Community News - Macmillan Online Community

"...give that extra cuddle and hug to a special person in your life." (MetalMicky) - Wellbeing Wednesdays: October

It’s October already, and with it another ‘Wellbeing Wednesdays’ summary. So, grab yourself a cuppa, get cosy, and take in some tops tips from the Community for the past month. "A busy mind won't have time to think about other things. This is easier said than done but in time it will get easier" ( Tony Soprano ) “Deep breathing really helped – I needed a psychologist at one point, and he did some breathing with me, and at the end, I honestly felt a calmness in not minding whether this was going to be my last breath or not. It was kind of the notion of letting go of control and noticing the simplicity of the breath and everything around us.” ( Greg777 ) “No one can know how long, or when – so holding on tight and remembering to breath is keeping me going, and knowing that my job is to…

Former Member
Exercise and cancer: Questions and Advice from the Online Community

Physical activity plays a crucial role in the lives of those affected by cancer, whether you are currently facing a cancer diagnosis or undergoing treatment. In this blog, we’ll highlight some of the questions asked and advice given in our Online Community. Give it time and take it slow It can be tempting to get moving too quickly post-op, specifically once you start feeling better and with renewed energy. In a post-op scenario, one Community member was eager to get back on his Ducati, motorbike. He reached out to the Community for some advice. “Ok, it's now 7 days since my operation. I just wanted your thoughts on keeping fit. I'm busting to get out on my Ducati.” Community Member, Prostate cancer forum A few members of the forum were quick to reply with some…

Dylan - Online Community Team
Toxic positivity and cancer: why listening matters

Positivity can be helpful when dealing with cancer. Hope, encouragement, and support can make a real difference during difficult times. But when positivity dismisses or overlooks someone's genuine feelings, it can become unhelpful. This is often what people mean when they talk about toxic positivity. Three years ago, we published our first blog on toxic positivity. The topic sparked a lot of discussion as many members related to the concept. In this blog, we share members' experiences of toxic positivity and helpful resources for talking about cancer. What Community members have shared Positive comments often come from a place of care, but they can sometimes make it harder for people to express how they are really feeling. “When somebody tells me to stay positive and that I’ll beat…

Dylan - Online Community Team
The Online Community asks "What can I eat?" - diet and food when you have cancer

Lots of people come to the Community looking for help around taking control of your diet, or worried that you might not be eating the right foods. Cancer or treatments can sometimes cause problems with eating, or may restrict what you can eat. Whatever your situation around food, there is often support to be found through forums in the Community. In this Community News Blog, we will be sharing conversations from across the site and highlighting useful information around your diet when you have cancer. Do I need to make changes to my diet? "Has anyone drastically changed their diet after having cancer because they are worried certain foods or drink gave you cancer? I’m scared to eat and drink a lot of things because I always think, what if that, what if this gave me cancer.…

Steph - Online Community Team
'Advice to Bureaucrats' by Michael

As lockdown is eased, yet shielding measures for many are extended, we wanted to share a poem with you from our guest writer Michael. ADVICE TO BUREAUCRATS It falls to you to draft a shielding letter Of weighty pages, not too clear, for someone Who has an underlying health condition, The relevance of which he may not know. Ensure you couch the information in Alarmist terms, including dicta aimed At other people rather than himself; Omit important pertinent personal details, Above all why he is included in This current noble process; for best results Print out a list of all diseases known To indicate great vulnerability Yet have no claim on his known dispositions; Don’t mention why the letter might be sent Well after start of lockdown, nor if the clearly Arbitrary…

Tom C - Online Community team
Support resources for Carers, family members and friends

This blog is a support resource for carers, friends, and family members who are supporting a loved one living with cancer. When supporting a loved one it’s important to know what help you can access, so the following will tell how the Online Community can support you and where to turn for additional support. The Online Community is here to support you “There is such a thing as Carer burnout where you get to the stage that you just cannot cope… coming onto somewhere like here and just venting gave you the release valve that you needed, and you will always find a listening sympathetic ear from others who really get where you are at. I am so glad that you are already able to contribute to help others and together we will get the support that we all need.” Community member,…

