It’s hard to believe that this time last year we were in level 3 and moving to level 2, we celebrated ANZAC Dawn Parade at the end of our streets, and I had finished my radiotherapy treatments!
I’m feeling very blessed that my energy is now fully back, and that life for us in NZ is essentially back to normal, despite the chaos that is still happening with Covid in India and other parts of the world.
This has been another wonderful month of fun and celebration for me – on ANZAC weekend I went to NZ Spirit Festival, had a wonderful time celebrating in a corporate box at the historic Six60 concert at Eden Park, and then got up super-early for Dawn Parade at the Auckland Museum Cenotaph. I’ve not missed a Dawn Parade in over 12 years – it’s so important to me to recognise the sacrifices our grandparents made, that allow us to live freely.
Beautiful artwork at NZ Spirit Festival.
ANZAC Dawn Ceremony, Auckland Museum Cenotaph.
On the Friday before ANZAC weekend I attended the funeral of an incredible man, John da Silva (who people who were in NZ in the 60s and 70s might remember as the star of the wrestling TV program ‘On The Mat’). John is the father of a friend of mine, Garth da Silva, whose partner Mal is one of my besties. After leaving wrestling, John set up camps for troubled youth on Great Barrier Island, and him and his wife Winnie helped thousands of young men and women. In an astounding yet beautiful twist, Winnie died in a home just down from the funeral home, while the funeral was being held. My thoughts and condolences rest with the family – it was a beautiful service celebrating a phenomenal man
Then last weekend I had a wonderful opportunity to get completely glammed up and catch up with many friends from across the years at a black tie event celebrating the 10 year anniversary of The Conservatory, the wonderful restaurant and bar down at Wynyard Quarter owned by my friend Tricky. We’ve created many incredible memories down at The Conservatory over the years, including my friend Helena’s engagement party, just a couple of years before she died of breast cancer at 37. It was a great night, and I had so many lovely comments on my Tanya Carlson dress, which rocked The Conservatory theme with fabric printed with tiny flowers.
Walking the red carpet for the 10-year anniversary celebration of my friend Tricky’s restaurant, The Conservatory.
This weekend I am heading up to Russell to celebrate my dad’s 71st birthday, joined by my brother and my ex-step mum. Dad is doing reasonably well with his chemo – a bone marrow biopsy last week suggests that the cancer has not yet spread. He continues to be challenged with fatigue (which I can relate to after my experiences last year), but is otherwise in good spirits. It will be nice to share some more quality time with him.
My dad’s birthday is the 9th May, which is also Mother’s Day in NZ. I hope you have some lovely appreciation planned for your mum – they are such important people!! We have gorgeous TFP gift vouchers in case you’re stuck for an idea, or if you’re a mum yourself – consider dropping some hints, you deserve a treat!!
The following weekend we have our Vampire Academy where we train other doctors and nurses from around Australia and NZ in the Vampire Treatments. We are delighted about the Australian bubble as we have some attendees coming from across the ditch!
We have a huge focus on training at TFP, as well as safety, and hold regular training both internally and externally. Our Hyalase worshops – teaching health professionals how to use the filler-dissolving enzyme Hyalase – are always popular, and the last one sold out! We are delighted to be offering them again in June and July.
We had our full team together last weekend for our quarterly Team Training Day, you might have seen the updates on social media. Everyone turns up in active wear and comfy clothes, no makeup, and we trial new techniques and treatments, update the team, and ensure we have consistency in the way we provide treatments. We try all this on our team members so they can give us feedback on how we can provide an even better experience, and they can share their experience with you!
In teaching mode at Team Training on Sunday.
As we are coming into the cooler months with shorter days, a reminder that you can book your IPL treatments – and you will need to have your skin prepped and to have an updated patch test before you can proceed with treatment.
As always, I am counting our blessings to be living in NZ, where we have the freedom to have large events, meet people in our homes, our restaurants are open, and our clinics can continue to see you pretty much as normal. I’m also incredibly grateful for your continued support, which gives our beautiful team the passion and purpose to get up every day and have fun helping people like you on your beautiful journeys! We look forward to seeing you in clinic soon!
Loads of love and gratitude,
Dr Cat
