Today we wanted to take some time to highlight the amazing support that our members provide to one another each and every day here on the Community. Whether you need practical info on what others found useful to bring along to treatment, information on what support is out there, or simply someone to share how your day’s been with, our Community cancer forum is here for you.
No matter what has brought you to the site, no matter how cancer has affected your life, our members will support you through, and the kindness of strangers soon becomes the kindness of friends. Here on the team we know how amazing each of our Community members are at supporting one another, but we wanted to let the below quotes speak for themselves.
“You are probably on the ceiling at the moment and don’t know which way to turn, just slow down and take a breath…You already know that the waiting is the worst and it seems to take forever but it is quite quick. You have shared the burden with your husband and now you have shared it with us so you’re not alone, there’s always someone here to talk to.”
Justme19, Lung cancer forum
“So keep strong. Time will pass. Don't be too frightened. That unknown fear will soon be another experience you can help others with.”
Lacomtekp, Breast cancer forum
“Waiting is a horrid time and the temptation to explore ALL the things it might be is so overriding that it's easy to drive yourself nuts. Keep yourself busy and try to stay calm. If you are having trouble sleeping get some mild sleeping tablets from your GP, they might help. rest assured that your team will be doing the utmost to get to the bottom of what the problem is and to treat accordingly. Hang on in there.”
Beesuit, Head and neck cancer forum
"Rest assured that your team will be doing the utmost to get to the bottom of what the problem is and to treat accordingly. Hang on in there.”
“You certainly go through a whole wave of emotions during this time. You have every right to feel miserable, and here is exactly the right place to come and have a rant.”
Chellesimo, Lung cancer forum
“It is not selfish to notice your very natural irritation, frustration, desire for something different.”
“Even though you don't have the diagnosis it is impacting on your life differently but just as much and you need to be able to express and seek support for your needs. There is absolutely nothing wrong with you going out with friends or having your own space or telling your partner about how you're feeling and what you need.”
PatienceP, Carers only forum
“For chemo I took a warm fleecy blanket (gift from friend), my phone and charger, a magazine, juice, sandwich, Simple Conditioner, wide tooth comb, headband (thin material Alice type band to protect your forehead) and some chocolate!! The conditioner is to apply to your hair before the cold cap to avoid your hair sticking (mine never did), Alice band to protect your forehead from the cold cap and the rest to keep you warm and fed! The nurses usually offer you hot drinks, hot packs and if you are there over lunch or tea, hospital meals are offered to you.”
Bekky, Breast cancer forum
"For chemo I took a warm fleecy blanket (gift from friend)"
“It might help to look at Looking after someone with cancer - because at least in my opinion you are one of the least selfish people I have seen - and post here whenever, someone is always listening and mostly we have been just where you are now.
Sometimes it can help too if those friends you go out with look at supporting my friend with cancer because sometimes you might want to talk about how his cancer is affecting you and other times you might just need a total break. My wife and I spent some time in the chemotherapy suite at our local hospital and alongside other patients and carers talked a little bit about cancer but more about the news, sport, films, tv - just like old friends meeting in the pub.”
src60, Carers only forum
"you might want to talk about how his cancer is affecting you and other times you might just need a total break."
“Chemo isn’t easy at times but it is doable and there is plenty of support from your Medical team. I was assigned a Breast Care nurse that I could contact if I had any problems or wanted to ask questions about any aspect of my treatment. The care and attention I received from my medical team was great. There is great support out there if you are struggling. I struggled at times during my treatment and I was able to get access to a counsellor through my Country’s Cancer Society for free.”
Daisy53, Breast cancer forum
"My only advice is to take it a minute, an hour, a day at a time and remember that there is no right or wrong way to cope. You do what YOU feel is right for you at that moment."
“At the moment your grief is so very raw. My only advice is to take it a minute, an hour, a day at a time and remember that there is no right or wrong way to cope. You do what YOU feel is right for you at that moment.
“Try not to focus on the distressing times preceding but remember the good times you had together. It's not easy, I struggle to take my own advice. But I have to try and focus on the good memories.
This site helps just knowing that people on here can totally understand how you are feeling.”
Pooka, Bereaved spouses and partners forum
“Once you are told those words 'you life has changed and will never be the same' - that person you was a split second ago as gone - it is the most cruelest feeling in the world - at that time we don't know about all these lovely people sitting hiding in our computers that have walked the steps before us, that can tell us we do have hope, we are the lucky ones - lucky ones..... because we are given a chance at life, to live life - with help and guidance from ladies and on here - that we will get through this, we will and these are the steps and lessons we learn along the way. I don't think any family member or friend could help me the way the ladies did on this site. I went from completely feeling alone to 'you do really understand' - 'you really do care about me' and they do - as I do for you .... because we understand it, we know that horrible feeling and now - now that you are found it is truly amazing, you will start to see all that others have said on here is true - yes we all heal different, we can have different side effects or we can be blessed to sail though - but what we know is 'there is someone on this site that will of gone through what we have and is there ready to help us.”
Whathappened, Breast cancer forum
"With help and guidance from ladies and on here - that we will get through this, we will and these are the steps and lessons we learn along the way. I don't think any family member or friend could help me the way the ladies did on this site."
Kindness can be one of those qualities that can sometimes be a bit overlooked and today we want to shine a light on the kindness our members effortlessly give to one another every day in their responses on the site
Our Community wouldn’t be the kind and supportive place it is, without the help of each and every one of our members. We hope these quotes have helped to show a small example of the vital support that can be found here on the Community.
