Life-Style Changes – November 2006
By Annie Everson-Dawn In December 2005, Dee Sidhu and Annie Everson-Dawn launched a programme called ‘Life-Style Changes’ – the first of its type to be introduced in Malaysia. It is a programme that caters for women who are living and being treated for cancer, as well as women who have undergone cancer surgery.
The first task was to find enough volunteers to support the programme. This was achieved by Annie (who is the Co-ordinator of Life-Style Changes) writing articles and publishing them in six Expat magazines throughout Kuala Lumpur and also by word of mouth. As a result, a total of 25 volunteers are now committed and the rewards are overwhelming. We have approached organizations such as Giant Supermarket, Cold Storage Supermarket, Guardian and Estee Lauder, who have contributed makeup and skin care products, but unfortunately these are one-off donations. We are trying to commit a cosmetic company to supply us with products and gifts that the patients can take home with them.
This programme follows along the same lines as other ‘Look Good Feel Better’ programmes that have been introduced to other western countries in the World. In Kuala Lumpur, we extended this programme into a series of four workshops; over a period of four consecutive weeks – these being held bi-monthly at different hospitals in Kuala Lumpur. As well as the ‘Look Good Feel Better’ makeup workshop, the three other workshops that followed, included aromatherapy, massage, qi qong, yoga and nutrition/diet.
The last Life-Style Changes sessions were held at the Breast Resource Centre, UMMC Hospital in PJ, every Thursday 9th to 30th November, from 10.00am to 12.00 noon, with 15 patients attending. The support of the hospital staff was overwhelming and surgeons and professors regularly called in to say hello and give us words of encouragement and praise.
The Look Good Feel Better makeup session was the first, and initially the patients were shy, very quiet and some were apprehensive and a little fearful. But after our lovely beautician, indy Peters-Zeier, put them at ease and explained what was about to happen and they all relaxed. By end of the session, they were laughing, conversing with the volunteers and amazed at how beautiful they looked after the makeup was applied. This session also includes wigs, scarfs, turbans and hats, with everyone trying them on, with total enjoyment.
The next session on the 16th November, was Yoga and Qi Qong. A yoga instructor demonstrated and worked with the patients for an hour, with gentle exercise and breathing. Following this, Master Yap, continued with Qi Qong – guiding and instructing the women, who loved every minute. Despite their illness, they found the exercises exhilarating and not at all exhausting.
On the 23rd November, Aromatherapy and Massage was received with great enthusiasm and interest. Again, two people who are qualified worked with the patients and demonstrated the benefits of aromatherapy and massage.
The final nutrition and diet session on the 30th November was such fun. Dee explained the benefits of a good diet and tips and suggestions on how to include nutrition into the family meals. As Dee is a qualified Dietician, her advice was invaluable and all the women absorbed every word. Following Dee’s introduction, the volunteers all worked together to demonstrate how to make Smoothies, Muffins, and finally a chicken and mango lettuce salad. The volunteers handed around samples so everyone could taste the food. Recipes and educational materials were given out for the patients to take home.
The session ended with a group photo, which included Sister Amerah and Sister Ong, who were gave us tremendous support. We are going back to the UMMC Hospital in March 2007, to hold another Life-Style Changes session.
All the volunteers with Dee and Annie agree that this is one of the most rewarding projects they have ever undertaken. |
