newbie here

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  1. I was diagnosed with ET, a form of blood cancer 9 months ago and although I have a supportive family, I’m not allowed to even mention the C word in front of them.. so it feels like I have nobody.. I struggle daily with other health ailments that people are always checkin up on me for.. but never my cancer.. I feel so alone in all of this. It’s like because it’s life long and I haven’t reached the stage to need chemo treatment, it’s like I shouldn’t have feelings or worries about it. I have no one outside of my family to talk about it with either.. even my doctor only sees me every 4-6 months and just wants me in and out as quick as possible so other than I need to take aspirin to prevent blood clots, I don’t even know anything about ET. I know it’s not down to other people but sometimes I just wish it felt like someone cared. 
  • Hi  and a very warm welcome to the Macmillan Community but so sorry to hear about your ET diagnosis and the challenges you are dealing with.

    I know from experience having been on my cancer journey for over 26 years with two very rare, hard to treat types of Non Hodgkin’s Lymphomas, one incurable rare types of blood cancer, Asbestosis and Prostate Cancer that navigating this journey can be such a stressful and challenging time but talking with and getting support from people who have walked or are walking the ‘exact same' journey can help a lot.

    The Community is actually divided into dedicated Support Groups (Discussion Rooms) so can I recommend that you look to join and put up your own post in our dedicated……..

         MDS/MPN/ET/PV/myelofibrosis (MF)

    …….. support group.

    This group is a safe place to talk to others with a similar diagnosis, treatment experience, to ask questions and get support.

    To connect in with the group please click on the link above……. then once 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.

    You can then introduce yourself to the group by putting up your very own post by clicking [+ Create new post] or [+] in the top right of the group page.

    You can copy and paste the text from this post into your new post.

    As always the Macmillan Support Line is open between 8am-8pm (timings may differ across services) 7 days a week on 0808 808 00 00…… this service provides cancer information, practical information, emotional support, benefits and financial guidance or just a listening ear.

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

    Do get back to me if you need further help navigating the community.

    Mike (Thehighlander)

    It always seems impossible until its done - Nelson Mandela

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