Despite the progress made in the treatment of the disease, the occurrence of cancer still causes a tsunami in the lives of patients and their loved ones. The prognoses remain uncertain and the treatments heavy, with side effects. In the premises made available by the Hôtel-Dieu, in Pont-l'Abbé, in the Saint-Augustin building, there are between ten and twelve people, in treatment or in remission, who come every first Thursday of the month to participate in the activities offered by Entraide cancer in Finistère.
Welcome, listen, exchange, share, help, inform. These are the objectives set by the association created in 1994. Today it has nearly 200 members and around twenty volunteers trained in reception. It operates in six reception points in Finistère.
All the supportive care financed by our association allows everyone to act and not just suffer.
Everyone around the table experienced this ordeal and decided to face it by making their regular meetings a strength. “Reflexology, art therapy, qi-gong, brainstorming, socio-aesthetics, socio-hairdressing, discussion groups, here at the Hôtel-Dieu, all the support treatments financed by our association allow everyone to act and not only to endure,” explains Christine Le Pesque-Le Goff, head of the Pont-l’Abbé branch with François Béchennec. All activities are free for the duration of the treatments, with a membership fee of €16.
“Think about something other than the illness”
Everyone testifies to the importance of these monthly meetings, which are always friendly and caring. “I feel more serene in the face of illness. We end up forming friendly bonds,” says Annie.
Patrick appreciates sharing information: “It’s a link between us that helps alleviate the distress we can sometimes feel,” he says. “Every moment lived here is very important,” recognizes Anne-Christine. We can talk, manage our worries. »
I feel more serene in the face of illness. We end up forming friendly bonds.
They all also emphasize the quality of the supportive care provided, which allows them to better tolerate treatments, regain self-confidence and “think about something other than the illness”.
Practical
Cancer mutual aid in Finistère, Saint-Augustin building, Hôtel-Dieu in Pont-l'Abbé. Reception every first Thursday of the month from 2 p.m. Tel: 07 69 59 15 20.
