Community News - Macmillan Online Community

How reflexology helped me – Charlie’s story

In today’s Community News Blog, Charlie shares with us how reflexology has supported her throughout her cancer journey. Charlie was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent surgery in January this year. She wanted to share with all of you how a few simple techniques have helped her with stress, sleep, bowel movements and swelling. She’s kindly put together some videos for us, to show us some simple self-help reflexology tips. Why not have a go and let Charlie know what you think in the comments section below? What is Reflexology? I wanted to share my story and cancer journey so far as I have been enormously helped by Reflexology and the benefits of reflexology seem to be quite unknown. As a Clinical Reflexologist I have been helped through my journey using a range of simple self-help…

Ellen - Macmillan
Look out for our improvements!

It’s been a little while since we last posted about our plans for improving the site. In today’s news blog, we’re telling you about five improvements which will be coming to the site within the next few weeks. If you have any questions, please feel free to comment in the comments section below and one of the team will get back to you. ‘Latest’ hyperlink in forums First up, we have the ‘Latest’ link within discussion threads. When you go to one of your groups, and you look at the discussions list, you should see the option to select ‘Latest’. See the screenshot below: At the moment, when you select ‘Latest’, you are taken to the first post within the thread and not the latest post. We’re changing this so that when you select ‘Latest’ you’ll be automatically taken to the most recent post…

Steph - Online Community Team
A day in the life of an LGBTQ+ Network Lead

Previously in our “A day in the life” series, we’ve featured members of staff you could talk to on Macmillan’s webchat and Support Line. This time, as part of LGBT+ History month, we’re taking you behind the scenes. Anna, alongside her full-time role at Macmillan, volunteers as Network Lead for the LGBTQ+* Network. * LGBTQ+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/trans+, queer/questioning, and other marginalised identities. If you’d like to learn more about what being LGBTQ+ means, please take a look at our previous blog . What is the LGBTQ+ Network at Macmillan, and why is it important? The network is a safe space for LGBTQ+ staff working at Macmillan. It provides collective support and connection, aiming to improve members’ experience of working here. We have vastly ranging backgrounds…

Eliza -Online Community Team
Looking after yourself, by yourself

Here in the Online Community, we know the power that peer support can have. Spending time with a loved one or talking to someone online who knows what you’re going through, can be incredibly important sources of support. However, sometimes there might be nobody around when you need support, or you might not want to talk to someone right now. Your friends and family might be busy, and you might be waiting on a reply to your post on the Online Community cancer forum . In today’s Community News blog, we’re exploring ways you can help yourself feel better, self-care and looking after yourself when you’re feeling low. What helps each of us feel better can be very individual. There are likely to be many things that you find helpful, that might not be included in this blog. However, we hope that…

Eliza -Online Community Team
Looking after you - coping with a recent bereavement

There is no right or wrong way to feel if you have just experienced a recent loss. Everyone is different, and everyone’s relationship with the person who has passed away is unique, so it’s natural that each person will need different support depending on how they feel. The most important thing to remember is that you are not alone. The Community, and Macmillan, are here to support you. As part of this support, we wanted to put together some information about looking after yourself after a recent bereavement. In the days or weeks after the loss In these early days after a bereavement being kind and gentle with yourself is so important. You may be experiencing shock, numbness, anger, extreme sadness or a whole range of different emotions. There is no wrong or right way to feel, but there…

Former Member
LGBT+ History Month - How can you get involved?

This LGBT+ History Month, we first want to acknowledge that it’s not enough to have one month to highlight, listen to and learn from LGBT+ people and their experiences. Here on the Online Community, we aim to provide a place to for everyone affected by cancer to find support 365 days a year. We want to do everything we can to ensure the Online Community is as helpful and supportive a place as possible. Macmillan’s “Emerging Picture” report acknowledges how the needs and experiences of LGBT+ people affected by cancer can be very different. It highlights how LGBT+ people who are diagnosed with cancer can have poorer patient experiences. The report also explains how it can be difficult for LGBT+ people to find accurate and tailored information and support. For example, the NHS released information…

