitchenette and lounge.
Jenn, wow about you working for weight watchers. You know how to lose then. Chemo is not the time to try to lose weight as your energy level for exercise will likely be low, muscle power will be diminished and your taste and appetite changed. You really have to do as well as you reasonably can, not put pressure on yourself and try not to gain weight. Then when chemo and rads are over you will have more physical and emotional energy to start getting fit.0 -
Racy - did you check it out? I thought it looks good - especially at that price. I pay $2 a fornight for the Social Club and never use the benefits, so I'm getting them all in one go
I lost 10kg during treatment but have started putting it back on again - it's all about my sweet tooth and no exercise (and probably the aromasin). Speaking of which, I've agreed to go for a bike ride with Steve soon - I've been avoiding it for ages as it's been too hot - wish me luck - he's just too good for me to keep up.0 -
lol @ Jenn - you are about 4 hours away!
I promise I'll make some for you if you ever come to visit :-)
Trish
xoxo
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Did the bike ride - I'm totally pooped - lucky I got most of dinner prepared before we went. We stopped at the pub and had a couple of drinks - not good for me to get back home after that. I stripped off and jumped in the pool. I finally told Steve why I don't want to go riding with him. I need to build up my strength by myself - he always expects too much of me - like on Mother's Day last year, when I had to ride 17kms for lunch. At least today was ok - we didn't go far, but I could have done without the sav blanc
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Well I think I have broken a record for cleaning. I washed windows, the fridge inside and out, the oven, scrubbed the kitchen sink until it absolutly dazzles, vacuumed, dusted everything, and totally scrubbed 2 bathrooms and 3 toilets oh and swept up the out door entertaining areas, front and back. I am starting to feel pretty tired. Tomorrow I will do nothing, but I'll recline in cleanliness and feel better for it.
Trisha - I'd LOVE some of your peach crumble too please. I am heating up left over spaghetti bolognase from last night. Can't be bothered to cook tonight. And so much rain? wish we had some over here. STill the temps are nice, very high 20's so not as hot as it has been.
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Hi Aussie cousins its a lonely little Kiwi here, not many of us around at present so I thought that I would drop in and say hi - hope you don't mind cause we do speak much the same.
Had a very pleasant evening at a restaurant down on the waterfront whic was great after sitting in a meeting all day.
AussieKate I have a whole house that needs cleaned and Trisha, that peach crumble sounds divine, have some rather yummy apricots but they won't last to make crumble with.
We on this side of the Tasman can give folks some rain, just wish it would go away.
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Lol Alyson....friends have just come back from fishing in NZ...lots of rain but at least no snakes!
jezza
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Hi Alyson, a couple of ladies here are really Kiwis. We don't discriminate.
You are a friend of Chrissy's, aren't you?
Kate, you must be so satisfied with your clean house. Sitting in a nice clean house and admiring it gives a great sense of contentment, satisfaction and peace. It's good to use the energy when you have it.0 -
DH and I are trying to be good and loose a few kg. I know I won't loose much before the op but hey! a girls gotta try at least.....lol.........Kate when you get the cleaning bug again you can always come and visit here....you would be sooooooo welcome.....lol..........Trish, what time did you say that peach cobbler was coming out of the oven?.................Hey Alyson nice to see you! You are welcome anytime you want to pop in......................
Sue great to hear that you finally have your accomodation booked................was it a good thing or a bad thing that your DH wanted to come as well?........lol........I told mine the other day that the get together was happening and I would be staying at the Hilton. All he said was I hope you have fun................now I know why I love that man even after almost 43 years!
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Hi Alyson, I'm an Auckland girl transplanted to Sydney :-). Welcome!
Jenn0 -
Hi Alyson,
I'm originally from Auckland too, but 49 years ago - but I'm still a Kiwi in every sense. Chrissy told me you and she met up with Rae from near Tauranga - if you are in touch with her, could you say hi to her from me. I'd love to get back in touch with her but I lost her email. Chrissy was going to write to her on my behalf, but I forgot to ask if she did. Rae would know me as suepen - my old screen name.
I'm overdue for a trip home - I love it there SO much. I have great plans for retiring there one day.
Kate - sounds like a steroid rush sweetie ie the cleaning - I do miss those, I used to get so much done
Chrissy - I'm very happy I settled on that hotel. Steve said just book the Hilton, but I've saved $600 and I can shop with that
I liked Frome St last time as Brunelli's is just around the corner - great breakfasts.I'm nearly recovered from the bike ride but might go to bed early anyway.
Sue
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Boy am I stupid - I just checked my Qantas FF points balance and I had enough for a free flight. I guess we can use them for Steve if he decides to come. I must have thought I didn't have enough - talk about brain dead. I can always use them for a trip to Sydney to visit my Aunty.
