The start of something wonderful for us youngens ...

[Nikki_YAC]

Isn't it exciting.... this new and improved online service that the Cancer Council have got going on here. What is even better is that you will notice Young Adults get a place of their own on the main menu bar of the homepage! Finally we belong somewhere in the world of cancer. We are not longer the "forgotten generation" who were lost or 'stuck in the middle' between children and older adults with cancer. We can now chat to others our own age... share our stories, hopes, fears, creativity and interests, whilst at the same time, pretty much have 24 hour access to the many wonderful professional support services that the Cancer Council have on offer. What are your thoughts so far on theis new website that is only 3 days old. Tell me if you have any ideas on how you think this website could be better, because at the end of the day, this service is for you. happy exploring and connecting with others nikki 🙂

[admin_one]

Thanks Nikki, For anyone wanting to add comments on how to make this site better feel free to post your comments here or on the thread that Terrafirma started here or if you want to keep it private you can also send a email using our contact form Look forward to hearing your thoughts, Raul

[msardea]

When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, I felt really alone and terribly scared. Although you have love and support, no one really understands what you are going through. Thank goodness for sites such as this one.. for a long time I was unable to talk face to face without crying. At least now, you can have a chat, share your story and cry your eyes out and no one sees you!

[#4]

Yes this site is great for that. You only have to talk when you feel like it & with others who understand a little better about how you are feeling. And its great now we have a whole section where we can discuss issues that relate to us being young and dealing with cancer. Cancer council have done a great job with the new site & with the help of Nikki. Hopefully we get some more people on here joining us. Take care Butterfly

[Nikki_YAC]

hi msardea, its nice to meet you here and that you find this service a helpful way to communicate with others and connect in a way that suits you. i love using the internet for these reasons too. its just such a diffenernt way of communicating, isn't it? i have found that over time i let a little more info about myself out there as my confidence builds and i meet many other inspiring people going through the same stuff. happy connecting 🙂 nikki

[Nikki_YAC]

hey butterfly, i can't wait to meet other YACs and YAC carers as this site grows and more people become aware of this service. the In Focus interviews specific for YACs sound great and can't wait to listen in to the first of these when they kick off some time soon. happy days ahead connecting 🙂 nikki

[msardea]

Hi Nikki, Thanks so much for reaching out to me. It's a nice way to chat to others that have too been affected by cancer at some stage of their lives. I'm currently doing well and I guess finally feeling like I can reach out and help others that are too living with cancer. Do you work? Do you live in Melbourne? May I ask what sort of cancer you had (hopefully not too personal).. sorry if it does seem that way to you. Hope to hear from you again.. Maria

[Tamara_KL]

I was diagnosed end of october last year with a head and neck cancer. I was the youngest person in the ENT ward by probably 30+ years, and have found it really hard to connect with other cancer patients and survivors of my own age group (30). Thank god for this forum.

[Nikki_YAC]

Hi Tamara, Its great to see you over on this new site. There will be many more exciting and new things to come for YACs here. We have only just started! Feel free to invit any friends to the site, if you have not already done so (using the 'INVITE A FRIEND" box positioned on the right side of your screen. A YAC can also encompass your friends, family, carer, or it may even be a young person who is caring for an older adult who has cancer. This way we we can form a diverse, exciting and interatcive group of YACs across Australia :) I hope you are well and fit and enjoying life! nikki 🙂

[Nikki_YAC]

Hi Maria, likewise it is nice to be connected with you through this site :) It is great to hear you are feeling more on top of life, enough to begin to reach out to others. It took me a couple of years before I could begin to do this with some sort of confidence, so well done! Your questions are not personal at all... Yes, I work full time in retail ATM, however this will be finishing in one months time for maternity leave. I will then be moving in Health Promotion work, as this is what I have a degree in. I live in Byron Bay, but am just about to move to Murwillumbah, which is about 20 minutes drive south of the Goldcoast. You can read a little of my cancer stuff posted in the here on this site in the 'about me' section of my profile... http://www.cancerconnections.com.au/users/nikki You will also find more indepth reading about me that is linked to the Warrick Foundations webiste... http://www.thewarwickfoundation.org.au/story5.html Where are you located? What are you currently doing with work/study/family life etc? Have you finished your treatment? Nikki 🙂

[msardea]

Hi Nikki, Thanks for your message, lovely to hear from you. I finished my treatment back in Dec 2007 which was such a relief, but then started having some problems with the tamoxifen so went through another round of doctors etc trying to help me out. In the end, it was a menopause doctor who saved me! Today I am feeling better and looking at slowly increasing my hours at work. I currently work once a fortnight and also tutor 7 students on a week-nightly basis in maths! At the end of the day, my children are most important and I think being home for a while now has also helped them adjust to my illness. (My boys are 7 and 11). I often get asked loads of questions about my breast cancer, but I don't mind talking to others about it. I felt really isolated when I was diagnosed, so now I hope to be able to help others so they too don't feel the way I felt. Any suggestions as to how I can help others? Take care, Maria

[admin_one]

Hi Maria, I think one of the best ways to help in this forum is to make the newcomers feel welcome. Some people take sometime to get used to writing about what they feel and are going/went through. Participating of the forums and even just starting a new discussions will always be good to get people involve in the discussions. If you have any questions about how to get the best from using the site feel free to drop a line at any time. Best wishes, Raul

[Nikki_YAC]

Hi again Maria, thanks for sharing your experience. its is nice that you are able to be at home, in a nice relaxed environment and be able to connect with your children at this time. Its funny, when I was diagnosed, i was horrified at the thought of how much of our lives are taken up with work and I really did not see the point in it all. but 7 years on, i am busy again, yet a great positive aspect of me having had cancer, is that this illness reminds me to keep balance and relax as well. As for suggestions, like Raul said, you just being here and participating on the various segments of this site will definitely help others. Another thing that comes to mind when referring to 'how I can help others' is whether you might be interested in doing an interview for the 'In Focus' series that the Cancer Council are about to run, specifically to help inform and help other YACs. Follow this link and have a peep 🙂 http://www.cancerconnections.com.au/content/podcasts-looking-volunteers Nikki 🙂