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Introduce yourself on Cancer Chat

Moderator Sarah

Hello everyone

Today marks a year since we launched the new Cancer Chat, how time flies! In the last 12 months we've shared our stories, laughed and cried and become a real community so I thought it was about time that  we introduced ourselves to you properly.

I'm Sarah and I'm the Cancer Chat manager. I have managed other online communities before coming to Cancer Research UK and am a cancer survivor myself. I went through my treatment in 2009, and so I know how helpful and supportive Cancer Chat can be from personal experience.

There are three moderators who work with me, Renata, Jane and Lucie. All three moderators juggle their Cancer Chat duties with their roles as busy mums and work different shifts throughout the week to ensure that Cancer Chat is appropriately moderated. They help direct members to appropriate information on our main Cancer Research UK website and liaise closely with the specialist nurse team to help answer questions or offer support. Above all, they ensure that Cancer Chat is a safe, secure and welcoming place where anyone affected by cancer can come and ask questions, share experiences and meet people who are also affected by cancer.

We thought it would be fun to tell you a few interesting facts and also share our new avatars which you'll be seeing whenever we are online.

Sarah - is a 70s music addict

Renata - is a mad George Michael fan

Jane -  is a journalist

Lucie - is French

Now it's your turn! We'd love to know more about you, so we've set up this new topic area where you can introduce yourselves and say hello to new members. Don't forget everything is public so don't disclose anything too personal!!

Best Wishes

Sarah

  • Offline

    Hi All,

    My name is Tony Songhurst (tonysong) and have been on here since the end of 2009. Originally with Stage 3 Bowel Cancer I now have secondays in my liver, chest and pelvis and currently taking a break from a long stretch of Irinotecan and Avastin. I have also been unfortunate enough to develop an ulcer in my colon which needs surgery and a permanent colostomy...something for the future!

    I am 47, married with 3 daughters and 2 grandaughters. Fran is my rock and looks after me when needed!

    I have made some fantastic friends on here, there are too many to mention however have to note Rodis, Shents and Dizzie alongside the sad loss of the lovely Rose and David who are sadly missed on here!

    Love tou you all,

    Tony xxxx

    p.s.Many thanks to Sarah and the gang for monitoring us!

  • Offline in reply to lyn

    Hi Lynn,

    Thank you for introducing yourself on this thread.

    It's fantastic to read that you've made amazing friends on this site.

    Very best wishes to you,

    Renata

    Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Offline in reply to Rodis

    Hi Rodis,

    It's great to see that you are still an active member of Cancer Chat - 3 years on! We would have been lost without you and other users like you in the early days.

    You're right, profiles are visible to other members, but maybe a thread like this might encourage people who come to the site to read the posts, to join the Cancer Chat community. (I hope so anyway!)

    I agree with you in regards to research requests.  It's a shame we rarely hear back from the researchers. I'll talk to the rest of the Moderation team about what we can do to try and address this.

    Thanks again for your continued support,

    Renata

    Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Offline in reply to TonySong

    Hi Tony

    Thanks for introducing yourself on this thread. (although to many on here, you need no introduction! )

    I've read your story with interest since you first joined Cancer Chat and find your positivity and the support you give to others, whilst experiencing a very difficult time yourself, very inspiring.

    Like I said to Lynn (above), it really is great how many good friendships have originated on Cancer Chat.

    Very best wishes to you and your family,

    Renata

    Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Offline

    Hey  Hey. So i'm Gracie i'm 18 years old and 2 years ago, My mum was  diagnosed with stage 3 Breast cancer. 9 months later She recieved the  all clear! Best news in the world! And just last week she got another  'all clear'

    My issue... Im trying to keep my hopes up. As i recently found out from my mum.. when im low... it upsets her.. Poor thing. But things are hopefully looking on the up!

    Hope to find some support here. xxx

    Gracie x

  • Offline in reply to GracieD

    Hello GracieD,

    Welcome to Cancer Chat and thanks for sharing your story. It is wonderful news that your mum has been getting lots of 'all clear'. It is normal though for you to be fearful and stressed after what you have experienced and your mum is lucky to have such a caring daughter. I am sure you will find great support here and meet lovely people who will be there to welcome you with open arms and reassure you.

    Best wishes,

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Offline in reply to Moderator Lucie

    Hello all,

    Im another newbie!  Is amazing how varied the people are in here (age, gender, background etc.) but we all have one thing in common.  I feel like Im in the right place talking to you all in here.

    Currently it is 17:31hrs and I am at my moms appartment, she has terminal lung cancer and has been deteriorating all week, we are now waiting for the hospice to come and see us tomorrow.

    Im going to keep you posted, it looks like it may be a very long night

  • Offline in reply to DoozerUK

    Hello DoozerUK,

    and a big welcome from all of us here. You have definitely found the right place to vent your thoughts. We hope you do manage to get some rest tonight though, but if you ever find yourself unable to sleep or need to talk to someone, there is often someone here to read your posts even in the early morning hours.

    Keep us posted. I see you have started a new thread and are already getting lots of nice messages. Good luck and I hope the long night won't be too tough.

    Best wishes,

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Offline

    Hi, I joined a while back but I'm more of a lurker and read every day. My Hubby was diagnosed with rectal cancer in April of this year. 10 weeks ago today he underwent an operation to remove the tumour and has had every complication known but thankfully we have turned a very small corner and there is some positive progress for a change.

  • Offline in reply to katey

    Hey Katie

    great news, you must be so pleased fingers crossed he continues to get stronger.

    S x

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