Morning Tea
On Saturday 13 February we had a social morning tea at The Grand Hotel on Jetty Road Glenelg. We had a small group turn up but it was a very lively group and we enjoyed a continental breakfast with countless cups of tea/coffee as we chatted and caught up on each other's news.
We all agreed that meetings were to be held on an ad hoc basis and we would still meet at our regular meeting rooms at Black Forest. A meeting is being planned within the next six weeks with a guest speaker and I will inform members when the time arises.
We thoroughly enjoyed catching up and it did feel like meeting up with family. We have all got to know one another very well over the years and encourage and support each other during the highs and lows we all experience. If anyone missed the morning tea but would like to have some input into our seminar (planned for July or August) please feel free to email me with your suggestions. We would like to address all issues that are relevant to you, our members, and I welcome your comments.
2009 "Pituitary by the Sea"
The Foundation's annual pituitary awareness seminar in SA on 23rd August was a great success with a good turnout of pituitary patients, family members and friends. Thank you to the everyone who helped to put this program together for the Foundation.
The content of the presentations was both clear and concise and covered a wide range of topics relating to pituitary disorders. These included an overview of paediatric and adult hormone replacement, medications and their administration techniques; psychological factors affecting the child; intimacy and sexual health among adults; nutrition and diet for the family and finally a session targeted at fertility - a journey to parenthood.
We truly appreciate the effort that goes into preparing these presentations as well as the precious weekend hours our speakers devote to attending the seminar. Our thanks for this seminar go to the following speakers:
- Jenny Nairn, Paediatric Endocrine Nurse, who has been a wonderful support to the Foundation;
- Klaus Sommer, Clinical Nurse Consultant - Klaus flew over from Sydney especially to present;
- Susie Burrell, Dietician/Nutritionist. Susie was also a guest from NSW;
- Loula Tstsis, Psycologist - Loula is a member and medical advisor to the Foundation;
- Brett McCann, Sex & Intimacy Counselor - Brett is a long standing member of the Foundation and flew in from NSW;
- Professor Robert Norman, Fertility Expert. Robert kindly stayed post seminar to personally enter into discussions with interested attendees.
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Susie Burrell, Dietician/Nutritionist, Jenny Nairn, Paediatric Endocrine Nurse, Royal Adelaide Children’s Hospital, Klaus Sommer, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Concord Hospital, Sydney
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Brett McCann, CEO Impotence Australia with Professor Robert Norman, The Robinson Institute, Adelaide |
Loretta Schar with Loula Tstits, Psychologist
The seminar was recorded so that members who were not able to attend in person might be able to purchase a DVD of the day. Please keep an eye on the website for further news of this merchandise.
Our SA State Coordinator, Loretta, was recovering from a severe bout of laryngitis, but her passion and need to welcome her membership and interested visitors was apparent in her determination to soldier on at the mike!
A great crowd met for afternoon tea
SA branch had an informal get-together in March in the beautiful botanical gardens. It was not only wonderful to meet up again with members and old friends but to also see the extended family and new faces who joined with us. We were able to enjoy afternoon tea outside before taking shelter together from a most welcome shower of rain.
A Message from Loretta
I myself have been diagnosed with a fairly serious condition, so my mind has really not been focused on the APF lately. The good news is that my condition has been caught in its early stages and I am about to embark on treatment shortly.
However, all that aside, there have been times when I have had to struggle with whether the APF support group was providing essential or even sufficient assistance. Now that have already attended a support group as a patient myself, I am right away more than ever convinced that support groups are a necessary part of the process. A support group should never become a crutch to the patient, but the friendships and exchanges of information that are discussed in an atmosphere of solidarity are invaluable for both the patient and their family. So on that point – we push strongly forward.