Lessons Learned Network

When you have been diagnosed with cancer you often feel like you have instantly been transported to another planet. All of a sudden you feel like an alien in a world that just the day before you knew so well. Somewhere during that process you may feel the need to connect with others who have also arrived from that planet and understand the new language you speak, the feelings you have and the new way of life you have had to adopt. This is where support groups can be so helpful. Not only can they normalise your life again by hearing other peoples' stories but, research shows those people who attend support groups statistically have better treatment outcomes and longer survival times.

On Tuesday I was once again inspired by the power of these gatherings when I attended the Sunny Coast Sisters support group for women with gynecological cancers. You can't help but feel empowered when you hear their stories of survival and feel the love that is shared amongst the members. You feel normal when words such as carboplatin and PET scans are used. Because they have become a major part of your lexicon. If you have been on a cancer journey I encourage you to find a support group you can attend. It may just be you find that communing with the other aliens from this strange planet called cancer you truly feel 'normal' again.

Please share with us any experiences you may have had with support groups and how they helped or hindered your journey.

Guest Post| Dr. V. from Breast Cancer Conqueror

The role of Probiotics and Cancer is foundational for Immune System vitality and absorption of your nutrients. Most people do not make the connection between their digestive system and overall health.
Let’s start with some basics. We have all experienced the effects of a toilet backing up because of a clog of toilet paper or too much “you know what”…the stench and the disgusting cleanup is no fun.
Your colon is no different. Your colon is like a sewer system and is designed to expel the waste matter from food and other metabolic processes. If you do not have a healthy flora full of happy probiotics, your “sewer system” is backing up into your body. What should be coming out, gets re-absorbed as it pushes through the intestinal wall and re-circulates into the blood stream…..gross! As the body becomes increasingly toxic, proper oxidation cannot take place on a cellular level. Without proper oxygen and with a plethora of toxic materials, the cells become stressed and your Immune System becomes compromised.

Guest Post| Cara Novy-Bennewitz from Working Out Cancer & Diagnosis:Breast Cancer

 Tell us a little about you cancer adventure, when were you diagnosed, what treatment did you undergo?

Like many, I found a lump during a self breast exam. Because of my age, 45, and no known risk factors, the doctors assumed it was most likely a cyst. After a series of appointments and finally a biopsy, two days later, I got the call telling me its cancer. I was lucky to have caught it early, stage one. Not so lucky to have triple negative, a very aggressive form of cancer. I had a lumpectomy, followed by chemotherapy and then seven weeks of radiation.

Tell us about your book "Diagnosis: Breast Cancer" and how did it come about.

I got the idea to write Diagnosis: Breast Cancer immediately after my first visit with a surgeon. As we were leaving her office she asked me and my husband if we had any questions. I shot him a look like she’s kidding right? I had so many questions; I didn’t even know where to start! The educator in me kept thinking

Diagnosed with breast cancer on Christmas Eve 2009 not only led Jillian Exton on a journey to find answers to her illness, but also resulted in a web resource to help others.

Breast Cancer Lessons Learned is the product of Jillian’s journey from diagnosis through to remission, and has opened up a whole new world of information to help people through their own cancer journey.

Jillian says once diagnosed, most people do not have the time or the energy to spend on research, especially for treatments or products that can help fight cancer, and support to manage cancer treatment side effects and minimise the risk of re-occurrence.

“I have always been fit and healthy so my diagnosis was a real surprise, however I knew that I had to face this challenge with a glass half full attitude,” Jillian says.

“Having worked in the corporate world for a few decades, every project is reviewed and usually a ‘lessons learned’ document would follow the review, so the same errors are not repeated and opportunities for improvement are found.

“I decided why not do the same after breast cancer treatment? Why should those who follow what I’ve been through repeat the same errors? Why shouldn’t they benefit from mine and others

Yep that's me, I embarked on my breast cancer adventure on Christmas Eve 2009. Received that fateful call at 4pm and by 5pm was numb, in denial and with a margarita (or two) in my hands.

I have always been fit and healthy so my diagnosis was a real surprise, however I knew that I had to face this challenge with a positive attitude. I started contacting other breasty graduates to get some tips but found most had quickly forgotten, whether by choice or default, I suspect it must be like child birth. Often I would meet someone who had some fantastic advice about a phase of treatment that I had completed and I would be left wishing I had know about that tip earlier. This prompted me to document my experience so I could pass on my tips when I finished to others that join this prestigious club.

As I progressed through my treatments I compared notes with my breasty buddies and realised three things:

1. Many breasties did not have the time, energy or know how to research aspects of their

Welcome to our first Gynecancer blog post. If you are reading this you most likely have encountered some sort of gyne cancer yourself or someone you love. It is our hope that you will learn some useful information through this blog that will support you emotionally, physically or spiritually through your journey. 

Please feel free to comment on any of our posts. It is through sharing that we can support each other to make informed decisions. 

Until next time. 

Blessings to you all.

Let the blogging begin!