Community News - Macmillan Online Community

"I felt as though I was in a dream" - Janet's story

Today in Community news , we’re sharing Shaun’s story from his wife Janet’s perspective. If you missed Shaun talking about his experiences with head and neck cancer, click here to catch up. I always felt sad for anyone that had got any type of cancer, but nothing had prepared me for the long road to come. When my husband found out he had cancer in his left tonsil and lymph nodes, we were devastated. We came out of the hospital numb and in disbelief. We both cried together, but Shaun was definitely the stronger of us. I felt as though I was in a dream. Everything that followed would take me probably a year to write, because I have never known a man be put through as much. It broke my heart to see him so poorly. "I felt as though I was in a dream" After the diagnosis, there…

Eliza -Online Community Team
Dining with an Ostomate - Chicken and squash gratin

It’s time for another Dining with an Ostomate post – this week Debbie shares with us a DELICIOUS AND SIMPLE ‘Chicken and squash gratin’ recipe. It features the immune boosting, vitamin and fibre-packed butternut squash; and chicken breasts for an added protein punch. Enjoy… Chicken and squash gratin Serves 4, easily halved, and freezes well. Ingredients 1 tbsp vegetable oil. 1 onion, finely sliced. 1 leek, roughly sliced. 450g butternut squash, peeled and cut into 2.5 cm pieces. 3 skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized strips. 50g butter. 50g plain flour. 500ml milk. 100g mascarpone cheese. 2 tsp dried tarragon (or 1 tsp fresh, chopped). 100g ciabatta bread, torn into small pieces. "Immune boosting vitamin and fibre-packed butternut squash..." Method Heat the oil in a…

Former Member
What do you wish you had known before starting Radiotherapy? The Online Community helps.

Our new blog mini-series is based on a question ‘what you wish you had known’. We’re bringing the Community together to share hints and tips around different cancer treatments or situations you might be facing. Today we’re encouraging the sharing of your experiences of radiotherapy. We know how helpful it can be to hear from someone who has been through it themselves. Whether you are starting radiotherapy treatment yourself, or supporting someone having radiotherapy, we hope this blog will help you find the suggestions you need . Radiotherapy hints and tips for all In the Radiotherapy forum , we asked the Community for their guidance in a recent thread ' What you wish you had known before starting radiotherapy ? ' Some of the advice provided could be relevant to anyone facing any type…

Steph - Online Community Team
Being in Nature: Mind, Mood & Moors

When the weather takes a turn for the better, some folks like to go outdoors for a stroll, some like to sit under a tree’s welcoming shade, and some may just enjoy a nice lemonade in the back garden. Whatever your vice may be, we take a look at how some of the Community members in the Breast Cancer forum use their love of nature to help try and put the mind at ease. It can be a difficult trying to go about daily life after receiving a diagnosis. Finding something, like a hobby or activity, can be vital when it comes to clearing your mind and put you at ease when it comes to coping with your diagnosis. In this blog, we will take a focus on how some members of the Community use nature to try and help them find peace. Please note that some of the links may include wonderful pictures captured…

Syed - Macmillan
A big thank you to our Community Champions - volunteering on the Online Community

Following on from Macmillan’s ‘Thanks to You’ day at the end of May and National Volunteers week 1 st- 7 th June 2023, we’re taking a moment to appreciate our amazing Online Community Champions. Through this Community News Blog, you can learn more about our Community Champions, volunteering for Macmillan and join us in saying a big thank you to them all. “I have looked around the community a bit and there are certainly some 'Champions'...how kind and empathetic they are - such unselfishness to spend time in responding to other is often rare these days. This website is excellent and has been an enormous help.” Community member Who are the Community Champions? The Community Champions are a dedicated team of volunteers here on the Online Community. They are members…

Steph - Online Community Team
Showing your support over the festive season

With the festive season often being a time of giving, we are sharing some guidance for how you can give support online, or in person at this time of year. R ecently there have been discussions about different Christmas gift ideas for someone with cancer, and what to say in a greeting card. We thought we would share a few ideas from these discussions as a guide to help you show support to someone living with cancer this Christmas. Of course, these ideas can be used for other celebrations too. Finding and giving support online There will be lots of celebrations taking place over the next couple of weeks however the holidays are not always an easy time for a lot of people. This time of year can cause a range of emotions for those affected by cancer and Macmillan are here to support you. If…

Megan- Online Community Team
Parents of children with cancer: do you feel supported?

