How amazing people are . . .

Hello Richard.When i was first diagnosed i got a lot of support from family and friends. I dont know what id have done without them but i still felt there was something missing,though i couldnt work out what.I looked out for a support group but wasnt one nearby.after speaking my thoughts to a nurse at clinic, several months later her and colleagues at the gynae clinic saw a need for more support.a group was started for all gynae onc patients and carers .I enjoy going and have made some lovely friends.Not until i joined this site however did i realise that this was what was missing.We are able to chat,to listen,to comfort or advise.I wish id joined at the beginning of my journey.I would recommend it to anyone,there is support in many ways,to be used however it suits the individual.
Lesleyxx

Hello Richard. I couldn't agree more with Lesley's comments. When I was diagnosed with Stage 3 ovarian cancer a few weeks ago, I seemed to spend half my time trying to cheer up my friends, most of whom were devastated by my news and appeared to think I wouldn't make it to the end of the week. Alternatively, since I haven't yet started treatment and I look and sound really well, other people seem to think this is not serious at all and shrug it off. I was lucky enough to be directed to this site very soon after diagnosis, and it's a godsend. I sometimes think I do nothing but whinge and moan, but it is SO marvellous to talk to people who understand and are going through the same things. I am humbled by the humour and courage I see every time I log on, and I only hope that I will be able to live up to this once I manage to start treatment myself.
Best, Kate xx

I didn't have a computer until end of Feb this year. I'd not bought one before because, as I'm sure you will have read, I'm not supposed to still be here. However at Xmas, one of the places I used to work finaly closed down, and I suddenly realised that I didn't have anywhere I could pop in at if I was feeling a bit low. As I was no longer having any treatment, I also felt as though I was the only person in the city with cancer.

As soon as I joined there were people like Alison and Matt encouraging and welcoming me. I really can't imagine what my life would have been like these last three months if I hadn't found What Now. I feel it does have a very special quality about it: what everyone has realised is an endangered species in real life: Community. I'll conclude with a quotation from the American poet Robert Frost:
"Home is where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in." xxx Penny

hi Richard, what nice kind words you have for us, i love to pour things out in my blog, be it a bad day or a good one, i find it helps to let it all out and know that whoever reads it will know where i am coming from. also, well, the chatroom is fantastic, how great to talk in real time to our very friends that we have on here. i am now trying my hand at poetry, being in the chatroom has motivated me to write really really awful poetry, i often felt i could aspire to john betjeman, poor man will be turning in his grave!!!!! thank goodness we have this site, it is a godsend to us all and its all thanks to you lot for getting us to this very happy/sad/supportive/loving time in our lives
lots of love
Alisonxxx

Hi first of all i'm so glad i found this site. I'v never had cancer but my wife did. Sadley she lost her fight. She died June 2007. If she was here now she would join me in saying how kind your words are. I was her full time carer, whipping boy and 'bestest' friend for the last two years of her life. I miss her so much.
Hello and all the very best to all on here.

Dave. x

Hello Richard

I like this site better than talking to other patients. When I went for chemo, I would be feeling sick before it, and the longer I waited, the sicker I felt. I did have a few mates, to compare notes with, but now I feel better, but very tired, the site is a blessing.

Perhaps you might want to start by giving your take on how people deal with the initial diagnosis panic. It seems like an open trench with one set of steps just going down. They need to know there is no trench. That there are landings filled with friends cheering you on, and stairs going up as well.