Community News - Macmillan Online Community

Winter Picture Festival 2023 - Highlights

With just over 50 days left until the official start of spring, it might be a bit of a stretch to say that we're properly through the winter period just yet. Even so, with the shortest day now well behind us, it feels like a good time to look back at the winter like we're moving out of it. Perhaps that's wishful thinking, but I'm ever the optimist! What better way is there to review a season passed than with a selection of lovely photographs? Well, it just so happens that we have a wonderfully talented bunch of Community members in the Express yourself forum who submitted some cracking winter scenes to our Winter Picture Festival 2023 thread. For your viewing pleasure, I present you with some of our favourites! Above: Two beautiful shots from jane2511 capturing a frozen spider's web,…

Matthew - Online Community Team
Wellbeing 'This or That' quiz

Which do you prefer? This or that? Below are some 'this or that' questions to help you understand what your preferred resting type may be, so you can try some of the suggestions in our Helping You Rest Better blog . To join in, select your preference out of the 2 options in each question by clicking the 'vote' button. The links at the bottom of the page will take you to the relevant information for your preferred rest type. This is not in any way medical advice for your physical or mental wellbeing, but a fun way to help you find ways to get better rest and maybe try something new. If you answered: Hot bath - you may find sensory rest to be helpful. Hot yoga - physical rest may be helpful. Meditation - s piritual rest and mental rest may be helpful. Journalling…

Megan- Online Community Team
Helping you rest better

After a few busy festive months, the pressures of New Year's resolutions, and starting the week with Blue Monday, it seems like a good time for some self-care. A big part of self-care can often be making time to rest. Everybody needs some ‘me time’ so why not dedicate some time today to rest, and try one of the suggestions in this blog? What do we mean by resting better and why do we need to do it? Resting and looking after your wellbeing is a skill. It can take time to develop this skill by trying new things and finding what works best for us through trial and error. By doing this, we will become so much better at looking after ourselves as we know what our mind and body need to relax and rest. I'd describe getting better rest as finding and doing something that you enjoy, which will…

Megan- Online Community Team
Being kind to yourself on Blue Monday

The third Monday of January is sometimes referred to as ‘Blue Monday’. It is known to be a day when people feel at their lowest. With the recent festivities coming to an end and the cold dark days lingering, the annual ‘winter blues’ can creep up on us. Today we thought we would try and bring some positivity into this ‘blue’ day by asking you all to share any of the following in the comment box below. Something kind you have done for yourself. A positive story An inspirational quote or positive affirmation Anything that has made you smile today. All the tips shared may help someone be a little kinder to themselves today or improve their day. Don’t forget if you are feeling blue and need some support, the Macmillan Support Line is open every day from 8am to 8pm. The teams are…

Megan- Online Community Team
“Am I the only one awake?” Cancer and sleeplessness

Have you been up in the early hours of the morning because of your cancer diagnosis? If so, you are not alone. Our Community is available 24 hours a day, making it possible to post or reply in the forums no matter what time you are awake. We often have members writing about their struggles with sleep. In this blog, we want to feature some of those discussions and highlight insightful experiences and wisdom shared. “At times sleep is a mystery on the cancer journey” Community member, Breast cancer forum “Hi folks, this is my first post and it’s the middle of the night because I can't sleep.” Community member, New to the community forum Timeless support: A 7-year conversation Seven years ago, a member of the breast cancer forum found herself…

Dylan - Online Community Team
Cybersecurity: Staying safe on the Community and beyond

Ever since the pandemic, the average number of people using the internet and being present online has increased significantly. Ofcom reported that on average, a person was online for more than 4 hours every day. Naturally, the number of cyberattacks have also increased. The BBC reported that there were around 6,000 fraud and scam cases related to the pandemic in general. It meant that there were more numbers online than before. As we’re trying to come back into some form of a normal routine, it’s important to make sure you’re aware of the risks that being online may entail and what you can do to protect yourself online. As the new year dawns on us in January, in this blog, we take a dive to see how you can help to protect yourself online on the Community and beyond to try and ensure you…

Syed - Macmillan
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
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
Be kind to yourself: Self-compassion and cancer

When navigating the challenging journey of a cancer diagnosis, our Online Community often provides gentle, yet profound wisdom. The phrase "be kind to yourself" echoes through many of our forums on a weekly basis. This blog is a collection of quotes from our members that centre around the concept of being kind to oneself. These snippets reflect the shared wisdom and experience of individuals facing the challenges of cancer. Patience and self-compassion in recovery While recovering, patience and self-compassion play significant roles. It's important to take things slow and take each day as it comes. The following quotes illustrate the lessons learned through patience and self-kindness. “It takes time to recover and everybody's journey is very different. Please be kind to yourself…

Dylan - Online Community Team
The worry of waiting - sharing support on the Online Community

Living with cancer can often mean living with uncertainty and anxiety. Waiting for test results, can be a particularly worrying time for you and your loved ones. Whether you’re awaiting a cancer diagnosis, a referral or reviewing a cancer treatment plan, the waiting period might feel really difficult. You might find it helps to be able to talk to other people with cancer. Some people might find that they are faced with delays or uncertainties with their cancer care. In this blog we will be sharing experiences and coping strategies from around the Online Community. We will also share some useful links to help you advocate for yourself and find the right care and support. Help with your emotions and mental health when waiting Both you and your family members and other loved ones might…

Steph - Online Community Team
“Don’t be afraid to speak up and say I am struggling”

Looking after your mental health and wellbeing is so important as it influences the way you feel and cope with challenging situations. Today, one of our fabulous Community Champions Gbear is sharing her personal mental health journey in the hope it will help others who may be going through something similar at the moment. My name is Sarah or GBear as I am known in the Community. I first came to the Community in 2017 when I had just had my hysterectomy to remove cancer. I counted myself very fortunate that I was low-stage and only needed a hysterectomy as treatment, but was told they were holding off radiotherapy as a standby if needed. When I was diagnosed, I was full of anger and self-doubt as I was constantly fobbed off and even made to feel I was making up stuff and that I wasn’t really…

Megan- Online Community Team
How a cancer diagnosis is communicated – your experiences with online test results

The following blog is posted on behalf of John N - Macmillan . John is one of our Service Knowledge Specialists working to deliver best practice within the Macmillan Nurses team. In today’s blog, John is looking at the rise in NHS hospitals delivering cancer test results online, as well as the impact new services like this can have on patients. At the end, he’ll be asking for you to share your experiences with any of the topics mentioned in this blog. How much information do you want? Finding out that you have cancer can be a shock, even if the cancer diagnosis was strongly suspected. Some people try to learn as much as possible about their diagnosis. Being informed can help when talking to medical teams or telling family and friends. It can also help people feel involved in their care…

Matthew - Online Community Team