You all know my favourite way of spending downtime is reading; it is the most important way of growing our knowledge; we retain information better when we read. Sometimes when we, as adults, read children’s books we gain insight into the simplicity of life. This is most needed when we feel that life is not fair. Enjoy the journey of astute lines from delightful books and a quote that, for me, depicts some of the articles in this issue.
When Veronica tells her story of how she found out she had breast cancer, I think of the line, “It has been a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. My mom says some days are like that. Even in Australia.” – Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, Judith Viorst.
After reading Abigail’s story, one of our Super Survivors, and hearing how cancer has affected her family, you’ll realise: “We all can dance,” he said, “if we find the music that we love.” – Giraffes Can’t Dance, Giles Andreae.
Learning how chemo works, the side effects, and how the drugs are mixed puts the following into perspective: “Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.” – The Velveteen Rabbit, Margery Williams.
Understanding risks and myths related to breast cancer is always a hotly contested topic, but don’t ever blame yourself for a disease that, to be honest, we don’t have all the answers to how it caused: “The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it.” – Peter Pan, J.M. Barrie.
But if you’re faced with medical diagnoses and the need for treatment, particularly prolonged treatment, you must grasp the financial implications. And remember you can get excellent treatment in specialist government breast clinics: “Promise me you’ll remember, you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think.” – Winnie the Pooh, AA Milne.
With the benefit of breastfeeding and how it protects you from cancer explained, Shel Silverstein’s quote comes to mind: “Listen to the mustn’ts, child. Listen to the don’ts. Listen to the shouldn’t, the impossibles, the won’ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me… Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.”
It is all in our genes and not the denims. You can choose your friends but not your family, so luckily genetics are like a Christmas cake made up of many ingredients, and mixed thoroughly: “It is our choices Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” – Harry Potter and the chamber of Secrets, J.K, Rowling.
Bras, breast reconstruction, best exercise, healthy recipes and motivational columns always feature in our mag. This issue the gift of giving is scrutinised: “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” – The Lorax, Dr. Seuss.
Lastly Buddies For Life tells the adventures of women, men and children, and that of life celebrated (a toast to Ivy) and with that I leave you with the line from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis: “And so for a time it looked as if all the adventures were coming to an end; but that was not to be.”
Click here to read the July/Aug 2016 issue
