Reclaim Your Life After Breast Cancer Retreat

Berry NSW 2535, Australia

TJ
The Joy Connection and Co
  • Email address verified
3 reviews
Oct 21 - 23, 2022
Group size: 1 - 7
Reclaim Your Life After Breast Cancer Retreat
Berry NSW 2535, Australia

The Joy Connection and Co
  • Email address verified
3 reviews

Oct 21 - 23, 2022
Group size: 1 - 7

About this trip

  

Hello. My name is Lesley Kidson and I am a breast cancer counsellor, support group and retreat facilitator.


I have been counselling for over 15 years with almost a decade of my practice devoted to breast cancer patients. 


After losing my cousin to breast cancer and supporting two close friends through their treatment, I knew that with my counselling and life experience, that working with and supporting women and their loved ones affected by breast cancer was where I belonged.


Following a rewarding career with BreastScreen, Australia as their senior counsellor, I now share my time working between in a private hospital, on Sydney's North Shore where I facilitate support and education groups for women with both early and metastatic breast cancer diagnosis, and my private counselling practice located in Bella Vista, North West Sydney and Gerringong on the south coast of New South Wales where I support breast cancer survivors, their families and offer my Reclaim Your Life After Breast Cancer Retreats.

Why Should I Attend This Retreat?

 Helping you discover your new normal.


This is a phrase commonly used among cancer survivors, and it is an important stage of recovery. 


Your treatment has ended, the scars are healing and to many you look fully recovered and ready to take up where you left off before your breast cancer diagnosis. Chances are, this is not how you feel. Cancer is a life changing experience often forcing you to re-evaluate your values, beliefs, expectations, and priorities in life. 


This is completely natural when we are faced with our own mortality. Trying to explain this to family and friends can be a challenge because all they want is for things to go back to the way it used to be.


What people don’t see are the physical and emotional challenges a cancer survivor is faced with. Treatment forces your body through many changes and unfamiliar situations in ways you might never have expected. Fatigue, weight loss, weight gain, brain fog, hair loss, anxiety, neuropathy and of course, the elephants in the room, body image doubts and the fear of recurrence. 


I have found in my research that breast cancer survivors who connect with other cancer survivors flourish more in their life post breast cancer than those who go it alone. In my professional opinion, I believe it is because you have a space to be heard and understood by others who have walked your path. There is something reassuring when someone says, ‘I know exactly what you are going through.’ We are reminded in that instance that we are not alone. The weight is shared and you can finally breathe again.


Reclaim Your Life After Breast Cancer Retreats provide that safe environment to talk to other women who know and understand scanxiety, the invasive tests and exhausting treatments that were recently commanding your life. On the retreat we talk about the side-effects and physical changes to your body. We also have room for discussion around the financial concerns of breast cancer. These are significant life concerns. Add cancer to the scenario and some days it can feel overwhelming. 


My thoughtfully designed retreats come from my years of experience as a breast cancer counsellor. We teach women who have survived cancer how to reconnect with themselves, their hearts, and their community so they discover the freedom to live a strong and beautiful life.


Here are some topics we cover over the weekend retreats. 

Testimonials

"Great location, peaceful, beautifully appointed and clean, large enough that you didn't feel like you were on top of each other and plenty of places to chill and relax."



"The food was top notch, and making the pasta from scratch helped me to enjoy cooking again."



"I think you did a fantastic job to organise and run this retreat. Everything went so smoothly and I felt very free to choose the level of involvement I had in each activity. Lesley, you are great at spoiling people, helping others to believe in themselves and imparting knowledge, oh, and having fun of course!"



"There are not enough compliments I could give!!! Amazing Amazing Amazing! And fun! Everyone was so kind, appropriate re: letting us talk and give us space. Spoiled us. Laughed with us.  Just wonderful."



Question 34 from retreat participant survey. Did you feel that the retreat was well priced?

100% responded - Yes, I got what I paid for.


Discover The True Meaning Of Self Care

 This weekend, you are allowed to be a breast cancer survivor. You are encouraged to embrace your womanhood as you take the opportunity to reflect, reconnect, and rediscover You! 


For many women, my retreats are the first time since their diagnosis they have had to completely immerse themselves in rest, relaxation, learning, and to grow strong connections with other extraordinary women.


You will leave this retreat feeling recharged, inspired, and equipped with a deeper understanding of how to care for yourself in positive and healthy ways.

