Anxious And Depressed

I have been troubled with some type of cancer for over 30 years.  I have been veryfortunate in that it has been treatable. First, ovarian cancer, then bladder and now head a neck from unknown primary.  This latest cancer is so uncomfortable- I am in the middle of Radiation therapy, about 9 more to go.  I am so depressed and anxious.  I want so much to be able to turn this over to God and accept the inevetible. I'm not a young person, 77 today.  I long for life as it used to be and feel so sad and lonely.  I have been prescribed Lexapro for depression.  This is my 2nd day on this. I have not noticed any difference so far.  Any advice will be more than welcome.  I'm so glad to have this message board to visit.  Thank you    Joanne

I just read your post, I hope you are feeling better. Let me ask you, do you have family? Are they with you or calling you? Do you talk about your feeling with others? My mom has stage IV cervical cancer doing ok but never says much. I always wonder what could possibly be going through her mind. But she always says she is fine. Please talk to someone or how about church? Try to stay busy even if its just sitting reading a book. I hope you feel better. I believe it will get better soon for you.

 

On 12/27/2007 Danid1 wrote:

I just read your post, I hope you are feeling better. Let me ask you, do you have family? Are they with you or calling you? Do you talk about your feeling with others? My mom has stage IV cervical cancer doing ok but never says much. I always wonder what could possibly be going through her mind. But she always says she is fine. Please talk to someone or how about church? Try to stay busy even if its just sitting reading a book. I hope you feel better. I believe it will get better soon for you.

Thanks so much for your response to my post. To answer your question -I don't have a large family.  The daughter I thought really cared and was trying to help me is nowhaving nothing to do with me.   She and her husband seem to think I am not being strong enogh, and appear to be angry that all this has happened.  I guess that's okay = I get angr about it also.  I pray that I will learn to cope in the proper way and learn to make the most of each day left in this life.  Your advice is good - thanks again

I want you to know I don't know you personally, but I care for you! Perhaps your daughter is in denial and is really hurting on the inside and doesn't want you to know. Everyone shows their emotions different. I wish I was near you to just give you a hug and tell you God will lift you up and do the best thing for you. Remember your choices are yours and yours only as far as your treatments and how you will live what we all have left. Take each day at a time, do not look for tomarrow, and forget about yesterday! Today just know that I am thinking of you and I pray you will find some peace in this horrible thing so many people are dealing with.

Stay strong!

I read your message and I do understand exactly how you are feeling.  this disease is relentless.  However, you can't quit now.  I am a mom of 2 boys and I have been fighting this disease since 1996.  It began with ovarian.  I then presented with occular melenoma and lost my left eye and now it has shown up in my brain.(astrocytoma stage 3)  Christmas time I found out it has spread to brain stem. I refuse to give up.  I have my days when I just don't want to get out of bed, but I do and thats what you need to do.  I also feel that people just don't know how to act around us.  I do have a big family and my sisters and my friends act distant towards  me.  I think they are just afraid.  Please keep up the fight

 

I could really feel your pain when I read your post.  I'll bet that your daughter does care but is angry and upset because Mom's aren't supposed to get sick and she is probably scared to death.  Hopefully, someday you two will be able to sit down and have a heart to heart talk.  In the meantime, the Lexapro is a good idea, it can take a while to work.  If you don't feel that it helps, ask your doctor about something else.  In the meantime, perhaps you could ask your doctor for drug that acts immediately you such as Xanax (a controlled substance in most states so they will monitor your use on that which is fine) that you could use until you find the right medication.  And perhaps in addition, also, so that you can handle the emotionally stressful times.  I have been fighting lung cancer for over 3 years now and I thank God for the Celexa that I take (a cousin of Lexapro) and the Xanax.  And of course, the best medicine is prayer for spiritual growth during these trying times. My prayers are with you and I hope that this has been of some small help to you.

 

On 12/31/2007 marjieblue wrote:

I could really feel your pain when I read your post.  I'll bet that your daughter does care but is angry and upset because Mom's aren't supposed to get sick and she is probably scared to death.  Hopefully, someday you two will be able to sit down and have a heart to heart talk.  In the meantime, the Lexapro is a good idea, it can take a while to work.  If you don't feel that it helps, ask your doctor about something else.  In the meantime, perhaps you could ask your doctor for drug that acts immediately you such as Xanax (a controlled substance in most states so they will monitor your use on that which is fine) that you could use until you find the right medication.  And perhaps in addition, also, so that you can handle the emotionally stressful times.  I have been fighting lung cancer for over 3 years now and I thank God for the Celexa that I take (a cousin of Lexapro) and the Xanax.  And of course, the best medicine is prayer for spiritual growth during these trying times. My prayers are with you and I hope that this has been of some small help to you.

Thanks so much for your thoughful words. God bless you