Hi and warm welcome to the Macmillan Online Community although sorry that you had to find us and especially sorry to hear about your husbands diagnosis.
A cancer diagnosis in the family can be challenging in so many ways but indeed talking with others who are walking the same type of cancer treatment journey will help you navigate this difficult time.
The Community is organised into cancer specific support groups so can I recommend you join our supportive Lung Cancer and Spinal cord tumours groups as this will be a good place to connect with patients and families navigating the same type of cancer treatment journey.
To join a group just click on the link above then choose 'click to join' or 'join' (depending on the device you're using) on the page that opens.
You can then introduce yourself by putting up a ‘New Thread’ or hit the box with the X on the top right (phones), you could just copy and paste the text from this your first post. You can also join in with existing ‘Discussions’ by clicking on 'reply'.
When it comes to the practical challenges of supporting someone you may benefit from talking with others caring for family and friends so do check out our Family and friends and Carers only groups as you will connect with others supporting family and friends through their cancer journey.
It’s always good to talk and the Macmillan Support Services provides lots of information, support, financial guidance or just a listening ear.
Most services are open 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week and it's free to call on 0808 808 00 00 have a look by Clicking here to see what is available and we also have our Ask an Expert section, but do allow two working days for replies from our expert team.
((hugs))
Do connect in with some of the groups as you will find like minded people.
I was the one with the cancer, first diagnosed in 1999 so its been a rather long and at times traumatic journey (hit my name for my story)
I was 44 when when I was diagnosed with a rather rare and difficult to treat Stage 4a Low Grade Cutaneous T-Cell (skin) Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I was told “Mike, I am sorry to tell you that this type of NHL is incurable, yes treatable but you will never be in remission”...... but after years of various treatments in September 2016 I was told I was in remission for the first time in 17 years - so I am living the dream.
At the very start as a family we agreed that there was no subject off the table, if someone was having a 'pity me party' the rest of the family were to be supportive but honest and where required - show some tough love.
There were time I wanted to talk with others and the Community is good for that but talking to people face to face can indeed help a lot but during these times it’s not that available but do check to see if you have any Local Macmillan Support in your area.
Also check out for a Maggie’s Centre in your area as these folks are amazing and a lot of these services have moved onto online video support groups. I live in the Highlands so our Maggie's Heamatology Zoom Support group covers the largest area in the UK.... with people who could never come to the centre due to the distance.
((hugs))
