New here, family member very recently diagnosed

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Hello everyone I am new here only joined today, found out roughly about a month ago my mom has cancer two days after my 30th birthday, we thought that weekend we would be going out celebrating but was instead stuck in hospital and told the worst news. I just couldn’t believe it and I still can’t a month on, cancer. I think it’s a word everybody dreads hearing. I lost my Nan to cancer so we have been here before so this just brings it all back. My mom has been diagnosed with blood cancer a type of lymphoma but we are not sure exactly which one yet and are still waiting for results which is the worst part. 
Is there anyone else on here supporting a family member with cancer? Or anyone with blood cancer.

  • Hi  and warm welcome to the Macmillan Community although sorry that you had to find us and especially sorry to hear about your mom's Lymphoma diagnosis. I am Mike and I help out around our Lymphoma groups.

    For some context I was diagnosed way back in 1999 at 43 with a rare (8 in a million) incurable but treatable type of Cutaneous T-Cell NHL (a type of slow growing Low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma) ……. eventually reaching Stage 4a in late 2013 when a second, also rare (4 in a million) type of aggressive Peripheral T-Cell - Not Otherwise Specified NHL (a type of fast growing High-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma) was then presenting so although my Lymphoma ‘type’ may be different from your mom's Lymphoma but I definitely appreciate the challenges of this journey rather well.

    The waiting for results is hard...... but this is unfortunately a rather normal but important part of the Lymphoma journey.....

    Getting clear information is very important so you may find these two links helpful.....

         Top tips for getting the best from your appointments

         Questions to ask your medical team about Lymphoma

    There are over 60 types and sub-types of Lymphoma so we can’t have a group for every type of Lymphoma but these are our main Lymphoma groups below.....

         Hodgkin's Lymphoma

         General Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma

         Follicular Lymphoma

         Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

         Mantel Cell Lymphoma

         T-cell lymphomas

         CLL, SLL and HCL

    These groups are safe places to talk to others with a similar diagnosis, treatment experience, to ask questions and get support from both people who have Lymphoma or are supporting family on their Lymphoma journey,

    Once you know the 'EXACT' type of Lymphoma your mum has have a look at the group list above…… then click on the link that best fits your type of Lymphoma……. and when the group page opens you will see a [Black - Click to Join - Banner] at the bottom of the page, click in this box and this will then confirm that you have joined the group.

    When you are ready……. you can introduce yourself by putting up your very own post by clicking [+ Create new post] or [+] in the top right of the group page.

    As some encouragement...... our daughters were 14 and 18 when I was first diagnosed back in 1999……but we went on to see our daughters graduate, get married, set up very successful businesses and provide us with 4 beautiful granddaughters….. I turn 69 in Nov and am now 1 month away since my last treatment 9 years back and we continue to look forward to what else life has in store first us to enjoy......

    Lymphoma is the 5th most common type of cancer in the UK (after breast, lung, colon and prostate cancers)......... so there are lots of treatments are available........ Lymphoma is very treatable.

    I will keep an eye open for you but if you need further help in the meantime please do get back to me on this post and I will help you out further ((hugs))

    Mike (Thehighlander)

    It always seems impossible until its done - Nelson Mandela

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