We are all great at helping out and looking after others, but when it comes to asking for or seeking help for ourselves, that’s a different matter.
I went through breast cancer some years ago, surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
I was going along fine, got the five year “all clear” and all of a sudden the seriousness of the illness and what had happened to me hit home…
I had been so well looked after with regular bloods tests, scans, specialist visits, etc., but then it was suddenly like someone had cut the strings of a puppet, I felt a bit wobbly and knew I needed some extra support in the aftermath of the illness.
I had heard of and seen flyers for the Bray Cancer Support Centre (now Purple House) and thought it might help to get involved.
However, when you’ve gone through cancer one of the things that can happen is you lose your confidence and you’re knocked off centre a bit. It took me at least 5 attempts to make contact with Purple House or Bray Cancer Support as it was previously called – I physically could not go through that Blue Door on the Main Street in Bray – when I finally plucked up the courage on 14th February 2013 and arrived at the new premises on Parnell Road, I was greeted with a fanfare of purple balloons, music, cakes, tea, coffee and other goodies!
I soon realised this was not in celebration of me finally making contact with the centre or the way every “new” visitor is greeted, but it was in
fact the day of the official opening of the new centre !
However, I’m glad to say I stayed that day, did return and have returned to the centre many times since.
The centre offers a safe harbour when you find yourself in rough, stormy seas.
It’s a place where you can connect and get so much support and advice from people in similar circumstances who have been there and worn
the tee-shirt.
There is a real honesty about people you meet there and they help to make the journey less lonely. Staff and volunteers are always looking
out for you. There is great energy there and you are always greeted with friendliness, warmth and friendship.
You also get practical help and advice in relation to benefits/ entitlements etc. and also learn techniques and tools to help on the road to
recovery through different classes/courses run by the centre.
There are support groups, swimming, yoga, mindfulness, painting, ceramics, knitting and crochet classes to name but a few – there is
something for everyone, you just have to find out which one floats your boat. I especially enjoy the art classes and recently was involved
in the “Expressions of Life” exhibition in the Signal Arts Centre which was amazing. The classes and courses give you a total escape and
any thoughts or worries you have are left at the door for those couple of hours.
Purple House is an amazing space. It’s a place where you can stand still and breathe. There is always support and advice there when and if you need it and when and if you want it. I feel we are all on the same bus trip, all on a similar journey, just at different stages along the
route. I’m just so blessed I found the courage to get off the bus at the Purple House bus-stop, where you are always sure of a cup of
tea or coffee, a biscuit and sometimes the odd purple balloon !
Written by A Purple House Client.
