Social Activity
It’s no surprise that men are mentally affected when diagnosed with prostate cancer. So much so that, at the very first news of the diagnosis, they are unable to find the words to ask the right questions of their practitioner. They need help in some form to recover from this initial shock so that they can seek the answers they need and, possibly, get a second opinion.
Why get a second opinion? Well, it might enable a man to see whether there are alternative treatments and it also gives him the chance to ask someone else and get a different point of view. Also, he is usually more prepared to ask the right questions.
Dependent on the degree of cancer ascertained by the diagnosis, a man might have further depressive thoughts. Add to that the fact that it will, more than likely, have a similar effect on the man’s partner.
WHAT’S ON
- 14 March 2023, 6pm Meeting at Mango Hill YMCA – Monthly meeting. Guest Speaker Scott Green who is a Community Development Officer with ADA (Aged and Disability Advocacy), will introduce us to their Self Advocacy Toolkit, a valuable resource developed in collaboration with the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN).
- 21 March 2024, 10am Ladies Morning Tea, Degani’s Café at the Capestone Shopping Centre, Napier Avenue, Mango Hill
- 23 March 2024, 10am Men’s Morning Tea, North Lakes Sports Club, Flinders Parade, North Lakes
SOCIAL ACTIVITY
That’s why this support group goes out of its way to encourage involvement in all social activities. There is even some social activity at the monthly meetings where there is extensive gossip long after the speaker has finished. Men chat about each others treatment journey and that often allays fears that previously caused concern. A recent member, Lindley Deslandes, claims the group has been good for him with the interaction, social activity and news. Peter Wilson thought he was going to meet a lot of grumpy old men. He was presently surprised so now he brings his wife along. Our meetings regularly have in excess of 35 present with about 15 per cent of these being partners. Those who attend meetings are deemed active and this includes partners. Active members and partners are eligible to vote at meetings.
Even our evening meetings have a social atmosphere with plenty of refreshments before the talks. The advent of our morning teas for partner members and a separate one for men members has conjoured up more relief than you can imagine. Our picnics are well attended and, because of our funds, acquired through Bunnings sausage sizzles and the 2020 and 2021 fun runs, we are often able to provide free food for the picnics to members and their partners.
Added to these, our Social Director, Joy Ham, has her committee developing other events like the river cruises we’ve had previously, picnics, breakfasts, lunches and the monthly morning teas.
We need more patronage of these events. It’s a more pleasant and cheerful way of overcoming depression than through specialist psychological advice. You owe it to yourself to, at least, give it a go.
Our next events are shown above.
MORNING TEAS
Both men and ladies morning teas continue to be attended well and Joy Ham has arranged one very month and they will continue throughout 2022. COVID restrictions have affected some of our events but its now all systems go with social activity. Presently, all morning teas are held at the locations and dates shown above.
PICNICS
We’ve had several picnics at Jamieson Park at Scarborough since it has shade, toilets and a nearby Sea Salt and Vine cafe when needed. We usually get about 35 people there. Whenever our social committee provide all the food, it’s then necessary for members to contact our Social Event Leader, Joy, to reserve a place (see the Contacts Page) since we need to know the numbers for food purchasing. If you don’t book, you will miss out on food. Bring your own drinks and chairs.