Hello. New here.

Hi  and a warm welcome to the Online Community although I am so sorry to see you joining us and to hear about your diagnoses

A cancer diagnosis can be such a stressful and challenging time but when it comes to support there is nothing better than talking with others who are on the same treatment pathway. I do hope you will find the community a safe place to ask your questions and connect with others.

The Community has various cancer specific support groups (chat rooms) so can I recommend that you consider joining our supportive Lung Cancer and Brain, secondary tumours groups. These are safe places to talk to others who may have a similar diagnosis, treatment experience, to ask questions and get support.

If you'd like to connect in with a group click on the Green (Bold) link I have created above. Then once the group page opens click on the black banner that says [click to join] at the bottom, or the [Join] button under "Group tools."

You can then introduce yourself by putting up a ‘new post’ by clicking in the box near the top right with + New or + (Depending on the device you are using) and you are ready to go.

You could copy and paste the text from this post into your new post and as always you can reply to existing ‘Discussions’ by click [reply].

Macmillan have many support platforms so do check out the Macmillan Support Line is open 8am-8pm (timings may differ across services) 7 days a week on 0808 808 00 00 or via Webchat and Email too.

These services provide cancer information, practical information, emotional support, benefits/financial guidance or just a listening ear. We also have our Ask an Expert section but do allow a few working days for a reply.

To find information covering diagnosis, treatments and pages covering most types of cancers check our Online Information and Support Section. 

Talking to people face to face can be very helpful so do check to see if you have any Local Macmillan Support in your area, do also check for a local Maggie's Centre as these folks are amazing and provide support for all the family.

Always around if you need further help in navigating the community.

All the very best.

Thanks Mike. I have a specific question about using public transport to go to outpatient appointments. My family are very anxious about exposure to covid on the bus but I am much less so and I think it’s not a real threat if masked.
The service here is fast, clean, not crowded and much less stressful  - straight to the hospital door. I’m not immune compromised as I haven’t even started treatment yet and would like to reassure them. Is there any guidance on travelling to appointments by public transport?

Thank you,

I am not aware of any guidance that would cover this…. basically things have went back to normal-ish apart from masks in medical buildings.

These types of decisions are all down to the individual to make their own risk assessment so you go with your gut feeling. It is however important that you need to be covid….. actually any infection safe as these infections can hold up appointments and treatments…… as always the Macmillan Helpline can be a good source of information.