Community News - Macmillan Online Community

Working and living with cancer- Lindsay’s story

T oday, one of our Community Champions Lindsay ( Irishgirl16 ) is sharing her experience of working when living with cancer and going through treatment. Lindsay was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2021, aged 51. Active treatment took almost 12 months involving chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy. Ongoing preventative treatment will continue for many years. Lindsay lives in Devon, though her job is based in Germany so she and her husband, and the dog, travel frequently between the two countries. She has a grown-up daughter who lives outside London. When my oncologist told me she’d sign me off work for 6 months at the start of my chemo, I was filled with an immediate sense of despair. Not only is my career important to me, but I’m a busy person and the thought of filling endless…

Megan- Online Community Team
Waiting for results and dealing with the unknown

We know from our members that the waiting and uncertainty around test results and worrying symptoms can be one of the hardest things to deal with. "The waiting really is the worst part" Xxnataliexx "If you read the posts for all the ladies of this forum, we all agree, that the hardest thing is the waiting between tests and results and worrying." MrsBJH The coronavirus pandemic has unfortunately had a big impact on diagnosis and treatment for people affected by cancer. This has made waiting times longer, and unfortunately for some people the anxiety that comes with it is extended too. "I was due to have a liver resection at Addenbrookes but learnt today that they have stopped, for covid, all liver cancer surgery." Elley019 For concerns around cancer and covid-19, you can find Macmillan…

Tom C - Online Community team
Rhod Gilbert: A Pain in the Neck – a powerful Head and Neck Cancer documentary on Channel4.com

What's it about? On Monday 30 th October 2023, UK broadcaster Channel 4 aired this powerful documentary about one man’s experience with a head and neck cancer diagnosis. It is always a welcome sight to see cancer experiences like this covered by national broadcasters, as it shines a light on experiences that the general public could so easily overlook. When the man at the centre of the story also happens to be one of Wales’ top stand-up comedians, an intimate and honest portrait of a cancer journey like this can be even more impactful. Rhod Gilbert received his cancer diagnosis after finding a lump in his neck back in April 2022. He was driving to Barnstable to deliver one of his comedy shows when his doctor called to confirm the outcome of his tests: Rhod had cancer of the neck, throat…

Matthew - Online Community Team
"In your 30's, you are supposed to be in your prime..." - Diagnosed at a young age: greg777

Being diagnosed with cancer at a young age often means you’ll face challenges that differ to those who sit under an older age bracket; you might feel it has a significant impact of your education, your career, dating and perhaps starting a family - to give but a few examples. For the above reasons we have our Diagnosed at a young age group – a space for those diagnosed at a young age to share and talk about their experiences. Over the next month I’ll be sharing a few Community News posts from members who’ve been diagnosed with cancer at a young age, and agreed to share their story, thoughts and experiences with us. In today’s post greg777 , who was diagnosed with myeloma at the age of 36, shares his story… Losing the lottery – what was it like being diagnosed at 36? The closest thing…

Former Member
Look out for our improvements

On Macmillan’s Community, our members are at the heart of everything we do. We’re always looking to improve the site for you and we’re so excited to finally be able to share some improvements that are just around the corner. We know what an important source of support the Online Community is for many. In the next few weeks we will be launching a number of improvements on to the site. These enhancements aim to improve the site for all, as well as add a number of new features many of you asked for. All the images and examples below are shown using the Community on a mobile phone. We know these are the devices most used by our members. The improvements we’ve made are based on your feedback. You spoke up and we heard you, now here’s what we’ve done. Our New Homepage You said that the site was difficult…

