2023-10-17 09:39:46
When the diagnosis came at the beginning of July, Rachelle admitted without any shame, she had collapsed. At 60, his life changes in a few days to the daily care which begins very quickly, to the anxiety of the progression of the disease and the pain which appears following each chemotherapy. Sitting in her chair in the oncology department of the La Casamance private hospital, in the middle of the symphony of beeps and beeps from the machines, Rachelle confides, not without modesty: “After the shock, I let myself go a lot, it was very hard“.
Like her, more than 62,000 people develop breast cancer each year across the country according to the League Against Cancer. Every day, the La Casamance oncology department welcomes 20 to 30 patients, including many cases of gynecological cancers on Monday morning.
Little moments of sweetness
Since 2011, the service has benefited every start of the week from the presence of Chérifa, a beautician. With her Onco well-being association, the professional works half a day per week at the clinic, financed by the latter. “With treatments, the skin dries out, nails become damaged, hair and eyelashes fall out… The body changes a lot. We help people continue to take care of themselves to bounce back“, explains the beautician.
Manicure, massage, pedicure…precious moments“which are aimed at both women and men.”We have the gown but we are not part of the hospital staff, patients confide in us more naturally. We very quickly dismiss the question of illness to talk regarding everything else., and we end up making connections“, says Chérifa while she gently massages Rachelle’s hands and forearms with a cream. In the space of a few seconds, a broad smile appears on her face.
“At the beginning I came backwards, it was very hard to confront all that. But it’s amazing how much good it does, it really relaxes the whole body…breathes Rachelle. These are essential moments that help you regain self-confidence and feel beautiful. Hair loss is terrible for many, especially women. We try to get back our body from before because trying to get through it also involves having morale and taking care of yourself.“
Take the drama out of coming to the hospital
A few meters away, some prefer to rest in their corner, their eyes closed and their arms on their stomachs. But others wait patiently for their turn to come. “This is my third visit, I was obviously very apprehensive but these attentions lighten the atmosphere! We start talking regarding everything and nothing with the people sitting next to us and the illness disappears for a few moments.”, confides in a burst of joviality Régine, 75 years old, suffering from ovarian cancer. Benefits quickly observed at the start of the partnership in 2011. “During the sessions it is a real plus which takes the drama out of coming to the hospital which is not just regarding the illness, but more regarding taking care of yourself“, explains Mélanie Ponce, deputy head of the service.
Benefits that the Onco well-being association would like to reproduce several times a week, which it cannot do due to lack of own funds. “It’s moments like these that help us fight every day. I have no choice but to hang on, my children and grandchildren are counting on me“, says Rachelle. A much more saving breath of air than it seems.
To make a donation, go to www.oncobien-etre.fr
1697585432
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