Hi everyone
I really hope that I’m okay to ask this question.
I’m after some advice on how best to support my mum who is 78. She has recurrent endometrial cancer that has spread to three sites. First diagnosed in 2017, had hysterectomy, recurred in 2019 and had a hormone treatment followed by chemotherapy in 2020. She’s now been told the tumours are growing again and will have to have chemotherapy again. She has taken this very badly and has really struggled to cope mentally all the way through in spite of having lots of family support and in spite of being relatively symptom free throughout (apart from hair loss with the chemotherapy there have been no signs to say she has cancer). She refuses to join a support group and won’t ask for help from either her support nurse or from her gp. She is now threatening suicide daily and my poor dad is beside himself as he doesn’t know how to help. Everything we suggest to try and help is rejected. I don’t really know where else to turn to. All of the posts that I’ve read here seem so positive in spite of what you are going through and I wonder how you achieve that. Any help at all would be so appreciated.
What is next after chemotherapy treatment 
2days to go for the last chemotherapy 
Post-op chemo depression - how to combat it and how to give effective support
V.M. not available through prescription
Supportive Cancer Charity in the USA?
Hi Baddog53Such a hard place for your Mom and your Family to be in I’m a new survivor but it’s a tough journey at 78 I get it. Could you possibly talk to her Oncologist or a Social worker counseling or perhaps an antidepressant to help her thru. Hugs from the US
Hi Saintgermain, thank you for replying, it really helps to see other people’s perspectives. I have suggested that she tries counselling and /or antidepressants but unfortunately she has refused both. I think I will have to go behind her back and talk to her support nurse to see if they can prescribe something for her. She sees antidepressants as a failure.I hope you have a great day 😊
This is a Bit off our cancer problem but still illness related . Just to say that my sister, when diagnosed with Parkinson’s was unbelievably awful to her nearest (and dearest ) so angry , but also very scared, which is horrible. Depression being part of the illness. Eventually after a lot of persuasion she gave in and took antidepressants. It’s been life changing . She now sees it as part of treatment, maybe your mum could get there . It sounds as though you need the help ! Best wishes
Jennifer
Thank you so much for your reply. I’m sorry to hear that your sister struggled in this way and it’s very good to know that the medication helped her. It’s so hard to know how to help when someone is angry and seems to refuse help. I will try again to suggest anti depressants. I’m hoping that if I talk to the nurse about it, she might talk to my mother and suggest them. Perhaps if it’s a suggestion coming from a nurse, she might be more receptive. I don’t like the idea of talking to the nurse without my mum’s knowledge but I know that if I asked her she would just say no and right now I need to take all the help we can.
Hi BaddogI’m glad you have gotten a lot of support here great blog! I know it’s an extremely difficult situation I hope you have an outlet to balance the stress it can be overwhelming and takes a toll even when your not aware of it time away for yourself that’s an option hugs!