Blogging can be a great way to journal your experiences and share with others. Why not create your own cancer journey blog, or have a read of other blogs created by our members?
Unsure how to get started? Take a look at our help pages on blogs.
During this time of crisis, it may be hard to see the positives, but one thing I’ve noticed is that more people seem to be enjoying home cooking.
Whether you’re lucky enough to be sitting down more regularly as a family together; virtually sharing a special meal with a loved one via video chat; or simply chatting with other members on the Community, food is something that unites us all.
Community members have been chatting in this thread about baking, whether a distraction or necessity...
I have been trying for some time to get this blog up to date but have had technical problems.
At my check in May 2019 three tiny tumours were found and were zapped there and then with a diathermy tool (basically burned away). At the next cystoscopy in August I was clear and signed off for 6 months. At the end of February again there were three tiny tumours which were dealt with by diathermy. My next cystoscopy will be at the end of May this year (subject to coronavirus - I haven't yet enquired if...
Welcome to the Online Community, we hope you find it to be a place of comfort and support. You might be feeling worried, upset, happy or just a bit strange right now, but the Community is here for you 24/7 no matter what you are going through.
Our New to the Community group is a great place to start here on the site, and we’ve collated some great tips from our members which have been posted in the group to help you make the most of the Online Community.
Everyone who is affected by cancer has...
Becoming a Good Companion
Notes on Providing Emotional Support
‘Helping a person will not necessarily change the world, but it can change the world for that person’
Fundamentals
What do we hope to achieve when we offer emotional support? A starting point would probably include: Helping someone to cope with the difficulties that they are experiencing; helping them to find a way forwards; identifying and ensuring that the support that they have or need, is appropriate and available....
Last week I was told that the results of my latest CT scan showed a Complete Response and that I would now stop my ongoing immunotherapy treatment around 9 months earlier than the planned two year course.
Complete Response is defined as - The term used for the absence of all detectable cancer after your treatment is complete response (CR). Complete response doesn't necessarily mean that you are cured, but it is the best result that can be reported. It means the cancerous tumor is now gone and there...
The sun is shining in many places across the UK today and similarly, we’re in the mood for some positivity. Stories of kindness and support have been shining a light in the Community and across social media recently, and we’ve collated a few here to brighten your day.
Why not post your own story of helping others or others helping you, community spirit or how you’re staying positive in the comments below?
"Keep talking"
Image text: Can I recommend the @macmillancancer...
Second round of chemotherapy and up to the 100% dose of 400mg temozolomide alongside the 3rd round of immunotherapy at the start of the month. Bloods came back all good and rash and itching have cleared up so treatment went ahead as planned. Annoyingly the cannula caused issues on this round of immunotherapy, first one went in and couldn’t get any blood and the 2nd one had to be wriggled in. On top of that when it was taken out the blood swelled up under the skin to the size of a golf ball...
2nd immunotherapy infusion and 1st round of 6 months 5/28 temolozomide chemotherapy postponed a week due to a cold. Little children are walking viral incubators!
Got through the 1st round of chemotherapy ok, all I can say is that it was like being on a weeklong clubbing bender, where each day you feel worse but still go again, I had no sickness at least and was able to keep on eating.
Unfortunately, this time I’ve suffered with some side effects from the immunotherapy and come up with an all over body...
Today here on the Community News we wanted to share with you the third volume of our series ‘My journey through breast cancer in verse and word’ by Amanda-Jayne. Amanda-Jayne was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2019 and used poetry and journaling to diarise her experience throughout. Amanda-Jayne has very kindly sent through her poetry and writing to us here and we are really pleased to be bringing you this series. In her writing Amanda-Jayne talks openly about her thoughts and...
Radiotherapy finished New Years Eve as planned, in the first few weeks of January other than an increase in swelling (which felt like my head was rather full, similar to suffering with a bad bout of hay fever) generally coped ok with the end of the treatment. Did also require an afternoon nap most days to get through to the evening though.
Signed up to and was accepted onto an Immunotherapy trial and had my first dose start of January. Unlike the chemotherapy this was done intravenously and required...
