Community News - Macmillan Online Community

“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
Here's to our Champions this Volunteers' week!

The 1 st – 7 th of June 2021 marks Volunteers week here at Macmillan. This is a week dedicated to saying a huge thank you to all of our volunteers who dedicate their time to supporting people affected by cancer. Here on the Community team we wanted to dedicate today’s Community news blog to our very own group of fantastic volunteers, our ‘Community Champions!’ If you’re new to the site, you might not know what a Community Champion is, but you’ve more than likely spoken to one of our wonderful Champions, as part of their role is to help welcome new members to our Community cancer forum . The easiest way to spot one of our Community Champions’ posts on the site is by their signature. Each of our Champions has a version of the below badge in their Community signature which will appear under…

Former Member
Supporting anyone new to the UK with cancer information and support

When you’re living with cancer, or supporting someone with cancer, it can be all consuming. Cancer can be an awful lot to deal with. The current tragic events unfolding in Ukraine had us thinking about people living with cancer who might also be dealing with other life changing events, or who may be new to living in the UK. Whether you’re coming to the UK as a refugee or for other reasons, Macmillan are here to support you. We’re also here for anyone supporting a refugee living with cancer, or anyone else new to the UK who might benefit from cancer support and information. In this Community New Blog we will highlight all the ways you can find support from across Macmillan and beyond. Online Community We welcome anyone living with cancer or supporting a family member/ friend with cancer…

Steph - Online Community Team
Finding support with Bile Duct cancer (Cholangiocarcinoma)

In this Community News Blog, we'll be highlighting the support shared in the Community's bile duct cancer (Cholangiocarcinoma) forum and sharing some other ways you can find help. When you or your loved one has been diagnosed with bile duct cancer (Cholangiocarcinoma) , it's important you can find the right emotional support. The Online Community's bile duct cancer forum is an online cancer support group. It's open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and you can find support from people who understand. Because they've been there themselves. You might be looking for tips to help you get the best from your cancer nurse and health care team or ideas around coping with side effects and improving quality of life. You might just need to talk. Whatever support you're looking for, the bile duct cancer…

Steph - Online Community Team
Stoma series- Reassurance from the Community

Have you been told you may need a stoma after treatment or surgery? Are you already living with a stoma? This blog is a collection of supportive and shared experiences from members who have had, or currently live with a stoma. If you’re looking for some reassurance, you may just find it here. Even if you’re not looking for reassurance about living with a stoma, you’ll still find lots of warm peer support. It can be comforting to know there’s a whole Community of people who can understand what you’re facing. We see everyday how much support our members give each other by being there to listen, and talk about each other’s experiences. Being told that you need a colostomy, ileostomy urostomy or a laryngectomy stoma, can cause a range of feelings. You may have been given different options by…

Megan- Online Community Team
Where can I find support over the festive season?

This week can be a difficult time and can sometimes cause some anxiety for those who need support. Services’ opening hours can change, public places can be hectic, family members and friends may be less available to talk due to preparing for the season. Our recent blog “What does the festive season mean to you?” talks a lot about the emotions you might feel. Many of you found this blog helpful to read and shared your thoughts in the comments section. Following on from this blog, we’re highlighting support services which are available for you during the festive season. Support from Macmillan Macmillan’s Information and support team, alongside our Clinical nurse specialists on the Support Line are available as usual throughout the festive period. Please remember our Support Line is available…

Eliza -Online Community Team
Mealtimes during the festive season

During the festive period, there can be lots of celebrations and parties, including plans to see family and friends. This can often involve eating. When you’re dealing with symptoms and side effects of cancer treatment, eating at mealtimes may look different than it did before. Everyone is different and we understand that for some people, you may feel uncomfortable about mealtimes and special occasions with loved ones. Below there are twists on traditional favourites and some suggestions of how to still take part in the celebrations at the dinner table. If you’re looking for some cooking and eating inspiration, this blog is the one for you. “I think it’s important to set some rules about the festive season. If you feel an occasion will be too much for you consider going later when people…

Megan- Online Community Team
Breast cancer awareness month

October is Breast cancer awareness month around the UK and as part of this, we'd like to feature what’s discussed in our Breast cancer forums here on the Community. The different Breast cancer forums have around 11,725 members who offer each other support every day, including all hours of the night. If you’ve visited the Breast cancer forums you will have seen there’s lots of discussions about symptoms, treatment options and side effects. There’s also lots of friendly and reassuring support so stay and read the rest of the blog if you’re thinking of joining, or if you’re looking for some support. “It’s always helpful just to know you’re not alone and to talk about it so thank you for replying.” Community member, BRACA positive forum “I think being able to talk to someone that has been…

Megan- 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
Can we talk about vulvar and vaginal cancers?

Can we talk openly about vulvas and vaginas? It’s Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month and we’re taking the opportunity to raise awareness of the rarer gynae cancers. We understand that many people find sexual organs to be an embarrassing or awkward subject. Many people might not even know the correct names for these body parts. So what happens if you get diagnosed with cancer (or a pre-cancerous condition) ‘down there’? We’re highlighting how women, trans men and non-binary people can find support from the Community. It’s a place where you can be completely anonymous and chat with others in similar circumstances. Whether you’ve just been diagnosed with vulval/vaginal cancer, need emotional support or practical tips to help with healing after surgery, you’re likely to find someone…

Steph - Online Community Team

Awake and up all night?

We know that cancer can sometimes cause sleepless nights. Join our Cancer Chat forum for some company here in the 'Awake and up all night' thread.

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