Community News - Macmillan Online Community

"I am just persevering" - Shaun's story

This week, we’re sharing Shaun’s journey with cancer, in his own words. You can also read his wife Janet’s story on Community news here . In November 2019, I had two of my upper teeth taken out at my dentist. In the following days I noticed a swelling in my neck so I went to the doctors where I was given antibiotics. After a week of these there was no difference so I was given another course. A week later I went to the doctors who sent me straight to A&E. At A&E, I was given an x-ray and another course of antibiotics and told that I would need a scan in the next couple of days. Within four days I was at hospital where a scan was done and three samples taken from my neck. I was told I would get the results in a week's time. Within three days I had an appointment. Both myself…

Eliza -Online Community Team
Meet Amy - Finding a way to move towards acceptance and peace.

Amy, diagnosed with ovarian cancer. When you or a loved one are diagnosed with cancer, it can be a massive shock. It can mean having to deal with issues and situations which cause worry and anxiety. You may feel fearful about the future and not kno w where to turn. In the latest guest blog series, we’ll be meeting Amy, known on the site as , who struggled with her emotions after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Amy has used her experience to create her own blog to help others manage their mental health through can cer. Amy told me that she remembers feeling terrified, despair and hopelessness and describes the turmoil she felt inside; “Being positive didn’t feel right for me. It felt like denial.” “When I was diagnosed with cancer it was a pretty terrifying time. I experienced…

Steph - Online Community Team
What I wish I had known about chemotherapy: stories from Macmillan’s forums

Our new blog mini-series asks 'What do you wish you had known? ’ about cancer treatment before you had started it. People in the Macmillan Online Community are sharing experiences and tips about their cancer treatment and situations. This blog focuses on chemotherapy. Online Community members tell us that hearing about other people’s experiences of treatment can make a big difference to them. Especially when they’re feeling unsure about what to expect. Visit the chemotherapy forum , where members talk about what they wish they’d known before starting treatment. Everyone’s experience of chemotherapy is different “Some great advice here, I think that the key thing is that our experience of cancer is going to be different, and therefore our experience of chemo will also be. There are some…

Dylan - Online Community Team
Meet Kirsty, diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024 alongside an existing health condition

May we introduce you to Kirsty, who is here to share her story about coping with a breast cancer diagnosis alongside other long-term health issues. Kirsty described living under the shadow of acute Ulcerative Colitis for 21 years before finding a lump in her breast last April. In Kirsty's story, she describes with candid honesty and humour how she dealt with tests for cancer whilst managing relationships with her loved ones. In this first of two blogs telling Kirsty's story, you will hear Kirsty's experience as she told it to us. "I thought that I had been given my slice of bad luck with my health until last year. On April 28th I found a lump in my left boob whilst in the shower. My sister had had breast cancer 3 years previously, so I had taken to regularly checking my own and thank…

Steph - Online Community Team
Coping with the last celebrations with your loved one

When a loved one has an incurable cancer diagnosis, it may be hard not to think about what might be the last time. The last holiday season, the last birthday. Here in Macmillan’s Online Community, we’re here to help you through what may be the hardest days and time of year. Wee Me’s husband was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma brain tumour in September 2020. She has previously shared her experience as a carer and family member on Community News. In today’s blog, Wee Me is talking about how she’s learned to navigate and cope with “the lasts.” “My husband’s initial prognosis in September 2020 was that he had 12-15 months left with us. The question “is this the last…?” reared its scary head several times during those all too quick months.” The festive season will be upon us before we know it…

Eliza -Online Community Team
"As an Ostomate, I am always looking for tasty recipes to add variety to my diet." - Dining with an Ostomate: Carrot and ginger soup

It’s time for another Dining with an Ostomate post. This week Debbie shares with us a TASTY AND SUPER SIMPLE ‘Carrot and ginger soup’ recipe. Here’s Debbie to tell us more about the benefits of carrots and ginger… The benefits of carrot and ginger… As an Ostomate, I am always looking for tasty recipes to add variety to my diet. With summer around the corner, although we’ll soon be thinking about salads rather than warming soup, my next recipe is a soup. It’s quick to make and ideal for those grey cross-season days. "Carrots are tolerated well by Ostomates, and can be included in the diet straight after surgery." Carrots are tolerated well by Ostomates, and can be included in the diet straight after surgery. They are high in vitamin A, beta-carotene, antioxidants and minerals, as well…

