Elaine is 79 and lives in Witham with her husband Simon. She was diagnosed with cancer in 2023 and came to our Centre for the first time when she finished her treatment. For Elaine, HRCC has truly been a lifeline. This is her story.
How HRCC Has Helped
Helen Rollason Cancer Charity has helped me so much. It’s not easy to put into words the difference it has made to my life. They help me to adapt my routines and always give me so much comfort, both physically and mentally.
I love visiting the Centre, and I’ve seen first-hand the true value that your donation will bring. When you support our charity, you are helping to heal those with cancer, which also brings relief to their families and loved ones.
Hearing I Was Clear of Cancer
In September 2023 my oncologist told me that I was clear of cancer, and I asked him to repeat that several times as it was so difficult to believe. I know that my cancer is not curable and may return.
They told me to go out and live my life, and they would be monitoring me with three-monthly checkups and regular scans.
Trying to Find Normality Again
All any of us really want is to live a normal life again: – as we know it. We don’t want or need a lot: just to regain the normality and stability that we used to know. But you can’t do this on your own. When everything shifts out of your control for any length of time, you may need help to find your way back to your version of normality. Whilst you are following a strict medical regime of cancer treatment, you are not in control, you are in the hands of many others – for weeks, months or maybe even years. But once your treatment ends, it’s almost like you have to try and find your life again. You can feel lost, and wonder `What do I do now?”
Reaching Out for Support
I remember the nurses at the hospital advising me to go to Helen Rollason Cancer Charity for support, but whilst going through treatment I was just totally focused on getting through each day at a time. I only looked into it when my treatment finished, and I was trying to find my way back to my life. So, I called the number, and we had a chat, and then they told me to come in; so that we could find the way forward together.
Therapies That Helped Me
Today, I still come in for reflexology, and I’ve also had counselling and taken part in group mindfulness, which are all amazing therapies. Because the chemotherapy has left me with lymphoedema in my left leg, the Centre also helps me with regular manual lymphatic drainage. This has helped me maintain a healthy routine to reduce swelling, and to better understand the lymphatic system, of which I knew nothing before. Most recently, I have also received yoga therapy for lymphoedema, which involved group sessions and has been really enjoyable and informative.
A Place Where I Feel I Belong
We are all so different, and our cancer experiences and the routes we travel are also extremely varied. Cancer impacts on you whoever you are, both physically and mentally, and turns your world upside down. But when you walk into the Centre, a feeling of calm, euphoric trust comes over you, and I even feel as though I want to hug everyone for just ‘being there’ for me and for helping me regain my strength in both my mind and my body.
It’s probably a different feeling or experience for everyone, but for me this is somewhere special that we all have a place, and we all belong. Life feels OK again, It’s like a club!
Feeling Safe and Understood
When you come in, you can finally start to relax and be yourself. Your mind starts to ease, bringing you back to being able to experience all the joy that life can offer. Coming to the Centre feels like being in a cocoon; as you feel safe and you can shut out the world for a while and just be yourself. You can talk about anything, as this is the one place where you don’t have to put on a brave face.
Our charity provides an environment of comfort and safety. All the therapies and treatments are holistic, and the therapists are skilled, truly caring and beautiful people, who are there just for us in that moment.
Moving Forwards
HRCC helps you take back some control, by enabling you to find wellness again, which makes it easier to move forwards. It’s no good sitting at home waiting; you have to go out and find your way again. We don’t have time to wait around!
I sometimes think to myself, ’If this house had wings’……So, please support our charity this winter, by making a small donation to help them carry on. So many of us need this support; and even more will need it in the future.
