colorectal cancer: major depression after successful surgery

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keanusierra
keanusierra Member Posts: 3
in Colorectal Cancer #1

My sister is in deep depression after successful rectal cancer surgery.

She will not go to a support group and her psyc keeps changing her antidepression medication.

She is not religious and will not speak to me or her daughters over the phone.

my sister is now cancer free but in deep depression,

I do not know why and she does not want to communicate.

Her husband is supporting her but does not want to push her.

Any suggestions?

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  • lp1964
    lp1964 Member Posts: 1,239 Member
    #2
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    Dear Friend,

    depression especially paired with cancer treatment is tough. Besides the medication and counseling I found physical changes in my environment making a big difference. Taking care of myself, dressing up, looking good tells your brain that things are good. If you let yourself go physically you tell your depressed brain that things are bad enforcing the way you feel. Getting out of the house for a walk, shopping and entertainment will make a great difference even though you may not feel to go but once you are there it feels better.

    the mind cannot heal itself, but nitching can stop you making physical changes and improvements which eventually will make you better.

    good luck,

    Laz

  • jen2012
    jen2012 Member Posts: 1,607 Member
    #3
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    Her husband seems to have the

    Her husband seems to have the right idea.  If you and her daughters are close enough, I would try to take her out for lunch or to a movie or whatever she wants , without getting into the cancer talk...unless she wants to.  if you are not close enough, I would send emails,cards and continue to call, just letting her know you are thinking of her, without pressuring her to talk.  If she has friends, I would recommend the same of them.  keeps things light, if she wants to talk, she will.  Good luck.

    as long as you trust her husband to be caring for her and making sure she is okay, I would try not to worry too much.

  • keanusierra
    keanusierra Member Posts: 3
    #4
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    jen2012 said:

    Her husband seems to have the

    Her husband seems to have the right idea.  If you and her daughters are close enough, I would try to take her out for lunch or to a movie or whatever she wants , without getting into the cancer talk...unless she wants to.  if you are not close enough, I would send emails,cards and continue to call, just letting her know you are thinking of her, without pressuring her to talk.  If she has friends, I would recommend the same of them.  keeps things light, if she wants to talk, she will.  Good luck.

    as long as you trust her husband to be caring for her and making sure she is okay, I would try not to worry too much.

    depression

    THANK you for your suggestions.  Much appreciated!

  • Helen321
    Helen321 Member Posts: 1,459 Member
    #5
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    I went through the same

    I went through the same thing. Since I wouldnt go to the therapist, they had the hospital's counselor come to me. I got trapped in a room in a gown waiting to get my stitches out. It was very helpful. That was after 3 months. It's very hard at first. If she doesnt come around, ai recommend her proxy calling her oncologist to see if an intervention can help. After mine, I went to see the psychiatrist to talk, not just get meds.

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