Depression and Cancer treatment

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Hello my Mother has secondary cancer, she is on targeted  drug therapy. Although the results from treatment are positive she is very depressed. She keeps saying why me? What did I do to deserve this. She cries a lot and takes herself off to bed as she is exhausted. We don’t really know what to say to her to help her with the anguish she is going through. We help with the household chores and shopping. We try to sit with her and just be there when that is needed. She has had support from palliative care and can contact the nurse to say how she feels. What more can we do please? Thanks in advance 

  • Hi Redfox,

    Thanks for getting in touch and welcome to the Online Community. My name is Jo and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurses on the  Macmillan Support Line.

    I can appreciate you wanting to know what more you can do to support your mother who is receiving targeted drug therapy for secondary cancer. This sounds like a difficult time for the whole family. 

     

    It is normal to experience lots of different emotions when you have cancer, including depression, there is no right or wrong way to feel. I wonder whether your mother’s hospital or palliative care team are aware quite how she is feeling. If not, then it would be as well to let them know. If they haven’t done so already they could look to refer her for further help and support.

     

    Whilst it sounds like you are doing lots already to support your mother, here are a few other ways you might offer emotional support

    It can be emotionally challenging when someone close to you has cancer, so it’s important that you don’t feel alone in dealing with this. There are a number of ways that we here at Macmillan can offer help and support  to both of you.

     

    I hope this information is helpful but if you have any more questions please don’t hesitate to get back in touch.

    Best wishes,

    Jo

    Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or email us. 

    Ref/PH

     

     

     

  • Thank you Jo for your reply. The palliative care people are involved. Mam has spoken to a lots of different people. I have read the information you have highlighted and it seems that I am doing all the things I can at this time.