Thank you for all of your comments so far. Pamela, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist from Macmillan, has asked for the following to be posted in relation to some of your comments/queries:
" Ashoething: I think I would probably benefit from some form of counselling now but am unsure how to access this?
Dealing with the emotional effects of cancer can be hard. There are a number of ways that you can access counselling. Some hospitals have Macmillan cancer information centres. They would be able to tell you if counselling is available in your hospital or in your local area. Your GP can also place a referral to a counselling service. If you would prefer to do this independently the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, Anxiety UK and Mind are all organisations that could help.
We understand that money worries are the last thing that cancer patients should have to think about. Macmillan offers benefits advice, financial guidance and Macmillan grants. To speak to the Macmillan welfare rights team or a financial guide you can call free on 0808 808 00 00 (Monday to Friday 9am?8pm).
Fimbo I guess in 6 weeks not much could have been done but it would have been nice to know we could have phoned and spoken to someone at the end of a line. I still have waves of peaks and troughs about my dad's death, do MacMillan help people like me?
Yes, Macmillan aims to help everyone affected by cancer. If you feel it would help to talk you can call the Macmillan Support Line free on 0808 808 00 00 (Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm). Although we don?t provide a bereavement service we would be able to listen to you if you need to talk and help you find the services that are right for you.
Tallulah I feel in a bit of limbo now. Too well to call on any charities/ organisations but with the knowledge that it could come back; and of course you go from appointments several times a week to 6 monthly, which is scary.
Relationships with others can change after a cancer diagnosis. Family and friends may feel that they need time to adjust to everything that?s happened. They might also worry that talking about your cancer will upset you, so avoid doing so because you?ve been through so much. Talking to family and friends about your feelings can help.
Support groups and the online community can also provide you with the support from people who have been there and done that. You can also call the Macmillan Support Line free on 0808 808 00 00 (Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm) if you have any questions, worries or concerns.
TeaandHobnobs I keep meaning to call Macmillan but I don't know what to say. We are lucky there are such organisations out there.
It can be difficult to make that initial call but you don?t have to have a specific question to ask. Sometimes it?s good just to talk about your situation and what you?ve been worrying about. We can listen if you need to talk, provide you with information, support and help you make sense of everything which will hopefully make it easier for you to cope with.
You can read more about specific cancers, treatments and caring for someone with cancer on our website.
youmaycallmeSSP I looked on the Macmillan website for support but didn't find the kind of handholding I was looking for. In fact I felt like a bit of a fraud as it was still unknown whether I had cancer or not - just a large tumour. I would love to know that there's somewhere for people in that situation to find support now
Macmillan offers support to everyone affected by cancer, including those who are worried about cancer. The Macmillan support line is free to call on 0808 808 00 00 (Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm) for any questions about cancer.
makedoandmend So I think things have changed, but if you're not used to using the web for emotional support there can still be a void.
Family and friends can access support from local support groups and the online community. The Macmillan support line is also available to the family and friends of those affected by cancer. They can call us free on 0808 808 00 00 (Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm).
Rowlers I have never talked to anyone about what happened to my mum, have not the umph in me to go to my gp and ask for a referral for counselling etc. I think resources are stretched enough and don't want to push myself forward.
Bereavement can affect us all in different ways. It can often take a lot of strength to access the support that?s available. The first step is always the hardest but often worth the effort. Cruse bereavement care is a charity that offers bereavement support. They provide information, face to face and telephone support.
We're also here to offer support on the Macmillan Support Line free on 0808 808 00 00 (Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm)
Thanks to you all for taking the time to post your comments. You can find more information about the ways that Macmillan can help everyone affected by cancer on our website.
On the Macmillan support line we have a team of experts who can answer your questions, offer support, or simply listen if you need a chat. Call us free on 0808 808 00 00 (Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm)"