Testimonials

Mid last year I met a very amazing and inspiring lady who created “Boob Buddies”.

Barb has helped me move some very big mountains in my own life (and continues to help me do so), and I’m sure that she has made an ever-lasting impact on many others.
Boob Buddies is a wonderful organisation founded by a person with a true passion and skill for helping meet the emotional needs of cancer patients and their families.
Cancer is horrific and it is also rife – and so this organisation needs to grow.

Everyone needs a therapist like Barb.

I met a woman.

I saw her as I entered the room and as I always do I wondered “what is her story, what inspires her, what keeps her up at night, what fires her engines”. She seemed unassuming. A little shy, but maybe not. A people watcher herself. A face lined with love and equally with pain. Hands showing the signs of time and the history of moments shared, gained and lost.

She wasn’t a teacher as I originally predicted. Or actually, the fact is that yes she was. Just not of the form that I had known.

Her name tag said she represented a company called boob buddies Inc. I thought to myself “ok why exactly do breasts need buddies” but as usual I quickly moved on to thinking more about the person behind the title.

It turns out this woman is an oncology psychotherapist. “A What?” I hear you say. Ok let’s cut to the chase. She is a woman who helps people cope, reframe and enjoy the last days of their lives when their battle with cancer cannot be won by medicine.

Barb is her name, boob buddies Inc. is the name of her company/service.

Over the course of the next three hours I had a life changing experience. I learnt about the most intimate and beautiful experience you can have as a human. And that is sharing peaceful moments with a person who finds laughter in your presence for the last time on earth. I learnt about what real authenticity is. I learnt about the power of words in oncology and how important it is that we do not label cancer patients as people who have lost a battle……fundamentally because you cannot lose a fight if there was fundamentally no chance of winning it.

Sometimes shit happens. That is what I learnt.

And sometimes whether or not I just swore on the One Legacy website ……. or in fact someone else does when describing their feelings towards cancer……… doesn’t matter. Sometimes what car you drive makes no difference to your need to resolve your life’s story when that life draws to a close. Sometimes every loss seems irrelevant when you have nothing left to lose. Sometimes the guilt you feel from a failed project, or investment or relationship doesn’t really have a place, when faced with the ultimate peace that no path can be re-walked and that is ok.

Sometimes all that matters is an awareness of truth and love, and the comfort of a laugh.

I am constantly grateful that my life changed in 2013. I am constantly grateful that the absence of dust on my ridiculously expensive glass coffee table, that making money to please people, that making the right hiring or firing decision, that living to work, stopped fuelling me. I am grateful that the time I used to spend delivering outcomes, is now spent loving people and leaving a legacy.

I am constantly grateful that closing my eyes and just being present on a bench in a park in Melbourne exceeds all past pleasures. I am constantly grateful that I now have time to make a difference to people’s lives, and the peace of mind to do it better than ever.

And above all, I am eternally grateful that I met Barb. I dedicate this article to her and to boob buddies Inc. And I ask for your help. boob buddies Inc.  is a registered charity and Barb’s challenge is to increase its capacity and to make its services available to a wider range of people.

If all great outcomes begin with awareness then by reading this you are now aware. That is step one. Step two is that you share this article with your friends and then go to the boob buddies facebook page and like it. Step three if you are really up for the challenge is to message Barb via her site and find out how you can help her help the many.

Chandra

Chandra Clements
Managing Director & Business Excellence Strategist
One Legacy

I was fortunate to meet Barb Wood at a ‘Look Good Feel Good’ workshop on the Gold Coast. Barb is a qualified Psychotherapist & the founder of boob buddies.. Just to give you some background on how this came about…I was diagnosed straight up with secondary breast cancer in June this year. I went from one day being a busy mum of two, working 4 days/week as a CNC at the Gold Coast University Hospital to suddenly being a patient cared for by my colleagues I worked with. As I started my treatment I tried to seek out a group that I could go to for support & was very surprised to not find anything particularly for younger women with SBC on the GC.Together we hope to reach out to women in a similar situation to offer support, a few laughs & to just be there when needed through the highs and the lows.Tracey

Thank you so much Barb, sometimes I feel like I am trapped in this situation and I can’t talk to my friends about it all of the time, because they too have their sorrows to deal with. Actually, the mixed emotions that you have listed are spot on! But now I know that my Mum is in good hands I am finally able to let go a little and continue with my own life. In your words, I choose to choose, I guess! So even though things have gone so horribly weird in the past weeks, I am so happy about your help and about the fact that I get to share some of my thoughts, too. So being able to just type it up and hit the ‘send’ button is quite nice. Barb, I am really, really, thankful to have the opportunity of talking/writing to you!Mila – Germany

Thanks so much for your visit today, I really enjoyed it☺ and you made everything make sense ☺ Kind of felt like I’ve known you for ages!Shandelle

Hi Barb, loved the chat yesterday.

