Thoughts about the forum - come on in

Well said, Patrick, I have been coming here, from, day 1 of diagnosis , thats nine years now of my life.

Would not  have got far, without the help and support of members.

I had a husband when  started this journey, I then lost him to cancer, then my daughter got dx and group members supported me then and do now.

I have met so many people on here and lots quiet a few that became friends on here.

Its the hardest journey all of us will encounter. 

Hi Patrick, unlike our wonderful Ellie, I didn't join the community until 15 months after diagnosis, and the LWIC forum, wasn't the first one I joined, that was the prostate cancer forum, a wonderful forum with all the information and support you could wish for relating to prostate cancer, with many wonderful people, a few of whom have become friends, the forum was/is voted the best forum in the world. But being on the treatable pathway amongst so many many on a curable one, I felt uneasy talking about it, so after reading a post from Annette, asking for someone to represent the forum at a service for a member Helen P, who had recently passed, who lived in the same town as me and went to the same hospice, I volunteered, I subsequently found out I had met Helen a couple of times and knew her brother through a friend.

Rambling again sorry, joining our family on this forum was the best thing I've done on Macmillan, I may be on 12 forums, but this is the only one I can open up about anything and know I won't be judged, it doesn't matter that no one knows anything about my cancer, it's our feelings, our hopes and fears and how to live our lives under the situation we find ourselves in that's important, and only those on the same journey can can only truly understand this, and to everyone who has ever given me a a little advice, support, a proverbial hug, kick up the backside, been there for a chat at silly o clock, or just a laugh, i thank each and everyone of you.

best wishes and many thanks to you all 

love Eddie xxx

This forum for me has been a life saver I live on my own with my dog and have one best friend who has stood by me in bad times and good and the people on here are great when you live on your own you get to over think problems and I have severe anxiety and depression so facing people say in a group I could never do it's hard enough to talk in front off my medical team so to be able to talk in here has been so supportive and you always when you reach out to talk you always get a response which really helps and when that happens you don't feel so alone and scared 

Well said Patrick ! I feel this forum really helped me through a very difficult time after I was diagnosed with incurable cancer in November last year. 
People here are so helpful, kind, and full of wisdom. I certainly would not got where I am now mentally without folks here.

x

Thanks for posting this Patrick (Gilpat). I’m sure all the people who just come to read the posts but are maybe not quite ready to post themselves yet ( I was a lurker for a while before answering a post) are maybe thinking now about what they could write IF/WHEN they did jump in! Well all you need to do is come and say “Hi I am here” that’s all you need to do initially and you will be amazed how many people respond. It is because they know how you feel and they care!

Like Ellie, I have been here a while and unfortunately we all know eventually what will happen. However knowing that doesn’t prepare you for loosing friends even on this forum. Virtual friends, that turn into real friends in your life. Let me ask you, how many places could you appeal to people to attend a funeral you couldn’t attend yourself because you live hundreds of miles away?  Well the answer is right here! Please pop in and just say hi! Even at silly o’clock or whenever you are ready. As NIKE say       “Just Do It”!