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month . Today on Community News, we’re talking about parents. No matter how old your child is when they are diagnosed with cancer, the news can still be devastating. A child’s diagnosis can affect all family members, and it’s important to find the right support. “[I am] finding some comfort in the fact that there are other people who have gone through and go through what I am going through…My son has had a malignant aggressive tumour found in his femur. It has all been INCREDIBLY quick. Our world has been turned upside down.” Community member, “Parents of children with cancer” forum Here in the Online Community, many members say things like that it can really help to share experiences. Lots of members have talked about looking after their child…

Eliza -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
Accessing the Online Community – Help with account creation and log-in problems

Creating an account Signing up for an Online Community account is usually very easy. You choose whether you want to sign in using an email address or a social media account, you provide a few security details, then you pick a public username. That’s it – you’re all set! Unfortunately, this being the internet, sometimes things go wrong. To save any confusion, it’s a good idea to see what the process looks like when things work as expected. You can either view the handy video below or read the illustrated instructions to learn more about the process. vimeo.com/.../885595769 NOTE: The descriptions and images featured in this guide refer to the Online Community website when using a computer or large screen device. We recommend accessing the website using a full computer or laptop when attempting…

Matthew - Online Community Team
Oesophageal Cancer Awareness and Fear

February is oesophageal cancer awareness month and we're taking some time today to highlight some of our recent content relevant to people affected by an oesophageal cancer diagnosis, treatment or side effects. We also want to talk about fear. We know that many people affected by cancer face fears around cancer treatment options and how the side effects can impact quality of life. We are here as an open and frank space where you can express your fears. They may be fears for your own cancer or that of a family member or loved one. You might be a carer and have fears about the impact of cancer treatment on someone else. Whatever your fears, our online support groups are here for you to let it all out. Discussions about fear Our members often express fear in relation to Oesophageal cancer and…

Tom C - Online Community team
"Finding my new normal"- Jane's story

Cancer is a journey that none of us would choose and that many people will experience either directly themselves or through family, friends or colleagues. My endometrial carcinoma sarcoma journey began in 2022. I had major surgery, and this was followed by chemotherapy and external beam radiotherapy. For me there was life before cancer, life with cancer, and now there is life after cancer. This blog looks at my wellbeing, physical changes, emotional moments, social challenges and my journey to find my new normal. “ After cancer, I think it’s not so much about getting back to normal, it’s about finding out what is the new normal for you now.” Read Jane’s previous blogs: Diagnostic testing for endometrial cancer Check up appointments after endometrial cancer treatment- Jane’s story…

Megan- Online Community Team
"Thank you to all the community champions, your kindness and dedication is absolutely amazing"

It’s volunteer’s week from 1 st - 7 th June and we hope you’ll join us with saying a big thank you to our amazing Community Champions. They are members of the site who dedicate their time to support members of the Online Community. “Thank you to all the community champions , your kindness and dedication is absolutely amazing” Community member, Community news blog “Thank you so much. You've been supportive from the start and encouraged me all the way. You’re an absolute inspiration x" Community member, Cervical cancer forum “ Thank again, you are always there for people with good advice and support, so very kind, no wonder you are a community champion.” Community member, Diffuse large b cell lymphoma forum “Thank you for taking on the role of champion. Your support is invaluable to everyone…

Megan- Online Community Team