Lonely - miss having a close friend/companion

Thanks for this  nearest Maggie's centre for me is 50 miles away unfortunately.

I'm no good on the telephone, I get too anxious for some reason.

I'm going to keep looking for in person groups and activities, and I'm grateful to have made a couple of friends from the forum now, which has really lifted my spirits 

Hopefully this thread will continue to bring people together.

Hi Kaylee24 

I’m about 30 miles away from the nearest Maggie’s in Nottingham, but it might as well be on the moon as I can’t get to it. 

I haven’t been out of the house on my own for about 6 years now, and although I’m married, my OH is at work 10 hours a day so I know what it’s like to feel pretty isolated and alone. 

I hope you can find something that you can go to meet others. Ironically I am ok on the phone, but not good at the whole social thing and joining groups etc. if you need a chat any time, I’m around every day.

Sarah xx

Hi Kaylee24,I get really anxious phoning too.I’d much rather see someone face to face than be given a number to call.I hope you can find some groups to join.I don’t see anyone for days but hopefully that might change when I move house.Love Jane x

Hi I would like to know what a Maggie's is.  Don't know if they have them down south

Hi DInguz 

Maggies is a charity which helps patients with cancer and their families.  They are usually located either in or beside NHS hospitals which offer cancer treatments and services.  I'm in Scotland so my local one is in Glasgow and I know there's one in Edinburgh - pretty sure that they will be in most major hospitals throughout the UK as well. Where I lived previously I was too far away from the nearest facility but, where I am now it's only a 20 minute bus ride, so I'm lucky in that respect.  I haven't used it though as I have social anxiety.  But I'm assured that many people benefit from the services and help offered.  There is a drop-in centre that you don't need an appointment for.  People to chat to including therapists and psychologists and sometimes group activities, as well as complimentary therapy sessions if you think that's something you might benefit from.  I've attached a link to the website for the one local to me to give you a better idea. Maybe you could use google to see if it's available in your area, or contact your cancer nurse and ask if there is something similar or any meet-up groups.

Maggie's, Glasgow | Maggie's

Hope that this is of some help. x

Maggie’s

Sarah xx

Ah, thank you SarahH21 

I thought that they were nationwide.  Such a shame that more folks can't access the service though, isn't it?

Hi Sheila,

I would love to be able to visit the one nearest me-everyone always says how much they gain from visiting one. I moved to Nottinghamshire from Aberdeen where there was a Maggie’s, but that was before my cancer diagnosis. I do support their work by monthly donations however.

Now, although I live here in Nottinghamshire it’s just not possible for me to get to Nottingham-ridiculous though that may sound! I don’t drive, and my disability means public transport is out of the question. There’s nothing very local to me that I could get to myself, despite living nearish to a few major cities. 

Sarah xx

Hi Sarah

It's such a shame and I'm really sorry that you can't access the service.  When I previously stayed in the Scottish Borders the nearest was Edinburgh but to get there would mean a local bus (2hrs) followed by a city bus that would take who knows how long, so just not possible, especially with a stoma that just wouldn't behave itself in the early days. My local hospital had been in the habit of arranging monthly meet-ups but that all stopped when covid hit (and didn't resume as far as I know).

Now that I'm through in the west, my colorectal nurse has tried to persuade me to go and, although I've stood outside and the place looks lovely, I've not plucked up the courage to go in. I think I feel a fraud as I'm not in treatment, just surveillance. She said that didn't matter but I'm not sure.

It's a pity that some of the local general hospitals couldn't offer a pared down service as an alternative. 

Sheila x

Thankyou x