Unpacking Body Image


Cancer changes how people look and how they feel about their body. When someone receives a cancer diagnosis, they might feel like their body has betrayed them, or they disassociate from it because it has become ‘a stranger’. 


Often, cancer can even affect body image through the physical changes of treatments like chemotherapy, with hair loss and weight gain.


People who have breast cancer or have already undergone treatment might think differently about their body after a mastectomy. This is a dramatic, permanent change that leaves the body visibly different afterwards. 


A major focus of the retreat is to understand it is still possible to love your new body as much as before, despite the changes. If you have experienced any of these feelings, the retreat will help you build a new and positive relationship with your body.

Let's Talk About Sex

It takes some time but eventually I hear the negative impact cancer can have on intimacy and sexual wellbeing. I am extremely aware of how sensitive and private this topic can be to talk about. 


It really does take a professional counsellor to help navigate this delicate conversation which is why I returned to university for additional training in sexuality. It is important to me to know that I am fully qualified in this area both professionally and emotionally.


I have found a way to delve into it during the retreats where you will feel vulnerability slide into curiosity. Nervous giggles will evolve into belly laughs as you find there is a whole wide world of ways to improve your sexual intimacy.

Working With Loss & Grief

 

Grief is natural response to loss, and there are several reasons why someone may have these feelings during their cancer experience. 


It can be about the loss of their old life. Loss of time spent being ill or in treatment. Loss of a healthy body or even the loss of life opportunities and the things cancer made someone miss out on. For some, treatment might have caused the loss of fertility or, in the case of breast cancer, one or both breasts. Feelings of grief can happen at any time during or after the diagnosis and treatment process.


During the Reclaim Your Life After Breast Cancer Retreat, we discover ways for you to reclaim some of those loses. I will show you ways to reconnect with your core self and without effort or persuasion, reinvent yourself. 

An Invitation

 If this sounds like something that you need to do for yourself, but you would like to have a chat with me first, I would love to hear from you. 


As I am often in session, please phone my assistant Tanya Rabe on 0431991461 and she will make an appointment for us to have a phone call.


Alternatively, if you are ready to book into the next retreat, we will be in touch to let you know that we have received your booking. 


Well done for taking this empowering step for yourself. It can be a hard decision to make but I know it will be one that you will never regret.


I am really looking forward to spending time with you. 


Much love.

Lesley x

Registered Counsellor (ACA, ARCAP & NALAG)

Venue - Waldenbrook Luxury In The Woods

Waldenbrook sits nestled in a small valley surrounded by lush, park-like gardens. Relax to the sounds of birdsong and flowing water from the creek as you sit on the verandah, cocooned by nature.


The property is a five-minute drive from Berry village. It has four bedrooms, two with ensuites as well as a large family bathroom with spa bath. The garden is integral to the house, with towering floor to ceiling windows connecting the inside to the outside. 


The main living area is open plan and includes a gourmet kitchen with stunning marble splash back. A Cheminee Phillippe log fire warms the home in winter and a variety of spaces offer the perfect flow of space.


There is a large movie room with Foxtel and an extensive DVD library for movie buffs. There’s also a ping pong table, basketball ring and array of board games for some screen-free play time.


The luxurious master suite has large bi-fold doors connecting to the garden and a stunning ensuite. Relax in the spa bath as you look out at the birds and the clouds floating across the valley.


The other rooms are as beautifully appointed and little luxurious gifts are abundant throughout this magnificent property.

What’s included

  • Luxury accomodation
    Bed One: King and ensuite Bed Two: 1 x queen Bed Three: Two doubles and ensuite Bed Four: King and two singles
  • Onsite gourmet chef
    Our chef is devoted to serving you decadent meals created from fresh local produce and food suppliers. Included in your package is a very special grazing platter on arrival plus breakfasts & dinners.
  • Self Care Workshop
    Self Care is such a loosley used term these days. Together we will revive it's true meaning and how you can incorporate self care into your daily life.
  • Sexuality Workshop
    Getting Your Mojo Back - Overview of how treatment impacts intimacy. What really made your libido fly away?
  • Pasta Making Class
    Discover the joy of making pasta over a glass or two of wine. This is a beautiful evening spent with new found friends as you share your delicious pièce de résistance.
  • Gentle Exercise
    Start your day on a positive note with Tai Chi and gentle yoga stretches by the pool. Breathe in the fresh country air clearing your head and cleansing your entire body.
  • Learn To Salsa Dance
    This is not an audition for Dancing With The Stars by any means. It is an opportunity to have a giggle with your friends and allow yourself to enjoy the freedom of trying something new.

