Danae

It's also normal to be somewhat depressed. IMO the so called depression tests are a joke for oral cancer patients since the questions presuppose that life is otherwise normal. I routinely scored 15 out of 15 or 10 out of 10 or 20 out of 20 depending on the test since I answered truthfully about being tired all the time, worried, scared, even little things a hassle, difficulty in eating, sleeping etc. But those things are normal for patients in TX. Still depression can also be very real for some patients and I know many posters here found some comfort and aid in anti-depressants. For me, logging onto OCF is my anti-depressant of choice
Charm

There are 2 basic types of depression: "Situational" and "chronic". Chronic is long term, sometimes even forever, more difficult to manage and the medications have to be carefully managed and tweaked by a psychiatrist.

Some inexperienced doctors will prescribe chronic depression meds (like Prozac) when anti-anxiety meds, (like Zanax) would do the trick.

I never had a depression rating test, but as Charm said, it is a normal response to having cancer.

Get a referal to a psychiatrist - managing brain chemistry is what they do. Oftentimes cognitive therapy by a psychologist is used in conjunction with the psychiatry.

I sure can't add to what these people have told you, But yes, let him drink allof the water he can hold. It prevents dehydration which can be nasty druring any recovery, There a a lot of us that had to be admitted to the Hospital and get IVS to get hydtrated again from lack of water. I am with your brother about the golf. I have been putting in my hallway because I haven't been able to go golfinf for over 3 years, but am going thnis year if it takes me a day and a half to go 18 holes or even 9.

I want to add my voice to Gary's in terms of getting a reference to a good psychiatrist and therapist if you believe there is difficulty with managing the depression. Anti-depressants/anti-anxiety meds (like many meds) may need tweaking to get to the right place. It's a big industry with many meds coming out regularly so it helps to go to someone who is up on the psychtropic medications.
There are also many types of therapy out there such as cognitive behavioral, stress reduction techniques,etc that work well alone or in conjunction with medication.
Also, don't underestimate how helpful it is to someone who may be depressed to know he has folks(like you ) that care!!!

Love the advice and guidance. I am taking everything you say and relaying it to him. Still trying to get him to log on.
He goes back to the Dr. tomorrow to see if the chest and back are healing. Praying that the fake skin did the trick and his wounds are healing. That would be a big plus for him. Hoping they will take the trach out. Wouldn't that be fabulous!
Again, what a group of fabulous, caring people.
Thank You.

heres to hoping for the best!

Haven't been on in a few days. Brother had fake skin put over large wound on chest. Body rejected the fake skin, tremendous pain removing bandage with fake skin. Trach is out this week. They are sending him home from rehab next week.
Still has open wound on back and large open wound on his chest.
They are going to leave the chest and back wounds bandaged and they will take weeks/months to heal. Will always have feeding tube but very happy trach is out. Working with speech therapist and able to say a couple of words.
This forum has helped me so much. I am able to talk to him and make good suggestions from reading the entries.
I am still trying to get him to sign on. Maybe when he gets home and feels better about his future he will reach out to others.
THANK YOU!

danae,
glad the trach is out. he must be happy about that.
sorry he is having other complications.
i was never able to get andy on here, but it was such a great help for me. i relayed alot to him thru this site. i also used this site to "let it all out" which i didnt want andy to see. so him not getting on was just as well!
so if he doesnt get on...u can give him the good advise yourself.
praying for his recovery to be smooth!

Reading Charm's post about shoveling snoww, cutting up tree and all made me exhausted. I went out and picked up a bunch of storm debris yesterday (with the "help" of Rocky, little brat of a cocker spaniel) and was wiped. Anyway, welcome to the forum, Danae, And keep up your strength and courage to pass along to him.

I agree with many on the depression, I was told from the beginning it was very common that right after the treatments were done that people go in a funk/depression of sorts. For most of us the goal is to get through the battle ,,,,then you wait and it can get depressing when you are hurting, can't eat, nothing is normal, etc. Typically with help, this normally passes. But no wonder we are depressed duh. Kinda of like when I was at the Drs waiting to hear about a MRI or PET test result they would take my blood pressure and it would be off the charts...no s%#!, Take it after the Docs tell me no cancer !!!