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FormerMember
FormerMember
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Whether you’re here to talk to others, join a group, ask questions or just listen, everyone is here to offer emotional and practical support to help you with your cancer journey.

We know it can sometimes be confusing when you first arrive, with lots of forums and groups to choose from. So this thread is to welcome you, make friends and help you find your way around the site. Whether you are a patient, family member, friend or a carer, feel free to post any thoughts or questions here and other Share users will be happy to help you navigate around the site and find what you are looking for.

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember
    Chris1944 and henrietta B

    Thankyou for your responses i have been at mums again today as i am every day. Macmillan nurse has been out today as has her GP. Her breathing is really laboured and she is totally breathless after even the smallest movement. So difficult to watch. She has virtually lost her voice as the tumour has affected her vocal chord `and i know thsi is making her feel so isolated. I actually felt sorry for the GP today as he obviously had nothing to offer my mum other than 10 minutes of his time and he left her house seeming really distressed. None of this helps. She is physically unable to go the loo dress or walk more than 5 feet across the room. I wish i could do something to lessen her fear and discomfort
    I am also very isolated as all the "girls" i thought of as my close friends and support network appear to have abandoned me even though i have been there for them during their individual crisees. I am finding this more difficult than anything to deal with. That said i have a great hubby who has supported me every step of the way on this journey. My kids 5 and 9 are being great but the 9 year old has an understanding of what is happening and is very worried for her nan. She has seen me very upset but has been understanding and comforting. I just hope i am doing the right things for everyone and that i am getting the best medical support i can for mum. I am dreading xmas as the general consensus by the experts is that she wont make it till then. I live in absolute fear that as xmas draws closer she may actually go right on nxmas and i worry aboiut how we will get through it. I also know nobody has the answers
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Hello LizBrad,

    Sorry to hear your husband has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it's not an easy time for you both but you have at least found this site that should help. It sounds like you may have already have found the mesosthelioma posts, but if not then click on mesothelioma tag and it will take you to them. My husband was diagnosed two years ago and had all the things you talk about, but is now getting much weaker. If you click on my profile it will give you our story. You both have the right attitude in staying positive and taking each day as it comes.

    When I first came on site this top spot wasn't up and running and to be honest today was my first time I had clicked on it to see what it was about, so found your post by accident, but I am pleased I did. Thinking of you both. Donna

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember
    Hi, another newbie here.

    Hopefully I will get the hang of this site soon enough. I'm about 10 months post treatment for lung cancer having had chemo and radio therapies. It has all been a very strange experience and rather pulled the rug out from under my feet. Not least in trying to work out What Now?

    My hobby is writing and I am wondering how many other people consider that writing a journal or account is good therapy, and how many people find that reading about someone else's experience helps them come to terms with their own.

    Would this be suitable for its own Topic?



    Cheers, Nick B
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember
    Nick Sounds like a great idea. I kept a diary of all my treatment and I must say it helped me a lot. Just reading over it now gives me great strength. Go for it and see who replies!!!!! Lorraine
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember
    For all new ones on here. Welcome but sorry for the reasons you need to be here. If you want to speak with someone in a similar situation search Tags, on left for cancer type which will lead to existing threads you may want to join. Also look under Groups, as there are groups for Patients, Carers and different situations and cancer types.
    Another option is to read others posts, and when you find someone you think you can relate to, click on their profile and request as friend. Its also a good idea, to make a profile of your own and open it to view, but this isn't compulsory, and is entirely up to you.
    Reason I am putting all this, is because it took me ages to figure out what to do on here! ( But I am probably a bit slow)
    And I hope this helps those who are a bit hesitant. The reason we are all here is because we need help and support. We can all help each other hopefully, because we are all affected by this horrible disease.
    Love & Hugs to all x x x
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Megsp

    From your last message, I am presuming your mum is at home, but that you have lots of careres going in? Is there a chance she could get a place in a hospice, or is that not what you/she want, or not possible?

    I am so sorry for your fear and anxiety and that of your mum, which is why I am asking the question. It would seem that perhaps you would all be less anxious if she were in a hospice. However I know thats not what evryone prefers.

    I can fully appreciate you not wanting to prepare for Christmas. Perhaps this year, you can just explain to the kids, that it will be a low-key affair because Grannie is not well. I am sure you are doing your very best for your mum, and that is all anyone can do. I am glad that your husband is supportive, and you will get through this, however difficult it is. Just be with your mum as often as you can be. Talk to her lovingly and calmly, hold her hand, tell her how much you appreciate her, and how the kids love her. I'm sure you are doing this already. I know you still manage to feel useless as we all do in the face of this disease, but we can't help that. Its so frustrating and sad I know, but you will get through.
    Sending very big hugs x x x

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Gayleepoo,
    You are doing really well to cope with all of this at all, and I certainly dont blame you for having a moan if that is what it was!

    I'm so sorry about your mum and your partner. I hope you are receiving treatment for your underactive thyroid problem, and your depression. Both of which will make it so much harder to cope, so you really need to look after yourself too.

    Come on here and moan anytime. There is a great support team on here. We all moan, cry and scream as well occasionally, but we all understand the stress, which is why we are here for each other.

    Sending you BIG HUGS x x

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember
    Hi
    I am new to this site and I am not sure I am doing things correctly. My husband has just been diagnosed with Mesothelioma. He is 61 very fit - plays tennis regularly and goes to the gym 3 or 4 times a week. He had a shortness of breath for a couple of weeks and a pain in his rib. Our GP sent him to our local hospital where they took a chest xray and drain off fluid. He was given a CT scan a week later and a further week after that he was seen by a Cardio Thoracic surgeon. A brilliant surgeon but his bed side manner left a lot to be desired. He more or less told us straight away that he was convinced that Peter had Mesothelioma. We have medical insurance and were able to get him admitted privately the next day for draining of the fluid and for biopsies. All went well or as well as we could hope for. We still hoped that he was wrong - of course he wasnt he sees people like us daily and knows exactly what he is looking at. But you cannot help but hope that this time he is wrong. The surgeon organised for Peter to see an Oncologist whilst he was in hospital and we are going to see him tomorrow. The oncolgist is going to give him Chemo using Pemetrexed and GS Platinium for 18 weeks (3 weeks on and 3 weeks off). He will also have Radiotherapy to the wound sites. Does anyone have experiance of Chemo using these drugs? How effective are they? We really dont know where to turn to. Peter is physically fit but mentally he is in a state. He can remember the time it happened. He was in his early twenties working in the building site in the City of London (it became a bank when it was finished) and they were spraying asbestos under the flooring around the girders. He was an Electrician and though he did not "play with it" as some of the guys did he must have inhaled it.
    Because we have chosen to have private treatment we seem to have missed out on the support side. Any advice would be so gratefully accepted.
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Hi Mary,

    I am so sorry to hear of your husband's diagnosis, but you have come to the right place for help & support. You might find this link useful: http://www.mesothelioma.uk.com/

    Also search under tags for mesothelioma and you will find others who are affected who you can talk with. Sorry for rushed message, only on for a minute now.

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember
    Hi
    I'm new to this so i will start with my name is Hayley and im 23 and lately i was diagnosed with small cell cancer of the cervix which is a very rare form of cancer.
    I'm not really to sure how im supposed to feel about it so im not sure what to write really.
    Everyone seemed very supportive on here so i thought getting involved might help me come to terms with the situation im in.
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