| Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 | 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 65 yr Old Frack Stage IV BOT T3N2M0 HPV 16+ 2007:72GY IMRT(40) 8 ERBITUX No PEG 2008:CANCER BACK Salvage Surgery 25GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin Apaghia /G button 2012: CANCER BACK -left tonsilar fossa 40GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin Passed away 4-29-13
| | | | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | 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.
Gary Allsebrook *********************************** Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2 Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy) ________________________________________________________ "You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | 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.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April. --- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 235 Gold Member (200+ posts) | Gold Member (200+ posts) Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 235 | 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!!!
CG to Spouse BOT, Chemo and radiation started on March 29,2010 Ended on May 14,2010. LET THE HEALING BEGIN!!!
| | | | Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 12 Member | OP Member Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 12 | 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. | | | | Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 396 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | Platinum Member (300+ posts) Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 396 | heres to hoping for the best!
Teresa ----------- CG to ANDY. Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) T2N2cMxG4 stage 4. 43 @ dx 8/31/09 tx 9/21/09-11/06/09 cispatin/docetaxel/5-FU X3 PORT 9/9/09, PEG 12/07/09 35 IMRT-1/wk carbo 11/30/09-2/3/10 tx stopped due to complications IMRT BOOST 3/08-3/12/10 PET 4/12/10 CLEAR! PEG out 4/14/10
| | | | Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 12 Member | OP Member Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 12 | 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! | | | | Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 396 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | Platinum Member (300+ posts) Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 396 | 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!
Teresa ----------- CG to ANDY. Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) T2N2cMxG4 stage 4. 43 @ dx 8/31/09 tx 9/21/09-11/06/09 cispatin/docetaxel/5-FU X3 PORT 9/9/09, PEG 12/07/09 35 IMRT-1/wk carbo 11/30/09-2/3/10 tx stopped due to complications IMRT BOOST 3/08-3/12/10 PET 4/12/10 CLEAR! PEG out 4/14/10
| | | | Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 711 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 711 | 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.
David R. 65 yr old male non-smoker, light drinker, stage 3 or 4, depending on which doc you ask, scc rt. tonsil, 2 nodes, 7 weeks radiation and chemo. No surgery. Teatment ended 3/20/08. PET scan 8/08 showed no cancer. And now, as of oct, 2010, caregiver to wife, Linda, with breast cancer. May, 2013, Linda diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer. Enuf already.
| | | | Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 83 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | Supporting Member (50+ posts) Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 83 | 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 !!!
Bill Van Horn-53 ex-smoker, social drinker, Biopsy 8/24, Diagnosed 8/30/07 BOT T2N2-B MX Stage IV. Started treatments 10/1/07. IMRT 35 x, Cisplatin - 3 cycles - completed treatment 11/16/07. CT Scans on 1/15/08 all clear Selective neck dissection 1/28/08. All nodes clear.
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