In Balance NT - Meghan Williams

31/08/2025

20/08/2025

A powerful Description of being autistic by Ava

12-year-old secondary school student Ava won a national poetry competition with her entry about living with autism

You can read her winning ‘Power of Poetry’ entry below:

“Take a seat and sit with me

I want to talk about ASD

If you don't mind I'd like to explain

A little thing called autism and how it affects my brain

It can make me anxious, angry and afraid

But this stays in my head, on my face it's not displayed

I may seem heartless and question your meanings

But it takes me a little longer to process the feelings

Take a seat and sit with me I want to show you ASD

A girl sitting quietly is all you see

But inside my mind I am far from free

My thoughts collide, my senses take over

I become overwhelmed by the smallest sound

Clicking pens, ticking clocks

That boy's chair and the way it rocks

All different smells attacking me

The perfumes, the coffee, the teacher's tea

Take a seat and sit with me

But not too close, I have ASD

I try to be social, I try to fit in

I come across rude, I can never win

I am very literal and straight to the point

If you want the truth I won't disappoint

When my brain is overloaded I sometimes lash out

My control fades, I scream and shout

I get confused and it all spills out

Intense emotions all trapped inside

Finally have nowhere to hide

Take a seat and sit with me I want to tell you about ASD

Please understand I am not to blame I've just got an atypical brain

But it's not all doom and gloom

I'm often the sportiest girl in the room

I'm quirky, unique, kind and caring

I'm loyal, protective and always sharing

I'm obsessed with frogs and all things green

I'm the youngest trendsetter you've ever seen

Take a seat and sit with me

I am Ava, I am me

I'm not just my label of ASD.”

17/08/2025

Have the kind of week that makes you want to sing joyfully no matter where you are!

13/08/2025

Did You Know?

Skin irritation may occur while you are receiving eternal radiation.
Radiation can have a cumulative effect on the treated skin and tissues.
Redness and skin breakdown may worsen in the latter part of treatment, but you can be reassured that it recovers within a few weeks after treatment. Some people may continue to experience swelling in the radiation treated area for many months after completion of radiation, and this may require lymphoedema therapy.

You may be advised to use gentle moisturisers on the affected area tread by radiation; it is best to wear natural fibres (e.g. cotton) for breathability and to avoid friction on the irritated skin. For breast cancer patients, a cotton singlet can be worn under a bra to reduce friction from bra seams.

It may be wise to avoid vigorous arm or shoulder stretches in the latter stages of radiation if your treated skin is at risk of splitting or tearing.

Navigating Lymphoedema – Dr Teresa Lee

Feel free to speak to your therapist about suitable moisturisers

10/08/2025

45 years ago in February 1980 ( I must have started my Nursing at the age of 5 lol) i was in my first year of Registered Nurse Training at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne. The Alfred Hospital Nursing Archives have been selling dolls dressed in various uniforms of the time. I purchased this one as she is wearing the exact style of uniform I wore the the collar, cuffs, cap and apron all starched so that they were like cardboard. You had to soften the edges by using soap and a bit of water or your neck etc would be rubbed raw after just one shift. Uniforms didn’t modernise until at least 5-8 years after I left I think.
Feel free to share a photo of your old work uniform in a comment below if you have one, and brighten everyone’s day

04/08/2025

Almost 18 years ago I had my brush with breast cancer. It had a positive impact on my life as I developed lymphoedema in my arm and ended up training to be a lymphoedema therapist and began my own practice here in Palmerston; In Balance NT.
Over the last 8 months my amazing stepdaughter Tamara Amy has been writing her own breast cancer story. She is not quite finished yet but I am in awe of her and her ability to 'just get on with it'.
Mind you I don't think she is going to change careers and become a lymphoedema therapist 🙂.
We both have virtual seats at this Sundays Breast Cancer Network Australia fundraiser 'Pink Lady at the G', an AFL match Melbourne vs the Western Bulldogs at the MCG. Please join us by clicking on the link below

https://click.news.bcna.org.au/?qs=f15014ded2f22d3761abc9c34e9dc15b7843782d56854d265664a715118676c20fedbe6b707134ad0b4ad275d87523e2fd86f5190011a2e6

🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷

10/06/2025

This is Lipedema Awareness Month. Clinicians need be aware that although lipedema usually initially presents in the lower extremities, it may progress to other parts of the body, as lipedema patients will tell you, and as shown in this diagram taken from the Lipedema Foundation's "First Look" report (2022).

08/05/2025

That sort of morning, when you jump in the shower, splash your face with water and then remember you’ve left your glasses on😬

03/03/2025

Lol spot on:

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1FLLua8eJh/?mibextid=wwXIfr