The announcement of a cancer diagnosis is a psychological shock. Suddenly, emotions run wild, especially since the illness is often not predictable.
It is a particularly distressing moment, dividing life into a “before” and an “after” the illness. In the premises made available at the Hôtel-Dieu located in the Saint Augustin building, in Pont-l'Abbé, everyone around the table experienced this ordeal and decided to face it by meeting with others. regular strength.
Every first Thursday of the month
The Entraide Cancer en Finistère association welcomes its members here by clearly displaying its objectives: listen, exchange, share, help, inform. Every first Thursday of the month, there are between ten and twelve people, in treatment or in remission, to participate in the workshops offered, a whole range of supportive care allowing them to think about something else.
“Reflexology, art therapy, qi-gong, brainstorming, socio-aesthetics, socio-hairdressing, discussion groups, just here at the Hôtel-Dieu, all the supportive care financed by our association allows everyone to act and not just to suffer”, explains Christine Le Pesque Le Goff, head of the local branch, with François Le Bechennec.
“I feel more serene in the face of illness”
Everyone testifies here to the importance of these meetings, always benevolent. “I feel more serene in the face of illness. We end up building friendly bonds,” underlines Annie while Patrick appreciates “information sharing. It’s a link between us that helps alleviate the distress we can sometimes feel. ».
Maryline likes “the friendly bond that is created throughout the sessions” while Anne-Christine recognizes every moment “as very important. Here, we can talk, manage our concerns.”
Some emphasize the quality of supportive care, such as qi-gong “which allows us to think about something other than the illness”. Others the difficulties encountered in the care process, Sergine insisting in particular “on the need for the presence of a trusted person from the start of the health care process”.
If cancer care has benefited from great progress in treatments, with the development of supportive oncological care, it has also become focused on the person. And support for the patient is as important today as treatment of the disease.
Cancer mutual aid in Finistère, Saint-Augustin building. Welcome every first Thursday of the month. Contact: 07 69 59 15 20.
