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Sweet Louise MembersSome of our Members would like to share their experiences of Sweet Louise, the services we offer and life with secondary breast cancer.
Dorothy Dorothy has two beautiful and very big St Bernards, gentle giants named Toby and Livi. She is unable to walk the dogs herself now and unfortunately the Sweet Louise vouchers could not completely cover the cost of engaging someone to walk them for her. Through Friends of Sweet Louise we found Adrienne, a passionate dog lover, and her children who live locally and love walking Toby and Livi weekly and sometime twice weekly. We received this note from Dorothy recently. "Thank you, thank you, thank you for sending Adrienne to me. What a lifesaver. Toby was starting to seize up and although he cannot go too far he loves his walks with Adrienne. She is great and has brought her children with her a couple of times. Livi thinks she has died and gone to heaven when Adrienne knocks on the door. "Another thank you to Sweet Louise as a whole. I used Hire-a-hubby to chop up a large pile of firewood and they were marvellous. Thank you again." Jane  Jane uses the Website Forums regularly and encourages other Members to give them a try.Jane joined Sweet Louise over two years ago. Although she can rarely attend monthly meetings due to work commitments, Jane still feels very connected to other Members through the online Forums offered on the Sweet Louise website. "I've been using the Forums for almost a year now and would encourage other Members to try them. They're easy to access and provide a great informal source of information." Forum contributors share experiences with medical treatments, useful tips on coping with side effects and also enjoy reading and writing about day to day life - the joys and fun, the challenges and sorrows. "There's a real sense of community on the Forums," says Jane. "I check them regularly and find other Members' experiences interesting and useful. I've also just discovered the research articles and look forward to delving into those." Jane thoroughly enjoys her Sweet Louise vouchers. "Not just the use of them but having them as evidence that a lot of people care and want to help and knowing they are available as a targeted treat. Facials and massages have been great experiences I wouldn't normally have - especially nice when work has been demanding." She used some vouchers for a photo shoot with Service Provider Photographer's Inc. "Sharing the photo shoot with my daughter meant we could be close and have fun. The resulting prints are something tangible that she and my mother can have and keep." Being part of Sweet Louise is important for Jane. "It is great to be part of an organisation which is focused on the person, rather than the disease. It allows one to feel less of a statistic. There is also a real sense of security in knowing that there is knowledge and support available." Angela  Wellington Sweet Louise Member Angela shares her thoughts about the organisation. Angela volunteered much of her time recently to help with the launch of Sweet Louise in the capital.One of the most exciting aspects of Sweet Louise is that the website is designed specifically for New Zealand women with advanced breast cancer. The website philosophy is nurturing and proactive in its support for women with advanced breast cancer having the best quality of life possible. The concept of the voucher system is unique to Sweet Louise. Imagine being able to take time out to be pampered! I had the pleasure of trialling some of the services in Wellington. This included facials, Reflexology, massage, Reiki and Pilates. The professionals I met were highly skilled and respectful of my situation. They were also exceptional people in themselves. It was so nice to take time out and be pampered. I would encourage any woman with advanced breast cancer to visit the website and sign up. There is a high degree of rigour in accepting women into the site. This makes the Forums a safe place to discuss specific issues facing women with advanced cancer. I am looking forward to using the discussion forums more to share the journey with other survivors. I am, of course, also looking forward to my next massage!! Luita  Luita is from Rarotonga and Sweet Louise has made her feel well supported.Luita wanted to have the family with her for a special morning tea so used her Sweet Louise vouchers for a selection of muffins, scones and cakes from Baking Service Provider Lucy's Larder. ‘I ordered cakes and coconut and lemon muffins and they were delicious!' says Luita. 'I was so happy because everyone enjoyed the morning tea - especially the muffins!' She has also used her vouchers for a Reiki treatment. A Service Provider came to her home for a relaxing and nurturing session which Luita thoroughly enjoyed and felt was very beneficial. Luita is from Rarotonga and has been in New Zealand for about 16 months. She is so grateful for the many services available to her here. Sweet Louise is a ‘huge help' and has made her feel well supported. While the services are very important to her, Luita also finds the Member Meetings very enjoyable and looks forward to coming along each month to see her friends. ‘Sweet Louise is very important to me and I tell everyone, all my friends and family,' she says, ‘Sweet Louise has done so much for me. I love coming to the meetings because I can see my friends and I can also meet new people. I feel very fortunate.' Wendy  Wendy was one of the first women to join Sweet Louise in 2006.One of the first in Auckland to join Sweet Louise in 2006, Wendy praises an organisation that she feels fortunate to have in her life. ‘They are such wonderful people and I am so glad to see them expanding to other parts of New Zealand.' Wendy was referred to Sweet Louise by her oncologist's nurse and remembers receiving a visit from Sinda Hall, one of two Support Coordinators (Wilma Stuart completes the team) who visit women in their homes after initial contact is made. ‘Wilma and Sinda are always available,' says Wendy. ‘Sometimes you just want someone to talk to and they are there at the other end of the phone or will come by and see me. They organise some lovely events for us and I look forward to the monthly Members' Meetings.' Wendy enjoys the monthly meetings and is especially keen on those where ‘creative activities' are featured - the bead making morning was one of her favourites. ‘It's so nice to see the expression on the women's faces when they've created something that they would not normally be able to do or have an opportunity to try,' Wendy says, ‘and then to share what they've made with everyone. It's wonderful.' The meetings provide an opportunity for women to socialize and share experiences with each other in a secure and caring place. ‘I don't go along to talk about my situation and I don't let it get me down either. It's important to be positive because that helps other women having similar experiences to cope with all they are going through. The Sweet Louise team makes meetings a lot of fun and when we have creative things to do everyone likes to have a go. The meetings and events offer a wide variety of interesting and fun activities. The positive approach of the women attending and the support of the Sweet Louise team make all the Member events very enjoyable.' Sweet Louise provides a wide range of services for its Members and Wendy has been most impressed with all she has tried. ‘I'm a keen gardener but can't do as much in the garden as I'd like to now. It's great to call someone in to tidy up things and to clean the windows (Green Acres). They're always very prompt too and so nice." Wendy also enjoys a special treat at Isis Spa for manicures and facials. ‘They're lovely,' she says, ‘and I feel so pampered! When you ring for an appointment they know exactly who you are and make you feel so welcome when you arrive. Parking is very convenient and the surroundings so relaxing. It's a precious respite from the everyday.' Wendy has also enjoyed pedicures from Andrea King who makes home visits. The Laura Ferguson Trust provides Sweet Louise Members with hydrotherapy which is offered at no voucher cost. ‘I've been going there for over two years and I love the pool. Initially, you're assessed by trained physiotherapists who then design an individual exercise programme just for you. It has been so beneficial. I encourage more of our ladies to go.' The success of its voucher services is obvious and measurable but it is hard to place a value on the other side of Sweet Louise: the fellowship, support and companionship the organisation offers to women living with secondary breast cancer. ‘Unless you've been through it you don't always understand - but Sweet Louise does. They provide an opportunity - through their meetings and their website - for women with similar circumstances to share thoughts and experiences, offer each other reassurance and exchange positive thoughts - and we're all very happy to be there, taking part.' Back to top>>> |
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