Some people do not have surgery and treatment in our area, and sometimes people find out about our group a few years later, but whatever the circumstances all are welcome to come along to our meetings. During this month’s meeting we welcomed one new member who had had her treatment a few years ago, out of the area and had never been offered support in any way, she was delighted to find a group of people that she could meet and talk to. A discussion followed on how lucky we are to have the support and help of each other and guidance from our Macmillan Nurses Pam and Frances, especially as Pam is able to attend our meetings too.

As we introduced ourselves new group members were surprised to hear how long our group has been running (26years) and that some members have been coming along almost since its onset. Talking about our diagnosis and treatments in this informal way can be very encouraging for new members. Of course we do have one or two members who have had their cancer return; one particular lady had the first 30years ago, then 24 years ago and again 5 years ago. Some people could find this a little upsetting, as they hope that when they have had their treatment, all will be well, but others look at it in a more positive way, because here she is doing well and enjoying life.

At our meetings we always give members an opportunity, to ask questions or pass on any news that they have, and at this meeting one lady declared that she had come off of her Tamoxifen and was now drug free, always good news to share with others

We are lucky that within our group there are ladies who feel that after their treatment, they would like to give something back to those that have helped them, and so amongst other things, do voluntary work at the hospital and can be found helping out on busy clinic days. It’s always good to see a familiar face whilst waiting for your appointment at the hospital.

Other items mentioned at the meeting were:

A full house at Gloria’s, where she welcomed us with a cheeseboard, nibbles and summer drinks, sadly the evening wasn’t quite warm enough to sit outside. However she said that if the weather improved she would contact us all and we could have an afternoon together for a swim and a chance to model our various swimming costumes to each other.

Various items discussed:

Finally Chris had brought her swimming costume along to show, £28, ordered through Womanzone. If there is not a design within the Womanzone catalogue to suit, then one can be custom made, offering classic or high leg, skirted, with crossover, ladder, scoop or racer style back amongst other things.

Being the summer season the availability of swimming costumes for those who have had a mastectomy was discussed, other than Womanzone, recommendations from our members were costumes from Amoena and Nicola Jane.

A small gathering of 14 in Bexhill, probably due to it being the holiday season, but we never worry as more intimate gatherings can sometimes be more appealing than larger ones.

One of the questions posed and discussed during the evening was, "Do we ever meet up with other groups in the area?" It was decide that it would be nice to do this from time to time and that Pam would bring this up at the next Cancer Network meeting in October.

Pam had some news from the "hospital front" that Stevie, who some of us remember as a radiologist, and member of our group, before retiring is now working at the hospital as a volunteer giving complimentary therapy. Also that the rooms in the Oncology unit used for complimentary therapies and meeting up with patients are now in need of updating and a freshen up, and whereas previously the League of Friends had been able to help out financially now applications had to be made through the Trust.

A huge big discussion took place on mastectomy bras, their looks and the cost and availability of them. At a previous meeting members had mentioned that it would be nice to be able to go into stores locally and be able to purchase one. Since Marks and Spencer have advertised post operative bras, Janet decide to look into this and she had with her a very pretty sample of an under wired bra from Marks and Spencer at £16. However there was a problem that these bras were only available from their top ten stores, the nearest to us being Bluewater. These bras are however on offer via the internet. The bras are VAT exempt for those eligible, but this does mean if going to a store to purchase one, one has to stand in store and fill out an attached pink form, for every bra purchased. Some members felt that there should be a better system, and that it could be embarrassing to have to fill these forms out whilst purchasing a bra and, why should we, who have suffered through breast cancer be put through this embarrassment. It was also suggested that sample bras should at least be available for viewing at local stores. Janet agreed to feedback our opinions to someone at the local branch and also write to the Chief Executive passing on our views. Pam reported that as there are more younger women suffering with breast cancer there is a need for prettier underwear and negligee. Please also see list of our recommended stockists of mastectomy wear under "useful contacts".

