Special Thank You
Firstly, thank you for having gone miles above and beyond your call of duty, for taking care of me and my family during the most difficult time of our lives. As soon as the diagnosis happened, you made sure my extended medical team knew about my changed health condition.
When I was in hospital, things went a little pear shaped to my family to say the least. When I got home, you did everything in your control to make sure not only myself, but also my husband and children were OK. The word “ok” is so short and simple, but it means the world to someone facing a crisis such as us. Secondly, in the last two months, my world has changed with the second diagnosis; and the world has changed with COVID-19.
Thank goodness my Think Pink world hasn’t really changed!I really like how Think Pink still have the regular sessions via Zoom, even though I haven’t really been attending but it really provides relief for our mental health, including mine, knowing it’s there when I am up to it.
Well Done Andrea and the Think Pink team! And, may I save the best for last: You and Ros are there for me as always! Take care and best wishes, Nicole
I can’t thank you fabulous souls at Think Pink nearly enough for providing such wonderful support for us as we travel our journeys with cancer. The variety of programs offered means there is something to aid & interest everyone. New ideas and knowledge are always helpful & joining in is always a really positive experience for me. It’s good being divided into dedicated groups for some of the days – it keeps the info relevant. I know the others in my group really understand ‘the road’.
Knowing support is there for the asking is gold. Mary
Many thanks for allowing me to participate in the Bloke’s Support Group zoom meeting tonight. Although I pointed it out to Sal on the calendar and said that I wish I’d had this a few months ago, I wasn’t sure what I would get out of it. What did I get out of it, heaps. I know the pain and worries we went through were as real as anyone else’s but it made me realise how “lucky “?!, if you can call it lucky, we were that Sal had an early diagnosis and mostly her treatment went well with no chemo. She’s making a good recovery although she did have a bit of a setback with an infection, but that is good now. She’s loving her zoom classes and getting so much out of them, I can tell when I get home that she’s had a good class.
At first I felt like I didn’t belong there as my wife is now relatively well and starting to take control of her life again. I suppose I felt guilty for those reasons in the company of the other amazing people sharing what they,and their families, had and are going through. For most of the meeting I sat in awe listening to them, how they dealt with problems and their freedom to express sympathy and offer sound advice. By the end I was shedding a few tears and not really wanting it to end.
I’m happy to make my details available to anyone, whether an individual or the group as we have been or are on this roller coaster that no one wants a ticket on and one thing I’ve learnt in past months is that every journey is different and help can come from any source, but talking is the best way. As we used say to our eldest son when he was going through a rough patch years ago, if you can’t talk to us, family or friends go and talk to the drunk on the park bench, at least you are talking about it. A pity his old man didn’t remember that a couple of times lately. But pretty good now and the odd tear and nights like tonight make a difference. Sal getting stronger helps too. We were pretty good before but now we are even more in tune and appreciate each other more.
Looking forward to next month too. Thanks and see you then, Max
Dear Michelle & Think Pink
Being a scuba diving instructor – with a lot of physical exercise in my job, there has been almost no exercise from me since my double mastectomy and Diep Flap stomach removal – in March this year. Everything just seemed too hard or too scary to do, and I worried I’ll exacerbate my pain areas.
After attending a Zoom class with Michelle this morning, I sat on the floor and cried at the fact I have finally found something I am able to do and that brought feelings of achievement. It’s made me feels so much better about getting back into some form of fitness for myself.
Michelle was amazing in her descriptions and advice in the exercises, and I will def be back for the next class.
Thank you so much to her and the time she places into helping us and guide us through Pilates in her classes, and thank you to the hard-working staff at Think Pink who allow this to happen. Hannah
Creative Programs & Workshops
BOOK CLUB
“Think pink is a wonderful organisation that caters for everything you could need or want to do during a hard time in ones life. I’m grateful and happy I have them in my life, I recently joined the book club with friendly supporting woman, it was on my bucket list of things to do. I really recommend joining the book club or anything you might have an interest in . It’s free and everyone is so nice like an extension to the family. So glad I joined”
“A great attribute to the vast array of activities provided by Think Pink”
“I love the friendly discussions and the interests we have in various authors a great way to encourage each other to read more and enjoy more.”
ART THERAPY
“This is my second session and I wish to say that Sandy has been so wonderfully supportive, emphatic and very professional in her approach”
“So good to release some tension”
“Expression through the art but also companionship”
“The session was extraordinary. Sandra is a gifted therapist, I am so grateful that I could participate”
“I felt the positivity of life overtaking the darkness I had felt with cancer”
FINANCE WORKSHOP
“Centrelink is complicated enough if you are well, but exceptionally more complicated when unwell. Thank you Think Pink for filling in the gaps.”
“Dishna was fantastic. She’s so knowledgeable and clear in her delivery.”
“Very helpful indeed that the Think Pink Foundation organised such an informative session titled: Finance Workshop with Dishna. Any sessions which assist in helping people with financial problems to understand the Centrelink systems are very useful. “
MAKE UP WORKSHOP
“This make up demonstration was excellent and this week I made an effort to take on board a few hints. I have a 70th birthday coming up and all Lucia said was very helpful and saved me from purchasing the wrong thing.”