Megan- Online Community Team
How to Use the Online Community – Private Messages, Public Forums, and User Blogs

Welcome to the Macmillan Online Community . The Online Community is a place where thousands of people come together to share their cancer experiences, tips, and advice. It’s a place where you can give and receive support with other people who understand just a little bit of what you might be going through. To make sure that you’re settled and getting support as quickly as possible, we’ve put together this short guide to show you what the main features of the site look like, and what you can use them for. When you first arrive on the Home page , you’ll see a box with two options in it: “ Join the Online Community ” and “ Log in .” If you haven’t done so yet, please sign up for a free and anonymous Online Community account by clicking the “ Join ” button. Please note that you will need…

Matthew - Online Community Team
Self-management for your own health and healthcare

Managing your own care can be necessary when dealing with a long-term health condition or illness, such as some cancers. It can be overwhelming to think about at first, especially when you might have been recently diagnosed. Learning more about self-management for your own health can help you at any stage of your experience with cancer. This can mean understanding your condition and what you might need, decision making, and knowing where to get help when you need it. We’ve created some quick links to help you to get to what you’re looking for: Understanding your diagnosis and side effects Managing treatment – appointments and medication Managing lifestyle changes – diet, work, finances Understanding your diagnosis and side effects Understanding your diagnosis and treatment…

Eliza -Online Community Team
Showing empathy to everyone

Have you ever been told you look great, but on the inside when you’re not feeling your best? Has someone you know assumed how you may be feeling, just because you’re living with cancer? If you have, then you’re not alone. This blog is highlighting some of the experiences members have shared when it comes to coping with the assumptions of others, and how being a part of Macmillan’s Online Community has helped. "I have since told friends that I am struggling, one friend said still struggling! some are very supportive, some do not know what to say which is why I find this on line chat so helpful, everyone on here is going through the same thing." Community member, Prostate cancer forum “I’m glad you have people you can trust to tell. I’ve found many don’t know how to react or say things…

Megan- Online Community Team
Holly’s Cancer Poems: Coping with chemotherapy (Part 2)

Holly was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2005. Holly has shared her experience through poems, written at different points of her experience with cancer. If you’ve not read Part 1 where Holly describes her diagnosis, you can read Part 1 on Community News . In today’s blog, we’re sharing 5 poems which talk about Holly’s experience going through chemotherapy. Her poems also talk about coping with side effects from chemotherapy, such as hair loss. Holly also talks about her experiences of talking to family and friends about cancer. This Community News blog is a little bit longer than our other blogs. If you would like to skip straight to Holly’s poems, please use the buttons below: Holly's poems: Cancer terror Under Siege Going bald Sick to the stomach with chemo The…

Eliza -Online Community Team
Sexual health and cancer: Erectile Dysfunction during and after cancer treatment

Dealing with erectile dysfunction (ED) during and after cancer treatment can be a challenging and sensitive topic for many men. In this blog, we’ll delve into the experiences of our Community members. Sharing their valuable insight on how they navigated the emotional and physical aspects of ED. Additionally, we’ll discuss sexual health and intimacy, challenging the notion of a “normal” sex life. “My surgeon gave me the option of whether to spare my nerves or not and I told him my life was the most important thing to consider and to do whatever was necessary.” Community member, Prostate cancer forum Experiences of Erectile Dysfunction Here in the online Community, no subject is taboo, and our goal is to have safe spaces where members can chat freely about what they…

Dylan - Online Community Team
Crafting, mindfulness and coping with cancer: Helen’s story

Helen was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in March 2021. Like many people who receive a cancer diagnosis, Helen felt a mixture of emotions including worry, panic and stress. She had lots of questions about cancer and what might happen in the future. To help herself cope with how she was feeling, Helen turned to crafting. A lifelong knitter and crocheter, Helen talks in her video about how crafting helps to distract and calm her mind. She talks about how crafting and creativity have been incredibly important throughout her experience with cancer. Crafting has also helped Helen to create her legacy for her family and loved ones. Here on the Online Community, lots of members talk about how art, crafting, creative writing and hobbies can help with how you’re feeling. Members in our Express…

Eliza -Online Community Team