Other things discussed at the meeting

This meeting was again held at Gloria’s, but we welcomed back Marlene, who announced that the November Hastings meeting will again be held at her house, as she now feels fit enough to be able move all the furniture around in preparation for the meeting. We also welcomed 2 new members to the group.

Gloria reported that Jane now had tickets for our Fashion Show, Thurs 4^th October, 7.30 starts at the Education Centre, Conquest Hospital, Hastings. This would again be run by Catwalk Connections who supply clothes and accessories from High Street stores at knock down prices. Models from the hospital staff had come forward, this year including Dr Sadler, Oncologist well known to most of our group. Tickets are £4; this includes a glass of wine or non alcoholic alternative. Gloria urged us all to take some tickets to sell; reminding us that if there was no sale to return them in plenty of time to be reissued.

Janet announced that having explored many avenues, the crystal jewellery that had been donated to us for funds was to be auctioned shortly in Battle.

Janet also filled us in on the latest correspondence from Marks and Spencer re post operative bras, after some discussion it was decided to continue the correspondence with the Chief Executive of Marks and Spencer as there seems to be some confusion over availability, and where these bras can be ordered from. Pam said that a local palliative nurse, who herself had recently suffered with breast cancer, was also working with Marks and Spencer on this problem.

Breast Cancer Care’s latest newsletter also had a big article on bra companies.

It was reported that a new healthcare centre had opened in Hastings, The Wellington Centre, leaflets could be obtained giving lists of therapies available, and that they would be interested in sending someone along to one of our meeting to talk about stress.

Rose has again arranged a stall in Priory Meadow Shopping Centre, Hastings for the weekend of 7th/8^th October, for us to promote our group as part of Breast cancer Awareness Month and to sell badge pins and Christmas cards for Breast Cancer Care and Cancer BACUP, she was asking if any members were available to cover a couple of 2 hr slots on the Sunday.

Jean announced that there had been a couple of cancellations and so there were still 2 seats available for the trip to the Llama Farm, and gave times and places that the coach would be picking up members along the way. She also reminded everyone that the coach was paid for by the group but that members were to pay their own entrance fee, but at a group rate. The two available places were soon filled.

Hospital news from Pam this month was that it had been decided that countywide hospitals should be handing out the same literature to new patients and she had three drafts that she asked us to look over and make comment on. Also that Dr Nathan, a specialist registrar was working with Dr Sadler on a 6 month secondment.

Gloria asked why we have to wait for routine mammogram results, this period of time is of course very nerve racking for those already having undergone breast cancer treatment and it was felt that 3 weeks was too long to wait. Others agreed and it was decided that Gloria would write to the Chief Radiographer, on behalf of the group, expressing our feelings.

Breast Cancer Care – Young Women’s Forum

(funded by the Lavender Trust and open to ladies up to the age of 45)

I went to this forum which was held at The Hilton in Brighton which ran over 2 days, 7^th and 8^th September. I had a really good, sometimes emotional and very exhausting time, met a great bunch of ladies, but also came away with lots of information, which I am still digesting.

We started in the morning with a meet and greet session, so you could get to know the others (about 40 of us!), followed by a very interesting talk by Dr Emma Pennery on "Medical updates and management of Breast cancer in young women". She was not phased by any of our questions and answered them all, a world of information.

Then a lovely lunch and the first time to chat.

The afternoon started with your choice "Break Out Group", on offer was "Sexuality and intimacy, Fertility after treatment, Breast reconstruction and Lymphoedema. I chose the lymphoedema group and found it very helpful.

A short break followed by a well-being class of our choice between, Tai Chi, Yoga, Aromatherapy or Relaxation and Visualisation.

By that time it was about 5pm and most of us went to our rooms for a quick rest and change for dinner. Dinner time was spent talking about the day and exchanging our personal stories. A few of us managed to go out for a drink before falling into bed very tired.