Eliza -Online Community Team
Cancer and the menopause - Hot Flushes

We often see members coming to the Community, asking questions and looking for support with menopausal symptoms. Some cancer treatments can cause an early or temporary menopause, or similar side effects. You might be trying to manage menopausal symptoms alongside cancer, or whilst supporting someone else who is living with cancer. In this new mini-series of blogs we’ll be sharing links and tips for managing symptoms and raise awareness around the menopause and related symptoms. One of the most common menopause and hormone-related symptoms, are hot flushes. They can be fairly mild, or severe enough to cause great discomfort and sleep disruption. If you’re currently struggling with hot flushes, I hope the icy landscape images at least give the illusion of cooling you down whilst you read…

Steph - Online Community Team
Cancer and shielding

At the start of the pandemic, people with certain medical conditions were asked to shield to reduce the risk of getting coronavirus. Shielding means staying at home at all times and many members of our Community were asked to shield during the height of the pandemic. Since then shielding guidance has changed for some, and with lots of information in the media about shielding, it’s understandable to have questions and concerns. However, it’s important that you are getting answers to your questions from the right sources such as the NHS website or the Government website . Here on the Community team we know that a lot of our members have had questions about shielding, and we wanted to put some information together to help. Do remember you can find up to date information on coronavirus and…

Former Member
“I just want to be me again” - Jon's story, volume 2

We first heard from Jon in the first of his blog series where he talked about his diagnosis, and what led him to share his story. Our members often talk about ‘scanxiety’ and how difficult it is in the run up to getting a scan, and then waiting for results. In today’s blog, Jon talks a little more about his experience of ‘scanxiety’ and the impact it’s had on him. Scanxiety It’s been going on for a while now. It always follows the same routine. Somehow, subconsciously, I just know it’s coming. I start to tense up, and my sleep starts to suffer. The sleep I manage to get, I spend grinding my teeth. When I’m awake, I’m just snapping at people or being irrational. Cancer does that to you. All that broken sleep ages you too. “Oh you look tired?” “Yeah Karen, I haven’t slept in three weeks…

Ellen - Macmillan
Everyone has a Story to Tell

January 30 th to February 6 th is national storytelling week. In today’s Community News Blog we’re talking about the power of healthy distractions. There’s nothing quite like getting lost in a good book or a great film. We widen the conversation here though to talk about anything that can help us feel better, by distracting us for a while. We also take some time to acknowledge more of your stories by highlighting the Macmillan Digital Story Telling Project which is online workshops hosted by Macmillan to help people share their story. In difficult times distraction can be a useful companion. While we often acknowledge the importance of being mindful and living in the present, healthy distractions can help to give us that mental breather we all need from time to time. What’s your favourite…

Tom C - Online Community team
Resilience - Coping in the eye of the storm

Resilience is defined as the ability to recover quickly from difficulties. The ability to be resilient is often a lifelong aim for many people. Looking after yourself and being resilient might be more important in your life now, than ever. Dr Russ Hargreaves is a Counsellor and Clinical Supervisor here at Macmillan. Russ is here to talk you through finding your personal resilience, and what helps him stay resilient. As I write this blog, we are in the midst of yet another Covid-19 lockdown. For some, this has been a huge inconvenience. For others, possibly the most worrying time of their lives. Others still have appeared to breeze through it, taking each new challenge in their stride. I don’t know which camp you are in, but I dare say you have had your moments over the past year. I certainly…

Eliza -Online Community Team
You never see it coming - Jon's story

Jon had barely heard of penile cancer before his diagnosis at 40. To help raise awareness and share his experiences, he started sharing his story across social media to keep his family and friends up-to-date. This led to the knob blog , where Jon continues to talk about his experiences of diagnosis, treatment and side effects. In today’s Community News blog, Jon reflects on his experience with penile cancer, and how humour and his blog have helped along the way. *Early disclaimer: My blog posts might be sweary, and can be extremely graphic. I will often make light of what is an incredibly serious subject too. You have been warned!* Cancer is going to affect half of us We all know someone that’s had cancer, but we never really think it’s going to happen to us. At least, I certainly didn…

Ellen - Macmillan

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