Resources
what our members have told us...
“Counselling has helped me hugely. It gives me space to talk through what’s happening to me”.
“I have learnt to take care of myself”.
“My confidence is beginning to improve”
“The BACH flower treatments have really helped me to focus on my anxiety levels which have been heightened due to Covid19. They just help me to relax generally and taking them allows me to get some proper sleep too”.
“I can cope better with what life throws at me”
“The aromatherapy blends definitely help me to think about myself as a carer for my parents. They have allowed me to take a bit of time to think a bit about my own health needs and staying strong for my family who depend on me”.
“I feel less anxious”
“The telephone support has been a real lifeline to me, they listen without judgement and help me to focus on small steps”.
“I have a better quality of life”.
“I feel emotionally stronger, more resilient”.
“Counselling has really benefitted me to work my way through the madness of my diagnosis as well as coping with the daily stresses of life & Covid”!!
“The counselling helped me to let go of my past hurts and pains”!
“I am at a loss for words – Cancer Lifeline’s counselling service has given me a focus. They ring at a time which suits me as my medication makes me groggy and not focused sometimes. Their sensitivity & compassion are second to none.”
“Counselling helped me to release myself from a painful and very sad past”!
sharing our stories
SIOBHAN’S STORY
My mum was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2022 and the whole family were catapulted into the world of cancer services- something we had no experience of.
Things moved quickly and mum had a mastectomy followed by radiotherapy. Everything seemed positive, mum coped really well and I continued working full time whilst caring for mum with support from the rest of the family.
In August 2023 things took a darker turn and mum started having tests again. This time I literally fell apart. I went from being a professional working with adults and children with Trauma, a mother, a daughter and a wife one day to being someone who could not even complete the most basic tasks. I reached out to my GP and received support, with one idea being that I engage in counselling. Unfortunately things progressed quickly with my mum and she passed peacefully in December 2023. I went through the motions for the next few months having bad and not so bad days.
In February 2023 I received a phone call from Cancer Lifeline offering me an appointment for a series of counselling sessions. Recalling my first appointment I remember walking through the doors and feeling that my legs would not carry me. I remember sitting in the lovely waiting room thinking if my legs were stronger I would run away. Then I met my counsellor. The first few sessions of counselling are a bit of a blur- I think I cried for half the time, but recalled feeling safe and understood. As the weeks went on I began to look forward to my Tuesday sessions and it became a day for me. Very gradually- and I did not notice this happening- I began to recall happy memories of my mum and could talk about her with a smile. I was able to give thanks that I had her in my life for 52 years rather than just focusing on the weeks and months just prior to her death. I was supported to grieve and helped to rebuild myself. Don’t get me wrong- it was a painful process but I was supported every step of the way by my counsellor. My last session was difficult as I questioned- will I be able to stay strong, what If I wobble again, what if it all falls apart. I was reassured that Cancer Lifeline was always going to be there in the background if I needed support.
I was also offered some Complementary Therapy Treatments – I jumped at the chance. I found the sessions really beneficial helping me relax and again it was just time for me.
Cancer is such a scary word and a cruel disease. My involvement with Cancer lifeline literally changed my life. Once again, I am a busy professional working full time, trying to be a positive mother and wife. I am also a very proud daughter who is able to think about my mum as the beautiful lady that she was. And in the not so good days (because at times they are still there) I have hope that tomorrow will be better.
My advice to anyone struggling is to reach out to Cancer Lifeline for support. The first step is the hardest… but well worth it for your mental wellbeing.
Eleanor’s Story...
After receiving the devastating news that I had throat cancer, and then having to endure a rigorous regime of aggressive treatment, I reached out to Cancer Lifeline as a way to meet and connect with those who could relate to what I was going through. I found people I could talk openly to about my fears and worries because we were given a safe space to talk freely about each of our cancer journeys, from the initial surgery to the trials and tribulations of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, to the immediate aftermath, and then finally the road to recovery.