After a fab breakfast we had a short information session on Breast Cancer Care services, followed by a talk by Ruth Wright (Independent Counsellor) on "Coping with uncertainty", which as you can imagine we all found interesting.

The short break followed with our second choice of "Break Out Group" as mentioned above.

Then after lunch we had a presentation on Healthy Eating from Liz Butler ( Penny Brohn Cancer care formerly Bristol Cancer Help Centre). Should I have had that cake for lunch?... and yes, I will eat healthier.

Then followed a wind down session of reflection and evaluation, which also gave us time to exchange numbers and email addresses,

By now it was 4pm and time to go home. This week I took more time to reflect, act on information received and keep in contact with some of the girls.

The Breast Cancer Care staff were all very helpful and there was a table outside the meeting room filled with information. Everyone got a goody bag, with information and shower gel. We all felt well looked after and enjoyed meeting each other. So if you are thinking of going to one of these forums, just go for it, and I’m sure you’ll get a lot out of it.

Find information about this on www.breastcancercare.org.uk or phone 0808 800 6000

Ira

This meeting took the form of a pink party to celebrate October being Breast cancer Awareness month. The house was decorated with pink streamers, lights and pink balloons and everyone came wearing something pink, our normal coffee and biscuits were served but in addition as everyone arrived they were offered a pink drink and nibbles. The whole meeting was a little less formal than normal giving everyone a chance to catch up with each other and talked to the newer members.

However we did gather everyone together to pass on news from the group before dispersing again at the end of the meeting.

Suggestions were made that at each meeting we should have a small (credit sized) card with our logo on it that was blank on one side for telephone numbers to be written on, which could be useful for new members. We all agreed that when we first came along to a meeting there was usually someone in particular that we got talking to, that offered an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on etc and that it would be nice to provide a small card that a telephone number could be jotted down on so that contact could be made between meetings if necessary. Various ideas were "put into the pot", printed card, post-it notes; but it was decided to carry this idea through so that any new member had some personal contact to take away with them from the meeting if they wished to.

Chris and Marion thanked the group for sponsoring their tickets to the London Breast Cancer Fashion Show. It has been the group’s policy to pay for two members each year to attend this prestigious event. This year our two Macmillan nurses Pam and Frances also attended the event. Everyone who has ever been to this fashion show has come away feeling good about themselves and proud that they belong to large group of women who have all undergone the same treatments and worries, but are now out the other side, looking and feeling good. A discussion took place about next years event, as many members would like to attend again and the idea was put forward that we make up a table of ten, that the group would pay for a minibus and members would pay for their own ticket. This will be discussed again at a later date.

Our own 1066 Pink ladies fashion Show had been a huge success at the Education Centre, Conquest Hospital. 138 tickets had been sold, filling the centre to bursting point. It had been a wonderful evening and all our models did us proud, Dr Gill Sadler our Oncologist, had the most cheers when she appeared on stage, and it was agreed by all that should she want a change of career, modelling was something she ought to consider. After the show was over, everyone flocked to the clothes rails to shop for all the lovely things that they had just seen on our models, a great evening.

This event is one of our fundraisers and this year we made a wonderful £553. Thank you to the models; everyone involved especially Jane who organised the event with Catwalk Connections. A professional photographer snapped away during g the evening and photos of the event can be seen on this website; copies can be obtained by Paul Huggett.

The date for next year’s show has already been set Thurs 2^nd October, and tickets priced at £4 will be on sale from late spring.

Various other things were briefly talked about as listed below

December meeting 2007

This meeting is really just a party! The house was full to overflowing, but we all managed to squash in. There was mulled wine available to greet everyone as they came in and nibbles set out. When everyone was gathered we shared a little news and then moved on to play "Pass the Parcel" and a couple of other games that didn’t require too much moving around! We had crackers and a lucky draw to win a box of wine, lots of fun and laughter, the perfect way to celebrate Christmas.

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