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.
On 26th November 2019 I embarked on a course of chemotherapy treatment for non Hodgkin lymphoma that would last 129 days, and this blog chronicles my journey through that process. I hope that it will provide an interesting and informative read for anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer and is about to undergo, is undergoing or has completed a course of chemotherapy, or people who may not have cancer but know someone who has, or are simply interested in finding out more about it. By using my own...
As you may be aware, the Online Community wasn’t quite working this morning (20 June). The Community is now back up and running and should be working as normal for everyone. We're so sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused as we really understand that the Community is an important source of support for many members.
If you are continuing to have any technical problems, such as being unable to post on the site, please let the Community team know via email to community@macmillan...
The month of June has been celebrated as Pride month for the LGBT+ community for decades. For the first time in recent memory, there will be no Pride marches across the UK this year. We didn’t want to let that stop us celebrating this important time, alongside recognising how much there is still to do to support equality. Macmillan and the Online Community are here for everyone affected by cancer, no matter how you identify or who you love.
If you’re wondering why we’re talking about Pride...
As lockdown is eased, yet shielding measures for many are extended, we wanted to share a poem with you from our guest writer Michael.
ADVICE TO BUREAUCRATS
It falls to you to draft a shielding letter
Of weighty pages, not too clear, for someone
Who has an underlying health condition,
The relevance of which he may not know.
Ensure you couch the information in
Alarmist terms, including dicta aimed
At other people rather than himself;
Omit important pertinent personal details,
Above all why he is included...
In Macmillan’s cancer information blog back in November, featuring Men’s Health Awareness, we talked about how important it was to keep the conversation around men’s health and well-being flowing throughout the year. According to research, men often find it particularly difficult to talk about cancer, let alone ask for support. The Online Community provides an anonymous forum where people can come and talk about the physical, financial and emotional effects of cancer with others who understand....
Today in Community news, we’re sharing Shaun’s story from his wife Janet’s perspective. If you missed Shaun talking about his experiences with head and neck cancer, click here to catch up.
I always felt sad for anyone that had got any type of cancer, but nothing had prepared me for the long road to come.
When my husband found out he had cancer in his left tonsil and lymph nodes, we were devastated.
We came out of the hospital numb and in disbelief.
We both cried together, but Shaun...
First Chemo Treatment – Friday 22nd May 2020 – Long
After receiving the phone call to confirm the 2nd Covid19 Negative Test, Dal and his brother left at 10.20am to go to the Hospital. Arriving at 11.30, Dal went in alone to the chemo floor – there he booked into reception, waited for about 1 hour before being called in to the outpatients ward - treatment room – where he waited for the medication to come up, they came round with food which for him was two yogurts and black coffee...
"We are still here for you. Your treatments will still continue in the safest way that we can deliver them. Your nurses, doctors and therapists are still working to provide you with the best standard of care. We may talk to you over the phone now instead of bringing you in for appointments, but that telephone conversation is still focused around you. Please contact your Nurse Specialist or medical team if you are worried – we are still here to talk to you and will support you in whatever way...
Flame lily (watercolour) by Willo
Today in our Community News blog Willo is back with the second instalment of our new series called ‘Cancer & me 35 years on’. In this series, Willo, known on the Community as patsyann85, tells us about her experience of being diagnosed with Anal cancer in 1986 while living in Zambia. We will be sharing more of Willo’s writing and incredible artwork throughout the next few months in the Community News...
National Volunteers’ Week is a great time to think about whether it’s something you’re interested in doing. Volunteering isn’t for everyone or just might not suit your situation at the moment, and that’s okay. However, if you feel it might be something fun to do, volunteering can be great for our wellbeing. As a previous Macmillan volunteer, I want to bust some myths about what it’s like to volunteer and help you decide what’s right for you.
Myth:
Volunteering...
