Personal stories

My CSF Active Listener came into my life at the end of one journey and the beginning of the next.

I had been looking for the right person to help my husband but he died suddenly during his chemotherapy. It was just a week or two prior to his death that my CSF support arrived.

My new journey is to learn to live life as a single person, something that I haven’t experienced for 42 years! My self-confidence was on the floor and I was utterly bewildered as to how to move forward. My Active Listener has been at my side to help with technology, shopping for clothes and going to places that are emotionally difficult.

To continue to call him a supporter is to diminish what he has become, which is a true friend. To know that there is someone at the end of a phone or an email is hugely reassuring. I had stopped cooking due to my husband’s illness, I now cook, I am researching kennel’s for my dog so that I can visit the UK. There are so many things that I do now that I couldn’t do; I had become frozen with fear and gradually, that is reducing, and in so many ways, that is due to my CSF Active Listener, He has supported me and continues to support me in this journey back to being me. Long may he be there in my life.

PW.

I had just moved to a different region of France when I was diagnosed with cancer, so all my friends, colleagues and would-be helpers were 250 km away. As my condition worsened, my sister came to stay and did everything she could possibly do to help, but it was a strain on her. She was not only taking care of me, but also trying to take care of hospital appointments and all other administration, which is bad enough when you have a good grasp of the French language, but not one of life’s pleasures when you don’t. It was around this time that someone suggested contacting CSF. This is what she did and the next day I was talking with an Active Listener on the phone, and a couple of days later, I had a visit from the Active Listener – within a week, CSF had taken charge of all aspects of my situation. Literally a life-saver. CSF were with me throughout all my treatments, all the long waits in hospitals, all my ups and downs. I’ll never cease to be grateful for the sincere kindness, help and support I received from CSF throughout that period of my life.

Rebecca

I received a lot of help and support from you (CSF) in the Ariège and Toulouse whilst my husband was sick with leucemia! Sadly he passed away in May 2016. CSF was a lifeline for me and made a horrendous time, more bearable.

C.

I saw an advert for Cancer Support France Haute-Vienne. I live in the Creuse, but they kindly extended their help to me. My husband suggested I called them, which I did a few days later. Since then (August 2021), I have been talking to a lovely lady quite often. She is always there for me in moments of sadness and joy. I have become stronger with her and my therapist’s support. Sometimes a good chat can make the world of difference when you are feeling low and I have been lifted out of that sadness by having this incredible contact. If you, or anyone you know, is affected by cancer, whether it be yourself, a friend, or family, it has been so beneficial for me, and quite possibly a life-saver.

Margaret

CSF sensitively helped me with my father when he was struggling. Can’t thank them enough. Sometimes it’s difficult to ask for help as a carer but never did they make me feel awkward getting help.

That was 3 years ago and although I don’t need their support directly now, I’m still included in CSF activities.

We’ve just done a walk for life which was such fun.

A really good bunch of friendly people.

T

In October 2022, my wife was diagnosed with cancer. She was told about Cancer Support France, so got in touch with her local association (Haute-Vienne). My wife found them very helpful and very caring. Sadly, my wife died in October 2022, and I was diagnosed with colon cancer the same year. After my wife died, I continued contact with CSF-HV and I found them very supportive. It is a wonderful organisation and I am enormously grateful for their help and support, in what has been a very difficult time in my life. They have years of experience of the French system and will guide you with knowledge and compassion.

Robert

The Cancer helpline was extremely helpful, my gosh! I got to speak to two women who were sooooo helpful. Have to get back to them.

Big Boys Don’t Cry – Or Do They?

I am a 72 year old man, had a good hard working life, played contact sports and kept myself fit. At the age of 67 I was told I had prostate cancer and after the operation, I found I was unable to perform simple tasks to the standard I had always set for myself.

I read about CSF and decided I needed someone to talk to, someone who would understand how I felt inside. It took 3 phone calls before I was able to talk about how I felt. Even writing this brings back painful memories. I found someone I could talk to who was very understanding of my fears and feelings – being a man it took a lot of convincing to be able to discuss my problem with anyone.

Thank you CSF for the help you gave me and my wife – I will always be grateful to the members who helped me.

In those dark days, I will never forget the hand and lifeline that my Active Listener held out to me. Her compassion, kindness and practicality supported me through the saddest time in my life. Thank you.

I approached CSF some years ago when my husband’s cancer returned. It was a great comfort to me to know that English-speaking help was at the end of a telephone. I was assigned an Active Listener who was always there to support, helping with translations, information and accompanying me to hospital appointments when necessary.

We became good friends and although my husband passed away at the beginning of 2016, our friendship has continued. I cannot thank CSF enough and think the work they are doing is to be commended, helping people during what is a very difficult and distressing time.

When I received my diagnoses of thyroid cancer, I went into total shock. I just closed down; I did not know how I was going to get through this difficult time. I did not know how the French health care worked, and I did not speak French.

I telephoned Cancer Support France and asked so many questions; I was then given an ‘Active Listener’. On our first meeting, we discussed my needs, my fears and concerns. The amount of help that I received was invaluable; my new friend came to see me every week. She attended hospital appointments and translated for me. She arranged all my medical papers and correspondence. She also spoke to and supported my family. She allowed me to open up and let out all my emotions; it was handled with great respect and privacy.

I can honestly say that the help that I received was instrumental to my recovery. I cannot praise the Association enough.