A cancer diagnosis is a very traumatic experience, it causes high levels of stress and worry not only for the individual with cancer but also for their family & friends. After my diagnosis of lung cancer in 2022, I found I could not talk about my worries to anyone close to me. I was afraid to say how frightened I was because I didn’t want to cause them any more pain. My friend suggested I contact Wicklow Cancer Support. I didn’t really understand how they could help me as I didn’t need lifts to the hospital. I didn’t realise that WCS provides a lot more than help with transport.
I will never forget the friendliness, professionalism & empathy I received from the first time I stepped into the WCS office. Through WCS I received professional counselling, which was exactly what I needed at that time. I joined the coffee morning where I met other women who were at different stages of their cancer journey. As well as coffee & biscuits the coffee morning provides much needed support; a place to laugh & cry, a space to talk about things you may not be able to discuss with those close to you. Sometimes all you need is to hear how others coped with the everyday practicalities of their cancer journey. WCS also run an art class, however, not being a Picasso or Rembrandt, I was a bit unsure about joining but decided to give it a go. It has been a wonderful experience, plenty of laughs and an escape from the everyday.
For me the most important thing I received from WCS was support. I have also made some lovely new friends & as an added bonus & with a lot of help, I have completed a couple of paintings that I am happy to hang in my home. No two people will experience their cancer journey in exactly the same way, but we all need support of some kind. I am glad I decided to contact WCS & will be forever grateful for the support they have given me. WCS provides services that are very much needed without them I feel my cancer journey would be very different.
Margaret