What were the moments of support that mattered to you?

1 minute read time.
What were the moments of support that mattered to you?

Cancer is one of the toughest things someone can go through. When cancer shows up, silence often follows. This is something Community members have called Cancer ghosting, and we explore this experience more in the Cancer ghosting blog.

People living with cancer tell us they don't want to be a burden but still need emotional and practical support from their loved ones. Sometimes friends, family and colleagues can struggle to find the right words to say and not know how to best support you. 

What supportive moments made a difference to you?

We are asking you what your family and friends have done to show they care and be supportive.

  • Was it stopping by with warm meals?
  • Meeting up with them once a week for a cuppa and a chat about life beyond cancer? 
  • Care packages of things to help you deal with side effects?

No matter how small or thoughtful the moments of support may be, sharing meaningful acts of kindness can offer useful suggestions to those who want to help but may not know how.

Join the 'What supportive moments mattered to you? discussion in the Cancer chat forum to tell us more. 

No matter how small or thoughtful the moments of support may be, sharing the meaningful acts of kindness may provide some useful ideas to those who want to help, but may not know how.

Madiso
  • One day that has stuck with me is when I was  at my lowest. I had been admitted to hospital with sepsis and I felt awful. I was still continuing with my radiotherapy daily. Having anal cancer meant I had to drink water, to fill my bladder,  before the treatment. I felt so sick and just couldn’t get my bladder full that day. I sat and cried. Most of the staff at radiotherapy in Sheffield were great but one young man (I wish I could remember his name) was always particularly helpful. He noticed me and came and had a chat. He made me feel much better and in that moment it meant everything!

  • It's great when medical staff go the extra mile with a dose of empathy and reassurance. I've had sepsis and it certainly makes you feel grim extremely rapidly. I hope you are feeling a lot better now and that treatment is working for you.  Ray xx

  • Hi  

    So sorry to hear what you have been through. Sometimes the kindness of strangers makes all the difference. I am glad you had support in a moment when you needed it. Green heart

  • The avalanche of love and care from friends that have been there for me from day 1. They rallied round when I had my surgery - staying at my home to look after my dog, visiting me, checking in with me - then, in my 6 week recovery period, I had a stream of visitors twice a day who came to walk my dog and hang out with me. They still check in and I love and appreciate them so much now - much more than I did before.

    This is the main one but I have so many smaller moments I could mention........ kind words from nurses, ditto from Cancer Hair Care volunteers (who helped me feel SEEN!), receptionists who accompanied me up in the lift (I'm claustrophobic)... and many, many more. Thank you to everyone who has ever help me :)

  • Hi Pandemonium, 

    It's so lovely to hear you had such great support from your loved ones and the professionals you met along the way.Green heart

    I hope you will continue to use the Online Community when you need some peer support. Please remember you can also chat to the Support Advisors and Nurses in our Ask an Expert section.

    If you need any help using the Online Community, please don’t hesitate to email Community@macmillan.org.uk or send a private message to the Moderator account.

    Best wishes, 

    Megan 
    Macmillan's Online Community team