Depression

CarolynT · February 2017

I am really worried about my sister. She had her second AC treatment last week. The doctor said she is doing fine physically, but mentally she is not doing well.

She has totally isolated herself inside the house and only goes out for the treatments. She doesn't sleep at night and cries most of the day. I know she can't go out to a lot of places because of her immune system being weak. I just don't know if isolating herself is really helping. I understand this is not an easy thing to go through. Chemotherapy is very hard on your body and mind.

Is it normal to be this depressed? She is just so miserable. I don't know how to help her.

MinusTwo · February 2017

Carolyn: I did not want to see ANYONE during my chemo treatments, and only a very few people during my radiation. It was important for me to cocoon and hibernate. I didn't sleep well. Actually, I spent much of the time in the bathroom with the Big D. I truly didn't want any help & I didn't want anyone around. It's a hard call whether you sister may need medication for depression, but her doc will need to determine that. If she has given you permission to call the doc with questions, you could ask.

Cowgirl13 · February 2017

I hibernated also. It was my way of healing and also, I did not have the energy to put up a false front. I needed that energy for myself. If someone had been worrying about how I was handling it I would have been devastated, discouraged and felt like a loser. When it was time I got back into my life and I can truly say that having cancer made me a better person.

CarolynT · February 2017

If this is normal than I won't say anything to her. It's just hard to see her so depressed all the time.

Freya244117 · February 2017

Carolyn, there is a difference between choosing to to hibernate for your own well being and being depressed/crying. Speaking to her about it may be the best thing. There is lots of help available, including medication if she needs it.

cliff · February 2017

I too have a depression sory.

when I was released from the hospital after my surgery april 1 2016, I found out that I have stage 4 breast cancer. sitting alone in the basement watching tv and getting more depressed about the future, when my daughter came down the stairs and said " moms going to kill me". I said, " no she isnt". and after a bit I found out why, " I'm pregnant" she said. well I told her that since she has been married for 4 years, has a career and a husband with a job, mom wasnt going to kill her for giving us our first grandchild. quite a change in attitude after that.

the last part of november our granddaughter, Daniella Rose Cook was born. quite an incentive to go on, I have to stick around a long time to properly spoil that beautiful little girl.

sbelizabeth · February 2017

I worked full time throughout treatment and surgeries, taking a few days off here and there. I was blessed to feel ok enough to keep up most of my regular activities, but early on, I was scared, sad, and cried a lot. My onc suggested going on an anti-depressant and I can't tell you the difference it made for me. The black sadness and grief lifted and I felt like myself again. Carolyn, if your relationship with you sister is such that you can have this conversation with her, ask how she's feeling--really. Encourage her to talk to her doctor about it.

MinusTwo · February 2017

Although I chose to withdraw and cry on my own, I am in agreement with those who are urging further medical evaluation. As I said in my first post, It is important that your sister talk to her doc about her feelings - or give you permission to talk to the doc about what you are observing. There is nothing bad about taking meds for anxiety or depression if that can help keep life on a more even keel while one navigates through this horrible disease & treatment.

Depression

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