From my first meeting through to my last, I was met with an abundance of care and support, and so it was only natural that as part of my recovery I would find myself wanting to give back to the organisation that had supported me throughout one of the most emotional and difficult times in my life.
When Cancer Lifeline opened their first charity shop on the Antrim Road, I jumped at the opportunity to contribute. Being part of the small, dedicated team of mostly volunteers, we helped set up and establish a successful business that brought in much needed funds to help continue Cancer Lifeline’s amazing work in supporting not only those given a cancer diagnosis, but their friends and loved ones.
Being given the opportunity to work collaboratively as part of a small, close-knit team was a true tonic after my many weeks and months of treatment and recovery. It not only gave me a renewed vigour and zest for life, but it also gave me back some much-needed confidence, having lost strength in my voice following my surgery. Chatting with customers over the till, having the opportunity for social interaction with colleagues, aided my recovery in ways that I can’t describe.
After volunteering for seven years, I was fortunate to become a paid employee with Cancer Lifeline, and I still love the work that I do. Holding down a job following my diagnosis was something I never would have thought possible; I was forced to give up my previous employment following my diagnosis. Cancer Lifeline was there for me when I needed it most, and although it may sound clichéd, it really was and has continued to be a ‘lifeline’ over the subsequent years following on from my diagnosis. It really has changed life for the better.
amy’s Story…
Cancer lifeline has been a god send to me. Sheila the counsellor has been so kind, supportive and understanding, she instantly made me feel welcome and at ease. When I came to Cancer Lifeline, I couldn’t see a way out, I felt hopeless, deflated, and invisible.
In March 2022 my world turned upside down when a close family member was diagnosed with cancer. I didn’t know where to turn. Cancer Lifeline has given me hope. I have experienced love; compassion and it has been the listening ear I needed. My worries are still there but I have the tools and coping skills to deal with this. From doing counselling the biggest thing I’ve took from it is that I am not alone, a problem shared is a problem halved. Looking after yourself is as important as being the
emotional support for the person diagnosed with cancer as well.
I would strongly advise anyone to give counselling a go. I didn’t believe it would be for me, but I can’t stress how wrong I was.
I took up the Complementary Therapy treatments and some group support sessions also. What I’ve achieved in 6 weeks of counselling is remarkable. I am looking after myself, I have energy, I’m sleeping better, exercising and can be the strength for my family at this tough time.
I want to say a massive thank you to my counsellor Sheila and all the staff in Cancer Lifeline, you have changed my life.
Michelle’s Story…
I was first diagnosed with Advanced Bowel cancer on 22nd March 2021. It was advanced because it had spread from my bowel to my liver, my lymph nodes and possibly my lungs and sternum. I had gone to the hospital on my own as I didn’t think it was anything sinister.
I just remember my legs feeling numb as I walked out of the hospital. I was in total shock and in complete denial. I was 43, I felt totally fine, and I didn’t look any different so how could I have Cancer? After my diagnosis everything moved so fast, appointments, scans etc. It was the start of an emotional roller-coaster.
I was amazed at all the services Cancer Lifeline offered. They contacted me within a few days of the referral being sent in and I just felt like a weight had been lifted off our shoulders. I found it amazing that Cancer Lifeline offered a holistic service. The staff member listened very intently to what I had to say about how difficult it was coping with the diagnosis. They offered myself and my husband counselling. My husband had face to face counselling, and it was great for him as there were things, he could talk about to the counsellor that he felt he couldn’t talk to me about as I was going through enough already. It really helped me knowing that he was talking to someone too. I had telephone counselling and found it fantastic. It was great for helping me with little strategies, a listening ear, offering reassurance etc. It has really helped me accept my diagnosis and accept that some things are just out of my control. I am now doing meditation every day because of the counselling which really helps me remain calm. It helps me deal with side effects of chemo too.
My husband and I were given Bach Flower Remedies. I found these were great especially with my anxiety. I had never suffered anxiety before however sometimes it was so bad that I couldn’t look out of the windscreen when my husband was driving as I thought we would crash!
