Community News - Macmillan Online Community

"I make a habit of crying. I consider myself to be quite good…”

One of our Wellbeing Champs here at Macmillan, Nat, recently shared with me a blog she wrote on how she discovered it was alright to be sensitive, to be emotional – to cry. The above follows Nat’s recent “rollercoaster of a mental health journey”, as she describes it – and whilst Nat’s story might not directly relate to cancer, I hope you perhaps read this and think that whatever you might be going through right now, it’s alright to feel emotional, to be sensitive, perhaps overwhelmed or even angry. The Community’s a place for you to share, talk about and help each other cope with these emotions – so go ahead and share! I was taken back to my 4th year at junior school, 5 days residential today for the first time in 30 years. As I stood in the school hall waiting for the coach to arrive…

Former Member
"Cancer must not define who we are..."

Whether it’s drawing a picture, painting, writing a song or perhaps a poem, being creative is for many people a great way to improve your mental wellbeing. Having spoken to a lot of our Community members about their experiences, I often hear that being creative has helped provide them with an escape or diversions to where cancer’s no longer a central focus. Our Express yourself group’s a space where members showcase their creations, so as a way of encouraging others to perhaps do the same, I thought I’d share a few highlights from the group for those who haven’t yet ventured into it. Enjoy… 'Bad and good!' by Blot3 Because of my hectic work and home life, I've found it difficult to vent. Whilst having rads I stayed away from home and decided to get down on paper what was really affecting…

Former Member
Lung Cancer Awareness Month - Cheryl's story

"Shine on, you crazy diamond!" November's Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and to recognise this Cheryl, one of our Online Community members, is sharing her experience with the cancer, which her dad, Derek, sadly passed away with earlier this year. On February 26 th , 2018 my lovely dad, Derek, was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer – non-small cell lung cancer with metastasis to his ribs, lungs, lymph nodes, spine, pelvis and hip … it had completely taken hold of him. My dad’s battle didn’t last long, he passed away in the local hospice on June 17 th – Father’s Day of all days, just three and a half months from his diagnosis to him losing his fight. His diagnosis came as a massive shock. I knew my dad wasn’t a well man as he had Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and had smoked…

Former Member
What should I take to treatment?

Finding out you have cancer can be an incredibly emotional and challenging experience. There’ll likely be more than enough questions and concerns running through your head without having to worry about the small things - such as, “what should I bring with me to the hospital when I go for treatment?” I’ve compiled suggestions across the Community from our members, and put them together to form a small check-list. “Trashy TV, films on iPad or DVDs…Favourite music, comfy headphones…Magazines…Favourite duvets/pillows, plus plenty of changes as daily laundry will be needed.” “Did anyone mention lip cream or a moisturiser? My lips in the dry air of the room cracked continuously. One other thing that was useful was an extension lead, so I could plug in all my bits and bobs by the bed and have…

Former Member
"...putting on make-up and knowing I look good gives me a boost..." - Boots Macmillan Beauty Advisors

The visible side effects of cancer treatment can arguably have a huge impact on a life. It can change how your body looks, works or feels, and really impact on a patient's confidence. Patient.info editorial assistant, Milly Evans recently put together a post for the Patient.info website entitled How to manage the visible side effects of cancer treatment . In it she talks to one of our Boots Macmillan Beauty Advisors , Natasha, offers some top tips on how to feel more like yourself as you face cancer.. Here's Milly's piece... Cancer and cancer treatment not only have an impact on your physical well-being but also change your appearance and skin. Some are able to embrace these changes whilst others can struggle with confidence and feeling themselves. Lost identity... For Anita Brown…

Megan- Online Community Team
"Being diagnosed at a young age affected me more than I ever imagined." - Diagnosed at a young age: Gbear

After last month’s work-focused ‘Diagnosed at a young age’ piece with Ginajsy , this week sees Gbear opens up to the Community - sharing with us the impact her diagnosis had on both her family and social life, as well as its emotional impact. Being diagnosed at a young age affected me more than I ever imagined... This was me, pretty much a carefree scuba diver. I used to work retail which paid for my holidays to Egypt where I did most of my diving, aged 37. All this changed when I realised that something was very wrong and went to see my GP, who was great very understanding and got me sent off to the hospital to get scans done. I found that I was bleeding in-between periods at first just spotting but I kept feeling sharp pain that wasn’t normal. This was July 2016, I had been told that…

