Hi everyone - This is what I do during the day to keep my mind occupied and off my condition. Sewing and bag making has always been a passion of mine and since I retired I have been doing more especially making handbags of all sorts for friends and some selling too! After my stomach removal last year I just lost my enthusiasm for crafting and didn't want to do anything. However low and behold it came back as I started to improve and get used to having a tube in my tummy for feeding (hated it at first) I also have an illeostomy so am used to that and living with a stoma but found it hard to get my head around this . But I am back to my old self and started getting into making bags again and now find it helps me as I have just been diagnosed with Oesophageal cancer in two places and been told I have 9 months left or I can have my oesophagus removed (40% chance of success) and would have another stoma on my neck. (I have no spare bowel left to use in replacement of the oesophagus hence the neck stoma! It has been hard since this diagnosis trying to decide what to do and the fear of the unknown and dying. I am going to see an oncologist where hopefully I will get more information to help me decide, but I am so glad I have got back into my crafting as it really does help in keeping my mind from going into over drive!! These are a few of my bags that I make.
Just reading your journey and love the photo of you dancing with your friends, keep it up will help not only your osteoporosis but your mental health. I did line dancing before all this but not fit enough to go back but I intend to as I love dancing in any form xxx
Thank you so much it has always been my passion and it has been helping me during all this. How are you?
Thank you but we are both warriors and yes being strong is all we can do when faced with this xx
I'm a 42 year old recently diagnosed with a reare and aggressive form of bladder cancer. I'm scared and still getting to terms with it. Only diagnosed 2 weeks ago.
I find forums like these and talking to people who are in their own journeys comforting because it makes me feel that I'm not alone.
Oh I am so sorry to hear this and you are just at the start of your journey and yes it is scary as I know. It takes time to come to terms with things like this as we can take our life for granted. Put your trust in your team who are looking after you. For me I am determined to beat this and am staying positive as the alternative will do me no good. So try to stay positive and I will keep you in my prayers. Keep talking on this forum as it does help to know you are not alone. You are a warrior xx
Hi ForestGreen80,There is a lot of support and advice in the bladder cancer group if you would like to join us there ? It does feel scary and lonely at the start but most people feel better mentally once they have a treatment plan.Best wishes Jane
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