My husband and I also benefitted from massages, reflexology etc. This helped us both with alleviating stress and anxiety. My husband also attended support groups within Cancer Lifeline. He thoroughly enjoyed these and gained great support and understanding.
I would just like to end with a huge thank you to everyone at Cancer Lifeline for supporting our family through this incredibly challenging time. Thank you!!!
jan's story...
Having tested positive to Covid19 in March 2020 meant I had to self-isolate, following a short spell in hospital. During this time, I was also told that my cancer had progressed and I am now living with secondary’s.
The Bach Flower Remedies which I received via Cancer Lifeline have been a real and genuine lifeline to me. The telephone contact from the therapist was so important to me given my isolation from family and friends making me feel less isolated and lonely-it felt good to be connected to someone caring and supportive. The Remedies have helped me significantly during these dark days especially with my anxiety, agitation levels, soothing my pain and helping me get much needed sleep. Big concerns seem less of a hurdle now as I learn to take back some control over my cancer diagnosis instead of being a slave to my cancer and Covid19, thanks to the Remedies. They have brought me a sense of calmness in very troubled times.
A family's story...
Having being given devastating news that our dad has incurable cancer, we left the hospital with a bundle of leaflets, a contact for a specialist cancer nurse and referral to the Cancer Centre being discharged from the hospital he attended.
The next few days were a bit of a blur, being in-between shock and being overwhelmed with the vast amount of information that we would have to remember as well as appointment dates, a long list of medication and hard decisions we would have to make.
I contacted Cancer Lifeline in complete despair as I had previously been supported by them. Not knowing how to react with my dad, now knowing how he was taking this news and not knowing how we would begin to tell the rest of our family.
Cancer lifeline responded to our call almost immediately with support for us as a family and my dad. We were offered 1:1 talking sessions with people who have experienced this same of us, as well as talking sessions for my dad in which he could express how he was feeling. He was also offered Counselling, Complementary Therapies – to be honest at first I thought there is no way he will agree to attend, he is a very private person but we encouraged him to at least give it a go.
I can honestly say the relief he got from going out to these sessions once a week really lifted him both physically and mentally and he could not wait until the following session.
He was also given the opportunity of some Bach Flower remedies and Aromatherapy treatments to help him relax and sleep at night. I sampled the Bach Flower Remedies which I hadn’t experienced before but felt they really helped me when the waves of anxiety kicked in.
Cancer Lifeline also spoke to an Occupational Therapist on our behalf which resulted in referral for mobility aids. Due to this a stair lift is being fitted. Cancer Lifeline were definitely a Lifeline for us – even in the middle of a pandemic when they were most likely snowed under with providing support they always made time for a phone call to check on how my dad was and how we are. For anyone including families who has left hospital, feeling despair after a cancer diagnosis, or is feeling there is no where to turn I would strongly encourage to lift the phone to this local community-based cancer charity who we could not have done without.
Thank you so much…
STUART's story...
Cancer took control of our family life very quickly. We had scans, x-ray’s, blood tests followed by surgery for Michelle to have the tumour removed. This is when I realised my role within the family was changing rapidly. I had to take a substantial amount of time off work to be at home and look after our boys. Michelle needed time to recover from surgery and had to adapt to having a stoma bag and nine months of chemo was to follow.
I realised very quickly that I was more than a father and husband, I had become a carer for my wife and boys. I was in complete shock at this and was in denial at being labelled a carer as Michelle and I are in our forties.
I went from working full time to being a stay-at-home dad almost overnight. I was taking the kids to school, looking after Michelle, cleaning, preparing meals, collecting boys, doing homework’s and taking them to their sports. I felt quite overwhelmed much of the time. This feeling subsided with time, knowing Michelle was not in too much pain. Don’t get me wrong it was tough going at times but I knew I had support from family and Cancer Lifeline.
