Join us on 10th July at our Cancer Support Group at 18 Eton Road, Parktown.  Our speaker will be TK Mofokeng who is the resident Donald Gordon Medical Centre’s physiotherapist and he will be talking about the importance of exercise for cancer patients.  He will also be giving exercises to help you during cancer treatment and beyond.
We meet at 9h00 for coffee and start at 9h30.  Afterwards there will be time to share your stories and chat with other members.
We look forward to seeing you. Remember, there is no charge.

Contact Chris Olivier
Cell: 083 640 4949
cansurvive@icon.co.za

Linda Greeff, co-founder and Director of People Living With Cancer and an expert in dealing with people undergoing cancer treatment, will be in Johannesburg on 17 and 18 July 2010 presenting their introductory ‘buddy’ training course at the Donald Gordon Medical Centre.
Hosted by Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre (WDGMC) and People Living With Cancer, Johannesburg, the goal of the course is to train a group of volunteers to be involved with PLWC in Johannesburg in preparation of being able to visit newly-diagnosed cancer patients, helping and supporting them through their cancer. Hospital oncology visitors are also catered for.

Linda comments: “the intention is to educate interested parties about the disease and provide them with greater self-awareness and the required communication skills needed in preparation for visiting patients.Volunteers learn how to become tools to sup- port those going through a crisis.  While it not essential that a volunteer has a similar diagnosis to the patient, if they are either a cancer sufferer, survivor or caregiver this does help. It is important also for volunteers to know very clearly the guidelines around the do’s and don’ts of a ‘buddy’ visit”.

The first day of the seminar discusses cancer and the different types of scans and their uses. It covers the emotional aspects, relationship building and need recognition, as well as hospital etiquette. It also addresses when to involve Hospice.

Day two surrounds basic communication skills, positive language and non-verbal communication, listening, empathy and observation around a ‘patient active’ approach.

Other speakers include Bev du Toit and Bernice Lass (an oncology unit manager), with guest speakers from Hospice and an interventional radiologist from the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre (WDGMC).

The course is free. See newsletter here:  2010 June Newsletter .   More information can be obtained from Chris Olivier on 083 640 4949 or email cansurvive@icon.co.za.

Our May meeting drew 46 attendees, including 7 first timers.  Dr Hans Rabe’s excellent presentation on penile rehabilitation after prostatectomy lived up to his reputation for a no-nonsense approach to sensitive topics, and was much appreciated by the large audience.

OUR NEXT MEETING:
TUESDAY 15 JUNE 2010
VENUE: Ground Floor,  Constantiaberg Medi-Clinic, Burnham Road, Plumstead.
NORMAL TIME: 17h45 for 18h00
(We aim to finish by 19h00 approx)

Speaker:  Dr Trevor Borchers
Dr Trevor, himself a cancer survivor now, will up-date us on recent developments in the field of prostate cancer and its treatment.

We particularly value on-going attendance by our cancer survivors who can give support to newly diagnosed men and their partners/carers.  Do spread the word to new patients you hear of.

The specialists who have treated many of us are also much appreciated for willingly giving of their time to keep us up to date with the latest trends in their specialisations.

Let us know if you think of ways to improve the way we publicise our group so that as many potential participants are made aware of the support available as possible.  Also speak to our “committee” after the meeting if you have suggestions for future topics and speakers appropriate for the group.

New patients are also encouraged to share their experiences, and to approach their specialist urologists, oncologists, and other therapists to address the support group.

Venue, juice, tea/coffee and biscuits are courtesy of Constantiaberg Medi-Clinic.  Donations are welcome, but optional, to support the group phone and mailing expenses, gifts for our speakers, and wine for the refreshment table (or bring the wine/soft drinks you prefer, to share).

REGARDS TO YOU AND YOURS FROM YOUR “ORGANISING COMMITTEE” OF JOHN, GEORGE, CECCO, BRIAN & ALAN.

WITH UNITS IN PANORAMA MEDI-CLINIC, CONSTANTIABERG MEDI-CLINIC, VINCENT PALLOTTI HOSPITAL, EASTERN CAPE ONCOLOGY CENTRE – PORT ELIZABETH, BORDER ONCOLOGY – EAST LONDON, OUTENIQUA ONCOLOGY UNIT – GEORGE, VERGELEGEN ONCOLOGY UNIT – SOMERSET WEST, LOWVELD ONCOLOGY UNIT – NELSPRUIT AND SOLWAY ONCOLOGY UNIT – BOSTON

We had a great support group meeting on Monday at Vincent Palotti Hospital.   We had 15 survivors present.   Tessa Viotti talked on the use of Alexander technique as a tool in  adjusting to you cancer .