“Lucia gave me my confidence back. Very helpful informative session. Thank you very much to all who organised this session.”
“Three most valuable aspects I take with me from this session are: concealer colours and what their uses are; How to put makeup on correctly from concealer through to eyeshadows brows lips; Lines & points on your eyebrow draw how to select
colour of brow.”
Support Groups
FABULOUS OVER 50s AND BEYOND
“The women’s support group provides me with a greatly needed sense of connection and shared lived experiences, which is something that I cannot get from a medical team or just from reading a website. The group provides a sense of courage and understanding that is invaluable to my healing and wellness. The guest speaker program has been incredibly useful, and has allowed me to discover many things about my illness that I didn’t know as well as the opportunity to be more engaged in my recovery. Many thanks to the team at Think Pink for their work and this great resource.”
“Today’s group was very emotional for some and hit the core of their grief. It was great to see some pour forth their grief feelings as it supported others in knowing they are not alone. Samantha gave some awesome methods to handle grief and offered her ongoing assistance.”
HOT PINK SISTERS
“After over 7 years of cancer I had never joined a support group until I was diagnosed with Metastatic Breast Cancer in July 2020. Joining the Hot Pink Sisters support group was the best thing I’ve done. I’m so grateful to have Ros, Debbie and all the ladies to talk to. It’s an incredible support speaking to people in the same situation as me.”
PINK SISTERS SUPPORT GROUP
“I found Think Pink early on in my BC journey at a time when the shock of diagnosis was still setting in & emotions were high. The support & pragmatism of Andrea and all the Think Pink team gave me the reassurance needed at this time & ongoing to get through treatment. I can’t thank the team enough!.”
“I was lost after finishing my treatment, I thought what I was experiencing emotionally was something out of the ordinary. No one told me what could happen post treatment. I’m so glad I reached out and asked for help, it was the best thing that I did. I connected with women that have gone through or are still going through their journey. It was nice to feel that I wasn’t going crazy and I felt very supported.”
“This session was amazingly powerful in allowing me to access emotion that I wouldn’t have been able to describe myself, provide some context to the grief that I was feeling towards the whole experience of breast cancer from the behaviour of everyone around me to the treatment and the affects of it on my body and also provided some validation of the experience and inspiration to how it could enrich my life going forward.”
SECOND HOPE SUPPORT GROUP
“Thanks from the bottom of my heart for the work of Think Pink staff and volunteers. I feel wonderfully supported by all the amazing activities on offer and I am enjoying being part of the Second Hope group.”
“It’s lovely to have people around me that know what it’s like to be where I’m at. No one, but someone who is going through metastatic cancer, can Know what it feels like.”
“It’s lovely to be part of a community/group of people who you know really understand what it’s like to live with a metastatic diagnosis. I am only 18mths into my journey and fortunately still feel quite well, but the whole experience is something which is hard for family & friends to properly comprehend. It gives me great hope seeing others on second and third etc line treatments still leading purposeful lives. It helps me with my initial fear – my body growing resistant present meds I am taking. It’s great to also have the support & knowledge of the wonderful staff at Think Pink. Thanks so much for being there for us all. It’s gold! “
“Support, understanding and able to open up about our situation”
“Friendship, caring and belonging”
“Able to ask questions with no judgement, knowledge is power”
“Many others going through same but different experiences, camaraderie”
“Honesty; caring; inclusive”
“Knowing that Think Pink is offering valuable information in an accessible format”
SUPPORTING BLOKES GROUP
“The Think Pink Supporting Blokes Group gives a most unique opportunity to speak in a safe space with blokes managing through many similar worries and who share like-minded concerns as well understanding.”
“Contact with blokes in similar situations”
“Friendship & knowledge”
“Men talking to men”
“Importance of looking after self”
“How to open up to people”
“Ability to talk things through”
Exercise Programs
PILATES
“I found Michelle to be an amazing Pilates instructor who had patience, professionalism and humour. She gave more than one version of any movement that could test any of our surgery”
“Think Pink has surpassed itself in these uncertain times. Pilates online was professional, strengthening and a lot of fun.”
“It is a class for everyone, no matter what age or experience.”
“Motivating; uplifting; physically challenging.”
“Being left with very positive feelings”
“Michelle is so encouraging, positive and fresh in a way that is quite irresistible. It is excellent the way she utilizes differential instruction, to cater for all levels and abilities. I always come away feeling quite refreshed and inspired.”
“Michelle is a highly professional, experienced and engaging Pilates teacher with the ability to teach at all ages and stages. She is witty in her approach and always checks on everyone so they can improve. I highly recommend to experience it for yourself! “
“Clear instructions; enthusiasm to get back to strengthening core muscles; encouragement to continue”
TAI CHI
“I can’t thank Helen and Think Pink enough for providing a Tai Chi class during COVID. Being able to connect during a difficult time has made coping so much easier.”
