Hi. Just a chance to se down how I’m feeling and see what others have done in this situation.
we’re a good news story to be Dad has a blood cancer but it was caught in time, he’s 3 sessions down 2 to go with a prognosis that he will never be cured but his condition will be managed. It therefore feels wrong needing support when others are not so lucky.
but I worry for Dad and I worry for Mum who’s his life partner. Dad is very depressed, he wants no-one to know he is ill so is effectively staying housebound,, he has lost a lot of weight and lost confidence about being seen. He’s no longer the patient husband, father and grandfather and I worry he wants to hide away until he has completely recovered and the effect that choice is having on his mental health.
mum is his rock, it used to be the other way round but she’s now struggling being the constant companion for his mood swings, not wanting to leave the sofa and she feels her life is on hold.
I try to encourage Dadto go out, I try to praise his strength for how he’s coped with cancer and treatment but he’s now shutting everyone out.
Feels strange that Cancer is not the concern it the long term effect on this mental health that now worries me. Should I back off, should I keep prompting. I have at least encouraged Mum that she’s not a 24/7 carer but it feels like we’re taking sides.
would love to hear others stories.
