Living alone with cancer

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Hi everyone, I’m Wayne from the Online Community team.

Living alone with cancer can affect everything from the care you receive to the emotional support you need.

We wanted to create a Community space that reflects the realities of living alone with cancer and the ways people have supported themselves through different stages. We’d really appreciate hearing your thoughts.

If you feel comfortable sharing, it would be helpful to hear:

  • Any challenges that have arisen due to living alone with cancer.
  • How you’ve coped or adapted to these challenges
  • Any advice or encouragement you’d give to others going through something similar

Thank you in advance for sharing your experience and support. If you have any questions, would like to be a guest blogger to share your individual story, or need additional support, please email community@macmillan.org.uk and we will be happy to help.

Best Wishes

Wayne (he/him)

Macmillan Online Community Team
Visit: Macmillan Online Community

  • Hello

    I went through everything alone and find out having something to do helps. I exercise  everyday and taking coding classes for AI. It will be a year next month of chemo, radiation and surgrey and the time has actually passed pretty fast. I stopped listening to other people as they just got me down.

  • Former Member
    Former Member in reply to Hammer10

    Yep !!

  • Hello Gill ( 

    Thank you for your reply - sorry about the delay in getting back to you, family members arrived without any prior notification!

    Urachal cancer is a new one on me, however using the "search" I have found it mentioned in these messages:

    Search - Urachal Cancer.

    I think the best group for you would be the bladder group (I may be wrong) however here's the link you need:

    Bladder cancer forum 

    Just click on the link I have provided and when the page opens up, click on "join" on the black banner at the bottom of the page. Once you have joined the group you can introduce yourself in the "New Here - Say Hello" section.

    I hope the above helps.

    Best wishes - Brian.

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  • Former Member
    Former Member in reply to Speedbird

    I know how this feels as I am in a simular position its like being trapped.x

  • Being alone with your own thoughts is difficult, at the start of my journey I had a partner who I thought was going to be with me every step of the way, she decided she was leaving me which was devastating and dealing with both is hard, and now I’m post surgery I’ve got outside help but I’m sure you will relate nothing beats having that support at home 

  • Being alone with your thoughts is the worse. Sorry that your partner left, I know its hard on friends and family. Hope the outside help was good and totally get that support at home would be the best. Thats why I have found this forum is good for advice and support. Hope you are healing well and on the road to recover. 

  • Former Member
    Former Member in reply to Kenco65

    Until it possibly happens to her !!

          Then will she know !

         Break ups are hard  on their own without illness aswell .

           I know a woman (not me ) that was married and on the day he brought them home from the maternity ward ...he said I am just popping out ....half an hour later he rang her and said  "its over kid ! I am leaving you goodbye!"

            She  was extremely mentally disturbed from thereon for quite some time .

           We all rallied round but like you say ....!!

            But if someone resents helping or supporting....(which i find hard to fathom but I know it happens )  I think the disbelief  and rejection is maybe the difficult part to cope with .

          Thinking of you ! X

       

  • Thanks for message day by day I know it’s a cliche but it helps and looking at the positives because it’s to easy to find the negatives 

  • Thanks for your message support is really appreciated 

  • Hey Everyone

    I hope you're doing OK - it would be good to hear how you are all getting on! How are you coping? Have you had any recent struggles? Have you got any new advice for anyone else living alone with cancer?  

    Please know that we're here to support you every step of the way - please shout up if there's anything that you would like to ask. 

    Best Wishes,

    Wayne

    Macmillan Online Community Team