My heart has just shattered into a million pieces and my emotions are all over the place. I just found out my granddad (75) has bladder cancer and I don't know what to do. I feel so helpless, alone and confused and i can't stop crying. The rest of my family aren't talking about it and I get that everyone has to process news differently etc but i really need someone right now.
Hi and welcome to the Online Community, although I am so sorry to see the circumstance that brought you here and so sorry to hear that your granddad has been diagnosed with Bladder Cancer.
This is a hard time for your granddad, you and all the family and yes everyone will deal with a cancer diagnosis in a completely different way and for some silence is a safe place.
On my 20 years journey with cancer I found the best way to understand was to find out as much information as possible. With clear information you then can navigate the various challenges and control the whirlwind between the ears that a cancer diagnosis brings. So talking with people who are on the same journey will help a lot.
My cancer journey was rather different but if you follow this link to our Bladder cancer Forum you will be able to connect with people who understand the journey your granddad is on so you can ask the folks questions about treatments, what to expect and how to help him at this time.
Just join the group and hit the 'Start a Discussion' tab and introduce yourself to the group and remember to go to the right on the group home page and select how you want to receive email notifications when someone answers your posts.
We also have these forums where you can connect with others supporting family and friends through their cancer journey: Carers Forum and Friends and Family Forum
You may also find our various Macmillan Support Line Services on 0808 808 00 00 to be helpful as you can talk to a friendly person that can help in lots of ways.
We also have our ‘Ask an Expert’section but please allow a few days to get an reply.
When you have time it would be helpful if you could put some information about yourself and the journey that brought you to the Community into your profile as it really does help the Community members to help you and get to know you.
Click on your username and that will take you to your homepage. Look for ‘Edit my Profile’ click on it and start to tell us as much or as little about yourself as you want then click on save before closing the page. Hit Thehighlander and see my profile but it is rather long as my journey has been long.
All the best.
