Carole, 66 years old, was diagnosed with breast cancer during a routine mammogram in October 2021. Due to the pandemic, the former special educator’s surgery was continuously postponed. These numerous months spent waiting for treatment were particularly stressful for Carole, who could think of nothing but her cancer since her diagnosis.
Unable to receive answers regarding the treatment she needed or to find a certain equilibrium in her personal life, she reached out to our Info-cancer Hotline, a free and confidential service a friend of hers with cancer had previously told her about.
“My situation was terribly distressing, I felt alone, isolated and powerless. I contacted the Info-cancer Hotline and received a return call the very next day. After months of uncertainty and total anguish, I was finally talking with someone who was there for me to listen and offer both comfort and support.”
Following this warm and compassionate exchange with one of our oncology experts, Carole was referred to an Info-cancer psychologist:
“Things could simply not have worked out better. Speaking with her did me all the good in the world. She was calm, attentive and non-judgmental. Thanks to our conversations, I was able to rid myself of the stress I had been experiencing, clear my brain and redirect the nature of my thoughts. Having cancer was not the be all and end all, I had a life to live! She also informed me about all the resources and services that could help me deal with my situation, but that I had always thought I wasn’t entitled for.”
Deeply grateful for the support from Info-cancer oncology experts, Carole would like to give back to the Foundation now that her treatments are over. She is considering joining our telephone peer matching service as a volunteer, to share her personal experience and above all, to help those whose lives are also being disrupted by cancer.