Former Member
"...I was winded by the realisation that I could've died. Equally, I realised that now I had to live." - David's story

Last month, Community News shared My cancer, my sexuality, me. – a piece written by a gent named David, which spoke about his diagnosis and its relation to his sexuality. David’s story made for an extremely honest and heartfelt read, so I thought I’d ask him to contribute another piece this month. Fortunately, David recently underwent chemotherapy treatment which proved to be successful. His below piece covers difficulties and mixed feelings David felt following this news. I should mention David originally shared this piece with the Centre for Mental Health ; a fantastic charity that works to promote mental health and wellbeing, and to change inequality and disadvantage throughout the life course. The walk from the waiting room to his office seemed interminable. The lights were harsh…

Former Member
‘Cancer can’t take my sense of humour’- Brian's story

Brian is one of our Community Champions who was diagnosed with prostate cancer three years ago. He’s married with four children and loves life. Humour has always been a big part of his family life and in this blog, he is sharing how laughter helped him through his prostate cancer diagnosis. For me humour is great because cancer is such a serious topic, it helps folk relax and realise that life continues. Cancer can’t take away my sense of humour. Three years ago, I was one of those men who thought Prostate cancer only affected other people, how wrong was I. Due to various symptoms I ended up in hospital. A few days later my consultant urologist came along with his entourage, drew my bedside curtains, sat on my bed, removed his glasses and in all seriousness said, “Brian, I am so sorry to…

Megan- Online Community Team
Macmillan’s mother tongue project- Della’s story

Introduction Della talks in her mother tongue, Yorùbá, about her diagnosis, how her family responded and some of the stigmas still prominent in her and her family's community. This video is part of Macmillan’s mother tongue project. (4 minutes and 22 seconds). We hope to feature different lived experiences here on the Online Community to represent different ethnic cultures and communities so that nobody feels they are facing cancer alone. Please see an English transcript written below. There are also English subtitles available when watching the video. For additional support information in other languages, scroll to the end of this blog page. Transcript Della : They were wondering where I got this illness from, because “black people don’t get this illness”. It’s seen as a…

Megan- Online Community Team
Dining with an Ostomate - "What I didn't find was any decent recipes for tasty meals..."

Debbie, known to the Community as Jersey Lily , is an Ostomate. She’s also a real ‘foodie’, so off the back of a temporary ileostomy earlier this year, she found it difficult to find tasty and suitable recipes anywhere. Debbie though powered through, adapting a few of her favorite recipes, and discovering new ones suitable for an Ostmate. This week Debbie’s shared with us a recipe for a fresh and health ‘Super Green Soup’, packed full of green goodness – but first, here’s Debbie to tell us a little more about her story… Before I was diagnosed, I was living a healthy lifestyle – eating all the right things, exercising regularly, getting plenty of sleep. I am not an anxious person, have little stress in my life (being able to retire early from teaching has been a real bonus), believe in positivity…

Former Member
Supporting each other through dying, loss and bereavement: Linda’s story

“From the greatest loss of my life, came the birth of a new beginning and a new way I could help my community.” As Linda says in her video and many people say on the Online Community, you may feel that nothing can prepare you for your loved one’s final days and coping with bereavement. Many people may feel they’re not sure what to expect when a loved one is dying. As part of Macmillan’s Digital Storytelling Project, Linda has created a video to share her experience supporting her mum through end of life. She also talks about her decision to found a charity, No One Dies Alone Ayrshire , to support people who are at the end of their life and their families. We’re sharing Linda’s story this month as part of National Grief Awareness Week . Linda’s video is called “A Hand to Hold”, which you…

Eliza -Online Community Team
Reflection: Looking back

As we bid farewell to the past year and welcome the dawn of a new one, it may often mark the time for reflection and gratitude for approaching a New Year. For many of us on the Community, this transition may hold profound significance as we reflect on our individual journeys affected by cancer and may try to look ahead with hope, resilience, and newfound determination as a new year, looms in the horizon. For some, the past year might have been marked by the whirlwind of treatments, doctor’s appointments, and moments of uncertainty. The difficulties you may have faced, the triumphs you may have celebrated – each step that may leave an enduring imprint on our lives. Let’s see how the members of the Community reflect on their journeys so far. This Community member reflects on the difficult…

Syed - Macmillan