Making friends during cancer/ activities

Hi Etna,

I too have found that cancer can feel very isolating, especially with the extra precautions we need to take around covid/our immune systems meaning I have had to suspend my normal hobbies/activites and can only work from home so am missing the social aspect of work too.  I have made two new friends though just by chatting to people in my bay during chemo sessions.  We linked on social media, have been messaging each other with support and meet face to face either at chemo if our appointments match or now the weather is better at an outdoor cafe when we feel up to it. 

We also have a Maggie’s centre linked to our hospital. They are running a wide programme of various face to face activities/groups. I have my blood tests and chemo on the same day with an hour and a half to wait between the two - I usually use this time to pop over to Maggie’s for a cuppa and a natter with the lovely volunteers and anyone else who is around. I feel so comfortable there, I can whip off my hat and hoodie when having a hot flush and don’t feel self conscious at all about having no hair or a PICC line!!  It’s only a little thing but I really look forward to this time each week.  There are also some smaller support groups not to far away who i have noticed have recently started meeting face to face again too Hopefully you can find something similar local to you.

All the best with your treatment.

Tis x 

Thanks,

First time I went it's highly depressing, no music, no TV,  not welcoming, sat away from people, glad I had my mum.

2nd time I had my own room due to having covid 2weeks before.Windows don't open ,no music just a medical room.

It's such an awful experience going to chemo it's not made any better by the environment.

My boyfriends blood donating building is more fun then the chemo building, music ,TV, tea, biscuits.

As soon as you walk through the doors to the entrance of oncology you just get questioned what your doing their, someone takes your temperature, it's unpleasant.

I think I found Maggie's center but it's about 45 mins away from me, which is just to much.

I have another center cancer nearby which has grounds open but the support is online,you can go to the actual center but I think all that is the is a restaurant, a library and some grounds , information point.

The McMillan center where I am is just an Information point.

They do a breast online zoom thing once a month but I just don't do well , with zoom stuff, social anxiety, PTSD, shy in general, talking Infront of a group I don't know is more of a nightmare then enjoyment.

I've joined up with shine which I don't go to as again it's all online.

Mayb I might ask in the actual oncology place I go to what their is , but I have a feeling every thing is suspended due to covid.

But I will look, if nothing I will ask what I can do as it's too isolating.

Thanks