Please see attached article on the Alexancer Technique for more information.

The essence of this  tool is about greater self awareness and  becoming more aware of your body and the importance of  making time to    think about how you move and  do things. The greater awareness of  how  and where we hold tension could assist in freeing up your body  to work more  effectively  and in  harmony, facilitating  greater sense of wellbeing and balance in ones life!

Please contact Tessa ( mtviotti@gmail.com ) if you have any question re this.

Linda Greeff

Just a reminder that our next meeting is on Saturday 12 June. and our speaker will be Dr Elna Macintosh. She is a Sexual Health Care practitioner, Medical Director of the DISA Health Care clinic, cancer survivor, sex-educator, researcher, author and Media personality for the past 25 years. She has run seven Comrades, climbed Kilimanjaro twice, done the Iron man triathlon and completed several Dusi canoe marathons and many road races and cycling events; She has a weekly radio talk show on KAYA FM. Together with Masechaba Moshoeshoe they tackle Sexual Health topic on the “What’s your take” show.
As usual, the meeting will be held at 18 Eton Road, Parktown at 9h00 for 9h30.
We look forward to seeing you there.

Contact Person:  Chris Olivier
Cell: 083 640 4949

Panorama Hospital Entrance

Panorama Medi Clinic’s monthly cancer support group meeting will be held on Tuesday, 6th April 2010, 17h30 at the hospital.  The monthly meetings are on the first Tuesday of every month.

All welcome.

For enquiries:  phone Eldré on 076 775 6099 or email:  eldre@plwc.org.za

Email: dr.gjl@absamail.co.za
Phone: 012 343 5263

Email: dr.gjl@absamail.co.za
Phone: 012 343 5263
Mobile: 082 573 7342

Venue:
34 Loerie Street, West Acres X6, Nelspruit
Time:
15:00
Contact Mary on 082 495 0029 or 076 030 4227

People Living with Cancer
Suidelike Voorstede

Algemene Kanker Ondersteunings Groep

Is jy, ‘n vriend(in) of ‘n familie lid huidiglik besig om kanker behandeling te ontvang? Het jy enige vrae of bekommernisse? Het jy net nodig om met iemand te gesels wat al in dieselfde posisie as jy was? Of is jy ‘n kanker “survivor” en het ‘n behoefte om met ander “survivors” te skakel en op hoogte te bly van die nuutste nuus en inligting.

Die vergadering datums, en onderwerpe van bespreking, vir 2010 is soos volg:

22 Februarie :
“The Ben Zander video Art of Possibility”

29 Maart :
“Nutrition during and post treatment”

19 April :
“Nutrition talk continued“

31 Mei :
“Alexander Technique – Tessa Viotti”

28 Junie :
“Hope in Cancer”

26 Julie :
“How can I really Support Somebody that has Cancer?”

30 Augustus ;
“Patient Active Approach”

27 September :
“Dealing with Anxiety and Depression”

25 Oktober :
“Sexual Issues”

29 November :
“How to make Treatment Decisions more effectively”

Plek:

Vincent Pallotti Hospitaal in die GVI Onkologie eenheid

Tyd:

18h00 – 19h30

Enige pasiënt en versorger is welkom. Bywoning is gratis.

Enige navrae kan gerig word aan Eldré Strydom by

076 775 6099 of info@plwc.org.za.

www.plwc.org.za

People Living with Cancer
Southern Suburbs

General Cancer Support Group

Have you, a friend or a family member been diagnosed with cancer? Do you have any questions

or concerns? Do you feel the need to talk to others who have been in the same position?

Or are you a survivor and would just like to meet and interact with other survivors?

Meetings will be held on the following dates in 2010:

22 February :
The Ben Zander video Art of Possibility

29 March :
Nutrition During and Post Treatment

19 April :
Mindfulness and the Use of Meditation

31 May :
Alexander Technique – Tessa Viotti

28 June :
Hope in Cancer

26 July :
How can I really Support Somebody that has Cancer

30 August :
Patient Active Approach

27 September :
Dealing with Anxiety and Depression

25 October :
Sexual Issues

29 November :
How to make treatment decisions more effectively

Venue:

Vincent Pallotti Hospital in the GVI Oncology unit

Time:

18h00 – 19h30

Any patients and caregivers are welcome. Attendance is free of charge.

You can contact Eldré Strydom at 076 775 6099 or info@plwc.org.za with any questions.

www.plwc.org.za