What’s not included

  • Transport to the retreat
    My assistant Tanya is happy to help you with travel arrangements if you need assistance.
  • Saturday Lunch
    This is an opportunity for you to spend a couple of hours exploring our beautiful host town of Berry.
  • Personal Items
    Remember to pack toiletries and medications. We will email you a list closer to the retreat to remind you.
  • Beach Towels
    If you would like to jump in the surf, pop a beach towel in your bag.

Available Packages

Twin Room

This reservation is for 1 person booking a twinshare room. There are two double beds in a one bedroom with an ensuite bathroom. The price is per person.


Perfect for friends or family members or meeting a new life long friend.

 


**For this retreat you have a $200 deposit and the remainder is due 21 days before the start of the retreat.  


** If your stay is affected by Government travel restrictions as a result of COVID-19 you will receive a full refund of balance paid up until 48 hours before the start of the tour.  

A$990
Deposit: A$200
SOLD OUT - Single Room with ensuite

This reservation is for 1 person booking a single room. There is one King bed in the room. The room has an ensuite. 


**For this retreat you have a $200 deposit and the remainder is due 21 days before the start of the retreat.  


*** If your stay is affected by Government travel restrictions as a result of COVID-19 you will receive a full refund of balance paid up until 48 hours before the start of the retreat. 

A$1,195
Deposit: A$200
SOLD OUT - Single Room - shared bathroom

This reservation is for 1 person booking a single room. There is one Queen bed in the room, with a shared bathroom.


**For this retreat you have a $200 deposit and the remainder is due 21 days before the start of the retreat.  


*** If your stay is affected by Government travel restrictions as a result of COVID-19 you will receive a full refund of balance paid up until 48 hours before the start of the retreat. 

A$1,145
Deposit: A$200
Day Participant

If you live locally to Berry and would like to join us as a day participant, you are welcome to join us for all activities detailed in the Itinerary, Friday evening, All day Saturday and Saturday evening and  Sunday morning - this option does not include accomodation.

A$450
Deposit: A$150
Day Participant - Saturday only

If you live locally to Berry and would like to join us as a day participant you are welcome to join in all activities for Saturday including the evening - this option does not include accomodation.

A$240
Deposit: A$100
Twin Room
A$980
Deposit: A$200
Special Discounted Offer

This is a special offer for women who have spoken directly to Tanya from The Joy Connection.

A$600
Deposit: A$300


Itinerary

Day 1
Friday 21st October

Check in time from 4pm.


Arrive at Waldenbrook Estate and settle into your room, get acquainted with the property, have a wander around, and meet some new friends.


5pm - Drinks and grazing plates will be served in the alfresco area.


7pm - A light dinner will be served while we continue chatting and getting to know each other.


8:15pm -  Head in to the lounge area for sharing stories and setting our intentions for the weekend. We'll focus on self-care, mindfulness, and meditation practices to set up a relaxing, beautiful weekend.


9:30pm - Supper will be served in the kitchen area before we all head off to unwind, relax, and rest in your beautiful room. Settle down for refreshing sleep by practising gratitude and mindfulness, then drop into restful sweet dreams.



Your Organizer


TJ
The Joy Connection and Co
3 reviews
Connection - Education - Freedom At The Joy Connection we teach women who have survived breast cancer, how to connect with themselves, their hearts and their community, so that they discover the freedom to live a strong and beautiful life.

Reviews

MW
I had a wonderful weekend, full of joy and laughter and lovely people. Food and accommodation was excellent too. I would recommend this retreat for everyone!
By Mary W for Reclaim Your Life After Breast Cancer Retreat on Nov 06, 2022
I can’t recommend this weekend enough. The team were fantastic, the sessions were so helpful, the food was amazing, and the activities were great fun. If you need time to reconnect with yourself, and spend time with people who understand you, this is it!
By Heather W for Reclaim Your Life After Breast Cancer Retreat on Nov 01, 2022
I had an amazing weekend away with lovely people, stunning scenery and glorious food.
By Romy S for Reclaim Your Life After Breast Cancer Retreat on Oct 26, 2022