Community News - Macmillan Online Community

'My husband reassured me that I was more of a woman for finding the bravery and strength to face my fate head on...' - Understanding BRCA by Clarissa

'The emotional journey of coming to a decision to undergo risk-reducing surgery.' By Clarissa. As many of you may be aware October marks Breast cancer awareness month. This is a month of raising awareness and funds for a variety of breast cancer charities that provide lifesaving research and support to people affected by breast cancer. As the month draws to a close, we are pleased to have as a guest blogger in today's Community news, Clarissa, author of ‘ Understanding BRCA .’ Clarissa carries the BRCA2 gene and has written a blog for us today about her experience of making the decision to undergo risk- reducing surgery. Why not take a moment to read through Clarissa’s story? Clarissa, author of 'Understanding BRCA' After learning that I carried a harmful BRCA2 gene mutation…

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" I promised myself to latch on to the simple essence of being alive."- Unseeing the bus: Greg's story #3

We are back today with the third and final part of Greg’s series ‘ Unseeing the Bus’ . Greg has written this 3 part series for the Community News Blog to share his experience of depression after receiving a cancer diagnosis. Greg writes honestly and openly about how he felt during this time. Missed the last two posts in the series? Why not catch up on part one and two now? Unseeing the bus: #3 For part 3, I was going to write, “what bus?” and leave it at that. It might have been funny. And I suppose there is an element of truth in it. "...I no longer see that old, heavy foe hurtling towards me at top speed..." A lot of the time, I no longer see that old, heavy foe hurtling towards me at top speed down the quaint, narrow streets of my mind. Most days I really don’t think about the…

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"... The wind blows softly, the wind blows swift to carry my doubts and worries away..."- Creativity on the Community

Today on the Community News Blog we are shining a light on all things creative from every corner of the Community. It doesn’t take long when looking through the community to stumble upon something creative, from knitted toys to poetry there are so many ways that members express themselves. Why not take a look through? Creative Arts & Crafts In the ‘ Breast Cancer’ group posted pictures of some wonderful knitted toys she’s made in the ' Crafts and BC' thread. Sticking with an animal theme, here we have 's beautiful quilt made by paper piece quilting. GBear has uploaded her incredible painting of a tiger in the ‘ Express yourself ’ group. Poetry and Writing WhatHappened put her feelings about the Community into a poem in the ‘Breast Cancer’ group. "Mental pain…

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“That bus, at one point the only thing consuming my vision, was slowly drifting back into the murky grey of the distance…”- Unseeing the Bus: Greg’s story #2

A week after World Mental Health Day on the 10 th of October we’re back with the second part of Greg’s series “Unseeing the bus.” In this three-part series for the Community News blog , Greg shares his experience of mental health in the face of a cancer diagnosis. If you haven’t read part one of the series, you can catch up here . Why not take a minute to read Greg's inspiringly honest account? Unseeing the bus: #2 “Live in the moment because tomorrow you might get hit by a bus......” So I made it back to the bus stop. This time last year I was convinced that I never would. I didn’t know it then, but looking back now, I realise that I was already on my way, tentatively and with a few untimely trips, but nevertheless still making my way back. That bus, at one point the only thing…

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“This risotto is so easy and takes no time at all to make” - Dining with an Ostomate: Roasted Tomato and Basil Risotto

Today Debbie shares her recipe for a delicious roasted tomato and basil risotto, which sounds wonderfully warming on a cold October day! All of Debbie’s recipes are of course designed with Ostomates in mind, and in case you’d missed any of her recipes to date, you can find them all in our Ileostomy, colostomy and stoma support group here . Enjoy… Roasted Tomato and Basil Risotto - Serves 4, easily halved This risotto is so easy and takes no time at all to make. Use any fresh tomato soup you like. When I had my ileostomy, I didn’t eat tomato pips as I was concerned about blockage, so leave the cherry tomatoes out if you are concerned, or use larger on the vine tomatoes and remove the pips. Ingredients 2 tbsp olive oil 1 fat garlic glove, crushed 400g Risotto rice 2 x 600g…

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"...despair, madness, the darkest if thoughts. They are all temporary." - World Mental Health Day 2019

Today, October 10 th marks World Mental Health Day – a day for global mental health education, awareness, and an advocacy against its social stigma. One of our members who suffered with depression as a result of his diagnosis, Greg, has agreed to share some of his thoughts in a 3-part Community News series entitled ‘Unseeing the bus’. ‘Unseeing the bus’ carries an incredibly positive message for anyone struggling with their mental health. I’ve shared below a few quotes Greg sent me from an earlier diary entry, to show how low Greg felt prior to writing the piece. Our hopes are that for anyone feeling this low right now, that ‘Unseeing the bus’ shows you can “…still come out the other side and feel like yourself again…” (Greg). “I hate hospital. I hate my condition. I hate every single…

