The Big C sent a shockwave through Motueka’s Pauline and Neil Dickson and their wider whānau.
In 2022, Pauline became one of 3500 Kiwi women to be diagnosed with breast cancer each year. Her cancer “road trip” since she’s “not too big on the word ‘journey’,” was underway.
While her diagnosis was unsettling, information about Look Good Feel Better provided Pauline with fortitude.
Supported by Dry July, Prostate Cancer Foundation NZ and PINC & STEEL, the charity provides free sessions for patients at any stage of their cancer treatment to take a breather and navigate their cancer with confidence.
The Dicksons, who relocated to Motueka from Melbourne four years ago, are now glowing from the charity’s online Q&A and chair yoga, and Pauline, who is now in remission, has also been enlightened with its skincare and make-up sessions - “I’d never worn makeup in my life.”
Without question, they’re looking good and feeling better.
“It was just really nice that Look Good Feel Better took Neil under their wings… [its sessions] have become a framework to our week,” Pauline says.
“The movement is a really positive thing to do, mentally and physically… and a lot of people ask for specific exercises to do outside of the class that were going to help with reducing the possibility of lymphoma or help with lymphatic drainage.
“What’s really interesting is that a lot of classes that we go to, it turns out through conversations after the class, some of the people who are participating themselves have had cancer and they’re in remission… and actually seeing people going through a similar journey and progressing is quite lovely.”
Neil says he was “really thankful” to be accepted and also supported by Look Good Feel Better.
“Pauline’s diagnosis was for two as we are a couple,” he says.
“Everybody can be supported and can be as involved as they want to be.”
