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Q: HER2+ A/C chemo done, bi-lateral mastectomy in July, starting Taxol/Herceptin for 12 weeks, suffering from extreme depression, made worse by Decadron w/last infusion. Any suggestions? Help!
Hi - You need to get a referral to someone who can help your depression, and I'd suggest you tell someone on the oncology team (not a substitute MD) that your depression is such that you can't continue with the chemo and Herceptin till you get back on track emotionally. Be firm; don't let them try to just prescribe drugs that "might help." Depression is real, painful, and needs to be taken seriously. And it's every bit as important to treat it as it is to treat your cancer. So please get a referral; and if you can't get any docs to help, see the social workers at your hospital, explain your situation, and I think they'll give you a hand. Good luck - PJH
I'm SO glad you recognize that you need help, and are going to do something about it. It's no wonder you're depressed, with all you've been through - and all that's ahead of you. No shame in asking for help - as my oncologist said, "A stiff upper lip never cured anything."
I always thought of it this way: take it one step at a time, one day at a time. When you're climbing a big mountain, you don't stand and look at the peak; you fix your eyes on that next bend in the path, and move towards it. And each day that passes, you're that much closer to being through treatment and on your way back to good health and feeling better. Hope you're feeling better soon - and stay in touch here, OK? We can help. PJH
Thanks again for your kind words. It helps to not feel so alone. The medical establishment (I'm a Kaiser patient in No. California) is great at taking care of the body, but they don't offer a lot of support with the emotional end. The local hospital has a "cancer support" group for folks going through what I'm going through. I need to talk with folks like you, who have been through the fire and come through the other side. That gives me hope!
Bless you again PJ !!! I'll be back!
Great, Elena - look forward to hearing from you again. There's lots of good support on this site - have you considered writing a sharepost? It's a good way to connect with the community here... Take care- PJ
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Thanks for this. I see my oncologist next week and will demand help. I've been on Wellbutrin for many years, but this is very different from the occasional "blues".
I also think that the enormity of my situation has finally hit! Since January I've been dealing with 4 rounds of A/C chemo and am still only 7 weeks out from a radial mastectomy, and am now having trouble tolerating the Taxol/Herceptin that are necessary to prevent a recurrance of the cancer for another year and then radiation. There just seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel. We are having financial problems and I just feel like I'm sinking. Thanks for checking in. I'm calling a therapist in addition to seeing my oncologist. I'm definitely in over my head!
Blessings!