BTW Chrissy - I really didn't want him coming, but Annie said tonight it would be great if he did.
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I did go to bed, but I'm up again. Steve decided he would talk - well that and my brain don't gel. If I'm tired and someone talks to me, I wake up. About to pop another melatonin and try again.
We did discuss his coming down to Adelaide and we've decided he will. I'll call Mantra and check if that's ok, which I'm sure it will be as the price was for 2 in a room. Then I'll transfer my FF points to his accoount and book. There are FF seats available on the same flights I'm catching. We will probably then have to hire a car, so he can go and play golf - sigh. He does know that weekend is set aside for us girls, so don't worry about him showing up on the tram down to Glenelg
We do know a lovely couple who were on the UK trip with us, so it will be nice to see them again.0 -
Good morning Glories! Yep I'm up for another 'good' day today. Went to bed very satisfied after the big clean. I am booked to do the look good feel good course tomorrow. I really hope I don't crash like I did last time, which was on the Monday. Honestly I couldn't have even driven the car I was so spaced out.
Nice to see our Kiwi sisters here.
I really can't stop thinking about that peach crumble Trisha... maybe I'm just going to have to buy me some peaches and make it all for myself.. nah, that's not good when I'm going to be trying not to put on weight. I had put on half a kilo in the past month.
Hope everyone has a lovely Sunday. xx
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Kate - I'm doing my LGFB on Tuesday! Hoping for some good make-up :-) Really this is the only face-to-face support group type thing I'm planning through this whole thing. With having a child with special needs I have enough in terms of support groups without adding more... Online support ROCKS!
Trish - I forced hubby to come with me to the supermarket before dinner last night so we could buy a peach crumble for dessert :-) Probably not nearly as nice as your home-made one but appeased the craving you started. This really is like when I was pregnant and could only eat what I craved.
Jenn0 -
Kate and Jenn, in Brisbane we have a couple of BC services attached to the two main private hospitals that treat BC. At the Wesley, it's the Kim Walters Choices Program. This service was started and named in honour of a young lady who died of BC. Her husband was a prominent rugby league player. This program offers a variety of services to anyone with BC or gynacological cancer - hospital visits to new patients, counselling, clinical advice on treatment options, exercise classes, lymphedema clinic, art and craft groups, complementary therapies, drop in centre, support groups, peer support program etc etc.
I mention this because if there is a similar service in your area it may be worthwhile looking into the services available to see if there is something that would help you. I accessed the clinical advice at Choices when preparing for chemo. The manager met with me and briefed me on side effects and how to manage them. I was also able to meet with her just to talk, like informal counselling. She even helped me to choose an onc and gave me a referral to a naturopath who specialises in cancer. They are integrated with the hospital system and interact with the oncs and other departments and work on research projects with the hospital etc. I also used the lymphedema clinic and one of the alternative therapies. I know I can call them any time I have a problem and will get friendly help as I have established a relationship with them.
I am not into support groups either, especially as I am private about my BC but this service offers a lot of individual support options and all are free.
So you may be interested to explore if something similar is available in your area.0 -
Hi Racy. Thanks for posting about this. Actually there is a very familiar place here called Solaris (for some reason the name just reminds me of skin cancer) but it's a drop in centre with information and alternative therapies. I've been twice and it's where the LGFB course is being held. It is pretty "öut there" and a bit too alternative for me. It is a house that was donated and its all decorated with motivational posters, angels (really?) and they have the rain forrest cd playing (frogs croaking, birds chipping, water lapping). They asked me to go to meditation group class, but Oh Lord they have a harpist (with harp) playing. I wouldn't meditate or relax cause the bloody harpist would be driving me up the wall. It might be a good fit for many people and it's wonderful that there is a support service here in Bunbury, but it really is just not my cup o' tea.
Mind you, I went there for a lovely back massage, and the massuse (sp?) was pretty normal (some of there therapists are way too alternative for me) and I enjoyed that. Mind you as long as someone gives my neck and shoulder a good deep massage, they could be the bearded lady for all I care
.I am starting to feel a little wonky. The beginning of the brain fog I am anticipating will hit soon. I am sure I will be crap tomorrow. I really hope not as I would love to do the LGFB course and the next one isn't until April. Damn it I NEED to look good now! LOL.
I've been looking at airfares over. I think I would fly over just on the Sat morning to the Sun evening. Money is very tight, but hubby thinks it will be great therapy for me (it will I know) and a nice way to have finished off the chemo and rads. So I am going to try my darnest to get there. Can you confirm is it Sat 23rd or Sat 30th please?
Jenn, this too will probably be my only face to face with others in my situation.
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Gad, I really have got the foggies... regarding the last sentence
the LGFB course will probably be my only face to face with others in my situation. Glad I cleared that one up !
