How ‘boob buddies’ came to be
Over many years as an oncology psychotherapist, it became increasingly evident to Barb that there was an unmet need in the world of oncology. This need was to provide in-home oncology counselling to help children and adults cope with the unseen emotional side-effect of cancer – a need which in turn could have a profound effect on their quality of life.
According to Barb, regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, or financial position there are many common threads linking people affected by cancer. Some which are obvious to the outside world and some not so obvious. These threads include but are not limited to the obvious physical side effects such as surgery, scarring, treatment, hair loss and fatigue. And the not so obvious emotional distresses such as sadness, fear, disempowerment, depression, loneliness, anxiety, and vulnerability. Another thread which is also not so obvious, and which is often not taken into consideration, is the financial debilitation: a side-effect of cancer which so often has a profound effect on the lives of cancer patients and their families.
In relation to the physical side effects of cancer, research indicates that most children and adults are in a state of poor health for a considerable period of time, and that fatigue is beginning to be recognised as one of the most significant and long-term consequences of cancer and its treatment.
In relation to emotional distresses of cancer, research states that more needs to be done to address this issue as 40% of cancer patients report distress and over 8% report serious psychosocial distress. One study even suggests that emotional distress should be considered the ‘6th Vital Sign’, after blood pressure, temperature, respiration, pulse, and pain.
In relation to financial debilitation as a consequence of cancer, research suggests that cancer patients are not only burdened with poor health, they can also be burdened with high out-of-pocket medical expenses, the probability of being unemployed, and loss of income due to the illness.
Hence, as an oncology psychotherapist Barb decided to make a difference in the lives of children and adults affected by cancer by establishing boob buddies Inc. to provide in-home oncology counselling – a service which has proven to be invaluable to children and adults affected by cancer.
*Please note:
boob buddies Inc. is a not-for-profit charity with the subtype Public Benevolent Institution (PBI) endorsed by the Australian Taxation Office as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR).
About Barb Wood Founder I CEO & Oncology Psychotherapist
Barb Wood is passionate about helping to change the lives of children and adults who have been diagnosed with cancer so that their diagnosis doesn’t overshadow their ability to live life to the fullest. Barb is also passionate about helping family members and/or carers as they also struggle to come to terms with their new reality.
How does she do this?
Through truth, love and laughter, during one of the most vulnerable chapters of a child or adult’s life, Barb brings empathy, respect, humility and gratitude to the therapeutic relationship. Embedded within this relationship is an acknowledgement of the philosophical beliefs of Existential Phenomenology which professes there are certain ‘givens’ in life from which we cannot escape: such as relationships (the most important one being the one we have with ourselves), time and temporality (death), isolation, and choice.
In the therapeutic relationship, and in her personal life, Barb places great emphasis on the ‘given’ of ‘choice’ as it is the one thing that cannot be taken away from us. Barb acknowledges that throughout life we will be confronted with many challenges and that ultimately it is up to us to choose how to handle them. In Barb’s words “we can ‘choose to choose’ or ‘choose not to choose’ the choice is ours.”
Barb also integrates Gestalt therapy into the therapeutic relationship she shares with people by focusing on the importance of ‘the here and now’, ‘the I and Thou’, and ‘the what and how’… for that is all we are ever blessed with.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."