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"...give that extra cuddle and hug to a special person in your life." (MetalMicky) - Wellbeing Wednesdays: October

It’s October already, and with it another ‘Wellbeing Wednesdays’ summary. So, grab yourself a cuppa, get cosy, and take in some tops tips from the Community for the past month. "A busy mind won't have time to think about other things. This is easier said than done but in time it will get easier" ( Tony Soprano ) “Deep breathing really helped – I needed a psychologist at one point, and he did some breathing with me, and at the end, I honestly felt a calmness in not minding whether this was going to be my last breath or not. It was kind of the notion of letting go of control and noticing the simplicity of the breath and everything around us.” ( Greg777 ) “No one can know how long, or when – so holding on tight and remembering to breath is keeping me going, and knowing that my job is to…

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"...it remains a rare and preventable cancer." - Mesothelioma: What is it?

Last Friday, September 26th marked Mesothelioma Awareness Day, and to recognise this Mesothelioma.com got in touch a while back, asking if I'd like to help them raise a further awareness of Mesothelioma, the dangers of asbestos and other asbestos-related diseases. Below is a summary as to what the day's all about: Mesothelioma Awareness Day (MAD) strives to inform others about this rare cancer caused by asbestos. The ramifications of asbestos exposure have lasted far past its first connection to mesothelioma. It continues to affect people who come in contact with locations, products, or appliances that still contain this fibre. The U.S. continues to allow one per cent of asbestos in construction and other commodities today, though many countries like Australia and the United Kingdom have…

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"That there is love in the world when sometimes nothing makes sense..." - A teddy bear's picnic

Just last week, Anna got in touch with me to share the below heartfelt and uplifting story which can only be described as “the ultimate teddy bear’s picnic”. Anna’s mum sadly passed away with cancer quite recently, and given the family’s rather creative history, the picnic served as the perfect tribute to Anna’s mum... A teddy bear’s picnic Recently my mum passed away from cancer after only finding out about it 5 months ago. It was a very tough journey and opened our eyes to the suffering of what sick people go through, especially with cancer. We were strong all the way through but sadly lost the fight. "A celebration of life! And what else did my mum love, but always a cup of tea!" A brief history of the family - we are all creatives, and my mum and dad loved teddy bears. For 50 odd…

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"...it was teatime and I hadn't thought about my 'alien'..." - Wellbeing Wednesdays: September

It’s September, so time to share our favourite ‘Wellbeing Wednesday’ tips for the past month. What a month it’s been for, so I’ve gone ahead and thrown in few extra ones – this month there’s a focus on ‘distractions’. “I watch my dogs happy and content in the moment. Be like them, forget the past, you can't change it. Live for the moment, enjoy all you see and hear. Look forward to the future. Be brave, ask for help, and love all around you…” “What I'm trying to say is when you are at your lowest and you think things are never ending, things will get better...There is light at the end of the tunnel so don't give up!” "Yes, having a garden or an allotment is a lovely way of spending our free time. Being active outdoor, growing vegetables and fruit, picking our own fresh crop and making…

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“Don't feel guilty whatever you do. You're doing your best in a rubbish situation…” (buttercup01) – Family and friends

Our Community is for everyone affected by cancer, that can be the person with the diagnosis, or the person’s partner, husband, wife, son, daughter, relative, colleague or friend. That’s why we have our Family and friends group . This is the second Community News post in a series that looks at our Family and friends group which is a great place to get advice on talking to, listening to, understanding, and helping someone who has cancer. Here are a few recent highlights from the group to show how vital a source of support members of the group are to each other. Helping my friend Pippin66 posted on the Community for the first time asking how to best help a friend: “…I really appreciate the guidance you have given me here and will certainly follow up on it. This is going to be a hard…

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“Everyone needs time to feel crappy and sorry for themselves.” - Family and friends

Our Online Community’s a real ‘Community’. However you’re affected by cancer, the Community’s a place where you can ask questions, and talk through your thoughts and feelings with people who understand what you’re going through. For family and friends, a diagnosis can have a huge impact of them emotionally, and also stretch relationships and support available within family and friendship groups. Whilst it might not always feel a priority, it’s so important for these people to take care of themselves and ensure they’re getting the support they might need. For these reasons, the Community has its Family and friends group. Here are a few recent highlights from the group to illustrate the support available: Having a bad day – a discussion that’s been running just shy of 3 years. Discussions…

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We know that cancer can sometimes cause sleepless nights. Join our Cancer Chat forum for some company here in the 'Awake and up all night' thread.

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