Tom C - Online Community team
Representing the Online Community at Pride

I'm Eliza from the Community team. This year, I was able to represent Macmillan’s Online Community at York Pride 2022. It was an amazing day full of reflection, support and community. I wanted to share this experience with you all here on the Online Community, and let you know what the day was like and why it was important. If you’re not sure what Pride is, it’s a historic celebration with events and protests across the world to celebrate and recognise the LGBTQ+ community’s history and experiences. Pride is also about recognising the LGBTQ+ community’s ongoing struggles and the need for equality. Pride events take place mainly across June each year. You can find out more in this BBC article about what Pride is and why people celebrate it . Why was I representing Macmillan’s Online Community…

Eliza -Online Community Team
Story of the Month: Jennifer

Have you ever felt misunderstood during your experience with cancer? Here in the Online Community, we’re excited to launch a new series working with Macmillan’s Digital Storytelling Project, where people affected by cancer have created their own videos to talk about their experiences. We’re starting with Jennifer as our first story of the month for May 2022, also known on the Online Community as . Jennifer has created a video to share her experience of receiving a cancer diagnosis as an autistic person. Her video is called ‘Take a moment’. She talks about her feelings of being misunderstood by medical professionals and the assumptions made about her. Jennifer also shares how her experiences have changed her perspective on both herself and how she wants to move through the world. “I am…

Eliza -Online Community Team
Spreading love, hearts and hugs with the Online Community Cupid's Quiz

A big thank you for all the care you share It's Valentine's week and we're sharing hearts and hugs across the Community to anyone who needs it. We understand that some of you like light-hearted content to enjoy by yourself, with your loved ones, or just to take your mind off things. To say thank you for all the care you share, we have produced a short valentine-themed interactive quiz for members today. Whilst we won't share individual scores, you will be able to see how the Community has done once you have selected your answer. Where can I find the answers? You can find the answers hidden at the bottom of this page. No peeking until you have completed the quiz! Spread some love, hearts and hugs Please use the reaction button to let us know once you've completed the quiz. On a computer…

Steph - Online Community Team
Arts, crafts and coping with cancer

"…it gave me better pain relief than any drug could ever do.” Facing cancer arguably takes a lot of energy, and naturally it becomes a central focus of someone’s life. But this doesn’t mean hobbies or pastimes, including arts and crafts, need to fall to the wayside. Such hobbies often provide a vital escape to where cancer is no longer the central focus, but rather your enjoyment and perhaps solace in whatever hobby or pastime works for you. You might already be aware of this, but our Community has various threads dedicated to arts, crafts and other hobbies members are involved in that they find beneficial when facing cancer. I asked members of these threads to tell me how arts and crafts has helped them... “I’ve quite a history of arts and crafts, I pastel paint (but haven’t for a while…

Former Member
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
Are you feeling better, or just distracted?

For people affected by cancer, managing your mental well-being is an ongoing challenge. Distraction can play a useful part in that. Distraction can mean different things to different people, talk of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ distractions can be confusing for those just looking to take a break from worry or stress. The last year and a half with coronavirus has made it even more challenging for cancer patients, and their family and friends, to find effective distractions. In today’s Community News Blog, we’re talking about distractions, be they ‘good’ or ‘bad’. 'Good' Distractions We wanted to start by sharing a poem by one of our members, Bluebell Woods . TV. Day time. Quiz shows, news, Real Deals. Breakfast TV, loose woman? Maybe not at that stage, yet. Granny. Blankets. Graduating to a hat. Nothing…

Tom C - Online Community team
New cost of living resources from Macmillan

Lots of people are feeling anxious about the cost of living crisis in the UK. The media recently reported on a Macmillan survey which showed that hundreds of thousands of cancer patients are struggling with rising costs of living. You can read that article here. We've also seen members of the Community start sharing some of those worries across the forums. "My back garden is on a bit of a slope so I no longer hang my washing out as frightened of slipping on steps up to washing line when carrying it, so use my tumble dryer most of the time. Dread to think what my energy bills will be this winter!" "It is all a worry. I think a lot of us face the dilemma of going without food or heat in the coming months" Community members, Express Yourself forum Here on the Community, you can talk…

Steph - Online Community Team