“Tai chi has meant more to me than I ever thought it would, even though I am still not very good at it. Helen has been the highlight of my week.”
“It was absolutely great”
“Ongoing support from the group”
“Keeping connected with friends”
“Beautiful sequence and the peace I feel afterwards”
“Keeping in touch with Think Pink”
“Catching up with Helen and the regular girls”
“Light exercises”
YOGA
“Clear explanations; demonstration; gentle exercises and flow”
“More relaxed feeling in body and mind”
“Stretch; meditation; social”
“Breathing techniques; relaxation”
“I attend every week and the facilitator has excellent knowledge on the subject matter”
“Satisfaction that I have been exercising purposefully”
Wellness Programs
MEDITATION
“The meditation classes taught many new skills and techniques to negotiate life in these uncertain times, keeping the focus on self care, acceptance and wellness. “
“Meditation class online offered through Think Pink is a valuable resource for me on my breast cancer journey. Thank you for offering these services. I am grateful.”
“The Zoom meditation class was very well run with Maree explaining the techniques well. It was also well paced with something for beginners and also long term meditators.”
“The visualisation process – it was a surprising and empowering moment that I was not expecting”
“This class is informative and delivered in a easy calming manner, in a short time I am breathing better without quite realising it.”
“Meditating with a group, even remotely is wonderful”
MINDFULNESS
“Mindfulness sessions really help me to see a future for myself especially on days when I am struggling to cope with the day.”
“Three most valuable aspects for me – helping me to move forward; giving me an opportunity to look to the future; allowing me to enjoy a guided meditation .’
“Cheryne’s sessions soothed my soul and gave me skills in healing and growing, enhanced my well-being and calmed my busy mind.”
REFLEXOLOGY
“Amazing techniques to control pain and emotions taught by a clearly understanding professional while in the comfort of my own home.”
“Coming into the class I did not know what to expect. All the recommendations were excellent and the tips to go back to sleep worked in the first night after I learned how to use Reflexlogy. Monique is fantastic! Thank you so much!”
“I always look forward to Monique’s aromatic reflexology sessions. Monique’s warm, caring and attentive manner is a blessing in itself. In addition, the weekly practice of calming, comforting reflexology techniques to soothe and align the body and mind has been very beneficial to my wellbeing and health. Reflexology has given me ways to lower stress levels, to relax more deeply and to ward off vertigo attacks. The use of essential oils and positive affirmations have helped me to remain more centred when managing the three life threatening illnesses which have interrupted my life in recent years”.
“Monique has a calm persona and you immediately relax. Any question is answered and assistance provided. I particularly find her advice very beneficial. I so enjoy learning about the trigger points and relaxation techniques which I use daily. I look forward to the weekly oil selection and its benefits. Thank you Monique for your time and Think Pink for providing the classes for country folk.”
“Helpful in times of anxiety”
“Methods to control or support my emotions; socialising; relaxation”
“I could see it clearly demonstrated and could practise it”
“Informative; nurturing; feeling good”
“It is not complicated; easy to administer; new strategies to try to alleviate some symptoms”
“Great to see how helpful it is to recovering clients”
Special Events
UNDERSTANDING GRIEF & THE CANCER JOURNEY with Samantha Rennie
“Today’s group was very emotional for some and hit the core of their grief. It was great to see some pour forth their grief feelings as it supported others in knowing they are not alone. Samantha gave some awesome methods to handle grief and offered her ongoing assistance.”
“The information I received from attending the Grieving Well session gave me an enormous insight into what to expect on my Breast Cancer journey in ways I had never considered before. I am grateful to Samantha for sharing so much valuable, experience and knowledge with the group. Thank goodness I found Think Pink and thank you Andrea for prompting me to attend the session :)”
“Samantha Rennie’s presentation on ‘Understanding Grief and the Cancer Journey’ was fantastic. She is an excellent presenter who is clearly very knowledgeable in this area. Samantha was able to convey her information in an easy to follow manner. I learnt a lot from this presentation and I’m sure that everybody in the group received some insights relevant to their own situation. Thanks Samantha for your wonderful presentation and to Think Pink for organising it.”
EXERCISING REMOTELY with Dale Ischia
“I’m really grateful for all the programs think Pink provides. Just wonderful support in all areas of our health and wellbeing.”
“Dale Ischia today brought to the table for me the reality of damage caused to my body by treatments received. It was good to face this and to hear the positive, professional and researched results I can achieve in an affordable way by, doing exercise at my own ability.”
“Dale’s Zoom presentation today was really helpful in underlining how important the role of exercise is in cancer treatment & feeling the best we can. Dale inspired me to try to keep up the exercise, even when it’s the last thing I feel like doing!”
“The online discussions are valuable tools that help to improve my knowledge & understanding of the changes occurring in my body as a result of my treatment. Better understanding assists me with additional coping strategies”
“Dale’s knowledge and advice was very helpful. I will try to up the amount of exercise I am doing while I am going through chemotherapy”