Fabulous Breast Care Nurses…

by Lucy Blunt on Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

Well, what a blast Jane and I had last week.  I was invited to speak about the book at the 12th Breast Care Nurses Conference – an absolute honour (and an absolute hoot!!).  There were 311 delegates (can you believe it??) of which 43 were McGrath Foundation nurses.  They are the most lovely, dedicated people – we were blown away.  I spoke to one wonderful nurse from Cooma, who had funded herself to be there ($500) and was only being paid for one of the two days of the conference – however felt that it was important to attend for her knowledge - and to keep up to date with her colleagues.  Now that doesn’t happen in every profession does it??

So, I spoke about Talking to your Children about Cancer: The Book – and was delighted by the warmth and encouragement with which it was received.  I do wish that Eloise had been there to see how useful the book can be as a resource – and how appreciative people who work with breast cancer sufferers at grass roots level are – both for the resource and for her wonderful illustrations.  She is so proud of having illustrated a book, and yet at times so reluctant to speak about it, because it is tainted by the “breast cancer is in our family” brush.

What was truly wonderful however, was meeting delegates who had come together from all around Australia.  People from Perth, Darwin, Mt Isa, Melbourne, Tasmania, Adelaide, Brisbane etc etc, as well as some wonderful people from New Zealand and even Malaysia!!  It was great that it was so well attended.  Add to that the very fun dinner – MC’ed by Jean Kittson (who was absolutely hilarious) – all in all a terrific event.

On the home front, Eloise has started high school this year and young Chloe has also started in Year 5 at the same school (bliss to have them in the one place again).  Chloe has just finished illustrating the new book – which is on bullying – and is extremely excited, but more about that later…

With warmest wishes,

Lucy