Liz

Louise Croll-Williamson, 4th May 1953 – 17th March 2014

Envelopes will be available at the service for anyone wishing to make a donation to boob buddies Inc., an organisation very close to our hearts.

boob buddies is run by Barbara Wood an Oncology Psychotherapist who supports children and adults affected by cancer – she provides FREE in-home counselling. During Louise’s battle against cancer, Barbara was an unwavering support and our family will forever be indebted to her.

Lovely lady Louise stage IV lung cancer…wrote these very kind words to me on a Christmas card 2013:

“What a find you were!!! You made me laugh just when I needed to…I feel so much better”

Hi Barb,

Just a quick note to express my gratitude, you were Louise’s angel heaven sent. When she needed that special person to talk to and to help her through extremely difficult times and right to the end you were there.

Not only were you there for Louise, you were also there to help me through.

Keep up the great work. What an angel!!!!!

Kindest regards
Bob Williamson

At the time this photo was taken in Day Oncology, Terry had just been told that his prognosis was not great…shortly afterwards I received the following message from Terry.
“Hi Barb, I just wanted you to know how much your presence and kindness has meant to me over the past few struggle weeks. I send my love to you, Terry.”

Terry Roy Balson
5th September, 1950 – 24th January, 2014

Thanku Barb. Trying my best to stay at home. That last chat was so inspiring to me. I will certainly keep in tuch as I am able. U r a lovely person and thanku.

Bel. xxx

Belinda Hildred
30th October 2013

The first day of our holiday turned into a nightmare when I found a lump in my breast. To cut a long story short it was cancer. The very word sends ripples of fear through any human. Thankfully my guardian Angel about and steadfast provided me with the help and strength to get me through.

I have accolades for many people the general practitioner, a brilliant amazing surgeon who saved my life, his nurse and practice manager.

But also through a friend I was lucky enough to have Barbara from boob buddies Barbara’s intuitive nature and strength helped carry me through some extremely turbulent emotions. It takes someone whose empathy with grief helps lift and ground you in a light-hearted way.

Barbara manages to bring normality back to your days and those around you.

She has a vision for boob buddies and a passion to raise funds to help women like myself.

I know I have been one of the lucky ones in so many ways. I also know that Barbara’s passion will connect her to people that will help her to realise her dream.

Thanks again Barbara Peggy

Peggy Faulkner
23rd October 2013

I never was one to think I’d ever need counselling. But nearly two years ago when my mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer, my world was turned upside down. And in many ways I tried to cope, but it just felt like I was floundering: barely able to think about anything other than trying to stay afloat with the situation I was in. I was like this for quite a while, and even though I was gradually coming to terms with everything, I still felt as if I was out of options and alone.

I met Barb a few months ago and ever since then, she has helped me further come to terms with everything. The scenarios you find yourself in whilst a loved one is going through something like cancer, can be really frightening and upsetting. And although I’ve only had a few sessions with Barb, she has supported me in so many different ways. She has comforted me when I was upset: she has given me tools to help with my emotions: and most importantly, she has listened to me. I think that’s all I really needed-someone who would listen to me.

And with all that said, if it wasn’t for the few sessions with Barb, I don’t think I’d be as at peace with the situation as I am now. I owe a lot to this wonderful lady.

Kaitlin

Hi Barb I don’t remember exact timing, but I decided to stop feeling and communicating with myself.
So that I dont have to feel disappointed, sad, angry, hurt or unloved.
But I didn’t know what I did was stop feeling of happiness,too.
I guess it was ok, as long as I don’t feel disappointment, anger, sadness, or unloved.
Words become no meaning then communication became meaningless.
I stop it with others and myself.
My heart become dark, I no longer knew who I am.
Counselling has been light in my dark heart and Barb’s insight helping me.

I am aware I am here now, living my life.

Thank you,
Mariya

I met Barb Wood a couple of days before the passing of my 87 year old mother in February 2012. My Mum’s death was a result of liver cancer. At that time Barb was assisting with palliative care at Hopewell Hospice, Arundel.

Mum was admitted to the Hospice on Monday morning and passed away on Friday evening. On Wednesday Mum and I met Barb for the first time. Mum was so delighted to meet Barb that she asked her if she could call her Babs, which was the name by which her own mother Barbara was known to her family and friends. Mum enjoyed a three course dinner that evening without my assistance and was in a much happier frame of mind when she went to sleep later that evening. I believe this was all as a result of enjoying Barb’s company.

On Friday evening Barb spent Mum’s last half hour with me at Mum’s bedside and was there with me when she passed. As a result of Barb’s kindness, support and helpful advice I was able to cope with the loss of Mum much better than I would have otherwise. Barb’s friendship has also lightened the load on my husband who was also very upset having grown very fond of Mum during the seven years we had all been living together.

I highly recommend Barb to anyone who is in need of support during and after the loss of a loved one. She has a wonderful personality with very special empathy with those in need of emotional support.

My husband and I are very grateful Barb was there to support us during our period of bereavement.

Gail Looby

The angels have sent you to us, thank you so much – anonymous

Do you do this for everyone? Thanks for being here – anonymous

I have shared more with you than I have ever shared with anyone, thanks for today – anonymous