Husband died in February. Me . Cancer diagnosis a few weeks later.

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Hi.  I'm struggling, it's like he's just died all over again. I was diagnosed with cancer of the osphegous a few weeks later. No symptoms before,  till just after he died. And here I am, I'm so depressed.  I went into the garden earlier and watered my parched plants and sobbed and sobbed.  Tears streaming.  So so sad. I don't recognise myself. Weight loss, no hair. My Life has turned on a sixpence.  6 months.  No more that a bit glam independent exceptional 80 Yr old, they said. Now I look like an old women in the depths of despair .  I truly wonder why I'm putting myself through the FLOT regime, to maybe have this major op. What's the point, my life can never be the same.   Maybe the chemo is making the depression worse, or the jabs for low white blood cells.  Who knows. I just have to hope  tomorrow is another day it can only get better. 

  • Dear Bronte,

    I may not be able to over much hope but your story touched me. I have just spent a year caring for my 82 year old mother in her home, while she was suffering from throat cancer. During that time she lost her partner and shortly after had to make a difficult decision about surgery.

    After her radiotherapy had shrunk the tumour but not removed it completely She was told surgery was her only option.

    It was to be extensive surgery to remove the voice box also involving a skin graft. I know it seemed quite extreme surgery but like you my mother was a fit woman. She lived independently doing aqua aerobics 2-3 times a week and going to  art classes.

    I was gutted when she turned the operation down and tried in vain to persuade her to reconsider as did her friends and my brother.

    The timing of her partner dying was not great but she had a good community of friends, mostly widows and I was happy to stay in her home to support her during all the procedures and for the recovery time however long it took.

    Sadly my mother could not be persuaded to have the operation and we lost her in June this year, just over a year from her diagnosis.

    I am so sad to lose her as she was not only a mum but a best friend and exceptional in so many ways.

    I know it is terrible to be facing what you are facing and my heart goes out to you and your family.

    I'm sure if you have family and friends they would want you to carry on trying.

    Best wishes, Kizzie

  • OK Kizzie, how hard for you. So sorry.  But I do understand your mum too.   For me, I have some weeks before I'll know where I'm heading.  In the meantime I'll take ea day.  Thankfully today has been a good day, I think I'm coming out of the gloom now , for a while anyway.   Thanks for replying.   And wish you peace going forward.  X