Upcoming Support Groups
Tomorrow's August 15 session will be held at Davis Bay Hall from 1 - 3pm pm. Colleen Haynes will be a guest speaker to talk about blood work.
September 5 • 1 - 3pm
September 19 • 1 - 3pm
CAMP RUBY - A ladies weekend retreat
October 3 - 4, 2015 at YMCA Camp Elphinstone
The Ruby Slipper Fund is making 10 spots available at no charge for women who have had a cancer diagnosis to attend the retreat. If you would like to register for this event please email: rubyslipperfund@gmail.com or send a private message on the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/CampRuby
CAMP RUBY promises to be a fun, zany, memory-rich getaway at the beautiful YMCA Camp Elphinstone on the Sunshine Coast. A roster of fun planned which includes art, kayaking, yoga, a Saturday night celebration and many more joy-filled activities. Get ready to make new friends, kick back and enjoy the FUN! $150 per person inclusive. (10 spots open for women facing cancer at no cost - email to register!) Visit and "Like" the Facebook page for more updates to come… www.facebook.com/CampRuby
Dying With Dignity in Canada
Pledge to participate in the public consultation on assisted dying. Sign the pledge and more info here: http://www.dyingwithdignity.ca/pledge_to_participate?recruiter_id=110341
Online Meditation Classes
Did you know Inspire Health holds online meditation classes on Thursdays? You can learn more and register here: http://www.inspirehealth.ca/online-meditation
Inspire Health Research Update
FOR THE LATEST IN WORLDWIDE INTEGRATIVE CANCER CARE
http://www.inspirehealth.ca/pdfs/eResearchUpdates_JUN_JUL_2015.pdf
AUGUST 1 RECAP
The Ruby Slipper Support Group met at Rockwood Lodge in the living room, August 1 and this week we had 14 participants.
Members checked in and missing members were inquired about. It was reported that one member took a trip to Edmonton, and another member was in the Cancer Lodge getting treatment.
A member suggested that Float Sechelt was a very good resource for relaxing. You are floating in a heavy Epsom Salts environment and your experience sensory deprivation which puts you in a very deeply relaxed state. More info here: http://floatsechelt.ca
One member recommended an online support group through Cancer Chat Canada - 10 sessions of 1 1/2 hours. You type in your questions and remarks, and she mentioned that the pace is very fast and because you don’t know them, won’t see them, and it is over in 10 weeks, you can get to a very deep level. Before the session you are given a download of very interesting information which may or may not be discussed during the session. The enrolment co-ordinator is Shandel Riedlinger. It is sponsored by the Psychosocial Oncology Program, B.C. Cancer Agency. Phone 606-851-4710 or toll free 1-877-547-3777 ext.645234. shandel.riedinger@bccancerbc.ca More info here: https://cancerchatcanada.ca
One member asked about the relationship between moles and cancer and several members noticed that they had many moles where the cancer sites are. Another member said that her doctor said that moles were a natural aging process and not necessarily a symptom of cancer.
A member mentioned that the breast cancer kit, which has been mentioned in several of the minutes, is now online, which is why they have not been available in hard copy. The information kit can be viewed online here: http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/health-info/types-of-cancer/breast-cancer/breast/information-kit
A suggestion was made that perhaps Ruby Slipper could buy some copies of “The Intelligent Patient Guide to Breast Cancer” by Olivetto, Gelmon, McReady, Kuusk MD’s. The book can be borrowed from the BC Cancer Agency Library and from many public libraries in BC. You are able to have the book shipped to you from the BC Cancer Agency library through their website: https://libraries.phsa.ca/bcca
The next group will be held at Davis Bay Hall on August 15 at 1:00. Colleen Haynes will be a guest speaker to talk about blood work, blood panels and how to read them. If you have your blood work information you can bring them and she will assist you to understand them. Coleen will be speaking at about 2 pm.
Future speakers include Phil Sera who is a Certified Personal Trainer, a Certified Fitness Coach and a Cancer Exercise Specialist. He will be talking about Fitness and Cancer Recovery. And Tracy Parker will present (tentatively Sept 5th or October 3rd) She is a Notary and will be talking about any legal questions that members would like to know (example - a living will, etc).
QUESTIONS / COMMENTS
If you have any questions or feedback to give please feel free to reach out to our facilitator Mary Pinniger or email rubyslippercancergroups@gmail.com
All the best,
– Ashley