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Hi All...not sure if you all know but the BCNA in Oz have some good resources and they do some activities in different areas...they are the ones with the little pink silhouette of a lady. They had a discussion board as well but I'm not too good at going on that one. Did you all get a "My Journey" kit sent out to you?
Hope you all have a great Sunday, weather here is a bit overcast but looking good for a walk to the beach
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Welcome Alyson - we love Kiwi's here, you guys are our "brothers and sisters". I love NZ as that's where I spent my honeymoon :-)
lol @ everyone else... sorry I started the peach crumble cravings. Jenn - what would you like me to make next? :-)
I've just had my first "proper" haircut since October 2010! Went in to the hairdresser and had it cut and styled. Feels great! Looks a lot better too - it was starting to look like a mop that had gone bezerk lol
Kate - take care - I know that "foggy" feeling, just listen to your body and rest. The steroid rush that you've been on does make you very active for a while, but then you need to just relax xoxo
Kylie - how did the wedding go?
Trish
xoxo
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Oh yes Sharon, I got the kit, actually they sent me two for some reason. I use the journal for all my appointments and associated business contact cards. I have to write everything down or I forget so its been great just to have somewhere to put everything BC related into.
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Kate - I'm going to be in Adelaide for the weekend of the 23rd June - I have to be there then, but if you girls are still having treatment (rads for example) or can't all make it that weekend then I miss out on meeting you all. It's up to you all - maybe you need to do a poll on it and find out if everyone can make it for the 23rd.
Looks like I'll cave and let Steve come too - that way I might get taken out for nice dinners and not have to have Lean Cuisine
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Hey Kate and everyone,
I got NOTHING after my diagnosis. No info pack or anything... I think the breast care nurse is supposed to organise that but I've mentioned before that that nurse was a waste of space. Even when I asked questions she would just put her hand on my shoulder (ick), look me in the eyes and say "we do it well here". Even my husband noticed this - we now use that sentence as a running joke between us ;-)
I have no idea if there is anything like what you've described here in Sydney. I haven't even been invited to the support group at my own centre! Because I'm trying so hard to keep up with my job I'm pretty sure I wouldn't get time to access anything anyway as most things seem to be set-up for people who don't work. I've always had the same problem with accessing any support because of our daughter's Down Syndrome - all the support things run during the week.
Jenn0 -
Gosh Jenn, that is really really slack. I'm sorry but you haven't been shown any support at all. I wonder if the McGrath Foundation are aware that you (and maybe many others in your area) are not be given the support that their BC nurses are there for? I am happy to post you my spare boxed up info kit. It really is very good. PM me your addy if you would like me to send it to you.
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Ok - it's now official - Steve is now booked on the same flights as me and is even sitting right next to me - whew!!! - and it only cost me $60. I called the Mantra people and asked if there was a problem with 2 people in the room when I had said 1 - no problem. Annie is really pleased he's coming too - it is right he should be there to meet his new grandchild. Now the problem of what to do with him - golf springs to mind. The bonus for me is I'll get taken to Melt (my favourite restaurant) and to The Currant Shed down in McLaren Vale. We can turn it into a mini holiday - with baby thrown in.
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I got the kit - but it was before my surgery and before I met my breast care nurses. A friend went onto the BCNA website and ordered it for me. It was very handy for appointments and keeping everything together. I don't remember if the breast care nurses asked me if I had it or not.
I also met my breast care nurse from Cooma - the others were in Canberra in the hospital I had the surgery in - but the one from Cooma was awesome, she also made sure I got a "gift" from the McGrath Foundation, it was lovely a beautifully boxed set of Crabtree & Evelyn skin care products. There was a shower gel, a body lotion and hand cream. I now buy the hand cream - it's just wonderful for my hands, and I figure that they have sponsored the gifts, so I'll give back a little bit by buying their products.
I also got a bag of "stuff" from the Canberra breast care nurses - a bag to hold my drains after surgery, a little pillow sort of thing that I could use to pad under the seatbelt on the car - or just for under my arm if it was bothering me as well as a "fluffy" bra stuffer for before I got my proper prosthesis. I also got a free bra from Berli - and that was organised by the Canberra breast care nurses.
Jenn - you should complain to the McGrath Foundation - they are funding these nurses and need to know if they aren't doing their job properly.
Trish
xoxo
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I loved my 'My Journey' book - it was great for keeping track of the expenses nad I've even used it recently when Steve was trying to do our tax. The makeup I got from the Look Good Feel Good thingy remains unused - didn't really like the colours I ended up with.
Did I mention, I'm still not dressed - good grief - time to get moving. Very hot here today and I'm stupid enough to have bought a leg of lamb to cook tonight.
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