My mum has been diagnosed but is yet to get the full detail.
She’s quite a negative-outlook person.
she’s quite poorly with an infection post-bronchoscopy but also from symptoms (breathlessness, shoulder pain, tired, weak…)
shes not really eating and has lost a lot of weight.
she’s on the respiratory ward in hospital fighting the infection but loosely was talking to my sister about not eating and the fact she could be starving herself to death and she even wondered what it would feel like to die from it.
ever since she’s had the diagnosis she’s just given up…talking as if that’s it.
we’re all really concerned and with this latest conversation I’m so worried about her mental state, as said she’s quite a down-type person.
I’m going into hospital tomorrow and I’m going to speak to her about why life is worth it (esp as we don’t even have the news on the cancer), is there someone I can contact or who can help support uand my mum as we’re worried she’s slipping away before we even know. Any help or advice would be brilliant please
Hi
If I was you, I would be having a word with the Ward Sister regarding you concerns over Mum's mental state. The hospital will have direct access to psychiatrists and/or counselling. Perhaps best to go down this route rather than raisnig it with Mum yourself.
Hope you get it sorted.
Kegsy x
Kegsy's advice about having a word with the NUM is sound. Most oncology units also have their own social workers and psychologists and a referral to them while mum is still in hospital would be a good idea.
Without a full diagnosis and treatment plan, you're really flying blind so it might help if that process can be hurried up.
There is no right way to handle a cancer diagnosis and the decisions which come with it, but the allied health professions on oncology units are very good at dealing with the complex emotions it brings for both patients and their families,
Whatever cancer throws your way, we’re right there with you.
We’re here to provide physical, financial and emotional support.
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