D 18 - cancer care

Day - 18 - Cancer care
Today is not about me but about those that care for us as we travel these rough waters. Those who help us “paddle our waka” so that we may safely reach our destination.

We have been privileged to be accommodated at Domain Lodge , a free service to those of us from “up north” who are required to be in Auckland for cancer treatment. Run by the Cancer Society it offers rooms of various sizes and access to wonderful support services. We have access to a communal kitchen with each room provided dedicated freezer, fridge and grocery storage space. We cook daily with other cancer travellers and quite quickly learn of each other’s journey and home circumstances . Many have Whanau/ family who accompany them . Fellowship in kitchen/ dining is supportive and engaging.

The Domain Lodge goes the “ extra mile” to try and make the environ comforting and welcoming and in the entrance foyer are numerous reminders of the long history of service, many acknowledgements  from prior beneficiaries from donated sponsored rooms to amazing Maori artwork

We have a onsite cancer nurse Kaye, who visited us soon after we arrived and ensured we were settled , answered any difficult questions we might have and has checked in each week to ensure we are safe and informed. We are truely grateful to Kaye as she intervened on our behalf  so we are not alone over Xmas and with the recent loss of my mum was particularly supportive.  We are now lucky enough to have access to a larger family room from tomorrow. This means Courtney, Lewis and Brendan can be with us rather than having to be accomodated else where around Auckland.

As part of the support team here at Domain Lodge we have had a talk from the Counsellors who are available to residents on site everyday and who assist with lectures on such issues as “ sleep” .They also support yoga classes and relaxation classes .

There is a whole wonderful team of volunteers who are around to drive people to supermarket or elsewhere , will help people over to the clinics if required and who weekly put on a magnificent morning tea of home baking for the residents to meet and greet each other.

There is a comprehensive library packed with informative books and disease information sheets and help information. 

We have access to a number of smaller and larger lounge areas as well as various verandas in which to relax away from the room.

There are wonderful gardens where we are able to sit and “ smell the roses” and catch some sun. An aviary to listen to bird song and Renene has even been able to harvest some fresh veggies for our

 dinners.

We are so very grateful for all this support which we would not have access to back in Zimbabwe. 

Thank you New Zealand