Community News

Lung Cancer Awareness Month - Cheryl's story

"Shine on, you crazy diamond!" November's Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and to recognise this Cheryl, one of our Online Community members, is sharing her experience with the cancer, which her dad, Derek, sadly passed away with earlier this year. On February 26 th , 2018 my lovely dad, Derek, was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer – non-small cell lung cancer with metastasis to his ribs, lungs, lymph nodes, spine, pelvis and hip … it had completely taken hold of him. My dad’s battle didn’t last long, he passed away in the local hospice on June 17 th – Father’s Day of all days, just three and a half months from his diagnosis to him losing his fight. His diagnosis came as a massive shock. I knew my dad wasn’t a well man as he had Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and had smoked…

Former Member
CBD oil - amendment to Macmillan's Online Community Guidelines

Over the past couple of months, CBD (or cannabidiol) oil has risen in popularity with increased availability of the product. As a result, it’s often been a popular discussion topic on the Community. Due to our Community Guidelines though, discussions on cannabis and its derivatives have always been banned. However, with CBD oil becoming readily available on UK high streets earlier this year, coupled with increased research and awareness into the product and its benefits, the Online Community Team has decided to allow these conversations to take place. It should though be noted that if discussions on CBD oil develop into discussions on cannabis itself, we’ll continue to remove this content – this is because cannabis itself is still an illegal product in the UK. Here are the updated guidelines…

Former Member
"How my world changed overnight - thanks to you, Paddy."

S aturday, October 20th marked the start of International Brain Tumour Awareness Week , and to recognise this, Paula, one of our brilliant Online Community users, has agreed to share her story and experience. Well, where to begin ... I’m single, 46 years old, and in February 2018 I saw my GP who thankfully, due to his quick thinking and concern SAVED MY LIFE! He rushed me into hospital where within 4 hours I was told I had a brain tumour, suspected to be malignant. I was immediately referred to Kings Hospital in London and rushed in to meet my surgeon who advised the tumour would be removed March 7 th (I couldn’t be beforehand as there was too much swelling in my brain – they did confirm I have one, so I should be grateful for the small mercies I guess! I remained within Medway Oncology…

Former Member
World Mental Health Day 2018

Today's World Mental Health Day (10/10/2018), so I thought I'd take this opportunity to share with the Online Community some tips on dealing with difficult emotions, and generally improving your mental wellbeing. Whether you have cancer, care for someone with cancer or someone close to you has cancer, a diagnosis can bring with it a myriad of emotions: Anger Shock Disbelief Anxiety Guilt and blame Sadness Fear and uncertainty Loss of control, independence and confidence … and many more. There’s no right or wrong way to feel; everyone’s different and may feel differently at different stages of a diagnosis. You might often feel confused about what you’re feeling and why you’re feeling this way - you might have frequent mood swings too. Many people go through varying emotions…

Former Member
Womb Awareness Day 2018: "You're too young to have cancer."

September is Womb Cancer Awareness month and Womb Cancer Awareness Day is the 20 th September. To mark it, Sarah has written about womb cancer and what to be aware of. Sarah was diagnosed with womb cancer in June 2017. She loves jigsaw puzzles, scuba diving and enjoys visiting Egypt where she has lots of friends who live there. Sarah also runs her own blogs, Fatigue vs frustration , Concentrate on the what is and not the what ifs , It’s the season! and How life changes after cancer . It still surprises me today whenever I tell people about my cancer diagnosis. It’s: “oh you’re too young to have cancer”. I was diagnosed with womb cancer in June 2017 and, to my surprise, only 1% diagnosed are in my age group. I was 37 at the time of my diagnosis and what surprised me the most is I hadn’t…

Former Member
World Lymphoma Day: "My illness did not define us, our strength and courage did"

The 15 th September is World Lymphoma Day, a time to raise awareness around symptoms and diagnosis. To mark it, Mike has written about his experience of being diagnosed and the treatment he received. Mike, from Inverness in the beautiful Highlands of Scotland, is married with two daughters and four granddaughters. He was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in 1999. He also has his own blog called Thehighlander’s journey . I often refer to my 19-year journey with Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma as my Magical Mystery Tour. Lymphoma is the fifth most common type of cancer in the UK. It can occur across the age ranges including children but it is on the whole very treatable with people living for many years after being diagnosed. But the diagnosis of Lymphoma can be long and drawn out as Lymphoma…

Megan- Online Community Team

Lung Cancer Awareness Month - Cheryl's story

CBD oil - amendment to Macmillan's Online Community Guidelines

"How my world changed overnight - thanks to you, Paddy."

World Mental Health Day 2018

Womb Awareness Day 2018: "You're too young to have cancer."

World Lymphoma Day: "My illness did not define us, our strength and courage did"

Awake and up all night?

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