Delayed struggling / confused?

Hi Dave110 I see it’s your first post so a very warm welcome to the Community but sorry to hear about your diagnosis.

Navigating the cancer journey can be such a stressful and challenging time but getting support from people who have walked the ‘exact same' cancer journey can help a lot. (I have a completely different cancer).

The Community is actually divided into dedicated Cancer Support Groups (Discussion Rooms) so can I recommend you join and post in our dedicated Stomach Cancer support group. This will be a safe place to talk to others with a similar diagnosis, treatment experience, to ask questions and get support.

To connect in with the group please click on the link below

       Stomach cancer

…… then once the group page opens click in the [Black - Click to Join - Banner] that appears at the bottom of the page and this will then confirm that you have joined the group.

When you are ready……. you can introduce yourself by putting up your very own post by clicking [+ Create new post] or [ + ] in the top right of the group page.

You can copy and paste the text from this post into your new post.

Talking to people face to face can be very helpful so do check to see if you have any Local Macmillan Support in your area, do also check for a local Maggie's Centre as these folks are amazing and give support to all the family.

Do get back to me if you need further help navigating the community.

Hi. Sorry to hear about your diagnosis and how people are treating you. I think that people, on the whole, are embarrassed and don't know what to say. My husband had a radical cystectomy recently and we decided to only tell our immediate family. When my father died in 2015, I found people would cross the street rather than talk to me. Eventually, they got over their embarrassment. 

Why would they be embarassed???

A lot of people can't cope with illness. They don't know what to say to the person going through the illness. It's human nature. 

Hi.  That was so interesting hearing your story.  I had a GIST in 2020.  Surgeon totally played it down. Told me to look on the bright side and that I was fine. He said I didn’t need future scans.  I found out, like you, last year it had been cancer. .  I pushed for scans and have just found out a new tumour has appeared on my liver. Now waiting for treatment plan.  Exactly as you say. Because it is a rare cancer everyone seems to play it down and not accept it.  I have felt very lonely.  Like I was making a fuss. And I felt very confused with the surgeons lack of interest. But now look what’s happened.  It has come back.  So don’t feel alone.  Push yourself forward if you feel you want yearly scans. My risk was low/intermediate and it has come back.  I wish you all the best. 

Sorry to hear of your reoccurence. I hope all goes well in terms of trearment plan etc.  Also remember you are never alone.

Thankyou