Living alone with cancer

This is brilliant am lucky I have one daughter who can take me to appointments when needed if I need any thing I just have to ask but she has her own family once that door is shut am on my own I find myself hrs looking out the window with all kinds going on in my mind mainly asking why me the answer comes back to me is why not you I wish their was a lonely hearts for over 60s then how the hell can you tell someone don't get to like me.to much because I have inoperable lung cancer and to me every 3 months is a massive bonus when they tell me am still stable but how would they understand when their is days you just want to sleep or just be quiet because I don't feel too go it's all these things that go on in my mind best thing I did was sit and watch you tube on how to crochet I sat for hrs and it took time but I understood it in the end I always wanted to crochet but never could maybe because I never had time to learn thank you if you are reading this I needed it of my chest it's made me feel better if you ever feel this way just come on here you will not be alone xx

1. First post just want to reach out just been diagnosed Gleeson score 9 restricted to prostate, trauma detected to sternum through x ray awaiting pet scan .So far blind test mri biopsy and xray have all turned up something.So getting concerned 

Hi - just to say I really sympathise with the issue of friends not understanding why you are so self-protective. I'm in a similalr situation and it has driven me to tears at times, because I've felt rejected (a bit of a button for me anyway). It's hard, I know, and I just wanted to send you a wave to say I GET IT. 

I had vulval cancer 4 yrs ago, 2 operations followed by 25 radiotherapy sessions.  Last year and early this year  I've been admitted to hospital 4 times with Bowel blockage. Drs believe this was caused by radiotherapy.  On 4th admission they decided to operate as I had a bowel stricture. They operated and managed to reconnect my bowel with staples. The bit of bowel removed was sent for testing. Unfortunately this revealed a lymphoma. I've now just started 3 sessions of chemotherapy, cancer is Stage 1. Chemotherapy is leaving me exhausted, in pain and with chronic constipation. I Iive alone with my little dog. The worst part is when you're feeling really unwell, there's no one to help you to cook or look after you when you're sick or can't walk after painful white cell injections.  I'm 78 and struggle although.  I like living alone and am an optimist but sometimes it's very lonely!

Have been diagnosed with prostate cancer and started testosterone treatment in Jan 06, 2026. Starting radiotherapy on the 8th April. Have had extremely severe side effects while taking relugolix. Very tired, no energy, hot flushes and sweats, body aches all over, light headed, feeling very tearful, difficulty in sleeping. With discussions with macmillan nurse and Dr Joseph, testosterone treatment has been stopped. I feel that there is a lack of information given to patients, about side effects, by the relevant nursing staff. Have had to do research about relugolix.

I’m so glad I found this post. I was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia 2.5 years ago. I have a teenage daughter and it’s been very difficult to keep things normal and to keep my job. My daughter will be going to university this year so I’ve made the decision to rent the house out and live with my elderly Dad who is struggling on his own too. I have found the isolation suffocating and I have been embarrassed to ask friends and family for help. I finally had the courage to speak up and make a decision to change my circumstances.

• I'm 78 and I too have Lymphoma discovered after a bowel resection in January. Presently receiving R-Chop chemotherapy but struggling with after effects as I live alone with my little dog. It's the white cell injections I'm struggling with. It's not the fact that I have to do it myself,  but the sometimes chronic bone pain that comes with them. I have osteoporosis too which doesn't help.  Anyone else have this oroblem?

Hello Ashville 

I am Brian one of the Community Champions here at Macmillan and also in the 4th year of my personal prostate cancer journey. Why not come and join us on the prostate cancer group - they are a great bunch. Here's the link you need:

Prostate cancer forum 

Once you click on the link and the page opens up click on join on the black banner at the bottom of the page. You can then introduce yourself in the "New Here - Say Hello" section - you will get a warm welcome and there are plenty of us to chat to about "our cancer".

Best wishes - Brian.

I’m two weeks post surgery for ovarian cancer, waiting to hear whats next and adjusting to my loss of some independence. I am blessed with helpful family and friends but realise I had to mentally and emotionally acknowledge I need help and not be shy to ask. I find on the whole people are keen to do something to help. I live in a rural area and my surgery was in a hospital over 90 minutes away so a 3 hour round trip for appointments and visitors.

When I was discharged the nurse didn’t ask me questions but filled the form in herself, one statement said ‘living with spouse’ … people making assumptions can be hard, I’m single and happy but there are extra considerations when living alone.