Former Member
"...and remember the mantra - chew well!" Dining with an Ostomate: Salads

It’s time for another instalment of ‘Dining with an Ostomate’. In today’s post, Debbie talks to us about summer salads, and shares her deliciously fresh and nutritious ‘Pesto lemon chicken salad’. All of Debbie’s recipes are of course designed with Ostomates in mind, and in case you’d missed any of her recipes to date, you can find them all in our Ileostomy, colostomy and stoma support group here . Enjoy… Summer salads As an Ostomate, I was nervous about trying salad vegetables at first. As my surgery was in January, I didn’t really give it much thought until March, when I was beginning to yearn for salads instead of soup for lunch. Having eaten spinach in soup, and then cooked as a side vegetable, the first salad leaves I tried were baby spinach. As this was a success, I then moved…

Former Member
“This risotto is so easy and takes no time at all to make” - Dining with an Ostomate: Roasted Tomato and Basil Risotto

Today Debbie shares her recipe for a delicious roasted tomato and basil risotto, which sounds wonderfully warming on a cold October day! All of Debbie’s recipes are of course designed with Ostomates in mind, and in case you’d missed any of her recipes to date, you can find them all in our Ileostomy, colostomy and stoma support group here . Enjoy… Roasted Tomato and Basil Risotto - Serves 4, easily halved This risotto is so easy and takes no time at all to make. Use any fresh tomato soup you like. When I had my ileostomy, I didn’t eat tomato pips as I was concerned about blockage, so leave the cherry tomatoes out if you are concerned, or use larger on the vine tomatoes and remove the pips. Ingredients 2 tbsp olive oil 1 fat garlic glove, crushed 400g Risotto rice 2 x 600g…

Former Member
“With hope in our hearts and wings in our heels” – Linda’s story

Linda, known as here on the site, posted in the “Breast cancer” group about how running has helped her through her experiences with cancer treatment and body confidence. We wanted to share her story here on Community News. In today’s blog, Linda talks all about what the benefits of exercise during cancer treatment have been for her personally. I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer just before Christmas, I am 52 years old and I must admit it came as a complete shock. I started having chemo every 3 weeks and I am now having it every week, I am 9 down and 7 to go, not that I’m counting! In fact, as I write this, I am wired up having chemo number 10. The worse side effect I have experienced is that this whole process has completely affected my confidence. As much as I was determined…

Eliza -Online Community Team
Mary’s experience of Living with Cancer and coronavirus

During the Coronavirus pandemic many people turned to the Online Community for support. Although the Online Community has always provided a space to access peer support, it really did mean so much to our members as they were still able to access support when most face to face services had closed. “Being able to access these forums has meant so much especially during the pandemic.” - Winkers60 , “ Thank you for sharing your experiences Gemmary, they are so insightful and a real benefit to anyone going through similar. I love your perseverance in navigating and overcoming the challenges, keep going Gemmary, keep climbing upwards!” - Ourgirlinthenorth Members turn to one another to offer support by sharing their experiences in our Community groups. This is what Mary did at the start of March…

Megan- Online Community Team
MDS, MPN, ET, PV and MF - support with rarer blood cancers

September was 'blood cancer awareness month' and we shared a Community News blog about the support available on the Community. You can catch up here , if you haven’t yet had a read. We’re following up on September's blood cancer awareness blog to let you know we’ve created a new forum for rarer blood cancers. You can find the new myelodysplasia (MDS) & myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) forum within the ' other cancers group' here on the Community. If you’re looking for support with myelodysplasia (MDS) or myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) including essential thrombocythaemia (ET), polycythaemia vera (PV) and myelofibrosis (MF), the Community now has a dedicated space for you. When you or your loved one are diagnosed with one of these rarer blood cancers, it's likely that you hadn't…

Steph - Online Community Team
Making cancer treatment decisions

When you have been diagnosed with cancer, you may have a choice of different treatments you could have. Depending on your diagnosis, you might also be considering whether you would like to have any treatment. Making decisions about cancer treatments for yourself or a loved one can sometimes be difficult. It’s important that you feel you have all the information and support you might need to make the right informed decision for you. “I have changed my mind numerous times over the last week but I think that I could go on re-evaluating the pros and cons for ever and a day.” Community member, Prostate cancer forum It’s natural to have lots of questions about cancer treatment, whether you are a cancer patient or a family member. You might be feeling worried about side effects and quality of…

Eliza -Online Community Team

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