I was diagnosed in May, lumpectomy which showed it had spread and was 7 times bigger than they thought.
About to start chemo (scared) all sounds so scary!!. I have the type of cancer that returns so I have a cocktail of drugs over the next year. Rather have a pina colada if I'm honest.
They keep talking wigs (omg)
Been told by Macmillan I cant get a grant, 4 weeks sick pay ended. Now on SSP, who can live on that. I'm single and have a daughter living with me.
All in all I feel like I've been dropped into the abyss and all people keep saying is your strong you've got this beat!!!!
Hi and welcome to the Online Community, although I am so sorry to see you having to find us.
I did see your post last night but was so tired that I left it. But I am pleased that my mind is now clear and I can try and help you out.
I am Mike Thehighlander and I am one of the volunteers that help out on the site. We all have been touched by cancer so do understand where you are at.
I am so sorry to read about what you are going through but you have found a good place to get support and talk with folks on the same journey. A cancer diagnosis can bring a lot of stress on a family but talking with people who are on the same journey can help a lot and will reduce the whirlwind wind that is rushing in your head.
As my cancer journey was rather different you may like to follow this link to our Breast cancer forum where you will connect with people who understand the journey you are on. You can ask the folks questions about treatments, what to expect and how to help yourself during this time.
Follow the link and join the group by hitting the ‘Join the Group’ tab just under the main group name. At this point go to the right on the group home page and select how you want to receive email notifications when someone answers your posts.
The best way to get support is to go to the 'Start a Discussion' tab just under the main group name. Set up your own Discussion and Introduce yourself to the group - you could just copy an paste what you have in this first post.
We do also have lots of general Cancer experience support groups.
I would recommend that you look through our various Macmillan Support Line Services to be helpful - call them on 0808 808 00 00 This free service covers Emotional Support, Practical Information. Clinical Information, Financial Support and Work Guidance mostly open 8.00 to 8.00 but check the link.
It would be worth talking with the Financial Support team again on the helpline as things can often not be very clear and a second talk through your situation would be worth the effort.
We also have our ‘Ask an Expert’ section where you can post questions to our mostly Volunteer Experts but please allow 2 working days to get a reply.
Our Online Information and Support Section is a good place to find some great pages covering the cancer diagnosis, treatment and information pages covering most types of cancers.
Talking to people face to face can help a lot so check to see if you have any Local Macmillan Support Groups in your area or a Maggie’s Centre as these folks are amazing.
When you feel up to it think about putting some information in your profile. This really helps others when answering. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself.
To do this click on YOUR username, look to the left and select 'Edit Profile'. Put as much or as little in your profile and you can amend it at any time - you can see members profiles by hitting our forum names.
All the best.
Hi and a very warm welcome to the online community although I'm sorry that you've had to find us
It's perfectly normal to feel scared at the prospect of starting treatment. I didn't have chemotherapy so I don't have any personal experience to draw on to help you with that but I can point you in the direction of a group to join where you can ask questions and get support.
You haven't said what type of cancer you have but I'm guessing that as you've said you've had a lumpectomy that it might be breast cancer. This group has a monthly thread called 'July Breast Cancer Chemotherapy Chat' which would be perfect for you to ask questions about your upcoming treatment.
To join just click on the link I've created and then choose 'join this group' on the page that opens. You can then post a question or introduce yourself after selecting 'start a discussion' and respond to existing posts by clicking on 'reply'.
If I'm wrong about the type of cancer you have please let me know so that I can give you a link to the correct group.
While you're having your treatment the last thing you need to be doing is worrying about money. Although you've said that you don't qualify for the Macmillan Grants have you had a chat with the welfare rights team as they can make sure that you're not missing out on anything you might be entitled to? If not it might be worth giving them a call on 0808 808 0000. It's free to call and they're available Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm.
When you feel up to it, it would be really useful if could pop something about your journey so far into your profile as it helps others when answering or looking for someone with a similar diagnosis. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Edit Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.
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"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