I am immensely proud of my Michelle and how she has coped throughout our Cancer journey with all the setbacks we have had and she continues to show the same positivity as when we started our journey 18 months ago.
Cancer has affected everyday family life. We have found a new way to live and it’s one day at a time. We only plan important things in advance and hoping they work out.
It’s thanks to the wonderful compassionate staff at Cancer Lifeline that helped me accept my new role through counselling, mindfulness and various therapies that were provided to me. Due to this support, I see my role as a career in a more positive light. I would like to thank Cancer Lifeline for providing me with the tools to get through the rough terrain of a cancer journey that we continue to go through.
Thank you!
A family's story...
Having being given devastating news that our dad has incurable cancer, we left the hospital with a bundle of leaflets, a contact for a specialist cancer nurse and referral to the Cancer Centre being discharged from the hospital he attended.
The next few days were a bit of a blur, being in-between shock and being overwhelmed with the vast amount of information that we would have to remember as well as appointment dates, a long list of medication and hard decisions we would have to make.
I contacted Cancer Lifeline in complete despair as I had previously been supported by them. Not knowing how to react with my dad, now knowing how he was taking this news and not knowing how we would begin to tell the rest of our family.
Cancer lifeline responded to our call almost immediately with support for us as a family and my dad. We were offered 1:1 talking sessions with people who have experienced this same of us, as well as talking sessions for my dad in which he could express how he was feeling. He was also offered Counselling, Complementary Therapies – to be honest at first I thought there is no way he will agree to attend, he is a very private person but we encouraged him to at least give it a go.
I can honestly say the relief he got from going out to these sessions once a week really lifted him both physically and mentally and he could not wait until the following session.
He was also given the opportunity of some Bach Flower remedies and Aromatherapy treatments to help him relax and sleep at night. I sampled the Bach Flower Remedies which I hadn’t experienced before but felt they really helped me when the waves of anxiety kicked in.
Cancer Lifeline also spoke to an Occupational Therapist on our behalf which resulted in referral for mobility aids. Due to this a stair lift is being fitted. Cancer Lifeline were definitely a Lifeline for us – even in the middle of a pandemic when they were most likely snowed under with providing support they always made time for a phone call to check on how my dad was and how we are. For anyone including families who has left hospital, feeling despair after a cancer diagnosis, or is feeling there is no where to turn I would strongly encourage to lift the phone to this local community-based cancer charity who we could not have done without.
Thank you so much…
stuart's story...
Cancer took control of our family life very quickly. We had scans, x-ray’s, blood tests followed by surgery for Michelle to have the tumour removed. This is when I realised my role within the family was changing rapidly. I had to take a substantial amount of time off work to be at home and look after our boys. Michelle needed time to recover from surgery and had to adapt to having a stoma bag and nine months of chemo was to follow.
I realised very quickly that I was more than a father and husband, I had become a carer for my wife and boys. I was in complete shock at this and was in denial at being labelled a carer as Michelle and I are in our forties.
I went from working full time to being a stay-at-home dad almost overnight. I was taking the kids to school, looking after Michelle, cleaning, preparing meals, collecting boys, doing homework’s and taking them to their sports. I felt quite overwhelmed much of the time. This feeling subsided with time, knowing Michelle was not in too much pain. Don’t get me wrong it was tough going at times but I knew I had support from family and Cancer Lifeline.
I am immensely proud of my Michelle and how she has coped throughout our Cancer journey with all the setbacks we have had and she continues to show the same positivity as when we started our journey 18 months ago.
Cancer has affected everyday family life. We have found a new way to live and it’s one day at a time. We only plan important things in advance and hoping they work out.
It’s thanks to the wonderful compassionate staff at Cancer Lifeline that helped me accept my new role through counselling, mindfulness and various therapies that were provided to me. Due to this support, I see my role as a career in a more positive light. I would like to thank Cancer Lifeline for providing me with the tools to get through the rough terrain of a cancer journey that we continue to go through.
Thank you!