Lisa’s Story

Cancer Support New Zealand is now the home of Look Good Feel Better

Lisa McDonald should have been out celebrating her birthday last year with her family but instead was barely able to get off the couch due to gruelling cancer treatment.

The Blenheim mother of two was comforted knowing that the following day she would be able to take part in a Look Good Feel Better signature skincare and make-up session designed especially to help anyone facing cancer navigate the visible effects of treatment. But the real gift was the boost it gave her.

“It’s quite a magical thing to be able to do amongst all of the hard times and the crap that comes with any treatment that you’re having during the cancer journey.

“After the session, I sent a selfie to my kids to say, ‘Hey, look, Mum’s looking really good, and I feel great.’  It’s quite important for the special people around me to see the other side of it, because there’s a lot you can’t do.

“I’ve had the most amazing support from my partner, Mike, my children and some really close friends. Without my team, I think the journey would be a lot harder. So when I did Look Good Feel Better session, it was nice for all of them to get my selfie because they get to see the really down days. I feel very blessed by having that wonderful support.”

Money raised by people fundraising during Dry July helps Look Good Feel Better provide free practical wellbeing support for those facing cancer, alongside Prostate Cancer Foundation NZ and the physiotherapy rehabilitation charity Pinc & Steel.

Lisa found out about Look Good Feel Better through her mother Rozanna who had used the service when she had breast cancer for a second time.

“I remember her just buzzing, it made her feel empowered during her treatment.”

Lisa was surprised how much it uplifted her too.

“Cancer is pretty yuck, and you feel horrible, especially when you lose your hair and you lose confidence. With the class, you are with other people going through different but similar journeys. And even though cancer was at the forefront, it was still a time that you could actually just put all the treatment and things aside and you felt quite special.

“It was a beautiful wellbeing session, and you also got some hints on how to enhance your eyebrows, care for you skin and add colour to your face. It was wonderful to have the hand-picked skincare and make-up. It’s actually a nice thing to know that you’ve got the tools and you’re not going to feel really crappy all the time.”

The next day was chemo day for Lisa, and that boost carried her through. “I could hold on to that feeling and put on my foundation and my mascara. And it didn’t matter if I was just sitting on the couch, I felt good.

Lisa was undergoing treatment during Dry July last year but this year plans to take part in the important fundraiser that helps cancer patients.

“I was 52 when my breast cancer was found. I had to have a mastectomy. I also had to have my ovaries and tubes removed due to having the BRCA gene.”

Lisa endured chemotherapy for six months and then completed radiation and was recently told she is free from cancer.

“It’s been an empowering journey to see what my body can cope with and what I can cope with. Having little things like Look Good Feel Better along the way has made a big difference, helping me feel just that little bit better every day. It’s been awesome.

Being with others who understood what she was going through was also helpful for Lisa.

“Sometimes what you say to your family and friends, you actually mask a little bit. The class gave us all a chance to actually say how we truly were feeling. It is so important to make the most of what’s offered while you’re going through our treatment, so you don’t do it alone.”

Now slowly recovering and regaining energy, Lisa is planning to revisit the Look Good Feel Better online services to see what sessions she would find helpful – including podcasts, expert Q&As and on-demand refresher videos.

“It’s an ongoing support network, which is really important — so when you’re ready, you can always return to it. I would totally recommend Look Good Feel Better to anyone going through cancer.”

Lisa hopes people who have been fortunate to not have cancer in their whānau consider taking part in Dry July to help raise vital funds for cancer support services.

“I was really surprised and taken aback that I became a cancer survivor and I had to go through this journey. In a heartbeat, I would do Dry July to fundraise and support Look Good Feel Better.

“To be empowered by others, knowing that we’re not alone, and that we can have a laugh, look good and feel better – it’s unbelievably important at any stage of your journey.”