Sweet Louise member Tessa Johnson spent 30 years working as a nurse in Rotorua. She always worked with kindness, compassion and humour – and is now finding that a great recipe for living her best life.
“My cancer was detected through a routine mammogram. I was called back for another view, which had happened to me before, so I wasn’t worried. It was a stormy, wet day and had to drive to Taupo. I had no symptoms, no obvious lumps – even the surgeon couldn’t feel anything. It was a shock. Not long after my initial diagnosis, I reached the stage where there were no viable treatment options.
“So, I made my decision to live life and live it well. I’ve jammed in loads of activities since then – travelling, arts and crafts, quilt making and dichroic glass classes!
“What motivates me is a belief that you need to be kind to yourself and find something every day to be grateful for. Although life throws us challenges, we will be OK.
I look forward to the nice things in life, like a walk or a coffee with friends, and I bring with me my positive attitude and a sense of humour.
“For the bad days, I have a book where I write down things that make me sad. For the really bad days, I have my “f@*k it bucket”. Sometimes, I take my bucket to the beach, dig a hole and empty the bucket and my mind into the hole. Then fill the hole back up, burying it deep, and walk away – leaving it all behind.”
“I love being part of Sweet Louise – and the fact that we members can get together where nothing else matters. We can share ideas and help each other.”
Tessa has also set up a Nurse Tess fund award, awarded yearly to nurses in the Lakes DHB for demonstrating a high standard of kindness and compassion. She is also working to set up a Nurse Tess fund for nurses with cancer, which aims to help with times of financial hardship. Tessa hopes the award will help nurses feel valued and thanked for their service.
“My advice for living life to the fullest is not to plan too far ahead, make the most of every situation – sounds corny, but so far it is working for me!
“If all else fails, just be kind – be kind every day – that’s something I learned through nursing. Sometimes it’s the smallest thing that your patients remember – like a wee joke to make them smile.
“Humour and kindness have a ripple effect, just like putting a stone in the ocean. How far is it going to go?”